Friday, october 11, 2013

US economy shut down’ll affect Nigeria –Okonjo-Iweala 400m children living in extreme poverty –World Bank

AYO OLESIN

WASHINGTON DC

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he lingering budget row and the possibility of a debt default

Vol. 3 N0. 698

PDP crisis:

by the United States would have grave implications for Nigeria as borrowing cost would rise significantly in the international market.

Finance Minister and

Lar: Plateau, stakeholders plan state burial

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Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said yesterday in Washington DC that the face-off between the US CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

CAN, Buhari, Amosun, Akpabio extol virtues

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Friday, October 11, 2013

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G7 govs, Baraje T lose round one ...as court, INEC reject bid to unseat Tukur

OBIORA IFOH AND KENNY ODUNUKAN

We won’t give up till we end NWC reign –New PDP

he Abubakar Baraje-led new Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, bid to take over the control of the party from its National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, suffered a setback yesterday on two fronts.

For lack of jurisdiction, an Ikeja High Court struck out a suit brought by the new PDP comprising former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, seven aggrieved governors – CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

President Goodluck Jonathan (middle); Vice-President Namadi Sambo (5th left) and members of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Special Duties during their oversight visit to the State House, Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

‘FG must probe Nigerians’ killing in Guinea Bissau’

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Libyan Prime Minister, Zeidan, abducted, freed

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(Nollywood Veteran) P.19

FRIDAY

Your

Family of nine, 12 others killed in morning attack

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I’m going blind –Pa Kasumu Flavour 16 PAGES OF ARTS, REVIEWS, LIFESTYLE AND BUZZ TO START YOUR WEEKEND, BEGIN ON PAGE 19

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PDP crisis: G7 govs, Baraje lose round one CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Murtal Nyako (Adamawa) and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) seeking to stop Tukur and others from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

Also, the Independent National Electoral Com-

mission, INEC, refused to recognise the PDP faction led by Baraje.

Ruling on a preliminary objection filed by the Tukur-led PDP, Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie held that the Lagos High Court had no jurisdiction to adjudicate on a matter emanating outside its territory.

Justice Adefope-Okojie stated that the subject mat-

ter, course of action and residents of defendants were outside the jurisdiction of the state, therefore, the court could not hear the suits.

She said cases that originated within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, must be heard by the courts within the territory.

The Baraje faction, also known as the new PDP, in the suit filed on Septem-

ber 1 urged the court to restrain Tukur and three other officials of the party from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

Apart from Tukur, the suit filed by Baraje, Dr. Sam Jaja and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola had the Deputy National Chairman, Mr. Uche Secondus; the Women Leader, Kema Chikwe and the National

L-R: First Lady, Patience Jonathan and President, Hansei University, Prof. Sung-Hae Kim, during the President wife’s conferment with honorary doctorate degree in social welfare and administration at the institution in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

US economy shut down’ll affect Nigeria –Okonjo-Iweala CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Congress and the Obama administration had created uncertainties that could raise interest rates on two of the nation’s sovereign debt instruments currently traded in major financial centres across the globe.

Addressing a world press conference shortly after the meeting of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers with the leadership of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, IMF, in Washington DC, OkonjoIweala noted that the current US imbroglio would certainly not be favourable to yield and interests accruable on Nigeria’s bonds.

This is because the continued stalemate and uncertainty over the debt issues would make it more expensive for Nigeria and other sovereigns and their private entities to borrow from the international financial market.

Nigeria had earlier this year issued a $1bn Eurobond that was heavily subscribed by international investors. That was coming after the government sold its first $500m bond in

the international financial market about two year ago.

According to the minister, the current debt row between the US Congress and President Obama administration is creating a lot of uncertainty in the global financial market fearing it may affect the performance of Nigeria’s bond if not resolved urgently.

“The present situation in the USA creates a lot of uncertainty for developing countries especially those that have bonds traded in the US market. We hope it is resolved urgently so that it will not hurt the yields and interests on these instruments,” she said.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth countries are to take a more proactive stance in dealing with tax avoidance by multinational companies and local entities within the group.

Okonjo-Iweala stated that the issue is now gaining traction in discussions within the group as against the long term focus on corruption in developing countries.

The minister said that an initiative has been set up under the G8 headed by

the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom trying to look at financial centres and the use of tax evasion by companies.

The minister also said African Finance Ministers have set up a high level panel chaired by former South African President Thabo Mbeki to look at the issues of tax evasion and illicit financial flows and their impact on the economies of member states.

“This is work in progress and we are trying to look at what we can do, the extent of this problem and exactly what steps we can take to solve the problem,” she noted in response to questions from international media.

She noted that some countries are already looking inwards at their tax regimes and what is wrong.

The minister said Nigeria and Tanzania are already looking at their tax system with a view to plugging loopholes and strengthening compliance levels across the board.

She pointed out that a recent audit by the firm McKenzie of South Africa was to evaluate issues of

delayed tax remittances by local and international entities operating in Nigeria.

On the issue of global trading agreement currently in favour of developed nations, she said the preference for all developing nations is for everybody to go back for a strong multilateral round at the WTO. She, however, regretted that African countries have failed to take full advantage of opportunities offered by the African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA, which allows free entry of certain categories of African products into the US market.

According to her, developing nations would benefit more by negotiating as a group pointing out that West African nations were preparing the ground for this.

“We have realised that it is more beneficial to negotiate as a bloc and ECOWAS for instance is trying to get its own trade and tariff regime in shape. And that was why we just had an ECOWAS finance meeting last week to conclude on our internal trade issues so that we can negotiate as a bloc,” she said.

Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, as defendants.

The Baraje faction filed the suit shortly after the aggrieved governors and Abubakar walked out of the August 31 Special National Convention.

But Tukur and other National Working Committee, NWC, members had on September 18 through their counsel, Mr. Joe Kyari-Gadzama (SAN) and Mr. Emeka Etiaba, filed a preliminary objection, urging the court to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

According to Gadzama, “Ikeja High Court lacks competence and jurisdiction to hear this matter because the convention took place in Abuja and the defendants reside outside of Lagos. It is the position of the law that all matters must be heard within its jurisdiction and where parties reside.”

Gadzama had argued that the writs of summons did not comply with the mandatory requirements of Section 97 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act because they were not endorsed.

Counsel to the claimants, Robert Emukpaeruo, argued that the court had jurisdiction to entertain the suit contrary to the objections raised by the defendants.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Adefope-Okojie said the applicants had averred in their affidavit that the course of action, which was the special convention of the PDP, emanated from Abuja.

The judge said they had also averred that the PDP had its registered office in Abuja and that none of the defendants was resident in Lagos State.

“The doctrine of enforcement of judgements was not relevant to the suit before the court.

“I hold that with the defendants not resident in Lagos and the subject matter originating in Abuja, the High Court of Lagos State has no power to assume jurisdiction over this suit.”

She said that jurisdiction could only be exercised in a manner prescribed by the law, adding that the course of action took place outside of its

territory.

“I have considered the subject matter and discovered that it is not within the jurisdiction of the court; the high court of Lagos has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the suits and it is accordingly struck out.”

Meanwhile, the Barajeled faction said they would not stop their determination “to sack the usurper, Alhaji Tukur, and rescue our great party from his misrule.”

The new PDP said there was no cause to worry about the ruling, stressing that the merit of the case had not been decided.

The National Publicity Secretary, Chukwuemeka Eze, said the new PDP would re-file the case in Abuja.

The party said: “We wish to assure our teeming members and Nigerians in general that there is no cause to worry. This is because the ruling has nothing to do with the merit of the case but the place of filing.

“As advised by His Lordship, we shall hasten to re-file the suit, this time in Abuja, as we are convinced about the merit of our case.

“Our determination to sack the usurper, Alhaji Tukur, and rescue our great party from his misrule has never been stronger.

“Finally, we urge all our supporters and members not to despair or exercise any atom of fear and should continue to support the leadership of our great party under the able leadership of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje as we are getting closer to freeing our party from the enclave of undemocratic elements currently holding us to ransom and doing everything within their powers to ruin all that our founding fathers struggled to build.

“With today’s court ruling, we are now very determined to restore PDP to the path of honour particularly now that we have lost our great first National Chairman, Dr Solomon Lar to the cold hands of death. Let us reiterate that nothing and we repeat nothing will stop us from implementing the viCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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Friday, October 11, 2013

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Friday, October 11, 2013

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (middle) during an inspection of a parade of honour by the newly Inaugurated Ekiti State Peace Corps in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday.

L-R: Ambassador of Botswana to Nigeria, Mr. Louis Fisher; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof.

Viola Onwuliri and President Goodluck Jonathan, during Fischer’s visit to the president in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Globacom Divisional Director, South East, Mr. Michael Ehumadu (right), presents a Special Glo SIMs to the Ogene Onira of Onitsha, Chief Prof. Ngozi Okafo, during the launch of the special SIMs, at the ongoing Onitsha Ofala Festival sponsored by Globacom, yesterday.

L-R: United Bank Of Africa (UBA) Director Of Consumer Banking, Mr. Ilesanmi Owoeye; Customer, Ms Gladys Ugwuagu and UBA Head, Retail Products Division, Mrs Olumide Osunyomi during UBA Launch Of U-Gold Banking Product in Enugu, yesterday.

PHTOTO: NAN

National News

Navy seizes 1,300 tonnes of stolen crude oil in Rivers UDEME AKPAN

WITH AGENCY REPORT

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he Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, said yesterday that it impounded a vessel laden with 1,300 tonnes of crude oil suspected to be stolen off Bonny Island in Rivers.

The Commanding Officer, Forward Operating base, Bonny, Capt. Daupreye Matthew, told journalists in Port Harcourt that eight suspects were arrested during the raid.

He said preliminary investigation revealed that the vessel had no valid document from relevant agencies to operate in the petroleum industry.

Matthew said: “Particularly worrying is the source of the product because the vessel did not have a Bill of Laden which indicates the crude oil was not gotten from relevant agencies.

“The eight suspects will be handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

“In line with the vision

and mission of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, I hereby re-emphasise our zero tolerance and resolve to curb oil theft from the region.

“The Navy will not stop until it rid the region of criminality and illegalities in the Nigerian maritime domain.”

He said the fight against oil theft was the responsibility of Nigerians, irrespective of their class to ensure economic growth and prosperity of the country.

Matthew urged the people to continue to provide the Navy with information that would lead to the arrest of oil thieves and pipeline vandals.

According to him, criminals should desist from illegality and seek legitimate jobs because the Navy will not condone acts that are capable of sabotaging the nation’s economic growth.

The acting Commandant of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers State, Mrs. Christiana Abiakam, said the command would carry out thorough investigation to unravel the source of the product.

She said if found guilty, the suspect would be arraigned to serve as deterrent to others.

Meanwhile, the United States and others non-members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are to supply 54.1 million barrels bpd daily to the global market this month, representing an increase of 1.1 per cent against its previous record.

This sustainable increase in oil supply is expected to further affect the market share of OPEC member nations, including Nigeria that depend on oil export to generate foreign exchange for the execution of their yearly budgets.

An October oil market report of the cartel released yesterday stated that “NonOPEC oil supply is estimated at 54.1 mb/d, following an upward revision of 0.1 mb/d, representing growth of 1.1 mb/d.

It stated that the upward adjustment was due mainly to higher-than-expected supply from the US, Brazil, Kazakhstan and South Sudan & Sudan. In 2014, nonOPEC oil supply is expected to increase by 1.2 mb/d,

supported by anticipated growth in the US, Canada, Brazil, and South Sudan & Sudan.

The report stated that OPEC NGLs and nonconventional oils are expected to increase by 0.2 mb/d in 2013 and 0.1 mb/d in 2014.

In September, total OPEC crude production averaged 30.05 mb/d, according to secondary sources, representing a drop of 390 tb/d from the previous month.

It said: “World economic growth for 2013 and 2014 remains unchanged at 2.9per centper cent and 3.5per cent respectively, although ongoing developments regarding the budget stand-off in the US requires close monitoring. US growth for 2013 has been revised down to 1.6per cent from 1.7per cent, while the 2014 forecast remains at 2.5per cent.

“The Euro-zone growth forecast for the current year has been revised up to -0.3per cent from -0.5per cent and to 0.7per cent from 0.6per cent for 2014. Japan’s forecast for 2013 has been revised up to 1.9per cent from 1.7per cent and growth for 2014 has been revised to 1.5per cent from 1.4

per cent.

It stated that India has been impacted by capital outflows and its 2013 forecast has been lowered to 5.0oper cent and its 2014 forecast reduced to 5.8per cent.

The report said China’s growth expectations remain unchanged at 7.6per cent and 7.7per cent for 2013 and 2014 respectively.

It said: “World oil demand is estimated to average 89.7 mb/d in 2013, representing growth of 0.8 mb/d compared to the previous year, and unchanged from the previous report.”

The report maintained that upward revisions in OECD Americas and Europe were almost entirely offset by downward adjustments in OECD Asia Pacific, Other Asia and the FSU. “For 2014, growth is expected to increase to around 1.0 mb/d to reach to 90.8 mb/d. Non-OECD countries are projected to lead oil demand growth with 1.2 mb/d, while OECD consumption is seen continuing to decline but at a lower rate of 0.2 mb/d,” the report said.

However, demand for

OPEC crude in 2013 is estimated to average 29.9 mb/d, unchanged from the previous report, representing a decline of 0.5 mb/d from 2012. In 2014, demand for OPEC crude is expected at 29.6 mb/d, also in line with the previous report, representing a decline of 0.3 mb/d compared to the current year.

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, said the continued increase in American oil production and export will affect the fortunes of Nigeria, particularly as America was until recently a major consumer of the nation’s crude oil.

The minister said Nigeria will have to explore market opportunities in other nations with the capacities to consume commercial oil from the nation.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC also admitted that the increasing development of shale gas as major source of energy in the United States is a major challenge to Nigeria’s oil industry.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Friday, October 11, 2013

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400 million children living in extreme poverty –World Bank AYO OLESIN

WASHINGTON DC

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bout 400 million children remain trapped in extreme poverty despite the huge

decline in the number of poor people over the past 30 years, a new World Bank report analysis released yesterday said.

Extreme poverty is defined as those living under

$1.25 (N206) a day.

Senior officials of the bank are concerned that such children will not benefit from global growth in the future unless they secure access to adequate

nutrition, education and health services.

The report, which gives for the first time an indepth profile of the poorest people in the world, found that 721 million people had

L-R: Prime Minister, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Denzil Douglas; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, at a news conference on financing the post-2015 development agenda at the World Bank headquarters, Washington DC, United States, yesterday.

PHOTO: AYO OLESIN

PDP crisis: G7 govs, Baraje lose round one CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

sions of both Dr. Solomon Lar and all the founding fathers of our great party to the letter and keeping all undemocratic elements at bay from the leadership of our great party.”

Meanwhile, in a letter by electoral commission with reference number INEC / LEG/PDP/19/111.25 dated October 2, 2013 and signed by the acting secretary of INEC, U.F. Usuman, the

commission insisted on the leadership of Tukur as the authentic National Working Committee, NWC. The INEC letter to the Baraje’s faction with the title “Notification of Change in the change of leadership of PDP and request for formal recognition” reads thus: “Commission acknowledges the receipt of your letter dated September 1 and 23 2013

respectively wherein you requested the commission recognition of the Abubakar Baraje faction of the newly elected National Working Committee.

“You will recall the commission monitored the national convention and the special national convention of the PDP held on March 12, 2012 and August 31, 2013 respectively which took place at the Eagle

Square Abuja, after notices to the commission.

A National Working Committee was elected at the two conventions wherein Alhaji Bamanga Tukur emerged as the national chairman.

“The commission will not withdraw recognition from the leadership of the PDP elected at the election duly monitored by the commission. Please be guided,” INEC affirmed.

Council wants FG to facilitate operation of dry ports

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he Nigerian Shippers’ Council has called on the Federal Government to facilitate the operation of the six dry ports, to decongest old sea ports in the country.

The Executive Secretary of the council, Mr. Hassan Bello, made the call yesterday in Abuja when he visited the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Malam Aminu Dikko.

It will be recalled that in

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2002, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, approved the establishment of six dry ports in Kano, Plateau, Borno, Oyo, Katsina and Abia states.

In 2006, the government concessioned the pots under the PublicPrivate-Partnership arrangement Bello said that if the six new ports commenced operation, they would serve as origin and final destinations, where people

could send their cargos abroad and receive them.

He added that they would also help to decongest the existing ports.

The executive secretary said that the major problem facing Nigerian ports, especially the old ones was congestion.

He said that for Nigerian ports to operate optimally, the government should modernise and decentralise them.

The executive secre-

tary suggested that the six dry ports should be located where there were rail lines for easy movement of goods.

Bello observed that with increase in trade, technology and population, the old ports established in the 1960s, could no longer cope with demands of the people.

He said that a lack of access roads was also militating against optimal operation of the ports.

Abuja trade fair rakes in N1.5bn

he President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ABUCCIMA, Mr. Solomon Nyagba, yesterday said that the just-concluded 8th Abuja International Trade Fair raked in revenue in excess of N1.5bn.

Nyagba made this

known to newsmen in Abuja during the closing ceremony of the fair which opened on September 26.

He said although details of the revenue were still being worked out to ascertain the exact figure, the total amount would not be less than N1.5bn.

He said that over 300 exhibitors, 120 of them foreign participated in the fair, making it the most successful of all the fairs so far organised by the chamber.

“The fair has achieved its aims because a large number of participants from within and outside the country participated

in it.

“With improved facilities, especially the exotic tents we provided, the whole exercise was a big success.

“But we believe there is room for improvement and that is why we are already preparing for the 9th edition,” he said.

been lifted out of extreme poverty in 2010 compared to 1981.

It, however, noted that children accounted for onethird of those living in extreme poverty around the world in 2010, compared with one in five of those living above the poverty line.

The situation is even worse in low income countries, 26 of which are in Africa, where half of children live in poverty.

“We have witnessed an historic movement of people lifting themselves out of poverty over the past three decades, but the number of children living in poverty alone should leave no doubt that there remains much work to do,” World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said while commenting on the report.

“We can reach our goals of ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity, including sharing that prosperity with future generations, but only if we work together with new urgency. Children should not be cruelly condemned to a life without hope, without good education, and without access to quality health care. We must do better for them,” Kim said.

Six months ago, the governors of the World Bank Group endorsed two key targets - ending extreme poverty by 2030 and promoting shared prosperity by fostering income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population in developing countries.

However, World Bank’s analysis released yesterday underscored the difficulty of reaching the goal to end poverty by 2030, finding that while the reduction in poverty moved significantly in middle-income countries, including China and India, low-income countries showed much slower progress.

While extreme poverty rates have declined in all regions, the world’s 35 lowincome countries – 26 of which are in Africa – registered 100 million more extremely poor people today than three decades ago.

In 2010, 33 per cent of the extreme poor lived in low-income countries, compared to 13 per cent in 1981, the report found.

The analysts also found that the poor in 2010 were as bad off as they were in 1981, with the exception of

India and China.

The “average” poor person in a low-income country lived on 78 cents a day in 2010, compared to 74 cents a day in 1981. But in India, the average income of the poor rose to 96 cents in 2010, compared to 84 cents in 1981, while China’s average poor’s income rose to 95 cents, compared to 67 cents.

The report also calculated that the amount of money needed every year to lift more than a billion people out of extreme poverty would be $169bn in 2005. This was less than half in 1981.

The bank report also provided previously unreleased details about where the world’s poor live and work as well as their access to basic services.

The analysis found that more than three quarters or 78 per cent of those living in extreme poverty lived in rural areas with nearly twothirds of the extreme poor deriving their livelihoods from agriculture.

The extreme poor also continue to lag significantly behind in access to basic services, the analysis found.

Only 26 per cent of the poor had access to clean water in 2010, compared to 56 per cent among those living above the $1.25 poverty line.

Meanwhile, fewer than half, 49 per cent, of the extreme poor had access to electricity, compared to 87 per cent of the non-poor.

And while 61 per cent of those above the $1.25 poverty line had access to basic sanitation, just 20 per cent of the extreme poor had access to similar services, the report showed.

World Bank Acting Vice-President of Poverty Reduction and Economic Management, Jaime Saavedra, said: “We need to act urgently and with a sharpened focus to implement effective policies in places where poverty remains entrenched, particularly rural areas.

“Children living in complete deprivation today are unlikely to benefit much from growth in the future, unless they secure access to adequate nutrition, education, and health services.

Accelerating the pace of poverty reduction in low income countries represents a moral imperative. There is no time for complacency.”

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Friday, October 11, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG must probe Nigerians’ killing in Guinea Bissau –Dabiri PAUL ARHEWE

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ederal Government has been advised to conduct thorough investigation into the attack on Nigerian Embassy and the lynching of some Nigerians in Guinea Bissau.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Abike DabiriErewa, gave the advice in a telephone interview with our correspondent yesterday.

She said: “Nigerian government should conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident and perpetrators should be ad-

equately punished.”

The lawmaker said this should not be like previous investigations which were abandoned.

“It is accepted that the Guinean government has apologised to Nigerians, but the investigation should still go and it should be thorough,” she added.

Dabiri-Erewa said this won’t be the first time such aggressive action was meted out to Nigerians in Guinea Bissau.

She said: “We can recollect that the same country chased out some Nigerian farmers during a land tussle there recently. The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, had

to relocate them to Bayelsa State, for them to continue their farming profession.”

Guinea Bissau on Wednesday apologised to Nigeria over the killing of three Nigerians by a mob in Bissau.

The apology was made shortly after Nigeria protested the Tuesday incident to the Guinea Bissau au-

thorities.

Before this, President Goodluck Jonathan had during this week’s Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to order the Nigerian Ambassador in Guinea Bissau to take up the matter with the authorities of that country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, told reporters that her Guinea Bissau counterpart personally visited the Nigerian Embassy in Bissau where she tendered the apology.

News agency had reported that the three Nigerians were killed after the disappearance of a young

boy on Tuesday morning in Bissau.

Onwuliri said: “The report we have is that aggrieved citizens attacked the Nigerian Embassy with clubs, stones and other dangerous objects.

We have protested to the government of Guinea Bissau. Their (government has apologised.

‘Senate committee will soon inspect Army projects’

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he Senate Committee on Army and Defence will in the next two weeks embark on inspection tour of projects being executed by the Nigerian Army.

The committee Chairman, Sen. George Sekibo, made the disclosure yesterday when he led other members on oversight function to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

Sekibo said the tour was necessary to determine how the Army used the funds so far released to it from the 2013 budget.

He said: “The budget of the Army is performing very well, with the release of about 60 per cent of the appropriated money.

“From the books, we have seen that you have done well; we have also seen that there is improvement in your services.

“But since some of the funds are for infrastructure development, the committee will take a tour of the project sites in the next two weeks.’’

The chairman said the tour would enable members of the committee to

“see exactly the projects to which the funds were put into”.

He commended the Army for creating the 7 Division in Borno to assist it in curbing the excesses of the insurgents in the North-East.

Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, had told the committee that more than 60 per cent recurrent and more than 50 per cent of capital votes of the Army for 2013 had been released.

He said the Army had established a school where French and Arabic languages would be taught.

Ihejirika added that Nigeria was denied the headship of the United Nations, UN, forces in Mali because of the inability of Nigerian soldiers to speak French.

He said: “The lack of proficiency in French Language happens to be one of the reasons why we were denied headship of the UN force in Mali.

“Our soldiers will be compelled to be bilingual and this will be considered in promotion and appointment in future.”

L-R: President, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mr. Femi Adesina; Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie and former Executive Director, Nigerian Television Authority, Mr. Edward Amana, at a media workshop on the dynamics of the education sector in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

51.18m Nigerians employed in 2011 –Planning Commission

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bout 51.18 million Nigerians were employed in the economy in 2011, while 16.07 were unemployed, the National Planning Commission said in a report in Abuja yesterday.

The report is the 2011 Performance Monitoring Report on Government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs. Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, clearly illustrated the deep challenges in Nigeria’s labour market, according to it The report said: “The NBS estimates that Nigeria’s population grew by 3.2 per cent in 2011 from 159.3 million people in 2010 to 164.4 million in 2011, re-

Sallah: Govt declares Tuesday, Wednesday public holidays OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

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he Federal Government has declared Tuesday and Wednesday next week as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

The Minister of Inte-

rior, Comrade Abba Moro, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement yesterday, congratulated Muslims and enjoined them and all other Nigerians to join hands with President Goodluck Jonathan in “his sustained efforts to raise Nigeria to the next level of de-

velopment”.

Moro also urged Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace and unity across the country.

While wishing Nigerians a most rewarding and peaceful celebration, the minister tasked them on the need to be security conscious.

flecting rapid population growth.

“In 2011, Nigeria’s unemployment rose to 23.9 per cent compared with 21.1 per cent in 2010.

“Unemployment was higher in rural areas at 25.6 per cent than in urban areas, where it was 17 per cent on average.”

It said efforts to create an environment conducive for job creation must be redoubled.

The report added that

the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity reported resolving 279 of the 328 labour complaints it received in 2011.

This represents 85 per cent rate of resolution of complaints.

It said the number of complaints received increased compared with 263 recorded in 2010, adding that the resolution rate of 85 per cent improved from 51 per cent in 2010.

The report added: “The

Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity also reported a decreased in the percentage of manhour lost to strikes in 2011 and an increase in the number of persons trained and equipped under skills acquisition programmes to establish their own trade.’’

It added that the number of jobs created in 2011 was reported as 209,239 by the Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

Make people-oriented laws, Jonathan urges African legislatures ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday called on African legislatures to give greater attention to enacting laws that would further empower and enhance the living conditions of the people.

Jonathan made the call after he was briefed by the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, on the Africa Legislative Summit scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 10th-13th, 2013.

The President said that legislation must be seen as a vital democratic tool that enabled speedy and inclusive development.

He said the legislative process would only become truly meaningful to the vast majority of Africans when it started to positively address their needs and aspirations.

Jonathan said he was looking forward to the legislative summit, which he said would be the first in Africa, with the expectation that it would x-ray and analyse issues that would help the separate

arms of government to work in concert to bring the continent out of its present predicaments.

The President also urged participants at the summit to brainstorm on how to make laws that would promote economic growth and boost employment.

Ndoma-Egba, who is the chairman of the Joint Steering Committee for the Summit, told the President that its theme would be; “Emerging Legislatures in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities.”

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Jonathan urges African leaders to build domestic capacity ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday charged African leaders on the need to develop and exploit their countries’ comparative economic advantages for the benefit of their people.

Speaking when Botswana’s new envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador Louis Matshewenyego Fisher

visited him, President Jonathan said African countries must evolve and implement policies that would maximise their economic potentials to move away from current dependency partnerships with the industrialized nations.

The President urged the leaders to focus more on building domestic capacity around the strengths of their economies, instead of wasting their efforts on

areas in which they lack a competitive edge.

Jonathan noted that globalisation would work better when African countries take greater advantage of their human and natural resources to enhance their ability to compete effectively with other regions in world trade.

The President pointed out that Africa’s competitiveness could be further enhanced through

increased regional trade and horizontal investment partnerships.

He also stressed the need for partnerships that can boost the economies of Nigeria and other African nations during separate meetings with the new Ambassador of Czech Republic to Nigeria, Pavel Mikes, the new Ambassador of Republic of Kuwait to Nigeria, Abdulla Ahmed Al-Sharrah and the new

Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Perry Calderwood.

The ambassadors, who were at the Presidential Villa to present their letters of credence expressed appreciation to the president for receiving them while assuring him that they would work hard to further enhance existing trade, economic and cultural cooperation between Nigeria and their countries.

Meanwhile, President Jonathan begins a two-day official visit to Addis Ababa today to participate in an extraordinary session of the African Union’s Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

The extraordinary session has two main items on

its agenda - consideration of a progress report on the implementation of the assembly’s decision of May 2013 on International Jurisdiction, Justice and the International Criminal Court and Election (by the Executive Council) and Appointment (by the Assembly) of a new Commissioner for Peace and Security.

Jonathan would be accompanied by Senator Emmanuel Paulker, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke and the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed.

The President is expected back in Abuja at the conclusion of the summit on Saturday.

House Committee visits Presidential Villa on oversight function ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

M L-R: Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Ambassador Lawrence Obisakin; Alhaji Aliko Dangote and President of Benin Republic, Dr. Boni Yayi, during Dangote’s decoration as Grand Commander of the National Order of the Republic of Benin, yesterday.

Coalition seeks review of girl-child policies TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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he Coalition for the Reduction of Child Marriage through Improved Education has called on the three tiers of government in the country to review existing policies and practices that inhibit the overall development and well being of the girl-child.

Making the call yesterday in a statement marking the International Day of the Girl-Child, Coordinator of the Coalition and Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Hussaini Abdu, said the call for a review of policies was predicated on the obvious need to ‘give girls their proper place in the society, ensuring that their rights are protected and fulfilled.’

Abdu said the theme for this year’s Day of the GirlChild; ‘Innovating for Girls’ Education’ had placed enormous duties on everybody to rise to the challenge of giving the girl-child all their social, economic, political and cultural dues.

“Parents, guardians, religious and traditional leaders should protect the rights of the girl child and ensure that other duty bearers are held accountable in fulfilling these rights,” Abdu stated.

The coalition, which raised concern about the practice of early marriage, noted that stillbirths and deaths were 50 per cent more likely in babies born to mothers younger than 18 years, as against those born to mothers above that age.

Other health risks linked with child marriage, according to the group, include maternal mortality and morbidity, sexual exploitation (forced sexual relations), the debilitating ailment of VVF/ RVF as well as the abandonment, exclusion and depression that comes with being married off so early.

For instance, the group lamented that even when Nigeria accounted for two per cent of the world’s population, the country ironically has 10 per cent of VVF cases globally.

It also noted that child marriage leads to limited productivity in the girl-child, with her lack of education and skills, resulting in diminished opportunities, thereby compounding the circumstances of poverty that is prevalent in many of our rural communities.

The coalition reiterated its belief in the potential of the Nigerian girl-child to contrib-

ute to national development if provided educational opportunities and given room for self improvement.

The coalition has ActionAid Nigeria as leader while its other members are Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative (IWEI), The GirlChild Education (GCE) Programme, Girl-Child Concerns (GCC) and Development Research and Projects Centre (DRPC).

embers of the House of Representatives Committee on Special Duties yesterday visited the Presidential Villa in an unprecedented oversight function assignment.

The committee led by its Chairman, Hon. Nadi Karibo, was conducted round the State House by the State House Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbile, after which they visited President Goodluck Jonathan in his office.

Karibo, who led 22 of the 36 member-committee, visited the State House Medical Centre and several offices within the Presidential Villa.

Speaking with State House correspondents after the inspection, Karibo said members of the com-

mittee were impressed with the projects in the State House, particularly the renovation and extension work going on at the State House clinic.

According to him, he was impressed that the State House clinic was not only made available to staff of the State House, but also provides services to others.

Karibo said he was happy that the President would open his doors and enable members to come freely and perform oversight function, saying that it was unusual.

He said it was not true that the House of Representatives is always at loggerheads with the executive arm of government, saying that it was wrong to have the opinion that unless there was quarrel with the executive, then the legislators are not working.

Committee seeks joint patrol of Nigeria-Cameroun borders

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he Nigerian Chapter of the Nigeria-Cameroun Trans-border Security Committee has recommended the establishment of a joint patrol of the countries’ common borders to combat insurgents and criminals.

Chairman of the Committee, Maj.-Gen. Babatunde Samuel, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the presentation of the group’s report to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed.

According to Samuel, the

porous borders between Nigeria and Cameroun, which covers about 2, 000 kilometres from Lake Chad to the Atlantic Ocean, is a threat to the entire region.

“The committee noted the predominant threats to our security which include kidnapping, piracy, illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, smuggling as well as environmental degradation.

“Other notable threats with negative economic consequences include terrorism, hostage taking, illegal fishing, human

and drug trafficking and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

“The committee identified the maritime axis, mountains, roads and rivers, waterways and streams that are safe havens and routes for criminal activities.

“Our security and law enforcement agencies have proposed joint patrol collaboration with Cameroun to drastically reduce the menace of criminals and insurgents along our common porous borders,” he said.

He said the committee’s

report also recommended that Cameroun be persuaded to join the Multinational Joint Task Force of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad.

The chairman of the committee said the report also noted that the demarcation of the common boundaries between Nigeria-Cameroun borders was ongoing under the auspices of the Nigeria-Cameroon Mixed Commission.

He also acknowledged that the National Boundary Commission (NBC) was actively involved in the exercise.

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South West

Friday, October 11, 2013

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Plane crash: Ondo, Agagu’s family asked to stop trading blames OLUSEGUN KOIKI AND HAKEEM GBADAMOSI

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inister of Culture and Tourism Edem Duke has called on the Ondo State Government and the family of former Governor Olusegun Agagu to stop trading blames over who hired the Associated Airline plane that crashed last Thursday.

Duke spoke yesterday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, when he led the Federal Government delegates to condole with the family of former Minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae, whose son, Deji, was among the victims of the plane crash.

Deji was the Commission for Culture and Tourism before he died in the crash.

Stressing that this is not an appropriate time to apportion blame, the minister urged all parties not to dissipate their energy in apportioning blames over the incident, but should support stakeholders to improve the aviation sector.

While sympathising

• Experts flay call for Oduah’s removal with Chief Falae and the state government, Duke described the late Deji as a talented young and promising politician.

He, however, urged the family and the people of the state to take solace in God over the untimely death of the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, saying no one could query God as He knows the best and prayed that God would grant the family the fortunate to bear the loss.

Other members of the delegation include Minister of Communication, Mrs. Omobola Johnson; Dr Pius Osunyikanmi and a Director in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, George Offot.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Chief Falae’s eldest son, Dapo, thanked the delegates for the visit.

He said though Deji’s stay on earth was short, but his imprint is undeniable.

According to him, the late Deji dedicated his life to putting smiles on the face of others.

Dapo said: “Deji be-

lieves in getting involved in moving the country to a greater height and solving many problems hindering the nation’s development Within a short period Deji expanded the scope of his ministry.”

Deji was the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Ondo State who led the state government’s delegation to accompany the body of the former governor from Lagos to Akure for the final burial.

Meanwhile, some aviation experts have kicked against the call for the removal of Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, over the last week’s accident involving Embraer 120 aircraft at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.

The experts insisted that the removal of Oduah would not solve air crashes in the country, but called for concerted effort to prevent plane crashes.

An Aviation Security Consultant, Capt. Balarabe Usman, said the call for Oduah removal was unrealistic because there was

no where it is written in the nation’s constitution that a minister should be removed after a crash.

He said rather than call for the removal of Oduah, stakeholders and professionals in the aviation sector should come together to brainstorm on how to prevent rashes in future.

Usman said: “I know that some people are not happy with Mrs. Oduah because of the radical things she did when she was appointed as minister. I know that some people are unhappy with her jolting the status quo, but to be sincere those changes she made are necessary for the sector to move forward.”

Claiming that there are more air crashes in the United States than any other part of the world, the consultant said the country was said to have the highest safety record in the global aviation sector.

He said: “Any minister that wants to develop any sector in this country must jolt the status quo in order to move forward. And

of course, you must have a lot of opposition; those who were benefiting from the old system you want to change.

“If you go to the United States National Transport Board website, you will see that the average number of accidents involving civil aviation aircraft every month is about 25.

I can tell you and you can confirm this that in January 2013, there were 30 accidents with 62 fatalities; in February there were 28 accidents with 50 fatalities; in March 31 accidents with 59 fatalities and in April, 30 accidents with 44 fatalities.

“Also in May, there were 30 accidents with 48 fatalities; June 30 accidents with 74 fatalities. Also in July, there were 31 accidents with 54 fatalities; in August there were 30 accidents with 55 fatalities; in September there were 24 accidents with 21 fatalities and in October, by the 9th of this month there were four non-fatal accidents already.”

Usman, who was a former director of Aviation

Security in the Federal airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), noted that most of these were general aviation accidents, including charter operations, private air services and few airliners, adding that there are thousands of aircraft flying over American airspace, unlike in Nigeria.

Besides, President of Centre for Aviation Safety and Research, (CASR), Mr. Sheri Kyari, said those clamouring for the removal of the minister did not wish to face the truth, stressing that the standard in different parts of the world and in accordance to the regulation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, (ICAO) is the direct responsibility of aircraft safety lies with the airline, which should have it as priority that it conducts safe operation.

Kyari said: “Those clamouring for the removal of Oduah are saying such out of sentiments. Until the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) comes out with its findings, it will be wrong to impose the blame of the crash on anyone.”

Merger of schools: CAN gives Aregbesola seven-day ultimatum ADEOLU ADEYEMO OSOGBO

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L-R: Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, during the governor’s appearance at the Public Assessment, tagged: “Gbangbadekun” held at Enuwa square in front of the Oni’s palace, Ile-Ife, yesterday.

Alaafin seeks British, US’ assistance on border security KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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he Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, yesterday solicited the assistance of both the Britain and the United States on the management of Nigeria’s borders security.

He spoke when the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Peter Carter, visited him in his palace.

The monarch said since

security of environment has become more dynamic and uncertain, resonating with numerous threats and contestations which are transnational in nature and have the potential to grow more lethal, most nations now find themselves struggling for survival .He said: “The security of any state embodies a notion of order or of the conditions necessary to maintain the smooth functioning and reproduction of an existing

society. The security of any nation is predicated on two central pillars. On the one hand, it entails the maintenance and protection of the socio-economic order in the face of internal and external threats. On the other hand, it entails the promotion of a preferred international order, which minimises the threats to core values and interests, as well as to the domestic order of nations.”

Oba Adeyemi said since

security is time-bound and malleable, which implies protection against, or safety from a future risk of severe deprivation, injury or death and requires rules, order and impartial adjudication and application, he urged the two countries to assist Nigeria in ensuring adequate security of its porous borders, pointing out that of the nation’s six geo-political zones, South-West remains the most peaceful.

he Osun State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday gave Governor Rauf Aregbesola a seven-day ultimatum to reverse the decision which merged schools across the state.

The association, in a letter written to the governor dated October 9, 2013, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Osogbo and signed by its Chairman, Rev. Elisha Ogundiya, warned that “If there is no concrete and sincere step taken before the seven-day ultimatum expires, the Christian Association Of Nigeria (CAN) in Osun State will take further appropriate action”.

The association asked the governor to stop further merger of schools and return all mission schools to their original founders.

The association said: “Hence, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on behalf of the entire Christians in Osun State is requesting that the gov-

ernment takes appropriate steps to revert to the status quo within seven days with effect from the date of receipt of this letter.

“We observe that the foundation of the Christian faith is being seriously threatened by some of the state government policies, especially in the educational sector which the church is strongly averse to and not ready to compromise.”

The Christian body said the decision was taken after the conclusion of its meeting on October 7, 2013, adding that it, however, appreciates the government’s efforts to develop the state, especially in the area of road construction and rehabilitation.

CAN president, Ayo Oritsejafor

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Friday, October 11, 2013

Osun signs N11.4bn Islamic bond • Aregbesola condemns Kenya, Boko Haram attacks

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sun State Government has completed the N11.4 billion Islamic bond otherwise called sukuk to develop infrastructure.

Speaking at the signing of the bond, Governor Rauf Aregbesola also condemned acts of terrorism in parts of Africa, saying the recent mall attack in Kenya and violence in some northern states of Nigeria were abominable.

Aregbesola said every God-fearing and genuine Muslim across the world would be appalled by the mindless killing at the Westgate Mall in Kenya two weeks ago and the heinous acts of Boko Haram in Borno and Yobe states in Nigeria.

According to him, Islam, as a religion, stands in total contrast with mindless

waste of human lives anywhere it is being perpetrated.

Quoting from the Qur’an, the governor said nowhere “is a Muslim appointed to judge other people irrespective of their religious belief”.

Aregbesola wondered why some people would kill a fellow human being even when Allah said His is retaliation.

He said: “Any act of terrorism is condemnable.

No genuine Muslim would see what happened in Kenya or the Boko Haram violence and would not be appalled.

“Islam is totally averse to mindless waste of human lives anywhere it happens - in Borno, Yobe, Kaduna or Kenya.

“In the Holy Qur’an, Muslims are not allowed to

retaliate let alone spill innocent blood. It is not our duty to judge others. Judgement is for Allah.”

According to the issuing houses, sukuk is the first Islamic bond in sub-Saharan African.

The sukuk bond was issued in accordance with enactment of the Osun State Bonds, Notes and Other Securities Law 2012 and setting up the Osun Sukuk Company Plc. Though Islamic in name, the sukuk bond is a conventional bond and coordinated by the regular investors in the country’s capital and money market.

The bond was issued in accordance with the Security and Exchange Commission, SEC’s rules and regulations.

The N11.4 billion sukuk (14. 75 per cent) fixed return

We’ve constructed 500km inter-city roads –Fayemi ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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kiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi said yesterday that his administration had reconstructed and rehabilitated various inter-city roads spanning over 500 kilometres across the state.

Fayemi said the effort was targeted at boosting the state economy, particularly in the rural areas.

The governor spoke while commissioning Ijero - Ipoti - Iloro - Ayetoro Road as part of activities marking the third anniversary of his administration.

He promised that his administration would con-

tinue to ensure even development of all parts of the state through execution of projects.

Fayemi called for support from all stakeholders to ensure protection of the roads from vandalism.

The governor, who also kicked off construction of the 3.5 kilometre Ijero-Ekiti township roads, described the intra-city roads as key to his ‘Ekiti Recovery Agenda.’

Fayemi said the intracity road project would be replicated in Ikole-Ekiti and Ikere-Ekiti, which were former divisional headquarters to add aesthetic values to the state.

The governor, who said Ijero local government was

too large to be administered as a council, assured the people that efforts were on to put smile on their faces through review of local government status in the state.

He said: “Ijero Local Government is one of the largest local governments in Ekiti. It deserves more than one council.

“When we get to the point by which we will review the status of our local governments, Ijero people will smile.”

The governor, however, said he had begun dialogue with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to delineate the council to have more constituencies.

Ekiti inaugurates skill acquisition centre to empower women

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kiti State Government yesterday inaugurated the Women Development Centre in Igede-Ekiti, headquarters of the Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area.

The centre is part of efforts to widen the scope of government’s gender empowerment programme.

The renovation of the multi-purpose skill acquisition centre was driven by the Ekiti Development Foundation, EDF, and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Gender Empowerment.

Its inauguration, which is part of the programmes

marking the third anniversary of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration, coincided with the 50th birthday of the governor’s wife, Bisi, who doubles as the EDF founder and chair.

The Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, who inaugurated the project, described the centre as a legacy that would out-live the Fayemi administration. Adelabu urged women from all the 16 local government areas of the state to take advantage of the multi-purpose centre.

According to her, the skills acquired from the

centre will not only equip women economically but politically.

She said the inauguration had ended scepticism on whether the centre, which had been abandoned by successive administrations since former Governor Niyi Adebayo left office in 2003, would be completed.

Also, Mrs. Fayemi said the rehabilitation of the centre was spurred by a promise that was made during the electioneering to accord women empowerment priority if voted into power.

Total loses bid to stop ex-employee’s N5bn suit WALE IGBINTADE

tranche 2 has 42 investors with Lotus Capital Limited as the leading issuing house and Augusto and Co, one of Nigeria’s leading rating agencies, as the rating agent.

The bond, which would be used to finance roads and school construction across the state, is due in 2020.

While authorising and approving the offer at the board meeting for the Sukuk Company, Aregbesola said his government took the bond as an opportunity for the development of the state.

Aregbesola appealed to the people to see the bond as an avenue to attract development to the state for the benefit of all and sundry.

The Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Wale Bolounduro, described the sukuk as a unique product.

Bolounduro said this bond made it possible for the first time in Nigeria for a government to open itself up to the capital market in a transparent manner.

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he National Industrial Court, NIC, has dismissed a preliminary objection filed by Total E&P Nigeria Limited, TEPNG, challenging its jurisdiction to hear a N5 billion suit instituted against the firm by a former employee, Aralu Steve.

Ruling on a preliminary objection filed by Total yesterday, Justice Oyeyoju Oyewunmi held that the claimant’s suit disclosed reasonable cause of action against the oil company.

Oyewunmi also held that the document frontloaded before the court, such as letter of employment proved that there was a nexus between the claimant and the defendant.

The judge also joined Maple Leaf Ventures Limited as the second defendant in the suit, adding that the justice of the suit would be defeated without the participation of Maple Venture.

He said: “There are reasonable grounds to join

Politics

Maple Venture in the suit whose presence is essential to the complete and final adjudication of this suit.

You cannot shave a person’s head in his absence.”

The claimant, a laboratory supervisor, had in his amended statement of claim filed by his lawyer, Oviemuno Obobolo, said that on December 10, 2008 while carrying out chemical injection monitoring and pumps adjustment at the Obagi Flow Station owned by the defendant, Total E&P Nigeria, he received a splash from one of the chemical injection.

The claimant added that prior to the occurrence of the incident, he discovered that the particular pump had malfunctioned and promptly drew the attention of the defendant to it during the daily Heads of Department’s meeting which he attended as the Laboratory Supervisor.

The claimant added that in line with the defendant’s safety tips instructions, his colleagues promptly applied water to flush his face and other affected parts.

Woman

Discordant tunes over National Conference Not just a model This is a national project, a sincere and fundamental undertaking, aimed at realistically examining and genuinely resolving, longstanding impediments to our cohesion and harmonious development as a truly united nation.

–President Goodluck Jonathan.

I sincerely believe that the conference will proffer solutions to most of the problems that have prevented the country from developing.

–Gani Adams, National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).

Aside from the therapeutic benefits of letting off steam from a political perspective, it has absolutely nothing else to offer.

–Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

Relationships: t

I’m a happy mother

Oluchi Our dating issues

ic e n v i ie v om e D n a e t G Ri

Should you be on the same Áight with your spouse?

x What’s killing your sex drive?

STealk W

This column is x-rated

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South East

Friday, October 11, 2013

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Enugu demolishes Mountain of Fire Ministries’ church DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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he Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA), yesterday demolished the 5, 000-capacity regional headquarter church of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, located along Zik Avenue by P&T Bridge, Uwani in Enugu.

Justifying the demolition, Commissioner for ECTDA, Engr. Iyke Ugwegede, said it was done in line with the development control activities of the authority.

Ugwegede said the structure is about 2, 100 square metres in size, erected on

two plots of land in the area. He described the structure as illegal and unapproved as an application for approval was rejected in March 2012.

The commissioner gave reasons for rejecting the application because the church building encroached into road reserves and a stream. He also said that the property was built in an area designated for commercial purposes and not for institutional use.

Justifying the demolition further, the state government said there was evidence of structural distress as there was clear evidence of failure of some of the reinforced concrete

elements at the northern end of the structure’s basement area.

It added that it had given copious opportunity to the church to make good the illegality ever since then.

The government also said it has offered the church an alternative land allocation of about than 400sq metres, emphasising that it believes in the protection of all and sundry in the state, especially with the increase in rainfall and floods this year.

The Regional Pastor of the church, Kenedy Ude Ogaranya, described the exercise as an abomination and a rape on justice.

“Actually, this is a rape

on justice, this case has been in court since September last year, we are yet to get justice and the judge is yet to deliver judgement.

This is contempt of court, this is an abomination.

“The land they gave to us was in dispute between the Ngwo people and the Amaechi people, so they did not allow us to move into the land; I wrote to the Inspector-General of Police and the Enugu State commissioner for land; they asked the Ngwo people to keep off and just this Saturday, we had access into the land for the first time, we were able to put our pillars and clear the land.

“So, we are yet to enter the land properly and on

Monday, they came here and gave us three days quit notice. To quit this place in three days? You gave us a parcel of land on Saturday and on Thursday, you are pulling down the church of God; it is to us a rape on justice against the body of Christ.

“All our materials are inside, musical instruments, seats, worship items, all our property, how can we remove them when two bulldozers are already pulling the structure down?

“On Wednesday, I went to the office of the AttorneyGeneral of the state, the commissioner for land have served them letters, asking

Glo launches special Ofala SIM

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Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji (left), congratulating the newly sworn-in Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. Eze Chikamnayo, in Umuahia, recently.

Assembly orders payment of N728m pension arrears, others

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nugu State House of Assembly Committee on Water Resources yesterday recommended that the state water corporation should pay its retirees N728.15 million outstanding pension and gratuity.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu (PDP-Udenu), made the recommendation in Enugu while presenting the committee’s report on the non-payment of the pension and gratuities to the retirees.

He said the amount was made up of 39 months of arrears of pension and seven years of non-settlement of gratuities.

“The pension should be paid on monthly basis just as that of other pensioners in the state in order to avoid further accumulation of the arrears and save the pensioners from further

hardship.

“The management of the water corporation should work out measures to clear the arrears of the pension and gratuity,” Ezeugwu said.

He said when the committee met with the Managing Director of the corporation, Mr. O’brien Ofordu, he did not contest the pensioners’ claims.

He quoted Ofordu as saying that there was no money to service the debt.

According to him, Ofordu had explained that the corporation’s internally generated revenue was ploughed back to service the arrears but that it was grossly inadequate.

The chairman expressed the hope that if the recommendations of the committee were implemented, it would go a long way in cushioning the effects of the debt.

them to give us more time that we just moved into the land on Saturday, but all our pleas fell on deaf ears.

“We entered that land on Saturday; it was on Friday that the commissioner spoke to Ngwo people to stay clear of the land.”

The government on its side said; “No responsible government will stand and permit a predictable catastrophe to befall its people before taking appropriate steps.

“The state government has also identified other structures which must be demolished to prevent any calamity from happening,” said Ugwegede.

he Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, has urged all Onitsha people and those from the adjoining towns and villages to hook up to the Glo network and reciprocate the good gestures the network had extended to them over the years through its robust sponsorship of Ofala Festival.

The monarch, who made the call yesterday at the royal banquet organised in his honour by the telecommunications outfit in commemoration of the 2013 Ofala Festival celebrations, noted that it was just proper for Onitsha people to make Glo their preferred network, adding that the company had through its partnership redefined the festival.

He added that it was a great pleasure for the entire people of Onitsha to have had Globacom as a partner in the Ofala festival in the last three years.

The Obi, in demonstration of his royal blessing

and endorsement of the Glo brand, directed the Ogene Onira of Onitsha, Chief Ernest Ngozi Okafor, to formally launch the Ofala Special Glo SIMs for the benefit of the people.

Welcoming dignitaries to the banquet, Globacom’s Divisional Director, South-East, Mr. Michael Ehumadu, said the launch of the Ofala Special Glo SIMs was a continuation of an enduring and sustainable relationship with the good people of Onitsha.

The divisional director, who presented to the gathering, the 22-yearold apprentice, Nworie Ndubisi, who in 2012 won a brand new Toyota Corolla star prize of the first Ofala Special Glo SIMs promotion, said that the new SIMs launched “is unique in that it comes with bottom-rock tariff of 18k per second, the cheapest and lowest tariff in the nation’s telecommunications industry.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the pensioners had petitioned the Assembly last year over the non-payment of their pension and gratuities.

According to the retirees, the arrears of 39 months of pension accumulated between January

2007 and August 2013 to the tune of N388.14 million while gratuities amounting to N339.74 million accumulated from 2005 to 2012.

The Assembly presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Chime Oji (PDP-Enugu North), deferred debate on the report.

ALIUNA GODWIN

2015: Okorocha’ll fail Imo under APC –APGA boss

EBONYI

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hairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi State, Mr. Jerry Obasi, yesterday said that the defection of Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), will not return the state 100 percent to APC in 2015.

He urged the governor to have a second thought on his defection if he is to be sure of victory in the 2015 elections.

Obasi made this known while answering questions from journalists in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital. He said the governor had enjoyed tremendous goodwill under APGA, adding that his defection has worsened his problems and will in turn make APGA popular in Imo State.

He said: “On Governor Rochas Okorocha’s defection from APGA, it is an exercise in self destruction.

APGA gave him the highest political opportunity he has longed for in his life, which

no party anywhere would give him. He has contested for governorship on the platform of other parties before, but he failed.

“He failed because he felt he was popular and decided to join ANPP then, but at the end, he failed. APGA gave Okorocha the highest political opportunity. If I where him, I would have maximize the opportunity from APGA before leaving for other political parties.

“I bet you, Rochas will not return Imo State 100 percent to APC. It will be

a mission impossible and I know it. The movement of Rochas into APC has worsened his problems and will in turn make APGA popular in the state. This movement has made Rochas an inconsistent and unreliable politician.”

Meanwhile, the party chairman, said that APGA has made all preparations to win the Anambra State governorship election, adding that among other political parties that are contesting in the election, none is on ground except APGA.

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13% derivation can’t surmount Niger Delta’s challenges –Dickson EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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ayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, yesterday said the current 13 per cent derivation fund for oil producing states in the Niger Delta had become increasingly inadequate to surmount the huge developmental challenges facing the region.

He therefore urged the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to revisit the nation’s revenue sharing formula to reflect true federalism.

The governor spoke yesterday in Yenagoa while declaring open a two-day South-South public hearing on the review of the nation’s revenue allocation formula. He said the Niger Delta deserves a better deal as it produces the bulk of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

Governor Dickson was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof.

Edmund Allison-Oguru.

Representatives of the state governments in the South-South, in their presentations, agitated for a 50 per cent review in the derivation fund.

Dickson continued: “The regions producing some agricultural products were given 100 per cent derivation formula and as time progressed, it was revised to 50 per cent and later to 30 per cent but after the discovery of oil, these agricultural products were relegated to the background.

“It therefore behooves RMAFC to revisit the era of 100 per cent, 50 per cent or 30 per cent derivation formula to reflect true federalism.

“It is a well known fact that the exploration of oil

South South

Friday, October 11, 2013

in the Niger Delta region has not only affected the people of the area, but has also made the area toxic, resulting in environment pollution, which has adversely affected the agrarian and subsistence lifestyle of the people.”

Governor Dickson recalled that before the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity in Oloibiri, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in 1956, cocoa, groundnut, cotton and other agricultural products were the mainstay of nation’s economy.

“That is why it has become imperative for the National Assembly to expedite action on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which I believe, when passed into law, will adequately address the lopsided and disparity in revenue allocation formula, especially to the oil producing states and communities.

“Let me therefore used this opportunity to appeal to the other geo-political zones of the country to show appreciable level of understanding in this regard.”

The governor urged the commission that has visited the 774 local governments of the country and also reviewed previous attempts at changing the present allocation formula, to find a lasting solution to the imbalance and agitations for a fair share of the national revenue.

According to him, it would be in the best interest of Nigerians, especially rural dwellers, who constitute the bulk of the population.

In a welcome address, Chairman of RMAFC, Engr. Elias Mbam, said the public hearing was to provide an opportunity for citizens to air their views and also submit memoranda on the process.

Police warn against violence during Delta’s by-election T he Delta State police command has warned politicians in the state to desist from any act of violence during Saturday’s by-election in the Delta North Senatorial district.

State Commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba, gave the warning in Asaba yesterday at a news conference.

Aduba said the command would not hesitate to clamp down on any person found breaching the peace during the election.

The police commissioner said the command had put adequate measures in place to ensure the security of lives and property during the poll.

He said information had reached the command that

some people were planning to disrupt the election, warning that anybody caught fomenting trouble during the poll would not be spared.

Aduba said the police command was collaborating with other security agencies in the state to checkmate any plan to disrupt the election.

He further warned policemen in the state to steer clear of politicians and top government officials, adding that any policeman caught hovering around such people, would be severely punished.

“Politics is not a do-ordie affair, such that during election security men will be mounted on every polling station.

“Politicians in the state

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launch of ‘Sustainable Mechanism for Improving Livelihoods and Household Empowerment’ (SMILE) programme in Abuja.

She said the five states include Benue, Kogi, Edo, Nasarawa, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The commissioner said the programme was made possible through support from the United States Agency for International

should be good ambassadors of the state by playing the game according to the rules; the entire world is watching,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) chieftain representing Udu/Ughelli Federal Constituency, Hon. Austin Ogbaburon, has led hundreds of his supporters to defect to the PDP. Ogbaburon while addressing his supporters and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in his home at Orhuworun, said they have retraced their way to the PDP and were ready to ensure that the PDP takes the senate ticket in the election on Saturday.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Uduaghan

prayed for a peaceful poll on Saturday, noting that all those who are prophesying anarchy following the elections will be disappointed.

The governor, who sang praise songs in appreciation of the political success of the PDP in Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency said the former DPP chieftain and House of Representatives member, Hon. Austin Ogbaburon has only found his way back home.

According to him; “People have been saying negative things about the election on Saturday, but I speak peace to that election day in the whole of the Delta Central and the entire state. People will go out safely that day and get back to their homes safely.”

L-R: Chairman, Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi; party’s candidate for the Delta Central Senatorial by-election, Chief Emmanuel Aguariavwodo; South-South Zonal Chairman, Dr. Steve Oru and Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof.

Amos Utuama, during the party’s campaign in Otu-Jeremi, yesterday.

Again, CRPP tackles PDP over sale of Edo House SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN

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he Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has again berated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for

ceaselessly criticising the state government’s intention to sell the governmentowned Edo House in Lagos.

The umbrella group of opposition parties in the state reacted, once again, after listening to the explana-

‘500, 000 orphans, vulnerable children to get lifeline’

do State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Ms Blessing Megida, yesterday said that support for at least 500, 000 orphans and vulnerable children in the country would reach five states in the federation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the support would gulp about N4 billion.

Megida said this at the

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Development (USAID).

“The project would be implemented in 50 per cent of the local government areas in each of the benefiting states.

“It will enroll and serve at least 500, 000 vulnerable children and 125, 000 caregivers in the five states,” Megida said.

According to her, the support will no doubt move Nigeria closer to achieving the Millen-

nium Development Goals (MDGs).

“We shall provide all necessary assistance and enabling environment to make this project succeed,” the commissioner said.

She said the project would also strengthen the existing relevant state government structures to effectively monitor and coordinate the capacity of the local government areas.

tion by the state government in a Government House media interview granted on Wednesday by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Edo House is the former liaison office of the Edo State government in Lagos. It was functioning as the receiving point of government business and correspondences, especially when Lagos State was the federal capital city.

However, it was abandoned by past governments and allowed to dilapidate like many other assets and edifices owned by the state government. But, Governor Oshiomhole has since put the building up for sale, it was said to be valued about N3.5 billion.

The proceeds, when sold, are to be invested into the

building of a five-star hotel and the development of a business city in Edo State.

The Chairman of Edo State CRPP, who also doubles as the National Secretary of Accord Party, Dr. Samson Isibor, who had earlier this week accused the PDP of attempting to bring the government into disrepute, urged the PDP to stop crying wolf over the actions of the state government.

While flaying the Federal Government for withholding, without any reason, the allocations of state governments, Isibor said the PDP has no moral justification to challenge the actions of the governor, who has not mismanaged the resources of the state unlike the case between 1999 and 2008.

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North

Friday, October 11, 2013

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Sallah: Katsina workers get 40% salary advance JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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Niger State Governor, Mu’azu Babangigada Aliyu (third left); Emir of Suleja, Mallam Awwal Ibrahim and Director-General, SURE-P, Mallam Hassan Nuhu, during the commissioning of Green Guards Vehicles, at the Trade Fair Complex, Minna.

Family of nine, 12 others killed in morning attack JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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bout 21 people have been killed in an early morning attack on Kukek community of Bakin Kogi Foron district of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Gunmen believed to be Fulani herdsmen attacked the community yesterday.

They razed the home of one Mr. Tsok Gwom about 2am, killed nine members of the family and rustled some cattle from the villagers.

A source said Gwom, his five children, and three women were shot dead.

One of the women was identified as Gwom’s wife.

The residents said the gunshots alerted the community’s vigilance group, who confronted the gun-

men and killed 12 of them.

Many of the vigilante members also sustained various degrees of injury.

When contacted, the Interim Administrator of Barkin Ladi Local Government, Hon. Habila Dung, confirmed the attack.

He said: “Yes, I received a distress call about the attack, and I immediately alerted the security, but I have not received a feedback. When I get the detail of the incident I will let you know.”

The Commissioner for Information, Yiljap Abraham, and the Special Adviser to the governor on Media, Ayuba Pam, could not immediately confirm the attack, but said they would brief journalists as soon as they had details on the attack.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP

Felicia Anslem, also confirmed the incident, but said she could not confirm the casualty figure.

Meanwhile, the Special Task Force, STF, maintaining peace in Plateau State, said the attackers killed 11 people while soldiers killed five of the gunmen.

The STF Commander, Maj.-Gen. David Enetie, who confirmed the incident in Jos, also confirmed the killing of five of the attackers by the STF. Enetie said the cattle rustlers killed eight members of one family and two others while a neighbour, who came out to assist the victims, was also killed.

He disclosed that STF operatives, who rushed to the scene of the incident, killed five of the suspected cattle rustlers.

The commander said the corpses of the five suspected cattle rustlers had been deposited at the Mangu Police Station, while those of the 11 villagers had been taken to Plateau State Specialist Hospital.

Enetie explained that the incident was not part of any crisis.

He said: “What happened here was not crisis; it was a clear case of cow theft by a group of cattle rustlers.”

The commander said the cow thieves rustled 20 cows but could not escape with their loot after the STF’s quick intervention.

He commended the intelligence unit of the STF for its timely information that enabled his men to quickly storm the scene of the incident and called for more information from the public to enable the task force rid the state of criminals.

90% corps members can’t communicate in English –Coordinator OTHMAN SALIHU KANO

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he Kano State Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Mr. Sanusi Abdulrasheed, has said that about 90 percent of corps members could not write good application.

Abdulrasheed said they could not also communicate effectively in English Language.

According to him, they rather prefer to communicate in ‘broken’ English.

Abdulerashed, who spoke at the passing out parade of the corps mem-

bers in Kano yesterday, explained that this was discovered through a research undertaken nationwide by the NYSC management.

He said: “I have been asked to remind you, and I don’t want you to feel insulted, but it is a statement of fact that the management throughout the entire federation made an observation that the bulk of NYSC members were not communicating effectively in English Language.

“Following the research carried out nationwide by the NYSC management on some corps members, it was established that 89 per cent of them cannot

write good application, which is the basic fact.”

The coordinator also pointed out that the research indicated that: “Majority of you start writing application with your names, like I, Sanusi Abdulrasheed, hereby...

“You should know that the point of communicating to the world is through application and when you start on a bad note, those who appreciate the use of language would discover that such a person lacks communication skills, while such an application would end up in the dust bin.”

Abdulrasheed also urged the corps members not to feel too big; saying

“go and buy primary and secondary books, therein you will learn and study numerous ways of writing good application.

ivil servants in Katsina State have received 40 per cent salary advance worth N1.7 billion ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Speaking with journalists yesterday, the Commissioner for Finance, Lawal Jari, said Governor Ibrahim Shema approved release of the money.

Jari said civil servants working at the state level got N626.2 million while local government workers got N1.1 billion.

He said the salary advance would be “fully

recovered in three equal monthly instalments from November 2013 to January 2014”.

The commissioner, however, called on commercial banks to ensure they work diligently for the money to reach the workers.

Jari also called on the banks to make adequate cash available in their Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, to allow for easy withdrawal at the weekend.

The commissioner, who reiterated government’s commitment towards workers’ welfare, said the governor wished all workers a happy Sallah celebration.

NSCDC gives personnel weapons handling training

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he Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Bauchi State said it had trained 150 of its personnel on the handling of weapons.

The state Commandant of the NSCDC, Alhaji Shuayb Jibril, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Bauchi yesterday that the training would enhance the skills of the personnel on how to protect lives and property.

Jibril said the affected personnel, who were trained at the School of Armour, Bauchi, would start carrying arms while on duty.

The commandant, therefore, alerted the residents of Bauchi and its environs, not to panic whenever they noticed any of his men carrying weapons, especially during the forthcoming Eidel-Kabir celebration.

He said: “One hundred and fifty personnel have

been trained in weapons handling and they have successfully passed out.

“People should not panic if they see our men carrying arms; let me also assure that there will be no accidental discharge.

“They were trained by professionals at the School of Armour in Bauchi.”

Jibril expressed delight over the cordial relationship between the NSCDC and other security agencies in the state.

The commandant appealed to the state government to fulfil its promise of assisting the command with operational vehicles.

He said: “We are in need of these vehicles as we cannot always carry out patrols on foot, carrying weapons.”

Jibril also called on the media and the public to always assist the command by providing useful information to enable it perform its duties diligently.

FCT begins computerised vehicle testing

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he Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has signed an agreement for the operation of Abuja Computerised Vehicle Testing Service, ACVTS, thus setting the stage for ‘war’ against rickety and faulty vehicles.

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, said at the signing ceremony at

his Area 11, Garki, Abuja office, that the service would provide world class vehicle inspection that would bring numerous benefits to the territory and the country at large.

The agreement was signed between the FCTA and the Temple Resources Limited.

According to the minister, the advantages derivable from the system

include enhanced road safety, environmental protection, long term revenue for government and better security, among others.

He described the introduction of the ACVTS as part of the current transformation process in the country, stressing that safety and security were key components, not only in the transportation, but all other sectors of society.

Friday, October 11, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Politics Lar towered among several progressives –Buhari

Bayelsa: Way forward for democratic sustenance

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SOLOMON DAUSHEP LAR 1933-2013

Plateau consults with stakeholders, plans state burial JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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he Plateau State government is planning a state burial for the pioneer National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and first civilian governor of the state, Chief Solomon Lar, who died last Wednesday in a US hospital, National Mirror learnt yesterday.

Although no date has

been fixed for his corpse will be flown back to Nigeria, our correspondent gathered that the government is already consulting with the leadership of the PDP and the Presidency on the shape the burial plans will take before it will be unveiled to members of the public.

One of Governor Jonah Jang’s aides informed our correspondent in Jos, that government’s consultation

with other stakeholders has become necessary in view of Lar’s status, which he said transcends beyond the state level.

“You know Baba Lar is an elder statesman to the core which cuts across state, party and national levels. The governor officially announced his death to the people of the state.

As a former governor of the state, you don’t expect a man of his calibre not to

be given a state burial and I can assure you that government is in consultation already and will consult widely with stakeholders together with members of his family and the final arrangement will be announced in due course,” the source said.

He added that the state government will soon set up a committee that will oversee the preparations.

However, a family

source also informed National Mirror that Lar’s remains may not be flown back immediately until all arrangements regarding his burial are concluded.

He said the actual date for the return of his remains is still unknown.

“His being flown into the country cannot be done in a hurry. The family members are still in shock and proper arrangement is yet to be made

concerning his burial,” he said.

Meanwhile, sympathisers have continued to troop to Lar’s home on Beach Road in Jos, the state capital as well as his Langtang country home in the Southern part of the state.

As at yesterday, some of the sympathizers were seen still crying and bemoaning the passage of the elder statesman.

PDP’ll ensure befitting burial for Lar –Tukur

...postpones ministerial briefing, other activities OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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A relation of Chief Solomon Lar mourning at his residence in Jos, yesterday.

The late Lar

Chime, Amosun, Yuguda, Akpabio extol Lar’s vitures FELIX NWANERI AND DENNIS AGBO

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nugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime has described Lar as an exemplary politician and statesman who served his people and the nation with passion and dedication.

The governor said Lar belonged to the rare class of politicians who played politics without bitterness but were rather focused on bringing meaningful and progressive changes to the society.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State said Lar’s death was a big blow to democracy.

Amosun said the exit of Lar had left a vacuum in

the political firmament of Nigeria, which would be difficult to fill.

“As civilian governor of Plateau State, Chief Solomon Lar brought development to the nooks and crannies of the state. He was a thoroughbred democrat, detribalised Nigerian and a firm believer in the rule of law, justice and equity,” the governor said.

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, in a condolence message to the family, recalled the pivotal role and selfless sacrifices of Lar to the enthronement and sustenance of the nation’s democracy, stressing that he always placed national interest above his personal considerations.

According to him, as a detribalised Nigerian, the

political icon always used the various offices he held at state and national levels as vital links of unity and understanding amongst the different and diverse sections of Nigerians.

“As a government and as a state, we are grieved by the passage of this great and principled Nigerian, who gave his all to the service of our nation, politics and our great party, the PDP,” Dickson added.

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State also expressed shock over the death of the elder statesman.

The governor in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ishola Michael Adeyemi, described the death as a great setback to the political development of the country.

The governor added that his fatherly role will be missed by all particularly now that the political scene of the country needed advice from professionals like him putting into consideration his political and human relations experience garnered over the years.

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State described the late elder statesman as someone who placed national interest above his personal interest and served his nation with great passion, delight and love.

He maintained that the duty of all his admirers in particular and Nigerians in general is to continue his work and realise his principles and values in nationbuilding efforts.

he National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday said the party will ensure a befitting burial for the late Chief Solomon Lar, its pioneer national chairman.

In his honour, the party has postponed some of its scheduled activities, notably a ministerial briefing.

This comes as a sober Tukur, PDP reflected on the demise of Lar and described him as “a light in the firmament of politics.”

Lar and Tukur were governors during the Second Republic and 14 years after Lar left the PDP chairmanship position, Tukur took over.

The scheduled ministerial briefing of the Minister of Communication and Technology, Omobola Johnson, was postponed, just as a condolence register was opened for Lar at the party’s national secretariat.

Tukur wrote in the condolence register: “The demise of Chief Lar is a great loss to the PDP family and the entire nation.

He was a great leader, an emancipator of the underprivileged. He was a light in the political firmament of our great na-

tion.”

Johnson also wrote “may his soul rest in perfect peace.”

However, Tukur who earlier addressed a press conference, assured that the party will give the former chairman a befitting burial. “We are going to give a befitting burial to our pioneer chairman,” he said.

He further described Lar’s death as “a great loss not only to the PDP, but the entire family and the nation.”

He added that during his life time, Lar was an emancipator, who according to him believed in embracing democracy not only in Nigeria, but the entire black race.

He said: “He believed in party organisation and inclusiveness of party affairs, his hallmark was his white handkerchief.”

“So, we hope for peace not only in the PDP but in the whole world. Today, we can see the Arab spring we hope that it will not generate to other areas around us. The young shall grow and be better than all of us,” he added.

When pressed on how the party intends to immortalise its pioneer chairman beyond a befitting burial, Tukur quipped: “We always reach the bridge before we cross it.”

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Politics

Friday, October 11, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOLOMON DAUSHEP LAR 1933-2013

He towered among several progressives –Buhari •Yero mourns A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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ormer Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari yesterday extolled the virtues of the late former governor of Plateau State, Chief Solomon Lar. Ironically, the Buhari military regime sentenced Lar to 88 years improns-

ment in 1983.

In a statement personally signed by Buhari and made available to National Mirror in Kaduna, he described Lar as a man who stood by the people and remained principled when it mattered most.

Buhari said: “I received the news of the transition of Chief Solomon Lar, former governor of Plateau

Lar, an accomplished politician –Kalu

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ormer governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has described the late pioneer chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and former Governor of Plateau State, Chief Solomon Lar, as an accomplished humanitarian and an incomparable politician.

Kalu said Lar’s death was a big blow to the nation as he would be sorely missed by those whose lives he touched in various ways.

Kalu, who described the late politician as a symbol of statesmanship, in a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Oyewumi, said: “Chief Lar was an accomplished humanitarian and a consummate politician.

He touched the lives of many less privileged in the

society through his philanthropic gestures.

“He was a detribalised Nigerian, who built friendship and relationships across boundaries irrespective of age, social status, religion, race and tribe. Above all, he lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation and will be remembered for his forthrightness on national issues.”

Kalu condoled with the Lar family, the Plateau State government, the PDP and the Federal Government of Nigeria on the loss of such an illustrious citizen.

He urged the Lar family to take solace in the fact that he contributed immensely to the social, economic and political development of Nigeria and left behind good children to uphold his legacies.

He lived a fulfilled, eventful life –APGA

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he National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, also expressed shock over the death of Lar. In a condolence message to the family through his Special Assistant (Media), Mr. Stan Okeke, Umeh said that Lar had an eventful and successful life, particularly in his career as a politician, saying that the death of the former governor and astute democrat, came at a time Nigeria needed his political sagacity and advice most.

Most importantly, Umeh pointed out that Lar lived a fulfilled life, was humble

and had a great vision for his country.

He added that Lar was a bridge-builder between the new generation and his generation of politicians who served this country diligently, describing him as a man of honour who never wanted the disintegration of Nigeria.

Umeh noted that the elder statesman lived a worthy life and left his footprints on the sands of history.

He therefore called on well meaning Nigerians to pray for the peaceful repose of his soul and for God to comfort the family he left behind.

State in the Second Republic, former Minister of Police Affairs and the pioneer national chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party with great sadness.

“My sympathy goes to his family, friends, relatives and political associates who will feel most strongly the huge void that his exit has created.

May Almighty give you all the fortitude to bear this loss.”

The statement added: “It has taken decades of knowing Chief Solomon Lar as he handled various

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he no doubt came, saw and conquered.”

Oni said: “I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Lar family, Governor Jonah Jang, the people of Plateau State, and all other lovers of Baba Solomon Lar on his demise.

“We should all take solace in the fact that he left a mark that will forever be

service to his fatherland.

“He towers among several progressives who preached and practiced politics without bitterness. He carried on with a patriotic zeal in the service of his fatherland even in the face of odds.”

In the same vein, Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State expressed deep shock and sadness over the death of the elder statesman.

In a condolence message to the government and people of Plateau State signed by the Director Gen-

eral, Media and Publicity, Ahmed Maiyaki, Yero described the late Lar as “a patriotic elder statesman who dedicated his life to the service of his people and the country.”

The governor said history would be fair to Lar for his selfless commitment to the unity of the diverse people in the North as well as national cohesion, adding that his death is a loss to the entire country and not only to his immediate family or the people of Plateau State.

Plateau State new Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Joyce Ramnap, signing the condolence register at the house of the late Chief Solomon Lar, in Jos yesterday.

Dariye, Ndoma- Egba, Usman bemoan loss GEORGE OJI ABUJA

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ome senators yesterday reacted to the death of the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Solomon Lar, expressing shock at the great loss.

Senators Victor NdomaEgba (Senate Leader, Cross River Central), Esther Usman (Kaduna South) and Joshua Dariye (Plateau South) who spoke in separate interviews agreed that the late Lar was a man of peace.

Dariye, a former Pla-

A lover of peace is gone, says Oni ormer Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni has described the death of Lar as “the fall of another Iroko tree in the forest of Nigerian politics.”

Oni said in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti by his Media Aide, Lere Olayinka, that: “At 80, one can only pray for the repose of Baba Solomon Lar’s soul because

challenging national assignments to conclude that the circumstances of our initial interaction following our assumption of power in 1983 could have been more auspicious.

“Knowing him in recent years have persuaded me that we all have to do our duties to the best of our understanding believing that this country is greater than all of us. The important thing is that at the end of the day history will record his legacy as one of selfless

indelible as a noble statesman, a lover of peace, a firm believer in the Nigerian project and an astute political figure.

“His roles in the formation of the G-34 group that provided the foundation on which PDP, was built will remain evergreen in my mind, and he will no doubt be missed sorely by the party.”

teau State governor, noted that the death of the elder statesman was not only a loss to the people of Plateau but Nigeria as a whole.

The lawmaker, who described the late Lar as an emancipator and liberator of the common people and a great believer of democracy, likened the death to the falling of the Iroko tree, noting that, “It is a big Iroko tree that has fallen in the Plateau, in Nigeria and

the Middle belt.”

Ndoma-Egba noted that the late Lar, among other qualities was consistent in his politics of love and tolerance.

He said: “Even though he was 80, yet Nigeria expected a lot from him by way of contributions. Sadly, a page in our history has closed.

He was a courageous and colourful fighter for his people and justice and equity in Nigeria. ” Former Finance Minis-

ter, Senator Usman while acknowledging that the news of the death came to her as a shock, said the lesson to learn from the death of the elder statesman was that of politics of peace.

“He was our first national chairman so he will be greatly missed, not just because he was a governor in Plateau State, we will miss his contributions to national development and so many other things,” she said.

Political class will surely miss him –CAN to the family of the fore- without bitterness while OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

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he Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday expressed sadness over the passing away of Lar, saying the political class will surely miss him.

CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, in a statement signed by his Special Assistant (Media and Public Affair), Mr. Kenny Ashaka, conveyed his heartfelt sympathy

most politician, the people and government of Plateau State.

According to him, Lar lived a life wholly dedicated to peace and human happiness, a trait he said demonstrated his principles based on exceptional skills in learning and focused selfstudy.

He said: “As the first chairman of the PDP, Lar symbolised the distinctive character of politics

improving on the democratic ideals left by Nigeria’s founding fathers.

“As a politician and one-time governor of old Plateau State, Lar did not restrict himself to the development of the then Plateau State alone, he extended his audience base, emphasising the pressing social issues of the times.

“Nigerians and indeed the political class will surely miss him.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Friday, October 11, 2013

Bayelsa: Way forward for democratic sustenance How Nigerians can sustain the current democratic dispensation was the focus of a recent public lecture organised by the Seiake Dickson-led government of Bayelsa State as part of activities to commemorate the creation of the oil-rich state, reports FELIX NWANERI.

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he need to sustain the nation’s democracy through good governance topped discussions at the recent lecture to mark the 17th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa State.

The discourse held at the Government House Banquet Hall, Yenagoa and with the theme: “Good governance as a panacea for promoting stable democracy and sustainable development” had two eminent Nigerians; former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope delivering papers.

Babatope, who set the ball rolling with his paper titled: “Nigeria: The challenges of our times,” identified the survival of democracy as the major challenge facing Nigeria at the moment.

He said: “The first major challenge we face today is how to make democracy work and survive in our country. It is clear that democracy is the only form of government that can guarantee the political survival of our country. Democracy not only permits the freedom of choice and movement, it equally ensures that the fundamental rights of Nigerians are respected.

“Nigeria is a multi tribal and multi-religious nation. Our delicate balancing of the operations of these essential features of our socio-political lives has helped tremendously in ensuring the triumph of democracy in our dear country.

“If we have not effectively ensured that the democratic, constitutional and religious rights of Nigerians are very well respected under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, our country would have succumbed to the machinations of the Boko Haram people and their sponsors.

“I say it with all sense of responsibility that the careful, matured and sensible handling of governance of Nigeria by President Jonathan has enabled our country to maintain the success we have today in containing the rampaging activities of the Boko Haram insurgents.”

Praising Nigerians for sustaining the democratic process since the return to civil rule in 1999 despite the mistakes of the political class, Babatope, however urged the armed forces not to allow themselves to be used to subvert the country’s constitution.

“It will never be to the interest of Nigeria’s armed forces if they once again allow themselves to be used to subvert or overthrow the country’s constitution. If the country’s armed forces should allow themselves to be caught in this kind of game, then it will be a gradual descent into perfidy.

“I wish to say that the military should allow politicians to move from one mistake to the other or from one bad political situation to the other in their daily operations

L-R: Governor Seriake Dickson, former Speaker, House of Representatives, Umar Ghali Na’Abba, former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope and the former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife during a public lecture in Yenagoa.

and practices as politicians. The military will benefit immensely if the politicians should arrive at a stable democratic polity after making all mistakes discernible,” Babatope emphasised, warning that the armed forces risks resistance if they make the mistake of interfering in governance.

His words: “Nigeria may be thrown into long period of political uncertainty if any illegal act on the part of the armed forces is resisted by the citizens. This is visible if an illegal attempt is made to overthrow illegally our constitution, because the attempt or attempts will surely be resisted.

“So, the military should keep deaf ears to what is happening now, because when it keeps away from governance, democracy will stabilise, its professionalism will stabilise and that would be to the benefit of the country.”

The former Transport minister and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, also gave the same advice to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, saying the commission must not capitulate to the machinations of some politicians whose trade marks are blackmail.

His words: “Today in Nigeria, we have a Prof. Attahiru Jega-led INEC that is daily succeeding in its efforts at permitting free and fair elections. The style of Jega in using university eggheads in the management of our elections is highly commendable. However, I have some fears about INEC, which I believe should be highlighted to Nigerians now.

“It is becoming the language of the opposition political parties in Nigeria that when the PDP loses in any election, they regard such election as being free and fair, but when the PDP wins, they will say that the election was rigged.

“The opposition parties are now busy spreading the lie and blackmail that INEC may rig the forthcoming elections in favour of the PDP. The present activities of INEC in not strongly debunking this calculated mischief, particularly with its seeming silence in decisively expressing its official position on the current crisis facing the PDP is allowing this opposition blackmail to thrive.

“I hope Jega’s INEC will continue to maintain its stance in ensuring free and fair elections in Nigeria. I also do hope that Jega and his officials in INEC will not allow the rumour that the commission is getting prepared to allow the opposition parties have their way in 2015 to have credence.”

On his part, Ezeife, in a paper titled:

“Transparent and accountable leadership in Nigeria: The case of Bayelsa State,” proposed the peoples participation in governance as demonstrated by the “Dickson Model,” as the welfare of the governed is the bottom-line of governance.

He said: “The welfare of the governed is, what I posit, the bottom-line for effective governance. Sterile transparency and accountability may be there while the people wallow in poverty, ignorance and disease. If welfare can be maximized or optimised and, in addition, there is transparency and accountability, then we have the best government.

“What I propose as the “Dickson Model” of transparency and accountability in government operations involves the people’s participation and collaboration in governance. It requires only the assumption that the people know what they want – what is good for them – in some, if not, in most areas of their interest.”

Ezeife commended the Bayelsa State governor for his peace efforts, not only in his state but in the country, saying: “Governor Dickson is fast becoming a national hero as a peace maker. The national assignments given to him were discharged successfully and creditably. He made peace where others failed. The reward for good work is more work. Nigeria needs peace and we look up to Governor Dickson to intervene everywhere – assigned or not assigned, in-

GOVERNOR DICKSON IS FAST BECOMING A NATIONAL HERO

AS A PEACE MAKER.

THE NATIONAL

ASSIGNMENTS GIVEN TO HIM WERE DISCHARGED SUCCESSFULLY AND

CREDITABLY. HE MADE PEACE WHERE OTHERS FAILED. THE REWARD FOR GOOD WORK IS

MORE WORK. NIGERIA NEEDS PEACE

15

vited or not invited.”

The chairman of the occasion and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali Na’Abba, who insisted that “any democracy without good governance is democracy in nomenclature,” noted that dividends of democracy are not just the provision of roads or portable water, but working for the interest of the people.

His words: “By good governance, it is meant that the state operators are providing their citizens with what is generally referred to as the dividends of democracy.

Although not yet a determinate term, good governance is used in development literature to describe how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in order to guarantee the realisation of human rights.

“Thus, the process of decision making and the process by which decisions are implemented is generally regarded as good governance. To this could be added, how governments and other social organisations interact as well as how they relate to their public. In ordinary parlance, this is what is referred to as the dividend of democracy in one place.”

Against this backdrop, Na’Abba praised Governor Dickson’s for his regular town hall meetings where the problems of the state are discussed with members of the public with a view to reaching consensus on issues relating to governance.

According to him, the governor had through this mechanism established political stability and improved the security situation in Bayelsa State.

Dickson, in his remark, told the people of the state that the best is yet to come, as he and his team came into government with a clear vision of what to do with public trust and resources.

“Bayelsans have not seen anything yet.

The best is yet to come. All we have done in the past two years is to lay the foundation for greatness,” he said, adding that there is hope for Nigeria, as the days of the oppression of some sections of the country have become history with election in 2011, of a president from a minority ethnic group.

“There is hope for Nigeria. Our nation is not just a nation of contradictions, but one with great potential. The days of oppression, when some people believe that there are second class citizens are gone. A new Nigeria was born the day a president from the so-called minority was elected,” Dickson said.

He thanked Nigerians for investing their confidence in a new Nigeria by electing Jonathan as president, noting that the President, in spite of the obstacles being created by those who do not wish Nigeria well, has continued to go about the business of stabilising the country for which he was elected.

He reiterated that the people of Bayelsa believe in the potential of a united Nigeria and are ready to work with all sections of the country to build a truly egalitarian country where all would be equal regardless of tribe or religion.

“Nigerians must work to overcome the artificial differences among them. All of us must see national issues as they are.

Disagreements are normal, because that is what democracy breeds, but whether we disagree or not, we must do so in the national interest,” Dickson averred.

16

Editorial

Friday, October 11, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

FIDELIS LEMCHI OWOAMANAM

ACTING MD/CEO

BOLAJI TUNJI

DAILY EDITOR

SEYI FASUGBA

SUNDAY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI

SATURDAY EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

KAYODE BALOGUN JNR

SM, STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

FRANK OBOH

HEAD, GRAPHICS

I

On Nigeria’s census conundrum

n nations that take planning seriously and under normal circumstances, census figures are used to determine how many citizens there are in a country, their distribution in terms of sex, age, literacy level, types of occupation, employment and unemployment ratio, religion, etc. The information provided by population counting is then used to project and plan for infrastructure, education, health, social services and related welfare needs of the populace and generations to come. In Nigeria, however, the story seems completely different. It has been an uphill task conducting a credible and widely acceptable head count, beginning with the one done by British colonialists in 1952/1953 which was used to delineate political constituencies and allocate resources. Same goes for the subsequent population count held in 1962. It was trailed by widespread inflation of figures leading to its eventual cancellation. The following year, another census was carried out, which was accepted with bitterness and rancour.

The next census attempt in 1973 was also cancelled following allegations and counterclaims of manipulation of the figures obviously for political gains. Another was conducted in 1991 which gave the country’s population as 86.5 million,

at an estimated annual growth rate of three percent or thereabout. Then came the one conducted between November 2005 and early 2006 which produced 140 million as the country’s population. The exercise, like those before it, was dogged by controversy. It was amid the wrangling that the National Population Commission (NPC) then headed by Samaila Makama, dropped everything concerning religion and ethnicity from the census questionnaire, notwithstanding the fact that they were vital to census data.

Still, another controversy is currently heating up the polity ahead of the national head count scheduled for 2016. Reason: a statement credited to the current chairman of the NPC, Festus Odimegwu, on the odious manipulation of population census figures in the country. In an interview with journalists in Abuja last August, Odimegwu was quoted as saying the following: “No census has been credible in Nigeria since 1816.

Even the one conducted in 2006 is not credible. I have the records and evidence produced by scholars and professors of repute. This is not my report. If the current laws are not amended, the planned 2016 census will not succeed.” To many, the incumbent NPC boss broached the obvious. To others, however, the remark was sacrilegious

PERHAPS, THE FG

PREFERS PRETENCE AS THE BEST APPROACH TO ADDRESSING NATIONAL PROBLEMS and tendentious.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), for instance, is mounting pressure on President Goodluck Jonathan to relieve Odimegwu of his position as chairman of the NPC on account of the statement.

The governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankanso, at a recent meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan also faulted the appointment of the NPC boss.

“We are not happy about that appointment, and think that it was a mistake. Odimegwu shouldn’t be there in the first place”, the Kano helmsman was quoted as saying, among others.

For Kano State that placed first on the 2006 census figures with 9,401,288 as against the 9,113,605 given as the population of Lagos, the aggressive response of Kwankwaso seems understandable in a country where census figures play more critical roles in politics and the allocation of federal resources than planning effectively for the country’s development and the welfare of all. On the contrary, too, other states not favoured by the 2006

census outcome are still grumbling.

Sadly, based on the pressure on Jonathan because of Odimegwu’s utterances, reports said the Presidency queried him recently. Some even claimed the NPC boss had been suspended, a development the NPC said was not true.

We dare say, however, that the revelation made by Odimegwu is of public knowledge. The use to which population census is put has raised the political and economic stakes of the exercise; and the concomitant result has been the unbridled drive by political leaders and ethnic champions to adulterate or circumvent the head count process. Odimegwu seems vindicated by the fact that no census exercise in the country has gone uncontested. Odimegwu can only be blamed for his poor tact in passing the message. Yet he deserves commendation for his raw courage in saying the truth. Should the FG relieve Odimegwu of his NPC job, it should be ready to present a saint to do the job. Perhaps, the FG prefers pretence as the best approach to addressing intractable national problems. Instead of chasing shadows, the challenge before the nation and its leadership is to agree on the imperative of a genuine census exercise that must capture all the vital statistics.

ON THIS DAY October 11, 1962

October 11, 1976

October 11, 2002

Second Vatican Council: Pope John XXIII convened the first ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church in 92 years. An ecumenical council is a conference of ecclesiastical dignitaries and theological experts convened to discuss and settle matters of Church doctrine and practice.

The word “ecumenical” derives from a Greek word which literally means “the inhabited world”, a reference to the Roman Empire but extended to the world in general.

George Washington’s appointment, posthumously, to the grade of General of the Armies of the United States by congressional joint resolution Public Law 94-479 was approved by President Gerald R. Ford. George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was the first President of the US (1789–1797), the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War; and one of the Founding Fathers of the US.

A bomb attack in a shopping mall in Vantaa, Finland killed seven people. The Myyrmanni bombing took place on October 11, 2002, in Myyrmaki, Vantaa, Finland, in Greater Helsinki, at the Myyrmanni shopping mall. The bomb killed seven people, including two teenagers, a seven-year-old child and the presumed bomber. About 166 people were injured, including 10 children. About 66 of the injured victims required hospitalization.

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Friday, October 11, 2013

17

On the attainment of economic independence THINKING WITH PRINCEWILL

ALOZIE

I

n an era when the prevailing world-view on economics is globalization, it would appear out of place to be discussing economic independence. The globe is always perceived from a standpoint. Thus, multinational corporations can be located within countries. Exxon-Mobil, Shell, Total, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) India, Indian Technical and Economic Corporation (ITEC), Zhong Xing Telecommunications (ZTE) Huawei of China are but few examples. Nigeria, despite posing as the giant of Africa, is yet to have such national corporations with global influence. We are aware that there are very wealthy Nigerians. But this has not translated to the development of Nigeria’s or indeed, of Africa’s real economy. The Africans are yet to be in charge of their economy. When the major aspects of the national economy are not under the control of African governments, we can be very sure that almost every other important aspect of the lives of Africans will be subject to external control and influence.

The recovery of Africa’s major economic assets becomes an imperative for African peoples’ survival. Individual billionaires in Africa cannot be relied upon to fulfill this function. This

is impossible because many of these African billionaires benefit with their foreign counterparts, from the material and human resources of Africa. The doctrine that the private individuals and private companies are the engine of development is flawed on this and many other scores. The mismanaged and ruined private corporations and banks world-wide are glaring testimonies to the vulnerability of private companies. Recovery of Africa’s economic potentials and assets imply that the privatization policy being pursued with break-neck speed has to be halted and revised. Nigeria for instance, is to spend N592 billion to upgrade electricity capacity that is being sold to private firms (owned by individuals).

Nigerian Airways, Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL) followed similar patterns. The petroleum sector that Nigerians claim they own is in truth owned by foreign concerns.

When governments put incompetent persons in places of authority in industries, failure is what should be expected in such situation. We are aware of industrially developed capitalist countries that, in reality, have allowed government agencies to be in charge of key aspects of their economic, scientific and military enterprises.

In establishing ownership and control of the economy, Africans should dump into the deep ocean some hazardous economic doctrines that African administrators use as a guide. The theory of “comparative advantage and the gains from trade” is just one of them. Based on such a phony theory, Africa is condemned to be producer of raw materials, while the finished products will be returned for purchase

THE RECOVERY OF AFRICA’S MAJOR ECONOMIC ASSETS BECOMES AN IMPERATIVE FOR

AFRICAN PEOPLES’ SURVIVAL in Africa. In reality, the supplier, buyer and the manufacturer are fused in one person or organization. The prevailing situation is not like the hypothetical Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday in an isolated Island. In the real world, Africa is besieged from the economic, political, and intellectual fronts. Africans should go into manufacturing of products and selling to themselves in the first instance. The other theory to be abandoned is that of the market fundamentalism. The “supply and demand” concept in economics assumes a model of a perfectly competitive market. In our real world perfect competitive market does not exist. Assumptions about consumers and consumer behavior are quite spurious. One of the major problems in this market fundamentalism is that of ADVERTISING. Consider what harm advertising does in the area of medicine and junk food sales. Advertising firms have been able to convince unwary public that poison is good for them.

Reclaiming the economy will definitely need a well-fed, healthy and mentally alert citizenry. Food production becomes an integral part of the

struggle for economic independence.

When the majority feed on organically grown food stuff and are actively engaged in the productive and distributive aspects of the economy, you are likely to have a healthy workforce.

Broad based education will be needed for this battle to reclaim the economy.

When a populous country like Nigeria is reported to have spent N211.5 billion on exportable crops for two years, you will think food crops are in abundance for Nigerians.

The outlay for agriculture may in fact be for the importation of fertilizers and for agricultural equipments.

A section of the Nigerian ruling class is encouraged to grow crops for export. The economic position of being producers of raw materials continues up to now.

The recent global financial meltdown beacons on African and the world citizens at large to re-examine the freedom given to central banks and banks in general. There is need for transparency in the dealings and relationship between World Bank, International Monetary Fund and central banks. The assumption that such transparency exists is called into question because of conflicting figures issuing from these financial institutions.

We wish to point out once more that the turmoil, insecurity that have overtaken the world stage stems largely from an unjust economic order that perpetuates abject poverty and frustration among the larger portion of world’s population. It is ultimately in the interest of the entire world’s population that Africa attains economic independence.

Between African Union and ICC ADEOLA AUSTIN OYINLADE

T

he world’s attention will be at the African Union’s extraordinary Summit taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia between 11th and 12th October, 2013. The position of our (African) leaders may be known from recent proposals seeking that African states withdraw from the Rome Statute or should not cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC). The choice of these proposals has been linked to an assertion that the Court is primarily targeting people from Africa.

While it is correct that African government officials are the primary ones to use the ICC, we must not forget that six African Union member states - Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Kenya - in the last nine years, have asked the ICC to investigate and prosecute international crimes committed in their countries while the ICC intervention in Sudan and Libya came as a result of the United Nations Security Council (with African states in the Council) referrals. To a large extent, I can respectfully

AFRICA’S DECISION TO EXPAND THE FRONTIERS OF THE RULE OF LAW AND ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH THE

ICC AND ROME

STATUTE SYSTEM IS COMMENDABLE submit here that African government believe in ICC and called for its intervention in our dear continent based on Africa’s 34 state parties and 43 signatories to the Statute.

The administration of criminal justice at local and international law provides for the doctrine of natural justice where the ‘accused’ will have his day in court to enter his defence against the evidence of the prosecution. The prosecution must prove his case beyond a reasonable doubt. If he fails to do so, a court cannot convict the accused. Anyone still appearing before the ICC at the moment is in-

nocent. I think where our leaders should be worried or show interest is whether or not the ICC is demonstrating fairness and independence in conducting its trials rather than counting the number of cases before the court per region. Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.

At the summit, Nigeria will have to be careful not to take a step backward from our collective commitment with ICC to deal with the gravest crimes like, genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression. We should not signal to our fellow Africans that a rapist can now ask the victim for an understanding. Justice is not only for the plaintiff, but also for the defendant. In the face of the changing nature of global security, if the violators of human rights have been escaping from justice, this is the time for us in Africa to say they can no longer hide. Everyone has the right to go to heaven the way he wants, but he needs not drag others along. A decision that will shut the door of justice against millions of innocent women, children and men -victims of violent conflicts - will be the undoing of Africa as it will continue to make life nasty, brutish and short.

Africa’s decision to expand the fron-

tiers of the rule of law and accountability through the ICC and Rome Statute system is commendable. The continent has already set an example for other regions to follow. Every supporter of human rights, rule of law and justice globally needs to join the new train of making the ICC a truly global court by asking other states left to join the Treaty. African leaders should be interested in ICC independence and fairness to accused persons from Africa and other parts of the world, not the number of cases before the court from the continent. As our leaders meet between today and tomorrow, they must not speak on proposals for African states to pull out of the ICC or withdraw from the Rome Statute.

Oyinlade a lawyer, human rights expert, is President, Constitutional Rights Awareness and Liberty Initiative, Lagos 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.

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18

Friday, October 11, 2013

T National dialogue planned to fail

T

he proposed national conference is a programmed jamboree destined to fail or its report to gather dust at Aso Rock just like every of such conferences since 1999 Even the last one in 2005, the National Political Reform Conference put together by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and which consumed about N1 billion could not achieve the desired result because of the selfishness of the so-called leaders of ethnic nationalities.

You don’t need a national conference for Nigeria not to be shut down, nor do we need it for the Federal Government to recognise the winner of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum chairmanship election. Look at the activities of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu, or the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the resident doctors in public health institutions. I can go on and on.

I can take a bet that the obvious irreconcilable differences among the nationalities and sub nationalities that make up the country will be one of the reasons why the proposed conference will be another jamboree. Already the North is saying on to sovereign national conference, while the South is resolutely committed to it. Where do we go from here?

Diokpa Andrew Gbemudu, Warri, Delta State

I

Police BCMR project

t appears having the particulars of the owner of a vehicle have been proved insufficient for the police to track down offenders. About 20 years ago in Ilorin, a vehicle ran into my own and the offender escaped. I took the number plate to the police who were able to get both his name and address, but no arrest was made. I personally went to the compound written on the papers but no result.

People change places of abode or work. The police should consider public opinion in carrying out their functions.

Olu Aina, Ilorin, Kwara State

Letters to the Editor

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Weep not, Nigerians

housands of Nigerians have been killed since Boko Haram launched its insurgency in 2009. The latest in the series of slaughters was on last Sunday September 29 when School of Agriculture Guibja, Yobe State was raided at the wee hours of the morning and scores of students slaughtered.

What would Nigerian leaders do about these insurgents that have crippled one of the regions of this loving country of ours? All they do is condemn attacks and promise to arrest the situation. In the most recent presidential media chat given by President Goodluck Jonathan he was asked a question about a Boko Haram leader. The President could only reply that ‘I don’t know him’.

Mr. President, does he need to sit down in town hall meetings before he knows the terrorists are daily inflicting lots of pains

and agonies on his people?

President Barack Obama of the United States of America did need not to know Osama bin Laden before he took decisive action to end his reign of terror.

The tertiary institutions of learning have been shut down for over three months now, and all our leaders say is that they are on the issue that students would still go to the classrooms. They claimed that the money the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is demanding would cripple the economy. But corruption in the corridors of power would not do such thing. Now, I begin to ask myself as a student that why would our leaders worry about our staying home when their children are in the most expensive schools abroad studying.

How about unemployment?

Hm; the rate of increase is better imagined. Our healthcare is nothing to write home about; no wonder our leaders are flown abroad whenever they are diagnosed of one illness or another.

There are people who work like there is no tomorrow, but would not earn a senator’s one month salary in their entire working life time. Our leaders are telling us indirectly that the money ASUU is demanding would cripple the country’s economy, but the salaries they have been receiving, coupled with embezzlement and corruption in the corridors of power, would do no such thing.

It is true that the tree falls from the top and not the bottom.

What happens to the same tree when the roots decay?

The leaders are to be blame to some extent, but then what about the followers? If one

Bliss, even in the midst of chaos...

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Ibeju needs help It is a fact that power supply is epileptic in Nigeria. So, one would wonder why Ibeju, a suburb in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, is singled out for mention in this write-up. It can only be imagined that this peaceful and growing community that is even contiguous to the proposed Lekki International Airport, would stay for two to four months without a blink of power supply.

Far from imagination, the environment stays in the dark even more. The last time a three-hour PHCN power supply was felt in the area was in June 2013. Prior to that time was in February

2013 and so on. On the average, the area has had power for less than 10 hours for a period of one year. This has been on for over two years and no one has given any reason for this anomaly.

This call is for the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria authorities in particular, to look into this ugly development to ascertain why IbejuLekki has been so neglected. It is believed that the power situation in Nigeria has improved somehow in recent times. Various areas in Lagos can attest to this improvement. So, what wrong

has Ibeju community committed to be treated with such neglect?

We call on Governor Babatunde Fashola to come to our rescue. His impact is being felt by all Lagosians. It is also his Lagos State we are talking about here.

No community thrives without power. Development and empowerment are useless without power. The area and the people are suffering too much. We are not asking for too much, but power to do our little businesses, lead an average life and see at night.

Olanrewaju Adeolu, Araromi Quarters, Ibeju Agbe, Lagos State,

Send your letters or or mails mailsto toPMB PMB10001, 10001,Ikoyi, Ikoyi,ororour ourEmail: Email:mirrorlagos@yahoo.com mirrorlagos@yahoo.com and info@nationalmirroronline.netor or 08056180209, 07033375481 and info@nationalmirroronline.net 08054103275, 07033375481 (SMS (SMS only).Editor The Editor reserves thetoright edit and letters reject letters or photographs.

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could take a survey of the leisure time of our people at home, we’ll find our youths watching on the DSTV (for those who have) channels like Channel O, music, sports, African Magic and a host of other programmes, which are not beneficial to them or the country. The problem facing Nigeria can actually be solved by a national conference, where intelligent Nigerians can seat down to discuss and fashion out a way out for the country.

Makanjuola Olaleye Ademola, Department of Mass Comm, University of Lagos

Arochukwu and bad roads

I

t is regrettable that the people of Arochukwu, Ihechiowa, Isu and Ututu have been subjected to suffering for decades now through the neglect of the 29 km Arochukwu-Ohafia federal road. The road is now a death trap, exposing the people to unprecedented economic and social hardship and even untimely death.

When the Federal Government awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the road last April, the people rejoiced and hoped the contractor was going to execute the job. Today, five months later, the story is totally different. Nothing tangible has been done on the road.

So, we appeal to the President Goodluck Jonathan to, through the Federal Ministry of Works, ensure the contractor does the job for which he has been paid.

This is because the people have suffered enough. Also, the political leaders and representatives from the area should do away with their selfish tendencies and ensure the job is executed.

The people have actually suffered enough; they deserve good roads.

Electricity workers’ resistance

T

he attempts by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) to frustrate the privatisation efforts of the Federal Government in the power sector should no longer go unchallenged. As employees, their interest should be limited to their severance pay which is being done by government. Their continued threat to down tools, throw the country into blackout and other antics that slow down the privatisation process is taking freedom for licence. The time has come for Nigerians to fish out these PHCN workers and ruthlessly deal with them only within the law to call off their bluff.

Chris Enyinnaya, Ikeja, Lagos State

Your

FRIDAY

Friday, October 11

Flavour

16 PAGES OF ARTS, REVIEWS, LIFESTYLE AND BUZZ TO START YOUR WEEKEND

Arty News

MY STATE OF HEALTH

ADENRELE NIYI AND ADEBIMPE OLATUJA

HAS NOW REACHED A

N

HANDLE ALONE my land and my BMW car. Although I have my family’s support, which I’m happy about, but right now I have no money anymore and my family has also done a lot. That is why I’m calling on Nigerians to help me”.

Pa Kasunmu’s son, Olajide, who corroborated to our reporter his father’s health and financial challenges said the family is doing the best in the situation to help the man overcome emotional depression. “It is difficult seeing the way he is now, but we are doing our best. He is also afflicted by memory loss and in recent times, he gets double vision”.

Regrettably, although he was never an in-patient at LUTH, the actor’s dwindling resources means he can no longer afford the costly, but vital medication and treatment necessary to fight the heart and liver diseases.

“I have never been on admission. I should have been, but I didn’t allow it simply because I can’t stand seeing another human being giving up around me; so I go from home. I have spent lots of money. There was a time I attended three clinics in a week at LUTH which are ‘cardio’ (cardiology), ‘neuro’ (neurology), ‘uro’ (urology) and my medication in a week cost about N35,000. I was told by the doctors that it’s a lifetime thing and I must be on medication to manage my health. It must be regular

Balogun

Pa Kasumu

PHOTO: ADEBIMPE OLATUJA

and constant in order to prevent the secondary stroke. I was also told I will need a physiotherapist”, he said.

To achieve the goal of managing his health and preventing a secondary stroke, Kasunmu made known that he would require a total sum of N12 million. “I don’t have money anymore; I am only pleading with Nigerians to contribute to my survival to raise the money for my treatment. I promise them that once I am fully recovered, I won’t retire. I love to make people happy and laughing, that is what I love to do”, he assured.

Odumosu also revealed that colleagues in the industry from which he made his fame and fortunes have not given him the support he expected. “None of them have given me assistance since 2009 or since I stopped acting. Nobody checked up on me until when they saw

the recent publication on Monday. Jide Kosoko ‘Oriental Kosoko’ reached out to me and Muyiwa Londoner usually put calls through to me as well”.

Born on March 16, 1953 in Odogbolu, Ogun State, Kasunmu studied Business Administration at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. At the age of 15, he found his calling on stage and carried on his theatre practice until the full advent of the home video industry, Nollywood, in the 90s. The crossover actor is predominant for his roles in the Yoruba film genre– often times comically portraying a literate, but verbose character; however, he has featured extensively on Super Story, the hit English Language TV drama series, created by Wale Adenuga.

Kasunmu’s last public appearance was at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award held in March in Lagos.

WEEKEND STARTERS E-Hookah Party at La Mango

‘E

moshi E-Hookah Sticks Pool Party’ holds tomorrow at La Mango Restaurant, Ikeja Lagos. The event will be hosted by TV personality Illrymz, while DJ Flammzy of City FM will also be present to play the best music.

Guests are advised to come with their swimwear and the party begins at 3.00 p.m.

Illrymz

Chaka Khan at Lagos Luxury Concert

T

omorrow, 10-time Grammy Award winner, singer and songwriter Chaka Khan, Grammy Award winning singer, Angélique Kidjo and Nigeria’s own singer Kaline will grace the stage at the 4th annual Smooth FM Love Music, Love Life Luxury Concert in Lagos. Venue is The Expo Center, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island. Cocktail reception starts at 6.00 p.m. and main show commences at 7.00 p.m.

Bheerhugz hosts Karaoke Night

T

he bi-weekly celebrity karaoke event organised by Pixie Dust PR in conjunction with Bheerhugz Cafe is back again. This edition will be hosted by MTV Base

VeeJay Ehizojie “Ehiz” Okoeguale and rising musician, Lake Kiel.

Bheerhugz is located in the bustling Ikeja City Mall, Lagos. Time is 7.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.

Grand finale of 2Side Model Look

T

he grand finale of 2Side Model Look Africa 2013, a modelling, beauty and fashion competition, will take place tomorrow at Modiza Lounge, Ikeja, Lagos. The competition is aimed at redefining the modelling industry by adding p ro f e s s i o n a l i s m and creating career

paths for aspiring models.

Guests scheduled to attend include Omawumi, 2Face Idibia, Buchi, Warebi Martha, Dayo Ephraim, Mike Okri and Queen Nwokoye.

Time is 2.00 p.m.

Critics P. 22-23

I CAN NO LONGER

’Denrele’s Day P. 34

CHRONIC STAGE THAT

P. 26

ollywood veteran actor Mr. Olukayode Odumosu, nationally renowned by his stage name, Pa Kasunmu, is on the verge of completely losing his sight, memory and mobility due to a debilitating heart disease and partial stroke.

The unfortunate news came to public prominence recently on the social media when his children took to Facebook to make a short appeal to charitable members of the public to help save the financially-challenged actor from the ravages of heart and liver disease- a malaise he has battled with since 2009.

During an exclusive interview with Friday Flavour at his Mushin-Lagos residence, the 60-year-old Pa Kasunmu showed visible signs of ill-health– his barely audible voice trembled and he suffered shortness of breath.

“When the sickness started, it was actually moving towards my kidney, but the doctors in LUTH (Lagos University Teaching Hospital) were able to arrest that. Later, I started battling with partial stroke. Now, what I’m trying to prevent is the secondary stroke and apart from that, I’m gradually losing my sight already and I can’t walk well”, Odumosu explained.

Asked why he was coming out at this time to let Nigerians know about this ailment, he said; “My state of health has now reached a chronic stage that I can no longer handle alone, that’s why.

I have been with LUTH since 2009 and I have spent a lot of money; over N4 million personally. I have sold two plots of

P. 31

Help! I’m going blind gradually –Pa Kasunmu

Mirror Mongers

VOL. 3 No. 728

19

20

Artman In The House

Friday, October 11, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Telecoms companies are exploiting He sauntered into his office at Bode Thomas Surulere, Lagos to keep an interview appointment I had with him, obviously gloomy-faced. Although one can never be too sure with people in the make believe industry, his portrayal of sorrow that Thursday morning was out of this world. He was emotional about the news of the Associated Airlines plane crash a few hours earlier. Would he be able to talk? “The fact that you are here already is why I am continuing because it is a sad day in Nigeria�, he says, in spite of the fact that none of the victims was exceptionally close to him.Of course, as we spoke, the fact that he has not let his personal accomplishments becloud his unassuming mien grew by the minute. Welcome to the life of Zik Zulu Okafor, the national president of Association of Movie Producers (Nigeria) and the chief executive officer of Zulu Films, who spoke with NGOZI EMEDOLIBE. Excerpts: What is happening at Zulu Films, your production company?

We are on and doing well. Of course, we are not only into films; we also do media consulting for people. But our flagship drama, Heaven’s Gate is being repackaged at the moment and we hope to get it back on air soon. As I am talking with you, serious work has gone into the scripting and, hopefully by December, we will go back to location to film new episodes of the drama. Honestly, part of the problems we have with the drama is also the volume of debts by some of our partners.

It is affecting our operations, but we will be back soon.

If debt recovery is a big problem for producers, how is the Association of Movie Producers collaborating with other bodies in this respect?

Actually, there is a body of independent producers primarily concerned with this, and over the months discussions and meeting have been going on. There are positive signs that things will improve. The truth is that the problem is a chain.

As an independent producer, you will source money and pay the actors and also pay the television stations, only for the advertising agencies to owe you, probably because the company manufacturing the products also owes them. So it is a chain.

But one of the greatest challenges is the exorbitant fees independent producers pay to show their programmes on television stations. It runs into millions of naira. Of course, the actors you want to hire will not want to know how you go about this.

The National Broadcasting Commission one told me that television stations were not licensed to vend air time to independent producers. What are your people doing in this regard?

I think the NBC is aware of these challenges the producers are facing. It is not strange or news that independent producers pay so much in Nigeria to show their programmes on air.

As the national president of the Association of Movie Producers, what is your perception of the film industry in Nigeria at the moment?

There is no doubt that things are bad in the sense that we can do better, but a lot is going on in the area of addressing the basic problems. The Nollywood of our dreams is yet to be attained but we hope to do this, and every one of us must take part in building it. I thank the government for the efforts they have been making in this regard. On our own part, we hope to use the Nolywood@20 to relaunch the industry and draw more attention to the potentials inherent in the industry. Whether we like it or not, the industry is full of potentials and this needs to be well-harnessed to make the changes we desire.

Olaiya Ola Ol O lla aiya iy ya a

Zulu

What programmes are being lined up for Nollywood@20?

The events to mark Nollywood @20, will begin on November 2, and will run for many days. It is a series of events put together to make sure we have a grand event.

It will showcase the industry to investors; it will have the artistes coming together to tell their stories.

Someone like Emem Isong has an interesting

Zulu and his wife, Adaora

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Artman In The House

Friday, October 11, 2013

21

Nollywood –Zik Zulu Okafor journey in Nollywood amongst other artistes and during these prgrammes, she would be sharing how she came into the industry with N60,000 which she borrowed from her parents. The idea is to inspire people because Nollywood is also a big employer of labour. The beauty of this is that the artistes are united about making this a great success, and the various guilds are committed to having a grand event. We will also invite some of the actors and producers who brought about the revolution called Nollywood to share their experiences. Then, we will also have some professionals coming over from Hollywood to teach us one or two things we need to know about the industry.

Is it really proper to invite Americans to teach you about Nollywood that is Nigerian?

We are inviting them to speak about Nollywood in the global landscape. This is the era of ICT and it portends several opportunities for filmmakers in Nigeria, because today the audience is growing beyond the borders of Africa. They will teach us the new platforms for the distribution of our works.

There are dissenting voices about Nollywood being 20 years old?

Of course, the history of filmmaking in Nigeria is more than 20 years old. We all know that. But Nollywood@20 is celebrating the time the revolution came.

As a matter of fact, people like Hubert Ogunde , Ola Balogun, Eddie Ugboma and even Amata have been making films earlier. Kenneth Nnebue, the man behind Living in Bondage, used to make films in Yoruba language.

Nollywood@20 will celebrate the tenacity of the Nigerian spirit which gave rise to this phenomenon called Nollywood from the scratch. I was speaking with my friend, Jide Kosoko about this and I explained to him that the idea is to celebrate when the revolution. Obviously, before the revolution very few people wanted to take part in the industry, but today people can proudly tell you that they are actors and directors.

Why is the financial sector shunning the film industry?

It’s because there is no structure on the ground. This is what we need to urgently address The little recognition we have, came from some institutions, especially Africa Magic, which put our films in most households in Africa. They brought the honour because they have put Nollywood stars at every home in Africa. Today Nollywood has become a phenomenon, and people feel like identifying with it. Financial institutions are articulate and will like to know how the money they want to put in the project would come back. One of the things we need in the industry is cinema houses. If we can get cinemas at most city centres, then the banks will know that the framework to recoup the investment is there, and I bet you, they will come. But the government has been trying, which is why they launched the Project Act Nollywood.

What is the state of ‘Project Act Nollywood’, as the leader of the film producers?

The President has been nice to us. He has supported Nollywood and still wants to support more. The Project Act Nollywood has an initial capital of N3b and out of this the government has released N300m for capacity building in

L-R: Basorge Tariah Jr., Zulu and Mike Nliam.

FACT FILE •

Born August 27, 1964 to parents from Ibusa, Oshimili North L.G.A of Delta State

•

Holds a first degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan and a masters degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos

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Practiced journalism for two years and won the News magazine reporter of the year at the 1992; Nigeria Media Merit Awards; was also nominee same year for the crime reporter category

•

Married to Adaora, whom he met on the set of his stage play after leaving the university, and has two boys and one girl from the union

•

Loves BMW automobile brand

the industry. On this, they will be dealing with film schools and training centres. Of course, that is nice because filmmaking is ever-changing and to be part of the industry, one needs to constantly evolve with the industry and trends.

How appreciative of this gesture from President Jonathan is Nollywood?

Of course, we are glad that he is interested in the industry. In the history of Nigeria, in fact, no President has taken this kind of interest in Nollywood. While we are glad that he is supportive of what we are doing, we would also like him to do more.

I spoke with a producer who told me the endorsements from the telecoms sector do not contribute anything to Nollywood. Do you share this view?

Absolutely; it is all part of the exploitation we are talking about. The telecoms company can come and pick one actress and make her the ambassador with millions of naira, but the money goes into her pocket and does not come to the industry. The only way the telecoms can make meaningful contribution to Nollywood is by also encouraging the producers. Meanwhile, the actress that is being appointed as an ambassador was actually built by the producer. So the intervention by the way of appointing ambassadors, are just exploitative.

Can you recollect your experience shooting your first film?

Yeah, after I got a masters degree, I took a plunge into the movie industry because there was my passion. But it was not easy. It was so tough that I once wondered if the decision to be here was actually the right one. Along the line, I ran into a good friend of mine, Jude Okonma, who was very supportive. He wanted to know what was happening to me, and after I explained to him, he gave me N300,000. With this money, which was okay then, I teamed up with my friends Chico Ejiro and Mike Nliam to make my first film, Nightmares. Nightmares was unique in that it was the work that introduced Pete Edochie and Onyeka Onwenu into Nollywood films. Pete had acted in Things Fall Apart, but not a Nollywood film then.

How commercially successful was the film?

It was not a bad experience. We were able to pay for logistics and also made a little profit. It was quite encouraging, because the film was special. The success inspired me a lot to continue.

How has journalism helped your career in film making?

The reality is that I still practice journalism. I would have been a successful journalist, if I had remained fully in journalism, because during my days at TSM, I used to sit and write eight pages. Up till now, I still write and get published in some national newspapers. But I thank God that I never really detached completely from the media; that is why I am able to do media consultancy for people, institutions and government.

Your part in the money donated to Nollywood by Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom has been raging. I will like you to talk about it?

I ordinarily would not have wanted to discuss this, because the matter has gone to court. There were some spurious allegations leveled against me from some quarters. But I will explain how it began. During a dinner in honour of Nollywood which held in Lagos, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State donated N50m to the industry and after a few weeks, I was invited to be part of the industry’s delegation that would travel to receive the donation on behalf of the industry. This became possible as you know because of my position as the national president of the Association of Movie Producers.

Even before the money came, petitions had been flying up and down that the money had been squandered.

Has the money been squandered? How is it been expended?

The industry set up a group that is representative of the whole guilds operating in Nollywood and the group is working according to the instruction left by the donor.

The Governor actually wants the money to be used to improve the works in Nollywood by way of rewarding the practitioners through awards. This is however to be done in honour of the President. And this we have been doing. We have given the Abuja Film Festival N1m; we have also given TAVA, The Audio Visual Awards, N1m.

Before deciding to do this, we agreed that we would look at festivals and awards that have been operating for long.

Award events that are just being set up, do not qualify. In fact, Abuja Film Festival and TAVA until we called them did not know they stood a chance. Everything that is being done about dispensing the fund is transparent.

But the media is not being carried along to explain these things?

Yes, we have not started involving the media on this, but we will soon begin. We want to get to a level before we can get the media involved.

Let us get personal. How do you relax and take time off work?

I travel with my family. I go on holidays a lot and when I do, I do not do anything apart from resting. At home, I like to jog, because I have a gym and a field in my house. I exercise and then find time to also swim in the compound.

On the set of Heaven’s Gate

22

Critics

Friday, October 11, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dance

TWERK: Booty-dancing, gender politics and white privilege

R

ecently, American artiste, Miley Cyrus, made news globally for her provocative ‘twerking’ during a performance with fellow American singer, Robin Thicke at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA). As a self-proclaimed fan of booty dancing in its various forms, I was instantly worried about the appropriation of yet another African-American dance following the disaster of the fake ‘Harlem Shake’. It was surprising to note that reactions to Miley Cyrus ‘twerking’ have propelled her to fame, whereas African-American women – who created the dance style– tend to provoke the exact opposite reaction when they twerk.

Thus, while Miley Cyrus gets a free pass, the set of double-standards that lie at the heart of white privilege means that African-American women who twerk are denied the same. Take for example comments which followed a video of a woman dancing in a convenience store in the U.S. Amid the voices noting her talent, there were others labelling the woman as ‘mentally challenged’, the dance “disgusting” and twerking ‘useless’. Twerking has continuously been dismissed as low class, or “ghetto” while being associated with a lack of morals and intellect”, and when African-American girls and women upload videos of themselves twerking, they are usually subject to internet trolling.

I can’t agree that Miley Cyrus actually ‘twerks’ in that video, but I do agree with her when she says that twerking is natural. I would go further and say that booty dancing/popping tends to come more naturally to women of African descent. Find a group of Black people (including men), and among them will be someone who can perform one type of booty dance or another (I am yet to be disproven on this). In the United States, apart from twerking, there is the New Orleans bounce, among other forms of booty dancing.

Moving beyond the States to other parts of the African diaspora, in Haiti there is gouye/gouyad, in Colombia the El Mapale, in Cuba the vacunao, and most people are familiar with Jamaican winin’. On to Africa itself: in Senegal we have the ventilateur, in Somalia the niiko, kwassa kwassa in DR Congo (which goes by the same name in Zimbabwe), and the Cameroonian zingué.

Not to mention malaya of the Afro-Arab communities in Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Booty dances exist in various forms throughout the African Diaspora, and in Africa, and dance in general has long been a medium through which people of African descent worship,

express creativity, communicate, pay homage to ancestors and spirits among other functions. Yet bootydancing as an art form continues to be derided maligned and dismissed as inconsequential or obscene, and the black women doing the dances are objectified, seen as hyper-sexualised and disgusting.

In times past, we might have swung our hips from side to side in time with the rhythm to celebrate fertility or female sexual energy or in the worship of certain deities. Today, the many forms of booty dances retain some similarities, yet each is unique, and they continue to develop and gain popularity under different circumstances.

Mapouka is an Ivoirian dance that rapidly gained popularity throughout West Africa in 1997. Derived from a tamer traditional dance that is usually carried out during religious ceremonies among the Ahizi, Alladian and Avikam ethnic groups in south-western coastal region of Cote d’Ivoire, mapouka caused waves of controversy not only in Cote d’Ivoire, but also in other West African countries, mostly due to mapouka videos being sold and marketed as pornography. The dance was banned in Cote d’Ivoire until the 1999 coup, and controlled in countries like Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Cameroon where some overzealous individuals who happened to have some power decided it was lewd and obscene. Seen as a corruption of the original traditional dance, it was criticised as being solely for the male gaze.

This ignored the fact women, too, enjoyed watching these videos, women such as Eliane Meledje, the young seamstress interviewed by Norimatsu Onishi for that **New York Times** article, and claimed to feel liberated by the popular mapouka group Les Tueuses, or The Killers.

In “Playing It Loud and Straight: Reggae, Zouglou, Mapouka and Youth Insubordination in Cote d’Ivoire”, Simon Akindes notes that in mapouka, women “reclaim ownership of their bodies that they do not want to see regulated from outside”, and as these women shake their hips and bottoms, they’re aware of the conservative, puritanical Christian and Islamic mindset that labels what they’re doing immoral and vulgar, they just happen to disagree entirely with that opinion.

Mapouka, it’s also worth noting, is partly behind the increased yearning for larger bottoms among Ivorian women, and in the concomitant rejection of Eurocentric standards of beauty.

The drive to resist the historical colonial tradition of degrading Black women’s bodies when they dance per-

Robin Thicke (L) and Miley Cyrus at the MTV VMA performance

Mapouka dancers

BOOTY-DANCES

DESERVE RESPECT; WHEN A BLACK

WOMAN CHOOSES TO MOVE HER BUTT TO THE RHYTHM SHE MAY BE DOING IT FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS sists in other cultures where the modern takes on booty dancing have taken root. In Jamaica, dancehall dances can provide a space where women shake their bottoms to challenge colonial constructs of decency while dealing with their bodies on their own terms. There is a long history of Black women being sexually exploited, objectified and labelled sexually lascivious in the Americas during slavery, and the story of Sarah Baartman is familiar to many; she was the Khoikhoi woman who was taken from her home in Eastern Cape to be displayed in “freak shows” across Europe for her large bottom, and subjected to scientific dissection after her death. With such a history, it is perhaps not entirely surprising that many are still not comfortable with Black women shak-

ing or displaying their bottoms. However, it is necessary to question that discomfort since women’s bodies belong to them, and how they choose to display or shake what belongs to them is for them to decide. It is necessary to challenge the dehumanising and objectifying gaze that will view women booty shaking as mere sexual objects, as well as the colonial gaze that labels African expressions as obscene.

Booty-dances deserve respect; when a Black woman chooses to move her butt to the rhythm she may be doing it for a variety of reasons that far outweigh the imaginary man that all women supposedly shake their butts for. Despite centuries of repression, slavery, subordination and colonisation, these dances continue to thrive and are constantly born and reborn in different ways.

Today, booty-shaking has become a means through which Black women reclaim ownership of their bodies and assert their sexuality while resisting hetero-patriarchal and racist cultures that seek to repress women’s sexuality and/or control women’s bodies, not to mention a means to having fun. It is also worth mentioning that it takes a huge amount of skill to do these dances, and this needs to be acknowledged and appreciated, too, even if the dances aren’t your cup of tea.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Critics

Friday, October 11, 2013

23

Film

A dazzling confusion Those who may entertain the thought that Kenneth Gyang’s first feature film, Confusion Na Wa’s Best Film win at the African Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, earlier in the year was a fluke must think again. The film, which was the opening and closing feature at the just-concluded Lights, Camera Africa 2013 film festival got the attention of the audience the two times it showed.

TERH AGBEDEH

T

he audience is the most important ingredient when it comes to gauging how good a film will do in the market. It is no surprise that the Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF, which screens films to the public for free, is swarmed by companies out to buy marketing rights to films. Anyone who attended the two screening events for Lights, Camera, Africa 2013, where Confusion Na Wa showed could not have missed the reaction of the audience.

They laughed, jeered, cheered and even cried out loud when the convoluted and intertwined lives of the characters unravelled on the big screen.

The film shot in Kaduna, a northern Nigerian city, is a tragic comedy about total strangers whose lives interact dangerously on a certain day. Confusion Na Wa opens with a head shot of Chichi (Gold Ikponmwosa) blinking away tears and closing his eyes for the last time. There is blood on the floor where he is lying be-

cause he has been shot. Action takes the audience to the events that bring Chichi to that point with narration from Chichi himself. He is Charles Duka’s (OC Ukeje) best friend and together they do nothing all day but loaf and make the best of whatever comes their way.

They are at a scene of an accident when Emeka Nwosu’s phone comes their way.

Emeka is played by Ramsey Nouah by the way, and his phone has salacious text messages from Isabella (Tunde Aladese, who is the head writer for AfricaMagic’s soap, Tinsel, and this role is her first on the big screen). Isabella is married to Bello (Ali Nuhu), a civil servant on tenterhooks, his job is not working just like his marriage perhaps that is why he does not want to get his wife pregnant. Or he wants to have his children outside this country as he says. Or maybe he just feels that he is righteous and therefore better than every other person.

In any case, Charles and Chichi, very funny characters those two, set the machinery in motion to blackmail Emeka into parting with a huge amount in ex-

Gyang

change for the phone. What the two, whose lines are straight out of movie heaven don’t bargain for is that this action, like falling dominoes, leads to that point in the story where Chichi pays with his life for the sin of Charles.

The rest of the action in the 105-minute film is as interesting as it is jarring.

Charles and Chichi’s story is the fine thread that links the other stories one of which is Bello’s who gets tired of being the good employee and quits his job. There is also the story of the newspaper publisher, Babajide and his son, whom he suspects of being different from boys his age and sets about procuring a ‘cure’ that get’s the audience wondering out loud about.

There is also the story of the man who pulls the trigger on Chichi, whose daugh-

ter he wrongly thinks the man he has killed violated and therefore takes the law into his hands. This may be a tragic film but the comedy is a soothing balm that keeps the viewer focused on every twist and turn that dots its landscape.

Gyang, who said he did the film because of the lingering crisis in Jos, a city in his home state of Plateau, also cowrote and co-produced it. It is the first for the company, Cinema Kpatakpata that got funding from the Hubert Bals Fund of the Rotterdam Film Festival.

Although the subtitle is missing sometimes and there are a few glitches like when the cotton wool is missing on Bello’s head, Gyang has come to the film party in a big way and many more audiences will be dazzled by Confusion Na Wa.

Book

Assessing state of Lagos In spite of the visible infrastructural transformation noticeable in Lagos, since Governor Raji Fashola assumed office, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, in a new book, Lagos Open Parliament, makes daring claims that will evoke political sentiments.

NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

I

n a land of the blind, the ‘one-eyed’ man visibly becomes the centre of attraction, which is why the government of Lagos State under Babatunde Fashola, clearly ranks high in terms of democratic deliverables when weighed side by side with other state governments.

But the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, does not share this view as evident in the 236 page book, ‘Lagos Open Parliament: The true state of Lagos

by Lagosians, which the group has com-

piled to illustrate how the government of Lagos State has been running in the last couple of years. Citing media reports and analyses, the book, edited by Debo Adeniran, takes a critical look at the different sectors of Lagos State, highlighting what it termed ‘discrepancies in accountability and probity’, while also criticising several policies of the government.

The book is made up of five chapters.

Chapters one offers a background of the work, setting the genesis of the perceived problem in Lagos and also focusing on the statement of problem, purpose of study, hypothesis, population and scope of the work. Chapter two chronicles the genesis of failure of good governance and fiscal responsibility from sources that includes media reports and personal witness account from Lagos in different local government councils of the state. It traces how media publications classify Fashola’s transformations. Some of the news headlines contained in this section includes: ‘Please, let democracy work for the people’; ‘Lagosians beg Fashola’; ‘Poor state of Lagos roads’; ‘a genuine worker’s and people’s government is the only way

A BOOK OF THIS NATURE CANNOT ASSUME NOT TO HAVE NOTICED ANYTHING POSITIVE ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT out’; Lagos rent law is not working’; ‘How heavy rains ravage Lagos roads’, ‘Resign now, 26 parties tell Fashola’; however the writers did not go a step further to illustrate that media in the country has also been politicized and more often are used to fight political battles.

Chapter three dwells on other television, radio and newspaper analyses, while chapter four broadens the report with data presentations, assessment of state of situation of Lagos as at March 2011.

For the avoidance of doubt, the book is a public parliament put in place by the Coalition against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) and People’s Action for Democracy (PAD) to encode and decode vital information on

matters of public interest, towards arriving at a whistle-blowing role which would in turn promote good governance and participatory democracy in Lagos State. Lagos Open Parliament is a veritable forum where participants who are directly or indirectly stakeholders, gather, exchange views, share their plights, experiences and assess democracy in the state.

As demonstrated in this report, this is in contradiction with the styles of the administration which the writers say uses the print-media and electronics to make reasonable impressions on the activities of government. In economic terms, the book also claims that the state is not productive. In other words, that it is not adding value to life of its citizens, by misapplying resources.

Of course, the work raises a number of questions: What is the state doing to lift the poverty of the masses? What wealth and how many jobs are being created? What efforts have the state deployed to crystallise the private sector?

To this, the writers argue that the administration has not done much!

But to the ordinary Lagos resident, the account by the book smacks of biases, because a book of this nature cannot assume not to have noticed anything positive about the government, a reason why some of the readers would easily classify it as a campaign against the government of Fashola.

But the beauty of this is that it has set in motion a discourse that can also be extended to other states of the federation.

24

Inside FCT

Friday, October 11, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Corper’ donates MARCUS FATUNMOLE

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People receiving free medical service

Oct 1: Church celebrates with Abuja residents ...Calls for return of ‘brotherhood’ SEYI ANJORIN

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he World Overcomers Ministries, Abuja, celebrated the country’s 53rd Independence anniversary on Tuesday, October 1, with colourful activities, featuring prayer sessions for the nation and provision of free medical service to residents of its environs.

The independence celebration which had the theme ‘My Portion in My Nation’ climaxed on Tuesday, as church members sang praises and offered prayers to God for Nigeria’s continued progress despite security challenges. Pastor Samuel, the officiating pastor of the church, who spoke with Inside FCT said; “It has been the vision that ‘My Portion in My Nation will be an avenue for the church, which also has a portion in this nation, to give back what we have been enjoying from the nation”.

He explained that the programme was organised by for church members and other Christians to come together, pray and lift Nigeria up, adding that his idea of building Nigeria ‘is creating this mentality inside Nigerians that we can do better’. “It’s not only about what you can get from the nation, but what you too as a person can give back to the nation”.

The Creative Arts department of the church added colour to the event with a dance-drama focused on the essence of unity among Nigerians. The drama, which attracted hundreds of residents in the community and those from neighbouring villages, is said to be born out of the need for all Nigerians to see themselves as Nigerians rather than with tribal affiliation.

Coordinator of the department, Bridget Oladipo, who encouraged Nigerians to be more united in order to attain greater heights said: “We believe in Nigeria and we believe Nigeria will get better because we are

trusting God for a change. Once we can agree to come together in unity and for purpose, Nigeria will be a better place. I want to encourage all Nigerians to come together in our mindsets”.

Speaking with our reporter, Head Pastor of the Church, Pastor Babatunde Adebayo, was of the view that the Church as a body of Christ has been instrumental in helping to keep the nation together.

The clergy said; “In the old national anthem of Nigeria, there was a phrase that we have thrown into the dust bin. The old phrase is ‘... in brotherhood we stand’ and it has been taken away from this nation. I wish we could return to it and promote that phrase so that everybody could hear and know that violence does not build a nation. The consciousness of ‘brotherliness’ is no longer in Nigeria; what we now have is people identifying themselves by their tribes; we don’t have Nigerians any longer.

“What we understand by government is putting our collective resources into the hands of some people to manage for everybody. It is impossible for the government of a nation to provide for all the citizenry. There will always be room for individuals, NGOs to come in. But we should get one thing right, there are some basic social amenities that the government of a nation should provide as necessity, even if they cannot provide all”, he further stated.

Offering his insight, Pastor Adebayo said the way forward was for leaders to think of benefits they have to give the nation. “Unfortunately, we have some bad leaders who are not worthy to be in power. We are praying today that God will not allow bad people to get into powerful positions but enthrone good people to run the affair of this nation so that we can get to the promised land”, he added.

he euphoric experience of Wednesday September 17 will for a very long time be fresh in the hearts of residents of Wumba, a largely-agrarian community in the nation’s capital.

It was the day the community of over 10,000 residents had its first-ever health facility, after several losses from maternal and child mortality in the old settlement.

Surprisingly too, the good-looking and newly-commissioned modest health centre was not the usual ‘democratic dividend’ from government; it came courtesy of a benevolent member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, serving and living in the city’s Municipal.

Wumba is roughly a 10-kilometre drive from Gudu market, a major market not too distant from the Apo Legislative Quarters in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The narrow, untarred road that leads into the village is hardly motorable and is being widened by increasing population of residents. Residents rely on the services of motor bikes operators to move in and out of the town. From Inside FCT’s investigation, other infrastructures such as power, water and schools are also lacking in the community.

Commissioning of the health centre however brought the crème la crème of the society; comprising government’s officials, religious leaders, corps members and other well-meaning Nigerians into the village.

The donor is Dr. Hafsat Galadima, a daughter of the Royal Caliphate in Sokoto State and corps member serving at the headquarters of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Abuja. She is a graduate of University of Medicine, Varna, Bulgaria. She also attended London School of Hygiene and Tropical

THREE TRADITIONAL

TITLES WERE SEPARATELY CONFERRED ON THE CORPS MEMBER BY DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES IN THE AREA Medicine including the famous Oxford University, England. She is a member of American Society for Infectious Diseases and, a member of the FCT chapter of Nigeria Medical Association, NMA. Speaking with our correspondent, Dr. Galadima said she was motivated to do the project because of the condition in which she met the community. “I have a youth corper friend who always comes to CDS (Community Development Service) meetings very late. Whenever I asked her why she always came very late to CDS, she would answer me that she lives at Wumba and that it is a very distant village. She also told me they didn’t have a clinic there.

‘And, you see, I am pregnant. I cannot be coming early’, she would say. I asked her if there wasn’t even a primary health care centre in Wumba and she answered no.

‘Doctor, you need to come and see that village’, she told me. On her invitation, I visited Wumba’, Galadima recounted.

Continuing her narrative, she said: “When I got to Wumba, I saw that there was a very large population of people in this village without a clinic. I asked her to introduce me to head of the community.

The head of the community joyfully gave me a piece of land which l began to work on. And, today, I am happy that everything is working fine”, she enthused.

Besides the clinic, she also donated five sets of computers to FCT Secretariat of

A cluster of umbrella food vendors

JOEL AJAYI

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n what appears to be another way of beating officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, AEPB, in the running battle to eke out a living in the FCT, food vendors have now opted for umbrellas stands instead of food kiosks in open spaces where their kiosks or sell-

ing contraptions had been mauled down

by AEPB bulldozers.

Presently, the picture around the open spaces portrays Anieke Ntioma’s allegory in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart which says that “since hunters have learnt to shoot without missing, the bird has also learnt to fly without perching”. Between the contending parties, it has become a game of outwitting each other in the battle

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Inside FCT

Friday, October 11, 2013

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health centre to community the NYSC. Plus, according to her, she had donated food items to physically-challenged homes at Yangoji in Kwali Area Council. Galadima had also given 100 slates to Almajiri School in Karu as well as donating food items to motherless babies’ home in Kuje. The doctor offers free medical care to the aged in Kuchingoro community, among others.

One of the residents in the community and mother of three, Mrs. Elizabeth Angwa told our reporter: “We are very grateful to God for our sister Corper. This is the first time we have seen this type of health centre around us. We used to go to town for ante-natal, post-natal and other health needs. To the glory of God, there will now be reduction in the complications arising from all the health problems among our people, especially pregnant mothers and children”.

Another female resident who spoke to our reporter through an interpreter said: “Today is a day of celebration in our land. We are very happy today that our people will now have a place to take their sick. Our pregnant women will not be rushed to town again during delivery. Our husbands and children will now see doctors and nurses to attend to them on time. May God bless the Corper”, she said.

In his address, Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr. Ado Mohammad, expressed gratitude to the donor and promised his agency would nominate her for a National Award. While encouraging her to sustain her goodwill towards her society, the agency’s boss called on other corps members across the country to emulate her.

Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, represented at the event by Dr. Anthony Usoro, commended the young doctor for the gesture and promised the Federal Government would provide all the facilities and personnel required to make the facility functional and meet the health needs of the community.

Highlight of the event were three traditional titles were separately conferred on the corps member by different communities in the area amidst various cultural displays.

In the background is the newly-commissioned clinic. (foreground) Traditional dancers perform at the event.

A signpost showing the donor

Galadima

Abuja food vendors opt for ‘umbrella kiosks’ I HAVE BUILT ABOUT FOUR CANOPIES, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY THE

AEPB; THAT IS WHY I DECIDED TO BUY UMBRELLA

for supremacy.

The new strategy adopted by food vendors indicates that they believe erecting new kiosks may no longer be desirable for their businesses having suffered huge losses in the past. The removable umbrellas would serve their interest better.

The eviction of food sellers by demolition squads, in collabora-

tion with the AEPB task force, from nooks and crannies of the FCT created new feeding problems for the struggling class in the city. Many could not sustain themselves on food from highpriced eateries.

It was out of necessity for survival that led to the ingenuity of the low-budget service sector, made up of small entrepreneurs and food vendors, and this led to the emergence of big, attractive umbrella ‘shops’.

A visit by Inside FCT to some of the high business and corporate areas of Abuja confirmed the presence of ‘umbrella’ food outlets competing for recognition. Some of the customers and

vendors who spoke to our reporter noted that the harsh economic challenges of the country brought about desperate survival instincts. Some added that instead of disturbing these community helpers and inflicting hardship on the masses, the FCT administration should develop small-scale business initiatives that would have maximum impact on the masses.

A customer, Miss Etim Ubong, lamented to our reporter. “Nobody says FCT administration should not sanitise Abuja and its environment, but they should do it in such a way that would not affect the citizen. If they pursue these people and they became

unemployed, there is no doubt crime will be on a geometric progression because ‘man must eat’.

“I think what they need to do is to look at the city of Abuja as a whole and earmark certain portions for this vendors. Let’s establish this people to reduce unemployment in the country at large”, she advised.

Nkechi, one of the food vendors who operates in the Central Business District area told Inside FCT that FCT policies do not support self-empowerment as claimed by the federal government.

“There is no work in the country and I decided not to go into sex work like some other ladies have done; instead of government to support me, they are still adding to my problem. I have built about four canopies, but they have been destroyed by the AEPB; that is why I decided to buy umbrella.

If we get hints that AEPB is coming this way, it will be very easy for me to fold the umbrella and

quickly hide it”, she added.

According to Ibisagba Moses, a staff of MIKANO Company in Wuse 11, the introduction of umbrella food outlets has solved the problems of hunger and helped customers save.

“How much I am earning monthly that I would be patronising those big eateries daily?

These vendors are not only assisting average Nigerians, they also add value to the economy as well as reduce unemployment in the city”, he stated.

For another relieved customer, Mr. Stanley Benson; “Not everybody is financially buoyant to go to eateries; many of us who can’t afford to enjoy delicious meals served in popular fast food eateries. We are left with one other choice; the road side food canteens popularly called make shift canteens. It is at these places that you are left with the choice of eating delicious Nigerian delicacies”.

Mirror Mongers

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Friday, October 11, 2013

Wrath of royalty O

f course, the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Anambra State is gradually attaining a crescendo, with the three major candidates (the other candidates have been dubbed ‘pretenders’ by Anambra people) doing their best to out-twist one another. The impression is that there would continually be issues as the dateline approaches. But the man flying the flag for the All Progressives Congress, Senator Chris Ngige has been in the storm again after the tough times he had in Awka, following his indifference on the ‘deportation’ matter in Lagos.

This time around, the buzz is that Ngige has incurred the wrath of the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe for having the effrontery to fix his campaign in Onitsha the day the Obi was celebrating an ofala. MM gathered that the visibly annoyed traditional ruler reacted by pronouncing some ‘bad words’ on his ambition and party.

Ngige has been telling his followers that he still holds the Obi in very high esteem in spite of this. But some people are saying that the Obi’s anger may be deeper than what it seems. MM gathered that Ngige is actually being seen as one of the men working against the zoning arrangement some stakeholders had agreed on about moving the governorship to Anambra North Senatorial zone, the zone of the Obi……but spirits are always apolitical.

Ngige

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Where do broken hearts go?

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Yvonne Nelson and Tonto Dike

ate singer, Whitney Houston sang a song with this bold question and made the issue of heartbreak a heart-wrenching episode for people who fall in love. For Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson, who once dated music star, Iyanya in a relationship that is gradually reminding their fans of the several sour episodes of the Kate Henshaw-Sammie Okposo era, this may be the time to count the articles in her basket as she keeps tripping. Would it be defined as love or obsession with the way the Ghanaian actress keeps revisiting the issue of her failed romance? A couple of days ago, she was at it again reminding Iyanya during an interview that ‘real men’ are the ones who keep their promises… Hmmm.

A similar incident is also brewing between Tonto Dike, the emerging queen of controversy in Nollywood and a friend of hers, known as Emeka. The buzz is that the girl is heartbroken too over a land deal she entered into with the guy which made her lose some money.

The angry actress ruined the long friendship, trying to recover her money and the buzz is that things have fallen apart.

Enter Federal Ministry of ‘Fund Raising’

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t may not be one of the recognised federal ministries in Abuja, the FCT, at least, constitutionally speaking, but one Minister wants to outdo the Ministry of Finance statutorily empowered to do so. The buzz is that it is the Ministry of the Interior under the able (yes for championing massive fund drive) leadership of Comrade Abba Moro. In the past two years or so, only the Ministry of Interior has been enmeshed the most in allegations of ‘money for jobs’. It once hit the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, where it was alleged that people were paying as much as N250,000 to secure employment. Now, it is the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, where the matter of ‘job for money’ is currently going on with unemployed Nigerians being asked to pay for non-refundable application forms online for jobs.

MM gathered freshly it is actually the Ministry that is selling the forms on their (NIS) behalf.

Moro

ONE-SECOND Q&A

Eedris

Eedris, Cossy and COSON

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efore now, it was the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria, MCSN, and the Copyright Society of Nigeria COSON, over who should administer intellectual property rights in the music industry. But MCSN seems to have gotten a spokesperson in rapper, Eeedris Abdulkareem. And this has become fierce since the news about COSON slamming one of the popular radio stations for refusing to pay them.

Eeedris in his usual mode was on air two days ago lambasting the officials of COSON for the action. He also said he has ‘warned’ them not to collect royalties on his behalf and wondered why Nigerian Copyright Commission would hand over such to only COSON. Expectations are high that in a few days, a media war (which the rapper fondly calls ‘woozing’) may ensue between him and COSON much like what happened between him and Cossy a few weeks earlier.

EDWIN CLARK

While some are in support of the proposed National Dialogue initiated by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, others are against it. Elder statesman and former federal minister, Edwin Clark reacts to the issue: What is your position on the proposed National Dialogue?

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Clark

ational dialogue will certainly change everything in Nigeria.

I think that this is the greatest thing Mr. President has done in Nigeria. People had been looking at him as one who does not have the courage to do certain things but today he has proved his critics wrong.

Many heads of state, including military leaders, did not have the courage to establish a national conference. Some believed it would take away their powers, others thought it was a challenge to their administrations and therefore shied away from taking any action on national conference.

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Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Dhul Hijjah 6, 1434AH Friday, October 11, 2013

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Call to Worship “O ye who believe! When the call is made for Prayer on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off all business. That is best for you, if you only knew.”

HE WHO) OFFERS THE PRAYERS AND LISTENS QUIETLY WHEN THE IMAM STANDS UP FOR SERMON, WILL HAVE HIS SINS FORGIVEN BETWEEN THAT FRIDAY AND THE NEXT.”(BUKHARI)

CONVEY TO OTHERS AT MY BEHEST, EVEN IF IT BE ONE VERSE. FOR IT MAY BE THAT THE

ONE BEING INFORMED MAY COMPREHEND BETTER THAN THE ONE LISTENING (AT PRESENT)”

(BUKHARI &TIRMIDHI #2669)

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he successful believer is the one who makes the most of these special months, days and hours attempting to draw closer to Allah through acts of worship; they are considered the most honorable and best days ever.

Ahmad and at-Tabarani record from Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “There is no day more honorable in Allah’s sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allah than those in these ten days.

So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah : La ilaha illAllah ), takbir (Allah is the greatest : Allahu akbar ) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allah : alhamdulillah) a lot [on those days].”

Do Istighfar, making salah and salam on the Prophet, fast in these days, give charity, recite the Qur’an.

Seek the times dua’a is more likely accepted and among them are: 1/3 end of night, before salah between Adhan and Iqamah, when the Imam is on the mimbar during Jumu’ah Friday, during the rain, in sujood, do prayer of the night time (Tahajud); Aisha (RA) said “Wallahi the prophet never left the prayer of the night time.”

Fasting and specialty of the day of Arafah (9th day of Dhul Hijjah): The Prophet (PBUH) said “There is no day that Allah will free people more than the day of Arafah.”

Sacrificing and slaughtering of an animal on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, repentance and regular Salah.

‘Eid, in Islam, is a day of joy,

The great lessons 28

thanksgiving, worship, brotherhood, solidarity, and morality. A Muslim should take the advantage of this day to bring himself nearer to Allah, Most High.

These two ‘Eids are among the signs of Allah, to which we must show consideration and understand their objectives. It is haram to fast on the days of ‘Eid There are no Supererogatory Prayers to be offered either before or after the ‘Eid Prayer, as Ibn `Abbas reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to come out on the day of ‘Eid and pray two Rak`ahs, with nothing before or after them. This is the case if the Prayer is offered in an open area. Everyone is urged to attend ‘Eid Prayer, and co-operate with one another in righteousness and piety. The menstruating woman should not forsake the remembrance of Allah or places of goodness such as gatherings for the purpose of seeking knowledge and remembering Allah – apart from mosques.

One of the good manners of `Eid is to take bath before going out to the Prayer.

On `Eidul-Adha, it is recommended not to eat until after the Prayer, when one should eat from the meat of one’s sacrifice. Let us do a lot of Takbir on the day of `Eid, congratulating one another, wearing one’s best clothes for `Eid and changing route on returning from Prayer-place. (Reported by AlBukhari)

Muslim pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat, to celebrate the Eid-Ul-Kabir in Mecca.

Getting ready to make the usual ram sacrifice for the coming Eid-Ul-Kabir festival.

‘Media Dawah is a collective responsibility’ 29

Imbibe spirit of sacrifice –NACOMYO 29

Call to Worship

28

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Dhul Hijjah 6, 1434AH Friday, October 11, 2013

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Leadership and responsibilities: Islamic perspective with

AL-FATHIU QUAREEB EEB EB MESSAGE

SHEIKH ADANGBA

e-mail: ustazadangbe@yahoo.com

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o that this issue (socially the most important) is not left at the mercy of the biased pens and unorthodox notions of those who are either deficient or excessive (in their opinions). An end to prostitution, both clandes-

tine and overt: and to recognize fornication as a crime, whatever the circumstances, a detestable crime whose perpetrator must be flogged.

And end to gambling in all its forms: games, lotteries, racing, and casinos. A campaign against drinking, similar to the campaign against drugs: its prohibition, and the salvation of the nation from its effects. A campaign against ostentation in dress and loose be-

havior; the instruction of women in what is proper, with particular strictness as regards female teachers, pupils, physicians, and students, and all those in similar categories.

The closure of morally undesirable ballrooms and dance halls, and other such pastimes, inspection of theatres and cinemas, and a rigorous selection of play scripts and film roles.

The censorship of songs, their

Cross section of students of Al-Hikmat College, Agege-Lagos at the 2013 edition of the annual Career Day programme organised by Glorious Islamic Centre in Lagos recently.

Essence of Hajj

Arikunkewu

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s at today, majority of Muslims are in Saudi Arabia in order to perform the Hajj.

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. It normally occurs in the month of Dhul Hijjah which is the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is the journey that every sane adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their lives if they can afford it and are physically fit. The money for this trip should be that of halal and not through immoral acts like lottery, stealing, betting, etc.

Qur’an 2:197 – 203, chapter 3:97, chapter 22:27, explain extensively this important pillar of Islam.

Anyone who has the means of performing Hajj but fail to do so can be likened to one who observes Solat daily regularly but fail to fast during the month of Ramadan without falling under the exceptions clause spelt

out in the holy Qur’an.

The most important thing expected of any intended pilgrim to the holy land is to have fear Almighty Allah in whatever he does. Yearly, Muslims of every ethnic group, colour, social status, and culture gather in Mecca and Kaaba praising Allah. It is designed to promote the bonds of Islamic brotherhood by showing that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah. In Hajj, all are truly equal.

The pilgrims wear simple white clothes called Ihram. During the hajj, the pilgrims perform acts of worship and they renew their sense of purpose in the world. Prophet Muhammed enjoins Muslims to embark on this trip when there is a means and good health so that both sin and poverty can be a thing of the past. Muslims need to be in a state of Ihram and be making a statement of intention thus: “Here I am at your service, O Allah, here I am at your service! You have no partner.

Here I am at your service.

All praise and blessings belong to you. All dominion is yours and You have no partner”.

A pilgrim in the state of

Ihram should not engage in marital relations, shave or cut nails, kill or hunt anything, fight or argue, women must not cover their faces, even if they would do so in their home country, men should not wear clothes with stitching. At the end of the Hajj, Muslims from all over the world celebrate the festival known as the Eid ulAdha or festival of the sacrifice.

This festival commemorates the obedience of Prophet Ibrahim when he was ordered to sacrifice his son, Is’mail.

Ibrahim proved his love and devotion to Allah by showing his willingness to kill his beloved son if Allah wished it. In the end, Ibrahim did not have to kill his son as Allah gave him a white ram to sacrifice instead. In conclusion, going on Hajj has not guaranteed any Muslim paradise as this can only be made possible by adhering strictly to Allah’s injunctions and sunnah of Prophet Muhammed (SAW).

Sheikh Abdul Ganniyy Umar Arikunkewu is the Founder/National Chief Missioner of Jublatu Rohfatu Llahi Islamic Society Of Nigeria (JUBFAT).

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rigorous selection and inspection, the careful selection of lectures, songs, and subjects to be broadcast to the nation; the use of radio broadcasting for the education of the nations in a virtuous and moral way. Restricting the business hours of cafes; supervising the activities of their owners; instructing them as to what is in the best interest of the public; and not allowing them to stay open for such long hours.

To resist harmful customs, whether economic, moral, or anything else; turning the tide of the masses away from such practices, and orienting them to that which is beneficial, or educating them in a way which conforms with their best interests. This involves such customs, as weddings, funerals, birthdays, civil and religious holiday, etc. Let the government set a good example in this respect.

An end to the foreign spirit in our homes with regard to language, manners of dressing etc.

All this should be corrected especially in upper class homes. Attention to be given to problem of village, regarding their organization, their cleanliness, the purification of their water supply, and

the means to provide them with culture, recreation, training and prohibition of usury. The government should be an example in this domain by relinquishing due on its own particular undertaking for instances in the loan granting banks, industrial loans, e.t.c.

To protect the masses from the oppressions of multinational companies, keeping this within strict limits, and obtaining every possible benefit for the masses, improving the situation of junior civil servants by raising their salaries, granting them steady increases and compensations, and lowering the salaries of (senior civil servants) of law makers.

To encourage agriculture and industrial counseling; giving importance to the production level of the peasant and industrial workers.

In conclusion, the Muslims are the only people to hold the last Divine Revelation. They hold it as a trust and it is therefore their sacred duty to follow the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and give a living example of its teachings to mankind.

Maasaalaam!

The great lessons

ne of the great lessons of every celebration is that life is fleeting. We will be anxiously expectant of the day and its merrymaking. In no time will it have come and gone than we will start to forget about it and face other businesses of life. Also, it is in the nature of every celebration that it comes and goes; so will this year’s Eidul Adha become part of history.

Part of its history will be that millions of rams or cows will be killed wherever the Muslims exist in the world. All the parts of these animals, on one hand, will serve as witnesses for those who have sincerely slaughtered them to worship Allah.

It will also fetch them reward to the extent of the furs the animals possess.

The fact that we kill these animals as if it is a right to enjoy our celebration is a mercy from Allah.

These is how we slaughter them year-in-year-out without any reverse of the order. We should learn from this that we shall also die one day by a means we never know and return to our Lord. This fleeting nature of life is a major lesson we must learn and thus improve our relation-

ship with fellow men. By Allah’s design, this may be the final eidul Adha to be celebrated by some people.

Man’s departure in life is a great lesson for others. For every man that dies or that will die, he will have every last thing he does. This is not exclusive of the eidul Adha.

On this occasion, mercy is enjoined on these animals in the manner of slaughtering. We are to share the meat with family members and neighbours.

Human society cannot live in peace without mercy.

This must radiate in all our interactions, especially from the leaders to the followers.

On this day, people will troop out in multitude in different fine and colourful attires from different directions. It is a similitude of the day of Judgement when men shall be driven in troops to see their handiworks.

The gathering at the eid

IN HIS LIGHT with

USTAZ A. ZAFARAN

e-mail: zafabumuneeb@yahoo.com

ground is like judgement ground where everyone is a witness to the fate of another. It is really a day of reflection and gratitude.

You should be thankful to Allah for sparing your life; for if He has taken it, you will have been buried and become a dust underneath the earth. Despite all your sins and crimes, He preserves your life. Should you not then be thankful and desist from perpetrating evil on this great day of sacrifice. It is against the spirit of this celebration to consume anything haram or engage in any prohibition. It is not a day for gambling and frivolous activities. It is not a celebration you use unlawful money to buy rams. Allah can never be deceived.

The spirit of the celebration should be like Continued on page 30

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Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Dhul Hijjah 6, 1434AH Friday, October 11, 2013

Call to Worship

‘Media Dawah is a collective responsibility’ SEKINAH L AWAL

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ropagating Islam through the media has been described as a collective responsibility which the Muslim Ummah has not been discharging effectively and a very critical issue that should be of utmost concern to every Muslim.

Giving this advice at the monthly Usrah of The Companion in Lagos recently, Alhaji AbdulFattah Olajide of The Pathfinder called on Muslims to see the issue from Qur’anic verses and ahadith; “Invite (mankind) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with

them in the best way...”

(16:125). “If Allah guides a person through you, it is better for you than all that is on the earth.” (Bukhari & Muslim) According to him, Muslims have been the worse for it, saying both interpersonal and mass media are veritable tools through which Islam can, and should be propagated effectively.

“The interpersonal media deployed by the Prophet (PBUH) include good conduct, exemplary leadership (which fall under non-verbal nuances), Adhan (call to prayer), Khutbah (sermon) during J’umah prayer, study circles and other social gatherings.”

He said that the modern mass media have proved to be a more potent and efficacious means of information transmission and religious propagation because the mass media certainly shape the thought and actions of many people without such people realizing that they have been victims of mass mediated information.

Also speaking, the Deputy Amir of the Companion, Lagos District, Alhaji Nojeem Jimoh urged the Federal Government to fulfill the agreement reached with ASUU and ensure the re-opening of Nigerian universities. He reiterated the need for Muslims to make best use of the media

because when the media promote a certain trend, many people readily take to such fad. “The mass media influence their audience’s perception and shape their worldview by setting the agenda for public discourse, framing issues and personalities, and making stereotypical portrayals.”

“We certainly need the mass media to always put Islam on the front burner.

The mass media also frame issues and personalities with a view to influencing the perception of the audience. Framing involves presenting reports in a manner that would make the audience interpret them in a particular way.

Alhaji Olajide stated that

L-R: Alhaji AbdulFattah Olajide of The Pathfinder; Deputy Amir of the Companion, Lagos District, Alhaji Nojeem Jimoh and MD, Optimum Communication, Alhaji Lere Alimi at the monthly Usrah of The Companion in Lagos recently.

Imbibe spirit of sacrifice –NACOMYO FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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ational Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) has admonished Muslim faithful to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice and total submission to the will of Allah, epitomised by the significance of Eidel Kabir.

In a release signed by its National President, Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde, noted that many ills of our society are traceable to materialism and therefore enjoined Nigerians not to succumb to materialism at the expense of spiritualism which must be explored as a means towards solving Nigeria’s multiple problems, including socialeconomic, political and security challenges posing threat to our survival as

a nation. It stated that the proposed national dialogue has potentials to providing the much-needed understanding, tolerance, love, and peace required for good governance and harmony as essential for sustainable growth & development of the Country.

In the mean time, NACOMYO has called on various Governors to emulate Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun by declaring 1st of Muharram, that is, 1st day of the Islamic Calendar a Public holiday as the day is of signifance and milestonein the annals of Islam and Muslims. “Such declaration also portrays Nigeria as a State with unhindered and free practise of religions, just as it is also a robust approach at ensuring equity and equality which are ingredients of democratic governance.”

globally and locally, the mass media have not been fair to Islam and Muslims.

“Islam is grossly underreported and deliberately misrepresented in the media. Muslims are constantly denigrated in the media and Islam is usually presented as a violent, backward, archaic and medieval religion that has no relevance to the 21st Century. The social media, GSM telephones and other multimedia digital devices must be duly utilised.”

According to him, Islam is seen as a threat to Western civilization. In his famous book, The Clash of Civilizations, Harvard University Professor, Samuel P. Huntington gave an insight into why the West considers Islam a threat. He says: “The underlying problem for the West is not Islamic fundamentalism. It is Islam, a different civilization whose people is convinced of the superiority of their culture. The problem for Islam is not CIA or the U.S department of defense. It is the West, a different civilization whose people is convinced of the universality of their culture and believes that their superior power imposes on them the obligation to impose that culture throughout the world. These are the basic ingredients that fuel conflict between Islam and the West.” Unfortu-

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nately, major global media and wire services which feed the local media in various countries are owned by the West; AFP, Reuters, BBC, Fox News, CNN, etc.

Locally too, the media scene is equally dominated by non-Muslims.

He urged the various Islamic bodies to engage more in media relations, social commentaries, seminars/workshops, media visitation, letters to the editor, constant media monitoring/ engagement, advocacy / alternative journalism, adequate Islamic training / orientation for Muslim media practitioners, massive engagement in Citizen Journalism and adequate use of the social media. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc, acquisition of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Skills, facilitate increased access to the internet, pursue Islamisation of knowledge (write books on various disciplines from the Islamic perspective), production of newsletters by Muslim organizations, adoption of below the line media – stickers, billboards, branded shirts, handbills, tracts, e.t.c, as well as developing a comprehensive media agenda.

We must use a combination of interpersonal and mass media to propagate Islam as explained above and be silent no more.

GIC organises career talk for students AISHA TITILAYO

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tudents have been encouraged to go for their choice of interest when choosing a career to ensure that their aims in life are achieved.

This advice was given at the 2013 edition of the annual Career Day programme organised by the Glorious Islamic Centre (GIC) held at Ansar-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Randle Avenue, Surulere-Lagos. Professionals from various fields were in attendance to talk about their professions so as to educate the students.

The President of GIC, Mr. Akin Laguda stated that the event is one of the numerous programmes put in place by the organisation aimed at giving the students the needed guidance in terms of career choice.

According to him, the

Career Day has been put in place particularly to help secondary school students in preparing their minds to know which career to choose and knowing how to go about such profession.

He observed that the programme has been helpful to students since its inception. “We also have other programmes aimed at making people understand what Islam is, in its

true self, in terms of tolerance and peace; catering for the spiritual needs of both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Other activities organised

by GIC as mentioned by the president include; Health Week- where people enjoy free diagnosis, Essay Competition- to encourage students at all levels to write on Islamic-related topics which prompts them to make researches as to what Islam is.

Dr. Salahudeen Hussein, a lecturer at the Department of Physiology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, educated the students on health related courses like Medicine, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Nursing, etc, stating their relevance and challenges. “They all require commitment, focus and dedication on your part. If you give it your best, the sky will be your starting point.”

L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Bolaji Damola; President of Glorious Islamic Centre (GIC), Alhaji Akin Laguda and another guest lecturer at the 2013 edition of the annual Career Day programme organised by GIC in Lagos recently.

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Call to Worship

Yaum al-Jumu’ah, Dhul Hijjah 6, 1434AH Friday, October 11, 2013

Islamic perspective on global crisis CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

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f we look at the recent past, Britain ruled over many countries and left behind a high standard of justice and religious freedom, especially in the sub-continent of India and Pakistan. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has witnessed this, and the Founder as of the Ahmadiyya Community has greatly praised the British Government on its policies of justice and granting of religious freedom.

When the Founder as of the Ahmadiyya Community congratulated Her Majesty Queen Victoria on her Diamond Jubilee, and conveyed to her the message of Islam, he specially prayed that, in view of the manner in which the British Government discharges the requirements of justice with equity, may God Almighty reward it generously.

So, our history shows that we have always acknowledged this justice whenever displayed

by Britain, and we hope that in future too, justice will remain a defining characteristic of the British Government, not only in religious matters, but in all respects, and that you never forget your good qualities of the past.

Today, there is great agitation and restlessness in the world.

We are seeing small-scale wars erupting, while in some places, the superpowers are claiming to try and bring about peace. If the requirements of justice are not fulfilled, the conflagration

Every Friday with

Khalifatul

Ahmadiyya and flames of these local wars can escalate and embroil the whole world. Therefore, it is my humble request to you to save the world from destruction!

Now, I will briefly mention what the teachings of Islam are to bring about peace in the world, or how peace can be established in the world in the light of these teachings. It is my prayer that to create peace in the world those who are being addressed initially, that is to say the Muslims, may be able to act upon them, but it is a duty of all the countries of the world, all the superpowers or governments, to act upon.

In this day and age when the world has literally shrunk to a global village in a way that could not have been imagined previously, we must realise our responsibilities as human beings and should try to pay attention to solving those issues of human rights that can help to establish peace in the world. Clearly, this attempt must be based on fair play and on fulfilling all the requirements of justice.

Amongst the problems of today, one problem has arisen, if not directly, then indirectly, because of religion. Some groups

of Muslims use unlawful means and suicide bombers, bombing in the name of religion to kill and harm non-Muslims including soldiers and innocent civilians, and at the same time to brutally kill innocent Muslims and children. This cruel act is totally unacceptable in Islam.

Due to this ghastly behaviour of some Muslims, a totally wrong impression has developed in non-Muslim countries, and as a result, some parts of the society talk openly against Islam, whilst the others, even though do not speak openly, do not carry a good opinion about Islam in their hearts. This has created distrust in the hearts of the people of Western and non-Muslim countries about Muslims, and because of this attitude of a few Muslims, instead of the situation improving, the reaction of non-Muslims is getting worse by the day.

A primary example of this erroneous reaction is the attack on the character of the Holy Prophet (sa) of Islam and on the Holy Quran, the Sacred Book of the Muslims. What can the benefit be of hurting such sensitivities apart from increasing hatred and dislike? This hatred spurs certain extremist Muslims into committing ‘un-Islamic’ deeds, which in turn, provides further opportunity to a number of nonMuslims to air their opposition.

CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

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The great lessons Continued from page 28 one who is performing Itikaaf in Ramadan. Here, your mind is strongly attached to Allah. You avoid all sinful acts and engage in meritorious acts all through.

This is also expected of you during eidul-Adha. It is a celebration of reaffirming your belief in the oneness of Allah and remembering the righteous life of Prophet Ibraheem’s family. It is a moment when your mind should be full of glory to Allah. You should be humbled by His magnificence.

It is not at all a period for fighting or enmity. Families are to reconnect and reunite. You overlook and pardon. The celebration does not impose difficulties on any one. Slaughtering of ram is very meritorious but emphatically necessary for those who have the means. Buying new dresses is good if one has the means but it is not compulsory. What matters is to wear neat and clean cloth. Parents should not be extravagant in this celebration as to affect the plans for children’s expenses for school.

Visit to the village is good to strengthen family ties but not when such will cause problem for your children or affect their faith. If you take them to the vil-

lage, you must monitor them, especially the girls. Most people or young stars in the cities normally see such occasions as opportunity to prove that they are from the cities or a moment to enjoy unrestrained liberty under the euphoria of celebrating the eid. Bad habits are also learnt by some naïve children on this occasion. So, watch out and do not allow your children to be corrupt.

A Muslim does not celebrate the eid by watching all kinds of film to while away the time. Even if the films are not corrupt or bad, time is life to a Muslim. He must not waste it. Your prayers (Salats) must be observed at the right time. They are obligatory while the preoccupations with preparing or cooking your ram are not. You must attend to Allah when it is time. Otherwise, you will have failed to understand the spirit of the celebration.

Let us genuinely learn the great lessons of eidul Adha. Let piety permeate all that we do.

Let us remember Ibraheem’s great sacrifice of his son. Let us ask ourselves how we attend to matters of Islam. Let us find out if our homes are made up of a father like Ibaraheem or a wife like Haajar or a son like Ismaa‘il.

Hajj: Etisalat offers free data, incoming voice roaming

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tisalat, has announced free data roaming and incoming calls offer during Hajj. The ‘Hajj Roaming Gift’ offers accounts free data usage up to 1GB and 1000 free incoming voice minutes while roaming in Saudi Arabia on Mobily, STC-Al

Jawal and Zain networks. Free data and voice minutes will be valid from October 11-18.

Etisalat customers can benefit from the free data and incoming minutes while on Hajj by sending the SMS code “HAJJ” to 1010.

L-R: Editorial Page Editor of National Mirror, Mr. Callistus Oke; Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola and National Finance Secretary, AMJN, Alhaji Abdul Ganiyy Idris, during the courtesy visit to the National Mirror Management in Lagos.

L-R: Mualimat Monsurat Akewugberu; cross section of intake Hufazat (Madirasatut Tahafizil Quran (Ilbanat) of Ahmadiya Musilm Jama’at Nigeria; Sadr, Laijna Immailahi, Hajia Basirat Dikko (centre) and Mualimat Rafiat Olaiwola, at the 37th Annual Ijtema Convention in Ikorodu, Lagos recently.

National President, Veterinary Association and Naib Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Dr Abdul Ganiyy Enahoro (second right); President, British Veterinary Association in the United Kingdom, Dr Robin Hargreaves (second left) and others, during a courtesy visit to the British Veterinary Association office in the United Kingdom recently.

L-R: Chairman, Ahmadiyya National Education Commission, Alhaji Abdul Wahd Aina; Chairman, Ota Circuit Ahmadiyya, Alhaji Mudathir Dada; his vice, Bro. Abdul Sobir Mustapher; Alhaji Yaya Salam of Radio Nigeria and Board Chairman of the School,Fadl-I-Omar Islamic Nursery and basic School, Bro. AbdulWahab Matepo, during the inauguration of the School at Iju, Ogun State recently.

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Arty News

Friday, October 11, 2013

Nigeria hosts continent at 2nd AMVCA ...as deadline for submission of entries extends to Nov. 1

Glo stages Africa’s biggest comedy show ADEYEMI ADENEGHA

ADENRELE NIYI

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A

frica Magic has announced that Nigeria will be the host country for the 2014 edition of the spectacular Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, AMVCA, for a second consecutive time.

The announcement was made in Lagos on Wednesday at a press conference to herald the second edition of the panAfrica award event which debuted this year. The 2014 AMVCA ceremony will take place in Lagos on March 8, 2014.

Organised by Africa Magic in association with MultiChoice and sponsored

by Malta Guinness, the low-sugar malt brand of Nigeria Breweries Plc., it was also revealed that submission deadline for entries has been extended to November 1, 2013. This is being done to give more industry practitioners a chance to participate; call for entries for the 2014 award opened in July.

Representing the organisers, sponsor and winners at the press conference were: 2013 AMVCA winner (Trailblazer of the Year), Ivie Okujaye; Head Judge,

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L-R: Majid, OC Ukeje and Afe

AMVCA, Femi Odugbemi; Regional Manager Africa Magic, Wangi MbaUzoukwu; 2013 AMVCA winner (Best Actor), OC Ukeje; Ghanaian film star, Majid Michel; Marketing Manager, DSTV, Chioma Afe and Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigeria Breweries Plc., Kufre U. Ekanem, In a speech full of gratitude to the media, film practitioners, AMVCA judges and winners for supporting the inaugural award event, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu

said: “Following the overwhelming and positive feedback we have received, we are pleased to announce that the closing period for submission of entries has now being extended from October 18 to November 1. It means there are still opportunities for film stakeholders and our partners to be part of this history-making event”.

Subsequently, nominations event will take place on December 6, while voting is expected to commence immediately after.

Miss Global Nigeria takes charity to Polo Club ADEBIMPE OLATUJA

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013 Miss Global Nigeria Queen, Michelle Ijeh and her runners-up are having an eventful reign. The beauty Queen has since taken her pet project on the road after a two-week vacation in Dubai, UAE. Miss Ijeh will be leading the team of speakers to deliver papers to an international audience and Polo lovers from around the world at this year’s Fifth Chukker Polo tournament holding in Kaduna from October 16 to October 26.

The decision to partner Miss Global Nigeria management on her pet project of campaigning and raising awareness on Cervical Cancer which is eating up innocent Nigerian teenagers and adults alike is precipitated on the credibility of the charitable organisation.

According to the words of Adams Taylor, who doubles as the spokesperson and general manager of the Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Club, “I think our organisation will like to work with the Miss Global Nigeria team after deliberations on what the synergy will bring to the table.

We’re actually amazed at the presentation they gave us on Cervical Cancer, yes, we’re aware of Breast Cancer but Cervical is new, so it will be our pleasure to partner with Miss Global Nigeria in this service to humanity”, he said.

Miss Global Queen and her runners-up will take up the campaign for the awareness of Cervical Cancer throughout the duration of the tournament. The Polo game will conclude with an evening of contemporary Fashion Show/fund raising dinner where the queen, runners-up and friends will be on catwalk to model breathtaking attires from a UK based designer, Sunny Rose Couture. Proceeds from the dinner will go to Miss Global Nigeria’s pet project.

The Fifth Chukker Polo tournament is an annual Polo game organised by the Kaduna Polo Club with top elites in Nigeria and beyond as players. International Polo players and enthusiasts are expected from Dubai, USA and UK, among others.

Ijeh

D’Banj

Tiwa

2face Idibia, D’Banj, Tiwa Savage to headline Tee A’s concert ADENRELE NIYI

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igeria’s leading standup comedian, Tee A is set to deliver another live concert featuring some of the biggest names on the continent today.

On Wednesday, the respected entertainer announced he will be hosting the Lagos edition of Tymeout With Tee A Live Concert at the Intercontinental Hotel on Sunday, November 5; with headliners including international music superstar, D’Banj; iconic pop acts and one of Africa’s most decorated entertainers, 2face Idibia; queen of Africa pop, Tiwa Savage; respected lyricist Sound Sultan and a special ‘Jump Off ’ segment with Africa’s number one jockey DJ Jimmy JATT. It’s D’Banj’s second time on

the show and Tee A says the charming entertainer is ‘back by popular demand’.

During the unveiling of the spectacular line up for the Lagos show, Tee A revealed that electrifying comedy performances would be delivered by Princess, MC Abbey, Omo Baba, Akpororo, Helen Paul and the hit Shuga Band. An Abuja edition held earlier, with Banky W, Lynxxx, Basketmouth, Iyanya, KCee and others.

Tee A, who pioneered live comedy events in Nigeria with his nineties ‘Live ‘N Naked’ series, will host the event which is a live presentation of the popular TV show ‘Tymeout With Tee A’.

“We had fun at the MUSON Centre last year and we’re doing it even bigger this year with some of the biggest performers around. Even I can’t wait!”, Tee A said.

igeria’s telecommunications company, Globacom, is organising an international standard comedy show aptly tagged “LOL Invasion” and featuring two of America’s hottest comedians, Tony Roberts and DeRay Davis, teaming up with Africa’s hottest comedians.

The line up of African star comedians billed for the event titled Glo Laftafest hosted by Basketmouth include the continent’s number one ribtickler, Ndumiso Lindi of South Africa, Uganda’s Salvado and an impressive host of Nigerian comedians. The show is scheduled for Lagos and Abuja in October.

Top-rated Nigerian comedians slated to perform at the shows are: Ali Baba, Bovi, Okey Bakassi, Akparoro, I Go Dye, Klint de Drunk, Buchi, Gordons, Funny Bone, Bash, Emeka Smith, Julius Agwu and Sim Card.

The comedy sessions will be spiced with the best of Nigerian music with first class acts like Psquare, Lagbaja, Flavour, Wande Coal, MI, Omawunmi, Burna Boy, Naeto C, Waje, Lynxx and Chee lined up to entertain guests at different intervals during the shows.

Glo Laftafest starts with the two mega shows in Lagos on October 19 at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre and Abuja on October 25 at the ThisDay Dome. Other shows will be held at the Rochas Convention Centre, Owerri on November 3; Aztech Arcum Centre, Port Harcourt on November 10; Best Western Hotel, Benin City on November 17; Golden Royale Hotel, Enugu on November 24 and Nkweagu Ugbala Convention Centre, Abakaliki on December 1. Uyo, Asaba and Ibadan will host the shows respectively on December 8, December 15 and December 22.

Glo Laftafest is been rated as Nigeria’s greatest comedy show for the year.

Globacom said it scaled up this year’s Laftafest in order to spice the company’s 10th anniversary celebrations.

“For us in Globacom, there is no limit to the extent we can go to delight our numerous subscribers. They have kept faith with us over the years. We appreciate their loyalty, and want to reassure them that we will continue to delight them with our innovative products and services while also supporting their passion”, the statement signed by the company’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Mohamed Jameel, said.

DeRay Davis

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Escape

Travel News ADEBIMPE ADETUJA

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overnor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, has stated that his administration has come up with a policy framework to make the state a priceless tourism destination through the Bayelsa State Tourism Development Agency.

The governor, who made this known in his keynote address at the 36th World Tourism Day, WTD, celebrations held on Friday, September 27 at the Ox-Bow Lake, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, disclosed his administration’s readiness to explore the tourism option for economic growth, having realised that the sector had been dormant in the state. Hon. Se-

Friday, October 11, 2013

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Bayelsa aims for priceless riake said his administration has been building and developing tourist centres, which are already attracting people to the state.

The ceremony at the Ox-Bow Lake featured many activities including a carnival float, Owigiri music by King Robert Ebizimor and His Izon Brothers Band, traditional dances, boat regatta display by the Bayelsa State Cultural Troupe, and exhibitions, as well as gala/ cultural night at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Yenagoa.

Commenting on this year’s WTD, with the theme, “Tourism and Water: Protecting our Common Future”, Gov-

ernor Dickson, who was represented at the occasion by his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), noted that the theme is geared towards creating the awareness on the need for sustainable clear water, its accessibility in the present and in the future for all mankind, because water is an essential component of humanity.

He added that in this regard, his administration had initiated collaboration talks on partnership with the Federal Government and the private sector to see how to provide portable water to all residents in the state and that the talks has been yielding positive results.

Earlier in a joint press briefing at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Yenagoa, to mark the celebration, Dickson remarked that Bayelsa State, which was created on 1st October, 1996, has, among others things, a thriving petroleum sector, an extensive fishing industry, a developing tourism sector and a growing private sector, adding that the state had beautiful beaches, mangrove forests, rivers, creeks and islands; therefore, it is building on these natural resources advantages to take its pride of place among the economic stories of Nigeria.

In the bid to actualise this, the gover-

2013 AIFF WINNERS

L-R: Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke and Director General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo.

JOEL AJAYI

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he Abuja International Film Festival, AIFF, the only proudly Nigerian film festival to be domiciled in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, started on a colourful note on Tuesday, September 24 and closed on Friday, September 27 at the Silverbird Entertainment Centre, Abuja. Top government officials, actors, film producers, directors and film enthusiasts turned up en masse to grace the 10th anniversary of the festival.

Three-day event was officially declared open by respected arts patron and former Minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, while Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke; Director-General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, Director-General, Kano State Films Censors Board, Alhaji Ahmed Delutu and DirectorGeneral, National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Prince Emeka Mba, were in attendance.

Nollywood stars present at the festival included: Segun Arinze, Charles Novia, Emeka Ossai, Andy Amenechi, Iyen Agbonifo, Bimbo Manuel, Aminu Kura, Lancelot Imasuen, Jumai Joseph, Cynthia Agholor, Desmond Elliot, Mike Nliam and Ndidi Obi, amongst others.

Aptly themed “The role of film in national security”, the festival addressed issues relating to security challenges in the industry and country. AIFF founder and festival, Mr. Fidelis Duker, said this year’s edition is to map out new strategies to help develop the movie industry in Nigeria, popularly called Nollywood.

Mr. Duker added that the theme would go a long way in stimulating film producers to use the film medium as a platform for peace and development within the country. Commenting on the 10th year of AIFF, hard work, resilience commitment, passion consistency, professionalism and enviable track record of

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Best Feature Film Foreign: Sujet - Canada

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Best Short Film Nigeria: Paradox - Desmond Elliot

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Best Short Film Foreign: Malice & Pencils - UK Orok Duke Jnr

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Gej Best Nigerian Feature: When Dreams Fall Apart - Chico Ejiro

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Best Documentary: Daughters of the Niger Delta - Nigeria

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Efere Ozako Best Experimental Film: Jand Hussle - Ehisoje Ojesebholo

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Best Animation Film: Romance of Wood Liu China

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Outstanding Comic Film: The Nanny Nigeria

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Outstanding Female Act: Banke Amole Adams - Mission to Mamuro

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Outstanding Male Act: Majid Mitchel - Brothers Keeper

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Outstanding Film in Directing: Next President - Desmond Elliot

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AIFF Viewers Choice Award: Blue Flames

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Golden Jury: Next President - Desmond Elliot

Nollywood veterans actor-producer Ndidi Obi and director Lancelot Imaseun.

Celebrities storm Abuja International Film Festival 2013 artistic leadership and exemplary team spirit of the entire team had helped the project from inception.

In his keynote address at this epoch-making occasion, Kano State governor Engr.

Rabi’u Kwankwaso, represented by Alhaji Ahmed Delutu, said the theme of the festival would assist film professionals to compliment government efforts in addressing the security challenges in the country.

Also at the festival, Nollywood stakeholders echoed in unison for the setting up of a special task force to curb the menace of film piracy and road side trading of creative works militating against the growth and development of the industry.

Over 85 foreign and Nigerian films were screened during the festival which included: The Phoenicians (Malta); Andalusia my Love (Morocco); Ogondah (Nigeria); Brothers Keeper (Nigeria); One year after (Romania); Ocho (Spain); I-games (Nigeria); Storm War-

riors (China); Mission to Mamuro (Nigeria); Blood on the dance floor (Nigeria); Agnus Dei (Kosovo); Francois 1st day (France); Lies Men tell (Nigeria), Rolling Dollars (Nigeria); Malice & Pencils (UK); Next President (Nigeria); Dock of Destiny (Jordan); Aiyekoto (Nigeria); Scandalous Mercy (Nigeria); Romance of Liu Hiu (China); Humsfar (India); Survival (Nigeria); Truth be told (Nigeria); Reality 2.0 (Germany); Torn (Nigeria); The Court (Netherlands); Line of Sight (Egypt); Jand Hustle (Nigeria); Sunnyside (Bulgaria) and Dread (Nigeria).

Others are: Paradox (Nigeria); Blue flames (Nigeria); Daughters of the Niger Delta (Nigeria); Finding Mercy (Nigeria); A Wish (Nigeria); Sujet (Canada); Sable Fable (UK); Off the Hook (Nigeria); Adora (Nigeria); Unforgivable (Nigeria); The Nanny (Nigeria); Protect Us (Nigeria); Growing up (Abu Dhabi); Miruna (Poland); Kudeti (Nigeria) and Mufu Olosa Oko (Nigeria).

Chico Ejiro (L) shows off his cheque for N500,000 as Andy Amenechi looks on

Some guests on the red carpet

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Escape

Friday, October 11, 2013

tourism destination tag nor informed that his administration has built an Institute of Tourism, Catering and Hotel Management to train professionals that will help in driving the tourism sector in the state and that the institute would be commissioned soon.

Earlier, the Honourable Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, in his remark, noted that the 2013 edition of WTD was aimed at fostering awareness in the international community on tourism’s social, cultural and economic values in the affairs of nations, adding that water is part of life and tourism itself is life, contributing significantly to the world’s

economy and that billions of people travel around the world for the sake of tourism.

Chief Edem Duke appreciated Bayelsa State for hosting WTD and building the Institute of Hospitality and Tourism, The Minister further commended the state for her pace-setting role as a forerunner in the promotion of culture and tourism in Nigeria, recalling that “Bayelsa State just hosted a grade “A” National Festival of Arts & Culture, NAFEST, which had raised the stakes in the hosting of the national cultural fiesta”.

He acknowledged that the state is en-

dowed with many tourism potentials, maintaining that the collaboration between his ministry and the state is very robust, and urged the state to keep the pace of its strategic approach in developing the tourism sector.

It will be recalled that the United Nations (UN) has set aside the September 27 of every year for member countries to mark the World Tourism Day celebration; and the first of such celebration was marked in 1980, following the Manila Declaration on World Tourism.

To mark this year’s celebration, the United Nations chose Maldives, a sleepy Caribbean Island, as the host.

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Maldives was chosen because it is surrounded by the seas but has difficulty in getting clean water; the people have adopted means of treating the sea water to get clean water and have learnt to preserve it.

Similarly, the Nigeria Government chose Bayelsa State to host the WTD 2013 celebrations because of the similarity between the state and Maldives: the peculiarity of Bayelsa with over 70% of the landmass covered with water, the difficulty of the terrain and tourism goals.

The Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation, NICO, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, Nollywood Icons: Sam Dede, Columbus Irisoanga, Charles Inojie, and Millicent Jack, were among other top government functionaries that attended the event.

InterContinental Lagos to change hospitality landscape TERH AGBEDEH AND MURITALA AYINLA

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here is one more reason to come to Lagos and it is the just opened 5-Star InterContinental Lagos which is poised to change the leisure, entertainment, tourism and business landscape in the mega city.

Last Sunday, at the opening ceremony of the N30 billion towering and impressive edifice of the 358-room hotel solely owned by the Milan Group in Lagos, the visibly impressed governor of the state, Babatunde Fashola, said that much.

Addressing the audience of business executives, investors, entrepreneurs and members of the State Executive Council, as well as traditional rulers, Governor Fashola said Nigerian entrepreneurs should begin to look inward to bridge the deficiency of hotels, roads, bridges and other utilities that make life better for the citizenry.

“I want again to invite our entrepreneurs that we do not yet have enough hotels. We also do not have enough roads and bridges. So they should begin to look inward because really that is where the money is – retails, public utilities and infrastructure”, the Governor said.

Fashola also thanked the Milan Group and the InterContinental Hotels Group for the confidence they repose in the Lagos and the Nigerian economy adding: “I salute the commitment and the belief of the Milan Group in the Lagos and the Nigerian economy. Some have alluded that commitment to the persistent stubbornness, stubborn persistence was the word I heard about Mr. Valechha, but I think it is passionate persistence. It is persistence driven out of conviction.

“And if you want to know how deep that conviction is, you need to take a turn to the basement of this building. You will see that persistence and that conviction expressed in several metres deep of concrete and steel and it shows you how difficult it was to get this project underway. But they did not give up because they were convinced that this was the place to put their money”, the Governor said.

Mr. Ramesh Valechha, chairman, Milan Group, said the luxury hotel was a commitment and right investment made in the economy of Lagos State in particular and the Nigerian hospitality industry in general. He explained that InterContinental Lagos was possible through a partnership funding by Skye Bank and Wema Bank.

InterContinental Hotel Lagos has so far employed 650 Nigerians and 24 expatriates and Valechha explained that it will offer worldclass hospitality, professional training that will ensure new career paths in that industry and empowerment to Nigerians, among others, who do business with it.

Karl Hala, regional general manager Africa, InterContinental Hotels Group, said he was glad that the hotel, the first of the group’s property in West Africa, whose partnership agreement started in 2000, is now a beautiful product for everyone to enjoy.

“The hotel represents the increasing number of hotel brands that are making Lagos and Nigeria their preferred destination and we expect to see more because the market can certainly take a lot more”, Hala said, while expressing sadness that Nigerian entrepreneurs are not sufficiently rising to the opportunities provided in the tourism industry.

Like Fashola pointed out, a tour of the tallest hotel in West Africa showed that no expense

Aerial view of Intercontinental Hotel in the heart of Victoria Island, Lagos

was spared in constructing the lavishly furnished rooms like the massive 250m2 Presidential suite, dedicated clubs and dining rooms that looked like they came out of a picture book from Dubai.

A standard room is equipped with high-speed broadband internet; in-room entertainment with CD, DVD and VCD with 42” plasma screens. The Club InterContinental rooms offer an experience with Bose music systems and Nespreso Coffee stations. All the rooms boast of stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, the expansive Lagos lagoon, beautiful serene beaches or panoramic views of Victoria Island and Ikoyi.

Situated on Kofo Abayomi Street on Victoria Island, Lagos and built on an elevated terrain, it has a swimming pool and gymnasium on the fifth floor as well as a spar. The group currently has a total of 20 hotels across Africa with intentions to expand its footprint by 20 percent in the next five years.

Among those at the colourful commissioning were the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Lamido Sanusi; Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Lagos, Mrs. Sola Oworu; General Manager, InterContinental Lagos, Mr. Didier Coeln; Executive Director,

Lobby front desk area

Standard bedroom

Milan Group, Mr. Vikram Valechha; the Group’s Architect, Bayo Odunlami; the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Akiolu I; the Oniru of Iru Land, Oba Idowu

Oniru; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, members of the Lagos State Executive Council and other top government functionaries.

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Denrele’s Day Adenrele Niyi Denrele’s Day is a collection of witty & sincere articles inspired sin by b a zany imagination

Friday, October 11, 2013

Spare the rod

denrele@nationalmirroronline.net Follow on Twitter@MizNiyi

J

im Iyke’s ‘unscripted’ deliverance ought to preoccupy my writing today; without too much effort, the star actor is a natural when it comes to delivering (pun intended) causes célèbres.

Four out of five times when the name Jim Iyke is mentioned in news, sure bet is in connection with an outrageous (bold, unusual, startling) happening that calls for popular interest. Jim is a natural headline grabbing character largely due to his effervescent personality and charged lifestyle; which combine as a magnet for controversy and entertainment -two things the Nollywood star is better at than acting.

However, as nearly irresistible as Jim can be, I thought against dwelling on the controversial deliverance simply because I won’t be the fool pretending to have an insight on spiritual interfacing between the delivered and the deliverer. To paraphrase Jim’s response to his critics, ‘I’ll tailor my opinion to what I know’. Besides, the story has been chewed to a paste in the media and writing about it is similar to regurgitating bile. Thus, permit me to digress to a subject I have some personal experience in…the trending style for runaway Nigerian children, stowing!

The trend came to national attention with Daniel Oikhena, the 13-year-old who stole into the wheel compartment of a Lagos-bound aircraft at the Benin Airport.

Due to all round negligence by airport authority and airline officials, the lad escaped detection (despite being sighted by passengers on board) until the aircraft landed in Lagos. How Daniel survived the risk of being crushed to death by the retracted aircraft wheel or falling out of the plane for lack of proper harness is beyond my comprehension. At the speed and altitude the airplane was flying, the engine noise and atmospheric pressure, my guess is providence kept him in one piece. After the initial outrage over his daring ebbed, Daniel turned overnight celebrity and I bet the media was held back from characteristically going after him for a tell-it-all interview because of his minor status. Honestly though, if I ever had the opportunity to catch Daniel unguarded, I have a couple of questions to get off my chest. One of which is how he won over his state governor to earn a trip to the State House, while I, a fellow-ex-runaway, got the thrashing of life for my effort.

I was once a Daniel; I ran away from

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole and Daniel.

CLAPPERBOARD

…and breed a stowaway generation I WAS ONCE A DANIEL; I RAN AWAY FROM HOME AT THE AGE OF 12 OR SO, IF MY MEMORY HASN’T FAILED ME home at the age of 12 or so, if my memory hasn’t failed me. Unfortunately, I didn’t reside anywhere close to an airport and believe me I couldn’t have exhibited Daniel’s audacity with an airplane. I had flown in a few as a child and their exterior didn’t look child-friendly (or runaway-friendly if you please) to me. Rather, I set out one afternoon on foot, travelled only a few metres from my house and took up vantage but concealed position where I could observe comings and goings around the house. My vengeful intention was to punish my guardians (I was living with my then-hated-now-favourite aunty and her husband) who I thought misunderstood me and treated me unfairly.

I also wanted to hurt my dad for ‘abandoning’ me in the backwaters of Ilorin, Kwara State, while he lapped up the modern life in Lagos.

There was no actual plan or destination in mind. I just wanted to know if they’d panic when they discovered I was missing and I relished the satisfaction of watching from afar as they suffered and cried while searching for the ‘lost child’. Oh, how naïve a child can be. I didn’t reckon darkness would set in, hunger pangs would bite and dangerous strangers abounded waiting to abuse the unschooled. The more I watched, the more stillness descended over the house; it dawned on me that no one had raised an alarm neither were cars pulling in or out of our driveway to dispatch a search party. Realising dusk would soon turn to pitch darkness and seeing buzzing mosquitoes approach my bare body parts, I began to regret my impulsive runaway scheme.

There and then, I resolved to return home and fearfully made my way back after what must have been five hours of unaccountedfor-absence from the house.

I was right to be afraid because no one gave me a hero’s welcome or scholarshipunlike Daniel. My aunty, who never raised a hand to me in the three years I had been under her care, beat the sh-t out of me that day. A few weeks later, when my dad came visiting, he ‘topped’ up the beating such that I was completely delivered of any runaway demons still possessing my mind. I had never been so humiliated in my young life; but the experience thought me a life lesson- never put yourself at risk without weighing the consequences.

I don’t know if publicly meted out punishment would have been instructive for Daniel, but I want to imagine it could have served as a deterrent to copy cat teenagers.

Thanks to Daniel’s celebrity status and the menace of poverty, three wannabe stowaways were recently apprehended at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos at different times. That’s the consequence of sparing the rod.

Love and peace for the weekend.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

with

Eddie Ugbomah www.edifosafilm.com

I

When will we learn?

am a born sports person but not a sports writer; I will remain an arts man. Yet, I want to use the problem of Nigerian sports to address the problem of film and arts in this country.

For the past 12 years or more, this country has been celebrating foreign games like football and basketball.

Commentators on TV and radio stations shamelessly tell us facts about the foreign stars. I am sure many Africans watched the beautiful Federation Cup final match between Eyinmba and Warri Wolves. It was a game no team should win, but somebody did win. Every Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and even Monday matches of the English Premier League, Seria A, Bundesliga, and La Liga are celebrated in our homes. The cable station has four special channels for football and they are making billions of naira from Nigerians.

What is it that DSTV, Multichioce and GOTV have that is lacking in Nigeria?

Why can’t Nigerians manage anything proper? Is it the same cankerworm of tribalism or incompetence affecting us?

Our football analysts are comfortable with talking about other people’s football and sports while ours rots away. We always start things in Africa and end up last or ignored when the time for reckoning comes. Why do we have to be irresponsible with and unappreciative of our own things? We are bad managers and bad organisers; that is why you ask a Nigerian “how are you?” and he says, “we dey manage or we dey patch am”.

This country is divided by ethnic politics; we are busy attacking one another aimlessly and achieving nothing in the process. The situation is like one of my jokes: A man dropped a big bag full of money and an Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa/Fulani walking along saw it.

The Yoruba rushed to pick the bag, the Igbo stopped him, the Hausa/Fulani checked the bag and shouted “kudi”! (money). As they were thinking of what to do with the cash, the Hausa man said, it would be better if they shared it equally. The Yoruba man refused arguing that he saw the bag first; the Igbo man said, ‘no, we all saw the bag at the same time”. As the argument became rough between the educated Yoruba man and the entrepreneurial Igbo man, resulting in fisticuffs, the Hausa man just bent, picked the money and walked away from the scene.

While Nigeria sports is busy with in-fighting just like Nollywood, the foreign cable stations are using the massive opportunity and finance available in Nigeria. Unless Nollywood sits to talk sense, the movie industry is dead.

THERE ARE SO

MANY QUESTIONS IN

NIGERIA AND NOBODY WANTS TO ANSWER THEM SO WE JUST CONTINUE TO FUMBLE If Nigerians can package their programmes in sports and movies, there are billions to be made here in Nigeria, Africa and the world. The world is expecting African cinema to rise and use new technology in filmmaking. With computer assistance, Hollywood is reshooting “Sound of Music”, “Ghandi”, “The King and I”, “Quo Vadis” etc, because they were world hits. In Nigeria, instead of learning, improving and appreciating our mentors, we call movies like this old ‘school’. For over 20 years, I was crying in the desert alone about the opportunity we were ‘giving away’ to foreign cable stations in our movie industry; but I was called a troublemaker. I became the lone ranger in the movie desert. But knowing what the industry is made up, they have always being short-sighted.

So, where are we today? In the hot movie desert, stranded and wailing for Eddie, the grand old prophet, to come and bail them. They want to return to the good old days- where home videos sold for N300 each and we sold 300,000 copies, bought new cars, got new girlfriends, but refused to pay our rent or artistes. Then, the marketers and sponsors woke up, took over and today, we are in the dumps. Nigerian television stations can’t afford to sponsor or buy films and commission soaps because most of the income they make through adverts ends up in buying diesel for their generators. In any case, who is advertising in Nigeria?

ASUU has been on strike for the past three months because they want more money to produce half-baked graduates from ill-equipped universities. My simple answer to that is the total sack of these spoilt lecturers. If you are in a job and the pay is not good, the atmosphere is not conducive, why don’t you resign than ruining the future of Nigeria? There are so many questions in Nigeria and nobody wants to answer them so we just continue to fumble.

I hope after my sermon, the sports people will sit up to win some pride for Nigeria. I’m also begging Nollywood stakeholders to find ways of salvaging the movie industry before it is too late.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

People In The Mirror

Friday, October 11, 2013

Baileys celebrates women at ‘Sisters with Soul’ Concert

In the spirit of celebrating women, Baileys, the premium Irish cream drink from the stables of Diageo Brands Nigeria, hosted exquisite ladies to a time out with legendary queen of Soul/R’n’B, Mary J. Blige, MJB, at the “Sisters with Soul” concert.

The spectacular event, which took place at the Expo Hall, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, last Friday, was attended by the crème de la crème in the world of business and

Honour for Comrade Alex Eyengho

entertainment. The award-winning singer, songwriter and producer, thrilled guests with her delectable tunes that left them asking for more.

Nigerian star artiste Tiwa Savage made a surprise appearance at the concert. Other performers included Ms. Jaie, Eva, Emma Nyra, Victoria Kimani, Jodie, Zaina, Nikki Laoye and Temmy Dollface with special appearance by DJ Cuppy from the United Kingdom.

Some Nollywood personalities gathered at O’Jez, Surulere, Lagos for the award ceremony in honour of the President of Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP) and Vice President of International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), Comrade Alex Eyengho on September 29, 2013.

The Award Plaque.

L-R Sola Oke, Ufuoma Udjoh, Mary J. Blige and Amaechi Okobi

Dancing time for Eyengho and wife

Listening to his citation

Dean James (L) and Jimmy

DJ Cuppy

Miss Jaie

Incumbent Chairman of Lagos State chapter of AGN, Victor Osuagwu. former AGN national president, Ejike Asiegbu and Comrade Eyengho

Alex Eyengho receiving the award, flanked by his wife, Matel Alex-Eyengho, Delta State Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Adolo Okotie-Eboh, A-list actor, Chief (Ambs.) Emeka Ike, Lolor (Mrs) Gab Okoye, Ejike Asiegbu, Vice President of ANCOP, Mr. Lanre Falana and others.

Musical Star, Essence performing on stage.

Star anchor and TV personality, Joseph Benjamin

Mary J. Blige on stage

Sheyi Shay

35

ANTP and ANOGAN President, Comrade Victor Ashaolu with his wife, Chief (Ambs.)

Emeka Ike, Mrs. Matel Alex-Eyengho, and others.

Friday October 11, 2013

36

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mirror Drive

2014 Toyota Corolla

11 generations and counting JOHN L AMM

T

he first photos of the 11th generation Toyota Corolla, inspired thoughts about the AE86. To drifters and import hot-rodders, the twin-cam, rear-drive AE86 Corollas of the 1980s are venerated icons. Given the aggressive (for Toyota) styling of the new Corolla we felt a twinge of hope because when the Corolla went frontdrive in the late 1980s, it also went to sleep. There’s nothing wrong with a good afternoon nap, of course, and the 39-plus-million Corollas sold thus far have provided countless reliable miles to their owners. But few have been fun.

Three trim levels (L, LE, and S) carry over from last year’s model, and Toyota adds a new high-mileage variant, dubbed LE Eco. There is no denying the new Corolla is a visual step up from the current version that blends into the background so quickly as to be darn near invisible. With design cues shared with the recent Furia concept, the face has more character, aided by sculpted LED headlamps that are now standard on all Corollas. There are token fender flares and the rear design seems rather upmarket for the compact segment, if a bit generic. Windtunnel work yielded a flatter underbodyEco getting closeout panels underneath for better aero-efficiency.

The old smooth and stretch In the process of crafting the new Corolla’s sheetmetal, Toyota stretched it as well. Although width and height remain within an inch of the last-generation model’s, both the wheelbase and overall length are up by 3.9 inches, and that’s a big plus for rear-seat space.

Toyota shifted the rear seat hip point back nearly three inches. Slimming the front seatbacks added more legroom for those in the second row, while Toyota claims denser pads and foam inserts in the rear seats add comfort. The rear seatbacks fold and are split 60/40.

The longer, sleeker shape looks best, of course, on the S version with its 17-inch aluminium wheels that give the car a proper stance, not the running-on-tiptoes demeanour of the base model with 15-inch steel wheels and hubcaps.

Upgraded equipment There is no stripper model per se, with even the base trim offering standard air conditioning, power windows,

power door locks, eight airbags and today’s requisite Bluetooth connectivity. Just as expected are the options, from an info/navigation screen to heated seats to various sound systems and SofTex faux leather on the seats.

Where the current Corolla has an instrument pod and vertical centre stack for controls, the redesign creates a more horizontal form. There are two gauge packages: the S models have two dials flanking a digital 3.5inch readout panel, while the other models get three gauges, with the central speedometer featuring a small readout. The new horizontal one-knob-and-five-button control panel for the climate-control system doesn’t look as handy as the old three-knob layout, but it thankfully avoids the multiple menus of more elaborate setups in pricier cars. The centre stack is decked out with high-gloss piano-black surfaces, which look quite nice when just cleaned, but not so long after. Toyota apparently spent considerable time quieting the new-gen Corolla’s interior. Noise-attenuation measures include an acoustic glass windscreen, a seal between the cowl and windscreen, better floor-carpet insulation, fender sound insulators, and a silencer pad on the inner dash.

For all the newness in the 2014 Corolla, there are holdovers, like the 2ZR-FE twin-cam four cylinder, still checking in with 1798 cc of displacement, 132 horsepower, and 128 lb-ft of torque. A familiar workhorse of an engine, it is used in the Corolla L, LE, and S models—

THERE IS NO DENYING THE NEW COROLLA IS A VISUAL STEP UP FROM THE CURRENT VERSION THAT BLENDS INTO THE BACKGROUND SO QUICKLY and many other Toyotas. The LE Eco gets the next-generation of that powerplant, the 2ZR-FAE, also displacing 1798 cc, but with a higher, 10.6:1 compression ratio and Valvematic instead of the FE’s more basic variable valve timing. The difference is the new valve system’s ability to vary intake-valve timing over a wider range than VVT. With it comes about a five percent improvement in fuel economy and eight more horsepower, but two fewer lb-ft of torque, says Toyota.

Taking the CVT Plunge Go for the base Corolla L and you can choose between a four-speed automatic transmission—no, it has not been taken out back and put down yet—or a six-speed manual, the latter box up a cog from 2013. Cheers for the S model, which can also be ordered with the manual, but do we

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

hear groans over the adaptation of a CVT for the S, LE, and LE Eco? So did Toyota, apparently, which claims to have gone to great pains to, “help create a driving sensation more similar to a traditional hydraulic automatic transmission”.

The official name is CVTi-S, the i for intelligent and S for Shift.

Several automakers are “stepping” their CVTs to mimic the feeling of a traditional automatic and minimise the annoying motorboating as the engine moans like a constipated toddler. Toyota has programmed seven “gears” into the CVT’s operation. The dual-pulley CVT also has an Eco mode, but only in the appropriately named LE Eco model. In Eco mode, the accelerator is lazier through the first 50 percent of its travel, and A/C compressor use is dialled back. A likewise aptly designated Sport mode in the S model gives the driver manual control of the seven “gears” via steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. This mode also reduces boost for the electric power steering to make it feel more sporty.

Using additional bracing, Toyota claims to have made the Corolla’s body stiffer and yet kept the curb weight of all versions under 2900 pounds. That’s a small increase from the 2013 base model’s claimed 2734 pounds considering the car’s big, almost-four-inch stretch. The engineers also stirred in more high-strength steel. The suspension consists of struts up front and a torsion beam at the back, with the S version getting firmer springs, shocks, and bushings if you order it with the 17-inch wheels.

The only fuel-mileage hint was an expected 40 mpg highway for the LE Eco, but with the aero work and introduction of the CVT, it is likely the final numbers for all models will top today’s 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway.

Will the new Corolla’s performance match its more aggressive style? We know it won’t be an AE86 successor—that’d be the 10Best-winning Scion FR-S—and suspect very few Corolla intenders could care less, but hope springs eternal, doesn’t it.

Lamm is an automobile writer for caranddriver.com

Mirror Drive

Friday October 11, 2013

37

Mercedes introduces MAINTENANCE TIPS How to maintain your car’s Ram truck air conditioner OLUSEGUN KOIKI

O

ne of the leading auto mobiles in the globe, Mercedes Benz, has unveiled its latest truck, Ram, into the Nigerian market. Mercedes says the vehicle is suitable for both business and pleasure.

The auto company says Ram trucks are designed to deliver the total package of full trucks to the auto users. In fact, nowhere are efficiency, intelligence and strength more evident than with the new 2013 Ram 1500’s legendary towing and hauling ability.

An online media statement by the auto company’s media agent in Nigeria stated that the 2013 Ram 1500 raises the bar with a truckload of pioneering, fuel-saving systems and first-in-segment technologies.

The company says Ram engineers changed every area of the truck –from a newly designed frame, new engines and transmissions, to a new interior with the next-generation Uconnect system, which ultimately offers new features without sacrificing capability.

The stop-start and active aerodynamics, Remote Keyless Entry, plus grille shutters, air suspension and remarkable handling, ensure that the 2013 Ram 1500 delivers unmatched content and performance to truck owners.

Of the various unique and sophisticated models in the RAM 1500 family, the SLT Quad Cab 4x4 starts the upscale offerings with eight Speed Automatic Transmission, a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 powerful engine, bright chrome accents, a remarkable grille treatment, a Uconnect 3.0 AM/FM radio, power heated foldaway Mirrors, and subtle but classy design touches for exterior glow and superb interior comfort.

The 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 4x4 has an equally powerful 5.7-litre HEMI V8 engine and radiates with a sharp twotone exterior treatment, shows off 20-inch chrome-clad aluminium wheels with plenty of exterior chrome to match, and an interior more typically associated with the distinguished class. Also notable are the Park Sense Rear Park Assist System, the 8.4 Touch Screen Display, the UConnect Phone with Voice Command, and its 6-Speed Automatic Transmission.

In addition to boasting Heavy Duty Engine Cooling and Transmission coolers, Rare View Auto Dim Mirrors, as well as Auto High Beam Headlamp Control, the Ram 1500 is equipped with Safety and Security technology.

Dynamic front crumple zones and side-impact door beams help absorb impact forces from every angle. The Ram 1500 side occupant protection system includes side-curtain airbags and side-impact door beams. For optimum control, Ram 1500 combines Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Trailer Sway Control (TSC) and four-wheel Antilock Brakes (ABS).

ESC senses trouble and automatically performs brake and/or throttle corrections. TSC performs similar automatic corrections upon sensing sway in a trailer, while ABS helps improve braking and control on slippery surfaces.

A

ir conditioners engrafted in our cars are so much important, especially for the one who is living in extreme hot humid weather like Nigeria and uses his car for daily commuting. In order to always experience that cool feel inside the luxury cabin on wheels, it’s important to take care of your car air conditioner. Below are simple tricks to maintain car air conditioner before it breaks down or show signs of trouble.

First, read the owner’s manual (for new cars) as it covers all the information related to maintenance and upkeeping of various parts of your car.

Even your car’s air conditioner has several parts and each needs to be properly taken care of such as –compressor, evaporator, hoses and belts because with time they eventually wear-out. Replacing the part as per schedule is really necessary according to manufacturer’s recommendation so that they do not collapse all of a sudden. Keep an eye open for first sign of wear to keep your air conditioner cooling perfect at all times.

Timely servicing is required for

car’s air conditioner; let the mechanic check the air conditioner especially before the hot weather approaches. During the complete inspection make sure that the compressor drive belt is thoroughly checked and its tension adjusted. Also, see that the level of refrigerant is checked and replaced if required. Even, the hoses need to be inspected for any leaks, cracks or hardening.

It is very important to run the air conditioner once a month for ten minutes in order to prevent the hoses from hardening and also to maintain its coolant pressure. So turn the air conditioner to its coolest point and the fan speed at its highest.

After using the air conditioner for an extended period of time, better dry out the evaporator core. Also run the car’s defrost for about five to ten minutes so that accumulated moisture is cleared out. This cleaning up ensures fresh air and avoids bad odour springing up in the system.

If these maintenance techniques are adhered to, your car’s air conditioner will last longer than expected.

ŠKODA celebrates production of 4,000,000th Octavia

Š

KODA Auto Company says it has just produced the 4,000,000th ŠKODA Octavia. The anniversary vehicle – a third-generation Octavia in ‘Race-Blue’ rolled off the production line recently at the Mladá Boleslav main plant.

The ŠKODA Octavia has been setting standards in the compact segment since 1996 and is by far the brand’s best-selling model. ŠKODA’s Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Winfried Vahland described the production of four million Octavias by the company as impressive, which represents the great success of the model and brand.

“As the ‘heart of the brand’, the Octavia has decisively shaped ŠKODA’s outstanding development and made the company what it is today –an internationally successful manufacturer, present on over 100 markets worldwide. We are continuing this development with the third generation. The new Octavia is once again a winner with its excellent ŠKODA genes. It is the largest, lightest, safest, most practical, comfortable and

environmentally friendly Octavia ever”, Vahland said.

The Octavia has always been the epitome of a ŠKODA: timelessly elegant design, above-average space, highest functionality, many simply clever features, sophisticated modern technology, quality and precision and not least unbeatable value for money.

The launch of the third generation in early 2013 topped all of that again. The new Octavia offers mid-class qualities for the price of a compact, now more than ever.

At its launch in October 1996, the Octavia was the first completely new ŠKODA model after the fall of the Iron Curtain and marked the start of the partnership between ŠKODA and Volkswagen. Nearly four million Octavias had been delivered to customers worldwide between 1996 and July 2013 -around 38 per cent of the brand’s total sales in this period, making the Octavia the undisputed best seller in the 118-year history of the company.

This also makes the new Octavia the most important model in the most comprehensive product campaign in ŠKODA’s corporate history.

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Cocktail

Friday, October 11, 2013

$1 million lottery prize remained unclaimed

T

he Indiana Lottery announced the clock has run out for a $1 million winning Powerball ticket purchased in April.

Stephanie McFarland, a spokeswoman for the Indiana Lottery, said the 180-day window has passed for whoever purchased the winning ticket at the Circle K store in Jeffersonville April 10

and the ticket is now worthless, CNN reported Wednesday.

"It is rare, but not unheard of, that a prize of such magnitude goes unclaimed," McFarland said.

McFarland said the largest unclaimed prize in the state was a $50 million Powerball jackpot that expired in 2002.

The unclaimed prize money is retained by the state.

Oddities

Dog rescues 4-year-old boy suffering from blood sugar crash

A

pit bull rescued from a shelter last week returned the favour to his adoptive family by detecting a change in the blood sugar of his owner’s son and prompting a trip to the hospital.

Christi Smith adopted TaterTot just hours before he was scheduled to be put down. She said she only planned on keeping until she could find him a more

Birthday boy collects 150 pairs of shoes for foster children

A

n Idaho 7-yearold celebrated his birthday by dressing up as his favourite “Duck Dynasty” star and collecting shoes for foster children.

Richard Johnson, chief executive officer of nonprofit Family Advocates, said a Boise boy identified as Nate dressed in costume as Uncle Sy from A&E TV series “Duck Dynasty” and used his parents’ Facebook

page to put out a call for show donations, KIVI-TV, Boise, reported Wednesday.

“He didn’t want people to bring presents. He wanted them to bring shoes because he loved shoes and wanted to give shoes to kids in foster care,” Johnson said.

Johnson said Nate collected 150 pairs of shoes.

“He thought of something he liked. I like shoes and knew other kids would

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

like [shoes] and he thought about what those kids would want.” Johnson said.

Johnson said the shoe donations are still coming in from people who see Nate’s post on the Family Advocates Facebook page.

Nate said shoes for foster children were not the only things he received for his birthday.

“I did get a couple presents,” he said.

permanent home, but now she claims the dog has become an official member of the family.

While watching Smith’s 4-year-old son Peyton Anderson sleep one night, the dog noticed that something was wrong and began jumping and licking on the boy after he wouldn’t wake up.

“He kept on whining and barking and running between the two of us,” Smith told FOX 9 News. “I checked on him, and he was barely breathing.”

Anderson and his boy.

After rushing Peyton to the emergency room, doctors discovered the boy’s blood sugar was incredibly low.

“If his blood sugar was that low, he may have been producing ketones,” said Isis Sanchez, of Blue Pearl Veterinary Clinic. “That may have been what the dog picked up on.”

Sanchez explained that dogs’ acute sense of smell helps them detect when changes occur in the body.

She added that canines are known for having a sort

of “sixth sense” that allows them to detect changes in electrical activity, which is why some dogs can predict epileptic episodes before they happen.

Doctors said that Peyton tested negative for diabetes and are not yet sure was caused the sudden drop in his blood sugar levels.

Either way, Smith is convinced that TaterTot saved her son’s life.

“I could have been one of those moms sitting there telling people how I lost my son,” she said.

PHOTO: FOX NEWS

Friday, October 11, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

39

Business & Finance Government is more concerned about the effects of the sector on consumers and how the sector can help them to create jobs, improve their children’s education and grow the economy.

Let us look at the environment as a natural endowment and as our source of raw materials and energy. It serves as a sink for our waste and provides services such as the maintenance of climate system and ecological circle

Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo

SUPERVISING MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR NIGER DELTA AFFAIRS, MR DARIUS ISHAKU.

NERC, DISCOS, others disagree over draft interim rule CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

T

here were sharp disagreements yesterday among the Discos, Gencos and Market Operators, MO, over the draft interim rules, presented by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, for the management of the electricity industry before the Transitional Electricity Market, TEM, is declared.

This may have fuelled speculations that the November 1, 2013 physical takeover of the PHCN successor companies by the new owners may not be actualised after all.

But, the Deputy Director Electric Power Department in the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Amechi Aloke, swiftly assured that the BPE worked out efficient modalities for management of expectations to ensure the November 1, is actualised.

He noted that barring any unforeseen circumstances FG will not go back on its plans for the Gencos and the Discos to physically take the assets of the successor compa-

nies of the PHCN which they acquired.

Both NERC and the Discos share similar views of 100 per cent of admin and salaries cost, and 10 per cent, depreciation cost, on the allowable revenue in the interim period, as set out in MYTO 2, by each Disco, they disagreed on fixed and variable costs, as well as return on capital.

Speaking on behalf of five Discos, including

Yola, Ibadan, Abuja, Jos, Robert Yates, noted that while NERC’s MYTO 2 provide for 20 per cent fixed and variable costs and 50% return on capital the Discos are of the view that there should be 70 per cent recovery of fixed and variable costs and 60 per cent return on capital.

He said the Discos need more than NERC have suggested to cover salaries, other cash outgoings,

TSP costs and interest payments According the Yates, the Discos have covenants with their lenders that require collections to be paid into designated bank accounts, cautioning that arrangements suggested

by NERC for full payment for energy and then a top up back to the disco from the MO would breach covenants with Lenders “Accepting the MO bill

in full as a liability without the means to pay it would lead to a breach of lending covenant ratios.”

Yates noted that to give some certainty there will be Minimum Payments agreed between each Disco and NERC, these he said, will reflect recent performance on billings and collections.

He also pointed out that “if tariffs are rebased in March 2014 the Loss Re-

F

irst Bank, First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Standard Chartered Bank and Skye have signed a $100 million (about N1.5 billion) financing facility agreement with one of West Africa’s

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

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

Aero Contractors

L-R: Human Resources Manager, MTN Nigeria, Amina Oyagbola; Group Chief Financial Officer, Forte Oil, Mr. Julius OmodayoOwotuga; CEO, MTN, Mr. Michael Ikpoki; Forte Oil Group Chief Executive Officer, Akin Akinfemiwa, and Sales Director, MTN, Mr. Sola Barrow, at the launch of Forte Oil and MTN partnership in Lagos, yesterday.

First Bank, FCMB, others sign N1.5bn ICT financing deal with Main One KUNLE AZEEZ

duction clock will have been ticking for 4 months – this is not the deal that Investors agreed with BPE.

leaidng telecoms services companies, Main One. The deal signing ceremony, which took place at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos this week was in furtherance of MainOne’s effort to expand its services.

Speaking on the transaction, Chief Financial Officer, MainOne, Mr. Babatunde Dada, thanked the deal team for the laudable work done to bring

the transaction to a close.

According to him, “The successful signing of this facility agreement clearly shows the trust which the financial institutions have in MainOne, as well as our expansion plans in Nigeria and our other West African markets.”

Group Managing Director, FirstBank, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, said the initiative signposted FirstBank’s continuous

USAID, CSR, ActionAid commit $36m to SMILE project

40

support to responsible and value-adding companies like MainOne. He said FirstBank confidently signed on to this facility further to the excellent performance of the company on the initial project financing that FirstBank actively supported as a leading investor in 2009.

Also speaking on the transaction, the Group Managing Director of

Skye Bank, Mr. Kehinde Durosimi-Etti said, “We are pleased with this arrangement and are providing further financing support given the performance of MainOne. It is our hope that through this financing, MainOne would add impetus to its drive to extend its services to customers irrespective of their location.”

‘Customs, NPA responsible for Tin Can Port congestion’

42

Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.30 (Sun) 16.45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) LagBenin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (MonFri/Sat/Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat)

IRS Lagos-Abuja 7.30 8.30 7.45 8.45 09.30 10.30 10.30 11.30 12.30 13.30 14.30 15.30 16.30 17.30 Lagos-Kano 08.00 09.15 10.30 11.45 14.30 15.40 18.15 19.30 Los-Maid&Yola (Mon-Thur) 09.30 11.30 Fri- Sun 10.30 12.30 Kano-Lagos 07.30 08.45 14.00 15.15 17.30 18.45 Kano-Abj 10.45 11.30 Abj-Lagos 09.00 10.30 11.00 12.00 12.00 13.00

40

Business News

Friday, October 11, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

USAID, CSR, ActionAid commit $36m to SMILE project TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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grassroots-empowerment initiative involving the United States Agency for International Development USAID Nigeria and Catholic Relief Services CRS is set to kick-start a grassroots-oriented empowerment programme tagged ‘SMILE’ with a funding commitment of over $33 million (about N5.28 billion) in five states of the country.

The Sustainable Mechanisms for Improving Livelihoods and Household Empowerment SMILE programme which was formally launched in Abuja yesterday, is a five-year Cooperative Agreement between the CSR and the USAID, involving ActionAid Nigeria and Westat, designed to scale up care and support services for orphans and vulnerable children in Benue, Kogi, Edo and Nasarawa states and the FederalCapital Territory.

L-R: Chief Operating Officer, Fortis Microfinance Bank Plc, Mr. Jero Omare- Ogah; Group Head , SME, Heritage Banking Company Limited,Mr. Bayo Ogunnusi; Head, MSME Propositions , Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. Chima Nnadozie, and Director EDC, Nneka Okekearu, at the 7th Annual SME Conference of the Pan Atlantic University, Enterprise Development Centre in Lagos recently

Specifically, the programme seeks to improve the wellbeing of 500,000 Vulnerable Children VC and 125,000 caregivers in the target pilot states. The SMILE will be implemented through an umbrella grants mechanism (UGM)

whereby Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) receive sub-grants to support capacity strengthening and programme implementation at the community level, amongst other obejectives.

Speaking during the launching

Operators want NSE, EFCC to sanitise capital market

S

ome capital market operators on Thursday commended the collaboration between the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the renewed collaboration between NSE and EFCC would boost investors’ confidence in the capital market.

Immediate President, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, ASHON, Alhaji Rasheed Yussuf, advised the two organisations to work together to rid the market of fraudulent operators.

“Some fraudsters who are pre-

tending to be brokers are currently operating in the market and this needs to be addressed,” he said.

He said that the criminal acts, if not checked, would constitute a major threat to the growth of the capital market and the economy at large.

Managing Director, Standard Union Securities Limited, Mr Sehinde Adenagbe, said that the collaboration between NSE and EFCC would boost the confidence of local and foreign investors in the market.

Adenagbe said that the collaboration would enhance operators’ compliance with market rules and regulations to avoid sanctions.

He said that the partnership would portray the Nigerian capital market as a better and more disciplined outfit after the market crash of 2008.

According to him, NSE and EFCC should be fair in the course of their duties for the collaboration to work.

It would be recalled that NSE and EFCC, on October 4, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to tackle market infractions and check sharp practises by market operators.

The MoU, according to NSE and EFCC, will create high level of transparency and accountability in the daily activities of the NSE.

Oando to boost Lagos State efficacy with Alausa IPP UDEME AKPAN

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ando Gas and Power (OGP) and the Lagos state government are set to commission the Alausa Independent Power Project in a bid to vastly improve the provision of power to the state secretariat complex in Alausa, Ikeja.

The secretariat currently houses the offices of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Lagos State, the State House of Assembly, and all state ministries and adjoining campuses.

Spokesman of Oando, Mr. Kevin Johnson-Azuara stated in a statement that many have applauded the initiative, as the Alausa IPP provides a viable, cost-friendly alternative to the current power supply to the secretariat through a combination of the Power Holding Company

Nigeria, and to a larger extent self-generation via diesel engines.

The natural gas fired plant will help to significantly reduce the pollution that emanates from the 70 plus diesel generators that are currently in use, and will lead to a drastic reduction in the LASG Secretariat’s fuel costs by over 70per cent.

The Lagos State Government has indicated that consistent and reliable power supply to the secretariat will increase the functionality and efficacy of its employees within the secretariat, which is key to the progression of the state.

The Alausa IPP is the second successful IPP for OGP following the Akute Power Limited’s 12.15 Megawatts power plant which was commissioned to improve power supply to the Lagos Water Corporation.

OGP has identified the need for IPPs as a welcome resolution to Nigeria’s crippling power problem, and is implementing a strategic framework which earmarks the development of critical infrastructure to harness the vast natural gas resources in Nigeria to accelerate industrialization, economic well-being, and value creation for relevant stakeholders.

It is estimated that the entire secretariat requires an average of 4.0 megawatts; 5.5MW during peak periods and about 0.5MW during off peak periods.

The disconnection of the Alausa secretariat complex from the PHCN grid will make additional electricity available to many residents in Lagos State, and the streetlights on the main Awolowo Road will be powered by the plant, thus enhancing security for road users at night.

of the programme, the project Chief of Party , Sasha Angelevski, disclosed that SMILE will target 50 per cent of the LGAs in each of the pilot states for direct service delivery from the CSOs. According to him, Benue with the highest OVC population of about 979,614 will have the highest project target of 249,746 while Nasarawa with 281,154 OVC will have 71,678 of the children reached through the project. FCT has a projected target of 37,070 out of the 145,405 OVC, Edo has 58,115 out of the 227,952 OVC targeted compared with Kogi’s 83,391 out

of the 327,952 OVC population.

He explained: “Through SMILE our donor, USAID will invest close to $33 million while CSR and ActionAid as well will be providing considerable matching funds of over $2 million for the next five years. Over a period of time, the Government of Nigeria is expected to also budget and release funds for activities that will further support the goals of the SMILE project.

“The programme will provide services to vulnerable children and households based on their identified needs using relevant national assessment tools. Services will be provided based on household approach impact.

The community will be involved in the targeting of vulnerable children and households to ensure that most vulnerable are enrolled for services; this will promote community ownership and sustainability”, Angelevski added.

The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr Hussaini Abdu, described the project as another intervention his organisation was happy to be involved in as part of its overall commitment to alleviating poverty in the country.

NATCA urges FG to improve communication facilities in airspace OLUSEGUN KOIKI

T

he Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association, NATCA, has urged the Federal Government to invest more money in the Communications and Surveillance, gadgets across the country.

NATCA argued that this will further sustain air safety in the country’s airspace.

Speaking at its 42nd Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Asaba, Delta State, NATCA President, Victor Enyaru declared that Communication and Navigation Surveillance, CNS, and Air Traffic Management, ATM, facilities nationwide were yet to be improved upon over the years.

Enyaru explained that no matter how beautiful an airport building looks like, it would be a waste of resources without the proper facilities in place.

He explained that air traffic controllers at the nation’s tow area control centres in Kano and Lagos still go through a lot of herculean tasks to communicate with pilots.

Enyaru stressed the need for redundancies for radar facilities in a bid to have reliable alternative whenever there was power failure.

He said, “One of the funda-

mental challenges faced today in spite of the transformations and remodelling in the industry is the issue of ageing workforce in all the parastatals, dearth of professionals in the critical areas of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA and even the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT. This was caused due to the retirement of well trained and highly skilled professionals without commensurate replacement through well established and sustained process of recruitment of suitable qualified persons.”

He noted that political appointees without cognate experience in support group have taken the centre stage in the sector, stressing that NATCA was not comfortable with such arrangement.

He called on the government to have a re-think with a view to do the right thing to salvage the sector from collapsing.

NATCA boss also called for the release of all outstanding promotions of deserving workers and in particular those of the Air Traffic Controllers, ATC, and further called for a review of scheme of service for ATCs and their remunerations including their professional allowances.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Friday, October 11, 2013

FG enlists RTEAN to curb menace of road abuses OLUFEMI ADEOSUN, ABUJA

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he Federal Government has sought the cooperation and the assistance of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria ,RTEAN, in curbing the incessant menace of road abuses.

Minister of Works, Arc.Mike Onolememen who made the charge yesterday in Abuja at a meeting with members of the transport workers, emphasized that the fight against all forms of road abuses would not achieve its desired result without the enlistment of the critical stakeholder such as RTEAN. RTEAN, led by its National President, Chief Shehu Isiwele, visited the minister to rob minds with him on critical challenges confronting the nation’s road sector.

In particular, the union discussed the issue of its omission from the 15-member Federal Committee on “Road Surveillance and

Action Against Abuse.”

RTEAN had noted that as one of the major stakeholders in the road sector, they are expected to be represented in such a critical committee.

However, while seeking its partnership in addressing the issue of road abuse, the minister noted that the non-inclusion of RTEAN was an oversight on the part of government.

Onolememen agreed that the fight would not be meaningful if such critical partner is not involved in the campaign against it, adding that its members are those who make use of the road on a daily basis across the country.

He said,” It was an oversight in constituting the committee that your association was not considered a member. I want to assure you that it will be rectified. Some of the issues we have had to deal with are road abuses across the country and there is no other association that is more positioned than RTEAN to help us fight this war because we believe that our

effort at mitigating road abuse will be more effective if the association key into it by riding our roads of all abuses.

“I urge you to admonish your members to take care of our roads infrastructure traversing the country.”

Isiwere earlier sought the assistance of the federal government in bu ilding “RTEAN multibillion world class highway motor Parks”.

He said,” the critical role and contributions on road transportation in our nation’s economy cannot be overemphasized hence the need for federal government assistance in the development of highway ultra modern motor pars with reference to special consideration for federal highway land acquisition by our organization for the building of “RTEAN MultiBillion World-Class Highway Motor Parks on major highways in Nigeria with all modern facilities for transporters, passengers, security agencies and all other stakeholders on our highways.”

41

General Electric CEO emerges Africa investor of the year OLUSEGUN KOIKI

T

he Chief Executive Officer, CEO, for leading infrastructure and technology company, General Electric, GE, Mr. Jay Ireland, has been awarded as the Africa Investor ‘Business Leader of the Year’ Award for the second time running.

The company was also named, Africa Investor ‘employer and Human capital Investor of the Year’ at the same award ceremony. Both awards were presented at the World Bank’s Annual meeting in Washington DC, United States recently.

An online statement sent by the company’s media consultant in Nigeria stated that during the event, the achievements of the company under Ireland’s leadership were highlighted noting significant investments

by the company, across Africa.

Early this year, the statement stated GE announced a $1bn manufacturing and Assembly facility in Calabar set up to service the Oil and Gas as well as the Power sector in Nigeria. Before then the company had signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with the Federal Government of Nigeria to help develop an additional 10,000MegaWatts of power over the next 10 years.

Besides, mid this year, the company signed an MOU with the Ministry of Energy and Water in Angola to generate 2000 MW of electric power.

This will include the completion of on-going power generation projects in the northern region of Angola as well as providing the framework for cooperation in other parts of the country.

JUMIA wins best retail award ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

N

igeria’s leading shopping destination, Jumia has won“The Best Retail Launch of the Year’at the World Retail Congress in Paris yesterday.

According to a statement made available to National Mirror JUMIA is the first African company to have won the most important retail award worldwide ahead of other online and developed market retailers.

Other nominees in this category were Hedonism Wines, Presso, Zalora among others.

The event is run by the publishing company EMAP and

discusses issues affecting the international retail industry; covering core retail in all segments issues as well as social, economic, political and ethical concern.

Previous winners include top brands such as ASOS, Migros, NikeTown, Woolworths or Zappos.com.

JUMIA offers their products online, via a mobile app or on cash delivery spots - leapfrogging traditional retail in Africa.

“We are delighted with the wide international reach of this year’s winners and that for the first time, we are presenting an award to an African retailer,” said chairman of the World Retail Congress, Ian McGarrigle said.

Telecoms subscribers to enjoy phone replacement KUNLE AZEEZ

L-R: Executive Director, USP Brand Management, Mr. Kunle Ajose; Mr. Andrew Oghomi of Lagos Zonal Office of the Bank of Industry; Brand Manager, Emzor, Mrs. Chinwe Emaniru, Keynote Speaker, Mr. Lere Baale; Chief Executive Officer, USP Brand Management, Mr. Muyiwa Kayode and Assistant General Manager, Legacy Pension Manager, Mr. Kalu Aja, at the Brand2Wealth Seminar in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Forte Oil partners MTN to enhance customer service UDEME AKPAN

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orte Oil Plc has reached a partnership agreement with MTN Nigeria, a leading telecommunications company to jointly improve customers’ experience through the provision of Walk In Service Everywhere, W.I.S.E kiosks at selected Forte service stations nationwide.

The partnership aligns with Forte Oil PLC’s vision of making its retail outlets a one stop shop for robust customers’ shopping experience, beyond refueling of vehicles.

At the W.I.S.E kiosks, Forte customers who are MTN sub-

scribers can now enjoy a complete customer care service such as sim swaps, bill payments, sim registration, query resolutions, sale of airtime and other bouquet services right on the forecourt in addition to fuels and lubricants purchases as well as sun dry services such as groceries, laundry, car wash and auto repair.

In the first phase of the project, MTN will deploy 100 W.I.S.E kiosks to selected service stations nationwide.

This is poised to increase significantly to 200 at the second phase of the deployment exercise.

The Group Chief Executive Officer, Forte Oil PLC, Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa said, “As the

foremost indigenous oil marketing company, Forte Oil PLC is constantly seeking opportunities to meet and surpass our customers’ needs through the provision of value add services.

The partnership with MTN reinforces that vision whilst affirming our commitment to superior service delivery as a testimony of our partnership with MTN, the foremost telecommunications company in Nigeria.

With this partnership, our customers who are subscribers to the network will be able to reduce their commuting time and cost in attending to their telecommunication requirements by visiting Forte Oil PLC retail outlets.”

S

ubscribers on the nation’s leading telecoms network, MTN Nigeria, are set to enjoy a phone replacement scheme from a new partnership between MTN and a leading phone manufacturer, Nokia.

In a statement yesterday, MTN said the initiative will afford customers the opportunity to trade in their old phones and get up to N18, 000 back on the new Nokia 625 smartphone.

Speaking on the partnership, the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Mr. Kola Oyeyemi, said “We, at MTN, are committed to the delivery a new digital world to our customers and the thrust of this initiative is to help cater to the needs of customers who desire affordable smart phones and mobile internet connectivity, on the go.” bile internet connectivity.

“We, therefore, decided to partner with Nokia, the mobile phone-making company to offer subscribers, on our network, greater value for their money.”

He said the partnership provide it’s customers the chance to trade in their used phones and get

up to a N18, 000refunds on the new Nokia Lumia 625 smartphone.

“The Nokia Lumia smartphone on offer runs, on the Windows Phone 8 platform. To be a part of the MTN Phone Upgrade Programme, customers basically walk into MTN stores, with their old phones and charger in good condition and they will enjoy a discount of up to N18, 000, on the new Nokia Lumia 625.

“This includes a free instant discount of up to N6, 000, Free Nokia DC-16 battery bank accessory, valued at N4000 and 100 per cent instant Internet data bonus of up to N8, 000 monthly, on activation of 250MB and above,” he said.

He noted that MTN, in recent times, MTN, Nigeria’s leading telecommunications company has taken steps that have proven its commitment to its brand promise of delivering a whole new digital world to its customers.According to him, “The telecoms giant has continued to bring forth innovative digital products and services and this initiative will ensure that Nigerians get the opportunity to enjoy these exclusive services on offer from MTN.”

42

Maritime

Friday, October 11, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Customs, NPA responsible for Tin Can Port congestion’ The massive cargo congestion rocking some terminals at the Tin Can Island Ports complex, Apapa has brought to the fore the inadequacies of Nigeria’s seaport management authorities. Managing Director of Tin Can Island Container Terminal, one of the concessionaires, Mr. Yehuda Kotic says in this interview with FRANCIS EZEM that both actions and inactions of Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigeria Customs Service are root cause of the problem.

What is the actual cause of the congestion?

It is primarily caused by the long dwell time of cargo at the ports. Elsewhere, it takes between three to five days to clear cargo from other seaports but here it takes more than 21 days, so long staying of cargo is the root cause. Since 2006 after the completion of the port reform programme, the Nigerian Ports Authority has failed to transfer over 2,192 Twenty Equivalent Units (TEUs) of cargo to the Customs bonded terminals. Since then neither Nigeria Customs Service nor NPA has done anything about this because these containers are still at the terminal occupying the available spaces as you and I talk. The challenge is that as the terminal operator, I cannot take them out because I am not allowed to do that. It is only NPA or Customs that can do that.

As terminal operators, we work 24 hours per day and seven days per week including public holidays but the other government agencies work on the regular working days that is Monday-Friday, which means when you go there, you will not see any body, Customs closes, everything is closed, no one can take delivery. I can tell you at one occasion; it was E’del Fitri, which lasted for about five days including the weekend. We deliver an average of 9,900 TEUs daily and within the five days, we could not deliver anything. So within those public holidays, 4,500 containers could not go out and at the same time we discharge containers from vessels non stop. From the foregoing, am I responsible for the congestion? The answer is no.

The congestion has also partly been blamed on your inability to acquire basic equipment. What is your take on this?

We have enough equipment here. Apart from being a global firm with two major shareholders from China and France, we are the first to acquire Rubber Tyre Gantry Cranes in Nigeria, which are noted for efficiency and safety in the handling of containers, most of which are currently under-utilised. We have over 150 pieces of refer plugs, more than seven units of mobile harbour cranes, 15 units of rubber tyre gantry cranes and also have Terminal Operating System about 13 pieces of reach stackers, four units of top loaders, about 47 pieces of tug masters, three forklifts and over 51 units of yard trucks etc.

The problem is that clearing agents use our terminals to store containers until they conclude their ‘negotiations’ with the Customs. You understand what I mean, until they complete their ‘mago mago mago’ and then the containers will be in the terminal and they will not take it out. Shipping lines are reluctant to take containers to the off dock facilities when the terminal is fully utilised.

Poor infrastructure around the ports, high volume of vehicular traffic and small NPA gate help to cause bottleneck and therefore contribute to the cause of the congestion. Our terminal has a six-lane gate to facilitate smooth movement of cargo in and out of the TICT terminal. But the main entrance to the seaport owned by NPA has only a two-lane gate with one going into the ports and the other going out. What happens is that when many trucks leave our six-lane gate and come to NPA’s two lane, there is always a huge traffic and this helps to impede movement in and out of the ports.

We invested millions of dollars to construct the gates but this NPA gate has been like this in the last 20 years no improvement.

In addition to that, at the tiny NPA gate, you see the people of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents

Kotic

NPA SHOULD TRANSFER ALL OVER TIME CARGO TO CUSTOMS

BONDED TERMINAL FOR AUCTION, ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SHOULD OPERATE

24 HOURS PER

DAY AND SEVEN DAYS OF THE WEEK TO FACILITATE CONSTANT

CARGO DELIVERY, SHIPPING LINES SHOULD TAKE CONTAINERS TO OFF DOCK FACILITIES WHEN THE TERMINAL IS OVER UTILISED AND GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES SHOULD IMPROVE THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE (ANLCA), you see representatives of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and NPA officials and those of other agencies stop all the trucks going out to extort money from them. Mind you not less than 1000 trucks go out everyday and if you stop one truck for five minutes, it causes congestion.

Also, by the structure of this terminal, the scanning site managed by Cotecna is outside the terminal and when the access roads are blocked, we cannot transfer trucks to the scanning sites and this builds congestion.

Look at that roundabout at the second gate of the Tin Can Port, no body has invested to improve the infrastructure, rebuild the roundabout. Look at the entrance to the Bua Complex, nothing about that place has changed. When outside is blocked, even with the best terminal, equipment or technology, nothing will move in or out because outside is blocked.

Now we have appealed to the agents that have containers that have stayed for one year and above to come and take them but nobody is coming. We gave them a 75 percent waiver on rent and nobody is coming.

Why do you think nobody is coming?

I don’t know.

But why will Customs not take these 2, 100 containers out for auction according to the law? If Customs removes those containers, we will have additional space for 2, 192 containers and the congestion will go. Clearing agents and their customers should not take advantage of this and use our terminal as warehouses. In order to discourage them, we increased our rent charges and the Minister of Transport,

Mallam Idris Umar approved it.

What in your opinion is the way out of this problem?

NPA should transfer all over time cargo to Customs bonded terminal for auction in line with the provisions of the relevant laws, but they don’t do it All the government agencies at the ports should operate 24 hours per day and seven days of the week to facilitate constant cargo delivery. There is no constant cargo delivery nom Shipping lines should take containers to off dock facilities when the terminal is over utilised. The governmental authorities should improve the transport infrastructure as well as the NPA gate. If these recommendations are carried out, the congestion will ease out.

I tell you, we have a lot of equipment but we cannot even utilise all of them because outside is blocked and so much cargo is being handled.

But you took over this terminal seven years ago why are you experiencing congestion just this moment?

It is because the problem accumulated over time and the importers are not coming to delivery of containers and there are some abandoned cargo of over 2, 000 TEUs. But why can’t they take them to Ikorodu Lighter Terminal.

I think that place is full.

That is not my problem; they should take them to other places where they will be cleared. Ikorodu is a government warehouse; they should in the like manner find another government warehouse. We have enough equipment and we do not even use all of them.

Also do not forget that at the second half of every year, the volume of cargo goes up and so more cargo is coming in now and nothing is going out, there is bound to be congestion.

But at other container terminals like APMT Apapa, there is no build-up. Why? There is more space there. Our terminal is smaller in size.

But f everything works the way they ought to, there will not be congestion at all. If the importers come up to take their containers as they arrive, there will be no problem, but they have their own agenda, they are taking advantage of the system to use the terminal as warehouse for storage.

The Minister of Transport during his last visit to the port also said the problem was due to poor logistics. Why did you not defend your company?

What do expect? The Minister was accompanied by officers of Customs, who a part of the cause of the problem and so he will act on what they told him. Shippers Council does not know much about port operations and so they will relay on what ANLCA people will tell them but I have decided to meet with the Minister because I was not in the country the last time he came.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STORIES: FRANCIS EZEM

T

he Nigerian Trawlers Owners Association (NITOA), umbrella body for all indigenously-owned industrial fishing companies operating in the country has said that it is not excited by recent pronouncement by the Federal Government that it has designated the Kirikiri Terminal Phase one as a fishing terminal.

Minister of Transport, Mallam Idris Umar had while delivering a keynote address at the recently concluded World Maritime Day celebrations held in Calabar, the Cross River capital, said that the government ha decided to designate the terminal for only fishing activities.

National President of the association, Mr. Joseph Overo, who spoke in a telephone interview on the recent pronouncement by the minister, however said that there was nothing to cheer about it.

According to him, from the preport privatisation era, members of the association made a visit to the then President Olusegun Obasanjo requesting that terminals one and two of the of the Kirikiri Port be designated as fishing terminal, which the president graciously approved.

He however noted that more than seven years after the completion of the exercise, that approval by the President has remained in papers, as nothing has been done to actualize the dream of having a designated fishing terminal as it is the case in other climes.

he Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said that its decision to invest heavily in human capital development was borne out of its conviction that such investment is the surest way to the growth and development of the maritime industry.

Director General of the agency, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, who spoke at the official send forth organised in honour of 655 cadet trainees billed to travel abroad under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), said that the programme is a demonstration of its clear understanding that investments in the development of maritime human capacity, is our surest path to Nigerian maritime sector growth.

NIMASA had last year sent a total of 1000 cadet-trainees to undertake courses in Marine Engineering, Nautical Sciences and Naval Architecture, among others in foreign institutions in India, Malaysia, Egypt and Philippines among several others as part of measure to develop indigenous seafarers’ pool for export.

The NSDP is a strategic intervention programme launched in 2010 under which the agency projects to train not fewer than 1,480 seafarers by 2014, designed to address the manpower requirements in the maritime industry in Nigeria and also contribute significantly to the global pool of the seafarers.

43

Kirikiri Fishing Terminal: We can’t take FG serious again –NITOA

Some fishing trawlers at anchorage for over three years due to harsh business operating environment

“I think the Bureau of Public Enterprise, which anchored the port privatisation programme, granted the approval in principle as was directed

by President Olusegun Obasanjo, but at the end of the exercise, nothing of such was done and so we are still waiting over seven years”, he lamented.

“The consequences of this partly is that each fishing company provides its own facilities such as cold room and other storage facilities with the attendant high cost, which should have left them with more money to invest in other aspects of the operations”, he said The members have argued that the

‘Investment in human capacity development, surest way to maritime industry growth’

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Maritime

Friday, October 11, 2013

Under the main programme, the various states of the federal of Nigeria and Abuja are expected to fund 40 percent of a minimum of 40 trainees of indigenes of the states while NIMASA undertakes 60 percent of each of the trainees, while in the second window, NIMASA undertakes full sponsorship of the trainees According to him, in the estimation of the agency, the NSDP guarantees that in the nearest future, Nigeria will be Africa’s hub for the supply of skilled maritime human capital, which will justify the resources and support received from the Federal Government towards ensuring the success of the programme.

“The pragmatic expectation of the Nigerian maritime industry is that the NSDP holds the future for the development of future Nautical Scientists, Naval Architects and Marine Engineers who will close capacity gaps in Nigeria’s ship building value chain, ship manning and contemporary elements of ships’ operation and navigation”, he said.

The DG also said: “We will like to put on record that the Nigerian oil and gas sector is also in a desperate waiting game to enjoy the fruits of the NSDP. As the oil and gas sector gravitates towards the maximisation of the Nigerian content in the fabrication of oil and gas platforms and sundry marine engineering activities, we assure that products of the NSDP will provide requisite skill for present and future companies in this regard”.

growth and development of the subsector was being hampered by the failure of the government to provide the operators with a dedicated fishing terminal with the necessary facilities like what it obtained overseas.

It was also gathered that the operators are being made to pay for the make-shift place they use currently to the Nigerian Ports Authority, which has little or no facility that could enhance effective operations.

The Minister had said: “As a measure of ensuring the protection of Marine Biodiversity, plans have reached at advanced stage to concession the Kirikiri

Terminal 1 as a dedicated Fishing Terminal to enhance economic activities and promote the health and well being of the citizens of this country”.

Umar, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Nebolisa Emordi at the event hadexplained that the Fishing Terminal was part of the recommendations of the Presidential Maritime Retreat held last year aimed at regulating the country’s fishing industry.

Apart from the high cost of operation associated with the absence of a dedicated terminal, members of the association have over the years been grappling with the menace of piracy and sea robbery, which has hampered the growth and development of the industry.

The association had raised the alarm over the loss of a whopping N118.5billion in the last eight years due to the increasing menace of pirates and sea robbers on Nigeria’s territorial waters, through which many of their staffers had lost their lives It was also gathered that in addition to loss of lives and huge financial losses due to these attacks then, the area of operation of the members has been reduced by over 70 percent as places such as the Escravous, Forcados, River Ramos, River Dodo, Pennigton and Brass, among several others have been declared no-go areas because of piracy insurgency.

Lampedusa tragedy: EU demands extra sea patrols

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he EU’s executive Tuesday pushed for extra resources to launch Mediterranean-wide search and rescue patrols after the Lampedusa tragedy as Europe struggles to cope with the flood of refugees knocking on its doors.

EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem went into talks with the bloc’s home affairs ministers saying she would propose “a big Frontex operation right across the Mediterranean from Cyprus to Spain for a big search and rescue operation”.

Frontex is the European Union agency in charge of policing the 28-nation bloc’s borders against illegal migration.

“I’m going to ask for the backing and the resources needed to do this, to save more lives,” Malmstroem said.

The shipwreck last week off the Italian island of Lampedusa, in which more than 300 African asylum-seekers are feared dead, has put the divisive question of migration back on the front page of the EU’s political agenda.

Earlier Tuesday, 400 people claiming to be Syrian and Palestinian refugees were saved off the Italian coast by a Danish and a Panamanian vessel when their boats ran into trouble.

Malmstroem, who will visit the site of the Lampedusa disaster Wednesday with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, will ask the ministers to beef up cash contributions to Frontex and loan it ships and aircraft.

Set up in 2004 to coordinate and improve border management and stage

joint operations, Warsaw-based Frontex has seen its budget fall over the past three years.

Italy complains that Europe’s battered southern economies -- including Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Spain -- are left to cope with the refugees washing up on their shores or slipping across the porous border with Turkey.

Rome, which says 30,000 migrants have arrived so far this year, or four times more than usual, wants wealthier northern Europe to share the burden and for migration to be put on the agenda of a summit in Brussels at the end of the month.

Malmstroem agreed on the need for more burden-sharing, saying there were six to seven nations taking all the responsibility “and we are 28 member states”.

But ministers from Denmark, Germany and Sweden firmly denied that their governments were turning their backs on people seeking asylum from political torment or economic misery.

Germany was Europe’s most generous nation towards asylum-seekers, said Home Affairs Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich. It took in nearly 950 refugees per million inhabitants compared to Italy’s almost 260 refugees per million inhabitants.

Last year, 70 percent of the 330,000 asylum-seekers in Europe were registered in five EU nations -- Germany with 77,500, France 60,600, Sweden 44,000, Britain 28,000 and Belgium also with 28,000.

44

Agri Business

Friday, October 11, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG inaugurates boards of agric agencies, advocates prudence TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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he Federal Government has reconstituted Governing Boards for agencies and parastatals under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and urged them to use their wealth of experience to impact positively on their agencies and by so doing, add value to the implementation of the current Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).

Giving the charge during the inauguration of the Boards of the 13 agencies and parastatals in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, who recalled the achievements of the ATA so far, particularly in enhancing productivity and job creation across the value chains of the sector, expressed the hope that the coming on board of the appointees will facilitate the achievements of the targets set for the agencies and parastatals.

Adesina said given the calibre and integrity of the Chairmen and members of the Boards, the President, the Ministry and the Nigerian public were looking at how they could use their capabilities to bear on the ATA through the contributions of the agencies even as he assured them of his ministry’s readiness to provide the necessary support for their success.

The Minister said: “Let me remind you that His Excellency Mr. President, the nation and

the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has great confidence in your ability to successfully deliver on the mandate of your agency and parastatals. The Ministry is ready to give you all the necessary support to enable you succeed.

“Based on the ATA implementation framework, Regional and State Directors have been appointed to drive the implementation process nationwide. You will have to work closely with these officials as necessary.

“Though the Ministry have no doubt that all of you are tested men and women of honour and integrity, with wealth of experience, but I may need to let you know that this administration is ready and serious about “due process” and fight against corruption. If we are prudent with the little resources available at our disposal, we can achieve a lot. You are therefore requested to manage your resources most judiciously”, Adesina advocated.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, described the appointment of the Chairmen and Governing Boards of the parastatals as placing enormous responsibility on the members for repositioning and transforming the agencies.

While reminding the Boards that the ministry is no longer treating agriculture as a development project but rather as

a business, Odusote told them that their activities should be demand driven with a view to involve more farmers and private sector participation.

“The ongoing revolution in the agricultural sector places huge demand on you to assist Mr President who has appointed you to achieve his transformation objectives. This therefore requires total commitment and determination from all members”, Odusote said.

Responding to the agenda set for the Boards on behalf the Chairmen and members, the newly appointed Chairman of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, NAIC,

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he Taraba State Government has called on both local and foreign investors to take the advantage of its vast arable land and large mineral deposits by investing in the state.

Speaking at the Abuja Trade Fair, Taraba State Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, said that the present administration had put in place good infrastructure for the ease of business.

Apart from that, he also noted that the present administration had come up with flexible investment policy which would help make the state the investment destination of choice in the country.

The Fair ,which is organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, is playing host to over

3,00 exhibitors from Nigeria and abroad.

The governor, who also claimed that Taraba is the leading rice producer in Nigeria, backed the Federal Government proposition to ban importation of rice to boost local production.

Umar, who was represented his Chief of Staff, Ahmed Yusuf said Taraba had embarked on a number of initiatives geared toward making the state an investment hub.

He stated that his government recently awarded 17billion contract for the construction and rehabilitation o9f the Bali-SertiGembu road with a view to unlocking the agricultural, solid minerals and tourism potentials of the state.

Also apart from establishing a holiday resort in Gembu, it had also come up with other pro-

resolve to deliver, reposition and transform the various parastatals in line with their respective mandates.

“We promise that it will not “be business as usual”. We are absolutely committed to making a positive difference in our respective agencies and parastatals”, Ohakim assured.

The agencies and parastatals whose governing boards were inaugurated are, National Root Crops Research Institute, National Lake Chad Research Institute, National Institute for Fresh Water Fisheries Research, Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research, Bank of Agriculture and National Horticultural Institute.

Minister of Agriculture Dr. Adesina Adewunmi (left) congratulating newly appointed NAIC Board Chairperson, Barr.

Chioma Ohakim (right) during the inauguration of the board’s of parastatals of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Abuja recently.

Taraba govt woos investors in agric, solid minerals OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, promised the government that the Governing Boards accepted the call to serve as a national duty, to which all members would remain committed.

She pointed out that to have been singled out for the various appointments amongst other several Nigerians who also qualified to be so appointed pl aced on the shoulders of Chairmen and members of the Governing Boards additional responsibility of ensuring that they do not betray the sacred trust.

“We are committed to surmounting every challenge that might come up against us in the discharge of our duties. In our

grammes aimed at developing the tourism potentials of the agrarian state.

He said,” Government has carried out a satellite mineral survey of some parts of the state for confirmation of mineral deposits which revealed economic quantity of bauxite, gold and oil bearing the structure in the Benue trough. As part of the efforts to ensure effective harnessing of the mineral deposits, the state has incorporated the Taraba State Solid Minerals Development Company with the sole aim of data gathering exploitation ad exportation of some solid minerals.

On youth employment, he noted that while the state recently employed over 8,000 youth, many of whom were artisans, efforts are in the offing to employ about 6,000 fresh graduates into the state civil service.

‘Roots, tubers key to poverty alleviation and food security’

I

mproving the competiveness of root and tubers will help in alleviating poverty in Africa where 80 per cent of rural dwellers depend on agriculture, Ghanaian President, John Mahama has said.

According to the Ghanaian leaders, “Root and tuber crops (sweet potato, cassava, and yams) provide great opportunities for long-term poverty alleviation and food security much more than any other staple foods produced in the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions,” Mahama, who was represented by Mohammed Alfa, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology Innovation, spoke at the 12th symposium organized by the International Society for Tropi-

cal Root Crops-Africa Branch (ISTRC-AB) in Accra, Ghana.

The symposium in Accra is coming at a time when global attention on agriculture is trending up. It provided scientists and partners in development the opportunity to reexamine the competitiveness of root and tuber crops with a view to harnessing their potential and accelerating Africa’s economic growth.

Dr Nzola Mahungu, ISTRCAB President, who is also the Country Representative for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, in DR Congo said: “Root and tuber crops play an important role in ensuring food security in Africa, and we must tap the opportunities of these crops.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Friday, October 11, 2013

45

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at October 10, 2013

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

1st Tier Securities No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

46

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Friday, October 11, 2013

Osun completes N11.4bn sukuk bond issue JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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he State of Osun yesterday said it has completed N11.4bn sukuk bond issue, the first Islamic bond in sub-Saharan African.

At the signing ceremony in the state were the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mr. Segun Adesegun and the entire state cabinet.

The sukuk bond was issued in accordance with enactment of the Osun State Bonds, Notes and Other Securities Law 2012 and setting up the Osun Sukuk Company Plc. Though Islamic in nomenclature, the sukuk bond was a conventional bond and coordinated by

the regular investors in the nation’s capital and money market The N14. 4 bn sukuk (14.

75 per cent) fixed return tranche 2 has 42 investors with Lotus Capital Limited as the leading issuing house and Augusto and co, one of Nigeria’s rating agencies, as the rating agent.

While authorising and approving the offer at the board meeting for the sukuk company, Aregbesola said his government took the bond as an opportunity for the development of the state.

He appealled to the people to see the bond as an avenue to attract development to the state for the benefit of all and sundry.

“The Sukuk bond is a veritable avenue for us to access capital to develop

our state and it will be used to finance roads and schools across the state.

“In name the bond is Islamic but it has the conventional bonds’ characteristics and is coordinated by the regular capital and money market investors,” he added.

According to him, out of the 42 investors, only one of them (Jaiz Bank) is Islamic and the name sukuk is just a nomenclature, saying that the investors are regular Nigerians.

The Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Wale Bolounduro, described the sukuk as a unique product.

Bolounduro said the bond makes it possible for the first time in Nigeria for a government to open itself up to the capital mar-

ket in transparent manner.

He said that the landmark achievement has offered government of the state opportunity to optimise capital for business purposes.

The chairperson of Lotus Capital, Mrs. Hajara Adeola said the bond was successful and over-subscribed.

She said that the sukuk’s success represents a clear vote of confidence in Governor Aregbesola’s administration, the State of Osun and its people.

Adeola said that the governor had become unique for his penchant for exploring novel ways of doing things adding that the sukuk represented another instance of Aregbesola exploring new ways of seeking for the development of the state.

Source: NSE

Source: FMDA

Market indicators All-Share Index 36,962.63 points Market capitalisation 11.80 trillion

Index sheds 0.8% as FG issues N132bn in T-bills JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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rading in equities closed on bearish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as some investors took profit from the gains recorded the preceding day.

Specifically, the All Share Index shed 0.80 per cent to close at 36,962.63 points, as against the appreciation of 0.96 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 36,962.63 points.

Market capitalisation lost N94bn to close at N11.773trn, in contrast to the rise of N113bn recorded the preceding day to close at N11.867trn.

The Oil and Gas Index

led the sectorial indices with 0.87 per cent to close at 195.69 points, followed by the Insurance Index with 0.41 per cent to close at 139.21 points.

The Banking Index rose 0.04 per cent to close at 397.61 points, but the NSE 30-Index dropped 0.62 per cent to close at 1,733.47 points.

The Consumer Goods Index lost 0.05 per cent to close at 1,043.24 points, while the Lotus Islamic Index fell 0.69 per cent to close at 2,591.08 points.

The Industrial Goods Index dipped 1.11 per cent to close at 2,216.45 points, while the Alternative Securities Market remained flat.

Wapic Insurance Plc led the gainers’ table with eight kobo or 8.60 per cent to close at N1.01 per share, followed by International Energy Insurance Plc with six kobo or 7.50 per cent to close at 86kobo per share.

Conversely, Continental Insurance Plc shed five kobo or 4.39 per cent to close at N1.09 per share, while RT Briscoe Plc depreciated six kobo or 4.35 per cent to close at N1.32 per share.

A total of 308.1 million shares valued at N2.085bn were exchanged in 4,305 deals.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government sold N131.8bn in treasury bills on Wednesday, with ma-

turities ranging between three months and one year with yields broadly flat compared with the previous auction, data from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed on Thursday.

The bank sold N20.15bn worth of 91-day paper at 10.8 per cent compared with 10.85 per cent at the previous auction on September 26.

The regulator sold N43.49bn in the 182-day note at 11.64 per cent, slightly lower than the 11.69 per cent at the last auction, while a total of N68.2bn of the 364-day debt was sold at 11.74 per cent, the same returns as at the September 26 auction.

C

customers who want to have a low cost savings account but desire the convenience offered by a current account like the ability to issue cheques for third party withdrawals.

The statement said the account holders can issue cheques to other people to withdraw money directly from their accounts.

“Cheques on the UGold account are however not eligible for clearing purposes. It is primarily to make it easier for the account holder to carry out banking transactions

without having to visit the bank always.

“A customer can open a U-Gold savings account with a minimum of N5,000.00 only, and enter into a world of high value banking services with Africa ’s global bank,” the statement said.

It stressed that holders of this account also stand to benefit from the bank’s range of cost saving e-banking products and services like internet banking, a personalized debit card among others.

The Head of Retail Products of the bank, Mr.

GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

WAPIC

0.62

1.01

0.08

% CHANGE 8.60

INTENEGINS

4.15

0.86

0.06

7.50

ASHAKACEM

1.05

22.00

1.03

4.91

TRANSCORP

32.50

1.71

0.08

4.91

AIICO

58.50

0.86

0.04

4.88

JOHNHOLT

1.61

1.30

0.06

4.84

MOBIL

110.05

115.00

4.95

4.50

PORTPAINT

4.81

5.00

0.19

3.95

NPFMCRFBK

0.82

0.85

0.03

3.66

FIDSON

2.00

2.06

0.06

3.00

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CONTINSURE

1.14

1.09

-0.05

-4.39

RTBRISCOE

1.38

1.32

-0.06

-4.35

THOMASWY

0.95

0.91

-0.04

-4.21

BERGER

8.30

8.00

-0.30

-3.61

CUTIX

1.95

1.88

-0.07

-3.59

COSTAIN

1.15

1.11

-0.04

-3.48

UNITYBNK

0.59

0.57

-0.02

-3.39

IPWA

0.92

0.89

-0.03

-3.26

HONYFLOUR

2.89

2.80

-0.09

-3.11

UACN

63.45

61.52

-1.93

-3.04

Primary Market Auction

UBA relaunches U-Gold account ustomers of United Bank for Africa now have the privilege of opening and operating a savings account that gives them many of the privileges usually reserved for only holders of a current account.

This and other benefits were unveiled by the bank during the relaunch of its “U-Gold” savings account at an impressive ceremony in the coal city of Enugu .

A statement from the bank yesterday explained that ‘U-Gold’ is a hybrid account reserved for

Stock Updates

Olumide Osunyomi, said the account is a new product that replaces UBA Gold and UBA Gold Plus Savings Accounts.

He said, “U-Gold Savings Account allows third party withdrawal through non-clearing cheques while other types of savings account do not allow third party withdrawal. This means holders of the bank’s U-Gold account can issue cheques on their account to other people to withdraw cash just like a current holder can issue cheques.

TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

20,159.21

11.50

10-Oct-13

182-Day

43,490.87

10.68

10-Oct-13

364-Day

68,184.89

13.39

10-Oct-13

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

153-Day

75,993.30

12.25

10-Oct-13

133-Day

94,081.66

12.25

10-Oct-13

-

-

-

-

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$300m

N/A

$297m

9-Oct-13

$300m

N/A

$231m

7-Oct-13

Friday, October 11, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

Community Mirror I agree with NMA that this strike is totally As vision we speak, there is a “It unnecessary. is government’s to transform standing committee under the Head of Civil ofsector the Federation both NMA agricultural and makewith it attractive.” and NARD well represented on the committee and these issues are ongoing

PRESIDENT; NAMADI SAMBO MINISTER OF HEALH,VICE PROFESSOR ONYEBUCHI CHUKWU

Rainstorm victims get relief in Ondo OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

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he National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has donated relief materials to victims of rainstorm in the northern Senatorial district of Ondo State.

The donation followed a request for assistance by the lawmaker representing the district

Katsina steps up security at secretariat JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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he increase in number of loafers led to the tightening of security at the Katsina State secretariat, with visitors now undergoing prolonged identification process before being allowed entrance.

Community Mirror gathered that the development followed increased cases of harassment by loafers on important visitors coming to do genuine business with government.

It was aslo learnt that relevant agencies had received series of complaints from top government functionaries and politicians that they were being harassed by loafers to part with money.

Our correspondent who visited the secretariat reports that stern looking security personnel were stationed at the two entrances to the secretariat and some key ministries to check the movement of people.

The security operatives were seen checking the identity of visitors and mission before allowing them into the secretariat.

Speaking on the issue on condition of anonymity, a government official said he and some colleagues were not happy with the activities of loafers as they come daily to demand money from visitors.

He said some of the ministries were forced to employ security guards to ensure that only official visitors are allowed entry into the ministry.

He said a top government official was recently harassed and he narrowly managed to escape from the loafers for failing to give them money.

He said to avoid repeat of such incident, some of the key ministries decided to screen all visitors to avoid intimidation from unknown persons.

in the Senate, Senator Ajayi Boroffice.

The materials include 150 bundles of roofing sheets, 150 bags of rice, 150 bags of cement, 2,000 pieces of planks, 100 bags of nails, 100 packets of zinc nails.

Others are 300 pieces of blankets, 300 mosquito nets, 300 pieces of nylon mats and 100 pieces of mattresses.

The materials were distributed at the palace of Olukare of Ikare-Akoko, and were meant for the four local government areas of Akoko Southwest, Akoko Northwest, Akoko Southeast and Akoko Northwest.

Speaking at the presentation, team leader of NEMA, Michael

Adeyanju, said the donation was meant to ameliorate the distress of the victims, even as the agency had earlier given relief materials to persons affected by rainstorm disaster in Owo and environs.

He said the materials were brought following a request by the lawmaker, who is also chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology.

Adeyanju said the materials will be distributed based on assessment conducted by the agency, the State Emergency Management Authority, SEMA, the local government and some non governmental organisations.

He said, “The materials are

meant for the victims in Akoko area and their representatives are ready for onward distribution to beneficiaries.We have carried out an assessment of the affected people and what each will need, we are doing this in conjunction with other agencies such as local government, fire service and nongovernmental organisations.

“Although NEMA is not an insurance company or agency, we are only out to help those in need, we are to complement what others have donated, the state government has come to their aid, other people and organisations have donated, so we only add to what has been done.”

Patients queueing to pay for drugs at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital as resident doctors begin a nationwide strike on Wednesday.

PHOTO: NAN

Lord’s Chosen church not shut-PRO RICHARD EGHAGHE

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he headquarters of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Ijesha, Lagos is still conducting religious service contrary to media reports that it has been shut by the Lagos State Government.

Community Mirror investigation reveals that it still conducts all normal services without hindrance or molestation of members from any quarter. The church, which has large following in Lagos and across the country, was recently reported to have been closed down by the state

Ministry of the Environment.

The church Director of Press and Public Relations, Pastor Louis Chidi, insisted that the church has not been shut, saying all the activities are going on as usual.

The clergy lamented that the church was being maligned for the fact that officials from the Department of Drainage System, frowned at the poor state of a particular facility that did not meet the required sanitation standard.

“They therefore ordered that it should not be used until necessary amendments are made. We have since complied and the facility is now functioning. Please

note that the church was not closed down, as there are other facilities within the premises for use of worshippers”.

Pastor Chidi further disclosed that officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Environmental also frowned at the springing up of street markets at Ijesha Bus-stop; as such development was never encouraged by the church.

“We want to state that the church never encouraged street trading within the estate or along its entrances because it causes traffic obstructions to those coming into the premises.

The church has repeatedly warned those traders to stop

Property company denies involvement in law suit ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

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gainst the ongoing battle with the Phase 11 of the Tejuosho Property Development Company,TPC, the developers of the new ultramodern market has said the project and contractors are not part of any court case.

The company’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Comfort Oluwadairo, said that the construction was almost completed.

“As you can see, we are putting finishing touches and work is proceeding at a steady pace.

We are satisfied with the progress. We are a wholly independent real estate company and our agreement with the government is clear: Develop this property as a market and we have followed that contract to the letter,” she said.

While she noted that sales of shops is still ongoing, Oluwadairo said the project, which includes over 1,660 shops of various sizes, would be available to their owners by end of the year.

She, however, maintained that the company does not have any connection whatsoever with the Phase I or its developers.

“The Tejuosho Property Development Company does not have any connection whatsoever with the Phase I or its developers. This project is also exclusively financed by Zenith Bank.

Even as prices of building materials, fuel, and labour went up, the bank provided more financing so that it would proceed without hitches”, she added.

desecrating the Holy ground and several efforts to stop their activities were to no avail. Most of the traders claim to be paying rent and taxes to those not known or recognised by the church”.

He revealed that officials of the task force section of the ministry have dispersed the traders, just as he reiterated that ‘The Lord’s Chosen Church’ is a law abiding entity and would remain so in all her activities. He said the relationship between the government and the Church is cordial, even as the organisation would continue to support and pray for the state, citizens and the country.

48

Transition

Friday, October 11, 2013

Deji Falae

Solomon Daushep Lar

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ioneer National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the first civilian Governor of Plateau State, Chief Solomon Daushep Lar, died on October 9, 2013 in United States of America after a protracted illness. He was aged 80.

Lar was born in Pongaa, Langtang, Plateau State in April 1933. His father was a farmer and his mother a pottery maker. He studied at the Sudan United Mission Primary School in Langtang, and then at the Gindiri Teachers College where he qualified to teach at the Primary School, Langtang.

After two years, he returned to Gindiri for the Senior Teacher Training Programme, earned his Higher Elementary Certificate and started to teach at the Senior Primary School level. He planned to become a clergyman.

Lar was elected a councilor to the Langtang Natives Authority in January 1959. On December 12, 1959 he was elected to the Federal Parliament on the platform of United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC).

He was reelected in 1964, and from then until January 15, 1966, when General Yakubu Gowon took power in a coup. Lar was then parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. He was also a Junior Minister in the Federal Ministry of establishments.

After the fall of the democratic government, Lar attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating in 1970 with an LLB and was called to the bar in 1971. He established a private legal practice, and was co-founder and first National Secretary of the Nigerian Legal Aid Association.

In 1972, Lar joined the Board of Amalgamated Tin Mines of Nigeria. He became Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Continental Bank, Member of the Nigeria Council of Legal Education and a member of the Constituent Assembly (1977–1978).

He was vice-chairman of the panel chaired by Justice Ayo Irikefe that recommended increasing from 12 to 19 states during the regime of generals Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo. Lar was also a Board member of the USA-based World Environmental Movement for Africa.

He is survived by wife, children and grandchildren.

eji Falae was one of the sons of the former presidential candidate under the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and All People’s Party (APP) Chief Olu falae. He died in the ill-fated Associated Airlines plane crash which occurred at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport on October 3, 2013.

Deji, who was the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Ondo State had led the state government’s delegation to accompany the corpse of former Ondo State governor, Chief Olusegun Agagu from Lagos to Akure, for the state burial.

The late commissioner was a Law graduate from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) between 1987 and 1991. He was married to Ese Falae and the union is blessed with three kids.

Prior to his being appointed as a commissioner, Deji was the Chief Executive Officer of West One Resources Limited and Executive Director at Gold Estates Limited respectively.

He once headed a panel set up by the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Mimiko which probed the activities of local councils within the state. The panel was commissioned to ascertain the actual number of authentic workers legally employed by the state government.

The panel succeeded in fishing out ghost workers in the establishment and uncovered some of the workers who were on the payroll of the local councils but were illegally employed.

During his lifetime, Deji was skillful in strategic

T

T

he Obe family has announced the burial arrangement of their son, brother and father; Pa Peter Oyeyemi Obe who passed onto glory on September 1, 2013 after a brief illness. He was aged 81.

In a statement released by the family and signed

by Mr Femi Obe; Pa Peter’s funeral will kick-off with service of songs on Monday October 21, 2013 by 5pm at Calabar Hall, Ajao Road, off Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos.

Christian wake is slated for Thursday October 24, 2013 by 5pm at Peter Obe’s Compound, off Akure-Owo Expressway, Igbara Oke, Ondo State.

The final funeral service takes place on Friday, October 25, 2013 by 11am at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Igbara Oke, while the reception follows immediately at Premier Holiday Resort, Igbara Oke, Ondo State.

M

planning, new business development, construction management, contract negotiation and real estate development.

Deji has variously been praised by friends and associates for his innate interest in working for the development of the nation and his concerns for the less privileged.

His father, Chief Olu Falae who is still grieving over the loss of his son had said he had lost a political successor in FDeji. He said he had reached the peak of his political sojourn and had planned that Deji will succeed him politically.

Deji is survived by his aged father, Chief Olu Falae, wife and children.

The Okusanyas

he Executive Director of MIC Funeral Homes, Tunji Okusanya and his son, Tunji Okusanya Junior died in Associated Airline plane crash in Lagos on October 3, 2013.

Okusanya family is renowned for taking giant strides in funeral management and undertaking business, having engaged in the business of funeral management for about three decades.

Tunji Okusanya’s father, a carpenter from Ijebu-Ode,

Peter Obe

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ogun State was credited with introducing the business of funeral management to the family when he started making wooden caskets for people. But, Tunji Okusanya transformed the business upon his return to Nigeria in 1982 from the United Kingdom where he had gone to study civil engineering.

Tunji, while establishing MIC Funeral Homes coined MIC from his father’s furniture company, Magbamowo Industrial Company. He transformed the business by bringing colour and glamour to funeral occasions that people naturally associate with mystery and gloom.

Tunji was a meticulous worker who believed in engaging in what one is versed on; as he believed that there are lessons one could not learn and understand by bagging a degree, nor by reading books.

Okusanya family is so much entrenched in the business of funeral management that Tunji Okusanya Junior had been part and parcel of the business such that he was being taugh to take over the business after his after, but for his untimely death.

The Okusanyas see nothing frightening in the business of funeral management. Tunji Okusanya had once been quoted in a national daily interview saying; “I do not even have nightmares because I am used to seeing dead bodies in my dreams; so what nightmare will I have again?

“I treat them well, so they have no reason to knock my head. I will not scream and say I saw a corpse in my dream and head to a spiritualist. What cannot talk cannot have power over you because the soul is gone.”

Tunji Okusasanya is survived by wife and children.

Olajoko Adetunji dies at 69

rs. Bolajoko Abiola Adetunji, a German-trained pharmacist, is dead. She was aged 69 years.

Mrs. Adetunji who was a retired medical personnel at the Federal Ministry of Heath, died on August 14, 2013, after a brief illness.

Her remains will be buried on October 11, 2013 at the Victoria Court Cemetery, Ajah, Lagos, after a funeral service at the Church of the Resurrection, 1004 Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The burial rites will kick-off on Thursday October 10, 2013 with a Christian wake between 5-6pm at the Church of Resurrection, 1004 Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Friday, October 11, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

US shutdown: Republicans offer temporary debt-ceiling

“A peaceful South China Sea is a blessing for all.

We need to work together to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation”

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PAUL ARHEWE,

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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ibyan PM Ali Zeidan has called for “rationality and wisdom” after being freed from the custody of militiamen.

He was abducted yesterday from a Tripoli hotel and held for several hours by armed men whose identities were yet to be confirmed.

In a cabinet meeting, the PM thanked “real revolutionaries” who took part in a security operation to free him.

The motive of the abduction is unclear, but some militias had been angered by a US commando raid to capture senior al-Qaeda suspect Anas al-Liby.

Many militia groups saw the raid in Tripoli on Saturday as a breach of Libyan sovereignty and there is growing pressure on the government to explain if it was involved.

One group, the Libya Revolutionaries Operations Room (LROR), said it had captured Zeidan, claiming it was acting on orders from the prosecutor general. But the justice ministry denied this.

The LROR said its actions had not been related to Liby’s detention.

The official Lana news agency also named another formal rebel group, the Brigade for the Fight against Crime, as being involved.

Two years after the overthrow of Col Muammar Gaddafi, Libya still has no constitution and divisions between secular and Islamist

Libyan Prime Minister, Zeidan, abducted, freed ...Calls for calm

forces have paralysed parliament.

The government has been struggling to contain the numerous militias who control many parts of the country.

Zeidan’s cabinet meeting following his release was shown live on Libya’s al-Ahrar television.

He thanked those who had helped free him but gave no details about them or the abductors.

He said: “I salute the revolutionaries who had an important role. The real revolutionaries, those who rose above greedy demands, I salute them for what they did in this affair.”

Zeidan urged them to “assimilate into the state, and play an active role in it through its civilian and military institutions”.

He added: “Only with an army and the police can a state exist.”

The prime minister said of his capture: “These are accidental things from the revolution’s overflow and they will disappear.”

He also said Libya would “regain its health” and be “an active, positive nation”.

Zeidan ended by calling for “caution and rationality in handling this matter”.

A spokesperson for David Cameron said the UK Prime Minister

Libya’s Prime Minister Ali Zeidan speaking during a news conference, recently.

PHOTO: REUTERS

had spoken to Mr Zeidan since his release and had promised to help build a “stable, free, peaceful and prosperous” Libya.

The spokesperson said: “Both leaders agreed that Libya’s democratically elected representatives and leaders must be able to carry out their duties and deliver Libya’s political transition free from the threat of kidnap, violence and armed intimidation. A minority of individuals must not be allowed to undermine that.”

Zeidan had been taken in a predawn raid on the Corinthia Hotel

Taylor to serve jail term in Britain

F

ormer Liberian president Charles Taylor, who was convicted for sponsoring atrocities in Sierra Leone, will

Charles Taylor seen during his trial at the Court in The Hague

–Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang

serve his 50-year sentence in a British prison, Justice Minister Jeremy Wright announced yesterday in a letter to Parliament.

Taylor, 65, is the first former head of state convicted by an international war crimes court since World War II. The Special Court for Sierra Leone found him guilty in April 2012 of 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity including terrorism, murder, rape and using child soldiers. His conviction and sentence were upheld at appeal last month.

In his letter to Parliament, Wright called Taylor’s conviction, “a landmark moment for international justice.” He did not identify the prison where Taylor would be confined.

In the Liberian capital, Monrovia, Taylor’s brother-in-law Arthur Saye said Taylor should

serve his sentence in Rwanda like other rebels convicted by the Sierra Leone court.

“Mr. Taylor is an African; he’s someone who believes in eating his African foods and what have you,” Saye said.

“And what happened took place in Africa; yes, they tried him in another country, but why must he be subjected to serve his term in a white man’s country?”

Saye expressed fears for the former warlord-turned-president’s safety if he is imprisoned in Britain.

The court’s president, Judge George Gelaga King, said in a written order dated Oct. 4 and released Thursday that in choosing a British prison he took account of Taylor’s family situation and the ability of other possible states to ensure his physical safety.

by more than 100 armed men.

Photographs circulating online showed Zeidan being surrounded and led away. There were no reports of violence during his capture.

In claiming it carried out the attack, the LROR said it was acting on the orders of the prosecutor general and in accordance with a section of Libya’s criminal code relating to “crimes and misdemeanours harmful to state security”.

UN calls for peacekeeping force in Central Africa Republic

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he United Nations Security Council called yesterday for a possible UN peacekeeping force to end anarchy in the Central African Republic, while France said it could send extra troops there.

The 15-member council voted unanimously for a resolution urging UN leader Ban Ki-moon to prepare a report in 30 days on strengthening a small African force in the country, where rebels overthrew the president in March.

The African Union-mandated International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA) currently has only about 1,400 troops.

The UN resolution, drafted by France, calls on African countries “to provide timely and effective support” to the force.

Ban’s report should consider “the possible option of a transformation of MISCA into a United Nations peacekeeping operation, subject to appropriate conditions on the ground,” it added.

WORLD BULLETIN

Malawian president sacks cabinet amid corruption row Malawi’s President Joyce Banda has sacked her cabinet amid allegations of widespread corruption in government.

Several officials have been caught allegedly with money hidden under their beds and in their cars, reports the BBC’s Raphael Tenthani from Malawi.

Last month, top finance ministry official Paul Mphwiyo, who was seen as an anti-corruption crusader, was shot and wounded, BBC reported.

Western donors have been urging Ms Banda to tackle corruption.

Malawi is a poor African state, heavily dependent on financial aid from the European Union (EU) and other foreign powers.

Ms Banda’s office said a new cabinet would be appointed in due course, without elaborating.

She called a crisis meeting of the cabinet before her office announced that it had been dissolved, BBC reported.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Ms Banda said she had appointed a special team, made up of police and government officials, to do a financial audit across all government departments.

BBC’s reporter said the shooting of Mr Mphwiyo opened a can of worms with the media awash with reports of unscrupulous civil servants conniving with businessmen to fleece the government of millions of dollars through dubious contracts.

Kenyans accuse police of ignoring gang rape Kenyans are outraged that three men accused of gang-raping and dumping a girl in a pit latrine were ordered by police to cut grass as punishment.

The 16-year old was attacked after returning from a grandfather’s funeral in a village in western Kenya, Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper reports.

Her back was broken during the attacks and she now uses a wheelchair.

Rights activists and MPs denounced the police for failing to investigate the girl’s complaints.

“Everyone is incensed, to say the least,” Saida Ali, executive director of Kenya’s Coalition on Violence against Women, told the BBC’s Newsday programme.

The police were investigating the conduct of officers who dealt with the girl’s complaint, said Halima Mohamed, the police commander of Busia County where the attack took place, the Daily Nation reports.

BBC said the apparent failure by police to act on this incident is an example of the incompetence which many Kenyans feel afflicts the force, especially after the recent attack on the Westgate shopping centre.

World News

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Friday, October 11, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

US shutdown: Republicans offer temporary debt-ceiling

U

S Republicans have offered President Barack Obama a short-term debt limit increase to stave off default.

House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner said they would do so in exchange for negotiations with the White House to end a government shutdown that took effect on 1 October.

Republicans will meet Obama, who is a Democrat, later yesterday.

Officials have warned the US risks default on 17 October if the nation’s borrowing limit is not increased.

Boehner told reporters yesterday: “What we want to do is to offer the president today the ability to move a temporary increase

Pakistani teen activist, Yousafzai, wins EU’s rights prize

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akistani schoolgirl and campaigner Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the Taliban, has won the EU’s Sakharov human rights prize.

The 16-year-old activist was shot a year ago for campaigning for better rights for girls.

The Sakharov Prize for free speech is awarded by the European Parliament annually in memory of Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov.

US whistleblower Edward Snowden had been a contender for the prize.

The 50,000 euro ($65,000) prize is considered Europe’s top human rights award.

Malala rose to prominence in 2009 after writing

a blog anonymously for the BBC Urdu service about her life under Taliban rule and the lack of education for girls.

She lived in Pakistan’s mountainous Swat Valley and her name became internationally known after the Pakistan army pushed the Taliban out of the area in 2009.

The Taliban’s Islamist doctrine puts harsh restrictions on women’s rights and one of the militants shot her as she was riding in a bus with school friends.

“Today, we decided to let the world know that our hope for a better future stands in young people like Malala Yousafzai,” said the head of the conservative European People’s Party (EPP), Joseph Daul.

PUBLIC NOTICE

OGENE UKWU NDI IGBO ASSOCIATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Co-operate Affairs Commission for Registration under the companies and Allied Matters Act N01 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Prophet Lambert .O. Obi – The NationalPresident/Founder) Apostle Godwin Obi – Member Pastor Dr. Mike Nwanyanwu – (Secretary) Evangelist Mrs. Happiness Iwuoha – (Treasurer)

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1 To promote Igbo Language 2 To promote unity among Igbo speaking states 3 Help the less privilege 4. To promote Agriculture in Igbo speaking states.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Co-operate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maltama Abuja within 28 days of publication.

SIGNED: PROPHET LAMBERT .O. OBI 08037447942

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGION TRANSPORTER’S ASSOCIATION OF NIG.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1 Major Amos Ekpruke- (CNC) Chairman 2 Captain Alex Obire- (CNC) Vice Chairman.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To promote the welfare of her members.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent of Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: MAJOR AMOS EKPRUKE-(CNC) CHAIRMAN.

in the debt ceiling in agreement to go to conference on the budget for his willingness to sit down and discuss with us a way forward to reopen the government.”

“It’s time for leadership,” the Ohio Republican said.

“It’s time for these negotiations and this conversation to begin.”

A spokesman for Boehner told media that the deal on the table ahead of yesterday afternoon’s meeting was a “clean” increase of the debt limit, with no additional policies attached.

Reacting to the offer, White House press secretary Jay Carney told a daily media briefing: “The president is happy that cooler heads at least seem to be prevailing in the House, that there at least seems to be a recognition that de-

fault is not an option.”

But he added: “He will not pay ransom in exchange for the Republicans in the House doing their job.”

It is not clear if Republicans are willing to entirely drop their attempts to defund or delay Mr Obama’s 2010 healthcare law - demands which brought about the government shutdown, the first in 17 years.

Democratic finance committee chairman Max Baucus said the Republican campaign to undermine the healthcare law in return for agreeing to end the shutdown was “not up for debate” and would not happen.

Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been out of work since the shutdown began, and private firms, from arms makers to motels, have begun to

Republican House Speaker, John Boehner

lay off workers.

About 15,000 privatesector employees have filed for unemployment benefits due to the shutdown, the US labour department said yesterday.

Obama met House Democrats at the White House on Wednesday and told them he would prefer a longer-term increase to the na-

tion’s $16.69 trillion (£10.47 trillion) debt ceiling.

But the president said he was willing to accept a short-term rise in the borrowing cap to “give Boehner some time to deal with the Tea Party wing of his party”, Representative Peter Welch told the Associated Press news agency after the meeting.

Pakistan arrests ex-president Musharraf again

P

akistan rearrested former president Pervez Musharraf on Thursday after accusations that he was personally responsible for the deaths of more than 100 people when he ordered commandos to storm the Red Mosque in 2007.

The operation at the radiCHANGE OF NAME

ADEBAYO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebayo Olufunke Bukky, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olaore Olufunke Bukky. All former document remain valid, Ogun State Civil Service Commission and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

cal mosque in the capital of Islamabad followed a weeklong standoff between the mosque’s supporters and security forces.

The rearrest came after Musharraf had been granted bail in three other cases and his lawyer said on Wednesday he was cleared to leave the country.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLORUNTOBA: Formerly known and addressed as (Dr) Miss Oloruntoba Grace Olutope now wish to be known and addressed as (Dr) Mrs Bajomo Grace Olutope. all former documents remain valid.

General public take note

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A complaint against Musharraf in the Red Mosque case was registered last month on the orders of a judge. Police superintendent Mohammed Rizwan said Musharraf had been accused but not formally charged.

Musharraf, then head of the army, took power in a 1999 coup but was ousted CHANGE OF NAME

KOLEOSO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Koleoso Feyisara Mary now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oladipo Feyisara Mary. all former documents remain valid.

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by popular protests led by the country’s judiciary. He went into exile in 2008 but returned earlier this year in an abortive attempt to launch a political career.

His arrest broke a tradition that Pakistan’s powerful army chiefs are never arrested, even after they leave office.

Space For Sale CHANGE OF NAME

BOLAJI: Formerly known and addressed as Dr. (Mrs) Bolaji Fehintola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs (Dr.) Borisade Fehintola Bolaji. All former documents remain valid.

The Medical And Dental Council of Nigeria should please take note

OKEEKA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Magdalene Okeeka now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Magdalene Izehi Itoya. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

NWACHUKWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chika Glory Nwachukwu now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs Chika .E. Roland. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKUNOGBE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okunogbe Deborah Omoyemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Aigbogun Deborah Omoyemi.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME NNANA: Formerly known as Miss Oluchi Divine Nnana now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oluchi Udo Mba. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

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All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME MUSILI: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Folarin Musili Emiola now Mrs Folarin Mary Emiola. Former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and General public please take note

PUBLIC NOTICE

GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr.Fulfilment Oluwole, 2. Mrs.Fulfilment Precious Abiola, 3. Elder Nweke-Richards Nwabudike Aniemeka 4. Mr.Oluwafemi Jesutola 5. Mrs.Olaoye Florence.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

To propagate the gospel of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent of Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

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NEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH IN NIGERIA RETIREMENT OF A TRUSTEE AND APPOINTMENT OF A NEW TRUSTEE The public is hereby notified that the above named church has proposed the appointment of a new Trustee as a result of the retirement/resignation of one of the existing Trustees.

THE TRUSTEE WHO HAS RETIRED /RESIGNED IS:

1. Apostle Charles Ohemeng Johannes THE PROPOSED NEWLY APPOINTED TRUSTEE IS:

1. Apostle Augustine Rotimi Any person(s) having objection to the Appointment of new Trustee should forward such objection to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission.

P. M..B 198, Garki, Area 11, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TUNDE ONAKOYA Esq. Messrs Segun & Segun Legal Practitioners

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Niger SURE-P recruits 1,656 youths in eight months PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

T

he Niger State Government said it had engaged about 1,656 youths in the last eight months in various areas of human endevours under the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P).

The break down shows that 520 were recruited as sanitary assistants, 486 as Forest Green Guards, while 300 were trained in fisheries, fattening and other agricultural-related practices.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Green Guards in Minna, the state capital,

Governor Babangida Aliyu noted that the initiative was conceived to enforce the forestry/wildlife laws that have over time been flouted indiscriminately by people with serious consequent on the environment.

While calling on the 25 local government areas of the state to support the guards to effectively discharge their responsibilities, he said: “Soon, there will be no more forest burning, tree cutting and illegal hunting. We have more progarmmes under the SURE-P that we believe will be of great benefit to the unemployed youths in

the state.”

On the recent warning of a serious draught that may be experienced by at least 10 nations, Governor Aliyu said though he did know the names of the nation, he would not be surprise if Nigeria is one of them.

He said: “I know Nigeria may be among the countries and if it is there, for example, the northern Nigeria will be more affected.

Therefore, we need to act fast on the issue of our environment.”

Earlier, Niger State Director General of SURE-P, Nuhu Hassan, said that the 486 Green Gaurds drawn from 10 local government

areas were to ensure the preservation of the forest by making sure that those who earn their living through degradation of the environment were forced out of business.

Aside, he said the guards would also contribute in intelligence gathering to complement effort by security agencies to enhance protection of lives and property.

According to Hassan, N178 million had been earmarked for the payment of the guards salaries and allowances between now and the time they would be absorbed into the state civil service in January 2015.

He said: “The youths

were drawn from 10 local government areas mostly threatened by encroachers, illegal loggers and hunters.

The other 15 local government areas will be covered in the second batch which will commence next year.”

NBA offers free legal services to inmates in Katsina JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

T

he Katsina State branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) says it has commenced providing free legal services to some prison inmates.

Addressing journalists yesterday, NBA chairman, Mr. Murtala Kankia, said the free legal services were mainly for those that “cannot afford to engage the services of lawyers.”

Kankia said the move was part of association’s effort to decongest the 11 prisons scattered across the state.

“We have directed all our members to provide free legal services to all inmates that cannot afford services of lawyers,” he said.

The NBA chairman said several inmates had bene-

fited from the association’s free legal services, adding that some inmates had been discharged by various courts within the last three months.

He said the association was worried with the congestion of prisons as a result of inability of inmates to engage lawyers that would defend their cases and set them free.

“We visited all prison centres in Katsina and one of the major complaints we received was that many of the inmates cannot afford the service of lawyers and they are victims of long trails,” Kankia said, adding: “NBA is working with other stakeholders to decongest prisons and that a forum consisting of the state’s chief judge, Justice Abdullahi Yusuf, is currently treating cases of inmates that have overstayed while awaiting trial.”

Yero pardons nine prisoners A ZA MSUE KADUNA

School children at the launch of the 2013/2014 statewide enrolment drive campaign on girl child education in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Canada, FG unveil new health agenda for Bauchi, Cross River MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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he Canadian Government and the Federal Government yesterday unveiled a new health initiative to transform health of the people of Bauchi and Cross River states.

The project known as Nigeria Evidence-based Health System Initiative (NEHSI) was the first practical approach to demystify health challenges in Nigeria.

The six-year-old project, jointly carried out by the Federal Government; the International Development Research Centre, IDRC, Canada; and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), aims at providing individual homes in the two states with basic practical and evidencebased information required for improved health system,

comprising prevention and management of diseases.

Launching the project in Abuja, Acting Head of Development Cooperation, High Commission of Canada, Mr. Pascal Medieu, said the project demonstrated the power that health information could have in the hands of local, state and federal governments. This, he stated, to include power to design policies and deliver services that are based on evidence and respond to identified needs.

Medieu, who was represented by Second Secretary, Canadian High Commission, Lisa DeMoor, stressed the initiative would ensure better health for communities in the two states, while mothers and young children would benefit more from the project.

He said: “Equally powerful have been the results achieved by feeding this information back to the local

level. As we have just seen, local leaders, community groups, and households have used this information to identify needs in their own communities, and to take their own actions to improve maternal and child health.

“However, while the results released today demonstrate meaningful progress, it is clear that there are ar-

eas where greater attention is needed to improve health outcomes.

“The contribution of the NEHSI project in crystallising and drawing our attention to these issues is clear, and serves as a challenge to all of us to focus our efforts to ensure the health of mothers and children throughout Bauchi and Cross River.”

K

aduna State Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has pardoned nine prisoners serving various jail terms as part of the activities to commemorate Nigeria’s 53rd Independence Anniversary.

In a letter sent to the state Solicitor-General, Yero approved the release of the nine convicts as recommended by the Advisory Council in exercise of his powers under Section 212 of the nation’s Constitution.

Beneficiaries of the governor’s prerogative of mer-

cy are in four categories.

The first category comprises three persons with six months left to serve their jail term. The second category comprises two persons who were pardoned on age grounds. One was pardoned on ill health in the third category, while the last three were pardoned on special cases.

In a statement, the Director General of Media and Publicity to the Governor, Ahmed Maiyaki, named the pardoned inmates as Ubale Umar, Sule Jibrin, Yahaya Mohammed, Ademola Apamisile, Shittu Oladele, Kolawole Ilesami, Suleiman A. Arogundade, Ali Sale and Daniel Vincent.

Yuguda pays medical bill of cancer patient

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overnor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has undertaken to offset the medical bill of one Adamu Ahmed, an almajiri with cancer of the eyes whose case was broadcast on the state-owned television station, BATV. The governor promptly released N1 million to the BATV management to liaise with the guardian of the 15-year-old Ahmed who has been wandering on the

major streets of Bauchi metropolis in the last four years with no help coming from any direction.

While presenting the money to the BATV management at the Government House yesterday, the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Bashir Uba Mashema, said the governor was touched when he watched the story and immediately directed that the money should be released

to facilitate the treatment.

Mashema, however, warned that the money should be used for the purpose of it was meant for.

He said the state government would closely monitor the treatment to ensure that Ahmed was medically fit.

While receiving the money, representative of the BATV management, Ibrahim Sani, thanked the governor for the gesture and assured that the mon-

ey would be spent for the purpose for which it was meant.

According to him, the gesture confirmed that Yuguda is the peoples’ governor.

“Governor Yuguda cares about the welfare of his people,” Sani said.

An elated Ahmed, however, thanked the governor for the gesture, praying God to reward him abundantly.

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Friday, October 11, 2013

IHEDIOHA: Formerly known as Miss Rita Ihedioha with F/NO 030291 now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Rita Obi with F/ NO 030291. All former documents remain Valid. Nigerian Police Force and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME ALIKA: Formerly known and addressed as Alika Nduka Joseph now wish to be known as John Joseph Angel. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OGBANI: Formerly known and addressed as Mr Bernard Martins Ogbani now wish to be known as Mr Bernard Martins Aniede. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME NWAOGWUGWU: Formerly known and addressed as Chimaobi Anoziem Nwaogwugwu now wish to be known and addressed as Chimaobi Anoziem Nwachukwu.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME OTUAGA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Abigeail Ufuoma Otuaga now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Abigail Otuaga Awoyomi. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME ADEDEJI: Formerly known and addressed as Mr Akinmoye Adedeji Isaac now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Akinmoye Ayodeji Isaac. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME ONYEABOR: Formerly known as Miss Ngozi Abigail Onyeabor now wish to be known as Mrs Ngozi Abigail Aniede. All former documents remain valid. ESUT, Enugu State University of technology and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME ADERINKOYE: Formerly known as Miss Aderinkoye Adenike Elizabeth now wish to be known as Mrs Omotayo Adenike Elizabeth.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OGUNSAN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Ogunsan Tokoni Haminat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Basil Tokoni Kenbo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OFFOR: Formerly known and addressed Miss Offor Stella Uzoma now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ude Stella Uzoma. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Caritas University, Enugu, WAEC, NECO and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME ONWUKWE: Formerly known as Miss Onwukwe Uchechi Betha now wish to be known and address as Mrs Adimchinobi Uchechi Betha. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OGUZIE: Formerly known as Miss Oguzie Chiwendu Sandra now wish to be known as Truth Chinemere Daniel. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME IWUAJUOKU: Formerly known as Iwuajuoku Miracle Udochukwu now wish to be known as Mrs Miracle Udochukwu Emmanuel.

All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

ADEOTI: Formerly known as Adeoti Bolanle Ayobami now wish to be known as Olawole Bolanle Ayobami. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AREMU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Aremu Oluwafunke Felicia now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alli Oluwafunke Felicia. All former documents remain valid. University College Hospital Ibadan and general public take note.

ADELOYE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Loretta Abigail Adeloye now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Loretta Abigail Reilly. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note

ONYEUKWU: Formerly known as Miss Onyeukwu Mercy Nene now wish to be known as Mrs Umeokanne Mercy Nene. All former document remains valid, Living Word Academy, and general public take note.

UFONDU: Formerly known as Miss Ufondu Ozioma Peace now wish to be known as Mrs Amuta Peace Ozioma. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME FALEKULO: formerly known and addressed as Miss Falekulo Doris Olufunke now Mrs AmosTautua Doris Olufunke former documents remain valid. Federal University, Oye Ekiti and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

OZEGBE: Formerly and addressed as Miss Ozegbe Maryanne now Mrs Ossai Maryanne, former documents remain valid.

General public take note

UZOMA: Formerly known as Miss Ikechi Sharon Chinaza now wish to be known as Mrs Uzoma Chinaza. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME FALADE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Falade Kafayat Olubukola, now wish to be addressed as Mrs Idowu Kafayat Olubukola. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ARODIOGBU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Herrietta Nwamaka Arodiogbu now whish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Herrietta Nwamaka Ubah. Former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME MUNIRUDEEN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Alimat O. Munirudeen now whish to be known as Mrs Alimat Babatude Bello. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AKINDELE: Formerly known Miss Akindele Bunmi Bukola now Mrs Adeyeye Bunmi Bukola. Former documents remain valid Power Holding Company Of Nigeria (PHCN) and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME IFEDIORA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifediora Gloria Raluchukwu now wish to be known as Mrs Beneth Gloria Raluchukwu. former documents remain valid.general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OWOLABI: Formerly known as Miss Owolabi Feyisayo Roseline now Mrs Ojo Feyisayo Roseline former documents remain valid Ekiti State Hospital Management Board and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME OJO: Formerly known as Miss Ojo Idowu Caroline now Mrs Mohammed Idowu Mariam.

Former documents remain valid Micro Finance Bank, Aramoko Ekiti and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME OJO: Formerly known as Miss Ojo Deborah Funke now Mrs Adedayo Deborah Funke former documents remain valid Hospital Management Board, Ado Ekiti and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME OLAFIAJI: Formerly known as Miss Olafiaji Idowu now Mrs Agbaje Idowu Esther former documents remain valid.

Hospital Management Board, Ado Ekiti and general public take note

ONYEKWELU: Formerly known as Miss Onyekwelu Gloria O. now wish to be known as Mrs Nwafor Gloria O. All former documents remain valid. Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board Awka,Orumba Niorth L.G.E.A. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME UZODINMA: Formerly known as Uzodinma Patricia now wish to be known as Mrs Uzodinma Patricia Obah .All former documents remain valid. The general public take note

PHILIPS: Formerly known and addressed as Celestina Kanene Okolie now wish to be known, called and addressed as Celestina Philips.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

EDENGENE: Formerly known as Miss Edengene Ebere and Onwa Favour Eberechukwu now wish to be addressed as Mrs Agbo Favour Eberechukwu. All former documents remain valid. UNTH and General public should take note.

KHADIZA: Formerly known as Khadiza Ahmed Now wish to be known as Khadijat Ahmad. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME ASAMU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Asamu Damilola Racheal Toyin , now wish to be known as Mrs. Aliu Omolola Racheal Toyin. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME HARUNA: Formerly known as Miss.

Abidemi Florence Haruna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abidemi Florence Bayode.

All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AYELEYIN: Formerly known as Miss Ayeleyin Faustina Folashade now wish to be known as Mrs. Fregene Faustina Folashade. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME OLADIPUPO: Formerly known as Miss Oladipupo Afolake Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adebayo Afolake Adenike. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank and general public take note.

OGUNADE: Formerly known as Miss Ogunade Abiola Olusola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Tayo Abiola Olusola. All former documents remain valid.

Ogun SUBEB, INLGEA, Ijebu Igbo and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME NNABUOGOR: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nnabuogor Gloria Egwoma now wish to be known as Tebekaemi Gloria Egwoma. All former documents remain valid. DESOPADEC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OGUNLEYE: Formerly known as Ogunleye, Anuola Joy. Now wish to be known as Babatope, Anuola Joy. All former documents remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta (MAPOLY), NYSC and general public should take note

NWOBODO: Formerly known as Miss Nkemdilim Celestina Nwobodo now wish to be addressed as Mrs Nkemdilim Celestina Whyte.

All former documents remain valid ESUT, Nigerian Law School, NYSC and general public note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Idowu Oluwatoyin Aina.

Examination body mistakenly wrote my name on my result as Idowu Oluwatosin in place of Idowu Oluwatoyin Aina.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME AKINRINDE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Grace Olubukola Akinirinde, now wish to be known as Mrs. Grace Olubukola Faleye. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENTS

LOSS OF DOCUMENTS

CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to inform the general public of loss of C of O 3/3/1376, power of Attorney 40/10/1539, Deed of Assignment 28/28/ 1545, Plot 108 Trans Ekulu West extension Enugu belonging to Mr. Nwobi Ositadimma Gabriel. If found contact Ministry of Lands Enugu.

This is to inform the general public of loss of deed of lease registered as 99/99/849, 17/2/1976 plot 16 Achara Layout Enugu Power of Attorney 4/4/1349 dated 19/12/1989 belonging to Mrs Roseline Okere. If found contact Ministry of Lands Enugu.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHRIST WAY ALL SOULS GOSPEL CHURCH The general public is hereby informed that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Prophet Moses Ademola Oladimeji (President) 2. Mrs Grace Omowumi Okunloye (General Secretary) 3. Mr. Seun Emmanuel Adenigba (Treasurer) 4. Pastor (Mrs.) Iyabo Mary Oladimeji (Member)

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ 2. To evangelize and plant churches worldwide 3. To prepare believers for God’s kingdom 4. To promote and enhance the spiritual growth of the members 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: MRS. GRACE OMOWUMI OKUNLOYE (GENERAL SECRETARY)

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNYEMI: Formerly known as Mrs Ogunyemi Rachael Olapeju, now wish to be known as Mrs Abioye Abimbola Rachael Olapeju. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Teaching Service Commission, Abeokuta and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE APOSTLE LIFE GLOBAL MINISTRY

Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part ‘ C ‘ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Apostle Ben Uzor 2. Evangelist Uleanya Ignatius 3. Mrs. Ogbonnaya Ebere 4. Obinna Kelechi Uzor 5. Mrs. Osuji Josephine Chibuzor 6. Mr. Obasi David Chukwu Ebuka 7. Mr. Nwafor Onyewa Felix 8. Mrs. Uzor Glory Chioma 9. Mr. Nzenwa Simon Peter

PUBLIC NOTICE

NEW AGE EDUCATION FOUNDATION

This is to inform the general public that the above Non- Govermental Organisation (N.G.O) has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part “C “ of the Companies and Allied matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Barr. Ihim James Chinenye 3. Engr Chike Emenike 5. Ihim Celestine Chidi 7. Okafor Augustine Ikechukwu

2. Ikechukwu Okoli 4. Barr. Benson Nwankwo.

6. Emmanuel Obijofor 8. Madu Edwin Ifeanyi.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. To provide University Education for the future leaders of our country in an environment that will make them conversant with moral and ethical component of human existence.

2. To encourage and promote teaching and research for the achivement of excellence particularly in the knowledge of science and technology,theology and Arts.

3. To provide opportunity for increased awareness of their socio- cultural heritage.

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.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

SIGNED: BARR ONYEBUCHI TONY. 08060669662.

1. To preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. To evangelize and win soul for Christ.

3. To plant Churches worlwide.

PUBLIC NOTICE

BOLU OWOTOMO EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Bolu Owotomo 3. Omokaro Okogho

2. Ganiyu Ogunlana 4. Kolade Gbadamosi

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote and support education and scholarly activities of the youth, poor, and needy through the award of scholarships where deemed necessary.

2. To initiate peace, development, and embark upon any meaningful projects aimed at generating employment or social interest for the development of the youth and the needy.

3. To render all forms of necessary assistance to the youth and the needy.

PUBLIC NOTICE

QUEEN PRECIOUS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Ms. Okon Precious Uduak 3. Mr. Samuel Akpan 5. Mrs. Thessy Whyte 7. Ms. Okon Comfort Michael 9. Mr. Solomon David Akpan

2. Mr. Effiong Peter Okon 4. Mr. Akpotohwo Christian 6. Dr. Joseph Jack Idem 8. Mr. Ime Okon Jimmy

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. To promote the general well-being of the African Child.

2. To be the mouthpiece of every African Child, especially the less privileged 3. To provide educational support to the African Child.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent of Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent of Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BOLU OWOTOMO

SIGNED: DE ULTIMATE SOLICITORS.

Friday, October 11, 2013

54

…263 in Nigeria’s delegation

JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

N

EAGLES SPEAK Shola Ameobi

“I worked hard to ensure that I’m fit for this game and I can tell you that I’m fully fit and happy to be here. I want to go to the World Cup with Nigeria, so I must make the sacrifice.”

Sunday Mba “I will continue to do my best and my game on the pitch will be my evidence.”

Sport

- SUPER EAGLES’ STRIKER, SHOLA AMEOBI

Eagles storm Ethiopia tomorrow

a d vance party met with officials of the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) yesterday, to verify reports that the EFF was determined to stop Nigerian supporters from going into the stadium with their drums and trumpets on match day.

EFF officials denied this.

A member of the advance party was quoted as saying, “Addis Ababa is quite busy in readiness for the meeting of African Heads of State and Government, and major hotels are fully booked.

But the NFF made arrangements much earlier and all members of the delegation will be catered for.”

53

I am sure Nigerians will smile after the game on Sunday. We are determined to ensure this

Antelopes will fall in Addis –Ogu

igeria’ss delegation to Sunday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup first leg eg play-off encounter between the he Super Eagles and Walya Antelopes pes of Ethiopia will arrive in Addis dis Ababa tomorrow morning.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) General Secretary, Barr Musa Amadu, disclosed osed yesterday that the Boeing 787 Jetliner, which has been chartered d for the trip, will depart the Nnamdi namdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 1.40am 0am on Saturday and touch down at the Addis Ababa Airrport minutess after 8am, Ethiopian time.

Ethiopia iss two hours ahead ad of Nigeria.

Amadu said the delegation would comprise 23 players, layers, four coaches, eight backroom staff, NFF Executive Committee members, mbers, officials of the National Sportss Commission (NSC), National Assembly mbly members, NFF management and some secretariat staff, stakeholders, ders, media representatives and members mbers of the Nigeria Football Supporters orters Club, all totalling 263 persons. s.

The NFF’s advance party of two persons has been een in Addis Ababa since Tuesday, working assiduously with officials off the Nigeria Embassy in Ethiopia to tidy up all arrangements for the delegation. elegation.

National Mirrorr learnt that the

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ethiopia gets new FA boss

T

he Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF) has elected Juneidin Basha as its new president to replace Sahilu Gebrewold.

Basha beat three other candidates for the top football job in the East African nation, winning 55 of the 101 votes at yesterday’s General Assembly.

Basha, a businessman, represented the eastern region of Dire Dawa.

He takes the job only

three days before Ethiopia host Nigeria in Addis Ababa in the first leg of the sides’ 2014 World Cup play-off on Sunday.

The return leg will take place in Calabar on November 16, with the aggregate winners booking their place at next year’s tournament in Brazil.

Ethiopia are aiming to make it to the finals for the first time in their history.

Glo wants 100 percent performance

S

uper Eagles have been enjoined to ensure victory over the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in the 2014 World Cup qualifier in Addis Ababa on Sunday.

Leading telecommunications operator and national teams’ sponsor, Globacom, advised the team to put in 100 percent perfor-

mance in the encounter to ensure total victory.

“It is a must-win encounter and we believe the Eagles can make it,” Globacom said in a statement in Lagos yesterday.

“We reckon that the Ethiopians have been talking tough about this encounter, but at the same time we wish to express our belief that the Eagles will rise to the big occasion and get the re-

sult in Addis Ababa,” the statement added.

“At this particular point, we do not expect that the Eagles will take anything for granted and specifically will play like the true African champions to overcome the Antelopes” Globacom called on Nigerians to keep supporting the Eagles with prayers as the team get set to conquer Ethiopia.

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Sport

Friday, October 11, 2013

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Canada 2014: Falconets host S’Leone Oct 26

T

Ideye marks subdued birthday

S

uper Eagles’ striker, Brown Ideye, turned 25 yesterday and as early as 8am, some of his relatives had arrived in the camp with cake for him to mark the day, but the player was not in the mood for muwch celebration as the game against Ethiopia beckons.

Ideye told Eagles’ Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, that the celebration will be sweeter if the Nigerian side triumphs by any margin in Ethiopia come Sunday, promising that if given a shirt he will justify it by scoring a goal.

Ideye’s teammates however surprised the Dynamo of Ukraine striker during lunch when they sang the happy birthday song for him and bathed him with water, wishing him many happy returns.

It was a surprise the striker least expected as Coach Stephen Keshi and other officials watched the hilarious scene.

he U-20 Women National Team, Falconets, will now play their Sierra Leonean counterparts in the first round of the African qualifying race for next year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals in Canada.

This, according to a letter from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is as a result of the withdrawal of Burkina Faso from the race to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014.

Falconets, who are already in a screening camp in Abuja, will host the first leg at the National Stadium, Abuja on October 26 before flying to Freetown for the second leg, which comes up on November 9.

Already, CAF has appointed Dayves Ross Leopoldina from Guinea Bissau as Referee for the match, with her compatriots Amancio Biague Deolinda and Gomes Mariza Antonio as Assistants Referees 1 and 2 respectively.

Fadouma Dia from Senegal will be Reserve Referee and Ghanaian Helena Williams is the Match Commissioner.

Tunisia ‘ll suffer–Song

C

ameroon midfielder, Alexandre Song, has said that the Indomitable Lions will give everything to ensure that they qualify for next year’s World Cup. The Lions take on Tunisia in a last round 2014 World Cup qualifying encounter in Rades on Sunday.

“Tunisia qualified by default, but they are still a great team with good players,” the Barcelona fringe player said.

“But it will not keep us away of taking our chances and trying to get a positive result out of this

encounter.

“We have missed two great continental competitions and we really want to make it up for it. We are going to give it all.”

Song, however, said the Lions could not solely count on recently returned striker Samuel Eto’o to guide them to victory, adding that only a collective effort from all 25 members of the squad will insure a place in Brazil next year.

“We cannot count on a single player. If we do it will be difficult,” he insisted.

Antelopes will fall in Addis –Ogu Portugal-based Super Eagles midfielder, John Ogu, in this interview with MTNFootball.com, says Nigeria will beat Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on Sunday How ready are you for your 10th international cap for Nigeria on Sunday?

I am fully prepared for the game.

How are you looking forward to the game?

It will be a great game, which we hope to win.

Having played at a major competition, the FIFA Confederations Cup, what’s on your mind as you prepare to face Ethiopia on Sunday?

FIFA Confederations Cup was a great experience for me.

My mind now is on the game against Ethiopia. We all want to produce a good result for our

nation.

Do you envisage a repeat of the game Eagles played against Ethiopia at AFCON 2013?

In football anything can happen. We are ready, anyhow it takes us to get the result we need on Sunday will be okay by us.

How did you strike the understanding with Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi in the Eagles midfield?

I simply played to the coach’s instructions.

To what would you attribute Eagles’ rise since January?

Firstly, God. We are united in the team like one family. The

hard work we have put in is also paying off.

What do you do at your leisure time?

I just relax and watch football on television.

What are your biggest dreams as a footballer?

My biggest dream is to win trophies for my club and the national team. I also want to play for a top club.

What do you have to tell your fans?

They should keep supporting the Eagles and I. They should also pray for us and always cheer us.

… SuperSport to beam match live

A Song

frica’s premier sports network, SuperSport, will broadcast the World Cup 2014 playoff between Ethiopia and Nigeria scheduled for Sunday in Addis Ababa.

The match will commence at 2.30pm Nigeria time spectacular pictures of High Definition live on

SS3HD and SS3.

The Eagles will be expected to maintain their prestige as champions after featuring with the best in the world at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil in June, while it will be another opportunity for Stephen Keshi to make history as the first Nigerian to qualify

two countries for the World Cup after his 2006 feat with Togo.

According to General Manager of SuperSport, Mr. Felix Awogu, the company will also deploy its top talent and crew to ensure perfect production that will complement the expected action on the field.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Friday, October 11, 2013

55

Win Window on Nigerian p players abroad

with IIKENWA NNABUOGOR ikenwa.nnabuogor@gmail.com

Paperwork delays Okpako’s Chippa debut

Uzochukwu

C

hippa United are yet to hand Nigerian midfielder Solomon Okpako a start as his credentials are yet to arrive. Okpako is yet to be fully cleared to begin a fresh start for the National Football Division (NFD) outfit since his sudden departure from Mamelodi Sundowns.

Chippa United were relegated from the South African top flight last season and the Capet Town side were eager for a quick return, hence their acquisition of quality players including Okpako and former Plateau United striker George Akpabio, who arrived on a season-long from Ajax Cape Town.

Okpako was without a club for a season after he disengaged from Sundowns following lack of first team

appearance. The 23-year old midfielder had only managed five appearances for Sundowns as he was declared surplus to requirements.

He would leave Sundowns at the end of 2011/2012 season and remained clubless before Chippa United gave him a new lease of life. He has been training with the club currently third on the log since mid-August.

Should his papers come through, he could be making his debut for the Chilly Boys who will be hosts to Thanda Royal Zulu on Sunday.

Okpako teams up with Super Eagles defender James Okwuosa and former GLO Premier League top scorer George Akpabio as the relegated side aims to return to top flight at the end of the season.

Obiefule apologises to former club

H

Uzochukwu shows class in Denmark F

C Midtylland of Denmark midfielder Izunna Uzochukwu says he’s waiting patiently for his time to show what he can do with the national team. The 23-year-old ace is putting up superlative displays for the table-topping side this season.

Uzochukwu, one of the highlyrated midfielders in the Scandinavian country is in the form of his life and has contributed immensely to Midtylland’s giant killing acts that have seen the Herning side brushed aside more illustrious clubs like FC Copenhagen and Brondby to maintain a stranglehold at the top of the log.

So pivotal has been his role for over four seasons since he was promoted from the academy that Midtylland have refused to let their most prized jewel go. The Danish press have also wondered why the Lagosborn star is yet to hit the big stage with his country.

Though Uzochukwu admits it’s a tough experience not playing for his

country but believes his time will come some day. The former Academy player, who was given the marching orders in Midtylland’s 2-2 draw against Vestsjælland on Monday, says he will continue working hard to attract coach Stephen Keshi’s attention.

“Everyone is wondering here in Denmark why I have been overlooked by the Eagles coaches but I’ve always believed my time would come,” Uzochukwu hopes.

“That will only make me to work harder and I can’t fail to do my part.

Every season since I was promoted to the senior team has been my best and I’m glad I have always lived up to expectation.

“I’ve always wished to play for Nigeria since I was playing back home in Nigeria and I think i’m inching closer to achieving my dreams.

“However, the fire still burns in me and considering how I play and what I have done in the Danish top league over the years, I think i’m nearing my destination.”

ibernian of Malta striker Obinna Obiefule has apologised to the fans of Mosta, his former club for scoring against them in the league game last weekend. The reigning Maltese Premier League record scorer came off the bench to score the winning goal in the 2-0 win last Sunday.

Obiefule, who suffered injury worries and made to play sparingly after recovery demonstrated his predatory instincts, scoring with his first touch after coming on in the added time as the game was only waiting for the referee’s final whistle.

Obiefule showed emotions for the club that gave him his biggest break in Maltese football and hardly celebrated as the fond memories of the club and their fans came flooding in his

Obiefule (right)

mind.

“I want to apologize to Mosta supporters, I didn’t say goodbye when I scored, I only said I’m sorry,” he cried on his facebook page.

“I can never insult or say goodbye to the club that made me what I am today, all the same I feel so happy for scoring for my club today.”

Incidentally, that was Obiefule’s season’s opener as the former Birkikara striker struggled to get back on the starting line up as the new coach Nisevic continued to rely on the partnership of Brazilians Tarabai and Jackson Lima.

The younger brother of former Super Eagles midfielder, Paul, scored his way into the history books by netting 34 goals last season to become the all-time top scorer.

Every game counts for Rosenburg – Chibuike

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osenburg of Norway midfielder John Chibuike says every game is very important for the title aspirations of his club as the Norwegian top league hits the home stretch.

Rosenburg are currently on second spot behind log leaders Strømsgodset, both on 53 points but better on goal difference, as both clubs are locked in a two-way battle for the title, with just four games left.

The former Rangers star, who jetted into France yesterday evening to celebrate his 25th birthday, reckons his side must not drop a point to beat Strømsgodset to the title.

Rosenburg missed the free scoring midfielder in their unimpressive goalless draw at home to lowly Honefoss last weekend, to lose top spot to their bitter rivals.

Chibuike was suspended for accumulated cards and was missing in the game they needed so badly to keep a touching distance to the league title.

“Strømsgodset are also favourites to win the title and we have to be on our toes to grab the title from under their noses,” Chubuike warns.

“It’s not going to be easy for both clubs but we are working so hard to win all our last four games now.

“We don’t to lose any point now, we have to work hard to win all the games and grab maximum points and hope Strømsgodset lose points to actualise our dreams of winning the league title.”

The former BK Hacken star has fired in seven goals in 20 appearances so far this season.

WORLD RECORD

Oldest computer mouse

Vol. 03 No. 723

Friday, October 11, 2013

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Ban on ‘tokunbo’ cars

government that is in dire financial straits to the point that it no longer squares up with its financial obligations is bound to wallow in policy somersaults. Worse still, it might decide to play politics with critical decisions. But with 2015 as another election year, this writer would not want to believe that the President Goodluck Jonathanled Federal Government wants to play politics with its new national automotive industry policy that seeks to ban fairly used (tokunbo) cars, for the purpose, purportedly, of reversing, in just ten years, Nigeria’s status as a net importer of such vehicles. The minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, says cars worth $4.2 billion were imported into the country in 2010. By last year, according to him, the billed dropped slightly to $3.4 billion. Says Aganga: “Car imports are

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ngland captain, Steven Gerrard, yesterday denied texting Queens Park Rangers Manager Harry Redknapp to say he hoped the veteran coach would be appointed manager of the national team.

In excerpts from Redknapp’s autobiography which have been published this week, Redknapp wrote:

N150

The computer mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart (USA) in 1964. He was awarded a US patent for it in 1970. It was described in the patent as an ‘X-Y position indicator for a display system’ and was nicknamed a mouse because of the resemblance of the wire to a tail.

FRIDAY WITH Dozie Okebalama

dozieokeama@yahoo.co.uk 08164966858 (SMS only) almost head-to-head with machinery as the biggest consumer of our foreign reserve”. With the latest automotive industry policy, so-called ‘automotive clusters’ will be set up in Ogun/Lagos, Enugu/ Anambra and Kano/Kaduna states. The Nigerian Automotive Council (NAC) and owners of Toyota, Nissan and Honda were said to be part of the plan.

But as innovative and anxious as Aganga has been in making sure that the buck of Nigeria’s repulsive index on national development does not end on his ministerial desk, it would seem the tokunbo-carban policy is off the mark. It is not only anti-poor, it is anti-people, especially Nigeria’s toiling middle class, that is if there is anything left of the middle class. Aganga did not say much about what informed the policy. All he smartly did when the media broke the news of the ban was to deny that the FG had, indeed, resolved to ban fairly used cars. He says: “This policy will not result in the banning of the importation of vehicles in Nigeria but focus on promoting investments in affordable made-in-Nigeria vehicles that will in future minimise the importation of vehicles.” But he was quoted, and one believes he was quoted rightly, as saying that what the FG had done was ‘to raise tariff on the importation of such vehicles’ (emphasis mine). Now, a popular proverb in where this writer hails from says: if you string a rope round a goat’s neck, or you pull the goat’s neck

NO SANE PERSON BANS WHAT HE OR SHE NEEDS BUT CANNOT PRODUCE.

into a rope, you succeeded in doing just one thing, which is tying a rope round the goat’s neck. If no ban is placed on tokunbo vehicle importation, but an outrageous tariff is placed on imported tokunbo, can ordinary Nigerians afford tokunbo cars? Is it not the same as banning the stuff ?

But before the government consummate its blunder, it needs to be reminded that ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo’s government, in January 2002, banned tokunbo vehicles that were five-years-old post date of manufacture to ‘promote investment in local (vehicles) production’.

The ban was lifted almost immediately in response to negative public reaction to the policy. It was obvious that the country lacked the capacity to promote or sustain the early realization of or self-sustenance in vehicle production. Nor does it have any comparative advantage in producing vehicles within a short space of time, like the 10 years the Jonathan government is now mouthing as the reason for making exactly the same mistake the Obasanjo government made in 2002.

Before the rhetoric of local production of vehicles in 10 years is taken too far, how-

ever, the FG may need to explain to Nigerians what happened to Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited (PAN), Kaduna; Volkswagen of Nigeria Limited (VWON), Lagos; Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company (ANAMMCO), Enugu; Styer Nigeria Limited (SNL), Bauchi; National Truck Manufacturers Limited (NTML), Kano and Leyland Nigeria Limited, Ibadan.

But before the FG comes up with its explanation, it may be necessary rewinding what Professor Pat Utomi, one of the chief executives that presided over Volkswagen of Nigeria, said about the outfit. In one of his published comments on the fall of the car plant, Utomi was quoted as saying: “First of all, Volkswagen had no chance in hell of surviving the Structural Adjustment Programme and I said so the very day I was hired by the company… When I arrived Volkswagen, SAP… was being introduced in 1986. I said to them, if your adjustment programme is a serious programme, this company is dead on arrival… The other point that anybody who is thinking should think of is that manufacturing has collapsed in Nigeria across the board. We are not talking about Volkswagen. We are talking about every sector of manufacturing”.

Utomi said Volkswagen of Nigeria would not make it, and that even if it was determined to survive; the uncompetitive environment in the country would not permit it. Has that situation changed? If so, in which areas – infrastructure, regular electricity supply, steel development or manufacturing, etc.? How did the government treat the first mad-in-Nigeria-car initiative of Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu several decades ago? It’s quite unfortunate that those advising the government in virtually all sub- sectors, including power, rice production, and now automobile, prefer placing the cart before the horse. But in the tokunbo-car-ban instance, the FG would only enrich corrupt customs officials. Period! As for the vehicles, they will always come because no sane person bans what he or she needs, but cannot produce.

Sport Extra Gerrard distances self from ‘Redknapp-for-England’ claim “All the senior players seemed to be up for me to get the job.”

“I got quite a few text messages at the time from players like Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry saying they would

love me to manage England.”

But Gerrard, who spoke ahead of England’s vital World Cup qualifier against Montenegro today, disclaimed the text.

“I didn’t text Harry Redknapp’s personal phone, I have

never had his personal number.

“But I am a big fan of Harry’s and close friends with Jamie his son whom I sent to give my best regards to his dad and that if he did get England job, we would back him. No more, no less.”

GerrardMusa

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