March 1, 2016

CBN urges bank customers to report arbitrary charges Tola akInmuTImI

Emefiele

Vol. 6 N0. 1318

In its relentless efforts to curb arbitrary transaction charges by Deposit Money Banks, DMBs, and

other banks in the country, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday urged bank customers not only to insist, but persist in demanding that their respective banks give them

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

N676m NIS job scam

Buhari woos Qatari business community

good service and at affordable charges.

The apex banking institution gave the charge ahead of a planned boycott of banking services Continued on Page 2>>

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Court remands Abba Moro in Kuje Prisons •EFCC moves Badeh to Lagos over NIMASA fraud

Doosuur Iwambe AbujA

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ustice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday ordered that former Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, and one F.O. Alayebami, facing N676 million money laundering fraud charges, be remanded in Kuje Prisons.

They are to remain in prison custody till Wednesday, March 2nd, Continued on Page 2>>

Former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, being arraigned at the Federal High Court over 2014 tragic Immigration Recruitment Scam in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

NDDC contractors abscond with N70bn –Auditor I won’t stay a day longer than necessary –Sheriff

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JAMB urges candidates wearing hijab to submit to security check

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NNPC, marketers move to end fuel scarcity P.6

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Court remands Abba Moro in Kuje Prison CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

when their bail application will be heard.

The judge, however, ordered that former Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Anastasia Nwobia, who is a nursing mother, should continue to enjoy the administrative bail earlier granted her

by Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions, EFCC. Justice Chikere gave the order after Moro and the three accused persons pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge, bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, procurement fraud and money laundering, preferred against them

by EFCC. Moro was arraigned alongside Nwobia, Alayebami and Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited, while another suspect, Mahmood Ahmadu, is said to be at large.

The accused persons were alleged to have contravened the Public Procurement Act No. 65 of 2007 in contract awards by not following the necessary procedure laid down by government.

According to EFCC, the award of Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, recruitment contract to Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited had no prior advertisement and assessment, while a procurement plan was not carried out.

The anti-graft agency added that there was no budgetary provision for the recruitment exercise in the 2014 federal budget; hence, applicants were made to bear the responsibility of funding the project without the approval of the board, contrary to section 22(5) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission Act, 2000.

Parts of the charges read: “That you Abba Moro Patrick, Anastsia Daniel Nwobia, F.O Alayebami, Mahmood Ahmadu (at large) and Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd. on or about the 17th of March, 2013 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with the intent to defraud, conspired to induce a total number of 676,675 Nigerian job applicants seeking employment with Nigerian Immigration Service to deliver property to wit: cumulative sum of N675,675,000, which sum money represents the N1,000 per applicant under false pretence that the money represents e-payment for their online recruitment exercise into

the NIS and which pretence you knew was false contrary to section 8 &1(1) (b) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, No 14 of 2006.

“That you Abba Moro Patrick, Anastsia Daniel Nwobia, F.O Alayebami, Mahmood Ahmadu (at large) and Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd. on or about the 30th of April, 2013 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did award contract for the provision of online enlistment and recruitment services to Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited without advertising the contract contrary to section 25(1) and punishable under section 58 of the Public Procurement Act, No 65 of 2007.

“That you Abba Moro Patrick, Anastsia Daniel Nwobia, F.O Alayebami, Mahmood Ahmadu (at large) and Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd. on or about the 30th of April, 2013 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did award contract for the provision of online enlistment and recruitment exercise into the Nigerian Immigration Services to Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited without advertising the contract contrary to section 45(2) and punishable under section 58(5) of the Public Procurement Act.65 of the 2007 and punishable under section 58 of the same Act. “That you Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd. and Mahmood Ahmadu (at large) on or about the 17th of March, 2015 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court converted the sum of N202,500,000, part of the sum of N675,675,000,

L-R: Vice President, Ansteel Group Corporation, Yu Zisu; Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi; Deputy Director, Anyang Group International Trade Corporation, Li Fushi; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Assistant President, China Railway Construction Corporation, Chen Xiaoxing, during the minister’s meeting with executives of some Chinese firms in Abuja, yesterday. obtained from the 675,675 Nigerian job applicants seeking employment with the Nigerian Immigration Service to buy property at No.1 Lahn Crescent, Maitama, Abuja which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds form part of the proceeds of the unlawful activities and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15 (2) of the money laundering provision Act 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act. It would be recalled that the conduct of the recruitment test in March, 2014, led to the death of no fewer than 20 applicants, while many others were injured

in stampedes in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Minna.

Meanwhile, EFCC, yesterday, told Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that it had moved former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd), to Lagos State for investigation in connection to fresh allegations linking him with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Management Agency, NIMASA, scam.

The anti-graft agency was responding to an application filed by counsel to Badeh, Mr. Samuel Zibiri, SAN, asking the court to grant him bail on self-recognition or on such favourable and liberal terms as

the court might deem fit.

The application was brought pursuant to section 35 (4) of the 1999 Constitution and sections 158, 162 and 165 (1) (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

Justice Tsoho has fixed March 4, 2016 to deliver his ruling on the application.

Earlier, Zibiri in moving the application submitted that his client voluntarily went to EFCC office in honour of its invitation on February 8, 2016 and was subsequently detained after several hours of interrogation and being compelled to write a bulky statement.

He added that his client had been in the custody of EFCC since then.

Zibiri further submitted that the alleged case, which his client was invited, was ordinarily bailable, adding that there was no reason for, or any likelihood that his client would jump bail, escape from justice, interfere with witnesses or investigation upon his being granted bail.

But in opposing the application, counsel to EFCC, Cosmos Ugwu, said the court sitting in Abuja had no territorial jurisdiction to grant the application since Badeh was in the custody of the Commission in Lagos.

He also informed the court that the applicant was being investigated on Continued on Page 5>>

CBN urges bank customers to report arbitrary charges CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

slated for today by Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria, CAFON, a non-profit making organisation, owing to perceived arbitrary charges by commercial banks CBN recalled that it had, in furtherance of its efforts to improve the efficiency and transparency of the banking sector, introduced radical reforms such as the rolling out of the cashless policy with a numbers of options in the electronic payment systems, including mobile banking, in order to drive the Vision 20: 2020 programme.

To achieve this, the banking sector regulator stated that it also enlisted

electronic and telecom service providers to ensure convenience and safety and also set up the Consumer Protection Debarment, CPD, saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that bank customers are not unduly short-changed by commercial banks.

According to CBN, while the regulators are doing their own bit, bank customers must not only insist, but persist in demanding good service and at affordable charges, adding that Nigerians should note that bank-customer relationship is personal and contractual and should seek for redress when shortchanged.

Noting that Financial

System Strategy, FSS, 2020 provided for the need to build a financial system that will power one of the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020, while the Payment System Vision, PSV, 2020 also emphasised a payment system infrastructure that will support such economy, CBN pointed out that the rapid transformation that followed the adoption of internet banking, electronic payments and the cashless policy were all aimed at making access to financial services and payment systems easier.

According to the bank, these services come at a cost because along the payment system value chain, there are investors in

switching, network, solutions providers, and so on which have to be paid for.

While recognising that there are globally acceptable ranges of charges for these modern services, some of which are articulated in its guide to banking services already made available to the public, it lamented that Nigerians are not determined to insist on or fight for their rights as they are always in a hurry.

It clarified: “Consequently, in order to ensure a mutual and beneficial bank-customer relationship, the CBN had issued guidelines on bank charges. The guidelines were widely circulated in order to ensure standards as well

as help bank customers make informed decisions regarding any perceived unjust charges.

“It therefore remains the obligation of the bank customers to ensure that they are not short-changed, no matter how small. In the event customers failed to stop their banks from cheating them, the CBN had again gone further to provide contact centre with telephone lines, email address to enable customers lodge their complaints with its CPD.” Citing its recent successful investigation of 6,000 complaints it received of unauthorised deductions that amounted to over N6.2 Continued on Page 5>>

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

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L-R: Redhot Promo Winners, Marcellinus Sedi; Ugorchi Chidi; Mamiyo Abisu;Communications Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Erhumu Bayagbon and RedHot Promo Winner, James Jondi, at the World’s tallest building, Burj Kalifa, during a special tour for winners of the just concluded Airtel RedHot Promo 3, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, yesterday.

Deputy Corps Marshal of FRSC, Mr Adekuye Ade (L), presenting a plaque to Managing Director, Ultimate Health Management Services, Mr Lekan Ewenla, during a courtesy visit by Ultimate Health Management Services to the Corps Marshal, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

L-R: President, Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr Abdul-Alimi Bello; representative of Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Mr Luke Abu and Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof., at the 37th Kaduna International Trade Fair Seminar in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Mr Christian Ohaa and Taye Ige at the Africa Business Conference of the Harvard Business School, at the weekend

National News

N1trn fraud: Reps invite EFCC, DSS, ex-minister, NRC, 27 contractors GeorGe opara and UbonG UkponG

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ouse of Representatives Adhoc Committee on Railway Contract Scam Probe has invited former Minister of Transport, Isa Bio Ibrahim, Department of State Security, DSS and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, over alleged misappropriation of N1trn railway contracts.

Others invited are Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and 27 contractors.

Those invited are expected to appear before the committee on Thursday to explain their various roles in the management of monies made available by the Federal Government to revamp the railway sector.

According to a source close to the committee, the DSS was invited to give a vivid account of

the recommendations it made to the office of the SGF concerning how the rail contracts were poorly managed between 2010 and 2014.

On the other hand, the SGF would explain to the committee what happened to the investigative report submitted to it by the DSS. The former minister, who took over from Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke in 2009 is expected to explain with valid documents as he allegedly signed the contract for the procurement of locomotives from General Electric (GE) valued at about N12.5bn.

The source further explained that it was during the reign of Mr. Ibrahim that the recently sacked Managing Director of NRC, Mr. Seyi Sijuwade was employed by the Presidency.

“So as you can see the man has a lot to tell the committee because he kicks started the whole

process in the first place,” the source added.

EFCC, according to the source will give the committee the full details of its findings on the rail contract scam.

“As for the acting MD of NRC, government is a continuum and he has to give account of what he knows

under oath and produce all the contractors.

“The contractors too must tell the committee all they have done with convincing evidence of the state of the contracts they executed,” the source added.

When contacted, Chairman of the Adhoc Commit-

tee, Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonnayinma, confirmed that the stakeholders have been invited and they will be properly guided during the investigative hearing.

He said efforts by the committee to reach the contractors before now proved abortive.

“I will always empha-

sise the fact that we are not out to witch hunt anybody provided your hands are not greased with locomotive engine oil laced with fraud.

“But once we unearth any ugly development no matter how highly placed the individual is, we must expose him,” he said.

Nigeria’s electricity need pegged at 50,000mw Chidi UGwU AbujA

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ermanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Jamila Shu’ara has said Nigeria needs over 50,000mw of power to effectively develop its economy.

Dr. Shu’ara, gave the hint while delivering the keynote address at a workshop on renewable energy in Abuja.

The permanent secretary, who spoke through a director at the ministry, Mr. Armayaw Korfi, stated that experience had

clearly shown that Nigeria must explore all possible means of expanding energy access if it must make head way in power generation, Stressing that for the country to take its position as a leading economy in the world, it must generate enough electricity to drive its socio-economic development. She said: “While the power requirement to drive Nigeria socio-economic development stands at over 50,000mw, we currently generate less than a tenth of that. Similarly, we are not able to make any lo-

cal contribution to the ethanol blending project, which was aimed at reducing emission from fossil fuel.

“Can we all imagine what economic development that would attend to Nigeria if we are generating about 20,000mw of electricity from renewable sources, or locally providing ethanol for E10 blending?

“Definitely, the economic landscape of this nation and its people will dramatically change. It is only then that we can confidently take our potential position in the world as a

leading economy.”

Shu’ara however noted that to translate the potentials of renewable energy sources in the country to mechanism of economic development, capacities must be built in Nigerians to identify, explore and manage the renewable options.

This, according to her, was why the one-day workshop was organised so that stakeholders could chart a way forward.

She said the ministry had identified the need to build necessary capacities in the renewable energy value chain.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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NDDC contractors abscond with N70bn –Auditor GeorGe oji AbujA

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uditor General of the Federation, AGF, Samuel Ukura, disclosed yesterday that after collecting N70 billion, some contractors working for the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, disappeared into thin air without any presence at sites.

This disclosure was contained in the Auditor General’s query to NDDC for the financial year covering 2008 and 2012.

Ukura also alleged that despite notifying the commission of the financial infractions on three separate occasions, NDDC failed to respond to the query.

The Auditor General laid this complaint yesterday at a public hearing called by the Senate Public Accounts Committee to look into the said query.

The Auditor General told the committee, headed by Senator Andy Uba that the blame for the infraction should be shared between the contractors and the management of NDDC. Uba, in his remark, wondered why NDDC management should not be sanctioned for the financial infractions.

He said: “The management of NDDC should explain why the contrac-

tors who were mobilised did not show any presence at the site.

“The management should also explain why appropriate sanctions should not be meted on it.”

In his response, NDDC Director of Finance and Supplies, Jimoh Adejule, explained that upon receipt of the query, the board engaged the services of a consultant to verify the claims by the Auditor General.

He said the report filed by the consultants showed that it was only N11 billion that was at stake.

The Auditor General, who stood his ground, wondered why the commission should further expend public funds to engage the services of a consultant when its engineers, who awarded the contracts and were supposed to supervise it, were still within the reach of the commission.

Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Mrs. Ibom Seminitari, assured the lawmakers of plans to unravel the perpetrators of the fraud, even though she said the alleged financial infraction took place before she took over.

Uba subsequently gave the parties one month to reconcile the differences and report back to the committee.

CBN urges bank customers to report arbitrary charges CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

billion as evidence of its determination to protect customers’ interests at all times, the apex banking institution stated that it had already compelled commercial banks involved in such arbitrary deductions to return same to customers.

It pointed out however that the various service providers who invested in different electronic and telecommunications platforms, which enabled safe and convenient financial transactions for bank customers should be entitled to equitable compensations as a reward for their services.

While restating its commitment to ensure that all parties in financial transactions are adequately compensated and protected, CBN stated that it was only fair that CAFON, in organising the planned protest take cognisance of value creation by the enablers of today’s convenient financial transactions process.

To create a better understanding about the dynamics in the banking sector, CBN urged members of the NGO and other advocacy groups to get involved in encouraging Nigerians to take complaints that are related to wrongful bank charges to the appropriate quarters.

Candidates for the 2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) being screened at the gate of their examination centre in Abuja, yesterday.

Court remands Abba Moro in Kuje Prisons CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

a fresh allegation linking him to the NIMASA scam and had been moved to Lagos.

He submitted further that Badeh was yet to fulfil the terms of his administrative bail which the Commission granted him after his initial detention.

It would be recalled that EFCC had over the weekend moved Mr. Badeh from Abuja to Lagos.

Reports have it that the decision to move the for-

mer Chief of Defence Staff to Lagos was motivated by a belief that he owned properties in the area.

A source told our correspondent that the commission was trying to trace some of the properties.

“We are trying to trace houses that belong to some of the military chiefs.

Apart from checking their bank accounts, we want to find out if part of the money for arms procurement was spent on those houses.

“Based on the outcome of our investigations, Ba-

deh may be charged to a Lagos High Court instead of Abuja,” the source said.

Badeh, who is being investigated in connection with the $2.1 billion arms deal scandal was said to have been confronted with some documents, including letters to the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), demanding the procurement of some military equipment.

According to reports, contracts totalling $930,500,690.00 were award-

ed by the military under the leadership of Badeh.

The money was said to be part of the $2.1 billion arms fund.

Badeh is also said to be answering questions on non-specification of procurement costs, absence of contract agreements, award of contracts beyond authorised thresholds, transfer of public funds for unidentified purposes and general non-adherence with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act.

Paying N5,000 stipend may create more problems –Okorocha rotimi Fadeyi

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mo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has said paying N5,000 to unemployed youths in the country could create more problems in the future.

President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier maintained a similar position during his visit to Qatar when he said instead of paying the stipend he would use the money to provide infrastructure and develop agriculture to provide jobs.

The payment of N5,000 monthly to unemployed youths in the country was one of the campaign promises made by the All Progressives Congress, APC, during the 2015 presidential election campaign.

However, speaking

with State House correspondents after meeting Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Okorocha said it would have been a great idea to pay the money but stressed that there are many other ways to redeem the pledge.

According to him, if physical cash is given, there is the tendency to mismanage the money.

He explained that it may even lead to a situation where men may marry more wives and engage in excessive intake of alcohol.

Okorocha said, “To be honest with you, it is a great idea, but there are many ways to give that support.

“Sometimes, it could be in cash, which has its negative challenges.

“Take, for instance, in

Imo State now, they used to do what they called ‘empowerment.’

They bought motorcycles and gave people N5,000 or N10,000. That is not my style.

“My style is to declare free education from primary, secondary to university levels. Nobody pays one naira in Imo State.

“The very poor people who had to face a lot of social inconveniences of school fees are no longer experiencing that. What has happened is that they have saved that money to produce further wealth.

“So, if you keep money through that system, it creates more impact than physical cash. Physical cash, sometimes, ends up in taking of beer and increasing the number of wives. Physical cash sometimes creates

more problems; so, it is great idea; we have to do it one way or the other as time goes,” he added.

Speaking on the anticorruption war of the Buhari-led government, Okorocha said corruption must be tackled decisively in order to ensure progress and development of the nation.

Also yesterday, Nasarawa State governor, Tanko Al-Makura, who also met with Osinbajo called on the Federal Government to improve power supply to his state because of its proximity to the seat of power, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. On the security situation in his state, AlMakura said his administration would continue to work hard in order to ensure peace and unity in the state.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NNPC, oil marketers partner to end fuel queues Chidi UgwU and ElO Ogwara

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igerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has stepped up collaboration with Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN and other downstream industry players to end the resurgence of fuel queues in some major cities across the country, especially Lagos and environs.

The NNPC in a statement

• Motorists lament scarcity in Delta signed by Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Ohi Alegbe, stated that it has secured the commitment of leadership of MOMAN for effective collaboration in this regard and assured that queues will disappear in the days ahead as supplies are ramped up across the country.

The corporation noted that to achieve this, truckout to filling stations in the Lagos area has been

increased from the regular 245 to 295 trucks per day (9.7 million litres), while truckout to fuel stations in Abuja from Suleja depot has been stepped up to 210 trucks per day (6.9 million litres) from the regular supply of 160 trucks.

The NNPC explained that similar increment in supply volume has been activated in Port Harcourt, Calabar, Kano and Kaduna areas to ensure seamless availability of petroleum products

across every nook and cranny of the country.

While appealing for understanding and support from members of the public, the NNPC assured that it was doing everything possible to end the prevailing challenges experienced by motorists, commuters and the general public in accessing petrol.

“Within the last 48 hours we have received six cargoes of petrol (270 million litres) and beginning from March

Participants at a town hall meeting to sensitise the public on Rights of the Elderly in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

Mark receives 6th certificate of return ObiOra ifOh ABUJA

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ndependent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has issued certificate of return to former Senate President, David Mark, for the sixth time.

The certificate was given to him at INEC headquarters by Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku, INEC National Commissioner, on Monday in Abuja.

Receiving the certificate, Mark said his victory at the Benue South rerun election was a renewed mandate to continue to serve God and humanity without blemish.

"In the current democratic dispensation, I am the only Nigerian till date who has contested senatorial election six times, won six times and received cer-

tificate of return six times.

"When I got the fifth one, it was a great record for me but when I got the sixth now, it is also a great privilege for me and I appreciate it.

"I want to assure Nigerians that I will do my work as a senator, representing Benue South.

"For the confidence, trust and love for me, I will continue to serve honestly with all my heart. My actions will be guided always by the fear of God," Mark said.

Mark, who commended INEC for the great work it was doing, however, advised that the electioneering should be less cumbersome to enable more qualified Nigerians participate.

Presenting the certificate to Mark, Nwuruku said the certificate was a confirmation that Mark won

the Benue South Senatorial rerun election according to the rules and regulations guiding the conduct of elections.

He reminded elected public officers that election was a process towards rendering

services to the society and making life much easier and meaningful to the ordinary man.

Also on the occasion was Prince Solomon Soyebi, another INEC National Commissioner.

1, we shall begin to receive one cargo of petrol every day (45 million litres),’’ the corporation stated.

The NNPC also announced that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has directed the full activation of an Intra-Ministerial Joint Monitoring Task Force made up of officials of Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, and the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, to ensure and enforce compliance to laid down rules and regulations governing the supply and distribution of petroleum products.

In Warri, Delta State, consumers, including marketers of petroleum products have bemoaned the incessant scarcity of products, especially premium motor spirit, PMS. This is coming barely a month after fuel stations around Warri and its environs, started selling PMS also known as petrol, at the approved Federal Government pump price of N86.50, after over a month-long hike of the product.

National Mirror observed that motorists have been enduring long queues and spending quality time daily at the few petrol stations where the product is been sold at N150, in the past two weeks.

Disclosing this yesterday in Warri, an independent marketer, who spoke in confidence, said the scarcity is due to the largest private depot in Warri, Matrix Energies, being out of stock.

According to the source, this situation has made distribution of products from

other depots inadequate and smaller depots, which still have products, have seized the chance to make extra profits by selling at exorbitant rates to marketers, forcing fuel stations to sell above official pump price.

It would be recalled that members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, in Edo and Delta states, went on a protest against the hike of ex-depot price by an oil depot in Oghara, Delta State.

"The situation is always like this each time Matrix Energy is out of stock.

There will always be this kind of scarcity. This is because they are the biggest depot here and without their input, the other ones can't meet the demands.

"The worst part is that, these other ones always want to exploit the situation by illegally inflating their ex-depot price, which forces us to sell above the approved pump price because there's no way I'll buy product for more than N100 per litre and then sell at N86:50," the marketer explained.

Meanwhile, the management of Matrix Energy has confirmed that its Quarter 1 allocation had been exhausted, but plans to restock.

Chief Operating Officer of Matrix Energy Limited, said the company however regretted the situation, adding: "It is true that we are out of stock, we exhausted our Q1 allocation and are working on getting new allocation very soon. I am sure things will be far better soon as we start selling again."

I won’t stay a day longer than necessary, says Sheriff ObiOra ifOh ABUJA

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ational Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has assured members of the party that he would not stay a day in office beyond the period prescribed by the constitution.

The chairman, who played host to Forum of Former PDP House of Representatives mem-

bers, said his tenure in office has been prescribed by the PDP constitution.

"I, Ali Modu Sheriff, a man of character and integrity, one who would live up to expectation and his promises, hereby announce to the world that under no circumstances will I stay in office beyond the period prescribed by the constitution of our party, PDP," he told his audience.

Sheriff, however, said he would set up Conven-

tion/Congresses Planning Committee of the party after consultations with organs of the party.

"In the light of the above therefore, I will announce the Convention/ Congress Planning Committee after due consultation with all organs of the party within few days from today and I assure all faithful members of the party that I would do everything within my powers to ensure I complete the processes of congress

before the expiration of my time in office.

"I will do my best within the period left and as it is humanly possible to complete the convention and hand over to an elected chairman," he assured.

Sheriff said that under his watch there will be no imposition of candidates, and there will no longer be impunity.

He promised to conduct congresses and convention that would stand the test of time.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Nigeria must nurture indigenous technology for national development –Onu Saidat alauSa

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inister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, says for Nigeria to lead other countries in Africa in search of economic prosperity and political stability, there is need for the country to lead by example by nurturing indigenous technology and creating a new technology as against being a mere destination for foreign technologies.

He said this yesterday while delivering the Univer-

sity of Lagos, Akoka’s 2015 convocation lecture titled, ‘Positioning Nigeria as the Technology Hub of Africa.’

According to him, this would help strengthen economic growth, promote selfreliance and self- esteem as well as strengthen the country’s competiveness in the global arena, thereby becoming the technological hub for Africa.

His swords, “Indeed as a nation, which the rest of Africa looks up to provide direction they should follow, we must

encourage the emergence of the requisite manpower equipped with necessary technological skills that would help improve productivity and move us away from being a consumer to a producer nation. I am confident that Nigeria can make the difference if we remain focused and determined in the new direction President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would want Nigeria to follow.”

He told the audience at the lecture that the Federal Min-

istry of Science and Technology was determined to help achieve these goals by first using technology tools to develop ideas in order to feed the nation and restore its self-confidence.

Secondly, “we need to discover, understand and venerate our past so that we can better appreciate the future; also it is important that we begin early to mobilise the citizenry toward appreciating the role of science and technology in nation building.

“It is also imperative for us

to teach our children, sciencerelated subjects in such a way that they can learn the subjects with greater ease because charity, they say, begins at home.”

Dr. Onu also said the ministry, as a measure to bridge the gap between research findings and product commercialisation, has initiated a novel programme of action aimed at encouraging the commercialisation of current and future research findings in Nigerian universities and research in-

stitutes.

He also said that it has become of critical importance to the nation in view of the adverse effect of the sharp drop in the price of crude oil to utilise science, engineering, technology and innovation to diversify the economy.

He said the time has come for Nigeria and Africa to rise up and use science, engineering, technology and innovation to efficiently exploit the enormous natural resources God deposited in Africa.

UBA Foundation tasks school children on reading

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BA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of pan-African financial services group, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has called on students to take a critical interest in developing their reading habits to improve their vocabulary, knowledge and understanding of events around them.

Ijeoma Aso, the Managing Director and CEO (MD/ CEO) UBA Foundation, made the call while flagging off this year’s edition of the “Read Africa initiative” a project of the UBA Foundation aimed at encouraging students across Africa to rekindle their interest in reading.

The flag off of this year’s reading series took place at the Dolphin High School, Ikoyi, Lagos where the students played host to a team of senior management staff from UBA to a reading a mentoring session.

The “Read Africa Initiative” is aimed at instilling awareness among students on the need to develop a passion for reading. Led by Ms. Aso, the UBA team took turns to read from a book titled “What Sunny saw in the Flames” by Nnedi Okorafor with the students.

“It is important that as students you develop a reading habit, not only for the purpose of studying to pass your examinations but also for pleasure and expanding your knowledge and vocabulary.” Ms Aso told the students. She also advised the students to create ample time to focus on reading to expand their knowledge of the world and their surroundings.

“I want to challenge you to also dare yourselves to read a

minimum of one book every month” she said.

Another member of the UBA team at the reading session, Mrs Bola Attah, the Director, Marketing and Corporate Communication, UBA Africa, also took the students through a mentoring session advising the students to endeavor to read different books to improve their versatility.

Citing an example from her own childhood, she said, ‘’I developed a passion for reading, particularly romantic stories. This really helped me in nurturing lasting impressions about life generally.”

The students expressed their appreciation to the UBA Foundation team for visiting the school and sharing their valuable time with the students.

Speaking on behalf of the students, Miss Adepeju Barakat thanked UBA for the kind gesture, promising that they will adhere to the advise and devote more time to reading.

At the end of the mentoring and reading sessions, the UBA team donated copies of the book ’ What Sunny saw In the Flames ‘ by Nnedi Okorafor and UBA branded school bags to all participating students at the session.

The ‘Read Africa ‘ Initiative is a project of the UBA Foundation geared towards improving the reading culture among young African students. First introduced to schools across Africa in 2014 (STATE THE YEAR IT WAS INTRODUCED NOT THE YEAR IT WENT TO AFRICA) the initiative has touched hundreds of schools across Africa with thousands of books by top African authors given free of charge to participating schools.

Scene of a clash between Okada riders and Apo traders leaving a vehicle burnt at Apo Mechanic Village in Abuja yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Collaboration, key to boosting Africa’s investment opportunities – Elumelu tola akinmutimi

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frica’s leading investment advocate and Chairman, Heirs Holdings, UBA Plc. and Transcorp Plc., Mr. Tony Elumelu, has harped on the need for improved collaboration and integration among stakeholders in Africa as a strategic option of increasing trade and investment opportunities on the continent.

Elumelu gave the charge at the weekend in Casablanca, Morocco, when he spoke on the ‘Role of the African Private Sector in the Continent’s Development and Regional Integration’ to a gathering of over 1,500 African business leaders at the three-day 4th International African Development Forum, which kicked off last Wednesday.

Organised by the Attija-

riwafa bank since 2010, this year’s forum is being held in collaboration with the Moroccan Government institution, Maroc Export with focus on ‘Agriculture and Electrification: Harnessing Energies’.

Elumelu at the opening plenary stressed that sustained investments in agriculture and energy can lead to and sustain economic transformation across the continent.

He said while the continent is united by geography, North Africa is increasingly counted as Middle East.

“I come here today to embrace my North African brothers and sisters and also my francophone brothers and sisters represented here. African unity should be about shared bonds and trade.

“As we grow closer, we will address the challenges

caused by our trade barriers. I believe in Africa, and I believe in the power of entrepreneurship to deliver the future we all want for the continent- a future of stability and prosperity, with sustainable energy and food for all!” the Africa’s leading entrepreneur said.

While stressing the importance of investments and of providing the right infrastructure for development across the continent, he noted that “the private sector has the capacity and must acknowledge and embrace its role in the development of our continent. “We have common challenges.

We need investment and we need development in Africa.

I decided that I needed to be here to participate in such a forward moving initiative. I call this Africapitalism.”

Africapitalism proposes that the African private

sector has the power to transform the continent through long-term investments, creating both economic prosperity and social wealth; a belief that he has been backed by launching the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme - a 10-year, $100 million commitment to empower the next generation of African entrepreneurs and generate $10 billion in annual revenue, creating at least one million jobs across Africa.

Participants expressed the hope that the forum would outline a roadmap for Africa’s investment, economic and business opportunities, as well as position the continent to attract long-term, viable investments in two of Africa’s most critical sectors - power and agricultural sectors.

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South West

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Veteran actor, Jab Adu dies at 83

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Traffic as a result of queue for fuel at Ikeja Along bus stop, yesterday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Oyo indigenes send fresh petition to Buhari over Alaafin

Kemi olaitan IBADAN

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ome concerned indigenes of Oyo town have filed a fresh petition to President Muhammadu Buhari, urging him to compel the police authorities to investigate the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III. The petition signed by the duo of Jacob Oluokun and Suleiman Ishola, was made available to journalists yesterday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

National Mirror learnt that the petition, titled “Unprecedented criminality, flagrant human rights violations, bomb planting, gunrunning and unresolved assassinations in Oyo town, Oyo State," was received at

the State House, Abuja, last Friday.

This brings to three the number of petitions sent to the State House, Abuja, in the last one year, as a similar petition was sent on January 26 and another to former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

The petitioners in the fresh petition, who listed other alleged complicity of the monarch in criminal activities in the town, expressed worry that many months after the court gave its order to investigate the Alaafin, the Nigeria Police were yet to comply.

“But because we believe the new government of Buhari will not be party to injustice, we petitioned the presidency," counsel to the petitioners, Abiodun AbdurRaheem, said.

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

The allegations are contained in a March 18, 2014, petition to the Inspector General's office.

The application for mandamus with the suit No: FHC/IB/CS/54/2014 was filed at the Federal High court, Ibadan, by the applicants’ counsel, Biodun Abdur-Raheem on July 16, 2014.

The petitioners, worried by the delayed investigation, had also petitioned the International Criminal Court “in a bid to further press for jus-

tice,” in which ICC has commenced its due diligence.

While claiming that Oba Adeyemi is not too big to be subjected to investigation as nobody is above the law, the petitioners alleged that murders were carried out by the Tobalase group, in which one of the group members, Mojeed Agbaje, had made confessionary statement.

Agbaje had deposed to an affidavit at the High Court of Oyo State, sitting in Ibadan, “confirming the contents of the video CD” which contains various activities carried out by the group.

"Your Excellency, our hope lies in the present wind of change and your personal incorruptible and fearless manner to ensure justice irrespective of who is involved,’’ the petitioners said.

How NASS intends to curb students' unrest —Famurewa Boladale BamigBola OSOGBO

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member of the Federal House of Representatives, Ajibola Famurewa, has revealed plans by the National Assembly to curb electoral violence through legislation.

The lawmaker said parliament has put necessary machinery in motion to also enact law to checkmate incessant violent protests and riots by students.

He condemned violent protest of students of Southern Nigeria Institute of In-

novative Technology, SNIIT, Ifewara, Osun State, where all the school buildings were set on fire by irate students.

The lawmaker representing Ijesa-South Federal Constituency of Osun State, who paid a visit to SNIIT Poly campus with former Minister of External Affairs, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, and member representing Atakumosa East/West in the state’s House of Assembly, Babatunde Komolafe, said students’ unrest on campuses was becoming unbearable, hence the need to make law to forestall future occurrences.

According to him, what the students of the institution did was a reflection of societal decadence and loss of family values, which usually result to poor upbringing of the students, adding that any well brought up student would not destroy property.

It would be recalled that SNIIT Poly students had during a protest against non-accreditation of some courses for the institution by the National Board for Technical Education, razed a building on the campus of the school.

Famurewa said, “There are many ways to address issues and seek redress than to embark on violent protest. I think it is high time we sat down and enact a law that would specifically address these issues so that such occurrence do not repeat again.

“What happened is a reflection of societal decadence. Generally, our attitudes and values have no meaning to majority of people again. We don’t have value again; maybe it is because of the way parents are now bringing up their children nowadays."

veteran thespian, Joseph Abiodun Babatunde popularly known as 'Jab Adu', is dead.

He died on Sunday at the age of 83 at his home town, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Adu, who was also known as "Bassey Okon" in the “Village Headmaster", an NTA drama soap created by the late Ambassador Segun Olusola in the mid-1960s.

Babatunde was born in Calabar, Cross Rivers State.

He attended Baptist Academy, Lagos, and St. Gregory's College, Obalende, in Lagos.

He continued his education in the UK. He studied Banking and Finance at the Westminster City College, London, where he graduated as an Associate of the Institute of Bankers (AIB).

Babatunde also enrolled for training in drama at Morley College of Drama, South London.

He produced and acted in most of his films like

"Adio Family", "Bisi, Daughter of the River" 1977, "Turning Wheel", "Cool Red’’ and “Countdown at Kusini’’, among others.

Reacting to Babatunde’s death, Mr Emmanuel Adejumo, a thespian and musician, told NAN that it was a sad development.

“It’s so sad that veterans are dying and we have not tapped from their resources enough.

“Adu contributed immensely to the growth of the theatre industry in the country.

“He played his part in the world; the film and the theatre industry will miss him.

“He has gone to meet his ancestors,” he said.

Another thespian, Tayo Oluwasogba, said: "a great hero has fallen”.

“He was one of my mentors in the theatre; he interpreted his roles well in his plays.

“May his gentle sole rest in peace as he continues to live on in the minds of his admirers and fans," he said.

Police parade ritualist with human head in Ibadan Kemi olaitan IBADAN

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yo State Police Command yesterday paraded a suspected ritual killer, identified as Kamoru Oladele, for being in possession of human head.

Police Commissioner, Leye Oyebade, while addressing journalists at the state’s police headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, on activities of the command in February, said a syndicate that specialised in selling human parts was arrested by the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the command.

He said, "The arrest was made possible after the squad received credible intelligence on their clandestine activities.

After two weeks of intensive investigation, leader of the syndicate, Kamoru Oladele, aged 50 years, was eventually arrested during negotiation to sell fresh human head for N30,000. When his house was searched, one smoked human skull was recov-

ered.

"The suspects, who engaged in this terrible business, had until now used human parts for different purposes, including rituals. During interrogation, it was revealed that the gang had esoteric slangs for different human parts. Such slangs were known only to the initiates. For instance, human head which was sold for N30,000, is called 'Agbon' (coconut)."

Oyebade stated further that the gang had its killer squad, which helped to hunt for victims who were eventually killed in cold blood and dismembered for sale.

The police boss said the unlucky victims are those that may have been declared missing by their relations.

Oladele, who confessed to the crime while speaking with journalists, also disclosed that their evil trade was carried out in their human abattoirs located in Amuloko, Ibadan and Kuta village, Osun State.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

WAle igbintAde

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ormer director-general of Nigeria Maritime Administration Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, has challenged the jurisdiction of Lagos State High Court to entertain the charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Akpobolokemi was arraigned alongside Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited, on a 13-count charge bordering on stealing of N754, 740,680 million, belonging to NIMASA.

South West

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

9

N754.7m fraud: Ex-NIMASA DG challenges court’s jurisdiction At the resumed hearing of the suit yesterday, Akpobolokemi’s lawyer, Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), told the court that he has filed a notice of preliminary objection dated February 12, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit.

In a five-paragraph affidavit in support of the application deposed to by one Felix Dickson, he argued that by virtue of the provisions of Section 251 (1) (a) and (3) of the Constitution, only a Federal High Court has exclusive jurisdiction over

matters and causes arising from, pertaining to and or connected with the revenue of the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies.

He stated that the provisions of section 251 (1) (a), (P) and (3) of the Constitution supercedes the provisions of the criminal code laws of Lagos State 2011 and those of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004.

“The High Court of Lagos State lacks the requisite jurisdiction to entertain criminal causes and matters arising from and or pertaining

to the revenue of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the administration or the management and control of the Federal Government or any of its agencies, by virtue of the provisions of section 251 (1) (a) (p) and (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended,” he stated.

Also, the fourth defendant, Governor Amechee Juan, through his counsel, Ige Asemudara, has filed a similar application.

In response, EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged

the court to adjourn the matter to enable him file a response to the preliminary objection.

The trial judge, Justice Raliatu Adebiyi, after listening to counsels, directed that the defense counsel who wants to challenge the jurisdiction of the court should do so before the next adjourned date.

Consequently the matter was adjourned to ‎March 9, for the hearing of the preliminary objections.

The defendants were arraigned on January 25, 2016, by the EFCC over alleged stealing of N754,740,680 belonging to NIMASA. They pleaded not guilty

the charges and were granted bail.

The defendants were alleged to have on or about May 28, 2015 with a dishonest intent converted to their own use N257,000,000 - money released for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme, VIMSAS. The defendants were further alleged to have with intent to defraud knowingly forged a document titled ‘Re: Request for Payment as Consultant for VIMSAS Administration Services,’ dated May 25, 2015 purported to have been issued by Aroward Consulting Limited.

ABUAD protest: Industrialist lauds Babalola’s stance on fairness Abiodun nejo ADO EKITI

C L-R: Head, Strategic Planning, Nexim Bank, Tayo Omidiji; Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Segun Awolowo; Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed; President, National Cashew Association of Nigeria, Tola Faseru and representative of Minister of Agric, Efuntoye Titus, during presentation of Recognition Award as Cashew Ambassadors at the National Cashew Festival 2016 in Ilorin, yesterday.

WAle igbintAde

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ustice Idris Mohammed of a federal high court sitting in Lagos has fixed April 11 to hear a suit challenging the use of a registered name ‘Capital Oil’ by Chief Ifeanyi Uba and his company, Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited.

Also sued along with Uba and his company is the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC. Directors of a registered company, Capital Oil Company, have in a suit filed by their lawyer, Chioma Okwuanyi, prayed the court for an order that continued use of ‘Capital Oil’ and Gas Industries Limited is an infringement on their rights and amounts to passing off.

The plaintiffs are also

hairman of Prosperous Group of Companies, Chief Abiodun Isinkaiye, has lauded the far-reaching decisions taken by the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, ABUAD, in the interest of majority of students who are innocent of the violent protest that rocked the institution recently.

Isinkaiye said the decisions, which included not closing down the institution,

Controversy over use of ‘Capital Oil’ …company files N1bn suit against Ifeanyi Uba, others asking the court for an order directing Uba and his company to pay them N1 billion as damages for the passing off and unlawful use and continued use of ‘Capital Oil’ as part of its name.

The plaintiffs claimed that it deals in petroleum products and became aware of the existence of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited owned by Uba when correspondences meant for the company were delivered to its office.

Consequently, the plaintiffs notified the CAC about the alleged error in registering Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited and that CAC thereafter directed Uba to change the name of his

company within six weeks, but the defendant refused to do so.

However, when the controversy between the two companies became intolerable, the plaintiffs sued the defendant to court.

The plaintiffs added that the suit was settled by a consent judgement, whereby Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited paid N100 million to the plaintiffs to remove Capital Oil from its name. However the money was refunded when it was discovered that the board of directors of Capital Oil Company was not carried along in the purported settlement which the company accepted.

Thereafter Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited sought the order of the court to compel the plaintiff to enforce the said consent judgement, but Justice Okechukwu Okeke, after reviewing the facts of the case, absolved the plaintiff of any breach of the consent judgement in the sense that Uba accepted the money refunded by the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs added that neither Uba nor his company, Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited, appealed the judgement.

Thereafter, the defendant agreed for N230 million as settlement, but they refused to make any payment.

The plaintiffs added that

sometimes in 2013, they received several calls from their clients, demanding to know how the company had been so much engrossed in huge indebtedness that led to the takeover of the management of the company by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria.

The plaintiffs added that in a letter to AMCON, it explains the lingering issues between the plaintiff and the defendant company but that AMCON did not reply Consequently, the plaintiff is now praying for an order directing CAC to cancel the Certificate of Registration issued to Uba and his company, Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited.

continuing with the first semester examinations and not imposing financial sanctions on all the students, have placed the university in a class of its own, which others should emulate.

The industrialist spoke in Ado Ekiti yesterday during a visit to the founder of ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola, over the students’ protest in which multi-million naira worth of properties were destroyed, saying “not closing down the school to ensure a stable calendar, which ABUAD is known for, is a wise decision for a leading university like this and to the advantage of serious students.

Isinkaiye, who lamented the extent of damage, said: “Although every business has its own risk, willful damage of infrastructure is generally a disincentive to investment. ABUAD is attracting a lot to Ekiti State.

So, we can only praise the courage of the founder, especially for putting this large scale vandalism behind him and moving on.”

The industrialist, who owns Prosperous Oil and Gas and Prosperous Hotels and Resort Centre, however, appealed to students in Nigerian higher institutions to explore proper channels to make their grievances or complaints known rather than engaging in destructive acts that portray them in bad light.

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South East

NASS considers hazard allowance for NEMA officials EmmaanuEl EzEh ENUGU

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n view of rising financial burden on the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, the National Assembly has advocated increased funding of the agency.

The House of Representatives committee on disaster and emergency preparedness, while making the call, assured NEMA of its continued cooperation and support in tackling disaster issues in the country.

It noted that for the agency to perform optimally, it needed the total cooperation of all key stakeholders, including the legislature.

Deputy Chairman of the committee, Hon. J.C. Ali Isa, told journalists yesterday in Enugu that such adequate funding was inevitable considering the disaster management challenge facing NEMA across the country.

The lawmaker, representing Balanga/ Billiri federal constituency of Gombe State, stated that as part of measures to encourage workers of the agency for

effective productivity, plans were afoot to consider payment of hazard allowance to them.

He said: "The National Assembly is committed to supporting NEMA, and that is why we are going to consider payment of hazard allowance to them."

Isa, who led other members of his committee to Enugu on a one-day oversight function to NEMA South-East zonal office, said the trip had afforded them the opportunity to identify most of the challenges facing the establishment in the region.

Addressing the contractor handling the ongoing multi-million naira NEMA office, he charged the firm, Peach Global Services, to endeavour to beat the December 31, 2016 deadline and to deliver the job according to specification.

In his remarks, SouthEast zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Ejike Martins Udeinya, stated that the visit by the lawmakers had rekindled their hope in the zone, adding that "this shows that the National Assembly has our project at heart."

Umahi promises better life for senior citizens aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

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overnor David Umahi yesterday stated his preparedness to establish a senior citizens’ club of 80 years and above in Ebonyi State.

Umahi disclosed this in Abakaliki while presenting staff of office and certificates of recognition to five new traditional rulers earlier crowned by their various autonomous communities.

“We have come to realise that there is need to set up a club of those from 80 years and above in the state. We have to take care of the needs of the aged such as paying their medical bills,” he said.

The governor charged the five traditional rulers to maintain peace in their various communities.

He promised to commence construction of the palace of the state’s chairman of traditional rulers’ council this April, assuring that his administration

would continue to look into the welfare of all the traditional rulers.

"The palace of the chairman we must start construction latest by April under direct labour.

“We are very much in a hurry to have that palace,” Umahi stated.

The five new rulers include Laz Umahi Nweze, an oil company senior staff with five masters’ degrees.

He was crowned last week as Eze Adu of Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area.

Others are Livinus Okorie Ugbo (Oso-Edda autonomous community), John Okpuru (Amaoffia), Edward Chukwu (Oziza) and Ibe Obani (Umuihe).

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Samuel Okoronkwo, explained that the traditional rulers met all the requirements by the constitution before they were installed by their various autonomous communities.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lassa fever kills boy (10) in Ebonyi aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

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bonyi State government yesterday confirmed the death of a 10-year-old boy (name withheld) killed by Lassa fever.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Umezuruike, stated this during a chat with journalists in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

He noted that the boy died after he was discharged from

the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.

Umezuruike described the incident as unfortunate, adding that the deceased was a day student of one of the primary schools in the state, from Igbeagu, Izzi Local Government Area.

The commissioner said the deceased’s parents were based in Abuja, adding that the report before them did not show the deceased traveled to meet the

parents recently.

He added that the boy, on being rushed immediately to the hospital on becoming sick, responded to treatment and was subsequently discharged by the hospital.

“Unfortunately, he died the same day he was discharged. His case was surprising because the hospital thought he was all right after being treated. But before he was discharged, we had already taken his sample which came out

positive,'' he said.

Umezuruike also confirmed that the case was the second Lassa fever case recorded in the state.

“The first was a student of Ebonyi State University and now the 10-year-old,'' he added.

He pointed out that his ministry has embarked on serious surveillance and contact tracing of close associates of the last victim to enable them contain spread of the disease in the state.

Pope Francis greeting a group of activists from the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), who are campaigning for secession, after they gathered at the Vatican on Sunday.

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nugu zone of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association, IPMAN, has threatened to shut down operations in Anambra and Enugu states over alleged harassment by the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR. Its chairman, Ikechukwu Nwankwo, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Awka that the planned showdown was to protest incessant harassment of its members by DPR officials.

The chairman accused NNPC officials of sabotage, saying they were in the habit of preventing marketers from procuring products at approved depot prices.

He called on the Federal Government to “probe, expose and punish unpatriotic elements in the organisation.

"We have been meeting on this issue of selling at

IPMAN threatens to shut down operations in Enugu, Anambra the approved price; DPR officials have been going to our members with security agents to harass them, charging them for one offence or the other.

"Anambra and Enugu states are the worst hit and we will shut down our stations this week, so they can service the people as much as they like.

"NNPC does not supply us products, so why will they send DPR to come and chase us around?

“Let them sell to us at the normal N77 cost price, then they will not need to enforce anything," he said.

Nwankwo called on Anambra and Enugu state governments to liaise with NNPC and en-

sure the right quotas to the states were supplied as the residents were suffering.

He maintained that if the depot in Enugu that had broken down for well over 11 years was repaired, it would reduce the pressure of supply to the zone.

Efforts to reach Ms Ngozi Okoye, Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano on Oil and Gas, were not successful as she had stepped out of office and calls to her phone were not picked.

In his reaction, Operations Manager at the Enugu office of DPR, Mr Ahmed Gwaran, said the agency was aware of the threat.

Gwaran said DPR and

the petroleum products distribution stakeholders in the zone, comprising Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states had met to forestall the action, which would have serious economic consequences on the lives of the people.

He, however, said the enforcement was a policy issue which would not be compromised, adding that the government price was sacrosanct and that the meeting would help to smoothen rough edges.

The marketers have always sold above the current approved N86.50 pump price in Anambra as the product sells for between N120 and N130 per litre.

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

11

Osun Assembly decries poor implementation of laws Boladale BamigBola OsOgbO

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sun State House of Assembly has decried the poor implementation of laws passed by Houses of Assembly in the country.

Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam, stated this in Ijebu-Jesa yesterday at a two-day workshop on legislative practice and procedure,

organised for members of the Assembly, saying, it is only laws the executive arm is interested in that are properly implemented.

In a statement issued by chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the speaker said it was very unfortunate that there are several bills that could improve the economy of

the states and the federation at large, which have been passed, but poorly implemented or not implemented at all.

“On the passage of bill, not minding the number, bills would only be passed for the sake of it if they are not being implemented.

“There are several bills passed in this country after legislators have put in their best, but are

not being implemented.

There are bills that can develop this state and Nigeria as a whole that are lying fallow,” he said.

According to the statement, the speaker, however, stressed that the assembly would be careful and do a thorough job before the passage of 2016 budget to ensure that a realistic budget was approved.

He said the present

cash crunch in the state and the country at large is responsible for the delay in the passage of the budget.

Explaining the rationale behind the training for members, the speaker reportedly said it is meant to enhance the capacity of members on the application of legislative rules and procedure as well as ensuring effective, robust and participatory legislative process.

In his lecture, a for-

mer clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr. Niyi Ajiboye, reportedly said lack of financial autonomy has been responsible for the failure of the executive to take the implementation of the laws passed by houses of assembly seriously.

He said if the Houses of Assembly are given autonomy, it would make them more efficient, and be able to hold the executive responsible for nonimplementation of laws passed.

JAMB urges candidates wearing hijab to submit to security checks

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Bayelsa retirees on a peaceful protest at the gate of Government House over non-payment of their benefits, in Yenagoa, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

oint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, yesterday said female candidates wearing hijab should submit themselves to security checks before accessing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, halls.

The board’s Head of Media and Information, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, stated this during an interview with the News Agency of

NHIS engages private hospitals, banks to ease health coverage marcus Fatunmole (AbujA)

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s part of efforts to achieve a healthy living and promote wellbeing for all people in Nigeria as contained in goal three of the Sustainable Development

Goals, SDGs, the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, yesterday, said it has concluded plans to engage development banks and private hospitals in 9,422 wards across the country to ease enrolment of people in the scheme.

Speaking at an inter-

active forum in Abuja with stakeholders in the scheme, acting executive secretary, NHIS, Mr. Femi Akingbade, said the decision became imperative following the determination of government to ensure every citizen of this country gets access to,

and enjoys benefits accruable from the scheme.

He said the plan considers the significant roles private health facilities play, and the impacts development banks could make in health care delivery.

Akingbade said there

Buhari woos Qatari business community

…promises to check obstacles to investment rotimi Fadeyi, AbujA

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President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the business community in Qatar that Nigeria would remove any impediment that could hinder investment in the country.

According to a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari spoke at a meeting with senior execu-

tives of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and some private businessmen in Doha on Sunday, where he said security was essential to prosperity and development.

“Nobody invests without first knowing how secure a country is. That is why we have placed high premium on securing the country, because you cannot effectively manage a country you have not secured.

“My party campaigned on three main planks: se-

curity, employment generation and anti-corruption.

“We campaigned on zero corruption, promising that we would run an accountable government and we are keeping our promises,” he stated.

Referring to the crash in the international crude oil prices and its effect on the Nigerian economy, Buhari informed his hosts that Nigeria was blessed with vast arable land for agriculture, and rich deposit of solid minerals in which

businessmen could invest and reap rich returns in a short while.

“Agriculture and solid minerals will mobilise youths for gainful employment. We have the capacity and do not need to import food at all.

“But we need to also tackle infrastructure deficit in power, transportation, rail, road and other areas. We will put together an articulated plan that would be discussed with you shortly, so that you can make investment decisions.

are 9,422 wards across the country, and that in each of the wards, there are private hospitals which could as well provide services needlessly sought in secondary and tertiary health institutions.

He decried the treatment of conditions such as malaria and maternalinfant-related ailments which are supposed to be treated by primary health care providers but are being taken to secondary and tertiary health institutions.

According to him, the new drive would reduce the trend, including the high rate of maternal and child mortality in the country.

The NHIS boss disclosed that there are already talks with development banks which he said would provide funds for some of the proprietors of the private hospitals to make the programme work.

Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos.

NAN reports that more than 1.8 million candidates, including the blind and prison inmates are participating in this year’s UTME, which commenced on Saturday, February 27.

A NAN correspondent, who went round Lagos metropolis, reports that more than 500 centres are also being used for the examination on Computer-Based Test, CBT, platform.

According to JAMB coordinator, National Headquarters Annex, Lagos, Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Okorie, the examination at the various centres in Lagos has so far not recorded any major hitch.

Okorie described the exercise as peaceful and seamless.

At the Dalewares Institute of Technology, Bode Thomas Road, Palmgrove, the examination started very early with the accreditation of candidates.

The Centre Supervisor, Dr. Aliyu Bakori, told NAN that so far the centre had recorded no hitch.

According to him, there has been no technical hitch since the examination began and candidates keep to their respective time for the examination, which holds in three batches.

Bakori warned candidates to keep to the rules of the examination in order to avoid unnecessary delay in participating in it.

He also spoke on female candidates who wear hijab to the examination centres, adding that JAMB is not against wearing of any particular dress.

12

North

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NCC receives N50bn from MTN

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igerian Communications Commission, NCC, yesterday said it received N50 billion from MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. as part settlement of the fine it imposed on the firm.

This was contained in a statement signed by Di-

rector of Public Affairs of the commission, Mr. Tony Ojobo, in Abuja.

It said the commission had also withdrawn the suit it filed against MTN. ``The official information to the commission to that effect was received from the office of the

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on February 29, 2016. ``The amount is an unconditional good faith payment on the basis that this amount will be applied toward eventual settlement agreement

for payment of the fine imposed by the commission. ``Where the ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and the company reaches a final resolution, the government’s team for the negotiations is being led

by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. ``MTN team is led by former U.S. AttorneyGeneral, and Head of Covington & Burling LLP, Washington DC, Mr. Eric H. Holder Jr,’’ the statement said.

It added that receipt of the amount and withdrawal of the suit are without prejudice to the final decision of government on the terms of payment being proposed by

the company.

The statement said on the basis of out of court settlement, the Federal Government team is expected to deliberate on the merits and demerits of the terms of payment of the fine imposed on MTN. ``This is due to its failure to deactivate invalid SIM cards as directed by the commission, thereby contravening the provisions of the regulation on SIM Card Registration,” the statement concluded.

Adamawa’s suspended lawmaker to know fate tomorrow LIVINUS MENEDI YOLA

A L-R: Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Nuhu Gidado; Governor Muhammed Abubakar; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai and AIG Zone 12, Mr Tunde Ogunsakin, during inauguration and Hand-over of Security Patrol Vehicles to security operatives in Bauchi, yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

Customs confirms death of 35-year-old alleged smuggler

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igeria Customs Service, NCS, Sokoto/Kebbi/Zamfara Area Command, has confirmed the death of a 35-year-old man, Shu’aibu Lawal, in a clash between its operatives and smugglers on Illela-Gwadabawa-Sokoto road.

News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reported that the comptroller of the com-

mand, Mr. Sani Madugu, confirmed this at a news conference in Sokoto yesterday.

Madugu said the deceased died as a result of gunshot wounds, resulting from an ‘’accidental discharge’’ by an operative of the service.

He said the “regrettable clash’’ happened when operatives of the service pursued some persons smug-

gling rice from Illela to Sokoto.

Madugu stated that all the officers present at the scene of the incident have been handed over to the state’s police command for further investigations.

The comptroller added that any officer found wanting upon conclusion of investigations would be severely dealt with.

Madugu also said an officer who was attacked by some residents of the area where the clash occurred, is lying critically ill at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

He stressed the need for the sustenance of the existing cordial relations between the service and its host communities in the command.

CJ plans community service centres to decongest prisons

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ederal Capital Territory, FCT, Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, has promised to establish community service centres to decongest prisons and encourage non-custodial sentencing.

Bello made this known at the inauguration of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee in Abuja, yesterday.

He said the centres would have beneficial and reformative effects on the character of convicts.

The chief judge, who is chairman of the committee, said the centres would be established in accordance with Section 461 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA. Bello added that the cen-

tres, which would be headed by court registrars, would oversee execution of community service ordered by the courts. ``When established, convicts will engage in services such as environmental sanitation, washing public places, assisting in the production of agricultural produce, construction, mining and any other services,’’ he said.

He described the Act as comprehensive, thorough and total, reformative and revolutionary.

According to him, the ACJA monitoring committee is a spring board for effective justice sector policy making approach to the administration of criminal

justice.

Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), said the committee is an important component of the Act. He said the ACJA stands solidly as a pillar of democracy, the rule of law and a revolution in the country, and enjoined all to embrace its provisions.

Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), said the committee is a great achievement toward the justice sector reforms as prescribed in Section 469 of the Act. ``All hands are on deck to work together to ensure that the monitoring of the Act is a success,’’ Malami, who is also the Minister of Justice,

said.

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, said the implementation of the ACJA would go a long way in making the society better and ensure speedy dispensation of justice.

damawa State House of Assembly yesterday said its member serving three months’ suspension has met the conditions set for his recall.

The Assembly had suspended Hon. Abdulrahman Abubakar Isa over improper conduct and dressing in November, 2015, following his row with fellow legislators.

He had in a press conference criticised the approval of some items for the executive in the 2015 budget.

The lawmaker went to court to challenge his suspension, and also through a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, accused the executive and legislature of fraud.

However, as the suspension elapsed, the lawmaker wrote to apologise to his colleagues and also withdrew the court cases and his pending petition before the EFCC. Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hassan Barguma, responding to the apol-

FCT police assure residents of adequate security

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ederal Capital Territory, FCT, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu, has urged residents of Apo and environs to be lawabiding and maintain calm as adequate measures have been put in place to forestall any act inimical to peace in the territory.

This was contained in a statement issued by the command’s public relations officer, ASP Anjuguri Manzah, yesterday in Abuja.

The statement said Inalegwu made the call following an early morning disagreement between two opposing groups in the area.

ogy said the suspended lawmaker has met the requirements set for lifting his suspension.

Barguma said clerk of House has received an apology letter from the member, as part of the requirements set for his recall, adding that the other conditions given him included withdrawal of his petition against the House at the EFCC. He explained that part of the actions being taken by the repentant lawmaker were the outcome of the discussions between him and principal officers of the Assembly.

“During the briefing with the principal officers at the Speaker’s office he was told to meet some conditions as requirement for his return. These conditions are an apology to the House and the withdrawal of the suits instituted against the House at the EFCC. “I think he has met these requirements and he will be invited to appear before the whole House in plenary where it would be deliberated and then a final decision will be taken,” Barguma said.

The Adamawa Assembly which sat yesterday adjourned sitting to tomorrow to entertain the matter concerning the suspended lawmaker.

At its sitting yesterday, the lawmakers acceded to a request by the Deputy Speaker, Sunday Peter, who is the chairman of the Budget and Appropriation Committee, requesting a three-week extension to enable the committee complete its work on the 2016 budget appropriation before the Assembly.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

SUPER TUESDAY

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

‘We’ll look at 2016 budget figure by figure’ 14

EmmanuEl EzEh ENUGU

T

he Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu, yesterday reserved ruling for Thursday March 3, 2016 on an application asking the court to set aside the judgment of December 7, 2015 which nullified the election of Senator Uche Ekwunife.

This development has added to the controversy trailing the Anambra Central senatorial election rerun .

The rerun is expected to hold on Saturday March, 5, 2016.

However, in event the application is sustained by the five-man panel of justices led

by Justice H. M. Ogunwimuji, the fresh election already scheduled by INEC may be put on hold.

This is also coming after a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja had ordered INEC to include PDP on the ballot for the coming polls.

The Appellate Court presided over by Justice A.H. Yahaya had last December ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conduct

Anambra central rerun: Anxiety as Appeal Court reserves ruling fresh election in the senatorial zone within 90 days after nullifying the election of Ekwunife on the basis of improper nomination and sponsorship by her party, the PDP. But dissatisfied by the judgment and following other judgments by Appeal Court sitting in Abuja as well as the Supreme Court to the effect that issue of nominations and sponsorship of candidates should not be entertained by the tribunal, Ekwunife had returned to the appellate court asking that the judgment ousting her from office be set aside insisting that allowing it to stand would amount to grave injustice.

However, at the hearing of the application, Counsel to Ekwunife, Alex Izinyon in his submission said the judgment ousting Ekwunife remained a nullity as the court lacked jurisdiction to look into the issue of nomina-

tion and sponsorship of her candidacy more so when the same court upheld the elections of Senator Andy Ubah (Anambra South) and Senator Stella Oduah (Anambra North) despite coming from the same “legal embryo”.

“The issue is that we are saying that the court of appeal having decided issue of nomination and sponsorship of candidate as the main issue nullifying the election of Ekwunife, they had no power or jurisdiction to go into that

area at all, therefore, if that’s the case, the judgment they have given relating to that is a nullity and should be set aside.

“We are not saying review it, we said they had no power to go into that one because that was the summary of the issue that was determined in that judgment. The other two senatorial districts came up and they were decided the other way round, why should it be an exception, they came from the same legal embryo,

same primaries, same political party.

“Therefore, there was no basis for that judgment against her; now we also said that since the issue has been settled even by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on the Taraba matter.

“When it is sponsorship and nomination, it’s a no go area for the tribunal and it’s been affirmed by the Supreme Court. So, this is the issue,” he said.

On the issue of 60 days

as provided in the Electoral Act as a period within which election appeal matters must be dispensed with, Izinyon said the issue at hand had nothing to do with election, insisting that “in law when the law says 60 days, it has to do with when you are doing election appeal proper. We are saying here that there is no issue about election appeal, The issue before the court now has nothing to do with election, we are not talking about 60 days”.

Abia senatorial rerun: Police commissioner sues for peace

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bia Police Command has urged political parties to maintain the peace as the state prepares for the rerun election to the Abia North senatorial seat on March 5.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Umuahia on Monday, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Joshak Habila, said that security personnel would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anybody involved in any form of electoral malpractice.

He said that security agencies had learnt from experience and would provide adequate security for all electoral officials as well as essential and nonessential election materials.

He said the police and other security agencies

had committed themselves to ensuring that nobody would bend the law.

“The message we are sending to the public is that they have the right to arrest anybody trying to disrupt the electoral process on March 5 and hand the person over to the police.

“We are going to be strict and there will be no compromise as electoral officers will go to the polling units when all the voting materials are given to them.

“Also on the election day, everyone is expected to remain in their polling units because we want to expunge the issue of invasion of polling units and collation centers,” he said.

He urged the parties to prevail on their supporters to shun violence and work to ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.

Former Senate President and PDP Senatorial Candidate for Benue South rerun election, Sen. David mark (right), receiving certificate of return from INEC National Commissioner, Amb. Lawrence Nwuruku, at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja yesterday. With them is the Deputy Director of INEC, Legal, Toyin Babalola.

WalE IbrahIm LOKOJA

W

orried by the lingering crisis rocking Kogi State House of Assembly, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP has appealed to the warring factions to sheath their swords and embrace peace for overall interest of development of the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by the State Secretary of CNPP, Mr. Ilyas Badanga, saying the executive and legislative should work together to move Kogi State forward.

The CNPP explained

Kogi CNPP tasks assembly on peaceful resolution of crisis that there is no gain saying in the fact that the dynamism, collective vision and single sense of purpose that greeted inauguration of new administration have been suddenly rocked in a rude wave of political storm which have attracted nationwide concern and even intervention of the National Assembly.

It also lamented that all stakeholders in the democratic dream project of Kogi State are deeply anxious

that the anticipated synergy and collaboration necessary to further entrenched democratic culture should not be truncated with irreparable adverse consequence on enviable goals.

“The CNPP is indeed at deep pains along with all major stakeholders and therefore make this clarion call essentially to all our honourable legislators in the House of Assembly to heed the pleas of all and sundry and immediately sheath

their swords and settle down to face daunting challenges of their legislative functions which have been paralysed and grounded to a halt to the dismay of government and the people of the state,” it stressed It disclosed that numerous matters are begging for legislative attention piling up everyday, saying that part of this is the passage of 2016 budget as well as the need to redress critical executive and labour matters.

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘We’ll look at 2016 budget figure by figure’ Hon. Gabriel Babatunde Kolawole is the lawmaker representing Akoko South-east/South-west Federal constituency in the House of Representatives. In this interview with OJO OYEWAMIDE, he speaks about constituency projects, delay in the passage of the 2016 budget and other topical issues. Excerpts:

associated with success story. Whatever we do today will come after us tomorrow. It is better to leave a camp that you think will spoil your name to a camp that is progressive. I think that’s what they have done. They want to be part of the progressives. There is nothing bad in that.

Can they be trusted?

If you don’t trust humans, you can’t trust God. If you don’t believe in God, you can’t believe in humans. There are some people that didn’t support me when I was campaigning for this position. But today, they are back in my fold. I trust them. Trust is something you build with time.

Somebody cannot just come to you today and you don’t trust him. You allow him to start the journey with you and along the line, you study him. I can’t draw a conclusion now. But I think they can be trusted.

Recently, there was a report that said the idea of constituency projects is a fraud. How would you react to this?

The idea of a constituency projects is not a fraud. Government cannot be everywhere. It has been the tradition.

They don’t give us the cash as members. All they do is that they put the money in the budget and when it is time, relevant government agencies will award the contracts.

Mine is to follow up and ensure that the job is done in my constituency. So, it is a way of getting to the grassroots.

Most of the projects you see in the villages and all over the place are constituency projects. So, it is not a fraud because we don’t even see the cash. What is important to us is that these projects are executed.

What’s delaying the passage of the 2016 budget?

We are having some issues with the budget at the moment. The executive proposal that came is different from what budget office sent to us. We have conflicting figures, we have conflicting items. Some people think they can continue with what they used to do before now. Just like I keep saying, the 16 years misrule of PDP cannot be corrected in just one year. It is still the same civil servants that we have in the system. Recently, some of the Director Generals were sent packing. Since that has been done now, we will have a more responsible and responsive civil service that will have the fear of God at heart and put the masses first.

As we speak, the budget is padded. We feel that it is not going to be business as usual. We are going to look at it figure by figure, look at it item by item. What they do is that they might put provision of office items up and come down and reframe the same items again and put another figure there. These are what we’ve been looking at. As a government that has people at heart, as a government that is ready to make sacrifices, as a government that has the political will to transform policies that are massesdriven into action, we won’t allow that.

We are giving all the support we can to Mr. President to make sure we get rid of the corrupt individuals from the system. Corruption starts from the budget. We can’t spend any money outside the budget. We’ve decided that we are not going to allow such. We will ensure only the projects that will benefit the masses sail through at the end of the day. We don’t mind how long it will take us. It is better to get it right than to rush it and get back to the old way of doing things.

A couple of days back, you moved a motion seeking investigation of an alleged $260m illegal contract by the National Petroleum Investment Management Services, NAPIMS, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. How far has the House gone about it?

The House has mandated its Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) and Public procurement to investigate the contract. We need to drastically reduce if not eliminate profligate use of the nation’s resources. This is the time to do that. As a country, we are currently facing dwindling oil revenue. NAPIMS reportedly granted approval for ESSO Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, to award four single source contracts for projects in ExxonMobil’s Usan Deepwater Project, at a total value of $260m without any form of ten-

Kolawole

As we speAk, the budget is pAdded. we feel thAt it is not going to be business As usuAl. we Are going to look At it figure by figure, look At it item by item. dering process.

NNPC is the most fraudulent government establishment that we have in the country. There are some areas we are looking into. Just like I stated earlier on, all these things started from the budget. There are many fraudulent activities going on there, though it still remains an allegation. It can be proven otherwise. But then, I know very soon we will be exposing their antics. Nigerians know that this is a government that is set to get rid of these corrupt elements Is Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s loyalists defection a plus or minus to your party?

It is a plus to the party. It is my personal opinion anyway. They are Governor Mimiko’s backbone and we know the positions they occupied before now, both at the state and the federal levels. There is nothing bad in people aligning with the party that they believe in or that they think has what the people need. Everybody wants to be

You were said to have sponsored an attack on an All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship aspirant during his visitation to your constituency.

Could you tell us your own side of the story?

I wouldn’t know why I was alleged. I was not in Akoko when the incident happened. I was in Abuja carrying out my legislative duties. I was called that our leader, Mr. Segun Abraham, was attacked and that my supporters were seen at the scene of the incident with the vehicle I gave to them. They were alleged to be responsible for the act. I asked my supporters the true position of things and I was reliably informed that the meeting took place peacefully.

At the end of the meeting, in their own usual manner, some community members were said to have demanded for money and that the governorship aspirant was not ready to play along with them. That was what led to the crisis that actually happened that day.

My supporters said they were not in any way involved in all of this, though some people saw the vehicle I gave to them where the incident happened. The vehicle is for the party, to ease transportation and promote APC in my constituency. What happened is very condemnable. I am a peace-loving person. I don’t support thuggery. I don’t breed thugs. So, it is an act that I don’t support, particularly that the event took place in my constituency. It is very, very unfortunate.

Myself and distinguished Senator Boroffice could not have been involved in this. We’ve been to other areas too where we were equally attacked, even before I became a Reps member. But we didn’t lay the blame on anybody.

These boys, you know the way they operate sometimes.

When they discover that an aspirant is coming somewhere, they want to go there and share from whatever benefit or money such an aspirant drops. I have not supported thuggery in anyway. What I have been doing is to look for ways to empower my people. You can go to my constituency and ask.

Even when I was contesting for this position, I did not attack my co-contestants. I won’t now because of Senator Boroffice attack anybody. Rather I will use my position to galvanize support for him. I will use my position to campaign for him and ensure that by the grace of God he becomes the governor of this state. That’s what I’ve been doing. I won’t support anything that will lead to crisis in this state.

Don’t you think things like this can affect chances of the party in the forthcoming guber election?

It cannot. To me, it is something that happens everywhere. It happens in Abuja. It happens in other parts of the country, even in Lagos where we have our leaders.

Recently, I even heard that in Akure South, the same aspirant, Mr. Segun Abraham, was also attacked there. He was made to give them money before he was even allowed to start the event. In Akoko, he did his campaign successfully. It was at the tail end that the boys demanded for money and they attacked him when he was not ready to play ball. So, it is something that happens everywhere. It won’t have any effect on our party. And as a matter of fact, if there is any issue, we have our internal mechanism which we use in resolving crisis.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

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A PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL MIRROR NEWSPAPERS

Oil wells: FG must resolve crisis between C’River, A’Ibom –CRUTECH alumni RichaRd Ndoma Calabar

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ross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) alumni association, Mr. Eyam Abeng, over the weekend charged the Muhammadu Buhari`s administration to find a lasting solution to the lingering issue of 76 oil wells ceded to Akwa Ibom State by the nation`s judiciary.

Abeng made the call in Uyo while speaking at the inauguration of Akwa Ibom State chapter of CRUTECH alumni, stressing that since the 2012 court ruling that ceded Cross River 76 oil wells to Akwa Ibom, things had not gone smoothly between the two states.

The head of the alumni association lamented that since the court ruling, the two states no longer relate like sister’s states as it used be but rivals states within the South-South region.

“After Cross River State which is the host state of our university, Akwa Ibom State has produced the highest number of graduates from CRUTECH. “This means that a large percentage of the work force in the two states are products of CRUTECH but despite this, the relationship between the two states collapsed in 2012 after the court ruling that ceded the 76 oil wells to Akwa Ibom.

“This has drastically affected development in both states but to resolve this, I want to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to find a lasting political solution to the issue,” Abeng maintained.

The alunmi president urged the newly inaugurated chapter exco to use their position to rebuild the relationship between the two states.

He expressed confidence in the leadership of both states to establish a robust relationship that will bring about good relationship and development.

L-R: Special Adviser, Media Relations, Mr. Francis Agboh; Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson; his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah rtd; Special Adviser, Security, Boma Spero-Jack and Special Adviser, Treasury, Revenue and Accounts, Timipre Seipulou, after swearing in new special advisers to the governor, at Government House, Yenagoa.

Dickson’s sister rescued after 2 months in kidnappers’ den

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ancy, the younger sister of Bayelsa State governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, has been rescued after spending over two months in the hands of kidnappers.

A statement issued on Monday by the Chief Press Secre-

tary to the governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said 26 year old Nancy Dickson was rescued on Sunday evening from her abductors without any payment of ransom.

According to him, “some of the kidnappers took to their

heels while others were apprehended following a tip off on their hideouts. The kidnappers were rattled and overwhelmed to forcefully surrender their kidnapped victim, following intense pressure mounted by the security agencies to track down

RichaRd Ndoma,

or federal levels, prefer to move substantial amount of money to public universities and to subsidise fees to students attending such schools even when such money end up in individuals’ pockets.

The professor wondered what was wrong if government, as done in other climes, also subsidise fees to students from their own states but studying at private universities which provide close attention to students.

“Why shouldn’t state governments give scholarships and financial support to students from their states, and private universities? Federal and state governments should do the same thing for their citizens even as they do so in their public schools? With the discrimination, where therefore is the citizens right? Where is the equity? If state universities are built it must be important for

all the potential students from such states to be given capacities to benefit; or complementary scholarship at private schools”, he argued.

According to him, private schools were facing huge funding challenge even though they were better equipped and provide more quality education with certainty to graduate students at due time.

He said that Nigerians do not appreciate private universities the way they ought to.

“They see it as a wealthy man’s business. That should not be the case. Private institutions should receive support and funding from many people, including government,” he said.

On the issue of cultism which has become worrisome to parents and school managers, the academic don recommended close monitoring of students by their handlers and teachers.

Private varsities protest discrimination by FG

Calabar

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rivate universities have raised the alarm over what their leadership said was discriminatory and harsh treatment by the federal government.

To this end, they are set to collectively forward a bill by way of protest to each of the state Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly for the matter to be well-addressed.

Vice Chancelor of Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Professor Celestine Ntuen, who spoke on the issue said: “We are facing discrimination from federal government. We are preparing our position paper to be sent to the state Houses of Assembly and National Assembly on Citizen Equity in Education.”

The academic don stated that government, whether at state

the kidnappers.”

While calling on the people of the state not to succumb to the demands of ransom made by kidnappers, Governor Dickson assured that plans were underway to amend the Bayelsa State Secret Cult, Kidnapping and other Related Offences Prohibition Bill 2012 to proscribe payment of ransom in the state.

He stressed that the Bill when passed into law, would go a long way in putting a stop to the incidence of kidnapping in the state.

Dickson urged the people of Bayelsa to take a cue from his personal experience with kidnappers when his aged mother was abducted in 2009 and efforts were made to secure her release without payment of ransom.

As part of efforts to stem criminal activities in the state, Governor Dickson said “a comprehensive security strategy would be launched soon to boost government’s policy of zero tolerance on crime and criminality.”

He therefore advised anyone or group of persons who indulge in the unwholesome practice to turn a new leaf as the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on any culprit.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CRSG plans to help develop business with solar energy

Fuel consumers, marketers lament scarcity in Delta

RichaRd Ndoma

Elo ogwaRa

Calabar

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ross River State government has expressed its desire to subscribe to the use of solar and other forms of renewable energy to power and drive small and medium scale enterprises.

This position was made known by the deputy governor of the state, Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu, when he received a delegation of stakeholders and representatives of other relevant agencies on climate change and environment issues led by the lead Advisor to the Government on Sustainable Development Goal, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, in his office.

Prof. Esu noted that that had become necessary especially in the rural areas in view of the high rate of carbon and other dangerous gases being emitted from the use of fuel and other sources of power which, according to him, were dangerous to both humans and the environment.

He commended the initiative of the project and pledged government’s total commitment and support to drive it to a logical conclusion.

Prof. Ivara Esu stated that the initiative would enhance business environment and boost the economic viability and fortunes of the people and restore the ozone layer.

In her presentation, the leader of the team and lead Advisor to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goal, Ambassa-

dor Nkoyo Toyo, explained that the initiative was to work with government toward attaining climate change objectives of the state governments.

She said the team which was put together to facilitate the project include media, Ministry of Climate Change and Forestry and Sustainable Development Goal.

Earlier in her remarks, the Commissioner for Climate

Change, Dr. Alice Ekwu, maintained that the solar and renewable energy was an alternative source of energy which would prevent and preserve the forest and the environment for the overall wellbeing and health of the people and for sustainable development of future generations.

Another member of the team, and representative of the German Foundation Blue-

L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Chris Abel; Archbishop of the Province, Most Revd. Ignatius Kattey, and President-General, Provincial Men Christian Association (PMCA), Mr. Amasenibo Pepple, at the 2nd session of the Third Conference of Ecclesiastical Province of Niger Delta’s PMCA, at Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Diocese of Ahoada, Rivers, yesterday.

PHOTO: NaN

…Govt to partner NATE over set goals

RichaRd Ndoma Calabar

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ross River State Commissioner for Works, Engr.

Dane Osim-Asu, has promised to partner the Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE), to provide quality services that will help the state government to achieve set goals.

Engr. Osim-Asu who stated this when the Cross River State chapter of the association paid him a courtesy call in his office said that one of his responsibilities was to build the ministry.

He observed that one way of achieving the objective was to partner with relevant professionals who would utilise their professional skills to enhance development.

The commissioner main-

ocean Nigeria, Lagos, Mr. Segun Adaju said if granted the go-ahead, the company had the capacity to light up the state with solar energy with durable components that would last for a good number of years.

The team collectively noted that Cross River State required such project with its peculiar position as a people whose forest is in the focus of the world.

tained that the Prof. Ben Ayadeled administration had placed emphasis on encouraging professionals to utilise their talents in building all projected areas and move the state forward, assuring the technologists that their services would be used accordingly.

He promised to work hard to ensure that other relevant professionals were also in place to help the ministry grow, as the development would not be limited to the Ministry of Works alone but the state and the nation at large.

He added that the Mechanical Engineering Department was already in place.

Speaking further, the Commissioner charged the technologists and other relevant associations to join hands and move the Ministry of Works training

school forward.

He promised to look into their request of having a place within the Ministry of Works to operate as state office.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Architect Linus Ovat, appreciated the association for the visit and assured them of the ministry’s willingness to partner them and transform the state to greater heights.

Earlier, the state chairman of Nigeria Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE), Elder Edet O. Willie, said the purpose of the courtesy call was to identify with the commissioner, discuss possible ways to partner the ministry and contribute their quota to achieving set goals.

Elder Willie noted that the Ministry of Works was the only

engineering public sector in the state where all professionals were practically working for the development of the state, adding that the NATE vision which was related to the vision of the Ministry of Works was focused at development.

Elder Willie appealed to the commissioner to consider them in terms of projects to enable them contribute their quota in developing the state, as well as assisting the association with an office within the ministry.

He noted that they were prepared to give the ministry and the state government maximum support to succeed.

Other dignitaries in attendance were the Director of Civil Works, Engr. Godwin Adie Akeke, Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical, Architect, Eric Akpo, amongst others.

Warri

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onsumers, including marketers of petroleum products in Warri, Delta State, have bemoaned the incessant scarcity of petroleum products, especially the premium motor spirit (PMS).

This is coming barely a month after fuel stations around Warri and its environs, started selling PMS also known as petrol, at the approved federal government pump price of N86.50, after over a month-long hike in the price of the product.

National Mirror observed that motorists have been enduring long queues and spending quality time daily at the few petrol stations where the product is being sold at N150, in the past two weeks.

Disclosing this yesterday in Warri, an independent marketer, who spoke in confidence, said that the scarcity was as a result of the largest private depot in Warri, Matrix Energies, being out of stock.

According to the source, this situation has made distribution of products from other depots inadequate and smaller depots, which still have products, have seized the chance to make extra profits by selling at exorbitant rates to marketers, forcing fuel stations to sell above official pump price.

It would be recalled that members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) in Edo and Delta states, went on a protest against the hike of ex-depot price by an oil depot in Oghara, Delta state.

“The situation is always like this each time Matrix Energy is out of stock. There will always be this kind of scarcity. This is because they are the biggest depot here and without their input, the other ones can’t meet the demands.

“The worst part of it is that these other ones always want to exploit the situation by illegally inflating their ex-depot price, which forces us to sell above the approved pump price because there’s no way I’ll buy product for more than N100 per litre that I’ll now sell at N86:50”, the marketer explained.

Meanwhile, the management of Matrix Energy has confirmed that its Quarter 1 allocation had been exhausted, but plans were ongoing to be restocked.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

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The real politics of corruption in Nigeria A LEX O SONDU ATAWA -A KPODIETE

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he history of Nigeria is replete with corruption and counterallegations of corruption both before and after independence. It is the height of hypocrisy for any Nigerian to be sanctimonious about the crusade against corruption (See my book on Financial Crimes Law and Fraud Management).

We should all know that even incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari has had corruption allegations leveled against him in the past. He was previously in government, but he is one of the few members of his executive council that have not been in power again since the return to democracy in 1999. In other words, collectively they all are responsible for the bad state of Nigeria. Whether they were elected or appointed. Actually, any politician that tries to absolve self of this responsibility will just be proving to Nigerians why we should not trust him/her at all. I am waiting for the day and for the politician that will step up and say “I am sorry, I was part of the problem as a current or former office holder.”

Our brand of democracy should be called kleptocracy. What has been happening in the news lately will make someone that just landed from the moon believe that corruption is the name of a political party in Nigeria. However, any intelligent Nige-

rian will admit that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) does not have a monopoly on corruption. We should just settle the matter now by believing that most Nigerian politicians are corrupt - it does not matter the political party they belong to. If you believe otherwise, then I feel sad for you.

Yes, the airwaves are filled with EFCC and ICPC arresting of politicians and civil servants accused of corruption. Will the EFCC or ICPC continue to be seen as tools to oppress the opposition as was evident during the regime of President Olusegun Obasanjo? The site of an opposition party spokesman being bundled to jail in handcuffs only lends credence to the belief.

A year from now, Nigerians will be looking to see how many convictions have the two overlapping anti-corruption agencies actually obtained.

Let us see politicians serving terms in prisons for looting the treasury.

In fact, we will be made believers if we see a member of President Buhari‘s cabinet convicted for corruption and incarcerated. No Nigerian will believe that all the politicians in the current Federal Executive Council are clean. Of course, we all “believe” the mantra that you are innocent until proven guilty. I will issue a challenge to the Presidency and any sitting governor to give me a list of their EXCO members and let me pick at least one member of my

THE EXPERTS SAY THAT TO FIGHT CORRUPTION, WE NEED…CLEAR POLITICAL WILL

AND DIRECTION;

AND…ACCURATE AND ACTIONABLE INFORMATION choice. By the time, we finish a forensic audit of their holdings within the past 20 years, the evidence of corruption will be clear. The same goes for the legislative and judiciary. Kleptocracy is what we are practising in Nigeria and our kleptocrats are very comfortable.

Kleptocracy is prevalent in Nigeria because it is institutionalized and it pays. We may pick on politicians and civil servants, but the truth is that corruption is everywhere. All facets of our society are affected. I lectured at a university in Nigeria and I witnessed it. So, the proverbial ivory tower is not immune. In fact, why do you think many professors are now in politics? Is it the police force, military, customs, immigration, hospital, transportation sector, church, mosque, or native doctors? I am unable to come up with a section of the country that corruption has not permeated.

A few weeks ago in Washington DC, I attended a talk organized by

United States Institute of Peace (USP) titled, ‘Money, War and Peace in the Hor n of Africa’. Also featured was the book by Alex De Waal called ‘The Real Politics of the Hor n of Africa’. The Hor n of Africa refers to the four countries in the easter n peninsula of the sub-continent - Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea. So, Nigeria is not included.

Nonetheless, while sitting there, I thought about the real politics of corruption in Nigeria because the issue of corruption is the same in the entire Africa.

The experts say that to fight corruption, we need two things. First is clear political will and direction; and second accurate and actionable information.

The world knows that moder nized sanctions and anti-money laundering tools such as U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Act and Section 311 of the Patriot Act work well. What is known as geographic targeting transaction has worked.

You simply look at those buying houses in Miami, Dubai, and London and ask those involved to report the transactions and the beneficiaries. If you follow this approach in Nigeria, you will easily trap and track may politicians and civil servants. Follow the money! However, some banks and real estate agents are in collusion.

Rev. (Prof.) Atawa-Akpodiete is a public affairs analyst.

The emerging Buharist and Jonathanian cleavages AKINTOKUNBO A ADEJUMO

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he German statesman and writer, Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, it was who said: “We are products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners of it.” In our dear nation today, it is appalling to know that Nigerians are polarised into two main camps, and they are founded on individualism, which most times border on ethno-religious lines and affiliations. For convenience I call the two camps the Buharists and the Jonathanians.

The Buharists are those who the supporters of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan derogatorily refer to as Nigerians who insist that President Muhammadu Buhari is a demi-god that can do no wrong in his singular pursuit of a corruption free society and better life for his fellow Nigerians. In short, the Buharists are those who believe in the singularity and sincerity of purpose of Buhari to set Nigeria on a different course from what she has been subjected to during the 16 ignoble and disastrous years of PDP rule.

The Jonathanians, again if I may hazard a definition, are those willing to swear by God that ex-President Jonathan was the best president Nigerians ever had, and thus should never have been voted out to allow a northern exdictator into power to continue to perpetrate witch-hunting and lies against the

16 years of PDP rule. They do not believe Buhari has a moral claim in trying to clean the country of the pathogenic and endemic corruption that has ravaged the country. They further believe that Buhari is a fraud only fighting a northern cause To me, the two terms are simply an exhibition and proof of our political immaturity as a people. For the 16 years PDP was on the saddle, who ever heard of such inanity being spewed on the streets? Were there ever Obasanjonists, or Yar‘Aduanians? Even during the six year-reign of Mr. Jonathan himself, there was never anything so hearable. This was probably as a result of the fact that the members of the ruling party then were the absolute rulers, who never for once thought they would be removed from power. In fact, they were so entrenched and invincible that they themselves were reminding their fellow Nigerians that they were going to rule Nigeria for 60 unbroken years; 940 years short of Hitler’s one thousand year Third Reich.

During that short-lived 16 years, the opposition in all the elections that took place in Nigeria, except 2015, were at best, noise-makers, and at worst, as clueless as the ruling party, PDP. They had no plans, no vision, and no focus, except to grab power, and then continue to do like the incumbent party was doing. Of course, they failed. The current president never had a chance, despite ap-

THE TWO TERMS ARE SIMPLY AN EXHIBITION AND PROOF OF OUR POLITICAL IMMATURITY AS A PEOPLE pearing thrice in two different political parties. There was no Buharist then of note, or wait a minute, I know a very few supporters of Buhari then – the current Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who was in the same ANPP with Buhari; a couple of my Igbo (yes, Igbo from South East Nigeria) friends in the UK, who have been die-hard Buhari supporters since 2007; and ah, of course, the current Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, who was the Oyo State flagbearer for Buhari’s CPC at the 2011 general elections.

I remember one of my first cousins who lives in Abuja and has always been what you can call a Buharist – that’s about it, at least as far as I know. Even me, I was not convinced of Mr Buhari’s possible success in winning an election in Nigeria, though I have always held him in the highest esteem mainly because of his anti-corruption antecedents, honesty, sincerity, patriotism and stoicism.

Was there ever a Ribaduist, that is, a person who followed Nuhu Ribadu of the ACN in the 2011 general elections? None that I can think of, or can you? Who else again from all the other charlatans and

clowns who call themselves political parties? The AD, Labour, ANPP, SDP, etc. some of who never even had presidential candidates in those elections and prefer to mortgage their conscience and ideals with the bigger parties?

So here we are in 2016 and the Nigerian social media are full of Jonathanians and Buharists. To most of them, that is what politics and democracy in Nigeria is all about. The so-called Jonathanians are bitter and vicious because their “hero” lost an election, the first time an incumbent, who planned an election conceded defeat. It is unheard of, and a lot of them cannot only bear it, they also refuse to come to terms with that political disaster. They refuse to accept that Mr Jonathan has had his chance, blew it, and can never ever come back to rule Nigeria again.

My advice to them is to start looking for a more credible hero, who will be able to uproot Mr Buhari from Aso Rock in 2019. The year 2015 is gone, together with Mr Jonathan.

To be concluded Adejumo wrote from Ibadan via akinadejum@aol.com Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs.

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

Editorial

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

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

Buhari on 2016 budget frauds

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he scandalous spectacle called ‘2016 Federal Budget’ proposal resonated a couple of days ago when President Muhammadu Buhari formally declared that the document was padded by entrenched interests.

Buhari spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in Saudi Arabia. “…It is very embarrassing and disappointing. We will not allow those who did it to go unpunished”, he said. The President had presented a budget proposal of N6.08 trillion to a joint Session of the National Assembly for approval on December 22, 2015; made up of N4.2 trillion (70%) recurrent expenditure and N1.8 trillion (30%) capital expenditure components.

The revenue projection was N3.86 trillion, meaning the budget was in deficit of N2.22 trillion, which the President originally hoped to finance with domestic and foreign borrowing to the tunes of N984 billion and N900 billion, respectively.

Initially, critics of the budget were mainly piqued by the budget’s deficit threshold and some expenditure heads generally considered as non-prioritised, frivolous or profligate. They included the N3.89 billion capital allocation for State House Clinic, when a paltry N2.67 billion was the capital vote for hospitals nationwide; the roughly N3.7 billion set aside for the purchase of vehicles for the Presidency, whereas the Presi-

dent was critical of the Senate for voting N4.7 billion for posh cars for its operations; N39 billion for the President’s local and international travels and transportation as against the N24.4billion voted for same in 2015; N362 million for Wildlife Conservation against N24.

6 million for the same purpose last year; and purchase of presidential canteen materials and kitchen equipment for N89 million in 2016 against the N83.1 million allocated to the sub-head in 2015, among others.

More revelations, nonetheless, emerged during budget defense sessions at the National Assembly.

The Senate discovered, for instance, that the sum of N10 billion was smuggled into the budget of the Federal Ministry of Education; while the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, bluntly said the document before the National Assembly as his ministry’s budget proposal was different from what originated from the ministry.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, likewise revealed that the provision of N398 million made for the purchase of computers for some of the agencies under his ministry was strange to him; while the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Usani Uguru, washed his hands off the allocation for his ministry. In one particular instance, the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation

March 1, 2003 The International Criminal Court (ICC) held its inaugural session in The Hague, Netherlands. The ICC is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal that sits in The Hague. It has jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The ICC is intended to complement existing national judicial systems.

A COUNTRY OUGHT TO BE WEPT FOR, WHERE AS MUCH AS 23,000 GHOST WORKERS CAN BE DISCOVERED; AND WHERE ONE CIVIL SERVANT ALONE COLLECTS SALARIES MEANT FOR

20 PEOPLE

uncovered N180 million double capital allocations to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) in the said budget; in addition to unveiling that NIMET earned revenue in dollars and remitted naira to the Federation Account without disclosing how much dollar it earned and at what exchange rate.

It was in the middle of the scam that President Buhari sacked the Director-General for Budget, Mr. Yaya Gusau, and announced his immediate replacement with Mr. Tijjani Abdullahi. The scandal has no doubt been a source of grave embarrassment to the Buhari administration and its zero-tolerance for corruption posturing. Same goes for the nation and its international image. It has by the same token also exposed the primitive conspiracy of the bureaucracy in consciously constructing corrupt loopholes for leakages and huge financial losses to the nation.

Who knows what would have

ON THIS DAY March 1, 2005 United States’ Supreme Court ruled that the execution of juveniles found guilty of murder was unconstitutional, marking a change in “national standards”. Colloquially known as “SCOTUS”, the court is the highest federal court in US. It has ultimate (and largely discretionary) appellate jurisdiction over all federal courts and over state court cases involving issues of federal law, plus original jurisdiction over a small range of cases.

transpired if there was no change in government; and if the National Assembly was to be less vigilant?

Indeed, reports indicated that a review carried out by the Efficiency Unit recently set up by the Federal Ministry of Finance to streamline government overhead expenditure between 2012 and 2014 revealed that on the average, 60 percent of Federal Government’s overhead expenditure got frittered away through local and international travels, maintenance, local and international training, welfare, office stationary and consumables, honourarium and sitting allowance, meals, refreshment and books, a development that is no less scandalous. Now at home with all these facts, public expectation is that the Presidency will not just relieve the culprits of their jobs, but carry out a diligent investigation on the activities of the thieving syndicates with a view to aggregating the level of harm they did to the system, plugging the leakages and then make them face the wrath of the law.

A country ought to be wept for, where as much as 23,000 ghost workers can be discovered; and where one civil servant alone collects salaries meant for 20 people, within the short period of time the Biometric Verification Number (BVN) has been in operation, as was revealed lately by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.

March 1, 2014 At least 29 people were killed and 130 injured in a mass stabbing at Kunming Railway Station in China. The 2014 Kunming killings involved a terrorist attack in the Chinese city of Kunming, Yunnan, on March 1, 2014. The incident which was targeted against civilians left 29 people and four of the perpetrators dead, with more than 140 others injured.

The attack was called a “massacre” by some news media.

Business

Tuesday, February 30, 2016

Airspace coordination procedures pact to aid travel safety –NAMA 22

Analyzing options open to African leaders in new urban agenda 24

Assessing manufacturing sector’s roles in FG’s economic diversification agenda

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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We’re creating enabling environment for businesses –Udoma 21 AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES Med-View Airline

Years of policy shocks as well as lacklustre approach to issues required to properly situate it as key to national development agenda have pushed the country’s manufacturing sector into the path of retrogressive performance for decades. Despite its current not-too-impressive scorecard, experts still see the panacea to Nigeria’s underdevelopment in the real sector which, they argued, should form the fulcrum of ongoing moves by the Federal Government to diversify the nation’s economy. , ABOLAJI ADEBAYO writes.

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here have been various cam campaigns for the diversification of the Nigeria’s economy among economic stakeholders, just as the government has not left anyone in doubt about its determination to change Nigeria’s fortunes in the face of the lingering whirlwinds in the international oil market by diversifying the economy’s base.

Never in the history of the country has the call for diversification been as resonating as now as the sagging oil prices continue its sapping grip on Nigeria’s fiscal purse, thereby compelling governments and major economic stakeholders in search of alter-

native sources of funding to sustain governance and economic activities.

The agitation for the economic diversification was high when the price of oil in the world market plummeted and the economy began nose-diving.

Agricultural sector has been the main target of the diversification, being the only aspect of the economy in which the country has comparative advantage, hence, the government since the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, has been trying to develop agriculture sector with introduction of various initiative schemes, policies and intervention funds.

Between August 2015 to dAte, MAn hAs presented, discussed And MAde recoMMendAtions on policy issues MilitAting AgAinst MAnufActuring growth to Mr. president, the Vice president, the cBn, nigeriAn shippers council, Ministry of industry,

trAde And inVestMent, Ministry of finAnce, nAtionAl plAnning coMMission And the nigeriA electricity regulAtory coMMission

But despite all the efforts by the government and individual investors geared towards revamping the sector through which the economy of the country could take its development status, no significant feat has been achieved. Economic experts believed that the government lacked the requisite skill and plan in diversifying economy.

They disclosed that government and the entire nation has not been ready for the diversification due to the government’s insensitivity to a particular vital aspect of the economy on which the agricultural sector would ride to achieve the goal of economic diversification.

According to them, agricultural sector alone cannot drive the economy in this century, without putting in place a standard operational manufacturing sector. They said the country would end up producing raw materials for the developed

country if it does not restructure its manufacturing sector to complement the agricultural sector for optimal productivity and sustainable economic growth.

They warned that this act would only complicate Nigeria’s foreign exchange as the country would depend more on importation of finished products since it is not able to add value to its own raw materials.

This stance was corroborated by the wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari when she made a remark during the launching of a local tomato paste producing company last week.

Buhari noted that the establishment of a made-in-Nigeria fresh tomato paste factory was an important move towards diversification of economy, which would relieve the country of its dependence on importation of tomato paste.

Apart from providing employment to the Nigerian youths and contributing immensely to the nation’s economic activities and growth, she declared that this would also encourage the farmers to increase their farming activities thereby developing agricultural sector.

The Managing Director of the company (Erisco Foods), Chief Eric Umeofia, said that the step taken by the firm, apart from saving the scarce foreign exchange, would compel Nigerians to embrace the locally made products, CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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

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

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Business News

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Assessing manufacturing sector’s roles in FG’s economic diversification agenda CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 which he said is better, healthier and more economically beneficial to the country and its citizens.

However, manufacturing sector has been the hardest hit for quite a long time by various socio-economic challenges, and the government has no been able to overhaul the sector.

The operationality of this sector has been continually jolted with various hitches, ranging from government policies, infrastructure, business environment, tax, incentives, and the like, which have forced many manufacturing firms out of the business while some others relocated to other neighbouring countries where they continued their operations.

The challenges to the manufacturing sector are enormous that the manufacturers keep lamenting on daily basis, seeking government’s apt intervention.

On various occasions, the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Frank Jacobs, warned that many manufacturing companies may wind up by the end of March this year due to the persistent worsening situation of the real sector as a result of restrictive policy hindering most of the manufacturers from importing their raw materials which could not be sourced locally.

Although, Jacobs agreed that the restriction of the items was in the right direction to some extent, he maintained that the policy has to be reviewed as some manufacturers were gravely affected by the policy, leading to their inability to continue production.

On Friday last week, a South African firm in Nigeria threatened to pull out of its Nigerian business as a result of this policy.

Apart from this, the MAN President also identified Nigerians’ attitude towards madein-Nigeria products as another factor constituting problems for the growth and sustainability of manufacturing sector especially the Small Medium Industries, SMI. He noted that the Association has been advocating for a home grown policy that would promote import substitution and patronage of made-in-Nigeria products, which have incidentally become government position. He however disclosed that much has not been done by the government on this policy in term of implementation.

He further disclosed that lack of infrastructure has persistently rendered the manufacturing sector unproductive, saying that most of the companies particularly those under SMI, found it difficult to cope the state of infrastructure in the Nigerian business environment.

Jacobs said that the Association has made recommendations to the government on what to do to strengthen the manufacturing sector in order to achieve government’s economic and industrialization goals.

He said: “Between August 2015 to date, MAN has presented, discussed and made recommendations on policy issues militating against manufacturing growth to Mr. President, the Vice President, the CBN, Nigerian Shippers Council, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ministry of Finance,

National Planning Commission and the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission.

“Some of these issues include strategies to fast-track Infrastructure Master Plan, proposed re-introduction of the Cargo Tracking Notes, Economic Partnership Agreement, exorbitant electricity tariff in the face of electricity inadequacy, and suggestions on how to diversify the economy through the promotion of non-oil export to mention few.”

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA has identified the low volume of credit to the real sector as one of the major factors retarding the growth of the manufacturing sector and as a result, affecting the development of the entire economy.

The President of the Association, Chief (Dr.) Bassey Edem, who bemoaned the rate at which the real sector is being supported in term of fund, noted that the credit to the private sector remained below five per cent as against the 25 per cent benchmark, adding that this was the effect of high interest rate on loan given to the manufacturers.

Edem also said that the capacity utilisation in the real sector continued to hover around 45 per cent, showing huge unutilised capacity.

Ananlysing the macro-economic indicators statistics for the last six months, he observed that the interest rate had remained double digit, hovering between 17 per cent and 28 per cent per annum as against the single digit rate expected by business operators.

He said, “The interest rate, which still hovers between 17 and 28 per cent is a major challenge to the business community in spite of the reduction of the Monetary Policy Rate from 13 per cent to 11 per cent.

“This has also reflected in the credit given to the private sector, which currently stands at N18.719trillion, which is only five per cent as against the 25 per cent benchmark.

“This trend may continue unless the Central Bank of Nigeria further reviews its MPR downwards and enforces some policies put in place to empower the real sector and ease access to low interest funds.”

Many members of the organized private sector, OPS, who spoke to National Mirror, emphasized on the business environment not conducive for investors, which was created by the high/multiple taxes; parlous state of infrastructure; and particularly, policy shock as a result of constant changing of policies by the government without the notification or involvement of the OPS. The Managing Director, Orfema Pharmaceutical Limited, a member of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Prince Orimadegun Agboade, who disclosed that corruption was another challenge against the growth of manufacturing sector, believed that if people could get things done in a right way, without

Enealamah

Jacobs

having to bribe and the business environment is friendly, which he said might not be all perfect though, the manufacturing sector would be on its right place to develop the economy.

He said, however, that a lot of manufacturers, who wanted to strive to survive in a normal way could not, while many of them eventually fold up.

“The environment is unfriendly; things are very harsh for the manufacturers. Not many people can say they want to do business in this environment in a genuine way and stand by it.

“Manufacturers provide everything for production and that is driving many out of business. So, if the environment is friendly and government gets things done properly, a lot of things will change for better. For instance, we have been teased on power supply for so long time, we were promised that before the end of last year, 6000mw would be achieved, but till now, it has not improved, instead, it continued to decrease, still we are billed for what we do not consume.

“Our manufacturing sector is dwindling; nobody wants to invest in manufacturing because government is not encouraging the manufacturers. For this sector to boost the economy, government has to encourage the local manufacturers in terms of policy and finance assistance,” he lamented.

Agboade added that the government has to take proactive action on the taxes levied the manufacturers. He said that apart from multiple taxes, the manufacturers were charged higher taxes not minding whether they made profit or they were at loss considering the business environment.

He advised the government to widen its

tax rate by empowering more people rather than increasing the tax rate and adding to the problems of the manufactures.

Although policies are essential for growth and to maintain standard in economy of the nation; it was also reported that uniformed changing of policies by the government posed a great challenge to the manufacturers. This is what they referred to as policy shock, claiming that it was difficulty for the manufacturers to switch from exiting policy to a new one, which they experienced often.

They lamented that the government did not involve the manufacturers in formulating most of the policies and that they were not even aware when the policies were made.

They appealed to the government to be more consistent in its policies especially those that affect the manufacturers.

Meanwhile, during his inaugural press briefing recently, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, disclosed that the current administration of President Mohammadu Buhari has started the difficult but rewarding task to restructure the nation’s economy by breaking free from the traditional dependence on oil and gas and in its place developing a diversified export base and a solid base of domestic manufacturing.

He said the government has been working to position facilitate businesses and investments in Nigeria by creating solid enabling environment.

“When we say ‘Enabling Environment’, we mean one in which it is progressively easier to do business, policies are predictable and consistent, the government acts as a partner to business and investment, not a competitor or adverse regulator, and in which there is macro-economic stability,” he explained.

He further said that the ministry would soon be unveiling a number of important initiatives aimed at addressing Nigeria’s consistently poor performance on various Global Competitiveness and Ease of Doing Business Indices. He added that the concrete initiatives would focus on dismantling the many obstacles that stand in the way of business and business innovation in Nigeria.

Our manufacturing sectOr is dwindling; nObOdy wants tO invest in manufacturing because gOvernment is nOt

encOuraging the manufacturers. fOr this sectOr tO bOOst the ecOnOmy, gOvernment has tO encOurage the lOcal

manufacturers in terms Of pOlicy and finance assistance

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Business News

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

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We’re creating enabling environment for businesses –Udoma Tola akinmuTimi

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he Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, has restated the commitment of the present administration to improve the nation’s investment environment as a strategic option of attracting more investments into the economy and encouraging private businesses to thrive.

Udoma gave the assurance when hosted members of the Nigerian Association of commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, during their courtesy visit to his office.

A statement by the Ministry’s Director, Information, Charles Dafe, quoted the Minister as saying that Nigeria now has an investment-friendly government just as a Special Committee,

chaired by Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, is fully tracking the performance of our economy and the 2016 Budget.

According to the minister, the Committee believes in the private sector as the engine of our development and is therefore fashioning policies that will encourage export and domestic production to achieve government ‘s goal of ensuring e that most of the things Nigerians consume are produced locally.

Udoma said further that the 2016 Budget was designed to have capital component of 30 per cent that will reflate the nation’s economy and provide Infrastructure for investors to leverage upon.

He explained further that the present Administration had applied other innovative steps such as the Treasury Single Accounts, broadening of Nigeria tax base

Global community loses £760bn yearly to illiteracy –Foundation

DaviD auDu

P

earson, the educational publishing company, has begun a global campaign to combat illiteracy that has been estimated is costing the world over £760 billion annually, according to Literacy Foundation.

Pearson which brought together partners, including UNESCO and Microsoft, for the campaign said it sought to end a blight that costs the world around £760 billion a year, as the campaign focus, saying illiteracy is a significant contributor to disease and violence Leading the creative campaign is a 90-second animated film, called the “alphabet of illiteracy”, that runs through an A-Z of consequences associated with illiteracy, such as: “A is for aids, B is for bloodshed”, has as its brand face Lily Cole The film will be seeded on YouTube, Facebook, Unruly and Virool. There will also be social media elements to the campaign and each letter of the alphabet will have its own Instagram account that will post information on the issue that the Pearson film associates with that letter.

Cole stated: “What the alphabet of illiteracy demonstrates is that illiteracy is an invisible force that causes and sustains almost every single major problem human kind is grappling with, which conversely, makes literacy a shining key of opportunity for addressing many of our remaining global issues.”

The film features hand-crafted sculptures and the song is set to

the melody of the 1948 song by Perry Como, A’ You’re Adorable.

FCB Inferno was the creative agency behind the campaign, which is called Project Literacy.

The campaign kicked off in the Churchill Room at the British Houses of Parliament, Tuesday, as Cole urged MPs to do more to tackle illiteracy.

The work was written by Martin McAllister and art directed by Julia Ferrier. The models in the film were sculpted by Wilfrid Wood and animated by Red Knuckles, while 1stAveMachine was the production company.

Frazer Gibney, the chief executive of FCB Inferno, said: “Illiteracy is at the root of the world’s biggest issues. Project Literacy was established to put this problem at the top of the world’s social agenda, not least the United Nations.

and fight against corruption, amongst others to improve the business climate.

The minister said that all these measures will provide more and better non oil revenue and cushion likely revenue fall from oil sources.

He clarified that our 2016 budget

was structured according to realities of the Nigerian economy; we can no longer continue to depend on oil to fund our budget but from non oil sources.

Earlier, the NACCIMA National President, Chief Bassey Edem, said the group was happy

L-R: Nigerian Bottling Company Limited Regional Supply Chain Director - North, Aliyu Paiko; lecturer from the University of Abuja, Dr. Hamzat Nauzo; Principal of Government Secondary School (GSS) Minna for 49 years, Rt. Rev. Fr. J.D. O’Connel; and a veteran newscaster with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Cyril Stober, at the 50thanniversary of their alma mater, GSS, Minna, Niger State, recently.

AfDB unveils development plans for African countries isaac asabor

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n its bid to enhance the standard of living in African countries generally and to further accelerate the development in the continent, the African Development Bank, AfDB, has raised the bar on its level of ambition for Africa.

In a keynote address delivered

by Dr. Akinwumi Adeshina, at the “Africa 2016: Business for Egypt, Africa and World Conference”, in Egypt on Sunday, the bank had raised the bar on its level of ambition for Africa.

To achieve the goal in order to further accelerate the devel-

opment of Africa, the Bank unveiled five strategies called High 5s for Africa, namely Light up and power Africa; Feed Africa; Industrialize Africa; Integrate Africa; and Improve the quality of life for Africans.

Adeshina said the first in the series, which is “Light up and power Africa” was designed to solve Africa’s electricity challenge, noting that more than 645 million Africans do not have access to electricity and that 700 million go without access to clean cooking energy with 600,000 dying each year from indoor pollution from reliance on biomass for cooking.

BEDC wins CBN’s cashless payment award

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enin Electricity Distribution Plc, BEDC, has become the first electricity distribution company to emerge a winner in the maiden edition of the Electronic Payments Incentives Scheme (EPIS) Efficiency Award, bagging the Cashless Driver-Corporate category award The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Interbank Settlement Scheme (NIBSS) Plc initiated the award.

The award was presented to the Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Mr Ernest Edgar, who represented BEDC manage-

with how the present administration is managing the nation’s economy and advised the Federal Government to establish export villages in some parts of the country that will regularly showcase Nigeria export potential and guarantee product quality.

ment at the event which was held in Lagos last Thursday, for the company’s outstanding contributions to the growth of electronic payment industry in Nigeria and for pushing deeper, the adoption of e-payment platforms in the electricity distribution industry, in line with CBN’s Cashless policy anchored on electronic payment system as contained in Vision PSV 2020.

The Cashless Driver Corporate category which had two corporate nominees, BEDC and Ikeja Electric, is a platform to recognize, appreciate and reward stakehold-

ers, notably in the payment industry, such as banks, payment processors, card issuers, payment terminal service providers, mobile money operators as well as government and private sector companies that have contributed to the success of the cashless initiative across the value chain.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, CBN Deputy Governor Operations, Alhaji Suleiman Barau said: “Benin Electricity Distribution Plc is presented with the award for the company’s outstanding performance in driving the CBN’s Cashless initiative.

The AfDB President lamented that Africa was simply tired of being in the dark. He said the bank had developed the strategy on Energy for Africa to facilitate global access to electricity in Africa by 2025.

The second in the series, which is tagged “Feed Africa” is to accelerate support for massive agricultural transformation across Africa while building resilience to climate change in order to fully open the potential of agriculture, bring down food prices, conserve foreign exchange, and boost foreign exchange earnings, amongst other benefits.

Adesina advised that Africans must change their approach to agriculture by taking it as a business in order to generate wealth and rapidly diversify the economies and not for managing poverty.

He explained that the third strategy which is called “Industrialize Africa” is hinged on the fact that “there is an urgent need for Africa to rapidly industrialize and add value to everything that it produces, instead of exporting raw materials that make it susceptible to global price volatilities.”

The former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in Nigeria noted that Africa currently accounts for just 1.9% of global manufacturing. Against the collective insignificant contribution been made by African countries to global manufacturing.

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

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Airspace coordination procedures pact to aid travel safety –NAMA S

Swiss Re reports 31% rise in 2015 net income to USD4.6bn

Olusegun KOiKi

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he Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, stated last Thursday that it had facilitated the signing of letters of procedures between Kano Area Control Centre, ACC, and Abuja Approach Control Unit, APC. This is even as it had also aided the same procedures between Lagos ACC and Port Harcourt Approach Control Unit, APC. A statement by the spokesperson of the agency, Mrs. Olajumoke Adetona, indicated that the initiative was in line with its determination to provide air navigation services and also enhance safety of air travel within the nation’s

airspace.

Adetona stated that the letters of procedures, which spelt out the condition under which the responsibility for provision of air traffic services would be shared between the parent Area Control Centre and the subordinate Approach Control Units also specified flow control procedures during periods of congestion.

She explained further that it also specified procedures to follow in the event of total or partial communication failure between air traffic control services unit and an aircraft among others.

She quoted the General Manager, Air Traffic Control Operations, Mr. Ifeanyi Okwor, as saying during the signing of the Letters

of Procedures by Air Traffic Operations Managers, ATOMs, from the four major airports of Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos that the signing of Letters of Procedures was informed by recent changes in the structure of the airspace, including the extension of en-route radar service to 24 hours daily and other changes.

“We need to capture all these changes in the Letters of Procedure especially as it has to do with the operational relationship between parent ACCs and the subordinate APCs, as an ICAO requirement targeted at enhancing seamlessness and safety in air traffic management”, NAMA

L-R: Rector, the Polytechnic, Prof. Olatunde Fawole; ICAN President, Otunba Samuel Deru and Registrar ICAN, Mr Rotimi Omotoso at the inauguration of lecture theater donated to the Polytechnic IBADAN

by ICAN yesterday.

Euro Global rewards distributors, launches herbal drink isaiah erhiawarien

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uro Global Foods and Distilleries Limited, a subsidiary of Sona Group of companies, has honoured its top distributors across Nigeria for supporting its business throughout the year 2015.

The company at its 2015 Annual Distributors’ Forum gave several prizes to the distributors as well as certificates of excellence and cash incentives in recognition of their efforts at helping the company achieve its sales target for 2016.

The Group’s Chairman, Mr. Arjan Mirchandani, said that the company took pride in the satisfaction of its customers saying that the distributors have made the company happy.

He explained that that was why the Group is constantly researching to ensure that it manufactures quality products

that meet customers’ needs and makes good business for distributors to market.

The industrialist said that the company was determined to produce quality products using locally sourced raw materials.

“The vision is to make products that can be exported to generate foreign exchange for our economy. There is need for Nigerians to develop a long term selfsufficiency plan and we took a step in that direction when we started the construction of 120,000 litres per day ethanol plant here in Ota which is near completion”, he said.

He added that with this we believe we can meet the needs of the country and also export the product to other markets.

We are glad to have great partners that we can work with to make Nigeria great.

The company’s Sales Director, Mr. Felix Aighobahi, said

the management was proud to have committed partners who have grown over the years with the company.

He promised that the company will continue “to improve and increase our products range to ensure that it continues to be competitive and delivers excellent returns to our partners.”

Jude Okolozo of Golden Pillars Stores was declared the Distributor of the Year and also issued a certificate of excellence and a cheque of N3 million.

In all, a total of 30 distributors were rewarded with certificates and cash awards ranging from N340, 000 to N3 million.

Meanwhile, a new herbal drink, Power Bitters, was unveiled at the event by the Managing Director, Euro Global Foods and Distilleries, Mr. Manish Uniyal.

wiss Re delivered a strong full-year net income of USD 4.6 billion for 2015, USD 938 million of which was earned in the fourth quarter.

All three business units contributed to this result, with L&H Re in particular reporting a strong increase in net income after the successful management actions in 2014.

With a clear focus during the past five years on the 2011–2015 group financial targets, Swiss Re successfully delivered on its return on equity (ROE) and earnings per share (EPS) targets.

Given the strong business performance and the very strong capital position, Swiss Re’s Board of Directors will propose raising its regular dividend to CHF 4.60 per share. The Board of Directors will also propose to the Annual General Meeting the authorisation of a new public share buy-back programme of up to CHF 1.0 billion.

Swiss Re’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Michel M. Liès, says: “We have delivered a strong performance based on our underwriting discipline over the past five years and end this period with one of our highest-ever profits. I am also pleased to announce that we achieved our return on equity and earnings per share targets, even as the market environment has changed considerably since 2011.

“L&H Re bounced back with a strong operating result after the management actions we undertook in 2014. We maintained a strong capital position, increased the regular dividends with earnings and launched a share buyback programme. At the same time

we broadened the offering of the services we can bring to our clients”, Liès added.

All Business Units contributed positively to a 31% increase in Group net income to USD 4.6 billion in 2015 (vs USD 3.5 billion in 2014). The result benefited from strong underwriting, the absence of major natural catastrophes and from reserve releases, as well as from the strong result in L&H Re. All Business Units contributed positively to a 31% increase in Group net income to USD 4.6 billion in 2015 (vs USD 3.5 billion in 2014). The result benefited from strong underwriting, the absence of major natural catastrophes and from reserve releases, as well as from the strong result in L&H Re. (Source - tax-news.com) The ROE for 2015 was 13.7% with EPS of CHF 12.93 or USD 13.44, compared with CHF 9.33 or USD 10.23 for the prior year.

Premiums earned and fee income for the Group totalled USD 30.2 billion for 2015, compared to USD 31.3 billion for 2014, mainly reflecting unfavourable foreign exchange rate movements. At constant exchange rates, premiums and fees increased by 4%.

Swiss Re achieved a strong full-year investment result in a difficult low-yield environment.

The Group’s return on investments (ROI) was 3.5% for 2015 (vs 3.7% in 2014), as Swiss Re continued to maintain a steady return, with a high-quality, well balanced portfolio. Net investment income was USD 3.4 billion (vs USD 4.1 billion in 2014), in part driven by net asset outflows.

Barclays facesInvestment Bank test as Staley reviews Africa

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arclays Plc Chief Executive Officer Jes Staley, poised to announce the fate of the lender’s African business, must convince investors he can improve the investment bank’s profits just as slumping trading revenue batters the industry.

Staley is leaning toward maintaining the securities unit without pursuing a major restructuring or spinning off the business, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified before his presentation on Tuesday. He probably will lay out plans to exit the bank’s African business and its 50 billion pounds ($70 billion) of assets, according to a person briefed on the decision.

The bank said in a statement Sunday that its board is still evaluating options for the African unit.

“You’re looking at a dreadful climate, so whatever Staley lays out, there will be questions,” said Chris Wheeler, a London-based analyst

at Atlantic Equities. “If Jes is looking for a bounce off his strategy, it has to be very controllable, and the only options are cutting costs and reducing capital allocated to the investment bank.”

Barclays has four core divisions: two units in Barclaycard and personal and corporate banking that have steady returns of more than 10 percent; the African business that’s hit by slowing economic growth and a falling South African rand; and the investment bank, which has the lowest returns of the four.

Staley has already taken an ax to the latter unit, announcing 1,200 additional job cuts, exiting seven countries in Asia, imposing a hiring freeze and cutting the bonus pool to restrain costs. The moves have thus far not arrested a twoyear slump in shares that has left the bank trading 50 percent less than its book value.

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Real Estate & Environment

Analysing options open to African leaders in new urban agenda As part of the processes of addressing the challenges of urbanisation, Ecuador will later in the year play host to international delegates for the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, (known as HABITTAT 111)meeting. In this report, Olufemi Adeosun, examines the options before the African continent within the global set up.

S

takeholders across African continent met in Abuja last week to articulate their priorities for the new urban agenda in preparation for the 3rd United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development schedule to hold later in the year in Quito, Ecuador.

The daunting challenges and implications of human settlements planning and development across the world had compelled the United Nations General Assembly to institute the bi-decennial cycle of conference in 1976 to re-direct fresh attention towards sustainable urbanization and to device common agenda for managing the urban phenomenon. The second Habitat conference, which is winding down, was held in Istanbul in 1996.

The theme of the Abuja meeting which is “Africa’s Priorities for the New Urban Agenda” was aimed at charting a clear path towards a sustainable urban future for Africa and Africans. Urban planners have said that, although the issue of urbanisation is a global phenomenon, the sprawling effects are more visible within the continent.

For instance, they said while it has been projected that the continent may have to house over 1 billion people in the cities in the next thirty decades, there have been no visible attempts whether at the policy or legal level to stem the at-

Expert harps on PENCOM funds’ role in mortgage financing 27

tendant social dislocations, which they fear, could manifest in increase in crime rate, and worsening security situation, especially in the already volatile countries, like Nigeria.

It against this background that most of the participants at the 3-day regional meeting dwell extensively on the need for African leaders to accord demonstrable commitment to the infusion of urban planning into their development agenda, beyond mere rhetorics, which, they claimed had been the lot of most Africa policy makers for decades.

Declaring the meeting open, President Mohammadu Buhari, said that al-

though African population growth had been met with much acclaim, the multiplication of slums, which according to him, is a manifestation of inequalities, is lamentable. In order to have decent cities, he urged African leaders to begin to address the depressing rate of social exclusion.

He said: “Since the turn of the Millennium with growth rates of Africa averaging about 6% per annum, the narrative has been about Africa on the rise.

While such positive comment about Africa is welcome, we must bear in mind that Africa is also a continent with some of the highest rates of inequality in the

Since the turn of the MillenniuM with growth rateS of africa averaging about 6% per annuM, the narrative haS been about africa on the riSe. while Such poSitive coMMent about africa iS welcoMe, we MuSt bear in Mind that africa iS alSo a continent with SoMe of the higheSt rateS of inequality in the world, largely fuelled by high population growth, unequal

acceSS to healthcare, education, opportunitieS, incoMe and a decent life

world, largely fuelled by high population growth, unequal access to healthcare, education, opportunities, income and a decent life. Increasing number of slum dwellers in many nations of Africa is a depressing manifestation of these inequalities.

“It is therefore essential to pay renewed attention to tackling inequality and social exclusion not just as a moral imperative, but also because there is abundant evidence that these impact negatively on growth.”

While noting the intricate link between urbanization on the one hand and industrialization and structural change on the other, the President insisted that the only urbanisation desirable for Africa is the one anchored on promotion of growth and social inclusion Buhari, who was represented at the meeting by Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, however, lamented that despite having the fastest rate of urbanization in the world at over 4.5 per cent yearly, “Africa is yet to be on a sustainable path to achieving these twin objectives. Indeed, sixty years or more after independence, cities and human settlements of all sizes and functions have bloomed all over AfCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

How surveying could help revive Nigeria’s economy –Surveyor 26

Investors tasked on offshore property business 27

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

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25

Analysing options open to African leaders in new urban agen-

Fashola CONTINUED FROM 25 rica most with significant challenges as have been pointed out already.”

He, however, urged the stakeholders to come up with a common African position on how to address the rapid urbanisation and its attendant misnormers.

According to him Africa must change the story of cities and settlement from one of chaos and slum to one of positive planning, tranquillity and environmental sustainability.

The President explained that the prevailing dehumanising state of Africa’s urban settlements “has led to migration at a time of resource constraints which has resulted in population explosion and shortage of houses,that has pushed people living in cities to build houses in places which makes them vulnerable to natural disasters; causing significant economic and social risks.”

He also noted that forced migration caused by terrorists’ attacks had led to secondary towns especially in the Sahel zone being pressured to accommodate citizens who flee their villages and homesteads and had also caused loss of lives, destruction of properties and even insecurity and poverty.

President Muhammadu Buhari counselled that despite the constraints of resources, “we should not expect that our core resources to propel our development should come from our development partners, no matter how benign.”

He urged other African countries to emulate Nigeria and Ghana that had committed resources to support the Urban Agenda under the UN Habitat Agenda towards accelerating the process of the continent’s urbanisation drive.

In his presentation, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola called on African leaders to chart a new course for the continent in the development of its cities and towns, adding that the surest way to make Afri-

Ban Ki-Moon,

Amina Mohammed can cities and towns places of opportunity and prosperity is for the leaders to provide critical infrastructure.

As part of the strategies to make the cities habitable for the people, he urged African leaders to define maximum standard achievable in the areas of provision of critical infrastructure, explaining that “There are universal minimum standards for things like road traffic and healthcare, which we should embrace, but we as Africans, need to consider how we define the maximum standards achievable – not minimum. Africa must reach for the best the world has to offer.”

On the characteristic features of good urbanization, Fashola added,”Indeed no city can grow properly without robust infrastructure solutions. Without good roads and bridges, affordable housing and decent schools. Without constant electricity, clean water and clever town planning. We must therefore see the utilisation of infrastructure as critical tools of containment on one hand, and management on the other hand as we have done with the realities of decades of urbanisation and its challenges.”

He expressed the confidence that the regional conference would produce far reaching policy recommendations and a clear-cut set of declarations that would enrich the New Urban Agenda and bring visible profit to Africa.

Also speaking, the UN-HABITAT Executive Director, Dr. Joan Clos, stated that with proper planning, urbanization was capable of creating pathway to development.

According to him, good urbanization would be one of the most significant and crucial transformations capable of changing the way of lives of millions African people.

On the significance of the regional meeting, Clos said :”The discussions we are going to have today and tomorrow here in Africa, will be crucial in consolidating the transformative power of sustainable urban development for Africa.

“The meeting offers an extra-ordinary opportunities to assess together the great opportunities that good urbanization provides to the unprecedented economic and urban transformations that the African continent is going through.”

For Jean Mbassi, the Secretary General of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa(UCLG), the future of Africa would be determined by not only by the ways cities were governed, but also the manner in which they were managed.

He explained:”Africa is urbanism get at a high pace, and cities are becoming the locus of majority of African people.

The discussions we are going To have Today and Tomorrow here in africa, will be crucial in consolidaTing The TransformaTive power of susTainable urban

developmenT for africa. The meeTing offers an exTraordinary opporTuniTies To assess TogeTher The greaT opporTuniTies ThaT good urbanizaTion provides To The unprecedenTed economic and urban TransformaTions ThaT The african conTinenT is going Through

Whether we like it or not, the future of this continent will be more and more linked to the way cities will be governed and managed, whether we are inclusive or discriminatory, the way we safeguard or destroy African values and cultured, the extent to which we create economic activities and jobs or follow the unsustainable trend in economic development observed so far, and the way we choose to contribute to Africa’s sustainable development.”

While noting African quest towards creating an enabling environment for cities and local governments, Mbassi underscored the invaluable roles of local government institutions to the success of any national institution, especially national urban policies.

Also speaking, the Ghanian Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Collins Dauda, urged the continent to harness the advantage of urbanisation for economic development. He underscored the imperative of coming up with a common position, insisting that doing so would ensure decisions reached during the sustainable development meeting take into consideration the challenges confronting the continent.

“There is the urgent need for us to arrive at a common position as we head to Quito in October, especially to ensure that policies and decisions taken, take into account the unique challenges we face as a continent and that these policies cater to those needs as we strive to achieve the objectives outlined in Agenda 2063, the Africa We Want,” he noted.

He declared the support of his country to the common Africa position which called for a global partnership for sustainable and management to facilitate the implementation of the new global urban and human settlements agenda.

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

How surveying could help revive Nigeria’s economy –Surveyor

MORTGAGE NOTES with Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja

Olufemi AdeOsun,

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

AbujA

The Women Have Arrived at the Table

F

irst let me inform you that I am now on twitter, with the handle @NikeFinancePro. Please follow me for industry updates, news, and my analyses on various topics. So, I was privileged to present a paper on the issues facing the African woman in the real estate industry today, before a gathering of distinguished, intelligent and accomplished women, at a real estate conference held very recently, in Lagos, Nigeria.

To say that I was absolutely blown away by the quality of participants at this session would be putting it very mildly. It was the most gratifying feeling to be sitting in the midst of my industry colleagues of the same sex and heritage, and I left the session rejuvenated and empowered beyond my expectations. I therefore wanted to share some of the issues discussed, and will do so in the next couple of column articles.

Let us start with some statistics: • Women CONTROL less than 2% of the Real Estate market in Africa, by some estimates.

• According to the global entrepreneurship monitor, 21.5% of female run businesses operate within the real estate services sector.

• Other than South Africa where there is an equal ratio of men to women in the real estate industry, there are far more men dominating the real estate market in other parts of Africa.

• In the US, the ratio of real estate entrepreneurs is 11:1 men to women, according to some research studies.

This huge divide can be a result of several factors: Societal Norms: It has always been assumed in Africa, that the job of the woman is to take the name of a man as a validation of her integrity. She is expected to have a career (or more accurately, a job), that ensures she is at home by the time the husband returns, and has his food ready, the children bathed, fed and ready for bed, the house spotless etc. etc. This is entrenched in our consciousness from childhood, and every societal signal outside the home also reinforced the notion, and any woman who bucked the trend would usually be seen as “forward”.

Business Terrain: Wo m e n are held accountable to different standards, leading to a greater

challenge in the market place.

I call this the “Little Woman” concept, where the woman is supposed to play a support role in the industry, while the men are the real players. Absent from such reasoning is the fact that women have proven over and over their ability to complete the same tasks, apply the same level of intellect, and achieve similar results to our male counterparts, many times with better focus and far less fuss.

As a result, while women face a glass ceiling in most industries, I say that in the African real estate industry, a woman is actually facing a “rock ceiling” or a “reinforced steel ceiling”. The first look, the first interview and the first call have traditionally gone to the man, leading to an almost discriminatory investor “profiling” with the woman having to settle for a less challenging or fulfilling position than she would have wished for. The real estate industry, far more than others, still operates in a “Good old boy” environment.

Three main advantages were identified at the session, as the catalysts for the women who decided to take on this ultramasculine industry. The first advantage was having parents who believed in equal opportunities for their children regardless of gender, and who supported and encouraged their daughters to be comfortable in their career choices, whatever it may be. The second was the development and nurturing of self-confidence through a mastery of their craft, keeping themselves at least 2 steps ahead of their male counterparts. The final advantage was self-motivation and the constant desire and effort to excel in their chosen field.

The good news from the industry however gives one a lot of optimism for the continued ascension of the female real estate professional.

Women

Real Estate & Environment

are not content to be showing agents, secretaries and interior decorators any more (NOT that these are not wonderful careers), but we want to hammer in the nails, work on the architecture, develop estates, and own large commercial complexes now too. Is this over-ambitious, or a logical progression of the emancipation of the human mind to ensure the self-fulfilment every human being so craves?

Women are increasingly becoming Fortune 500 CEOs in all areas of the economic sector. Forbes listed 26 female Fortune 500 CEOs in 2014, versus only 2 in 2000. We must learn to celebrate and mourn at the same time, I guess. We celebrate the big leap, but we mourn the still lamentable numbers in the above statistic.

If nothing else drives home the need for us women to be much more visible in the industry, I don’t know what will.

The ability to be a wife, mother, cook, cleaner (you get the drift), while surviving in the unfamiliar terrain of real estate construction, finance, sales and support, is a true testament to the intelligence and talent of womanhood, and a source of continuous pride to me as a practitioner in the industry. I always say us women not only break barriers and achieve great feats; we do so in full make up and high heels!!

In my next piece, I will therefore be discussing a few female trailblazers in the global industry, as well as a few from the Nigerian sector, who have made a positive impression on me.

Until then, please feel free to share, comment, ask questions or add to the conversation. Have a great week, and remember to be gracious to all around you.

Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja https://www.linkedin. com/in/adenikenikefasanyaosilaja

ABOUT THE WRITER Fasanya-Osilaja a lawyer and mortgage expert has owned and operated Marvel Ventures Mortgage, Inc. (www.marvelmortgage.com), a Chicagobased Mortgage Brokerage Company since 2000 and has worked in the US Mortgage industry since 1996. She also consults and facilitates industryrequired activities, from set up of mortgage organisations to documentation, training and compliance.

T

he Surveyor General of the Federation, Surv. Ebisintei Awudu, has said that adequate utilization of survey work would ensure greater prosperity for the nation.

Awudu spoke during a sendforth ceremony in honor of Director, Survey Coordination, Ugochuckwu Edozie in Abuja.

He said that the deployment of surveying work would give surveyors the opportunity to provide information that would help in the diversification of the economy.

Apart from that, he also noted that it would help to reduce cost on every infrastructural development that government is carrying out.

The Surveyor-General, however, called for more dedication and cooperation from staff of the Office to enable it fulfill its constitutional role to the country.

Awudu who was represented by the Director, Mapping Department, Surv. George Takerhi, extolled the sterling qualities of the Celebrant, adding that as a professional, he had participated in the activities that touch on the development of the nation.

He added, “when the history of the Office of the SurveyorGeneral is written, the out-going Director’s name will be written in gold”.

He therefore charged the staff of the Office to continue to uphold the virtues of hard work and dedication for which the Celebrant was being honoured for.

Responding, Surv. Edozie thanked the Office for the honour being given to him and prayed that God would continue to lift the office to higher levels.

It will be recalled that the out-going Director who was employed in December 1983 clocked 60 on the 12th day of February, 2016 and is thus retiring on the grounds of age.

FG seeks states’ collaboration on GGW implementation Olufemi AdeOsun, AbujA

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he Director General, National Agency for Great Green Wall, Mr. Ahmed Goni, has sought the support of state governors for the successful implementation of the Federal Government’s afforestation programme in their states.

The GGW programme was conceived by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration to address the perennial desert encroachment in the 11 frontline states of the North.

The affected states include, Kebbi, Kano, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Gombe, Bauchi and Katsina.

Apart from addressing the issue of desertification in these states, other components of the programme which has a three year implementation time frame, include the establishment of a greenbelt covering 1,500km from Dandi Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State to Marte of Borno State.

Speaking at a meeting with the a delegation from “Follow the Money”, an NGO working in the area of monitoring and ensuring value for money in all public spendings, Goni stated that the cooperation of both the state governments and the communities was essential for a seamless implementation of the pogramme.

Apart from helping in the area

of provision of lands, the NAGGW boss said the governors could also promote the project by investing share of their ecological fund in it He urged other state governors to emulate Katsina State Governor who assisted the project by giving a directive that agency be provided with lands for the project in the state.

The DG assured the delegation, led by the Chief Executive Office, COnected Development(CODE), Mr. Hamzat Lawal, that the agency under his watch would be transparent and ensure that every penny earmarked for the implementation of the project, would be spent on it.

He stated,”We promise to be open, transparent and accountable to every kobo received for GGW. I run an open door policy and would appreciate if you engage us more and do feel free anytime to cll on me or visit the office for any information at all on our activities’.

Speaking, Hamzat stated that his team had visited some of the communities where the programme is being implemented to ascertain level of implementation.

Some of the places visited, according to the rights activist, include:Bachaka - Kebbi State, Kadandanni - Kano State and Jeke Jigawa State’.

He said while some of the communities were enthusiastic about the project, some of them raised concerns about water challenge.

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

27

Forestry body decries Nigeria’s unreliable forest statistics

BY SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

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resident of the Forestry Association of Nigeria, FAN, Professor Labode Popoola has described as worrisome, the unreliable forest statistics in the country, saying the last major forest resources assessment

was conducted between 1996 and 1998, through a grant provided by the African Development Bank, AfDB. He said that the gains of the assessment had been completely lost, as there is nothing to show for the exercise currently, since the data has not been updated

since then.

According to him, forest cover has remained under pressure as a result of human activities, such as agricultural development, where vast lands are cleared without conservation considerations, large scale peril-urban housing project development and fuel

FROM LEFT: Project Manager, Salini Nigeria Ltd., Mr Paolo Campawecca; Director of Dams, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Reginald Ikpeawujo; Managing Director, Salini Nigeria Ltd, Dr Piero Capitanio and Minister of Water Resources, Mr Sulieman Adamu, during the visit of the Minister to Gurara Dam site in Kaduna state.

wood generation.

Popoola pointed out that was in addition to uncontrolled forest harvesting, including poaching for logs, poles and urbanization.

“In Nigeria, forest statistics are appallingly unreliable. The database established from that assessment was expected to be updated frequently through a forest information system in each of the 36 states of the federation and the FCT with a terminal at the Federal Department of Forestry’’, he stated.

He said, in most areas, major loses have been recorded in vegetation and forest complexity, disclosing that deforestation rate in the country is about 3.5 percent per year, translating to a loss of 350,000-400,000 ha of forest land annually.

Reeling out the data in Lagos state, the forest expert said between 1990 and 2005 alone, the world lost 3.3 percent of its forests while Nigeria lost 21 percent.

In addition, some state governments are removing the protected area status of forest estates without regard for the environment and laws establishing such estates. The state forestry departments have been unable to curtail the spate of requests to establish large scale oil palm and other

plantations in forest estates. ‘’The unfortunate impression that has thus been created is that the forest estate exists as a land bank for other sectors as demands continue to rise nationwide’’, he added.

Nigeria, Popoola noted, is blessed with large expanse of land and different vegetations, regretting that this important resource is not sustainably managed.

According to him, Nigeria’s total landmass is 923,678km2 with an estimated population of over 150 million people while its forest area has however been on a continuous decline.

Citing example, he said, in 1900, the nation’s area under forest was 971km2 or 0.01 percent and by 1970, there was a remarkable increase.

However, available statistics have indicated that some 400,000 hectares of forest is lost annually through shifting cultivation. It also indicated that rapid creation of states from 12 in 1967 to 37 in 1996, including Abuja with several new state capitals and some semiurban settlements accounted for some forest depletion. Also, heavy demands for constructions and other purposes by wood-based industries encouraged logging, leading to large scale deforestation.

Experts express concern over climate change risks to humanity Investors tasked on offshore

DAViD AuDu

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rofessor of Geography at the Department of Geography, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in Osun, State, Francis Adesina, has described climate change as one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, with potentially grave and negative consequences for agriculture.

Adesina made the assertion while delivering a lecture on the topic, ‘Some Thoughts on Climate Change, Agriculture,’ at the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, BATNF, implementing partner’s workshop held in Ibadan recently.

The climate expert noted that the impact of climate change is felt most on “exposed systems,” which he said include rain-fed agriculture. Tracing the genesis of global warming to 1880, he noted that successive years since the 19th Century have been hotter, with 2015 being the hottest year.

He regretted that Nigeria and other developing countries are most susceptible to the harsh effects of climate change due to poor water storage system, which he said has grave implication for agriculture.

“Considering the very high consumption of rice in Nigeria, nowadays, if you must control

climate change one of the crops you need to control is rice because of its high water demand,” while emphasizing the need for farmers to be climate smart.

He stressed further that climate change signs are evident and cited the example of the absence of an August break in 2015.

Earlier, a BATNF Technical Committee member, Prof Chidi Ibe, reiterated the need for farmers to develop the capability to adapt to climate change.

One of the achievements of climate change adaptation, he noted, is the development of a drought resistant rice variety.

Other contributors to the climate change discourse also called for greater agricultural water management programme and the development of a water harvesting culture.

The implementing partners were also advised to regularly access information from the Nigerian Metrological Agency, NIMET, and interface with farmers in disseminating information on climate change. A case was also made for the proper inspection of beneficiary farmers by the Implementing Partners in some of the BATNF crop enterprise implementation projects to ensure

property business

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nvestors have been urged to diversify for local to offshore property business as such property stocks are more attractive.

Head of Stanlib property funds, Keillen Ndlovu said it makes sense for investors to diversify and consider offshore property as well in their investment plans.

He said with South African real estate’s total return to barely beat inflation this year, fund managers are investing in real estate firms on offshore exchanges or buying into

Ado/Odo-Ota residents task Amosun on faulty drainage

BY SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

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esidents of Iloye community in Adalemo area of Ado/ Odo-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun state have decried the poor state of their roads, urging the state government to grade and construct drainages on the roads.

Some of the residents, who spoke to National Mirror said, the road, which ought to have been a major link to other neighbouring communities has been abandoned due to its poor state, saying the forthcoming raining season would not make the roads motorable.

One of the landlords in the area, Mr Sanyaolu Oguntoyinbo described the roads as death trap as they are dilapidated.

The road, he noted, has become a major concern to the residents.

Some commercial activities within the community have been affected negatively. Motorcyclists charge abnormal fares because they are the only means of transportation in the area as some vehicle owners have refused to go out with their cars due to the bad state of the road.

“Driving cars, especially small cars on this road, is not encouraging, it is like punishing and damag-

ing the car. it is also affecting businesses in our areas. Most of the amenities such as road grading, gutters, and electrification among others being enjoyed now by the residents were through self help efforts of the community development associations while other projects were beyond their means’’, he stated.

He however noted that residents have been contributing their personal money to grade the roads, adding that most times, sand and pebbles are used to fill the potholes, but they are washed away whenever there is rain due to lack of drainage system.

South African-listed firms that own properties abroad or have a dual listing. ‘’Many companies are listed in SA and abroad. Often, these companies operate in SA and in one or two other countries. Right now, SA is not as attractive as other markets.

Investors can buy directly into companies in the US, UK and Australia. Other parts of Europe are also highly attractive’’, he stated.

Since its inception, Stanlib Global Property Fund has ranked ninth out of 84 funds in the world over five years, as the fund is heavily tilt towards the US with about 57.26 percent of it being US-focused.

This is followed by the UK with 10.15 percent and Europe with 10.32 percent while Australian companies make up 6.33 percent of the fund.

US listed property yields are currently 4.5 percent in dollar terms, which were higher than the respective bond markets with that country’s 10-year bond yield at 1.8 percent.

Stocks are trading at 5 percent-10 percent discount to net asset value on average. This was while SA listed property yields are averaging 8 percent and lower than the 10-year bond yield of 9.2 percent.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Jobs & Career

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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BoI, NBTE organise skills acquisition contest for youths Olufemi AdeOsun AbujA

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igeria’s leading development finance institution, Bank of Industry (BoI) in conjunction with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) is organizing skill acquisition contest among youths across the country.

The contestants which are drawn from NBTE-accredited Vocational Enterprise Institutions(VELs) are tested in seven key vocational areas such Automotive/Mechatronics, Carpentry/

Joinery, Fashion Design, Electrical and Electronics, Painting and Tiling, Plumbing and Fittings and Welding and Fabrication.

The contest which is also expected to take place in Lagos, will produce the first three contestants who will dig it out during the grand finale in Abuja on March 19.

Apart from providing internship for the successful candidates, BoI is also expected to provide loan facilities for them.

Speaking during the first leg of the competition in Kaduna, the Acting Managing Director, BOI Mr. Waheed Olagun-

Training of fire fighters our priority – Dunoma

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fficers and men of the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria will continue to receive professional training at par will global standards.

They will also undergo overseas programme to enhance their proficiency in fire fighting at all Nigerian airports in line with recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

This was disclosed by the MD/CEO of FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma at the Crew Commanders/fire fighter initial/Renal course currently taking place at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

The Managing Director, who was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Kabiru Mohammed commended the fire men and called on them to take advantage of the ongoing training programme to improve on their professional competence, which would ensure safety at airports.

The station commandant, Mr. Adebola Odugbemi, also emphasised the importance of the training. He promised to share his knowledge and experience on the job with the participating staff.

The three week programme is being undertaken by fire and fighting officers drawn from different airports across the country.

ju, said that the programme was initiated as part of the bank’s strategies to provide the needed linkage between the nation’s available skills and market demands.

He lamented that although the nation’s institutions churned out thousands of graduates year-in, year-out, there had been consistent dearth of required skills for the industry because the skills being produced by the institutions do not relate to industrial demands.

The BoI boss stated that the lack of requisite skills was what forced Aliko Dangote to source for over 30,000 wielders from outside the country to work in his cement factories.

Olagunju explained:”This programme will address the challenges of unemployment in Nigeria. Industrial analysts have revealed that we have a lot of youth who have certificates but do not have the requisite skills to be employable. The programme they went for do relate to the real industry or the world.

Most employers of Labour do not find them employable. They have to seek for such skills outside the shore of Nigeria.

“If you look at the seven key areas that have been identified, five of them have to do with the construction industry which has been identified as one of the drivers of our national economy. In terms of employment generation, con-

Olagunju

struction industry has precipitate potential for empowerment.

“If you look at the carpentry and electrical electronic, painting and tiling, plumbing and wielding and fabrication, they all have unique roles to play in the nation’s growth and development. In a country where we have housing deficit of 17million, there is no way we can bridge that gap without quality homegrown manpower.

The Executive Secretary, NBTE, Dr. Mas’ud Kazaure, said that the opportunity offered by the BoI could only be enjoyed by technical institutions whose courses had been approved by the board.

CIS unfolds status of investor education, youth empowerment

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he Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) has explained the strategies being deployed by the stockbrokers to drive investor education to the door step of everybody in the country.

This is even as it explained the rationale for its introduction of Professional Diploma in Securities and Investment which is primarily targeted at youths.

The Institute’s Second Vice President, Mr. Dapo Adekoje, while responding to media enquires on the education programmes being promoted by the body , said that the CIS had made significant efforts to enlighten the Investing public on the investment opportu-

CIS Registrar and Chief Executive, Adedeji Ajadi

nities in the capital market for both retail and institutional investors.

He explained that many strategies and tactics were being put together by the Institute to address peculiar needs of diverse stakeholders including the foreign investors and these shall be made public at the appropriate time.

According to him, the relationship between the capital market and the economy in the areas of risk and return has made it more compelling to intensify the use of the existing platforms for effective and efficient enlightenment programme on a continuous basis.

“We regularly organize Investor Fora where investors are adequately informed about the opportunities available in the Capital market and the need to go through licensed stockbrokers whose details are always available at the CIS. In the Fora which include churches, mosques, club houses, seminars, workshops, schools and training programmes, the investing and general public are enlightened, and their questions answered professionally.

“The tempo of investor Education has increased since the current administration came on Board. In addition to organising Investor Forum, the Institute has been involved in lots of sensitisation programmes in many Institutions and Establishments. Currently, the Institute is talking with many State Governments for opportunity to en-

lighten their Civil Servants on the various investment opportunities that abound in the Capital Market”, Adekoje said On the concept of the Institute’s Professional Diploma in Securities and Investment, the investment expert explained that “the Concept of CIS professional Diploma in Securities and Investment is based on the idea of catching them young. The Present Administration has a vision to empower the youth and bring them into the Investment and Securities Profession.

“Before now, only University and Polytechnic Graduates were allowed to take CIS Examinations, thus crowding out the majority of young people with only West African School Certificate (WASC). With the introduction of the CIS Diploma programme WASC holders are now eligible to take the CIS “The Programme was introduced in June 2013. The whole idea was to give the youths opportunity to aspire to become Chartered Stockbrokers and to take a career in the Capital Market.

The Programme aims to mobilise many school leavers who were hitherto not qualified to take CIS examination.

“The target of one million students is not too optimistic judging from the sensitisation programmes put in place by this administration. On a regular basis, the Institute delivers Career-Talk to university communities and other

higher Institutions of learning across the country. In these fora, we have lots of students indicating Interest to take the CIS Professional Diploma Examination “, he added.

Speaking on the publicity drive for the Diploma Programme , Adekoje explained that in addition to career talks, the Institute was looking at doing more publicity through newspapers, Radio and Television Programmes including Sales Promotions.

“The institute had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with some organisations to market the educational product. The marketing partners are:, XL HR Outsourcing Ltd, Platinum Gold, Wealth Consult, Davids Graduate School of Finance, and Business in Nigeria Events a.k.a BINEL, Perfection Nominees Ltd, Dragnet Solutions Ltd, Laurel Ventures Ltd and Anabel Leadership Academy Ltd etc.”, said Adekoje On the Professional Diploma ‘s Syllabus , the Institute’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Mr. Adedeji Ajadi, said it had been divided into two stages while each stage is sub-divided into two modules., Ajadi noted that a student could take both Modules at one Examination diet or one module after the other. But confirmed that a student must pass the whole Examination in Stage One before he writes the Second Stage.

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Aviation

Stakeholders support amendment to AIB regulations, worry on implementation

It was a beehive of activities last week in Lagos when the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, presented to professionals and stakeholders in the sector the amendment of the 2006 incident and accident regulations. While the experts described the planned move as desirable for the sector, they were however apprehensive about the feasibility of its implementation if the political will is lacking. OLUSEGUN KOIKI writes.

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he present Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, came into existence through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, NCAR, Act 2006, which established the agency as an autonomous body with primary responsibility for the investigation of civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents within Nigeria.

Before the current status, AIB was a department under the Federal Ministry of Aviation and had its name modified to Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau, AIPB, but in order for the Nigerian aviation industry to be in tandem with the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, and other developed aviation industries around the globe, AIB was made an independent agency that reports directly to the presidency through the Ministry of Transport.

Since its establishment in 2006, AIB has been operating with the Civil Aviation Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents Regulations 2006, but as recommended by ICAO, policies and regulations in civil aviation are to be amended every 10 years.

The essence of the amendment according to ICAO is to accommodate some changes and developments that might have arose in the system within a decade as aviation industry is regularly changing.

At the stakeholders’ workshop in Lagos on the proposed amendment to the present regulations, several stakeholders and professionals from the Ministry of Transportation including aviation agencies, airlines, concessionaires and private sector contributed immensely to the proposed amendment.

Most of the participants concurred that there was a need for AIB to amend the present regulations after a decade of operations, saying that there had been series of amendments to accident and incident investigation by ICAO especially to the Annex 13 of the convention.

The participants specifically mentioned some of the existing regulations that required amendments for the bureau in particular and Nigeria in general to compete with its counterparts around the world.

While some of the industry participants specifically called for the expunging of some of the regulations in 2006, others called for their amendments and the political power to implement its regulations.

For instance, in Part three of the amended regulations ‘ Powers of Investigators’ 16.1 (F (i)), ‘Where the circumstances so required, particularly in cases where a witness becomes hostile or stubborn, the investigator shall cause a summons to be issued under the hand of a competent legal officer to secure the attendance of such a witness(s).’

With the above statement, it is now an offence for witness(s) or an invited witness not to answer the invitation of the bureau or re-

: L-R: The Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Dr. Felix Abali, Special Assistant, Technical, to the Minister of State for Aviation, representing the Minister of Aviation, Capt. Musa Nurudeen and President, Aviation Round Table, ART, Mr. Gbenga Olowo at the stakeholders workshop on Proposed Amendment to Accident Investigation Regulations by AIB held in Lagos.

Most of the participants concurred that there was a need for aiB to aMend the present regulations after a decade of

operations, saying that there had Been series of aMendMents to accident and incident investigation By to the

icao especially

annex 13 of the convention

fuses to give appropriate account of he/she witnessed during an accident or serious incident as the case may be.

Virtually all the participants applauded the bureau’s management for its proactive nature in amending the existing regulations, positing that with this, Nigeria would be operating in accordance with the ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices, SARPS. In his welcome address at the occasion, the Commissioner, AIB, Dr. Felix Abali said that the ongoing amendment of the current regulations would make the document to be more robust, transparent and all inclusive.

He noted that review was the livewire of any organisation that is serious about growth and progress, stressing that the agency’s experience in Nigeria and in the globe had made it imperative for the current regulations, which came on board on November 11, 2006 to be reviewed.

He explained that Nigeria as a country could not operate in isolation of others and maintained that it was necessary for it to align itself

with happenings in the global aviation industry.

He said that regulation was an important tool for carrying out the functions of accident investigation as it sets out the framework for the day-to-day operations of the bureau and added that the bureau’s enabling law, which also domesticated ICAO Annex 13, formed the bedrock of the regulations.

He hinted that one of the major mandates and responsibilities of AIB was to make safety recommendations in case of an incident or accident, but declared that it was not in its purview to enforce compliance, rather, the responsibility of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. He added, “We only monitor implementations of our recommendations. Accident investigation process is more complex than many people imagine. So, we must be thorough in our findings and recommendations.

There are statutory processes to be engaged before the recommendations are released to

the public.

“Accident investigation is a strong pillar of aviation safety as it seeks to prevent accidents and incidents even as it enhances air safety. According to ICAO definition of accident investigation, it is a process conducted for the purpose of accident prevention, which includes the gathering and analysis of information, the drawing of conclusions, including the determination of causes and, when appropriate, the making of safety recommendations.

“According to ICAO Annex 13, the sole objective of the investigation of an accident or incident shall be the prevention of accidents and incidents. It is not the purpose of this activity to apportion blame or liability. This may, however run against the expectation of many members of the public and the press, which may be understandable due to the emotion laden atmosphere that usually accompanies air mishaps.”

Besides, the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika reiterated the commitment of the government to total safety and security in the industry.

He believed that the proposed amendment of the regulation would further enhance safety and close all the gaps noticed in the sector and assured that the amendment process had been duly followed as stipulated in the subsisting Regulation 2006 with the participation of the observer to the bureau’s regulation committee reporting back to the Federal Ministry of Aviation on the amendments.

He insisted that all relevant amendments by the agency were in conformity with the ICAO Annex 13 on Accident Investigation, which had been included in the first regulations.

Commenting on the amendment in an interview with our correspondent, the President, Aviation Round Table, ART, Mr.Gabriel Olowo said the proposed amendment of the existing regulations by AIB was on track.

Olowo explained that one of the statutory functions of AIB was to come out with the recommendations of all the report of accidents and major incidents after extensive investigations that might have occurred in the industry.

Olowo noted that when these recommendations are brought forward by AIB, NCAA as the regulatory body of the industry was supposed to enforce the safety recommendation, but, if the recommendations are not enforced, AIB was to come back and tell the public that such safety recommendations as a result of a particular accident or major incident were enforced.

He added, “AIB is supposed to work together with the Civil Aviation Authority, CAA, and tell them that we have investigated this report and something must be done to ensure that it doesn’t happen again and the CAA is to enforce compliance.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Government-owned airports more viable globally – Dati Olusegun KOiKi

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he General Manager, Corporate Communications of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, has rated government-owned airports all over the world as more lucrative.

This is as he said that for security purpose, airports cannot be totally left in the hands private investors, stressing that airport management goes beyond profit and loss prism.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with our correspondent at the agency’s headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Dati noted that airport privatisation in the country had been opened to so much debate by different stakeholders and professionals in the sector.

He cited the example of Dubai, Qatar, Dohaand several others as airports that are still owned and controlled by the governments and yet profitable.

For instance, he argued that if the ownership of an airport fell into the hands of unscrupulous elements in the society, it may work against the interest of the nation at large.

He said, “If for instance, the ownership of an airport falls into the hands of somebody who has sym-

pathy for one of these extremist groups, where does that place the country? Where is the control? If I own an airport, I can decide how I want to run it. This personally, I would say creates a separate set of problem for the country.

“My conviction is that we should look at it beyond the prism of some narrow interests. Privatisation means airports will now be transferred to the private sector. If you look at the history of airports that are profitable across the world, they are airports that are owned by the governments.

“Look at Dubai, Qatar, Doha and others, all these are airports that are owned and operated by the government and they are operating profitably. This is so because there is connect between the airport, economy in the city, industry in the city and tourism.”

Dati emphasised further that some airports may not actually be viable in terms of investments, but argued that in the bigger picture, airports drive investments into a state.

He insisted that the profit of an airport may not be in the tickets sold, but in the business that is brought to such a state by even a single investor with huge resources

Yakubu Dati

for investments.

“If you privatise an airport today and the investor is not making profit, he can decide to close down such an airport. Then, what happens to airports like Benin, Katsina, Enugu, Jos, Sokoto, Ibadan, Akure, Owerri and few others? Only Lagos would operate.

“Also, the passenger traffic would collapse. These airports are also feeders to the so called viable airports we see around. So, if those airports fall down, the passenger traffic in other major airports too would collapse. I believe aviation is too serious a business to be left in the hands of people who look at it under the prism of profit and loss. It is way beyond that. It is an economy enabler; a security issue and also an emolument that represents people.”

Sabre Network, Babcock University partner on MBA in aviation studies Olusegun KOiKi

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he leading airline distribution solution provider in aviation industry, Sabre Network West Africa has partnered with Babcock University, Ilisan Remo to commence Masters in Business Administration, MBA, programme in aviation studies, thereby becoming the first university in Nigeria to offer such a course.

The MBA programme in aviation studies is open to all first degree graduates in any discipline anywhere in the world and would help to provide manpower for the nation’s aviation industry.

The President, Sabre Network West Africa, Mr. Gbenga Olowo disclosed these to journalists in Ogun State recently when the management team of the firm toured the facilities of the higher institution.

Olowo explained that MBA programme, which would be run for two and half years would also provide an avenue for young graduates to commence a career in aviation and bridged the current wide gap in the sector.

He also told journalists that the company would partner with instructors from Alpha First Training School, the International Air Transport Association, IATA, examiners in Nigeria,

L-R: Mr. Protogene Marc Nsengiyaremye, representing the Charge D’Affaires of Rwanda in Nigeria; Her Excellency, Amb. Toure Nee Kone Maman, Cote d’Ivoire Ambassador to Nigeria; and Mrs. Aicha Ouidi Baba Moussa, Head of Commercial, Air Cote d’Ivoire and the Country Manager, Mr. Moustapha Fofana during the Air Cote D’Ivoire’s launch of direct flights to Abuja.

stressing that this would enable all the MBA graduates from the institution to have IATA certificate for passenger and cargo handling.

He however noted that the school would only focus on commercial side of aviationfor now, positing that graduates in economics, marketing, accounting, Information Technology, IT, and several others could benefit from the programme.

He explained that the vision for aviation studies in the university started about a year ago and expressed joy that the dream had become a reality.

He added, “We are going to partner with Alpha First Training School. They are an IATA examiners in Nigeria, which means all the MBA graduates of this school in Aviation Studies as they graduate, they are going to have IATA certificate for passenger and cargo handling.

“The MBA programme would focus majorly on the commercial side. We are not going to train pilots and engineers.

Graduates of marketing, economics, accounting, IT and others, would be very useful for this programme. Everything is done on IT right now. So, all these students would be trained and by the time they are out, they know what to do. They can get jobs with any of the airlines; foreign or local or even with the airport managers and any other area in the sector.”

Airside shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

A square peg in a round hole

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he phrase a ‘round peg in a round hole,’ clearly defines someone who is best suited for a job, position or activity, but a ‘square peg in a round hole’ indicates a direct opposite.

In the Nigerian aviation industry today, there are several people who are holding sensitive positions and have equally developed themselves in the cause of the jobs and can perform in any capacity they find themselves.

Unfortunately, some few others have remained stagnant and found it difficult to improve themselves in any capacity.

Airside was at one of the agencies in the aviation sector last week and overhead a particular staff complaining bitterly to his other colleague about his redeployment to Information and Communications Technology, ICT, department of that agency from his ‘best situated position.’

The personnel involved, has spent over two decades in the system and despite all the available opportunities for the staff to develop himself in

technologies, especially computer handling and others, he preferred to remain an old school to the core who may not have properly keyed his orientation into the current change mantra of the Buhari-led administration.

Airside says such a staff with still relatively over a decade to spend in the system should be expunged from service to create opportunities for those who are willing and able to display dynamism and contribute immensely to the development of the industry. Today, it appears that some staff of many agencies at state and federal levels just queue in the banks every month to collect salaries without anything to show for such earnings at tax payers’ expense.

At worst, Airside thinks this staff in the agency referred to above should be deployed to an area he would be best useful rather than make him redundant as at the situation at the moment seems to suggest.

Can Amaechi, Sirika jointly oversee the airspace sector for long?

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viation industry, just like the marine, is very important to any economy that wants to develop and improve its Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. So, for this to happen, the two sectors require serious-minded personalities to be in charge.

Though, in Nigeria, aviation industry has been collapsed to Ministry of Transportation with Hon. Rotimi Amaechi as the Minister of Transport while Sen. Hadi Sirika, who is equally an aviator, serves as the Minister of State for Aviation.

On the surface, the duo seems to have a good working relationship,

especially when the two ministers toured the facilities at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos recently. But then, feelers reaching Airside indicate that the relationships between the two may be far from being cordial.

Airside gathered that the nonconviviality of the two might have reached the presidency and one of them and very likely, Sirika may be shown the exit very soon as Airside learnt that Sirika may have engaged in some projects before the coming onboard of this administration.

Airside is watching as events unfold.

First solo flight to inspire Nigerians, support IDPs – Pilot

A

s part of plans to garner momentum for the First Africa Solo Flight round the World, the team has come out to state that the flight would change the narrative for Africa as a continent and Nigeria in particular.

The team also said that the effort would inspire the young to seek for greater heights and support selected charities especially the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, scattered around the country.

Commenting on the project in Lagos, the pilot, Mr. Ademilola Odujinrin, said the forth-

coming first Africa Solo flight round the world was a dream, which the team had been working tirelessly to achieve.

He disclosed that so far, no fewer than 140 pilots had performed solo flight around the world, but till date, no pilot from the continent had engaged in such an adventure.

Odunjinrin declared that he would use a nine-year old aircraft’s SR22 with registration number N313CD for the solo flight, stressing that the aircraft could fly 17 and half hours with special configuration before refueling.

Odunjinrin revealed

that he had been a pilot in the past 17 years, maintaining that he was trained in United Kingdom and flew for Arik Air for five years.

On whether he has been insured for the flight, Odujinrin stated the project was insured with a company that specialises in this type of insurance.

He said, “It is a dream that we have been working very hard to achieve. No African has done it before. It is a big achievement. This project is bigger than me. It is time Nigeria has to celebrate after the elections and this is the time.”

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Insurance

NAICOM faults insurers, brokers over outstanding premiums Isaac asabor

T

he National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has faulted insurance companies and brokers for lack of seriousness in the collection of premiums, and in some extreme cases, outright writeoff of outstanding premiums.

In a circular addressed to all the Managing Directors of insurance brokerage companies and signed by Mr. Nicholas Opara, head of NAICOM’s Supervision Department, the companies concerned were informed that as stipulated by the International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRS, and in conformity with the Prudential Guidelines of the commission, insurance companies and brokers were required to impair vast amounts of premiums outstanding in their books.

The commission stated further that rather than act in line with extant provisions that most insurance companies had misunderstood the notion of impairment

and went ahead to either completely write off or relax all efforts to collect the outstanding debts.

The industry regulatory institution rued the unprofessional practices of insurance companies and brokers in this regard, noting that the infringement has caused serious erosion in the shareholders’ investments .

NAICOM also pointed out it was concerned about lack of seriousness in the collection and in some extreme cases, outright write-off of outstanding premiums by insurance companies and Brokers.

However, in order to address the infringement, the commission directed all insurance companies to furnish it with a comprehensive schedule of premiums receivable (gross) reported in their clients’ account as at 31st December, 2012.

According to the commission, the comprehensible schedule of premium receivable should show the date of the transaction, policy number, name of the debtor,

Law Union & Rock Insurance settles N1.64bn claims in 2015 Isaac asabor

L

aw Union & Rock Insurance plc has disclosed that it paid a total of N1.64 billion claims in 2015.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Jide Orimolade, who made the disclosure to journalists, said a breakdown of the claims paid indicated that the payments cut across Fire, General Accident Motor, Marine & Aviation, Engineering, Bond and Oil & Energy.

He said that fire & motor insurance claims accounted for almost 73% of the total claims in the year under review.

He noted that the statistics show that the number of accidents that originat-

ed from fire and motor accidents increased during the period but that the underwriting firm is ready to stand by its customers by keeping its promise of making prompt claim payments to them. Orimolade noted that the unprecedented rise in the payment of claims from 28 to 38 percent between 2014 and 2015 by the company shows the level of awareness and exposure of the customers.

As contained in his statement, despite the declining and unfavorable economic condition that the country is faced with, the company has in its obligation to its customers been able to meet up with the demand of N1.64 billion in claims.

He said, “This singular act demonstrates that the company is committed to putting its customers first, and always make them satisfied”.

He explained further that prompt settlement of claims to the customers remained the primary concern of the company as that enables customers to benefits easily from the essence of patronizing insurance.

Orimolade clarified that this also exemplified the company’s core values of ethics & integrity, passion for customers, empathy, transparency and entrepreneurial drive, adding that the company exemplifies good corporate responsiveness and transparency.

amount involved and the status of the debt as at 31st December, 2015.

Similarly, the insurance companies were directed to forward to the commission, a comprehensive Schedule of Premiums receivable (gross) from transactions between 1st January 2013 and 31st December 2015 indicating for each item the date of transaction, policy number, name of the debtor, amount involved and the status of the debt as at 31st December, 2015.

Also to be forwarded to the commission is a comprehensive schedule of outstanding premiums written-off as uncollectible between 1st January 2013 to 31st December, 2015, showing for each item, the date of transaction, policy number, name of the debtor, amount involved as well as stating the reason for the write-off and evidence of Board Approval for the action.

The circular warned that insurance companies and brokers concerned should ensure that all the necessary information and documents that are needed to resolve

Commissiioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari

the issue conveyed by the circular are made available to the Commission on or before this Friday..

Profitability, challenge despite reinsurance rate stabilization – Morgan Stanley

D

espite signs of rate stabilisation in the global reinsurance market at the key January renewals, analysts at Morgan Stanley have warned that continued pricing below loss cost trend will contribute to further margin deterioration, while reserves are likely to diminish further.

Property catastrophe reinsurance rates have witnessed a -30% cumulative decline during the last two years, according to Morgan Stanley analysts, continuing to decline at January renewals by -5% in the U.S., and by -10% in Europe, with both insurers and reinsurers facing persistent market headwinds.

“We could be in the early stages of pricing stabilization as traditional reinsurers earn single to low-double-digit returns and alternative capital growth has slowed in property re,” says Morgan Stanley.

Perhaps offsetting any potential positives from an apparent stabilisation of property reinsurance rates in recent times, analysts note that continued declines across the sector coupled with a lack of losses suggests diminished profitability in the coming months.

Morgan Stanley cites that excluding ca-

tastrophe events and reserve releases, “pricing below loss cost trend (albeit benign in recent years) will result in core margin deterioration.”

This suggests that in the current market environment, which is underlined by stiff competition, ample capacity, and an ongoing benign catastrophe loss trend, continued declines in pricing will see reinsurers struggle to achieve desirable returns on certain business lines, absent reserve releasing, which is something the analysts also expect to dwindle in the coming months.

With this in mind, should losses return to more normalised levels, prices continue to decline, and reserve releases dwindle owing to undisciplined releasing and a lack of events in previous years, the impact of pricing below loss cost trend on reinsurers’ balance sheets could be significantly more adverse.

Ultimately, the persistence of market headwinds and resulting declines in pricing challenges reinsurance firms ROEs, and Morgan Stanley estimates that “every 5% pricing decline could impact ROE by more than 200bps.” (Source - www.artemis.bm)

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Money

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

MFBs face risky future as bad loan syndrome threatens operations There are strong indications that the weakening value of the Naira and other disenabling fiscal challenges have started to make it increasing difficult for Small and Medium Enterprises’ investors to operate profitably now as some are now defaulting in loans repayment to Micro Finance Banks even as their savings are shrinking by the day. Despite assurances by government that operators in the subsector would enjoy better access to low-interest credit, this promise remains unfulfilled yet. UDO ONYEKA reports.

T

oday, many Microfinance Banks, MfBs, across the country are facing turbulence times, as loan repayments and rate of savings have seriously declined since the turn of the year, owing to the dwindling price of crude oil in the international market and naira depreciation, amongst other disenabling fiscal factors.

According to experts, the financial challenge in the country as the oil, which is a major source of revenue for the country, is being sold at 30 dollars per barrel is squeezing the country of revenue.

A Lagos-based financial analyst, Steve Ubong noted that the depreciating value of the Naira over the past months has really altered the domestic microeconomic indices thereby making it difficult for business owners, especially those in the micro and medium scale level, to operate cost-efficiently.

“This development, however, has reduced the disposable income of Nigerians, even as fewer goods are now commanding high prices. With reduction in disposable income of many Nigerian including microfinance banks customers”, Ubong said.

Investigations by National Mirror indicated that some MfBs customers were unable to save in their respective bank accounts, while those indebted to their micro banks, were unable to fulfill their loan obligations and appealing for more time from the banks due to the economic crisis in the country.

Executive Director, Parkway Microfinance Bank, Mr. Lanre Sotunde, said the purchasing power of Nigerians were shrinking by the day, while most of the active poor struggle to make ends meet, in a survival of the fittest.

According to him, a lot of customers that have collected money from the MFB are having issues repaying them back.

“Purchasing power has gone down, disposable income is low. There is low savings for us because a lot of people that do save with MfBs can no longer save. The economy is in a standstill,” he said.

While charging the Federal Government to shift focus to other lucrative revenue windows, such as agriculture, Sotunde said it was high time we started exporting our agricultural produce to generate enough foreign exchange.

He said the current situation in the country proved that Nigeria is not generating enough forex, as it is importdriven, thereby, importing inflation in

Emefiele

President, National Association of Microfinance Banks, NAMB, Whensu

Purchasing Power has gone down, disPosable income is low. There is low savings for us because a loT of PeoPle ThaT do save wiTh

mfbs can no longer save

the process.

“The big problem in the country is that we don’t earn enough foreign exchange. If we can have enough foreign exchange, we can have balance of trade, but we don’t have enough and the little we have, there is a lot of pressure. And you know when demand outweighs supply, prices shoot up and it will now be survival of the fittest,” he pointed out.

However, Managing Director, OSPLOY Microfinance Bank, Mr. Femi Fapohunda, however, said proactive MfBs, during the economic recession, will perform better.

“For proactive MfBs, they will even do better during economic recession.

But those who are not creative, who don’t want to use their initiative in getting good products and they want to compete with deposit money banks, they are the ones likely to have problems under the current economic recession. The creative ones among them will have better liquidity and profitability,” he stressed.

Many stakeholders have lauded the efforts of Federal Government and some state governments to empower small business owners.

For instance, the proposed Microfinance Bank to be established by Lagos State government, when in operation, will lend to SMEs, at three per cent.

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who said this in Ikeja, Lagos, last week, noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria,CBN, has already been approached for licensing, saying, the new bank will assist artisans and entrepreneurs across the state.

“We have met with the CBN governor and we believe we should set up a Micro-finance Bank quickly and get our license running to help the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) and artisans.”, the Governor said.

Pointing out that he is passionate about locally produced goods, Governor Ambode said that the Employment Trust Fund established by his administration and proposed MfB would boost the state’s economy and reduce unemployment.

He said the goal of the state government was to improve the ease of doing business, assuring the sector of his administration’s commitment to maintain a business-friendly environment.

He also commended his predecessor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, for creating the platform and promised to sustain it by holding it twice.

Commending the Lagos State, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN and National Association of Small Scale Industrialists, NASSI, complained about deplorable

roads, multiplicity of taxes and traffic gridlock in the state which they said also affect the cost of running business in the state.

The Federal Government through the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, said recently that over two million micro traders, farmers and artisans across the country will benefit from the N500bn Social Protection Programme SPP, Fund for 2016.

The minister, who disclosed this in Lagos said industrial sector will witness a massive turnaround in the next four years, noting further that over two million traders, farmers and artisans will receive micro-credit, through a fund to be managed by the Bank of Industry,BoI. “Obviously, this fund is still being rolled out, it is still in the planning stage, so I am not in a position to say how much each company will get; suffice to say that it is going to be a range, you know there is a trade-off of how wide and how deep,” he stated.

“So by saying two million, we are targeting a substantial number of beneficiaries and you will see the result. It also means, the fund is not for large enterprises rather it is for micro, artisans and traders. I expect that the loan will range from tens of thousands of naira and some may get up to a million in some cases but it will be in range.”

“You don’t give somebody what he does not need and you don’t undermine somebody by giving him too little. So we are going to give the fund based on size and needs of the beneficiary.”

MSMEs, he pointed out, are the unsung heroes of our economy, currently contributing about half of Gross Domestic Product, GDP, and possessing the potential to be even more productive, given the right incentives.

“Working through agencies like the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, the Bank of Industry, BoI, the Industrial Training Fund, ITF and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, NEPC and in collaboration with other ministries and agencies of government, we will be rolling out programmes and initiatives focused on supporting MSMEs with financing, infrastructure, technical support and training,” he said.

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Capital Market

Project bankability, key to accessing Pension savings for infrastructure devt – TIB boss

The Managing Director of The Infrastructure Bank, TIB, Mr. Adekunle Abdurasak Oyinloye, in this interview with journalists speaks on issues relating to the bank’s listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, its ongoing projects and deposit acceptance, among others.

JOHNSON OKANLAWON captures his views.

How would you describe your bank and its roles in national development?

The Infrastructure Bank is a national development finance institution, established by decree no 51 of 1992, essentially to foster the rapid development of urban infrastructure throughout the federation and through the provision of finance and banking services. Urban Development Bank was the original name in 1992. The bank’s shareholder permitted an alteration to ownership structure in 2007 following the injection of private sector capital. The introduction of private capital into the shareholding structure of the bank kick started a turnaround process to revive and revitalize institutions that has failed to deliver on the mandate given by its founding fathers. Today’s business of the bank is a government-sponsored but private sector-led development finance institution. DFI.

to buy it. But if I have an opportunity to buy a house and I don’t know who will buy it from me and I don’t how long it will be in the market, if I borrow money, the interest on that money and the capital may be greater than the cost of selling tomorrow.

How do you source funds?

The Infrastructure Bank has developed equity and quasiequity (mezzanine financing) investment products for projects that require risk capital as a form of catalytic funding. With the bank taking the lead in such project, these proprietary investments are critical to providing comfort to and securing the participation of other DFIs as well as commercial banks involved in long-term capital provision for infrastructure project. We are also involved in fund management. The bank offers direct and third party agency, fund management services to both domestic and external sovereignties and institutions seeking to fund infrastructure developments, including the Federal Government of Nigeria and its Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs), even the sub sovereign or states and local government, pension fund and finance institutions as well as bilateral and multilateral fund providers.

Capacity building and Technical Assistance, the bank collaborates with multilateral agencies, development partners and DFIs to promote, organise and deliver technical assistance, institutional strengthening initiatives and capacity building programmes, as part of efforts to bridge knowledge gap towards maximizing the development impacts of the bank’s financial intervention.

What are the challenges facing TIB? Our challenges are many. Governments have the responsibility to provide infrastructure, but they don’t have the money and, sometimes, they don’t have the knowledge to put it together. That is why we exist. So it is important that those MDAs do appreciate and understand our intention because when there was a change of government, you would see that what was a friendly engagement could become something else.

We also need knowledgeable people on both sides of the project development so that conversation can be a little healthier. So we have challenge in that regard. When people worry about money, I don’t worry about how much is required to do a project because once you make it bankable, money will come.

So infrastructure development, as expensive as it is, if you do it very well, there is always money to finance it. even Chinese are here now. What do you think they are looking for? They ask about the project we have so that they can finance it .But they will not finance it if it is not bankable. That is why our bye line is ‘beyond finance’. What comes first is: do you have the brain to put it in a right way and make it attractive? Our challenge is knowledge. People must be knowledgeable. Those who own the assets and want to partner with other people must have the knowledge so that the contract they would sign at the end of the day would be based on equal knowledge or, at least, almost equal knowledge to ensure that they are not cheating one and other. The timing that takes a project to happen is also a challenge because you must continually go through the legal huddles. What right do they have? What obligations do they have? How do we marry the two? And what expectations are we having on a particular project? How do we align the project to that expectations? So they all take time. The regulatory environment, the court system, when we have dispute, how quickly do we get resolution in the court space without subjecting it to adjournments that frustrates people?

The unstable exchange rate is another major challenge. Of course, each of these challenges has its own solution. I worry about exchange rate because, if people bring their Dollars to Nigeria today, imagine somebody that brought in Dollars two years ago and engage in a 10 years project. Then, it was so easy to bring in money and take out money: we had money and no problem. Now, we don’t have much Dollars again and it’s just two years into a 10 years project. What do you think will happen to the owner of that Dollar? He would worry. That’s why I said charity begins at home. It’s possible for us to mobilize enough financial resources locally and solve our problem. It does not mean that foreigners would not come. But once you can devise a means that add local content to your financing need that is huge, it will also solve substantially part of that fluctuation. But foreign exchange is a major challenge to infrastructure development.

As a bank, do you take deposits and lend to customers?

That is a very interesting question that we often encounter. I can understand that we are coming from a background when you are a bank, the expectation is that you must have a vault where you keep money. But in the financial system, it’s not all banks that do keep vault where money is. We are a development financial institution and that’s why we don’t take deposit and we don’t give retail loans. But we are a bank because the law says we must be a bank that will be able to provide banking and financial services. In the infrastructure development space, we have talked about low infrastructure development, decaying infrastructure, prerequisite infrastructure development, specific funding need, which is often not in tandem with the financing structure of commercial banks because commercial banks house money that belongs to you and I that we deposit there on daily basis. Their deposit structure is such that they are not able to commit too much money on a long term because they don’t know when you and I will come and take our money back. But in financial system, there are institutions whose responsibility is to, first of all, create projects in a way that they are made bankable. And when they are bankable, they develop instruments that are able to attract the right kind of funding to it and there are some statutory savings-related institutions in the system. Insurance company is a major source of long term fund because they collect life premium from you and I. If I entered into a life policy at 20, if God spares my life like my father’s life who is 94 now and still kicking, I would have years

How do you see project financing in Nigeria?

The exciting thing about project finance is that there is nothing too big. like a python, who can swallow animal that is several times bigger than its head, there is nothing too big because the principle is the same world wide. We are behind in terms of infrastructure development and, as an institution uniquely owned by all stakeholders, it is important that we are there to support any ideas. I said that deliberately because, often times, what we are having in this country is ideas not project.

Oyinloye

The exciTing Thing abouT projecT finance is ThaT

There is noThing Too big.

Like a pyThon, who can swaLLow animaL ThaT is severaL Times bigger Than iTs head, There is

noThing Too big because The principLe is The same worLdwide of saving in that place without taking it back. Imagine in a nation where we have about 160 million people. And if the mature adults in that system save up to 40 years, that is a huge pool of money. That is why, in countries like South Africa, it is actually the insurance company that buys or create commercial bank.

But because of the nature of our own system here, it is commercial banks that invest in insurance company.

What is your position on the Contributory Pension Scheme fund?

Right now, we have N5 trillion in pension custody and we are not able to move the money into infrastructure. It is not that they don’t want to invest, but they are not seeing infrastructure projects that are bankable; and they are not seeing the right instrument that they can fit into. That’s why we said we occupy a niche place in the financial system. What we do is to make sure that infrastructure projects that have been made bankable are able to get those funds that are currently sitting in there. By that business model, we don’t need to have our own balance sheet.

The first thing we must have is the intellectual capacity to process ideas into projects. And when those projects are made, we further make them bankable. Bankability is to be able to create exit for every investors in a project. The exit is when the project is finished, how they get paid out. Once you can establish that, there will be whole lots of investment in that project. People now know that it’s like I am buying a property that I know that a buyer will buy from me tomorrow. I can quickly borrow money

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

33

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Dickson laments dwindling allocation …says Bayelsa got N2.9 billion in February

B

ayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, on Friday lamented the poor financial position of the state, as it received N2.9 billion for the month of February from the federation accounts.

A statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the governor stated this in Yenagoa, during the inauguration of three new Special Advisers.

He called on the federal government to take drastic measures to change the harsh economic situation facing Nigerians.

Dickson explained that the state government got the February allocation after deductions at source, including bonds incurred by the previous administration.

The governor said it was becoming increasingly difficult for the government to meet its financial obligations.

He said, “I have not seen anything like what has just been reported to me by the finance team. For this month, what has come into our state is N2.9 billion; it has never been this bad. Meanwhile, our salary obligation for civil servants alone, is about N4 billion, so you can see where we are, as a state.

“Four years ago, when this government started, the first allocation we received was about N16 billion. At some point, it climbed to N18 and even N19 billion. And, that was why we put all your resources in most of these ambitious projects that a number of them, including the Ogobiri bridge, first flyover and several roads have been completed.”

While advising Bayelsans, particularly the workers to show greater understanding, said the state government would be compelled to take hard decisions after due consultations with stakeholders.

Delivering his charge to the new special advisers, Dickson stated that they were re-appointed in appreciation of their meritorious service to the state in the last four years.

(L-R) Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Mrs Ibim Sementari; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin; Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers, and others at the inauguration of 25 Epenal security boats at Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder in Port Harcourt, recently.

Dickson orders suspension on sale of Bayelsa properties

T

he Bayelsa State governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, has ordered the immediate suspension of the ongoing sale of properties belonging to the state.

He also constituted a three-man committee to ascertain the level of compliance with due process in the sale of such assets.

A statement issued by the Chuef Press Secretary to the governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the committee is expected to compile a comprehensive list of all the government assets, that have been removed or sold to the auctioneers and advised the government of an appropriate action to

be taken, regarding such assets The chairman of the committee is Head of Service, Dr. Peter Singabele, while the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Chief Boma Spero-Jack, is member.

Deacon Markson Fefegha is the Secretary.

The committee, which has a six terms of refer-

ence, will look into all ongoing auction sales, determine the list and physical state of the equipment and items at the time of sale and unveil the identity or identities of all the auctioneers involved.

It will also make any other recommendations that would ensure a proper conduct of all similar exercises of the govern-

ment in the future.

Dickson, who charged members of the committee to submit its report within two weeks, directed all permanent secretaries and chief executives to submit all documents relating to the sale of government assets in their ministries, departments and agencies to the committee.

Dickson appoints PDP chairman Bayelsa SSG

B

ayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, has approved the appointment of a new Secretary to the State Government, Chief (Barrister) David Serena Dokubo-Spiff.

Dokubo-Spiff, who was

until his new appointment, the Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, is also the Amadabo of Ada-Ama, Twon-Brass in Brass Local Government Area.

A statement issued on

Saturday by Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the new SSG, would be inaugurated at noon on Tuesday March 1, 2016, at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Yenagoa.

Capital Market

34

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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 29/02/2016

Printed 29/02/2016 14:37:05.005

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal Bond Name 15.10% FGN APR 2017 16.39% FGN JAN 2022 Federal Totals

Symbol FG9B2017S2 FG9B2022S1

DEBT Board Totals

Equities as at February 29, 2016 No. of Deals 1 1 2

Bond Activity Totals

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

Daily Summary (Equities)

No Of Deals

Current Price 106.80 120.00

Quantity Traded 203 860 1063

Value Traded 227,440.42 1,045,551.55 1,272,991.97

2

1,063

1,272,991.97

2

1063

1,272,991.97

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Daily Summary as of 29/02/2016 Printed 29/02/2016 14:37:05.005

1st Tier Securities

Value of Shares(N)

Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Totals Activity Summary onSpecialties Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CHELLARAMS PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 12 19 31

Daily Summary as of 29/02/2016 Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Printed 29/02/2016 14:37:05.005 JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Summary Estate Development Activity on BoardTotals EQTY CONSTRUCTION/REAL CONSUMER GOODS ESTATE Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS PLC Published by The NigerianNIG Stock Exchange © INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON INDUSTRIES PLC Daily Summary as ALLIED of 29/02/2016 N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Printed 29/02/2016 14:37:05.005 TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC UNION DICON SALT PLC. Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals CONSUMER GOODS Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

LIVESTOCK

13 13

Micro-Finance Banks Totals Micro-Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE Other Financial InstitutionsBANK PLC NPF PLC AFRICA REGISTRARS PLC Daily Summary asMICROFINANCE of PRUDENTIAL 29/02/2016 BANK Micro-Finance Banks FCMB14:37:05.005 GROUP PLC.Totals Printed 29/02/2016 STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC Other Financial Institutions UNITED CAPITAL PLC AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY Other Institutions Totals Published by The Financial Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

No. of Deals 5 4 1 54 60 124

Quantity Traded 66,125 267,201 333,326

Value Traded 2,037,862.50 9,216,491.70 11,254,354.20

Quantity Traded 237,928 237,928

Value Traded 277,834.32 277,834.32

571,254

11,532,188.52

Quantity Traded 28,238 20 1,100 Page 4,730,939 1,891,164 6,651,461

37,821,649.35 43,076,885.52

6,651,461

43,076,885.52

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 52,500 52,500

Value Traded 26,250.00 26,250.00

Symbol JBERGER ROADS

No. of Deals 7 1 8

Current Price 41.50 6.60

Quantity Traded 51,750 400 52,150

Value Traded 2,251,080.00 2,772.00 2,253,852.00

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price

Quantity Traded 2,500 2,500

Value Traded 12,750.00 12,750.00

107,150

2,292,852.00

UAC-PROP

2 2

5.10

11

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Daily Summary as of 29/02/2016 Building Materials Totals Printed 29/02/2016 14:37:05.005 Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY NATURAL RESOURCES INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. Chemicals Totals

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Daily Summary as of OIL 29/02/2016 Energy Equipment and Services Totals Printed 29/02/2016 14:37:05.005 Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

No. of Deals 1 32 4 110 147

Current Price 2.83 113.00 19.50 101.00

Quantity Traded 100 97,543 Page 1,258 839,456 938,357

Value Traded 269.00 11,026,899.00 13 2 of 23,650.31 84,800,429.36 95,851,247.67

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 170.00

Quantity Traded 22,024 22,024

Value Traded 3,671,841.40 3,671,841.40

Symbol DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM TIGERBRANDS UNIONDICON

No. of Deals 32 56 26 7 1 23 1 146

Current Price 5.23 17.43 1.33 7.00 6.65 1.38 11.84

Quantity Traded 1,057,270 400,370 477,939 16,940 50 2,905,815 200 4,858,584

Value Traded 5,603,537.16 7,004,470.65 637,515.87 121,562.20 325.00 3,982,299.00 2,250.00 17,351,959.88

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 15 37 52

Current Price 17.20 715.00

Quantity Traded 25,407 44,531 69,938

Value Traded 428,123.58 32,210,294.73 32,638,418.31

Symbol VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 17 17

Current Price 4.58

Quantity Traded 403,000 Page 403,000

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 36 13 49

Current Price 21.90 29.00

Quantity Traded 218,291 53,204 271,495

Value Traded 4,745,875.10 1,500,371.65 6,246,246.75

6,563,398

157,537,619.68

OIL AND GAS Totals Daily Summary as of 29/02/2016 Printed 29/02/2016 SERVICES14:37:05.005

Current Price 4.05 1.38 16.75 1.10 16.00 0.96 1.76 2.88 5.30 0.67 0.89

Quantity Traded 138,970,740 5,604,408 773,180 6,365,219 7,480,889 3,160,223 10,289,823 3,824,252 547,487 52,898 4,101,012 181,170,131

Value Traded 562,782,363.67 7,580,006.51 12,914,888.62 7,181,599.96 118,943,996.33 3,077,689.64 16,988,527.48 10,939,940.82 2,911,921.40 34,383.70 3,706,218.77 747,061,536.90

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Daily Summary as of 29/02/2016

Current Price 0.80 0.93 0.50 Current Price 0.50 0.80 1.87 0.93 0.72 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.87 0.50 0.72 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 Current Price 0.50 5.15

Quantity Traded 40,757 Page 500,000 1,873,296 Quantity Traded 160 40,757 400,720 500,000 3,239 1,873,296 40 160 40 400,720 20,000 3,239 207,113,867 40 209,952,119 40 20,000 Quantity Traded 207,113,867 746 209,952,119 248,366

Value Traded 32,016.31 13 of 465,000.00 936,648.00 Value Traded 80.00 32,016.31 758,568.60 465,000.00 2,409.25 936,648.00 20.00 80.00 20.00 758,568.60 10,000.00 2,409.25 103,556,933.50 20.00 105,761,695.66 20.00 10,000.00 Value Traded 103,556,933.50 3,879.20 105,761,695.66 249,386.04

Daily Summary (Equities)

432

Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 66 DIAMONDBNK 26 ETI 38 FIDELITYBK 41 GUARANTY 220 SKYEBANK 38 STERLNBANK 14 UBA 111 Daily Summary (Equities) UBN 26 UNITYBNK 4 WEMABANK 30 614 Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE CORNERST Symbol GUINEAINS AIICO MANSARD CONTINSURE NEM CORNERST REGALINS GUINEAINS STDINSURE MANSARD UNITYKAP NEM WAPIC REGALINS STDINSURE UNITYKAP Symbol WAPIC FORTISMFB NPFMCRFBK Symbol FORTISMFB Symbol NPFMCRFBK AFRIPRUD FCMB STANBIC Symbol UCAP AFRIPRUD FCMB Daily Summary STANBIC UCAP

No. of Deals 8 6 1 No. of Deals 4 8 6 6 3 1 1 4 1 6 1 3 11 1 42 1 1 No. of Deals 11 1 42 8 9 No. of Deals 1 No. of Deals 8 83 9 99 9 No. of Deals 21 83 212 99 (Equities) 9 21 212

1.02 Current Price 5.15 Current Price 1.02 2.66 0.76 14.25 Current Price 1.33 2.66 0.76 14.25 1.33

877

No. of Deals 2 20 2 8 3 1 36

Current Price 0.50 2.56 24.98 0.98 0.66 2.14

36

RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Value Traded 1,777,905.67 13 of 1,777,905.67

4

32,693 Quantity579,505 Traded 4,439,252 18,508,217 13,456,767 32,693 579,505 Page 18,508,217

460,448.41 Value Traded 771,614.38 11,731,425.27 23,269,055.02 10,305,566.96 460,448.41 771,614.38 623,269,055.02 of 13 876,345,552.82 6

of

Value Traded 591,410.00 1,371,224.00 43,443.14 148,498.22 9,653.52 2,570.40 2,166,799.28

1,890,565

2,166,799.28

ETERNA PLC. OIL AND GAS FORTE OIL PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Daily Summary as of 29/02/2016 SERVICES Printed 29/02/2016 14:37:05.005 Courier/Freight/Delivery

3

Quantity Traded 1,182,820 536,900 1,774 153,639 14,172 1,260 1,890,565

13

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL on PLC Activity Summary Board EQTY Hotels/Lodging Totals OIL AND GAS Printing/Publishing Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors ACADEMY PLC. MOBIL OIL PRESS NIG PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Printing/Publishing Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Exploration and Production Totals

Printed 29/02/2016 14:37:05.005 Hotels/Lodging Activity Summary on Board EQTY IKEJA HOTEL PLC SERVICES Hotels/Lodging Totals Transport-Related Services Printing/Publishing NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC ACADEMY PRESS PLC. Totals Transport-Related Services AFRICA ActivityLEARN Summary on PLC Board EQTY Support and Logistics UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. SERVICES CAVERTON OFFSHORE Printing/Publishing TotalsSUPPORT GRP PLC Transport-Related Services C & I LEASING PLC. Daily Summary as of 29/02/2016 NIGERIAN AVIATIONTotals HANDLING COMPANY PLC Support and Logistics Printed 29/02/2016 14:37:05.005 Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Transport-Related Services Totals SERVICES Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC EQTY Board Totals C & I LEASING PLC. Daily Summary as of 29/02/2016 Support and Logistics Totals Printed 29/02/2016 14:37:05.005

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 500.00 500.00

Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC Computers and Peripherals Totals

Symbol OMATEK

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 5 5

Value Traded 2.50 2.50

IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC.

Symbol CWG TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 2.67 1.69

Quantity Traded 20 295

Value Traded 50.80 474.95

Page

7

of

No. of Deals 2

OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONSUMER EQTY Board GOODS Totals CAPITAL OIL PLC Food Products Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals MCNICHOLS PLC

Activity on Board ASeM FoodSummary Products Totals OIL ANDSummary GAS Totals Activity on Board ASeM

OIL AND GAS CONSUMER GOODS Totals PetroleumGOODS and Petroleum Products Distributors CONSUMER ASeM Board Totals CAPITAL OIL PLC Food Products Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals MCNICHOLS PLC

Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Daily Summary as ofTotals 29/02/2016 Banking PrintedActivity 29/02/2016 14:37:05.005 on Board PREMIUM Published

by TheSummary Nigerian Stock Exchange © Other Financial Institutions Activity Summary on PLC Board PREMIUM FINANCIAL SERVICES FBN HOLDINGS Banking Other Financial Institutions Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Building SERVICES Materials Totals FINANCIAL Banking Totals Building Materials Totals Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM INDUSTRIAL GOODS Other Financial Institutions INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Building Materials FBN HOLDINGS PLC INDUSTRIAL GOODS DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Totals Other Financial Institutions Building Materials PREMIUM Board Totals Building SERVICES Materials Totals FINANCIAL Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Equity Activity Totals Totals INDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL GOODS GOODS Building Materials DANGOTE PREMIUM BoardCEMENT Totals PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING ETF VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF Exchange Traded Fund VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Name VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) Exchange Traded Fund Totals VETIVA BANKING ETF GOODS ETF ETFVETIVA Board CONSUMER Totals VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF ETPExchange Activity Totals Traded Fund Totals

13

ETF Board Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Value Traded 525.75

1,320

1,028.25

No. of Deals 11 7 3 8 1 5 35

Current Price 24.00 9.30 35.78 8.55 3.36 84.52

Quantity Traded 123,189 27,313 21,647 273,600 5,000 4,200 454,949

Value Traded 2,954,801.02 252,096.77 801,499.00 2,345,880.00 16,000.00 342,394.60 6,712,671.39

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.58

Quantity Traded 482 482

Value Traded 766.38 766.38

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 50.00

Quantity Traded 10,000 10,000

Value Traded 475,000.00 475,000.00

465,431 Quantity Traded 105 105

7,188,437.77 Value Traded 416.85 416.85

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol BETAGLAS

38 No. of Deals 1 1

Symbol BOCGAS

Current Price 3.79

1

105 Page

8

416.85 13 of

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 109,549 109,549

Value Traded 54,774.50 54,774.50

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 159 159

Current Price 2.97

Quantity Traded 10,674,959 10,674,959

Value Traded 32,084,683.39 32,084,683.39

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO Symbol MOBIL TOTAL

No. of Deals 14 12 12 No. of Deals 6 3 47

Current Price 17.43 1.82 342.00 Current Price 156.97 145.00

Quantity Traded 84,143 248,400 8,547 Quantity Traded 14,866 109 356,065

Value Traded 1,472,086.32 470,694.99 2,776,920.30 Value Traded 2,299,648.66 15,613.00 7,034,963.27

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 349.00

Quantity Traded 88,878 88,878

Value Traded 31,047,013.75 31,047,013.75

Daily Summary (Equities)

225

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

11,229,451 Page

13 970,221,434.91 of

No. of Deals 5 1 6

Current Price 3.80 1.21

Quantity Traded 335,253 900 336,153

Value Traded 1,276,118.40 1,044.00 1,277,162.40

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 2.87

Quantity Traded 50,000 50,000

Value Traded 143,500.00 143,500.00

Symbol Symbol ACADEMY MOBIL LEARNAFRCA TOTAL UPL

No. No. of of Deals Deals 1 6 2 3 1 47 4 No. of Deals 18 18

Current Current Price Price 0.53 156.97 0.90 145.00 5.70

Quantity Quantity Traded Traded 200 14,866 6,000 109 144 356,065 6,344 Quantity Traded 88,878 Page 88,878

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol SEPLAT

Current Price 349.00

225

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 5 1 (Equities) 6

Current Price 3.80 1.21

No. of Deals 1 1 Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals NAHCO 13 ACADEMY 131 LEARNAFRCA 2 Symbol No. of Deals1 UPL CAVERTON 14 Symbol No. of Deals CILEASING 1 NAHCO 13 2 13 26 Symbol No. of Deals CAVERTON 1 Daily Summary (Equities) 1,8181 CILEASING Daily Summary (Equities) 2

Current Price 2.87

Daily Summary Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

Current Price Current Price 4.00 0.53 0.90 Current Price 5.70 1.60 Current Price 0.50 4.00

Current Price 1.60 0.50

Daily Summary MCNICHOLS

Symbol CAPOIL Symbol

Daily Summary MCNICHOLS

Quantity Traded 335,253 900 336,153

Value Traded 1,276,118.40 1,044.00 1,277,162.40

1,936,294.22 Value Traded 1,172,299,509.82 150.00 Value Traded 150.00 154,954.17

1 1

125,979 300

154,954.17 150.00

1 No. of Deals 2 1 No. of Deals (Equities) 1

125,979 Quantity Traded 126,279 300 Quantity Traded 300 125,979

154,954.17 Value Traded 155,104.17 150.00 Value Traded 150.00 154,954.17

2

No. of Deals 506 506 (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol FBNH Symbol ZENITHBANK Daily Summary Symbol

70,221,434.91

523,171 Current Price 0.50 Current Price 1.23

Current Price 0.50 Current Price 1.23

125,979 300 Page 125,979

1

Daily Summary

11,229,451

Quantity Traded 437,882,885 300 Quantity Traded 300 125,979

No. of Deals (Equities) 1,818 No. of Deals1 (Equities) 11

1 1

Symbol ZENITHBANK

Value Value Traded Traded 106.00 2,299,648.66 5,320.00 15,613.00 780.48 7,034,963.27 6,206.48 Value Traded 31,047,013.75 10 of 13 31,047,013.75

Quantity Traded Value Traded 50,000 143,500.00 50,000 143,500.00 Quantity Traded Value Traded Quantity129,046 Traded Value Traded 508,405.34 200 106.00 129,046 508,405.34 6,000 5,320.00 Quantity Traded Value Traded 144 780.48 200 306.00 6,344 6,206.48 Quantity Traded Value Traded 1,428 714.00 129,046 508,405.34 1,628 1,020.00 Page 10 of 13 129,046 508,405.34 523,171 1,936,294.22 Quantity Traded Value Traded 200 306.00 437,882,885 1,172,299,509.82 1,428 714.00 1,628 1,020.00

26 Symbol Daily Summary CAPOIL Symbol

Current Price 11.07

No. of Deals Current Price 168 3.89 No. of Deals 168 Current Price 506 11.07 (Equities) No. of Deals 674 Current Price 506 55

Symbol Symbol FBNH DANGCEM Symbol

No. of Deals Current Price 55 No. of Deals 168 Current Price 3.89 55 141.75 168 No. of Deals Current Price 729 55 674

2,549 55 Symbol DANGCEM Daily Summary Symbol NEWGOLD VETBANK Daily Summary VETGOODS VETGRIF30 Symbol VETINDETF NEWGOLD VETBANK VETGOODS VETGRIF30 VETINDETF

No. of Deals 55 729 (ETP)

Current Price 141.75

2,549

(ETP)

No. of Deals 1 1 1 1 No. of Deals 1 1 5 1 1 5 1 1 5 5

5

126,279

Quantity Traded 24,179,925 24,179,925 Page Quantity Traded 4,836,388 Quantity Traded 4,836,388 24,179,925 Quantity Traded 29,016,313 24,179,925 213,744

5

11

154,954.17 150.00 of 13 154,954.17

155,104.17

Value Traded 268,706,453.79 268,706,453.79 13 11 of Value Traded 18,116,141.68 Value Traded 18,116,141.68 268,706,453.79 Value Traded 286,822,595.47 268,706,453.79 30,045,849.96

Quantity Traded Value Traded 213,744 30,045,849.96 Quantity Traded Value Traded 4,836,388 18,116,141.68 213,744 30,045,849.96 4,836,388 18,116,141.68 Quantity Traded Value Traded 29,230,057 316,868,445.43 213,744 30,045,849.96 29,016,313 286,822,595.47 13 Page 12 of 467,239,221 1,489,323,059.42 213,744 30,045,849.96 Quantity Traded 213,744 29,230,057

30,045,849.96 316,868,445.43

467,239,221

1,489,323,059.42

Current Price 2,345.00 2.30 6.05 11.15 Current Price 18.56 2,345.00 2.30 6.05 11.15 18.56

Page Quantity Traded 50 10 100 1,980 Quantity Traded 10 50 2,150 10 100 2,150 1,980 10 2,150 2,150

Value Traded

13 12 of Value Traded 117,250.00 23.00 605.00 22,077.00 Value Traded 185.60 117,250.00 140,140.60 23.00 605.00 140,140.60 22,077.00 185.60 140,140.60 140,140.60

2,150 Page

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

ETP Activity Totals

Value of Shares(N)

Quantity Traded 315

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN PORTPAINT WAPCO

Food Products Totals OIL AND GAS Totals Daily Summary as of 29/02/2016 Activity on Board PREMIUM Published

by TheSummary Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONSUMER GOODS Totals Printed 29/02/2016 14:37:05.005 FINANCIAL ASeM BoardSERVICES Totals

Quantity Traded

Current Price

4

Activity Summary on Board ASeM SERVICES Totals Activity Summary on Board ASeM

Exchange Traded Fund Equity Activity Totals

No. of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N)

OIL Totals Published byAND The GAS Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

253,265.24 Value Traded Value3,879.20 Traded 249,386.04 11,731,425.27 253,265.24 10,305,566.96

Page Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors

Activity Summary CONOIL PLC on Board EQTY

Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

249,112 Quantity Traded 746 Quantity Traded 248,366 4,439,252 249,112 13,456,767

409,879,579

No Of Deals Symbol

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals © Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

Symbol COURTVILLE

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Company name

ICT Totals

Value Traded 21,541.44 68.20 924.00 1 5,232,702.53 of 13

Symbol COSTAIN

HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals

Current Price 0.80 3.58 0.88 1.10 20.00

124

FINANCIAL SERVICES FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

1.19

44 Symbol AGLEVENT CHELLARAM JOHNHOLT TRANSCORP UACN

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Daily Summary as of 29/02/2016 FIDELITY BANK PLC Printed 29/02/2016 14:37:05.005 GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK Daily Summary as of 29/02/2016PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC Printed 29/02/2016 14:37:05.005 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC ActivityWEMA Summary Board EQTY BANKon PLC. Banking Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Activity Summary on Board INSURANCE PLC. EQTY Published byAIICO The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. Insurance Brokers GUINEA Carriers, INSURANCE PLC.and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. PLC REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC N.E.M (NIG) PLC. WAPICINSURANCE INSURANCECO PLC REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC Micro-Finance Banks WAPIC PLC BANK PLC FORTISINSURANCE MICROFINANCE Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC

Current Price 30.00 34.25

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY ICT IT Services IT Services Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Daily Summary as of 29/02/2016 Crop Production Printed 29/02/2016 14:37:05.005 OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

Sector

Daily Summary (Equities)

140,140.60 13

2,150

Page

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Abiodun nEjo ADO EKITI

T

he Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Pastor Kola Oluwawole has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC of being selective in its fraud investigation.

Oluwawole, who described the anti-corruption agencies as instrument of government saddled with beaming searchlight on all reported cases of fraud, said the onus was on them to carry out their functions without bias.

A statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Chief Olugboyega Aribisogan, said that the Speaker spoke yesterday after presentation of the state’s Auditor-General’s

Politics

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

35

Ekiti Speaker accuses EFCC of selective fraud probes Report for the 2014 financial year to the Assembly at a special plenary The Speaker said: “I want to emphasise that the EFCC has been selective in its investigations. All the reported cases of fraud pending in the EFCC office must be investigated.

“Today’s programme is a demonstration of accountability and transparency of the present Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led administration in Ekiti State.

“It is our fervent prayer

that this administration would make the difference that is required at improving the existing level of achievement of the Public Sector Governance Reform and Development Project in the fight against the prevalence of corruption in governments and other sectors,” he said.

Oluwawole assured that the House Committee on Public Account would begin proper scrutiny of the

report, based on its formal presentation by the state Auditor-General in accordance with the country’s constitution and Standing Order of the state House of Assembly.

Presenting the report earlier, the Auditor-General, Mr. Daniel Kayode, noted that part of the cogent contents of the report was that the 2014 budget was balanced with revenue and expenditure projection of N103.9 bil-

lion, adding that the average budget performance of the year stood at 71.02 per cent for revenue and 66.2 per cent for expenditure.

Kayode said that the variance resulted from over-optimism in budget projections, while he said “Audit recommends vigorous efforts and smart approaches to IGR issues to turn the situation around.”

He said government would have to encourage

citizens to perform their civic responsibilities with regards to taxation, “while greater incursion must be made into the informal sector to broaden the tax base and to tap more revenues.”

He said unanswered audit queries as of December 31, 2014 were in excess of N4.8 billion, adding that accounts of many government parastatal agencies were last audited in years ranging from 2010 to 2013.

Osun Assembly worries over poor implementation of laws Ayo EsAn

T

he State of Osun House of Assembly has expressed worry over the poor level of implementation of the laws being passed by houses of assembly in the country.

Speaker of the Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam stated this in Ijebu-jesa on Monday at a two-day training workshop on legislative practice and procedure organised for members of the Assembly.

According to a statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the speaker said it was very unfortunate that there were several bills that could improve the economy of the states and the federation at large which have been passed, but poorly implemented or not implemented at all.

“On the passage of bill, not minding the number, bills would only be passed for the sake of it if they are not being implemented.

“There are several bills passed in this country after legislators have put in their best, but not being implemented. There are bill that can develop this state and Nigeria as a whole that are there lying fallow”, he said.

The Speaker, according to the statement,

however, stressed that the Assembly would be careful and do thorough job before the passage of the 2016 budget to ensure that a realistic budget is approved.

He said the present cash crunch in the state and the country at large was responsible for the delay in the passage of the budget.

According to him, the Assembly has been looking critically into the budget, monitoring the trend of revenue to arrive at a reasonable conclusion in appropriation law for the year.

Explaining the rationale behind the training for members, the speaker reportedly said, it was meant to enhance capacity of members on the application of legislative rules and procedure, as well as ensuring effective, robust and participatory legislative process.

In his lecture, a former Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr Niyi Ajiboye reportedly said lack of financial autonomy has been responsible for the failure of the executive to take the implementation of the laws passed by houses of assembly with seriousness.

He said, if the Assemblies are given autonomy, it would make them more efficient to be able to hold executive responsible for non-implementation of laws.

L-R: Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam; Deputy Speaker, Hon. Akintunde Adegboye and Senator Mudashiru Hussain, during a two-day training programme on Legislative Practice and Procedure for members and Staff of the State House of Asembly at Timsed Hotel, Ijebu-Ijesa, Osun State yesterday.

RobERt AwokusE

L

agos State House of Assembly has called on petroleum tanker drivers, especially the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Worker, NUPENG to as a matter of urgency vacate Oshoodi-Apapa expressway following the perennial gridlock which is informed by the indiscriminate parking of the tankers on the road.

The Chairman House Committee on Commerce and Industry , Hon. Oladele Adekanye disclosed this during a visit by the Committee to the Ibru Port Complex in Apapa as part of the Committee oversight function.

The Committee ex-

Lagos assembly orders tanker drivers to vacate highway pressed dissatisfaction with the persistent traffic gridlock in the Apapa area of Lagos which has spilled over into some parts of the state, saying that it has led to series of atrocities in the area.

According to him, there is going to be a follow-up to ensure that the tanker drivers vacate the road and the state is unrelenting to put an end to traffic gridlock on that axis, adding that this is the major road that leads to the economy hub of the country.

Adekanye who represents Lagos Island Constituency I stressed that

Lagos Assembly is concerned with the improvement of economy in the state and that all hands must be on deck to assist the government.

The Chairman, Technical Committee of the Ibru Port, Engineer Godfrey Okorie while responding told the lawmakers that NUPENG has been the problem to them, stressing that they refused to evacuate their tankers from the expressway even when the Commissioner of Transportation gave the order.

Godfrey said “We cannot on our own compel NUPENG to vacate its

tankers but it will take the effort of both Federal, State Government and other agencies to restore sanity in the area .

Also speaking, the General Manager of Ibro Port Complex, Ovie Oghenekaro lamented the persistence gridlock in Apapa and called on the government to come to their aid.

Adekanye however stated that since both the state and federal governments are controlled by APC, all hands would be on deck to ensure the traffic gridlock in Apapa become a thing of the past.

Mail Mirror

Politics

36

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

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THE HOUSE OF REPS with

Ubong UKPONG

08036017966, email: ubongpong@yahoo.com

Reps and the burden of a better constitution

S

ecuring a better and workable constitution for the Federal Republic of Nigeria has always been the desire and pursuit of all succeeding sessions of the National Assembly, NASS, as seen with the 7th Assembly, which effort was rendered futile by rifts.

However, the House of Representatives is expressing the resolve to successfully alter the 1999 constitution and secure Presidential assent in this 8th Assembly.

The efforts in this regard by the 7th Assembly under Dr Goodluck Jonathan as President, was stalled by pecuniary interests, as the document was ready but denied presidential assent.

Jonathan had explained his refusal to assent the constitution amendment bill forwarded to him by the 7th National Assembly with his 13 grounds in a letter entitled: “Re: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Fourth Alteration Act, 2015,.”

He questioned the power of the National Assembly to arrogate to itself the power to pass any constitution amended without the assent of the President.

He also faulted whittling down the power of the President, allowing the National Judicial Council, NJC, to appoint the Attorney-General of the Federation, separating the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation from that of the Federal Government, and limiting the period when expenditure can be authorized in default of appropriation from six months to three months, among others.

In the letter, Jonathan also lamented what he termed as usurpation of powers of the executive by the legislature in the fourth alteration of the constitution.

In the letter, Jonathan said that the two chambers of the National Assembly failed to meet requirements for altering Section 9 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.

Section 4 of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015 seeks to alter Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution by the insertion of a new sub-section 3A, which dispenses with the assent of the President in the process of constitution amendment.

However, this alteration can only be valid if the proposal was supported by votes of not less than four-fifth majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly and approved by a resolution of the Houses of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the states as provided by Section 9 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.

“This is a fundamental requirement of the constitution and in the absence of credible evidence that this requirement of the constitution was met in the votes and proceedings of the National Assembly, it will be unconstitutional for me to assent to this Bill,” Jonathan explained.

Besides, Jonathan said there were a number of provisions in the Act that altogether constituted flagrant violations of the doctrine

of separation of powers enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and unjustifiably whittle down the executive powers of the federation vested in the president by virtue of Section 5 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.

He observed that the power vested in the President to withhold his assent to bills passed by the National Assembly was part of checks and balances contained in the constitution.

He said Sub-section 5a of Section 58, which provides that the bill becomes law after the expiration of 30 days in the event that the president fails to signify the withholding of his assent, may be inappropriate.

“The provision appears not to have taken cognizance of the aforementioned variables, the vagaries inherent in the legislative process and the wisdom in requiring two-thirds majority to override the President’s veto.

Jonathan also faulted the National Assembly over its alteration, seeking to limit the period when expenditure can be authorized in default of appropriation from the six months provided in the constitution to three months.

Now, Rt Hon. Sulaimon Yussuff Lasun, a seasoned administrator and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, is leading a team of seasoned politicians and lawmakers on this mission to meet the yearning of the people.

Giving his pedigree as a diligent presiding officer, it is agreed that Lasun is the best hand that the House could trust with this onerous responsibility, believing same that he would live up to it.

Lasun was appointed as Chairman of the committee on the review of 1999 constitution alongside 49 members and inaugurated in January by Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, to conclude work on the fourth alteration bill started by the 7th Assembly.

It is called 4th alteration bill because the 6th Assembly (2007-2011) enacted the first, second and third alterations to the 1999 constitution.

The 1999 Constitution vests law-making powers in the National Assembly (Section 4); and in particular, it envisages that the constitution, being a living document that is expected to guide the affairs of the country may require alteration or amendments from time to time as a result of operation of its various aspects or new experiences and new thinking on some of its provisions.

Bearing this in mind, Lasun’s committee is in close touch with the advice of the Speaker, that “In carrying out its assignment, they should follow a two-track approach of Firstly, concluding the 4th Alteration Bill, which is pending and secondly, processing all the other new bills referred to the committee by members, including new proposals from the general public.

They are also to sift ideas from the Confab Report of 2014, in a possible 5th Alteration Bill.

As enormous as this looks, Lasun has

Lasun gotten the committee on its feet and work is in progress, as the Deputy Speaker has not failed to reassure citizens that the National Assembly would deliver to them a workable constitution.

In keeping with the terms of reference and his character as a democrat, Lasun has said that he is open to all opinions as none presented to the committee would be discarded as irrelevant.

From statements emanating from the Deputy Speaker’s office through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Wole Oladimeji, it is clear that the Committee is ready to receive all the necessary information that would help in bringing about a workable constitution for the country.

The committee would want to avoid the mistakes of 7th Assembly by consulting widely and carrying all citizens along in altering the constitution.

The 8th House believes that with good laws in place, the business of governance, economic and social activities would thrive, while corruption and impunity would stop, and so the committee is vigorously pursuing this course To achieve this, the committee is said to have assembled seasoned legal luminaries that would give it the needed technical assistance.

For the Committee Chairman, there were laws and enactment of the National Assembly which have not been tested, as such, the review has provided an opportunity to ensure that all laws that needed to be reviewed are amended by the committee The panel is fairly constituted with all the nine principal officers of the House, one member each from the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory and a representative of women as members.

REP’S SCORE CARD

Lasun, uniting the Reps

I

wonder what the House of Representatives would have been without a unifying element like Rt. Hon. Sulaimon Yusuff Lasun, the Deputy Speaker.

I have watched his activities in the House within a short time and have come to the conclusion that he is a peacemaker and truly honourable.

Like the holy Bible puts it, “blessed are the peacemakers for they shall obtain peace”, I say it with no regrets that Lasun is enjoying peace and co-operation amongst lawmakers including those in opposition because of his principles and outstanding leadership styles.

His emergence as Deputy Speaker, which gives him presiding opportunities in the House and at ECOWAS Parliament, could only be attributed to an act of God, as he narrowly ascended the position.

Lasun, who is well respected and loved by members, has spent most part of his time since June 2015, building love and unity among members and even towards the leadership.

This is resulting from the hangover from leadership tussle between Speaker Yakubu

Dogara and Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, which divided the House.

Lasun, who was born around 1961, is an indigene of Osun state and of the All Progressives Congress, APC, representing Irepodun/Olorunda/Osogbo/Orolu Federal constituency.

His good relationship with his colleagues and the respect he commands, often make them give him maximum support whenever he presides over plenary, as the often celebrate his rulings by shouting his name with one voice.

The Speaker appointed him to head the constitution review committee, having considered his wealth of experience.

The belief is that the Deputy speaker would use his experience as a seasoned administrator to ensure that Nigerians get a constitution that would move the nation forward.

The deputy speaker with his experience as a mathematician was able to resolve 2015 appropriation bill crisis. In the same way, he put his experiences to bear in the selection committee of both 2015 and 2016.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ASO ROCK FILE with Rotimi FADEYI

No hiding place for looters of treasury

V

ice President Yemi Osinbajo is not only a Professor of Law but also a pastor and he is so passionate about the position of government not to condone acts of indiscipline and to ensure that the resources of the government are judiciously used for the benefit of the people.

For him, under the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, there would not be any hiding place for treasury looters as they would be fished out and brought to justice.

He said the government would not succumb to pressure being mounted by some Nigerians that the government should concentrate on governance and allow looters of public funds to go free.

Osinbajo was of the opinion that if the government does not fight corruption, it would not be able to deal with issues relating to the economy.

The Vice President spoke while granting audience to

Politics

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

a delegation of the Trade Union Congress at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Osinbajo enjoined all Nigerians to support government in the fight against corruption, saying “if you don’t fight corruption, you cannot even deal with the economy, you need to hold corrupt people accountable because they stole the money meant for the economy”.

Commenting on the extent of damage that the corruption of past government caused, Osinbajo said, “our sense of outrage is nowhere near what has happened.

Some people are even arguing why are we going after the looters, that we should concentrate on the economy.

But if we don’t fight corruption, we can’t deal with the economy effectively.”

According to him, “what has happened in this country is criminal, the government won’t listen to those who says “we should just go on without holding corrupt people accountable”

37

APC leaders and the curious meeting in Aso Rock

N

obody expected to see them in the Presidential Villa last arweek Wednesday as they ar rived one after the other for Presithe meeting with Vice Presi dent Yemi Osinbajo.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was the presfirst to arrive and his pres ence attracted interest as he is not always seen in the Presidential Villa even though he was an aspirant for the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives PresiParty, APC in the 2015 Presi dential election.

Though being Vice President to former President Olusegun Obasanjo for eight years, finding his way Vilaround the Presidential Vil

la would not be strange to him and may have designed his own way of meeting with those in power, even without the knowledge of many people.

Soon after, Saraki arrived, other chieftains of the party also made their way into the Villa for the crucial meeting at a time when President Muhammadu Buhari is on a weeklong trip to Saudi Arabia and Quatar to hold talks on efforts to stabilise falling oil prices.

The meeting which lasted for about four hours started at about 11a.m and ended at 3p.m.

Curiously, the meeting was held at a time when President Muhammadu Buhari is on a week - long trip

to Saudi Arabia and Quatar to hold talks on efforts to stabilise falling oil prices Apart from Atiku, those who also attended the meeting ere Senate President, Bukola Saraki; National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Lasun Yusuf; Other are Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Lawal Babachir; APC former Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, APC Deputy Chairman, South, Chief Segun Oni; Senate leader, Ali Ndume, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbo-

naiya Onu; former Information Minister, Prince Tony Momoh and Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere.

Shortly before the end of the meeting, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, (Office of the Vice President) Babafemi Ojudu told Journalists who had been waiting for the outcome of the meeting that there would be no opportunity for any interview.

He said it was a Consultative meeting of party leaders over party affairs and that they should allowed them to go without any interview.

At the end of the meeting, all those who attended the meeting declined to speak with Journalists

Buhari furious over padding of 2016 budget

T

hough he was far away in Saudi Arabia where he held talks with Saudi Arabian King, Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud on crude oil price, President Muhammadu Buhari could not hide his disappointment over the distortion in the 2016 budget Addressing the Nigerian Community in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the President condemned the distortion of the budget proposals by entrenched interests.

He has therefore vowed that all those involved in the padding of the budget would face the most severe punishment.

The President said that the unauthorised alterations had completely changed the document from the one he presented to the National Assembly.

“The culprits will not go unpunished. I have been a military governor, petroleum minister, military Head of State and headed the

Petroleum Trust Fund.

“Never had I heard the words “budget padding”.

Our Minister of Budget and National Planning did a great job with his team. The Minister became almost half his size during the time.

Deputy President, Trade Union Congress, TUC, Olusoji Salako; President TUC, Bobboi Kaigama and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during a meeting at the Presidential Villa.

Osinbajo, TUC and notice for minimum wage review

W

hen labour unions meet with government officials, it is not always a tea party; it is either to demand for better welfare of workers or to express grievances about certain policies of the government.

Therefore it was not a surprise last week when leadership of the Trade Union Congress, TUC issued notice for a review of minimum wage to workers during a meeting with Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa The Congress also urged the FG to reverse the sale of

the electricity distribution companies, (DISCOs) as the current operators had demonstrated lack of will, capacity and competence to invest in the power sector and provide power to consumers.

President of the Congress, Bobboi Kaigama, said the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2011 would be five years old in March and in recognition of the International Labour Organisation’s Minimum Wage Fixing Convention 131 of 1970, an ad hoc committee should be raised every five years for the review.

He said, “we use this opportunity to serve notice

that it is time for the Federal Government to set up that committee and mandate it to kick start work on the fixing of a new minimum wage.

“We trust that this will be done immediately to save Nigerian workers from the harsh effects of present day economic realities which is taking tolls on their meager incomes,’’ Kaigama said.

While speaking on the increase in electricity tariff, Kaigama described the decision as “anti-people” He said the Act of the National Assembly empowering the electricity regulator with the unilateral power to increase and not allowing

lawmakers from tampering with the Act was too simplistic and misleading.

“Any Act that preys on the masses that it is supposed to protect negates the very essence of public policy.

“In the same vein, any

act that compels the citizens to pay for services not delivered is not only flawed and undemocratic but ultra vires to the power of the National Assembly to make laws for the good of the country,’’ he added.

Last week’s Presidential Villa’s visitors 1.

2.

3.

4.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yusuf Lasun National Chairman, All Progressives Congress,APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun 5. APC National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu 6. Former Information Minister, Prince Tony Momoh.

7. Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonaiya Onu. 8. Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere 9. APC Deputy National Chairman, South, Chief Segun Oni 10. President, Trade Union Congress, TUC, Bobboi Kaigama 11. Benue State Governor, Sam Ortom 12. Senate leader, Ali Ndume

38

Features

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Honour for Shittu, development plans for Oke Ogun Kemi Olaitan Ibadan

I

n a manner reflective of the concept of “Local Development”, the Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, has challenged the people of Oke ogun in Oyo State to come up with an “Oke Ogun Development Agenda.” According to him, “Local Development” principle is one in which the people of a given area will come up with a blueprint on their developmental needs.

He submitted that the agenda or blueprint is to enable the Buhari administration, of which he is a part, meet the developmental aspirations of an area renowned for age long marginalisation and underdevelopment.

This demand by the minister was part of his response to various evocations made during a reception held for him at IDG School, Iseyin.

The reception was at the instance of Oke Ogun Development Council, ODC, – a non-political, non-religion, socio-cultural organisation for all Oke Ogun sons and daughters.

Chairman of the occasion and Minister of State for Agriculture, Otunba Bamidele Dada, had brought the issue of the myriad of challenges facing Oke Ogun to the front burner when he said what the area was getting was not commensurate with the potentials it has.

He said, “The issue of agriculture, water resources and electricity are germane to this area. We have able men and women who can transform Oyo State.”

Dada, who stood in for Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture, enjoined the Communication Minister to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari and his fellow ministers in the federal cabinet utilized the potentials of Ikere George Dam to generate electricity, develop agriculture and promote tourism. His exhortation followed that of Hon. Dauda Adam, chairman of the ODC committee that planned the reception and that of Mr. Oladoja Oladele, mni, acting President of ODC. In their respective speeches welcoming guests to the occasion, the duo had separately identified the attributes of Oke Ogun and the challenges the people are facing “in spite of the enor-

Barrister Adebayo Shittu addressing the gathering while sitting from the left are the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganniyi Ologunebi, Ajinese II and Otunba Bamidele Dada.

mous resources with which the Almighty God endowed the area”.

According to Oladele, Oke Ogun Development Council decided to honour Shittu because he is an exemplary individual who could serve as a role model, especially for the youths.

In his own remark, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba (Dr.) Abdulganiyu Ologunebi Ajinese I, on behalf of the people of Oke Ogun to which Shittu belongs, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing him as a senior minister. While reiterating the determination of Oke-Ogun to produce the next governor of Oyo State, the monarch said, “Oke-Ogun region has the best brains and hands for the job.”

The monarch who is also the Chairman, Conference of Oke-Ogun Obas and Chiefs, said it was unfortunate that some detractors of OkeOgun at the state and the federal levels, “are erroneously looking down on us and also categorising us as being uncivilised but we have, by several means, proved this notion wrong, not just by performance but also in our conduct. Oke Ogun can boast of a lot of people who have done well and are still doing well in the service of their fatherland, Nigeria.”

In his keynote address, the Asiwaju of Oke-Ogun, Prof.

Emeritus, Dibu Ojerinde, said Oke-Ogun took a significant position within the Oyo

State geo-political equation.

Ojerinde who is the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), lamented that successive administration at federal and state levels had not given Oke Ogun deserving attention in spite of the quantum and variety of resources that abound in the area. The man who is also known as Asiwaju Oke Ogun also mentioned Okerete International Market, Saki, the abandoned Badagry-Oke-Ogun-Sokoto Road, marble deposit in Igbeti and some other mineral resources in Oke Ogun as areas calling for the urgent attention of the governments.

Mother of the Day, Chief (Mrs) Sherifat Fowewe Agoro-Keshinton, expressed appreciation to God and to President Buhari that Oke Ogun now has a voice within the top echelon of the federal government. She then prayed for the success of the administration and urged the minister to always “remember the son of whom he is”.

The minister, in his response to the honour done him and the various speeches, thanked the Oke Ogun people and the ODC for their support. He assured them that he would not let them down, saying “I think you know me very well, many of you can define me in terms of incorruptibility and performance and I will not disappoint you.”

Shittu, a former member

of the Oyo State House of Assembly and two time commissioner in the state, described Ikere Gorge dam as a great resource that has the capacity to provide water, irrigate farmlands and electrify Oke Ogun and its environs. He added that everyone in President Buhari’s cabinet has the passion to serve the nation and solicited the support of Nigerians and prayers for Buhari administration.

He disclosed that he had met with the ODC leaders and had asked them to formulate a blueprint to be tagged “Oke-Ogun Development Agenda” which can be used as a development guideline for the area. He said, “I will make sure that all the concerned ministers, ministries and agencies involved come to Oke Ogun for assessment and take necessary steps that will hasten and enhance the development of Oke Ogun.”

And to underline the seriousness he attached to the regional development, he disclosed that he had appointed a Special Adviser on OkeOgun Affairs, adding that he would like ODC to organise Oke Ogun day annually and regularly to avail sons and daughters of the area the opportunity to come together, brainstorm and move Oke ogun forward.

Apart from Shittu, the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Babatunde Raji Fashola and his Water Re-

The issue of agriculTure, waTer resources and elecTriciTy are germane To This area. we have able men and women who can Transform oyo sTaTe.

sources counterpart, Engineer Suleiman Adamu, were also honoured on the occasion. The latter was represented by the Managing Director of Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority, Engineer Akintunde Soyemi. Also, a publication entitled “Ikere Gorge Dam: A Goldmine Waiting to be Tapped” was presented and circulated on the occasion.

It was edited by Jare Ajayi, General Secretary of Oke Ogun Development Council.

Besides the royal fathers from all the major towns in Oke Ogun, dignitaries present at the occasion included former deputy governor of Oyo State, Chief Iyiola Oladokun; former member of the country’s Upper Chamber, Senator Gbenga Babalola; OPM Chairman, Deacon S. A. Oyedemi; COIN Chairman, Prof Layi Egunjobi; Prof Bayo Lasebikan; Amb. Layi Iyanda; Dr. Kunle Oyeyemi (from Covenant University); Prof Kehinde Yusuf; Architect Niyi Kehinde; Admiral Amos Adedeji (rtd); Alhaja Titi Akande; former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Oyo State and Olori Funke Ladigbolu, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Others were Mr. Debo Adesina, Deputy Editor in Chief of Guardian newspaper; Chief Lasisi Adewuyi; Prince Oye Adeagbo; Hon. Olaogun Adelowo; Comrade Remi Adegbola; Prince Yemi Aderounmu; Mr. Amusa Adebisi; Chief Kola Ganiyu and Mrs. Yetunde Oyebode; Princess Nike Ayoola; Mr. S.I. Ige; Barrister Bayo Toluwalase; Chief Dele Ajila; Chief Isaac Ishola Tejubiyi; Mr. S. A. Popoola; Deacon S. Ipadeola; Surveyor Ola Siyanbola and Hon. Dele Akinleye.

Also at the occasion were Hon. Ahmed Ajayi; Alhaji Abdulsalam Jimoh; Deacon Timothy Ojerinde; Alhaji Murtala Rabiu; Mr. Dayo Atanda; Hon. Akeeb Abubakar; Alhaji Wahab Balogun; Mukadam Abdullah; Engineer Solomon Ogunrinola; Mr. Gideon Awotunde; Mr. Zacheus Adepoju; Mr. Bimpe Ogundiran and Major Abdulfatai Shittu.

Dignitaries also included Alhaji Azeez Adeyemo; Mr. Funpe Ojeyemi; Mr. Sola Ailako; Engineer Lateef Amao; Mr. Azeez Mustapha; Mr. Kayode Okunlola and Mr. Adebimpe Adediji.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Features

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

39

Exploring the benefits of dry season farming Chidinma Ewunonu-aluko

D

r. Idris Badiru, a senior lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ibadan, recently observed that agriculture remained a viable means of generating revenue in the face of the gradual fall in the price of crude oil.

According to him, farming, especially dry season farming, can yield more money to farmers and ensure food supply always.

He observed that crops that thrive during the dry season - between November and March - are usually vegetables and maize which used to be expensive during the period. ``With dry season farming, these can grow throughout the year because ordinarily, at that time of the year, people don’t normally cultivate,’’ he said.

He solicited more participation of farmers in large scale dry season farming to guarantee steady income and food security.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr. Isaac Amusan, the Manager, Seed Processing and Storage, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan, said the importance of dry season farming could not be over-emphasised.

He observed that dry season farming would also boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product and eliminate the scarcity of vegetables.

He pleaded with the government to construct more dams and strengthen state agricultural development programmes by funding them adequately. ``Policy statement of the government must be consistent with what is the reality on ground; youths that are interested in agriculture should be trained and empowered for serious farming business. ``The government should put in place infrastructure for an organised market for farm produce to attract better pricing and reduce waste,’’ Amusan said.

Sharing similar opinion, Mr. Oladeji Afolayan, a farmer, said dry farming gave him more money. ``Now, 12 bunches of Ewedu is N15,000

Dry season farming

Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh

``Most vegetables are sold hundred per cent higher in dry season, if you will even get them and the stress is not much compared to the money you make,’’ he observed.

In his view, Dr. Morufat Balogun, a lecturer at the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, vegetables especially ugu (pumpkin), thrive and become fresh when grown out of rainy season.

Balogun said farmers could plant pumpkin in close containers such as pot, emphasising that it required no labour as they would not need to water it too often. ``Also, they will not have to weed often in this case because when they put soil in

Policy statement of the government must be consistent with what is the reality

on ground; youths that are interested in agriculture should be trained and

emPowered for serious farming business. unlike in rainy season that it will be sold for about N1, 200 while 12 bunches of Ugu (pumpkin) that is sold for N10,000 during the rainy season is presently N40,000.

A man employing manual irrigation in his farm during dry season

the pot, the first set of weed that normally comes out is not likely to come again. ``Farmers can also use hydroponics system whereby you put water in a container

but the water will be enriched with nutrient solution,’’ she said.

She further explained that planting around the riverside during dry season was better and cheaper as the farmer would not need to wet the vegetables.

She, nonetheless, urged the Federal Government to regulate prices of agricultural products to boost the nation’s economy.

Balogun said the prices of agricultural products should be regulated just as that of petroleum so that farmers would not sell at a loss. ``For agriculture to develop and meet up in diversifying the economy, the Federal Government should create an agricultural price regulation board. ``Because without it, farmers can produce and people will say I can’t buy for more than or less than this or that. ``So, the farmer will not want to throw away what he has planted but to just give away at the price offered by buyers to his disadvantage.

“But if the government says this is the minimum price of plantain per kilogramme, everybody will abide by that. ``By this, the economy will turn around because farmers will be encouraged to produce more and government will benefit through the exportation of the farm produce,’’ she said.

She also solicited the review of the country’s export policy, saying that high demands on export issues in terms of finance and approval of expression of interest were part of challenges facing agriculture development in the country.

She also stressed the need for publicprivate partnership for agricultural production and for farmers to have access to farming technologies. ``There should be initiatives by the government to reach people on new technologies and non-governmental organisations should educate farmers beyond research institutes that are established for technology development,’’ she said.

All in all, agronomists insist that food is a do-without for every individual while agriculture remains a veritable source of wealth and job creation that any developing nations should invest in.

•Culled from News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

40

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Market capitalization up N117bn on promising stocks’ demand surge StorieS: JohnSon okanlawon

T

he equity market started the week on a positive note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday despite the weak performance seen in the early part of the trading session which lasted till mid-day. A late rally largely driven by investors’ interest in influential sectors such as the industrial goods and banking sectors helped end the trading in the green zone.

The All Share Index gained 1.41 per cent to close at 24,570.73 points, compared to the rise of 0.77 per cent to

close at 24,228.79 points.

Market capitalization appreciated N117 billion to close at N8.452 trillion, compared to the increase of N64 billion recorded on Friday to close at N8.335 trillion.

Investment analysts at DLM Securities Limited noted that three of the sectoral indices ended the day in positive territory with cyclical sectors showing relative weakness.

“We are inclined to highlight that cautious guidance on equities and 2015 financial earnings remain strong,” the firm said.

Dangote Cement Plc led the gainers’ table with N6.75 or five per cent to close at N141.75 per share, followed by Eco Bank Plc with 79 kobo or 4.95 per cent to close at N16.75 per share.

Fidson Healthcare Plc added 12 kobo or 4.92 per cent to close at N2.56 per share, while Mobil Plc appreciated 6.97 or 4.65 per cent to close at N156.97 per share.

Tiger Brands Plc was up six kobo or 4.55 per cent to close at N1.38 per share.

Conversely, Wema Bank Plc shed seven kobo or

7.29 per cent to close at 89 kobo per share, while Oando Plc lost 23 kobo or 7.19 per cent to close at N2.97 per share.

Ikeja Hotel Plc depreciated 15 kobo or 4.97 per cent to close at N2.87 per share, while Conoil Plc declined 91 kobo or 4.96 per cent to close at N17.43 per share.

Dangote Sugar Plc was down 27 kobo or 4.91 per cent to close at N5.23 per share.

A total of 467.2 million shares valued at N1.489 billion were exchanged in 2,549 deals.

Private equity firms pool $4.3bn for investments in Africa in 2015

P

rivate-equity companies amassed a $4.3 billion war chest for investment opportunities in Africa last year as the global commodity rout and weakening local currencies cut prices of potential target companies.

The fundraising was the highest since at least 2010 and compares with $1.9 billion in 2014, according to the London-based African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association.

The industry group represents investors such as Dubai-based Abraaj Group Limited, which raised $990 million in its Africa Fund III, and London-based Helios Investment Partners LLP with $1.1 billion in its Investors III Fund.

As commodity prices collapsed around the world over the past year, the South African rand tumbled 26 per cent against the dollar, the Zambian kwacha is down 40 percent and the Mozambican metical lost 31 per cent.

Nigeria is under increasing pressure to devalue the naira, with forward currency markets predicting it will weaken by 20 per cent over the next three months.

A partner at Ethos Private Equity Limited in Cape Town, Shaun Zagnoev, said, “We’re trying to look for companies that benefit from a weaker currency, that are capable of exporting. During periods of uncertainty, there’s often increased deal opportunity.”

The company raised $800 million for its latest Fund VI.

Ethos sold companies acquired by its first four funds and is in the process of exiting the fifth, according to spokeswoman Chelsea Wilkinson.

Fund V’s projected net internal rate of return, a measure of the profitability of its deals, will be 18 percent to 20 per cent, the company said last month.

Carlyle Group LP, the world’s second-largest manager of investment alternatives to stocks and bonds, is targeting banking, consumer goods, manufacturing and backoffice automation services in Africa, according to Marlon Chigwende, manager of the New York-based company’s $698 million African fund.

“Valuations are lower and getting lower over time,” Chigwende said by e-mail.

“This is presenting interesting opportunities over the medium-term, as we see sound businesses attracting softer valuations.

Liquidity is also becoming an issue in many economies, which also opens up opportunities for private equity investors.”

Investors are waiting for Nigeria to devalue the naira and make it easier to transfer dollars out of the economy before committing cash, according to Natalie Kolbe, an investment principle at Londonbased Actis LLP. The firm has $7.6 billion under management, with about $3 billion invested in businesses on the continent, including $300 million in Nigeria.

Fitch says Russia faces sanctions, ratings choices

F

itch Ratings Ltd. said it will probably stop issuing local ratings on Russian companies under new rules that make it impossible to abide by European Union and U.S. sanctions against Moscow.

The rules create a dilemma for international firms because they run counter to the penalties imposed by their home countries over Ukraine, said Ian Linnell, global analytical head at Fitch. The firm, based in New York and London, has had a branch in Moscow for about 20 years.

“For us, as a global company with significant operations in the U.S. which are subject to U.S. legislation, this is very problematic and puts us in a situation whereby

we would either be breaking Russian law or international law,” Linnell said by phone.

Under new guidelines, the big three ratings firms, Fitch, Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s, can only issue local ratings through a Russia-regulated subsidiary that agrees ratings can’t be withdrawn under outside political pressure.

When the U.S. and European Union imposed sanctions on Russia in 2014 after it annexed the Crimea peninsula, firms dropped some assessments.

Branch offices will no longer be able to issue local ratings after the middle of next year.

Rather than set up a subsidiary regulated by Russia, Fitch is likely to maintain its Moscow branch where it will provide international

ratings to companies looking to borrow abroad, Linnell said. The requirement to never withdraw opinions at the behest of a foreign government is the biggest stumbling block and could potentially violate international sanctions.

Ekaterina Pavlova, a spokeswoman for S&P, said the firm is currently studying the new regulation and is in contact with the central bank, including the question of a potential opening of a subsidiary. A Moody’s spokesman said the company is reviewing its operations in the country.

“We are yet to decide on our business structure in Russia long-term,” Fitch’s Linnell said. “Currently, the branch route is a strong pos-

sibility and we may choose not to provide national ratings though we would like to.

It’s a difficult situation.”

Source: NSE

Market indicators All-Share Index 24,570.73points Market capitalisation 8.45trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

DANGCEM

135.00

141.75

6.75

5.00

ETI

15.96

16.75

0.79

4.95

FIDSON

2.44

2.56

0.12

4.92

MOBIL

150.00

156.97

6.97

4.65

TIGERBRANDS

1.32

1.38

0.06

4.55

LIVESTOCK

1.14

1.19

0.05

4.39

MAYBAKER

0.94

0.98

0.04

4.26

AFRIPRUD

2.56

2.66

0.10

3.91

STERLNBANK

1.70

1.76

0.06

3.53

CONTINSURE

0.90

0.93

0.03

3.33

LOSERS COMPANY WEMABANK

OPENING 0.96

8.2

MPR

13

Crude oil price

$58.96

0.89

CHANGE

% CHANGE

-0.07

-7.29

OANDO

3.20

2.97

-0.23

-7.19

IKEJAHOTEL

3.02

2.87

-0.15

-4.97

CONOIL

18.34

17.43

-0.91

-4.96

DANGSUGAR

5.50

5.23

-0.27

-4.91

HONYFLOUR

1.39

1.33

-0.06

-4.32

ETERNA

1.90

1.82

-0.08

-4.21

MANSARD

1.95

1.87

-0.08

-4.10

FCMB

0.79

0.76

-0.03

-3.80

FIDELITYBK

1.14

1.10

-0.04

-3.51

FGN Bonds Offer

Bid Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.16

105.16

10.23

106.16

9.34

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.33

114.79

10.60

115.79

10.27

15.54 13-FEB-2020

3.95

111.10

11.93

112.10

11.63

16.39 27-JAN-2022

5.91

118.82

11.86

119.82

11.65

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.04

110.65

12.09

111.65

11.91

12.50 22-JAN-2026

9.90

102.43

12.07

103.43

11.90

Rate (%) Inflation

CLOSING

Closing Market Prices of February 29, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

2-Jun-16

4.89

4.96

1-Sep-16

7.04

7.30

16-Feb-17

8.39

9.13

Exchange

Rates (N)

WAUA

270

USD

196.95

EURO

214

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

1.2550

1M

7.4570

POUNDS STERLING

293

3M

9.0999

SDR

273

6M

10.6513

NIBOR

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

41

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

World News We believe Germany can cope with the influx of migrants and has a humanitarian duty to look after war refugees.

–GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL

Terrorism: Kenya probes airport attack leak

WORLD BULLETIN

Al-Shabab claims Somali attack

AFOLABI GAMBARI

WITH AGENCY REPORT

R

eports yesterday suggested that Kenyan Airports Authority is investigating a leaked memo warning of planned al-Shabab attacks.

The unconfirmed memo about attacks on the country’s airports was released without verification, according to officials at the airport.

“Although security has been tightened, Kenyan airports are not under imminent threat,” a release said.

Issued on Friday, the internal memo based on intelligence reports, was leaked to a local radio station and has been widely circulated on social media.

When asked about imminent threats, Kenya Airport Authority Chief of Security, Erick Kiraithe, said: “We are not overlooking the current global terrorism situation. But

Kenyan authorities maintain that Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is not under threat at this point in time, there is no credible information.”

Kenya Airport Authority’s Managing Director, Yatich Kangungo, however said the authorities would focus investigation on the officer who

purportedly breached protocol and leaked the memo.

This incident comes at a time when the Inspector of Police Joseph Boinet confirmed that al-Shabab, after releasing a related video, is keen

on attacking security targets in northern Kenyan counties, coastal areas and major cities.

Al-Shabab has staged several deadly attacks in Kenya in recent years, since Kenya sent troops to tackle it in Somalia.

Ki-moon also said a taskforce monitoring compliance, cochaired by the US and Russia, would meet for the first time to evaluate alleged violations.

France has expressed concern about reports of air strikes

by Syrian government and Russian aircraft on areas controlled by mainstream rebel forces.

Russia has said that it is only targeting UN-designated jihadist terrorist organisations - including the so-called Islamic State (IS) and the al-Nusra Front, which is part of a major rebel alliance - in line with the terms of the cessation of hostilities.

Meanwhile US Defence Secretary, Ashton Carter, stressed that the US-led coalition would also continue to fight IS during the truce.

“Let me make it crystal clear,” Carter said, adding, “There is no cessation of hostilities in the counter-ISIS campaign. Operations continue unabated.”

Ki-moon also confirmed receiving a letter from the main opposition umbrella group, the High Negotiations Committee, in which it urged the UN to help “specify the territory covered by the truce to prevent hostilities in the designated inclusion zones”.

State media said armed groups had fired dozens of mortar rounds at government forces in Latakia province on Sunday, though rebels in the area denied the reports.

nority voters on which her campaign is built.

Both Trump and Clinton head into the most important day yet in the 2016 election dominating their respective races. A CNN/ ORC national poll out Monday shows Trump getting 49 per cent of the Republican primary vote30 percentage points ahead of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. On the Democratic side, Clinton tops Sanders 55 per cent to 38 per cent.

The billionaire is, however, struggling to shake off a controversy after he failed to disavow former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard

David Duke during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. Trump blamed a bad earpiece for the oversight, and he has at other times disavowed Duke, but his rivals were quick to seize on the incident to suggest that he is unfit to be the Republican nominee.

Rubio said the remarks prove that the former reality show star is “unelectable.”

The contests today, across 12 states, herald several weeks of nationwide skirmishes that will be decisive in determining who gets to face off for the White House in the fall.

Syria crisis: UN intervenes amidst truce

A

n aid convoy has reached one of several besieged towns in Syria, as the UN takes advantage of a partial truce brokered by the US and Russia.

The UN and its partners are stepping up deliveries of food, water and medicine, and plan to reach more than 150, 000 people over the next five days.

They hope to help 1.7 million in hard-to-reach areas by the end of March.

Earlier, the UN’s Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, said the cessation of hostilities had held “by and large” since Saturday.

Trump, others set for ‘Super Tuesday’

T

oday is likely to live up to its billing for the United States Republican Party’s presidential hopeful, Donald Trump.

The first day of multiple-state

Donald Trump

voting looms large in a wild presidential race after early states trimmed the field and the brash billionaire and his army of outsider voters are positioned to send panic through the Republican establishment by tightening his grip on the party’s nomination.

Hillary Clinton, boosted by her huge win in South Carolina on Saturday, is meanwhile hoping to start locking out her Democratic rival Bernie Sanders, who is giving her a tougher-than-expected challenge, by showing the strength of the Southern foundation of mi-

Islamist militant group al-Shabab has said it carried out Sunday’s attack in Somalia’s southern city of Baidoa that killed at least 30 people.

A car bomb exploded outside a restaurant as people were watching the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal.

In a second explosion, a suicide bomber blew himself up at a busy junction.

This is the fourth major al-Shabab attack in Somalia since the beginning of the year.

It came on the same day as countries which contribute to the African Union force in Somalia (AMISOM) pledged to reinforce military operations in Somalia, to effectively counter threats from al-Shabab.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday evening in response to the Baidoa attack, and Security Minister Abdirizak Mohamed Omar called for extra laws to help the government fight the militant group.

Republican backs off Trump Nebraska Senator, Ben Sasse, says he will not back Republican front-runner Donald Trump for president, the highest-ranked elected party member to do so.

“I am frustrated and saddened and will look for a third option if Trump wins the Republican nomination,” Sasse said yesterday.

The colourful campaign of Trump, who has already won three of the four early voting states, has divided Republicans.

The brash billionaire is leading almost all of the 11 states voting for their presidential candidates on Tuesday.

The votes on so-called “Super Tuesday” take the presidential race to the national stage, and is often seen as a sink-or-swim moment for candidates.

“Trump’s relentless focus is on dividing Americans, and on tearing down rather than building back up this glorious nation,” Sasse added.

Police sight escaped lions Residents fixing damaged shop yesterday

Two lions have been spotted by Kenyan traffic police near a major highway in the capital, Nairobi, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said yesterday.

The latest report came ten days after at least four lions were reported to have escaped from a nearby wildlife park.

“It was thought that they had all returned, but the incident was not conclusively dealt with,” KWS’s spokesperson, Paul Udoto, said as a search team embarked on further investigation.

It is estimated about 30 lions live in the 117 sq km (45 sq miles) wildlife park which is situated within Nairobi’s city limits.

In the previous incident Udoto warned people not to confront the lions if they encountered them.

There have been increasing reports of wild cats escaping from their domains in recent times in Asia and Africa.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North 43

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Women Affairs minister vows torelease Oruru ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

M

L-R: Head of Resource Forum, Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Drabdullahi Danladi; Head of Shuhada (Martyrs) Foundation, Dr Abdul-Hameed Bello and Acting Head of Islamic Movement Medical Association, Dr Musa Shuaibu, during a news conference by the Executive of Islamic Movement of Nigeria on the detention of their leaders in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

FG to relocate refugees in Cameroon soon –Dambazau ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

N

igerian refugees living in Cameroon have been assured of government’s commitment to relocate them to their communities in Nigeria, following the liberation of communities hitherto occupied

by Boko Haram terrorists,

and the gradual return of civil authorities.

Minister of Interior, General Abdulrahman Dambazau, gave the assurance when he visited over 60,000 Nigerian refugees in Minawao camp, Maruoa, in far North region of Cameroon as part of his three-day official visit to the country.

Dambazau used the oc-

casion of the visit to donate food and other essential items to the displaced Nigerians in Cameroon on behalf of the Federal Government.

The minister disclosed this in a statement signed yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Ehisienmen, in Abuja. He was accompanied on the trip by

Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase; Comptroller-General of Immigration Service, Mr. Martins Abeshi; Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency, Solicitor-General of the Federation, Representative of National Refugee Commission and other government officials.

Lassa fever kills doctor, two others in Kaduna A ZA MSUE KADUNA

K

aduna State Commissioner for Health, Prof.

Jonathan Nok, yesterday announced an outbreak of Lassa fever, saying a medical doctor, nurse and a pregnant woman were killed in

the state.

Nok said the three patients died at Saint Louis Specialist Hospital in Zonkwa, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of the state, following outbreak of the disease.

The commissioner said the doctor and nurse showed signs of Lassa fever shortly after operat-

ing on a pregnant woman, who was brought in from another hospital in Kafanchan, and later died few days after they tested positive to the disease.

Nok added that the affected hospitals have been put under isolation with the intention of tracing the primary and

secondary contacts with the deceased.

The commissioner called on residents of the state not to panic, as according to him, the government was on top of the situation, urging them to be vigilant and maintain personal hygiene around their homes.

Nasarawa cargo airport laughable –PDP chieftain IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

A

chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Nasarawa State, Aliyu Ahmed Wadada, says the idea of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura to construct a cargo airport in Lafia, the state capital, is laughable.

Wadada, a former lawmaker representing Karu/ Keffi/Kokona federal constituency in the House of Representatives, spoke at Keffi polo ranch, Keffi town, during a chat with

journalists. He argued that Nasarawa lacks the kind of economic activities that would attract any profit-oriented contemporary airline.

His words, “I had criticised the idea of an airport of any kind by Alhaji AlMakura’s administration more than three years ago when the information started filtering through the grapevine.

“Apart from selfish benefit, the cargo airport of N17 billion is being established, yet you are crying that you cannot pay workers minimum wage that you have committed yourself.

Though price of oil has gone down (yet) the downward price of oil is not steep enough to stop you embarking on a project that would have no economic value to the people. Is that not ridiculous?”

Wadada, who contested the Nasarawa west senatorial seat in the 2015 election and was also pioneer chairman of the House of Representatives committee on capital market, wondered why the state government went into an understanding with a Chinese company to provide solar power instead of completing the Farin-

ruwa hydro-electricity project that is about 90 per cent completed.

“You are entering into another understanding with the Chinese government for you to have your selfish benefits or what? We are being taken for granted too much in Nasarawa State and this should stop. Really, the idea for a cargo airport is laughable,” he said.

He also wondered despite being known with estate development, the governor, since he assumed office, has not come up with a deliberate policy to address housing problems in the state.

inister of Women Affairs, Jummai Alhassan, has called for the release of teenager Ese Oruru, saying she will use her influence as a minister and a woman to secure her release.

In a series of tweets yesterday, she said Ese’s case had brought to the fore the need to protect the rights of children and women in our society.

“We won’t relent. #FreeEse,” she added.

The minister, who said she only got to know about the case on Sunday through reportsji, tweeted that she had been “in touch with the police authorities in Kano over Ese’s immediate release to her parents and we are making progress.”

According to her, Ese is still a child under Nigerian law, and her right to freedom of movement is subject to parental control.

Consequently, she said the Ministry of Women Affairs would prosecute anyone found to have contravened the law.

“No culture, religion

or personal conviction supersedes the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ese Oruru must return home. #FreeEse,” she said.

“Our laws are very clear on the case; Ese Oruru is 14 and as such cannot consent to marriage.

Any such union she’s in is illegal. #FreeEse” It would be recalled that the 14-year-old, who in August 2015 was allegedly abducted in Opolo, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, by one Yunusa, who hails from Kano, has continued to elicit outrage on social media among Nigerians. Ese, who was 13 at the time of her alleged abduction, was taken to Kano by Yunusa, where he converted her to Islam and married her. Ese’s parents had since last August made trips to Kano, where they unraveled the plight of their daughter.

The parents said they had involved the police, but efforts to get the Emir of Kano, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, at whose palace the girl is believed to be held to resolve the matter and ensure her return to them, have proved futile.

Percentage payment: Nasarawa NULGE wants status quo maintained IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

C

aretaker committee of Nasarawa State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, yesterday urged local government officials in the state to maintain the status quo of paying council workers in percentages.

Earlier, there was an agreement between government and organised labour that payment of salary in percentages to council workers should be stopped forthwith, but in the event that the allocation of one month from the federation account cannot pay 100 per cent of salaries, the allocation should be kept in the accounts of the respective local governments pending receipt of the following month’s allocation to settle the preceding month.

However, the parties

maintained that if the two months allocations cannot settle one month salary, a decision shall be taken by the Joint State and Local Government Account Committee with organised labour in attendance.

But state chairman of NULGE caretaker committee, Abdullahi Hussaini Musa, said at a press conference in Lafia that the union totally disagreed with the decision that grants coming from the federation account should be accumulated pending when the councils would be able to pay staff 100 percent salary.

He, therefore, insisted that the union wanted government to be paying the local government workers in the state in percentages based on the monthly allocation accessed from the federation account, even as he appealed to members of the union in the state to remain resolute as all efforts shall be made to improve on their condition soonest.

44

Tuesday, March 1, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Oliver Andy now wish to be known and addressed as Oliver Andy Joel, all former document remain valid general public take note

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This is to certify and confirm that OVIASUYI ENDURANCE EGHE is one and same person as KALU EMMANUEL ENDURANCE. Henceforth wish to be addressed as OVIASUYI ENDURANCE EGHE. Born on 17th of July, 1986. All former documents remain valid. GTB, Zenith Bank and general public take note.

I Formerly known and addressed as OSANYINGBEMI OLUWAFEMI JOHN. Now wish to be addressed as MORAKINYO OLUWAFEMI JOHN. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State University (EKSU) and general public take note.

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I formerly known as Miss.

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This is to notify the general public of lose of document Original Building Certificate of Occupancy Reg. as 24/24/1375, land situate at Ibagwa Nike Enugu North Local Govt., Belonging to Mr. Clement Ugwueze Ekwo of Affa, Udi Local Govt. Area. If found, contact the Ministry of Lands Enugu.

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The general is hereby notified that the above name association has applied for alteration of her constitution at the Corporation Affairs Commission for a change in the trustees under part C of the companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

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CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Udeme Obot, now wish to be known and addressed as Aniefiok Ikpembe Obot.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADINDE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADINDE CHRISTIANA JUSTINA UGOBUNACHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IBEKWE CHRISTIANA JUSTINA UGOBUNACHI. All former documents remain valid. Godfery Okoye University, Institute of Ecumenical Education, National Teachers Institute and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OGBONNA: I, formerly known and addressed as OGBONNA CECILIA NNENNA, now wish to be known and addressed as OLIOKWE CECILIA NNENNA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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BAEMOSI: I, formerly known and addressed as DORIS BAEMOSI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as DORIS AMUSA. All former documents remain valid.

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I Formerly known and addressed as MISS OKUDVARA ANITA SHAITA, now wish to be known and address as MRS IHUEZE ANITA SHAITA. All former documents remain valid.

General public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

RASHIDAT OSENI wEDS EMMANUEL SANNI ON 30TH AUgUST 2016 . NOw wISH TO bE

kNOwN

AND

ADRRESSED AS ALL fORMER DOcUMENTS REMAIN vALID gENERAL PUbLIc TAkE NOTE.

TEMITOPE SANNI

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Chituru Omekara, Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chituru Chendo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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CHIDIOBI I, formerly known and addressed as MISS SABINA UCHECHUKWU CHIDIOBI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWALI SABINA UCHECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

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General public should please take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

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CONFIRMATION OF WEDDING DATE /NEW NAME

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AGBAJE: This is to confirm that the names AGBAJE ABUDUL and AGBAJELOLA ABDULLAHI refer to the same person as AGBAJE ABDULLAHI ADEWALE. But henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as AGBAJE ABDULLAHI ADEWALE. All documents remain valid. Relevant authorities and general public, please take note

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PUBLIC NOTICE

BY HIS GRACE AND BY HIS POWER PROPHETIC MINISTRY

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CORRECTION OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Nwali Amaechi Benjamin now wish to be addressed as Eyeh Amaechi Benjamin.

All former documents remain valid,general public take note

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

45

Sport

Swimming is the only sport in which before an athlete competes, he stands on a pedestal, is introduced and applauded. He hasn’t even done anything yet

Rio Olympics: I’m battle ready, Ogunlewe boasts

47

–Mark Spitz (1976)

Omagbemi invites 40 Falcons for AWCON clashes

T

Siasia

AFCON 2017 qualifier:

Siasia releases Eagles’ list Thursday Joel AJAyi AbujA

N

igeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday disclosed that Super Eagles’ list for this month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) double header qualifying matches against Egypt would be released on Thursday.

Eagles will host the Pharaohs of Egypt on March 25 in Kaduna, while the return leg takes place four days later in Cairo.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday, Vice Chairman of the NFF Technical Committee, Ahmed

Yusuf, said the NFF had left behind it the shock of Coach Sunday Oliseh’s resignation news that filled the country last week Friday and wasted no time in appointing a consortium of coaches led by Samson Siasia to handle the two crucial games.

The coaches have since swung into action to invite players, a list that is believed will be submitted to, and vetted by technical director, Coach Shaibu Amodu.

Yusuf said the technical committee is leaving no stone unturned to ensure Nigeria’s

victory in the two legged AFCON qualifiers in Kaduna and Cairo respectively.

“The committee will meet in Abuja on Thursday to vet the list of players to be submitted by the consortium of coaches led by Samson Siasia.

“We will meet on Thursday to look at the list of players submitted by the newly appointed coaches,” he said.

Egypt lead the group qualifying table with six points from two games, while Nigeria are on four points from two games ahead of Tanzania and Chad Republic.

he technical crew of the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, headed by Florence Omagbemi, has called to camp 40 players ahead of the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against either of Senegal or Guinea.

All invited players are expected to report at Serob Legacy Hotel, Wuye, Abuja today.

Seven-time champions, Nigeria, have drawn a bye into the second round of the qualifying series, with the final competition to hold in Cameroun in November.

The senior women teams of Senegal and Guinea will contend over two legs in March, with the winner to battle the Super Falcons in homeand-away contests between 4th and 12th April.

Goalkeepers Ibubeleye Whyte and Sandra Chichi, defenders Onome Ebi, Josephine Chukwunonye, Ngozi Ebere and Joy Jegede, midfielders Halimatu Ayinde, Ngozi Okobi, Evelyn Nwabuoku and Joy Bokiri, and strikers Asisat Oshoala, Desire Oparanozie, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Francisca Ordega are among those called.

Full List: Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels), Sandra Chichi (Bayelsa Queens), Christy Ohiaeriaku (Osun Babes), Onyinyechukwu Okeke (Inneh Queens), Onome Ebi

(FC Minsk, Belarus), Blessing Edoho (Pelican Stars), Josephine Chukwunonye (Vittsjoe GIK, Sweden), Osinachi Ohale (Rivers Angels), Ngozi Ebere (PSG Ladies, France), Sarah Nnodim (Nasarawa Amazons), Ugo Njoku (Rivers Angels), Chisom Henry (Sunshine Queens), Faith Ikidi (Pitea FC, Sweden), Ayomide Ojo (Police Machine), Joy Jegede (Delta Queens), Gladys Akpa (Sunshine Queens), Halimatu Ayinde (New York Flash, USA), Desire Oparanozie (EN Avent de Guingamp, France), Ngozi Okobi (Vittsjoe GIK, Sweden), Asisat Oshoala (Liverpool Ladies), Cecilia Nku (Rivers Angels), Evelyn Nwabuoku (Kazygurt, Kazakhstan), Martina Ohadugha (Rivers Angels), Osarenoma Igbinovia (Bayelsa Queens), Rita Chikwelu (Umea IK, Sweden), Ginika Nkeoma (Bayelsa Queens), Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons), Chioma Wogu (Kogi Confluence), Esther Sunday (Trabzon Idman Ozagi, Turkey), Winifred Eyebhokia (Nasarawa Amazons), Chinwendu Ihezuo, Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit, USA), Chinaza Uchendu (Nasarawa Amazons), Loveth Ayila (Rivers Angels), Ebere Orji (Ferencvaros, Hungary), Joy Bokiri (Bayelsa Queens), Victoria Aidelomon (Bayelsa Queens), Abibat Agbaji (Conflue

Omagbemi

46

Sports

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NFF apologises for hiring Oliseh

...reassures on AFCON 2017 ticket EvErEst OnyEwuchi

T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday apologised to Nigerian football fans for hiring Coach Sunday Oliseh, who last week resigned his appointment, just four weeks to a crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) double header qualifying matches against the Pharaohs of Egypt.

In a lengthy statement to explain why and how its contract with Oliseh went awry, the NFF also reassured Nigerians that it is doing everything humanly and technically possible to ensure that Nigeria’s flag flies at the AFCON 2017 finals in Gabon.

The statement partly reads, “First of all, the NFF would like to state that contrary to what few members of the media would have Nigerians believe, the appointment of Mr. Sunday Oliseh as Head Coach of the Super Eagles was thoroughly thought-through; it went through a meeting between himself and the Technical Committee and was ultimately approved by the entire Executive Committee of the NFF. “The NFF had the best of intentions in hiring Mr. Sunday Oliseh, and despite the misgivings about his temperament (he himself alluded to this at his unveiling) he was seen as a bright young coach able to take the Super Eagles to new heights.

This view was premised on his resume, (having played in various countries around the world), his undoubted football knowledge and his currency of ideas (being a respected former Super Eagles Captain and a member of the FIFA Technical Study Group).

“The fact that from Mr. Oliseh’s perspective, the relationship had gone so awry to the extent that he resigned his appointment is unfortunate because despite the temporary financial difficulties which crept into the relationship in the last 4 (four) months or thereabouts, the NFF Executive Board with its penchant for long term planning took a long term view of his appointment and remains confident that with a little more patience on the part of the Coach, things would have turned around for the better in the long run.

“The NFF seizes the opportunity to apologise to Nigerians for the situation that we, through no fault of ours, find ourselves, but assures the teeming Super Eagles supporters that we shall patriotically remain committed to the success of the team. This is already evidenced by the swiftness

with which we have reconstituted the coaching crew and received the assurances of the patriotism of the Super Eagles players who have vowed to fight for the Nigerian flag and spirit, and ensure that not only do we qualify for the African Nations Cup but also that our long term goals are not derailed.

“The NFF gives the foregoing assurances despite the circumstance which has arisen with the untimely resignation of Coach Sunday Oliseh and despite the fact that the decision was taken unilaterally without discussion with NFF or any of its officials or board members, without giving the requisite 1 (one) months notice as stipulated in his contract immediately after he was paid his arrears of salary and housing allowance after his request to travel across Europe to visit potential call ups for the matches against Egypt was approved by the President of the NFF and; despite the fact that we have crucial qualifying matches to play next month “With regard to the various allegations made against the NFF

by Mr. Sunday Oliseh in his letter of resignation and in the media, the NFF as a responsible organisation feels the need to this once respond to those allegations as follows, and thereafter continue with the job at hand without any further distractions: “Mr. Sunday Oliseh in his letter of resignation and in various reports has talked about not being respected, and not getting the support of the NFF. The NFF categorically denies these allegations and notes that from the time of his employment the NFF had always shown him respect which, unfortunately, not always reciprocated.

“In order to encourage him, to exhibit an intention to put the issue of financial disagreements with coaches behind the Federation and to help the new Coach quickly settle down, the NFF proceeded to pay him three months’ salary in advance – something that had never happened previously in Nigeria football.

“The NFF introduced him to our principal partners/sponsors in order to show that the Federation had total regard for and was fully supporting its coach. The President thereafter reiterated the vision of the NFF board and its mandate to the new coach to build a new and vibrant team that the Government and people of this country would be proud of.

The NFF has since then allowed him to carry on his duties without interference. The NFF also purchased for Mr. Oliseh a brand new car to ease his movement locally whenever he was in Nigeria.

Oliseh

“With regard to the allegation that he was not supported, it is pertinent to note that Mr. Oliseh himself had on numerous occasions expressed gratitude for the support he had received from the NFF and in particular from the NFF President and Vice Presidents. The NFF makes bold to say that he has been supported throughout his short tenure as the Super Eagles coach. Not only have his requests and choice of training camps been accepted, his choice of players have never been interfered with, his choice of venues have all but once been accepted and even where not accepted, an explanation was promptly given which was duly appreciated and accepted by the coach.

“Only a few minutes before

sending an email intimating the NFF of his resignation, Mr. Oliseh had written a mail to the NFF President about his trip across Europe to see players, which the NFF President had approved the day before.

“For the competitive matches against Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Swaziland that the Super Eagles played away from home under Coach Oliseh, the NFF despite its financial constraints flew the team by chartered aircraft at the request of the coach.

“It is pertinent to note also that, despite its financial constraints, the NFF acceded to Coach Oliseh’s insistence on camping the CHAN team in South Africa. His show of appreciation was to go on air to

talk about spending his money to buy food for the team in South Africa. The truth is that the team stayed at a world -class facility where buffet feeding had been arranged. Coach Oliseh opted to buy Nigerian food for the players on two (2) occasions, without alerting the NFF or the hotel management. Food meant for the team on those two occasions went to waste. ”In support of Coach Oliseh and in a bid to give him some confidence regarding the issue of finance, the NFF top echelon traveled to Rwanda at their own expense along with the Minister of Youth and Sports, in order that the coach and the team would have the opportunity of hearing first-hand from the Minister the challenges the NFF was facing with regards to funds.

The Minister told the team clearly that the financial problems were not the fault of the NFF and promised to do his utmost to resolve it forthwith.

“After the CHAN championships in Rwanda, the Technical Committee requested for the usual technical report of the Championship but Coach Oliseh wrote a terse email back to the secretary of that committee stating that he did not report to them.

“From the foregoing, it is clear that without claiming to be perfect and working under considerable financial difficulties, not only did the NFF support Mr. Sunday Oliseh in his capacity as Chief Coach of Super Eagles, it actually showed lots of restraint in the face of aggravated impulsive behaviour by the coach bordering in some cases on insubordination.”

L-R: Secretary, National Youth Soccer Association (NYSA), Mr. Ganiyu Aliu; Executive Director, Chief Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu; Assistant Secretary, NYSA, Mr. Lukman Salako and NYSA Public Relations Officer, Taofeek Ajibola, during a press briefing and presentation of trophies for the 3rd edition of Chief Obafemi and HID Awolowo U-10 Boys and U-15 Girls Memorial Kids Cup Football Tournament held at the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation Office, Gbagada, Lagos, recently.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

47

World bits…

IAAF attends UNESCO meeting in Monaco

I

Mercyjacob_26@yahoo.com Tel: 08063056537

AAF President Sebastian Coe, accompanied by IAAF General Secretary/CEO Jean Gracia, attended a meeting of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS) on Saturday (27).

The meeting, which included an Ordinary Session and a joint meeting with the Permanent Consultative Council (PCC), took place at the Novotel Monte Carlo in Monaco.

A global presentation was made by Nada Al-Nashif, Assistant Director-General who was representing the DirectorGeneral of UNESCO. Under the presidency of Gerhardus Oosthuizen, CIGEPS and PCC members also gave updates on their national and international activities since the 2014 CIGEPS Plenary Session, which focussed on the promotion and implementation of the ‘Declaration of Berlin’ and the revised International Charter of Physical Education.

The declaration was adopted by the 121 represented Member States at UNESCO’s 5th World Conference of Sport Ministers

in 2013.

Some of the principal topics included in the declaration are: access to sport as a fundamental right for all; doping in sport; the inclusion of all members of society when developing physical, high-performance sport policy; the integral role of sport and physical activity at school in the daily routine of children and youth; strengthening cooperation between governments, sport organizations, schools and all other educational institutions to improve the conditions for physical education and sport at school.

At the meeting, the IAAF President and General Secretary/CEO discussed with some CIGEPS members the IAAF’s School and Youth programme including flagship programmes such as Kids’ Athletics and the annual World Athletics Day. “It is important that the IAAF is active within international organisations such as UNESCO’s CIGEPS. We must ensure we explore all possible areas of cooperation for the development of athletics worldwide,” commented IAAF President Coe.

ondon athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton and Paralympic gold medallist Richard Whitehead have joined forces to help dig up the final pieces of the London 2012 track where the likes of Usain Bolt celebrated Olympic glory.

The move is part of the track transformation for the 2017 London World Athletics Championships, which get under way in 500 days’ time when the Olympic Stadium will play host to the globe’s leading athletes.

The most local of Britain’s

Olympians in 2012, Shakes-Drayton said: “Dreams were made when athletes like Usain Bolt crossed the famous finish line at the Olympics in 2012 and I hope to be creating new memories for Britain at the London 2017 World Championships.”

Whitehead, who won T42 200m gold on the surface at the Paralympics, added: “London 2017 will be the greatest occasion for me to end my career. I plan to retire after London 2017.”

The new, super-fast track will be laid in the spring.

Rio Olympics: I’m battle London 2017: New tracks in place 500 days to go L ready, Ogunlewe boasts

N

igerian current fastest male sprinter, Seye Ogunlewe has declared that he is set to do the country proud at the Rio 2016 Olympics slated for August this year in Brazil.

Ogunlewe told National Mirror in an interview that he wants to bring back the glorious days when male athletes use to out shine the female at the Olympics.

He however pleaded to National Sports Commission (NSC) and Athletics Federation (AFN) to encourage athletes through caring for their welfare and wellbeing insisting that it is the only way they could get the best out of them.

“So far, I am focus and seriously preparing for the Rio Olympics, if I go back now to my base I will continue with my training for the Olympics, The Olympics is for

August there are some other lined up events like African Championship and outdoor events before Olympics, by the grace of God I will make the country proud at Rio Olympics.

There is no other thing that is giving me the courage and motivation rather I am somebody that is self driven always ensuring I do the right thing at the right time so as to achieve my aim in life.Ogunlewe said.

I have also been getting support from my family; it is a good thing when your loved ones support you in whatever profession you choose. It gives you assurance that nothing can go wrong. That is why I am pleading to the Sports Ministry to support the athletes through welfare and encouraging words that will spur the athletes

to do more t is not bad if they called them and asked them how they are doing at least make them to be happy.

Many have criticized the male athletes for not leaving up to expectation but I want them to watch out for them in this Olympics because we are going to rewrite the wrongs. Last time Ogho ran 10.6 and I ran 10.1, we are going to shine again within the shortest time, we are surely going to do better than Deji Aliu, Ezenwa brothers and Olusoji Fasugba.

Ogunlewe won the men’s 100m final at the 2015 National Championships in Warri, racing to his first national title with a time of 10.19 sacs.

He has his personal best in 100m by 10.19 +1.6 in Loughborough, Great Britain in 2015.

Star Quote…

Double gold means I’m king of the sprints.

It shows I’m the best sprinter around.

–Justin Gatlin

IAAF looks ahead to Rio race walk

T

he International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) technical delegate Luis Saladie has claimed the Rio 2016 race walks will be among the most beautiful in Olympic history after seeing Claudio Flores lead an Ecuadorian podium sweep in the discipline’s test event.

The two kilometre circuit runs along the coast next to Pontal island, west of Barra da Tijuca, where the largest Rio 2016 venue cluster is situated.

It has had a new asphalt surface laid for the Games, which was tested along with the operations centre, race logistics, timing, results technology and security.

“The surface was very good, it turned out perfect,” said Saladie, who will be head referee during the Rio 2016 Games.

“Of course the circuit will have to be a bit wider, because we had less than 20 competitors, and at the Games we will have 60.

“The scenery is so beautiful.

“I think it will be the most beautiful Olympic race walk since I started working in the Games at Barcelona 1992.”

Only seven of the 18 starters managed to complete the 50km men’s race, which began in temperatures of 30 degrees and rising.

Flores crossed the line first in 4 hours, 23min and 37sec followed by fellow Ecuadorians Rolando Saquipay and Jonnathan Cáceres Cabreram with times of 4:34:09 and 4:46:21 respectively.

Racing at sea level in severe heat didn’t allow for a realistic chance of gaining the Olympic qualifying standard, which is 4:06:00.

WORLD RECORD

Highest fall survived without Fastest marathon dribbling twoparachute basketballs

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1318 Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Vesna Vulovic (Yugoslavia) was 23 working as a Jugoslavenski Aerotransport hostess when she survived a fall from 10,160 m (33,333 ft) over Srbsk, Kamenice, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic), on 26 January 1972

Now that the oil swap will be swapped

A

t an oil and gas reforms workshop held in Abuja in August 2015, I had the privilege of listening to many scholars and stakeholders in the industry. Everyone had something useful to say, against the background that a new set of politicians had just taken over power and was looking to chart a new course in the sector.

Based on the reports of the Bern Declaration and the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRDI), we all just realized that one of the biggest heists in the oil and gas sector had been taking place right under our noses. When Nigeria barters its crude for fuel as a refined commodity for local consumption, it gets

Guest Columnist

Bob Majirioghene Etemiku

the crude as crude without asking for payment for all the allied products such as gas, diesel and engine oil. What this translates to is that while we were paying a subsidy for bringing in only half of what we should bring in, we were losing three-quarters of what we ought to get.

In 2012, according to NEITI information, Nigeria earned $6.9 billion revenue from oil and gas. Now, if this piece of information is accurate, it means that our income from our crude sales would have somewhat quadrupled if we had factored in what should accrue from our oil in terms of diesel, and engine oil. Part of what is responsible for this anomaly is what Bern and NDRI state inter alia that Nigeria engages in battering our crude oil for refined products, aka oil swap, with ubiquitous behemoths, and that there is a certain domestic crude allocation to the NNPC. The Bern Declaration also said that the NNPC illegally retains revenue accruable to the nation; that it relies on an over-abundance of middlemen to lift crude, together with a total lack of a system of checks and balances within the system.

To redress these glitches, both reports recommend the elimination of direct crude allocation to the NNPC and transparency in payment flows, the development of an explicit revenue collection framework for the NNPC, the winding down of all Offshore Processing Agreements (OPAs), the sale of crude to end users and the strengthening of a programme of transparency and accountability. It is cheerful that the government

A DISCUSSANT AT THAT WORKSHOP ADVISED THAT OUR FOCUS SHOULD RATHER BE HOW OIL MONIES ARE SPENT has plans to cancel the oil swap deal and put in place Direct-Sale–Direct-Purchase (DSDP) arrangement. This is billed to take off this month.

I want to encourage the Petroleum Minister to take negotiate a better deal for Nigeria wherein all allied products from our crude are factored into the costs that would prevail in the DSDP regime.

As well, a colleague of mine has suggested that Nigeria should be seeking to focus more on reforming the oil sector and creating alternatives to oil rather than spending useful time wringing fingers over a crash in oil prices.

This last point, I think, is what I hope this discussion should be about. The oil and gas workshop threw up issues that are still worth talking about. A discussant at that workshop advised that our focus should rather be how oil monies are spent. The point that that official was trying to highlight, I guess, is that we are where we are now because oil monies were over the years just shared at the three tiers of government, and were unreasonably appropriated as emoluments to political officeholders without a plan for today.

To begin to examine what we should do next, I hear that the National Economic

Council (NEC) has recently engaged two audit firms - KPMG and ISO (a local firm) - to conduct forensic audits on the crude oil remittances from the NNPC and 81 government revenue generating agencies following submission of an interim report by the ad hoc committee of NEC, chaired by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.

While the proposed audit by the Federal Government seems the proper thing to do at this point when government desperately needs to fund its projects with recovered looted funds from those who have allegedly stolen from the common purse, the engagement of KPMG to audit the accounts of the NNPC for forensic needs raises many questions. For example, in April 2015, Nigeria engaged the services of four international audit firms to look into the allegations of a former CBN governor, Lamido Sanusi Lamido that the NNPC failed to remit $20 billion to the federation account. When the biggest of the audit firms, PwC, released its report after a massive media blitz, the firm indicted the NNPC and the NPDC, and asked both organisations to make a refund of about $1.48 billion to the federation account.

Part of that eternal thing about being government anywhere in the world is that government is more about being economical with the truth in most cases.

Most of these supposedly ‘independent’ probes are usually unreliable. Therefore, the point must be made that since the NNPC and NPDC were found culpable in the misappropriation of public funds, it lends credence to the fact that certain elements within the past administrations prior to this current one stole a lot of money. All must be brought under the current searchlight for sanity in the public sector.

Etemiku is Manager Communications of Africa Network for Environment & Economic Justice, (ANEEJ) Benin City, Edo State

Sport Extra

D

isgraced ex-Bayern Munich president, Uli Hoeness, was released from prison yesterday after serving 21 months for tax evasion, a regional official said.

The 64-year-old served half of his three-and-a-half year sen-

Hoeness, ex-Bayern boss, released from prison tence after being convicted in March 2014 of having evaded at least 28.5 million euros ($31.5 million) in taxes.

His release in the middle of the night was confirmed by Bavaria’s justice ministry, which

gave no further details.

Hoeness, the son of a German butcher, rose to fame as the driving force behind Bayern’s rise and became a millionaire businessman, before his fall from grace.

He was granted day release in January 2015, and immediately started working in the club’s youth academy.

“It’s not over!” was Hoeness’s battle cry to FC Bayern in May 2014, shortly before starting

his sentence.

He has said he will announce his future plans on July 1. The date coincides with the start of Carlo Ancelotti’s reign as Bayern’s coach to replace Pep Guardiola.

Hoeness

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