Monday, july 13, 2015 (new) by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Lawyers charge EFCC on diligent prosecution of corruption cases

T Lamorde

hree prominent Lagos-based lawyers yesterday said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, needed to do more in the area of prosecution

Vol. 5 N0. 1154

BUSINESS SECTION

C Chamber of Commerce C wants CBN to w rreview foreign eexchange ppolicy P.2

sion needed to be more diligent in its prosecution of alleged corrupt public officials as a way to support the Federal Government’s anti-corruption

and win cases, to justify its establishment. The lawyers said further that EFCC loses in court would mar its popularity. They said the commis-

Monday, July 13, 2015

THE

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

Free inside

National Mirror Online

N150

@NationalMirror

APC urges Buhari to probe missing $6.9bn NLGN fund ...says rot under Jonathan shocking NLNG under 10-year tax rebate –PDP

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

ll Progressives Congress, APC, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to unravel what happened to past Company Income Tax/Education Tax as well as dividends paid to CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

21, OLOWU STREET, IKEJA, LAGOS www.medviewairline.com 01-4540927/8

L-R: Branch Manager, Ikeja, NICON Insurance Ltd, Mrs. Ngozi Mbanaso; Branch Manager, Lagos Island, Mr. Mike Omeike; Managing Director, Sparking Rose Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Edward Oiku; General Manager, Lagos Head Office Annex, NICON Insurance Ltd, Mr. Steve Ajudua; Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Ade Adesokan and Senior Manager, Marketing, Lagos Head Office Annex, Mr. Kola Ayanfenwa, during the presentation of Africa's Most Reliable Quality Insurance Company of the Year 2015 Award to NICON Insurance Ltd, in Lagos, recently.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 29, 2015

Saraki flays Saudi's visa policy for hajj P.12

MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS

LAGOS TO ENUGU

VL2116

0730

0840

B737

DESTINATION

FLT NO

DEP

ARR

STOPS

A/C

LAGOS TO PHC

VL2110

1130

1240

B737

ABUJA TO LAGOS

VL2101

0900

1015

B737

LAGOS TO YOLA

VL2102

0850

1200

B737

VL2105

1400

1515

B737

PHC TO LAGOS

VL2111

1320

1430

B737

VL2103

1500

1615

B737

YOLA TO ABUJA

VL2103

1300

1410

VL2119

1630

1745

B737

YOLA TO LAGOS

VL2103

1300

1615

VL2107

1830

1945

B737

ABUJA TO YOLA

VL2102

1050

1200

B737

ACCRA TO LAGOS

VL0204

0800

1000

B737

VL0206

1740

1940

B737

ENUGU TO LAGOS

VL2117

0930

1040

B737

LAGOS TO ABUJA

VL2100

0700

0815

B737

VL2102

LAGOS TO ACCRA

0850

1005

B737

LAGOS TO ENUGU

VL2116

1230

1340

B737

ENUGU TO LAGOS

VL2117

1420

1530

B737

LAGOS TO PHC

VL2110

1130

1240

B737

LAGOS TO ABUJA

VL2108

1030

1145

B737

LAGOS TO YOLA

VL2102

0850

1200

B737

VL2102

1200

1315

B737

PHC TO LAGOS

VL2111

1320

1430

B737

VL2118

1430

1545

B737

YOLA TO ABUJA

VL2103

1300

1410

B737

VL2106

1630

1745

B737

YOLA TO LAGOS

VL2103

1300

1615

B737

VL0203

0715

B737

SATURDAYS DESTINATION

FLT NO

DEP

ARR

STOPS

A/C

ABUJA TO LAGOS

VL2101

1000

1115

B737

SUNDAYS

VL2105

1400

1515

B737

DESTINATION

VL2103

1500

1615

B737

ABUJA TO YOLA

VL2102

1050

1200

B737

ABUJA TO LAGOS

ACCRA TO LAGOS

VL0204

0800

1000

B737

VL2104

1200

1315

B737

ENUGU TO LAGOS

VL2117

1420

1530

B737

VL2118

1430

1545

B737

LAGOS TO ABUJA

VL2100

0800

0915

B737

VL2106

1630

1745

B737

VL2102

0850

1005

B737

VL0203

0715

B737

VL2104

1200

1315

B737

VL0205

1700

B737

VL0203

0715

B737

LAGOS TO ACCRA

ABUJA TO YOLA ACCRA TO LAGOS

VL0205

1700

B737

FLT NO

DEP

ARR

STOPS

A/C

LAGOS TO ENUGU

VL2116

1230

1340

B737

VL2109

1230

1345

B737

LAGOS TO PHC

VL2110

1130

1240

B737

VL2119

1630

1745

B737

LAGOS TO YOLA

VL2102

1200

1505

B737

VL2103

1730

1845

B737

PHC TO LAGOS

VL2111

1320

1430

B737

VL2107

1830

1945

B737

YOLA TO ABUJA

1355

1505

B737

1545

1655

B737

VL2102

VL2103

YOLA TO LAGOS

VL2103

1545

1845

B737

VL0204

0800

1000

B737

VL0206

1740

1940

B737

Updated June 12, 2015

News

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APC urges Buhari to probe missing $6.9bn NLGN fund CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the Federal Government by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG. The call came against the background of published reports that the funds were never paid into the Federation Account as they should. APC, in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also described as glaring example of grandstanding opposition, attempts by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to distort facts about the source of the $2.1bn approved for sharing by the three tiers of government by President Buhari. It said: “Whereas the presidency corrected the initial erroneous report that the shared money was sourced from the Excess Crude Account, ECA, the skittish opposition continued to insist it was from the ECA and that it was part of the ‘savings’ by the Goodluck Jonathan administration. “We can tell Nigerians that the $2.1bn was sourced from the $1.6bn Company Income Tax/Education Tax paid to the Federal Government on June 17, over two weeks after the Jonathan administration left office, as well as the $500m tax paid by Shell. “We can tell Nigerians that this is the first time the payment of the Income Tax/Education Tax by the NLNG was being disclosed by any government, in addition to paying it into the Federation Account for sharing, hence those who call it their ‘legitimate’ earnings should be asked why they did not demand the sharing of such ‘legitimate’ earnings in the past. “We can tell Nigerians that apart from the said $1.6bn NLNG payment for 2015, NLNG also paid $1.4bn as Income Tax/Education Tax in May 2014; $0.3bn as Education Tax in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and $1.2bn in VAT and Withholding Tax since 2009. These payments are just those made in the past six years alone, hence there were other payments before then. “In addition, dividend payments totalling $4,728,136,946 was paid to the Federal Govern-

ment between 2004 and 2009, out of which only $127,851,348.19 was credited to the government’s Independent Account with JP Morgan, leaving a balance of over $4bn. “The questions to ask therefore are: why all past taxes and dividends were neither fully paid into the Federation Account nor shared by the three tiers of government and what happened to the funds?” Mohammed said now that President Buhari has begun to ensure that all funds due to the Federation Account are paid, as well as plugging all financial leakages, in an effort to restore transparency to the system, it is important to let Nigerians know why all due funds were not paid

into the account in the past and what happened to such funds. He also said that as part of the investigation, the PDP must be asked where it kept the $5.5bn, which it said was the dividend paid to the Federal Government by the NLNG before the May 29 handover. He said: “Since, according to the PDP, President Jonathan asked that the money be ‘left for the incoming administration to manage,’ it is important for the party, therefore, to tell Nigerians in which account the money was ‘saved,’ because it is definitely not in the Federation Account.” He insisted that for any opposition to be credible it must not only be factual

and truthful, it must eschew pandering. Mohammed said: “Had PDP embraced these cardinal principles, it would not have, in the rush to belittle the package that was approved for the states by President Buhari and discredit his administration as well as engaged in outright lies and selective perception. “While the PDP became fixated on the source of the money shared by the states, it forgot that there were other measures in the package that included a special intervention fund of between N250bn and N300bn from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as soft loan available to states to access for the purposes of paying backlog of sala-

ries. “The PDP also forgot the debt relief programme designed to assist the states to restructure their commercial loans of N660bn, with a view to extending the life span of such loans and reducing the states’ debt-servicing expenditures. “That way, states are freed from their perennial inability to pay workers’ salaries and more funds are available to the various governments to use for the benefit of the people. “It has forgotten that the only time in the country’s history that this kind of rescue package was made was also during the tenure of Buhari as military Head of State.” APC advised those who are showboating and dis-

torting facts to tarry a while, as what they are seeing is just the first step in a long journey to clear the rot left behind by years of purposeless governance, plug all financial leakages, ensure that all funds due to the Federation Account are paid in for the benefit of all Nigerians and bring to justice all who have mismanaged or looted the commonwealth. “The revelations concerning the deep rot in the system that will come in the weeks and months ahead will shock even the most ardent critics of the Buhari administration’s salvaging efforts,” APC said. In its reaction, PDP however described as “misleadCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Executive Secretary, Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara; Administrator, Aso Villa Chapel, Mr. Abba Mshelia and Guest Preacher, Pastor Seyi Malomo after Sunday Service at Aso Villa Chapel, State House, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Chamber of Commerce wants CBN to review foreign exchange policy

agos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to review its foreign exchange policy for imported goods. LCCI made the call in a statement signed by its Director-General, Mr. Muda Yusuf, which was made available to newsmen in Lagos yesterday. The chamber disapproved of the apex bank’s policy, which restricted 41 imported goods from accessing foreign exchange from

the bank. It said the policy would serve as a disincentive to the Nigerian manufacturing sector and the economy. The statement said the restricted items included critical elements of the manufacturing process of many firms, across sectors in the country. “The policy means that manufacturers who require any of the 41 restricted items as inputs and raw materials for their production may have to simply shut their operations once their

existing stock is exhausted. “LCCI understands the CBN’s constraints and circumstances, as it drew up this policy. “It, however, appears as if the formulation of the policy has suffered from the CBN’s limited understanding of the manufacturing process of many of the sectors affected by this policy,” it said. It would be recalled that CBN had on June 23 said that it was imperative to exclude importers of some goods from accessing for-

eign exchange. It added that the directive was aimed at encouraging local production of the items. The chamber, however, noted that the policy was ambiguous as the restricted items were not well-defined and specific. It stated that the ambiguity had plunged both manufacturers and banks into confusion regarding the intent of the apex bank. It, therefore, urged the bank to amend the policy with full product definition,

specification of all restricted items, including their HS Codes and excluding any items, which are nonsubstitutable industrial raw materials from the list. The chamber, therefore, called for appropriate time frames for items which required some interval before local substitutes can be created for imported raw materials. It reminded the CBN and the Federal Government that manufacturers had yet to recover from the losses CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PAGE

Monday, July 13, 2015

Good Health

Scientists grow body parts in lab …plan to mass produce them for sale

Body parts in Lab

FRANKA OSAKWE

magine losing an arm, a leg or a breast to cancer or motor accident, and having it replaced with a perfect brand new one created with your stem cell. This would mean an end to prosthesis (artificial body part) and donated body parts, you will say. But this is no fairy tale; scientists are now growing noses, ears and other body parts in the laboratory using stem cells. The laboratory at London’s Royal Free hospital is one of the several labs around the world that are already growing custommade organs and a handful of patients have received them. With this feat, the researchers hope they will soon be able to transplant more types of body parts into patients. “It’s like making a cake, we just use a different kind of oven,” said Alexander Seifalian at University College London, the scientist leading the effort.

Last year, he and his team made a nose for a British man who lost his to cancer. Stem cells were taken from the patient’s fat and grown in the lab for two weeks before being used to cover the nose scaffold. On how the body parts are grown, Seifalian says the new body part begins as a glass mould, based on the original. The glass mould is sprayed with a synthetic honeycomb-like material to create a framework for stem cells to cling to. “The mould is then removed and the honeycomb covered with millions of blank cells later turns into the cartilage of the organ. Meanwhile, the skin on another area of the body is gradually stretched by a small balloon placed under the surface and inflated until it is loose enough to accommodate the organ. After several months, the body part is taken out from under the skin and sewn into the right place”, he said. Seifalian and his team are creating other organs including coronary arteries and ears.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sleeping on duty could improve efficiency

leeping on duty can be a good thing, according to a study. Naping can be a cost-efficient and easy strategy to increase workplace safety, researchers in the US found. It can also help counteract unteract impulsive behaviour. The study suggests gests that workplaces that install nstall nap places and give workers rkers nap breaks are likely to be more productive. The reason, it states, is because e it is becoming in-creasingly common n

for adults not to sleep all through the night. This can negatively impair attention and memory, as well as contribute to fatigue. Researchers at the th University of Michigan examined how a brief nap affectemotional control. ed adults’ emo found that those who They foun more time trying napped spent s to solve a task than the nonnappers who were less willnapp ing to endure frustration in order to complete it. IIn addition, nappers rreported feeling less iimpulsive.

“Ears are harder to make than noses because you have to get all the contours right and the skin is pulled tight so you see its entire structure,” said Dr Michelle Griffin, a plastic surgeon who has made dozens of ears and noses in Seifalian’s lab. “At the moment, children who need new ears have to go through a really invasive procedure involving taking cartilage from their ribs,” Griffin said, adding that taking fat cells from patients’ abdomens to add to a lab-made ear scaffold would be far easier than the multiple procedures often necessary to carve an ear from their ribs. Griffin revealed that they plan to eventually create an entirely synthetic face but must first prove their polymer scaffolds won’t accidentally burst out of the skin. “Scientists have to get things like noses and ears right before we can move onto something like a kidney, lungs or a liver, which is much more complicated,” said Eileen Gentleman, a stem cell expert at King’s College London, who is not involved in Seifalian’s research. With this lat-

est innovation, some scientists have predicted that lab-made organs will soon cease to be experimental. “I’m convinced engineered organs are going to be on the market soon,” said Suchitra Sumitran-Holgersson, a professor of transplantation biology at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. She has transferred lab-made blood vessels into a handful of patients and plans to offer them more widely by 2016, pending regulatory approval. Still, she acknowledged doctors will have to watch closely for any long-term side effects, including the possibility of a higher cancer risk. Seifalian estimated about 10 million pounds ($16 million) has gone into his research since 2005 but said he hoped lab-made organs would one day be available for a few hundred dollars. “If people are not that fussy, we could manufacture different sizes of noses so the surgeon could choose a size and tailor it for patients before implanting it. “People think your nose is very individual and personal but this is something that we could mass produce like in a factory one day,” he said. Meanwhile, a cancer patient from Poland, David Barwell has his mouth and tongue rebuilt using tissue from his arm after a tumour was removed from his throat. The surgeons had to cut away the bottom of his mouth and tongue while trying to remove the tumour. But the medics were able to use skin and blood vessels from his arm to rebuild the oral cavity, and re-model his tongue, allowing him to eat drink and hopefully speak again.

PREVENTING DIABETES FOOT AMPUTATIONS If you are living with diabetes, you are invited to come for a free diabetes foot screening. To book an appointment and more details, please call 07042196808, 012950233. This diabetes foot care initiative is sponsored by Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre and the World Diabetes Foundation.

daily glass of grapefruit juice keeps blood vessels healthy and could protect against heart disease, a study shows. Scientists believe flavanones, healthboosting chemicals found in citrus fruits, are responsible for the benefits and half a pint a day is enough to improve blood circulation. The findings, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggest that regular grapefruit juice consumption could play a vital part in warding off heart disease. Eating a diet rich in fruit has long been known to have a protective effect. But there has been less research on precisely what it is in citrus fruits that helps to sustain a healthy heart. Researchers at the French National Institute for Agricultural Research at Clermont-

Grapefruit juice can boost your heart

Ferrand, France, recruited 48 healthy women aged between 50 and 65 - one of the highest risk groups for heart disease. Half the group was given a daily quota of 340 millilitres - roughly half a pint - of grapefruit juice packed with flavanones and the rest an identical-looking drink but with no flavanones.

Photo News

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Executive Vice President, Business Development and Global Project, MoneyGram, Alexander Hoffmann (left) and Executive Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Victor Etuokwu, during the launch of Access Bank MoneyGram Big Splash promo at Access Bank Head Office, Lagos, over the weekend.

Orchestra of the Deeper Life Bible Church performing during a regional combined service in preparation for August 8 crusade by Pastor William Kumuyi, in Suleja, Niger State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Managing Director, Pro-optics Ltd, Dr. Ogechi Nwokedi; Mrs. Beatrice Barber; Prof. Adeola Onakoya; Prof. Joseph M. Mbadugha; author of book, Mrs. Chigozie Mbadugha and former Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan, during launch of the book, Beyond the Trial, in Lagos, at the weekend.

General Secretary, National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, Comrade Issa Aremu (right), breaking fast with other Muslims in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

National News

Marine Police in Lagos to be equipped –Ojukwu N igeria Police yesterday said it was looking into the challenges faced by its marine unit, with a view to making it function effectively. Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, said all

the unit’s broken down boats would be repaired. He also said efforts were on to deploy new boats in the Lagos command of the force. “This is to enable the unit’s officers and men meet the challenges of crime, especially the ones

posed by the recent robbery attacks in the area,” Ojukwu said. It would be recalled that two recent robbery attacks on banks in the state saw the suspects escaping through the use of speedboats. “We are re-strategising

the marine police operation to check criminal activities in the inland waterways,” he said. Only few of the 11 speedboats at the Marine Police jetty at Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, are serviceable. Reliable sources said

most of the gunboats could only be used for surveillance as they were too heavy to speed, thereby hampering any rescue mission. “We don’t have boats to race in the quickest time for rescue mission. The highest speed boat in our fleet is 100 horse power.

“We have the manpower, as well as the arms to handle any situation, but we don’t have adequate means of mobility for urgent mission. We appeal to the Federal and Lagos State Governments for new speedboats,” one of the sources said.

Oil production resumes at Kolo Creek flow station

olo Creek flow station in Bayelsa State resumed operations yesterday, following resolutions of the rift between Shell and its host communities in Ogbia Local Government Area. The re-opening followed reconciliatory talks between Shell and the four communities over social amenities obligations brokered by a military joint

task force. Commander of the Task Force, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, had summoned the parties to a meeting on Saturday when he visited the flow station. Spokesman of the task force, Lt.-Col. Isa Ado, said intervention of the commander had resolved the face-off and restored peace to the communities. He said all the conten-

tious issues were tabled and sorted out as both sides made concessions on the negotiation table and commitments to keep the peace and reopen the facility that was shut on July 6. “The intervention of the commander has restored peace to the host communities at Shell’s Kolo Creek oil fields and at the end of the meeting on Saturday it was agreed that the plant

should resume operations. “As we speak, the flow station has resumed operations and the JTF under Maj.-Gen. Atewe achieved this feat by dialogue without resorting to use of force. All the parties left the meeting happy,” Ado said. The communities are Imiringi, Otuasega, Oruma and Elebele, all in Ogbia Local Government Area. Atewe had visited the

facility and tried to compel the communities to reopen and vacate the flow station to enable the workers to resume production, but the communities refused to shift ground. Chief Sample Sunday, the spokesman of the communities, said they had secured the commitment of the firm to meet its community development obligations.

“We commend the role played by the JTF in bringing this weeklong crisis to an end to the satisfaction of all the parties. “We achieved a lot by this meeting and we also made some concessions and Shell made commitments,” Sunday said. The spokesman of Shell, Mr Joseph Obari, declined to comment on the development.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Monday, July 13, 2015

Lawyers charge EFCC on diligent prosecution of corruption cases CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

crusade. Mr Jiti Ogunye said EFCC needed to be more committed and diligent in its investigation and subsequent prosecution of those accused of fraud. Ogunye said the way the charge against Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode was

prosecuted by EFCC had revealed the need for a review of its handling of prosecution of suspects. “EFCC’s dilatory and cavalier prosecution ended up telling Nigerians that it was not sure of what it was doing. “The way the charge against Fani-Kayode was

Senate Rule: Group calls for probe of alleged forgery

riends in The Gap, an NGO, yesterday in Abuja called for a thorough probe into allegation of forgery of the Senate Standing Order 2015. This was contained in a statement issued by Executive Director of The Gap, Mr. George Oji. It urged the InspectorGeneral of Police to properly investigate the allegation that the forgery made it possible to elect Sen. Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy President of the Senate. “We note the explanations by Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, that every new Senate must operate with a new rule in compliance with Section 64 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, to justify the emergence of the new rule book. “Consequently, we

appeal to the Senate to conduct thorough investigations to ascertain the circumstances that led to the surreptitious emergence of the new rule book. “We urge that there should not be any sacred cow in the investigation process. The investigation should also be concluded quickly and on time, too. “We demand that anyone found culpable, should be prosecuted in a court of competent jurisdiction in the country, as there is no immunity against prosecution provided for any lawmaker in the nation's constitution,” it said. The group also called for quick resolution of the leadership crisis currently rocking both chambers of the National Assembly.

prosecuted showed that not much was properly done by the anti-graft agency. “It has an advantage as both the investigating and prosecuting body and so will not be excused for failure to bring those charged with corrupt enrichment to answer for their deeds. “The anti-corruption body ought to know the strength of the cases they are taking to court on the basis of their investigations,” he said. Ogunye said EFCC could justify its funding through tax payers’ money by ensuring that it gets guilty judgments, especially against those charged with public embezzlement.

“Facts must be properly substantiated in the eyes of the law by the agency. “EFCC needs to carry out thorough investigation and painstaking, diligent and conscientious prosecution of its cases. “It must not allow extraneous factors, influence or pressure to affect the performance of its statutory duties,” he added. Similarly, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, urged the Commission to streamline the counts it brings against suspects. “EFCC is fond of going to court with so many counts as charges.

“It is an indication that the prosecution is unsure of what it is doing when it brings about 40 to 50 count charges against a person. “One can almost assume that perhaps the prosecution is playing games or gambling with so many charges against one person. “The onus is on the prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and you don’t need too many charges to accuse someone of theft or fraud. “The judge in Fani-Kayode’s case correctly stated that the principle of law is that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. “You really do not need

several counts to convict someone because it ends up being bulky and timewasting. “In the UK, USA or Canada, you will only find public prosecutors going to court with a maximum of six counts,” Osipitan said. Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (Ikorodu Chapter), Mr Adedotun Adetunji, said EFCC needed to improve on its investigation of allegations against suspects. “The agency has to be more diligent in the investigation of financial crimes and the prosecution of offenders. “It needs to ensure more diligence so as to be able to prosecute more efficiently and effectively,” Adetunji added.

APC urges Buhari to probe missing $6.9bn NLGN fund CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

ing outright falsehood,” APC’s position on the NLNG. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement yesterday disclosed that NLNG was on a 10-year tax haven until 2014. “Within this period, successive governments, right from President Olusegun Obasanjo never shared nor tampered with the cumulative dividends. “Whatever taxes paid from the NLNG go through the Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, and recorded as part of the income of the Federal Government. “It is imperative to note that by the end of the tenure of President Jonathan, NLNG dividends had risen to a cumulative $5.6bn and not a single cent was ever

taken from the funds. “Although it is within the rights of the APC administration to spend the funds in any way they may decide, it is however cruel for them to inflict on us all such malicious falsehood while the current Presidency, without the benefit of economic advisers and relevant statutory organs of government unilaterally decided to deplete the funds without thinking of the attendant future investments and financial obligations of Nigeria in the NLNG project. “APC must note that there is a limit to propaganda and lies. Now is the time for governance and this government has shown total unpreparedness to face the challenges of governance at the center,” the statement said.

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (left) and Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi, during a visit to Chief Obasanjo at the Hilltop, GRA, Abeokuta, yesterday.

Chamber of Commerce wants CBN to review foreign exchange policy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

they suffered due to the recent currency devaluation. “Compounding recent devaluation losses with higher costs and the complete inability to source critical raw materials may push many firms over the precipice. “This may result in business closures, job losses, declined manufacturing sector production and greater social tension,” the chamber added. It urged CBN and the Federal Government to consider palliatives and incentives to prevent such a scenario. The chamber stated that the fundamental forces the

apex bank was struggling against were economic and fiscal policy dependence. It said the bank continues to exert monetary policy tools almost to a point in which economic harm may result. The chamber, therefore, listed the fundamental factors as: diversification of the economy in terms of exports and government revenue, issues around the deregulation of the downstream oil sector and the fiscal regimes of the upstream oil sector. Others are the power sector’s efficiency, creating alternative economies in

solid minerals, agriculture, manufacturing and a robust export-driven economy. It said: “These matters cannot be resolved through exclusive deployment of monetary policy tools.” The chamber noted that harmonisation of CBN policies with other government agencies was critical, to avoid cross purposes and for economic development. It, therefore, urged the apex bank to avoid policies that may produce oligopolistic and monopolistic outcomes, which the chamber said, were at variance with its mandate of building a sound economy.

LCCI recalled that on July 9, a stakeholders’ forum on the policy, which was attended by representatives of the CBN and the organised private sector, including the manufacturing sector was organised by it. The chamber said the outcome of the forum formed the basis of the communiqué for government’s immediate action. It, therefore, urged for increased engagement and consultation between the CBN and the private sector, for adequate understanding of the impact of its policies on the manufacturing sector.

News

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria’s road safety rated high in Africa Olusegun Koiki

conomic Commission for Africa has rated Nigeria as one of the best three performing states in accomplishing activities of African Road Safety Action Plan. The performance score was issued at the third African Road Safety Conference organised by the

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNECA, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. No fewer than 23 countries were rated by the commission. Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, in an online statement stated that the Corps Marshal, FRSC, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, appreciated the Federal Government’s efforts in ensuring the enduring road safety

Local content: Nigerian firm loses N90bn

...as drilling rigs are detained

Francis Ezem

fforts by Federal Government to increase indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry under the Local Content policy have suffered a major setback as an indigenous firm lost over N90 billion in the last 10 months over detention of its two oil drilling rigs by AMCON. The Federal Government had as part of measures to check increasing foreign domination of the oil and gas sector of the nation enacted the Nigerian Content Act 2010, which also created the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, to enhance indigenous participation in both upstream and downstream of the sector. Competent industry sources hinted that Seawolf Oil Services Limited, an indigenous oil company, lost over N90bn following the decision of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, to impound and detain two of its oil drilling rigs acquired at the cost of N300bn since October last year over a loan facility obtained by the company. The source disclosed that the company got the loan from First Bank of Nigeria Plc with which it acquired the two drilling rigs, but unfortunately, could not service it as and when due, which is part of the toxic loans bought back by AMCON from the commercial banks to prevent them from going under, considering the negative impact of the demise of such banks in the

country. Meanwhile, receiver manager for Seawolf Oil Services Limited appointed by AMCON, Mr. Mike Igbokwe, SAN, who confirmed the development, however said the drilling rigs were neither seized not detained but rather brought from Bayelsa to Marina Waterfront, Lagos. “The two rigs are not sized as such in that there is no court order to that effect, but they happen to be some of the assets that are charged. What happened was that Seawolf borrowed money from First Bank and with the loan, it acquired the rigs and defaulted and the loan became bad,” he said. It was gathered that in line with its statutory functions of buying off bad loans from commercial banks to save them from collapse, AMCON stepped into the shoes of the lending bank (First Bank) and exercised the rights and powers of the bank. He also insisted that the two rigs were towed from Bayelsa to their present location on Marina, Lagos for repairs and preservation. He however denied claims that the two had been there for about two years, insisting they were taken there either in October or November last year. On what might be the fate of the rigs and the loan defaulting company, he disclosed that no firm decision has been reached as to whether to sell off the rigs or other options, adding that the public would be notified appropriately as soon as a decision is taken on the issue.

culture is continually imbibed. He also lauded its officers on their resilience. Kazeem stated further that the Corps Marshal assured participants at the conference that in the spirit of the occasion, the agency would not rest on its oars, but would rather continue to devise ways to improve on its achievements. It stressed that it would continue to perform above the standard of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety declaration. The African Road Safety Action Plan, which owes its roots to the 2011 UN Decade of Action for Road Safety placed priority on understanding of road safety institutional arrangements, road safety management and re-

lated activities, achievements, opportunities, and challenges in African countries. Kazeem revealed that the report from the conference stated that 40 per cent of member countries were in the process of implementing more road safety management activities, and listed Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa as the leading countries with clear prospects of accomplishing activities of the Action Plan. The statement added, “Performance of the Plan is measured based on road safety management, mobility, vehicles, road users, and postcrash response. “It noted that varying results have thus far defined the afore-listed per-

formance indicators, given that some countries record high rates of successes in some areas, but record low performances in others.” However, he stated that the report observed that “progress has so far been made.” While noting that more than 30 per cent countries had not taken significant steps to harmonising data processing formats, and use of international standards in reporting road safety incidents, Kazeem declared the report specifically encouraged countries to invest in research and develop safety audits. It also advised that importation of safer and newer vehicles, and improved traffic education in schools to reduce road traffic crashes.

Also, the Director, Regional Trade and Integration, Economic Commission for Africa, ECA, Stephen Karingi, commended ECA’s contributions in improving road safety in Africa and called for more support from different quarters as most countries had little data collection systems and inadequate laws in place to address road safety challenges. The statement stated that the conference was organised by ECA in collaboration with African Union Commission, AUC, Sub-Sahara African Transport Policy Programme, SSATP, Global Road Safety Facility of the World Bank, African Development Bank, and the International Road Federation.

Passengers boarding plane at Maiduguri International Airport, Borno State, during the Inaugural flight of Med-View Airline's Lagos-Abuaj Maiduguri-Lagos, at the weekend.

Active telecom subscribers hit 146m —NCC

igerian Communications Commission, NCC, yesterday said active lines in the nation’s telecommunications industry stood at 146,561,744 in May. The commission disclosed this in its Monthly Subscriber Data. Active lines in the country were 145,476,326 for April. The figure increased by 1,085,418 in May, the NCC said. According to the data,

144,386,841 of the 146,561,744 active numbers subscribe to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network services. The GSM operators increased their active customers by 1,329,607 as against 143,057,234 subscribers they recorded in April. The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators had 1,993,278 active users in May, indicating a decline of 241,024 from the 2,234,302 customers they

had in April. Also, the monthly subscriber data showed that the Fixed Wired/Wireless networks’ consumers reduced to 181,625 in May, after losing the 3,165 customers they recorded from the 184,790 data for April. The chart revealed that the teledensity of the country’s telecommunications industry increased to 104.69 per cent in May, from 103.91 per cent in the month of April.

According to NAN, the teledensity statistics measure the percentage of a country’s population with access to telecommunications services, as determined from the subscriber base. Nigeria’s teledensity is currently calculated by NCC on a population of 140 million people. NAN also reports that there was an increase of 0.78 per cent in the teledensity of Nigeria in May.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West 9

Monday, July 13, 2015

Salary arrears: Groups rally support for Aregbesola Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

undreds of youths, community and religious leaders at the weekend in BodeOsi, headquarters of OlaOluwa Local Government Area of Osun State, held a rally to drum support for Governor Rauf Argbesola amid impeachment threats. The youths under the auspices of Giant Liberation Group, GLG, led by Barrister Tayo Oyediran and chairman, Community Development Association in the local government, Alhaji Lasisi Oyediran, marched with placards-carrying mem-

bers in support of Governor Aregbesola in the town. Also present at the rally were market women, artisans and members of the Christian Association of Nigerian, CAN, among others, who converged on the council’s secretariat and marched to the town’s market square where various speakers addressed participants. Carrying placards with inscriptions such as ‘Stop Harassing the governor’, ‘He never deliberately owed workers’ and ‘Aregbesola has not looted the state’s treasury,’ the participants also appealed to workers to exercise patience with the governor, saying “con-

spiracy against him over his inability to pay workers is failing.” Barrister Oyediran, while addressing the gathering, warned “troublemakers who want to exploit the salary issue to cause crisis to desist from acts that could jeopardise the peace Osun is enjoying under Aregbesola’s reign.” He added: “We trooped out today to reaffirm our belief in the credibility of Governor Aregbesola. He is honest, reliable and

meant well for the state. We are also here to show him our support and restate our confidence in him as the governor of our dear state. “It is important to alert residents and the entire country of the grand plan by opposition parties to bring the present administration down with sponsored violent protests across the state, under the pretence of protesting delay in workers’ salaries. “It is painful the work-

ers are not getting their salaries. We sympathise with them and express our support for them. But, it is a common knowledge that it was never the making of Aregbesola, because since 2010, he had never defaulted in his statutory responsibility until recently when the nation’s economy was bedeviled by crises. “It is however our concern that some politicians are using the opportunity of the situation to create

unnecessary tension and make the state ungovernable for the governor. Workers can only work and get their salaries under a peaceful atmosphere. We urge trouble-makers, especially the opposition parties to allow peace reign in Osun State.” Alhaji Lasisi, urged the state House of Assembly to ignore the petition of Justice Oloyede, saying it was a grand plan to distract and embarrassed the governor.

Olatosho unites CCC factional pastors Francis Suberu

fforts of unification leader of the Celestial Church of Christ, CCC worldwide, Rev. Olatosho Oshoffa, to unite the crisis-ridden church has begun to yield positive results following decision of three of the factional pastors of the church to come back to the fold. The factional pastors, including Pastor Paul Suru Maforikan, factional head of CCC based in Ibadan; Pastor Joshua Kayode Owodunni, head of a faction based in Lagos State and Province Head Superior, Snr, (Dr.) S.A. Adebanjo (JP) based in Ogun State – have all decided to come back to the fold having been convinced that there is a divine hand in the unification move. According to Owodunni, who spoke at CCC, Oluwaseyi Parish, Iteri, Lagos, at the weekend, founder of the church, the late Prophet (Pastor) Samuel Oshoffa, appeared to him in separate visions and instructed him to support the unification leader of the church. He assured that they are ready to join hands with Rev. Olatosho to ensure that the CCC worldwide unites in one accord again. Our correspondent learnt that Owodunni is one of the two surviving members of the board of trustees of the church during the lifetime of its founder. Pastor Maforikan also

said that four years ago, Prophet Oshoffa appeared to him in a vision and told him to support the unification leader; adding that he is now ready to follow the instruction of his spiritual leader. He promised to instruct all his churches home and abroad to support Rev. Olatosho. The pastors encouraged Rev. Olatosho to continue in his efforts at uniting the church, saying they are with him in spirit and in truth; even as they promised to attend the burial of his mother, the late Mother-in-Celestial, Elizabeth Oshoffa, slated for August 15, 2015 at Imeko to demonstrate their full reunion with the mother church. It would be recalled that Rev. Olatosho emerged as unification leader of CCC worldwide after his investiture at Imeko on June 10, 2015. Rev. Olatosho, despite criticisms and oppositions, has moved on with renewed vigour to carry out his mission for the ‘New Celestial Church’ and promised to visit others soon. He had told the gathering of pastors, elders and shepherds of the church at his meetings with them that his main mission is to unite the church, promising to embark on new projects, especially the building a cathedral for the church at Imeko within five years. He also promised making the welfare of all the pastors, elders and shepherds of the church a priority.

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (left); Senator Bayo Salami and others, during inspection of Antony Udofia Elementary School, named after a former military administrator of the state, in Osogbo, at the weekend.

Foundation unveils scholarships in memory of Agagu Ojo Oyewamide AKURE

lusegun Agagu Foundation, OAF, has announced the inauguration of a new series of education support programmes for indigenes of Ondo State and Nigerians at large in memory of the late former governor of the “Sunshine state”. Secretary of the foundation, Feyi Agagu, said yesterday in a press statement that the programmes were put in

place to commemorate the memorial anniversary of the former governor. According to him, the foundation’s educational programmes are in forms of full scholarship and prizes for different categories of individuals, who are students of secondary schools and undergraduates in Nigerian universities. The younger Agagu said the programmes were drawn up in line with the mission statement of the foundation and the credo of the late aca-

demic and administrator, which aims “to leave things better than he met them” by working passionately towards intellectual excellence, good governance and national development. The statement said: “Starting from the 2015/16 academic session, the foundation, in partnership with the governing council of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, is awarding full scholarship to suitably qualified applicants to study Computer Science,

Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Chemistry and Public Health. “This scholarship at the Adeleke University is specifically meant only for deserving students from Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State who have demonstrated a commitment to pursuing their education in spite of the gorging financial hardships they are facing. The late Agagu is from that local government.

Afe Babalola to chair interactive forum for 13 UI VC aspirants Kemi Olaitan, Ibadan The race to pick who becomes next vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan, UI, will continue tomorrow, as a legal luminary, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, chairs an interactive session during which 13 aspirants for the position would address the university community. The programme, which is being organised by staff unions in the university (ASUU, NASU, SSANU

and NAAT) under the chairmanship of Prof. Nelson Fashina, will have Barrister Femi Falana, SAN, moderating. Aspirants for the head of the nation’s premier university include Professors O.O. Layiwola (Institute of African Studies), O.O. Akinyinka (Pediatrics), F.O. Egbokhare (Linguistics and African Languages), Arinola O. Sanya (Physiotherapy), B.O. Fagbemi (Veterinary Microbi-

ology and Parasitology). Others are Professors L. Popoola (Forest Resources Management), A.I. Olayinka (Geology), A.I. Oluleye (Industrial and Production Engineering), O.D. Olaleye (Virology), A.E. Falaye (Aquaculture and Fisheries Management) and A.A. Agbaje (Political Science) The programme scheduled for Trenchard Hall at 10am will witness the presence of all former

vice-chancellors of the university while contributions can be made through dedicated channels (www. uicommunityforumnet;u icommunityforum2015@ gmail.com; www.facebook.com/uinextvc). It will be recalled that at the close of nominations, 13 professors listed above indicated interest in the exalted position as the incumbent, Prof. Isaac Adewole ends his tenure in November this year.

South West

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

WAEC to review allowances of examiners

est African Examinations Council, WAEC, yesterday said it will soon approve new allowances for its examiners to fulfill the council’s mandate. The council’s Head of National Office, HNO, Dr Charles Eguridu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos. Eguridu spoke against the backdrop of claims by some examiners that the council was not paying them allowances commensurate with the volume of work they do. “We at WAEC laud our examiners for their commitment, sacrifice, support and contribution to the overall work of the council. “The work they do is of high value to us and they are one of our critical stakeholders. “One cannot really say their complaints are misplaced. “We appreciate their contributions a lot and wish we had all the monies to express this appreciation in the (manner) they deserve. “But the fees we charge are highly subsidised by government. “Our fee is not an economic one and to that extent, we are limited in terms of resources at our disposal, to pay examiners. “I, however, assure them that we are already

looking into their complaints with a view to increasing their allowances soonest,’’ Eguridu said. He said the council would continue to take necessary action to the benefit of all its stakeholders. One of the examiners, who preferred anonymity, said there was need for WAEC to review its welfare package to all ad-hoc staff. He said it was risky for WAEC to lose the services of examiners because of poor allowances. “The allowances we get are not encouraging and are not commensurate with the job we do for the council,’’ he said. Another examiner, who also did not want to be mentioned, told NAN that other examination bodies in the country paid better allowances than WAEC. “The stress associated with the logistics of examination materials involves much risk and it is painstaking. “We spend so much on transportation during the marking exercise and at the end of the day, you discover that it is not worth the trouble. “I have been marking for the council for the past eight years and I can tell you that the allowances are poor. “It is time WAEC looked inwards to do the right thing in order to get better results from us,’’ he added.

L-R: Wife of Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Mrs Nike Adesina;, former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Tunde Lemo; Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina; Rev (Mrs) Bisi Meduoye and General Overseer/Senior Pastor, Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev Felix Meduoye, during Mr. Femi Adesina’s thanksgiving service in Lagos, yesterday. YANJU OLOWOJOBA

Vietnamese dupe 32 Nigerian exporters Abiodun Nejo ADO-EKITI

o fewer than 32 Nigerian exporters have lost millions of dollars to the fraudulent activities of some Vietnamese importers. The victims said they had written over 25 petitions against the Vietnamese importers, both to their embassy in the country and Nigerian Embassy in Hanoi. Mostly affected in the

scam are Nigerians exporting wood to the Asian country. Investigations revealed that activities of the fraudsters are threatening the trade relationship between Nigeria and Vietnam. According to investigations, the dubious Vietnamese importers, cashing in on the long distance between the two nations, sometimes claim nonreceipt of cargoes, cargoes being on demurrage, bribing Vietnamese police

N2bn scam: Yabatech’s sacked bursar seeks Buhari’s intervention Tunbosun Ogundare

mbattled bursar of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Lagos, Olu Ibirogba, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to order full-scale investigation into transactions made by the polytechnic under the watch of the Rector, Dr. Kudirat Ladipo. He also appealed to the president to ask the rector to step aside and dissolve the Chief Ebenezer Babatope-led governing council in order for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to commence “thorough and unbiased investigations.”

Ibirogba, who was initially suspended for about two years by the polytechnic, was sacked on July 1, 2015, the same day he was reinstated by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, NICN, where he challenged the action. It would be recalled that Ibirogba was suspended by the governing council on October 7, 2013, on the basis that he petitioned EFCC, ICPC, the college’s Governing Council, Inspector General of Police and the Federal Ministry of Education, alleging embezzlement by the rector. He took his case to NICN which declared his suspension illegal, vindictive, against the labour practice

and a clear case of victimisation. The court sitting in Lagos and presided over by Justice B.B. Kanyip ordered his return to duty post and his employer to pay all his salary, allowances and perquisites of office in-between the date of suspension and that of judgment delivery within 30 days. Maintaining that as an accounting officer of the institution who knew how the money comes in and goes out, he insisted that the rector embezzled up to N2 billion within the last four years she assumed the position including what he termed as unlawful collection of N5 million monthly as security vote.

He alleged that the woman in conjunction with members of the governing council was using their positions and influence in the society to suppress antigraft agencies, especially EFCC from investigating the matter. But in her defence at a press briefing recently, the rector debunked all the allegations, saying they were not true. She claimed she inherited many abandoned projects and outstanding arrears of allowances, which she had addressed significantly. “If I have N2 billion, I will not be sitting here. So, there is nothing like fraud in Yabatech,” she said.

and customs, alleged poor quality of products to either refuse to pay for goods or deduct substantial amount from funds they ought to remit to Nigerian exporters. The aggrieved Nigerian exporters, who besieged the office of Interpol in Lagos to complain when it seemed the Vietnamese authorities were not acting on their matters, are calling on Nigerian and Vietnamese authorities to look into the issue and not allow dubious businessmen to strain the relationship between the two nations and help them recover their money. In a petition by Okafor and Okafor, legal practitioners to Peter and Grace Investments Limited to The Commercial Counsellor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Lagos, they recounted how a Vietnamese importer, Mr Cuong Tran Khac, owner of Truong Khac Lam Limited of 66, Group 4, Tan Phong Hamlet, Thuy Phuong Commune, Tu Liem District, Hanoi, Vietnam, Cuong, refused to pay their client $47,160 for wood sent to him. Narrating his experience, the Chairman, Peter and Grace Investments Limited, Dr Peter Sonaike, said Cuong claimed he would deduct $9,000 for

bribing police and customs officials in Vietnam, but had refused to pay for the goods. According to the exporter, Cuong’s mail, entitled ‘Letter of apology’, read in part: “Since I received your shipment, the market suddenly stopped, plunging commodity prices with no break. Our company was bankrupt. I myself have to find a new job for a living wage through this.” Another Nigerian exporter to Vietnam, Mrs Olubakinde, said she sent wood amounting to $77,000 to the same man and company on their request. “What lessened my loss was that immediately I sent all relevant documents and he did not pay that day as agreed, I started making efforts to fly to that country. As a lawyer, I knew he was into something funny. I got there before the shipment arrived and cleared it myself. “I had to hire an interpreter that paid close to N5,000 a day to help me in communicating. The man had bribed their police and I had to change hotel every day because of threats to my life. When I wanted to sell my wood, they knew I was desperate and had to sell at ridiculous rate to at least recoup some money,” she said.

South East

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Umahi laments bad roads network in Abakaliki Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

L-R: Mrs. Omobolanle Osotule; Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and Managing Director, Keystone Bank, Mr. Philip Ikeazu, at the inauguration of a library block built by Keystone Bank Plc, at Isieke Community Model Secondary School in Umuahia North, at the weekend.

B’Haram: MASSOB vows to defend Igboland Chris Njoku OWERRI

ovement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has vowed to defend Igboland from any form of aggression, intimidation or suppression even from the Nigeria government, as it condemned relocation of some detained Boko Haram members to Ekwulobia, Anambra State. The movement cautioned that Ndigbo and Biafrans in general would not accept such taboo in Igboland, adding that “Biafra is not a dumping site for Islamic religious fundamentalists, who always engage in bloodlet-

ting.” In a statement signed by its National Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu, and made available to National Mirror at the weekend, the movement alleged that “the latest move by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to relocate the satanic-minded Boko Haram to Igboland has the full backing of some foreign Islamic religious leaders so as to spread Boko Haram activities to the South East, which may create damaging fears in the mind of our people so that external pressure will mount on Ndigbo to accept Islamic religion.” The statement reads in part: “Islamic countries

are not comfortable with the wave Biafra actualisation is making around the world mostly with the recent United Nations’ recognition accorded Biafra through UN-Economic, Social and Cultural Council (UN-ECOSOCC) during UN-ECOSOCC meeting in New York, USA, from May 26 to June 2, 2015; and also, the earlier recognition accorded Biafra by the African Union through AU-ECOSOCC general meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, held from 18 – 22 December, 2014.” The group called on Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka to call the presidency to order now or “Ndigbo will see him as a party to our political woes in Nigeria. “South East All Progres-

sive Congress, APC, should warn their leaders to stop playing party politics with the life, property, security and future of Ndigbo. With these developments, they should know that the APC has no regard for Igbo interest in Nigeria.” MASSOB also warned all commercial motor parks in Igboland to use security gadget on all passengers and luggage, adding that every approaching private vehicles should be stopped and searched before allowing it into the motor park. “All churches in Biafraland should also use security gadgets on all worshippers before entering church premises,” the statement added.

Imo govt, PDP set to cut workers’ salaries …As LG staff vow to resist move

Chris Njoku OWERRI

n indication emerged at the weekend that the Imo State government has concluded plans to slice workers’ salaries by 23 per cent to enable government shoulder the rising wage bill in the state’s civil service. Governor Rochas Okorocha last week at a meeting with the state’s labour unions on the threat by workers to embark on a seven-day warning strike over non-payment of their salaries, expressed concern at the rate pensions of Imo State and staff salaries was

rising, pointing out that there was corruption in the system and government has resolved to fight it to a standstill. National Mirror gathered that the state government plans to reduce workers’ wage bill by 23 per cent if some punitive measures such as downsizing was not to be taken as alternative. A source close to Government House disclosed that it was only corruption that the state governor intends to fight, adding that the direction it would take was not yet clear. “The wage bill as the governor said was astronomically high and something needs to be done to arrest the ugly situation.

It is not witch-hunting anybody or group of people.” However, the workers, particularly the local government staff, have said they would resist any attempt by the state government to cut their salaries. Some of the staff who do not want their names mentioned, said that with the bailout from the Federal Government and monthly allocation from the Federation Account, the state government has no excuse not to pay workers’ salaries. Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state has concluded arrangements to reduce its workers’ salaries by 50 per cent.

According to a source at the party’s secretariat, along Okigwe Road, Owerri, “if you are earning for instance N10,000, the executive council. EXCO, plans to cut it to N5,000.” It was gathered that the EXCO is complaining that the party has no money to pay its workers’ salaries, and, as such, it wants to maintain a manageable size workforce. But some of the workers interviewed disclosed unanimously that the EXCO spent the party’s fund recklessly. “Today, they want the workers to carry the burden of their recklessness,” one of them said.

overnor of Ebonyi State, Chief Dave Umahi, at the weekend lamented the bad internal roads network in the capital city, just as he said the situation has given rise to bad sanitary environment in Abakaliki. Umahi made this known while briefing journalists in his conference room in Abakaliki shortly after touring some projects located at the city, where he declared state of emergency on all internal roads network. Said he, "When I looked at our internal roads, I cried because I don't know that our people are really suffering. The internal roads in Ebonyi State within the urban area are unacceptable. They are very bad. The situation has given rise to poor sanitary environment within the city. As government, we are going to do something about it." Also, Umahi explained why he terminated the Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway five-kilometre road contract awarded at a cost of N4.2 billion by former governor Martin Elechi. Although, he revealed his preparedness not to abandon any ongoing project in the state, he however vowed to evaluate the cost of all projects awarded by the former governor to enable the

present administration curtail inflation of project costs by contractors. "We will not abandon any of the ongoing projects in the state but we will evaluate the cost so that we will be sure of the cost," he stated. He declared that he would not drag the former 13 local government caretaker chairmen who were alleged to have catered away over N2 billion belonging to the councils to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, but that he would not tolerate corruption. Said he, "Some civil servants, especially the HPMs and treasurers allowed themselves to be used by some political office holders to divert local government funds to private accounts owned by civil servants. If you ask them, they will say, they were forced to do so. The most painful aspect was that they (HPMs) did not talk.” The governor revealed that he has no interest in sacking civil servants in the state but warned that any civil servants that engage in corrupt practices would be demoted to a lowest rank. "I discovered that some civil servants indulged in certificate forgery. I'm not so angry; but when I catch you, I will not sack you. I will caution you and then demote you to the level of your certificate. We will re-examine our civil service and see that everybody is working," he added.

Anambra, private firm partner to boost palm production Charles Okeke AWKA

nambra State government has expressed readiness to boost palm production through provision of large hectares of land for planting of high-yielding palm trees by Chicason Group, manufacturer of Life Vegetable Oil and allied products. The readiness of Anambra State government to provide land for agro-based arm of Chicason Group for cultivation of palm trees to boost palm kernel production was announced in Nnewi yesterday by Mr. Afam Mbanefo, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development. Speaking while interacting with Mr. Linus Oseloka Ilozue, Managing Director (Manufacturing) of Chica-

son Group, Mbanefo said the state government was ever ready and keen to assist the company actualise the expansion of its agro industry. The commissioner stated that Anambra State would like to discuss with Chicason Group on its needs. He described the group as one of the most serious organisations in Nigeria. Mbanefo who spoke against the backdrop of the request by Ilozue for 34,000 hectares of land for the cultivation of palm trees, said the target of the state government is to be the best in agriculture. Ilozue, in response, disclosed that the greatest problem facing the agro-based arm of the company is the scarcity of palm kernel, the basic raw materials for vegetable oil production.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

11 killed in Rivers cult attack Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

o fewer than 11 persons were killed and several others wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire at Agbonchia market in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday evening. Eyewitness said about three gunmen suspected to be cultists and riding a motorbike, shot sporadically at a group of youths at the motorcycle wash section of the market. “They came into the market with a motorbike and were about three. We thought they came to wash their motorcycle. But before we knew it, they started shooting at the people. "Immediately after shooting, they jumped on their bike and sped off. In the end, we saw not less than 11 lifeless bodies on the ground and several others with gunshot injuries.

South South

Monday, July 13, 2015

"We don't know the reason for the ugly incident,” an eyewitness who identified herself as Beatrice said. When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, Ahmad Muhammad, who confirmed the shooting, said only five persons were killed in the incident. Muhammad stated that one person have been arrested in connection with the attack. He said preliminary investigation by the police revealed that the incident was a cult attack. "The assailants came on motorcycles, opened fired on a motorcycles’ wash point at Agbonchia Eleme and fled. Five persons lost their lives. "Preliminary investigation revealed the incident is related to cult activities. One suspect is right now undergoing interrogation, while investigation has commenced with a view to apprehend the miscreants," he said.

Terrorism: France pledges support to Nigeria Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

rench government has promised to support Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram. Consul-General in French Consulate in Lagos, Ambassador Marcel Encure, stated this during a special French National Day in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, Saturday night. Encure assured that the French government would

strengthen the support to fight against terrorism in the country, saying the business relationship between France and Nigeria will continue to improve for the benefit of both countries. Also, Honorary Consular, Nicholas Brunnet, commended Rivers government for always creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. In his remarks, Governor Nyesom Wike called on French authorities to con-

tinue to support the fight against Boko Haram to make the nation safer for local and international business activities. The governor said security was key to every development process. He told French nationals in Port Harcourt that his administration has taken steps to improve security in the state. The governor urged the French government to open a visa application centre in

Port Harcourt to cater for the South-South and South East states. He said: “Terrorism is now a global phenomenon. That is why we call on France to continue to support the fight against Boko Haram. “We will always have a wonderful relationship with France. We urge the French government to open a visa application centre here in Port Harcourt to serve neighbouring states," Wike said.

Calabar waterways safe, says Navy Richard Ndoma CALABAR

lag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola, has called on genuine business people at the Gulf of Guinea and Calabar inland waterways not to fear any form of attack from sea pirates because the area “is now very calm.” Babalola made the call over the weekend at the passing out parade of 2014/2015 batch of SSS III students of Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Akpabuyo, Calabar, Cross River State. “Calabar waterway is very safe. We have been able to deal with the bad eggs who attempted to make the area unsafe. Apart from stepping up our patrol, we escort merchant vessels involved in regional trade along the coasts of Nigeria, Cameroun, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon,” he said. “Before now, we were having daily attack but these attacks have been greatly reduced. We are applying serious caution in dealing with them since these criminals dwell with people of the riverine communities. “Before we strike at them, we must have robust intelligence. We are not resting

on our oars despite these successes. We hold regular meetings with other security outfits. We thank the Chief of Naval Staff for graciously approving all our requests for maintaining security in that corridor.” In her remark, Commandant of the school, Commander Regina Eleazu-Uriri, stressed that Akpabuyo Navy Secondary school graduated 132 students, adding that “in 2014, we attained 95 percent success in WAEC.” The commandant maintained that with the best academic and military foundation given to the graduating students, she believes the students can attain any height around the world, ahead of their peers in other schools.

Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI

jaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, an Ijaw interest group based in Delta State, has called on the Federal Government to enforce recent directive of President Muhammadu Buhari on the removal of military checkpoints across the country. The IPDI insisted that the Niger Delta, which was once volatile, is now at peace, hence military checkpoints in the

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike (middle) during a meeting with stakeholders on the road projects to Onne, Port Harcourt, on Saturday.

Ex-MEND leaders seek Buhari’s intervention on Amnesty programme

ormer leaders of defunct Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently intervene in the

amnesty programme. This is contained in a communiqué issued by the ex-militant leaders after meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Spokesperson of the

Military checkpoints: Ijaw wants directive implemented region should be removed on land and waterways. The group’s leader, Austine Ozobo, told newsmen yesterday in Warri that the call became necessary as the continued stay of military in the region was perceived as further intimidation of the people who generally yearn for even development. Ozobo stressed that the presence of the military in

the region was needless and should be dismantled forthwith. The activist lamented, "The people of Niger Delta are living in fear. We were delighted to hear President Buhari instruct the removal of military checkpoints across the country. It’s disappointing to see military checkpoints in almost every street in the region.”

group, Reuben Clifford, signed the communiqué. The group expressed worry over unpaid stipends and allowances of amnesty programme beneficiaries, security challenge in the country and state of the economy. "We are inundated with calls from home and abroad of our members who are amnesty beneficiaries, passing through various harrowing experiences. “Some at Igbinedion University are being barred from writing their final year examinations since they could not pay their fees, while some of them schooling in Jordan have been evicted from their homes and now live on handouts from friends. “We urge the president to authorise the disbursement

of fund to offset allowances of Amnesty beneficiaries because this situation is worsening and worrisome,’’ the communiqué stated. The ex-militants, who met under the auspices of the Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative, LPCDI, also condemned the spate of attacks in Plateau, Kano, Kaduna and Borno states. “We want the present administration to wield its might by keeping to its word that ‘Boko Haram will soon know our collective will-power’ by engaging various stakeholders to put an end to this callous and senseless killings.’’ The ex-militants also commended the Federal Government for giving states lifeline to pay workers salaries.

North

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG slack on plight of Nigerians detained abroad–UNID

L-R: Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha; Governor Kashim Shettima, and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole on their arrival at Maiduguri International Aiport, Borno State, during the Inaugural flight of Med-View Airline route, Lagos-Abuja-Maiduguri, at the weekend.

Explosion rocks ECWA in Jos JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

undreds of worshippers yesterday escaped death in Plateau State from multiple bomb explosions at the Evangelical Church of West Africa, ECWA, located at Tundun Wada axıs of Jos, the state capital. Tudun Wada is a suburb not very far from headquarters of the Special Task Force, STF, in Jos. The explosions came barely one week after a similar one at a mosque and restaurant, also in Jos, which left about 48

people dead and several others injured. Our correspondent gathered that the explosions occurred at about 11am. A witness near the church said the noise from the “massive” explosion was very loud and it exploded from the toilet and worshippers were in the church for the Sunday service at the time. The witness also said another bomb was detonated outside the church premises and that no life was lost. “It was a miracle. The devil really planned evil in our church today - to

throw us into mourning, but God turned the whole thing into joy. Imagine what could have happened if the bombs had exploded inside the church auditorium. We really thank God for saving us,” one of the jubilant worshippers said yesterday. Another witness said security guard averted what would have been a high casualty. He said the ECWA church was filled with worshippers when a private security guard spotted the bomb at the entrance. The guard picked the bomb and threw it off

the church before it exploded instantly. No one was killed from the explosion, although the guard sustained injuries on the leg and he is currently being treated, a worshipper said. Another witness said the police anti-bomb squad, on arrival, discovered another explosive device that was planted at the restroom of the church. The police confirmed that no one was killed in the explosion. The state police spokesperson, Abuh Emmanuel, told newsmen that antibomb experts were deployed to the scene.

Food crisis looms in Abuja over drought MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

bout 3,000,000 residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, may soon face acute shortage of food following weeks of lack of rain. Currently, crops are drying in the farms as a result of absence of rainfall for weeks. Abuja is a city where much rainfall begins from June to late October. But, this year has been different. Since May, rain has fallen only about three times in most communities in the nation’s capital. And, it is the first time in a decade that the city has faced such a situa-

tion. Crops in many of the farms sighted by our correspondent have already withered, including yam, which is the main crop and staple food. Besides, most wells from which the population get water have dried up, forcing many residents to resort to water from unsafe sources. There has been persistent heat, and its accompanying ailments, affecting mainly children. Abuja has a land mass of approximately 7,315 km², of which the actual city occupies 275.3 km2. It is situated within the Savannah region with moderate

climatic conditions. The city hosts an average of 1,000 new

residents daily, and majority of the locals are farmers.

non-gover nmental organisation, United Nigerians in the Diaspora, UNID, yesterday said the Federal Government and the National Assembly were yet to meet their responsibilities to Nigerians facing prison sentences on trumped-up charges abroad. UNID raised the concern as more Nigerians are placed on t death row in some South East Asian countries, particularly Indonesia. Their concern was also heightened by the United Nations, UN’s preparation for the periodic review of global illicit drug policy in 2016. The organisation was formed to address youths’ challenges, providing succour to the downtrodden as well as collaborating with governments in finding solutions to global and national social malaise. UNID President, Dr. Paschal Okoli, made the assertion in a statement on Sunday in Lagos. Okoli said the development was due to poor diplomatic overtures by the Federal Government and the nonchalant attitude of Nigerian missions in South East Asian countries. He added that the silence on the issue by the National Assembly led to the recent killing of Nigerians in Indonesia. He said that while the unwholesome venture of Nigerians, especially youths in global drug trafficking remained

condemnable, government’s “quarantine approach” to the plight of Nigerians in some Asian countries led to the placement of more of them on the death row in Indonesia. According to him, Nigerians are daily being harassed, intimidated and falsely accused of drug trafficking in Indonesia, Malaysia and other South East Asian countries because they are aware that the Nigerian government places no value on its citizens. “As we speak, a Nigerian recently lost his manhood in Indonesia, for having the guts to befriend an Indonesian lady, under the cover of been a drug trafficker. “Most prospering Nigerian homes in Indonesia and Malaysia are daily raided on setup charges by the local police and citizens without the embassies intervening. “The Federal Government must raise its voice in the global campaign against drug trafficking, production, use and the killing of drug offenders, especially Nigerians in some Asian countries,’’ Okoli said. He also urged the Federal Government to demand full investigation into cases of Nigerians in detentions, noting that Indonesia and Malaysia have mounted clandestine global blackmail, portraying Nigerians as criminals and drug traffickers.

Saraki flays Saudi’s visa policy for hajj GEORGE OJI ABUJA

enate President, Bukola Saraki, has criticised the entry visa issuance policy of Saudi Arabian embassy in Nigeria for this year’s lesser hajj. A statement from Saraki’s media office said the Senate president arrived Medina on Saturday, listened to complaints from some Nigerians who are performing the lesser hajj and noted that the Saudi authorities, unlike other

embassies in the country, refused to articulate a visa policy which potential visitors to the holy land could follow and obtain entry visa without difficulty once they meet the requirements. Commenting on the visa policy, the statement said Saraki observed that, “the present process in which visitors to Saudi must go through a third party has created artificial bottlenecks now being exploited by travel agents and embassy of-

ficials. Our people are now made to suffer indignities arising from the conspiracy between embassy officials and the so-called agents. The process is fraught with corrupt practices.” It noted that the Senate president said some Nigerians informed him that they had to send their passports through Saudi embassies in other West African countries where the cost of the visa was less and that they did not need to go through the hardship experienced

in Nigeria. “It is unimaginable the amount of money people paid to get visa for this year’s lesser hajj and we do not want that to repeat itself for the hajj proper coming in a few months’ time. You know these religious rites and obligations are very important to our people and so, despite these inconveniences, they still struggle to get here and we have a responsibility to ensure this exploitation and inconvenience stop immediately,” Saraki said.

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Early crack between Ikpeazu, Orji

Salary deduction: NULGE, Bauchi govt reach accord Ezekiel Titus BAUCHI

auchi State Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, and the Bauchi State government have signed an agreement stopping further deductions of NULGE members’ salaries. Bauchi NULGE secretary, Muhammad Shuaibu Oruma, disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in Bauchi at the weekend, saying that the measure was to avoid industrial action in the interest of the parties’ commitment to ensure good working environment for NULGE staff in the state. He explained that poor communication between NULGE and government brought the illegal deductions of salaries of NULGE members, as the union was not informed before the deductions were made. He said: “It was unfortunate that our members’ salaries were deducted by

government initially without due process and consultations with NULGE, stating its poor financial status. The government has however made its position known following threats of industrial action by NULGE.” Part of the accord reached, according to Oruma, was that henceforth, no further deductions of NULGE staff salary as contained in the civil service rules without any prior notice from government. Government, Oruma stressed, has also agreed to pay backlog of salaries deduction and arrears of its members, who are appreciative of the financial situation of the state. Oruma noted with pleasure the Deputy Governor’s directive to the Head of Service, HoS, to submit to his office, all concrete demands and challenges being faced by NULGE towards productivity and to cultivate good rapport with the union.

Ex-Speaker tasks Ekiti APC on zero faction Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

ormer Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Femi Bamisile, has charged members of Ekiti State All Progressives Congress, APC, to return to the era when there were no factions in the party. Bamisile, an APC chieftain eyeing the governorship of the state, expressed assurance that APC would defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state in the 2018 gubernatorial election, with a united house. The APC chieftain spoke in Ado Ekiti during an interface with leaders of the party across the 16

council areas of the state at the weekend, saying: “This is the party to beat in this state. So, there is need for unity. “By 2018, I am very certain that APC will take over the affairs of the state. It is not going to be easy, but we will get there. We all should be preparing”. The former speaker during the Segun Oni administration said that the loss suffered by former Governor Kayode Fayemi to Mr Ayodele Fayose was a temporary setback to the party, adding that the essence of the meeting was to ensure reconciliation and sensitisation processes began at all levels. Bamisile appealed to the party members to be-

gin the process of reaching out to “commercial drivers and motorcyclists, teachers, civil servants, artisans, market men and women and other critical stakeholders to make the dream of recapturing the state a reality”. He also enjoined party leaders to embrace whoever is appointed as minister by President Muhammadu Buhari, so that the party can form a strong coalition that could dislodge Fayose’s political machinery in the next governorship poll. He said: “I am very certain that APC will take over Ekiti in 2018. But we have to start the process of rebuilding the party and that is exactly what we are doing. I have developed a

team across the 16 council areas. We are working underground and we will ensure that everybody is brought on board.” Praising President Buhari for the N2.1 billion bailout released for payment of salaries in Ekiti State, He urged the President to monitor the governor to ensure that the money was not misappropriated. He said: “President Buhari has given Ekiti a lifeline. He has rescued our people out of poverty and Fayose must pay our workers. He must not divert the money. “APC as an opposition party is monitoring the situation closely. Fayose will give account of how he spent the N2.1 billion.”

Ekpebu drums support for Dickson’s 2nd term

…. condemns those hell bent on unseating him Deborah Didi

ormer Nigeria’s ambassador to the Ivory Coast and member of pioneer old Rivers State Executive Council, Prof Lawrence Ekpebu, has condemned political detractors, hell bent on fanning embers of mischief by holding nocturnal meetings to shop for candidates to unseat the incumbent Bayelsa State governor, Henry Seriake Dickson. Ekpebu, who made the condemnation in an interview pointed out that, such moves were detrimental to the development of the state, stressing that the regrettable situation, where no governor has served or completed two terms in the state does not augur well for the stability and continuation of projects in the state. Commending Dickson for his development strides, Ekpebu argued that to change any government at this time would be

dysfunctional to the stability of the state and should be jettisoned by those who are making such moves. The chairman of the management board of Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation, BDIC, noted that Governor Dickson has done well and deserves a second term in office to enable him continue with his development efforts in the construction of the three senatorial roads, bridges, other basic infrastructure as well as other human capital development and massive industrialisation of the state. He said well meaning Bayelsans should instead of wanting to unseat the governor, come together and mobilise support for him, saying Dickson has remained focused in the implementation of his developmental agenda for the state, despite the devastating effects of dwindling resources to the three tiers of government in the country.

Protest during the PDP Post Election Review Committee and stakeholders meeting for the South-West in Ibadan, reecently. PHOTO: NAN

Fayemi to deliver 3rd Atta Mills’ memorial lecture Olajide Omojolomoju

mmediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, will be the Speaker at this year’s third President John Evans Atta Mills’ Memorial Lecture in Accra, Ghana on July 21. Dr Fayemi will be speaking on the topic: “Intellectuals in Politics and Governance in Africa: The Legacies of John Atta Mills,” at the annual national event, dedicated to

the memory of the late President of the Republic of Ghana, who died in July 24, 2012. A letter from the office of the President, notifying Fayemi of the lecture reads: “Your impressive credentials as an academic, journalist and researcher on peace and security in Africa make you a worthy choice for the occasion. Your presence and participation in this national event will further enhance the historical bonds of friendship and solidarity between Ghana

and Nigeria.” The letter was signed by Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff to President John Dramani Mahama on behalf of the planning committee. This is the first lecture, in the series, to be delivered by a non-Ghanaian. The first memorial lecture was delivered by Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, former minister in the Jerry Rawlings administration and the second lecture by Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, former Foreign Minister of Ghana and UN Special Representa-

tive for West Africa. This year’s lecture coincides with the 71st posthumous birthday of late President Mills, who was born on July 21, 1944. President Mills, who was elected on the platform of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, was Ghanaian President between 2009 and 2012. He was Vice President to President Rawlings and formerly Professor of Law at the University of Ghana, Legion and also National Commissioner for Taxes.

Politics

ll may not be well in the relationship between former governor of Abia State now a senator, Theodore Orji and his successor, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

The eruption of suspicious crack in the relationship between Governors Ikpeazu and Orji, his predecessor and senator representing Abia Central senatorial district occurred over the courtesy call by Mr. Godwin Adindu, Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the incumbent governor, penultimate week, on the management of Daily Sun newspapers for mutual media relations. Former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, estranged predecessor and godfather of Orji is the publisher of the Sun newspapers, but their soured relationship has remained a dirty phenomenon in the country’s political lexicon. Most perturbed was the allegations that some editorial staff of the Sun newspapers during the controversial visit insulted Senator Orji and accused him of committing official corruption and even supervised a government of sleaze as governor, in the presence of Adindu, who could not offer any rebuttal to any of their allegations. Similar to this, is the top issue in many political circles that Orji has not appropriated any sum of money for the government of Ikpeazu to take off when he was leaving office as governor. A situation not a few political pundits say has been responsible largely for the snail pace of government activities. About the end of the first term of Senator Orji as governor in 2010, when he successively defected from the Peoples Progressive Alliance, PPA, the party through which he rose to power in 2007 to the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA and finally to the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the duo has ever remained in the public domain washing their dirty political linens. What was central in their broken relationship was the allegation that Kalu did not want Orji to go for a second term in office, on the allegation of poor performance. He was said to have resultantly directed the National Working Committee, NWC of PPA to query Orji. But Orji denied the allegation and gave a counter allegation that Kalu was actually breathing down his neck and would not allow him to perform as expected. Thus, Orji said wanted the second term as a corrective regime to his perceived failure in his first term. But when Ikpeazu’s spokesman, Adindu, probably carried out the media plan to conciliate with the Sun management for the state, little did he know that he had pitted his boss against Senator Orji, his predecessor and godfather. Ever since, a cold war has been raging between Ikpeazu and Orji. It is strongly believed that Ikpeazu has started to romance with Kalu as one of his political pillars, who is expected to give him the blueprint to run a successful administration. But this development does not go down well with Senator Orji. He is unhappy and feels betrayed by Ikpeazu, who he claimed to have spent fortunes and employed his costly po-

It is strongly believed that Ikpeazu has started to romance with Kalu as

one of his political pillars, who is expected to give him the blueprint to run a

successful administration.

But this development does not go down well with

Senator Orji.

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Early crack between Ikpeazu, Orji GEORGE OPARA examines the causes of an early crack in the relationship between Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and his predecessor, Senator Theodore Orji.

Ikpeazu

Orji

litical structure to make him governor. But in all of these, Ikpeazu has maintained a sealed lip trying to get a stronghold on governance. Consequently, supporters and loyalists of the duo are, however, relating with mutual suspicion. Concerned groups of the political father and son have called for an immediate end to the crack to avoid a row that would degenerate into political war of unimaginable consequences now that Ikpeazu is in the tribunal where his election is being challenged by Dr. Alex Otti, APGA gubernatorial candidate for the Abia 2015 gubernatorial election. There are calls on Ikpeazu to either refute the media visit by his CPS to the Sun newspapers and/or his nocturnal relationship with Kalu, but the governor has maintained a stoic silence, thereby fuelling the speculation that the end may soon come to te re-

lationship between Ikpeazu and Orji. Also, Adindu was said to have called the bluff of the establishment of the past government, saying it was needful for his boss to create a niche of improved mutual relationship among different stakeholders of the state and ensure that Ikpeazu succeeds and not to entirely rest on the whims and caprices of Senator Orji. Unlike before, correspondents of both the Sun and New Telegraph newspapers owned by Kalu now have unhindered access to the state Government House to cover the activities of the state. Meanwhile, due to fear of the unknown, unconfirmed reports indicated that Ikpeazu, has through emissaries solicited for the support of former Governor Kalu to mediate in the post-election war between him and APGA’s Otti at the tribunal.

Even the military didn’t wreck Katsina like PDP-led govt –Masari James Danjuma KATSINA

atsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari at the weekend, lampooned the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led immediate past administration for mismanaging the state’s finances over the years. Masari said from current state government’s findings, even the military didn’t wreck the state financially as was witnessed under the PDPled government in the state. He said information from the National Economic Council revealed that the last three and half years saw the state getting over N76 billion in allocation, but that

there was little or nothing to show for it. He said over N12.6 billion was withdrawn last year for frivolous projects, and that contrary to reports, the Ibrahim Shema administration left only about N800 million in staff salary account. He said the over N3 billion the past administration said it had left in government coffers was actually Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, funds. He said his administration met N42 billion in liabilities, with N30 billion of the amount owed contractors, while state and council area workers were owed N10 billion in salaries and other benefits.

He said a drainage clearing contract awarded to the tune of N2 billion, taken from the Ecological Fund, was being investigated. Lamenting that there was no visible drainage work on ground in the state that was commensurate to the said amount expended, Masari said part of state government’s investigations showed that a yet-tobe identified contractor had been given money and ordered to execute some projects at the state-owned television station. He however said that no one has been able to ascertain who the contractor was and why he had yet to handle the contract he had been paid for. Masari said his admin-

istration had set up two committees, one on staff victimisation and another on how state-owned houses in Abuja were sold or disposed of by the Shemaled government. He such action was to establish a benchmark for governance, and to ensure pursuance of administration’s zero tolerance for corruption. On the recently dissolved council areas, the state governor said another election would be held soon to elect new chairmen and councilors. He however said the election process would be made free and fair, and that all elective positions must be contested for at the primaries before election proper would be held.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Monday, July 13, 2015

Uduaghan, Delta and economic cannibalism BOBSON GBINIJE

he horrendously humongous oubliette of debts, which the Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan administration plunged Delta State into before he left office was recently explicitly articulated and truthfully made by Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa in his address to state House of Assembly. The poet and statesman H.L. Mencken, it was who posited that “The smallest atom of truth represents some man’s bitter toil and agony; for every ponderable chunk of it there is a brave truth – seeker’s grave upon some lonely ash-dung and a soul roasting in hell”. Governor Okowa deserves commendation for his Spartan courage and unblemished candour in telling Deltans the true picture of the state’s financial position he inherited without any streak of pusillanimous skullduggery. In his speech entitled “My Vision for Honest Leadership and Responsible Government,” the Governor revealed that state’s current economic predicament dictates sacrifice, simplicity, frugality and discipline on the part of every Deltan. Part of the grim economic scenario he painted is that revenue receipts from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) dipped significantly to just N8.03 billion last April from a high N20 billion in equivalent month last year. He added that the state was grappling with a

revenue bond indebtedness of N98.62 billion (principal sum), while outstanding contractual financial obligations stood at N538, 601, 962, 421.50. Elaborating, he said in 2011, Delta borrowed N50 billion from the capital market, with a repayment period of seven years in 84 installments at N1.098 billion per month. This facility will terminate in September 2018, meaning there are 40 more installments, totaling N43.92 million outstanding, calculating from last month. As it stands today, a whopping monthly N4.60 billion deduction will be made from Delta’s statutory allocation with effect from last June through to March 2017 and thereafter N1.098 billion monthly until September 2018. This leaves the state with N3.4 billion if monthly receipt from the Federation Account remains permanent at N8.03 billion, and barring increase in cost of collection, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state stands at N2.0 billion monthly. This implies that the total fiscal left over to run the state will only be N5.4 billion, which is insufficient for monthly wages! It is unambiguously clear from Governor Okowa’s submissions that Delta State is straddling between Scylla and Charybdis. We must do a holistic financial surgery to enable us get a true picture of what led to this outrageously impecunious situation. Governor Uduaghan came into office in 2007 and received conservatively N20 billion per month. This adds up to N240 billion annually. Taking the yearly earnings

I HOPE OUR LEADERS, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE, WILL UNDERSTAND THAT LEADERSHIP ENTAILS THE BEST VIRTUES, ETHICAL

ARCHITECTONICS AND THE CHEMISTRY OF MORAL SUBMISSION as constant, for eight years of his tenure, a cumulative total of N1.8 trillion came to the state. This is exclusive of IGR. What did Uduaghan do with this colossal sum of money? How did state get mired in indebtedness? Why did he pledge Delta State’s facilities as collaterals for loans collected by contractors? These questions and more that are consequent upon and sequel to Uduaghan’s economic cannibalization of state’s finances must be answered by the chief actor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. The great sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo observed that “peace is a positive state of quiet, tranquility, and social harmony. This means the absence not only of war, but also of large-scale violence and rioting, as well as of extensive and everrecurrent industrial strife, and such like social unrest”; the political iconoclast, Dr.

Nnamdi Azikiwe posited that “the trees of liberty must be watered by the blood of tyrants”, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr said that “there cannot be peace without justice”. We call on our amiable, ebullient and dynamic Governor Okowa, EFCC, ICPC and all Deltans to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is done to the toiling masses of state, whose existential balances and equilibrium have been drowned in the cesspit of gross underdevelopment precipitated by crass malfeasance, psychotic corruption, Machiavellian buffoonery, ethnocentric jingoism and trickery. We want peace through justice in Delta State, which the Governor has told us with unequivocal clarity that the time of belt tightening has dawned on us all Deltans. In conclusion, we call on the powersthat-be to note the admonition of Robert Bruton in his book, ‘Anatomy of Melancholy, that, “Conquer thyself. Till thou hast done this, thou art but a slave for it is almost as well to be subjected to another’s appetite as to thine own”. Aristotle corroborated this when he asserted: “I count him brave who overcomes hid desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self.” I hope our leaders. past, present and future will understand that leadership entails the best virtues, ethical architectonics and the chemistry of moral submission. God bless Delta State as we wait patiently for Uduaghan to tell us why he did what he did.

Let’s share a thought on humility SANDRA AKUOMA

sing the Holy Book as a guide, ‘humility’ is trying to sound less prideful than you actually are? Or do you think it is something deeper? According to the British writer C.S. Lewis, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less”. However, finding the balance between being humble and being walked all over can be quite daunting. I really think that most of us feel that humility is in the big things that we do, when in reality, it is what a man or woman does in his/her day-to-day life that shows their true heart on a matter. See what humility is not: Self-deprecation, that is letting others push you around, or being a doormat, or letting people “walk all over you.” It’s not constantly sacrificing your interests to those of others (and then feeling like a victim or a martyr). It’s not avoiding conflict or confrontation for the sake of “being nice.” It’s not about hiding your feelings or suppressing your views to avoid alienating others. Genuine concern for others: Real humility leads a person to be curious about and concerned for others, not fixated on how others can lead to one’s own enrichment. Humility is putting others first in thought, word, and deed. It resists the temptation to self-aggrandize. It’s easy to feign interest in another person if there’s something in it for you, like

YOU’RE

JUST AS

VA L UA B L E A S E V E RY OTHER HUMAN BEING ON

E A RT H ,

PLANET

NO MORE

AND NO LESS a job promotion or increased recognition. A person with humility is in it for the long-term common good, not short-term self-interest Humility is about true service, not selfcongratulation: Fawning, fake humility is ingratiating, not giving. It pretends to be generous, but in reality it’s self-centred. Take the humblebrag (false modesty). When asked to identify a personal weakness, a humblebraggart might say, “I’m always working too hard for everyone else”. It acknowledges one is in the wrong and taking constructive feedback well: In admitting an error or acknowledging that one is wrong, the humble person not only apologizes but also changes course. He/she is receptive to constructive criticism and actively seeks it because he/ she knows that feedback is a pathway to improvement A person pretending to be humble might say a half-hearted “sorry,” if in the wrong but stubbornly continues down the same path. Open mindedness: Humility is all about having an open mind and believing we do not have all

the answers. We respect other people’s opinions and see the world in different colours. We are open to being filled with the knowledge and opinions of others. Humility is a kind of hunger for more abundance. The greater our humility, the greater our fascination with the world around us, and the more we learn. Good listener: Do you truly listen when someone speaks or are you preoccupied with what you are going to say next? Do you always want the topic to be all about you all the time and loose interest when you have no stake in the conversation? Humble people, however, actively listen to others before summarizing the conversation. Moreover, humble people don’t try to dominate a conversation or talk over people. They’re eager to understand others because they’re curious. Motives/intentions: Doing things so others will notice you is another way of checking whether your motives are truly humble or not. Of course, we all want recognition on some level. While recognition is not a bad thing if it becomes our source of motivation, it becomes false humility if when you are not recognised for those acts you get disappointed. Meaning you are basing your self-worth on how others see you. Humility and confidence: It is possible to be confident in yourself and be humble. They actually complement each other very well. Self-confidence is not the same as being ‘cocky’. A truly confident person is also humble and

a truly humble person has the confidence to be so. Humility sees uniqueness in all humans: Humility does not believe in superiority or inferiority; it believes that all humans are unique and part of the same universe. Humility looks like saying, “You may be right,” or, “I can understand how you could feel that way.” Humility looks like an open acknowledgement that we don’t have it all figured out, that we’re all doing the best we can, that none of us is better than the others, and that ours is not a better way, but ours is merely another way. Food for thought Humility is about emotional neutrality. It involves an experience of growth in which you no longer need to put yourself above others, but you don’t put yourself below them, either. Everyone is your peer – from the most “important” person to the least. You’re just as valuable as every other human being on Planet Earth, no more and no less. Akuoma wrote from Lagos via sanlifepointers@hotmail.com and can be reached on 08165583876 (SMS ONLY) 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

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO BEN MEMULETIWON ACTING DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR ISE-OLUWA IGE ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

At last, Ogoniland remembered

lose to four years after the August 4, 2011 release by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) of the independent assessment of the environment and public health impacts of oil contamination in Ogoniland, Rivers State, in the Niger Delta region, and options for remediation given, a project UNEP undertook at the request of the Nigerian government, there appears to be a silver lining in the cloud for the remediation of the grave damages done to the area by decades of oil exploration and related activities of multinational oil companies in the area. Reports early last week revealed, for instance, that the world’s largest clean-up and restoration effort will commence at Bodo-Ogoni, in the Gokana Local Government Area of the state, come July this year. Two solid and reputable international firms, which emerged from a transparent and competitive technical bidding process which commenced in July 2014, were said to have been contracted for the clean-up exercise. The necessary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with representatives of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), the major oil multinational operating in Ogoniland and Bodo community and other stakeholders, was said to have been signed as well, following mediation efforts by a former

Ambassador of Netherlands to Nigeria, Bert Ronhaar and the National Coalition on Gas Flaring and Oil Spills in the Niger Delta (NACGOND). Indeed, financial support for the remediation is expected to come from the Embassy of Netherlands in Nigeria, Rivers State Ministry of Environment, Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) and UNEP, with the Nigerian Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) providing support and guidance their own ways. It is obvious that the latest initiative is not about the wholesale implementation of the UNEP report. But it represents a remarkable milestone in that direction. Since 2011, not much was heard about the UNEP report on Ogoniland, except when in February 2014, the Director-General of NOSDRA, Mr. Peter Idabor, claimed the Federal Government had started implementing the report by addressing some emergency measures, among which was the provision of a Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HPRP) to provide alternative facilities for Ogoni communities. But the UNEP report was more encompassing and penetrating. It stated, for example, that restoring Ogoniland to its old self might take as much as 30 years as s result of over 50

IT IS OBVIOUS THAT

A proposed Ogoniland Environmental Restoration AuthorTHE LATEST INITIATIVE ity (OGERA) was to oversee the implementation of the study’s IS NOT ABOUT recommendations, while the EnTHE WHOLESALE vironmental Restoration Fund for IMPLEMENTATION OF Ogoniland, with an initial capital injection of $1 billion to be contribTHE UNEP REPORT. uted by the oil industry and the BUT IT REPRESENTS government, was supposed to be A REMARKABLE used to kick-start the work. However, by 2012, a year after the report MILESTONE IN THAT was submitted, no definite steps DIRECTION were taken to revisit the document. The development, perhaps, years of pollution occasioned by compelled environmental rights oil spillage. When he presented groups like Social Action; Health the report to President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, UNEP’s Director, of Mother Earth Foundation; and Ibrahim Thiaw, said the assessment Ogoni Solidarity Forum, among others, to converge on August 4, jointly carried out by his agency and a ‘Presidential Implementation 2013 in Bori, the traditional headCommittee’ for 14 months involved quarters of Ogoniland, to commemorate the second anniversary the examination of more than 200 of the release of the UNEP report locations, survey of 122 kilometres in protest. of pipeline rights of way, review of All that should be history now more than 5,000 medical records with the anticipated commenceand the engagement over 23,000 peoment of serious work at Bodople at local community meetings. Ogoni in less than three months Thiaw said detailed investigation time (July 2015). Indeed, the remeon soil and groundwater contamination in 69 sites spanning hectares diation effort kicking off from Bodo promises not just an honour to the of land across local government areas in Ogoniland was equally un- memory of the ‘Ogoni 9’ executed in November 1995 over the Ogoni dertaken. In all, over 4,000 samples struggle, but the beginning of a were analysed, including water taken from 142 groundwater moni- new understanding between SPDC and Ogoni natives. This fresh dawn toring wells drilled specifically for must not be squandered for any the study; and soil extracted from reason. 780 boreholes.

ON THIS DAY July 13, 1962 In an unprecedented action, British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, dismissed seven members of his cabinet, marking the effective end of the National Liberals as a distinct force in British politics. This unprecedented action was mockingly named by newspapers after the 1934 Nazi Night of the Long Knives. The remnants of the National Liberals formally merged into Conservative and Unionist Party in 1968.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

July 13, 1977 Somalia declared war on Ethiopia, starting the Ethiopian-Somali War. The war was a Somali military offensive between July 1977 and March 1978 over the disputed Ethiopian region, Ogaden, starting with the Somali’s invasion of Ethiopia. The Soviet Union disapproved of the invasion, ceased its support of Somalia and started supporting Ethiopia instead, whereas the United States supported Somalia against Ethiopia.

x July 13, 2013 George Zimmerman was found not guilty in the shooting of Trayvon Martin. On the night of February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida, United States, Zimmerman fatally shot Martin, a 17-year-old African American high school student. Zimmerman, a 28-year-old mixedrace Hispanic man, was the neighborhood watch coordinator for the gated community where Martin was temporarily living and where the shooting took place.

A2 18

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cover

Capital Market:

SEC reclassication deadline spurs operators to achieve recapitalisation target As Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC sets July 31, as deadline for market operators ’ reclassification, industry watchers believe the directive is a challenge to brace the hurdle and remain in business. Udo Onyeka reports.

he Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, last week directed all Capital Market operators proposing reclassication such as Broker/ Dealer to Sub-broker or seeking to reduce their registered functions, in view of the new minimum capital requirement, to notify the Commission not later than the end of this month. A statement by the management of the Commission indicated that the directive, earlier communicated through a circular, also applied to capital market operators opting for mergers, acquisitions or any other form of business combination as well as those seeking to downsize from stockbroker to sub-broker, broker-dealer to either broker or dealer and from multiple functions to a single function, among others. It would be recalled that the Commission had on December 31, 2013 announced major increases in minimum capital requirements for capital market functions under a new minimum capital structure that was initially scheduled to take off by January 1, this year

but which was extended to September 30. Under the revised minimum capital requirements regime, the minimum capital base for broker and dealer was increased by 329 per cent from the N70m to N300m, while a broker, who currently operates with capital base of N40m, will now be required to have N200m, representing an increase of 400 per cent. Also minimum capital base for the dealer increased by 233 per cent from N30m to N100m just as issuing houses, which facilitate new issues in the primary market, will now be required to have minimum capital base of N200m as against the current capital base of N150m. In the same vein capital requirement for underwriter also doubled from N100m to N200m. The capital requirements set for the various categories of operators had generated serious reactions from the operators as with many claiming it was on the high side. Their argument however was that over-capitalisation could be dangerous for the market as it may

Mounir Gwarzo, DG, SEC

lead to a situation where too much funds will be chasing few stocks. According to an operator who does not want his name printed it was because the new capital requirements were so high that many have been unable to meet it. He said even when the deadline has been shifted from January 1, to September 30, 2015; operators are struggling to meet the target. This argument, SEC

said does not hold water as there are options opened to operators. According to the capital market regulator operators could merge or decide to scale down operation. But with the directive demanding market operators proposing reclassication such as Broker/ Dealer to Sub-broker or seeking to reduce their registered functions, in view of the new minimum capital to notify SEC latest July 31,industry

watchers say operators who were dragging their feet have been spurred into action on how to meet the new capital requirements. However there are operators who have maintained a contrary opinion, saying that the minimum capital base for the various players is desirable for deepening the capitalisation of the market and ensuring its sustainable growth. For instance, the Man-

aging Director, APT Securities and Funds, Garba Kur, quoted as saying that SEC consulted widely before setting the new requirements but that brokers had expected lower capitalisation. Kur also urged brokers to embrace mergers UDO ONYEKA, CO-ORDINATOR BUSINESS COURAGE udonyeka@gmail.com c

Global Media Mirror Limited

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kur

and acquisitions to meet the minimum capital requirement as announced by SEC. Debunking the allegation of non-consultation with stakeholders, the Commission conrmed that the Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, ASHON and the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS, were among stakeholders consulted before deciding and announcing the new minimum capital requirements. SEC explained that the new capital regime was the outcome of a process, which commenced in 2010, with the setting up of a technical committee chaired by a former Executive Commissioner, Operations at the SEC. It stated: “The committee featured representatives of the capital market industry trade groups such as the Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers as active members. “The new minimum capital regime, which was recently announced on the basis of a September 2013 SEC Board decision, was a nalisation of the work of that industrywide committee. ” Contrary to the argument by some operators, it said an enhanced capital base for CMOs in the Nigerian capital markets was long overdue. The ASHON had called for a deferment of the deadline. Many wanted the suspension of the recapitalisation altogether.

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

Madubuike

Before the deadline was shifted from January 1, to September 30, 2015, ASHON President, Mr. Emeka Madubuike, said the stockbroking rms have made a case for extension or deferment of the deadline. According to him, the recapitalisation, as it is now, is not in the best interest of the market and should be reviewed. “For me, I believe that whatever we are doing, we are doing it in the interest of the market. So, if whatever you are doing doesn ’t seem to be in the interest of the market, you need to restrategise. What we are asking for is a deferment of the deadline, ” Madubuike said. Many stakeholders feel that the new minimum capital requirements may adversely impact the market penetration and nancial inclusion programme. Business Courage gathered that while the small market operators are struggling to meet the deadline the big and leading stokbroking rms are comfortable with it the policy change and have either capitalised or about to conclude arrangement to do so within the time frame given by the regulator. The leading operators control a large chunk of the market. Findings reveal that only 10 leading stockbroking rms on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, exchanged 51.167billion shares worth N732.8bn in rst six months of this year.

Business Courage was told that the N732.8bn represents 66 per cent of the total value between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2015. Also, the 51.167 billion shares accounted for 50.43 per cent of the total volume during the period under review. The top 10 broking rms accounted for 66.06 per cent of the total value of transactions during the half year, according to ndings include; Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, which took the largest chunk with 13.70 per cent or N151.92bn exchanged in 8.571 billion shares. Rencap Securities Limited accounted for N132.99bn or 11.99 per cent exchanged in 8.773 billion shares, while CSL Stockbrokers Limited recorded N121.68bn or 10.97 per cent transacted in N10.23 billion shares. EFCP Securities Limited traded N88.76bn or eight per cent recorded in 4.225 billion shares, while Chapel Hill Denham Management Limited recorded N55.68bn or 5.02 per cent in 3.107 billion shares. Others are FBN Securities Limited, which accounted for N52.134bn or 4.70 per cent in 4.806 billion shares, Vitiva Capital Management Limited traded N45.62bn or 4.11 per cent exchanged in 4.806 billion shares, Apel Asset Limited traded N28.546bn or 2.57 per cent, ARM Securities Limited on its own exchanged 2.418 billion shares

A3 19

Afolayan

worth N27.994bn or 2.52 per cent, while African Alliance Stockbrokers Limited staked shares worth N27.49bn or 2.48 per cent. In a bid to stimulate demand and engender competition in the market, the management of the NSE had, in September 2011, introduced the ranking of the brokers by transaction value and volume. However many operators including Managing Director of Securities Africa Financial Limited, Mr. Folabi Afolayan, had identied volume of transactions as a major challenge facing stockbroking rms in the country. He said that institutions, mainly foreign, have been dominating the market, while the domestic retail investors have not sufciently returned to the market since the nancial crisis of 2008/2009. He pointed out that there are a few stockbrokers working with these foreign institutions who control the volumes traded in the market. “Foreign investors are also very sensitive and any information that reects uncertainty in politics and government policies trigger a fast withdrawal from the market, which results in high level of volatility. “Thus, the market still suffers from condence issues within the domestic sector. We need increased level of domestic participation to improve the volume of trades and to contain the high vola-

tility currently being experienced in the market ”, he said. Analysts estimate indicate that over 180 stockbroking rms may be affected by both the recapitalisation and the minimum operating standard, MOS, scheme. This according to some analysts may further pressure the delicate overall market situation, which is under extraneous inuence of the global crude oil crisis and resultant national monetary and scal adjustments. But, Head, legal and Regulation Division, NSE, Ms Tinuade Awe, said the objective of the MOS and new capital requirement was to transform the operators into more competitive and compliant operators. “We intend to ensure that the broker dealers, brokers and dealers have very robust controls, strong governance framework and sustainable operations that will enable them compete on a global scale for the benet of the investors and the Nigerian capital market, ” Awe said. As part of the reform in the capital market, some operators have advised the Federal Government on the need to encourage local investors to participate more actively, adding that market regulators should introduce policies that would boost local investors ’ participation in the market. Immediate past President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS, Mr

Ariyo Olushekun said that Federal Government should show more interest in the stock market for economic growth and development. He said that the National Pension Commission, PenCom, should give more powers to the Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs, to invest higher percentage of the funds in stocks. Olushekun advised the market regulators to look for institutional investors that would boost liquidity in the market. Corroborating Olushekun, Kur, also said the FG needs to pay more attention to developments in the market. Kur said that government should also be committed to the development of the stock market to avoid dominance of foreign investors who could ofoad their investments at any time. According to him, there is the need to appoint more persons with experience into the cabinet to boost investors ’ condence. He said that the Chinese government introduced measures to address the free-fall of equities because of its interest in the market. Kur said that foreign investors were often “gamblers ’ ’ who could exit the market at any moment, He said that most foreign investors were speculative buyers and panic sellers that could ofoad at the slightest opportunity. BC

A4 20

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News Seme Border truck operators deny involvement in crisis

because it has become part of them. ``We want the same for Nigeria. If it succeeds in Lagos, it will succeed in Nigeria, ’ ’ he said. Olorundare commended the Lagos State Government for inculcating the culture of insurance in the hearts of the people, adding that ``the state stands out amongst all the states of the federation ’ ’. According to him, the former governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, usually speaks about insurance wherever he goes.

Francis Ezem

ruck operators under the aegis of Seme Border Truck Owners Association, SBTOA, have denied any involvement by its members in the crisis that happened at the nation ’s busiest border, which led to the manhandling of a journalist operating at the border. The journalist was allegedly manhandled and beaten by some people suspected to be smugglers in the premises of the Nigeria Customs Service Seme command. Patron of SBTOA, Chief Sulaimon Momoh, who spoke on the crisis at the weekend, said members of the association have no reason to involve themselves in the fracas. It was gathered that the victim of the attack identied as one Mr. Yomi Olomofe, who practices at the Seme Border was alleged to have been beaten up by suspected smugglers who were not pleased with the method of his practice of the profession in the area. The SBTOA- boss said that some reports alleged that Yomi Olomofe was attacked and manhandled by suspected smugglers at the Border station in other to stop him from writing a report on their illegal activities was aimed at deceiving the public about what actually transpired in other to deceive the public. He said that Olomofe had always introduced himself as a journalist but had never for one day presented any copy of his publication. Sulaimon said that those who seem to believe Olomofe ’s claims on the causes of the crisis should have also tried to cross check from other operators at the border to ascertain the truth of the matter. He said “We are hard working and have contributed our quota in the logistics and transport sector of the nation ’s economy. ” He called on security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation about all those that were involved in the fracas. There has been increasing violence by some people suspected to be smugglers, especially on the Badagry-Seme Border axis. Only recently a journalist was beaten by hoodlums suspected to be agents of the smugglers in Badagry area of Lagos. It was alleged that the smugglers trailed the journalist, who was said to have been carrying reports on the activities of the smuggling gang. The journalist is currently receiving treatment in a hospital in the state.

FG grants Kaduna Inland Container Depot port status L-R: Director, NCF, Dr. Joseph Onoja; Head, Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability, First Bank Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Ismail Omamegbe; BM, Mission Road Branch, First Bank Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Ademola Ige; Director, Ministry of Environment, Benin City, Mrs. Irene Edokpayi; Principal, Evboesi Senior School, Edo State, Mrs. Funmi Ade-Ife, at the launch of the Bank ’s conservation programme at the school recently

Diamond Bank, Geometric Power, Afrigem, partner on power project Udo Onyeka

igeria ’s rst indigenous fully integrated green-eld electricity project, the Aba Integrated Power Project ,Aba IPP, scheduled for commissioning in November, recently in Lagos, entered into a new Transaction Implementation Agreement with its sponsors and creditors pursuant to which Afrigem Integrated Utilities Limited becomes a core investor in the integrated electricity power project. The agreement signing ceremony which was hosted by Diamond Bank Plc, details the investment of Afrigem in the Aba IPP operating companies, the milestones for the restructuring of the existing debt stock of Geometric Power ’s project companies, recapitalisation and also, the restructuring of the company. These are expected to help fast-track the commissioning of the plant to takeoff in November and start the generation and distribution of quality electricity power to the residents of Aba metropolis. Geometric Power led the sponsors of Aba IPP while the creditors include Diamond Bank Plc, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON and Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc. Afrigem, a West African focused development and investment company with a 720MW pipeline of energy solutions project in the region, is expected to inject N15 billion into the project, making Geometric Power one of the most capitalised private sector driven power companies in the sub-region. In its 3-year

growth plan, the Sponsors and Afrigem expect to increase the plant capacity from 141MW to 341MW by 2018. According to the parties, the capital restructuring agreement will also ensure that the project companies: Geometric Power Aba Limited and APL Electric Limited have the required capital to deliver reliable power. It will also bring on board the expertise of Afrigem ’s team in the operations and management of the Aba IPP while the new capital will be applied towards the commissioning of the project and part payment to creditors with enough left to run the company. Professor Bart Nnaji, Chairman of Geometric Power Limited led the signing on behalf of the project sponsors while Mallam Samaila Zubairu, Vice Chairman of Afrigem, led the signing on behalf of Afrigem Integrated Utilities Limited at the ceremony attended by energy consultants, top bank executives and representatives of the various professional parties. Speaking at the event, Deputy Managing Director and Chief Risk Ofcer of Diamond Bank Plc, Caroline Anyanwu, stated that the new agreement signals a huge economic leap in the generation and distribution of electricity energy in Nigeria.

The association made the plea in Lagos on Friday during Insurance Awareness Walk to the Assembly premises. Addressing newsmen, the Director General of the Nigeria Insurance Association, Mr Thomas Olorundare said having an insurance policy was important because it made people secure. “People will feel secure, when the vehicles they board or drive have compulsory insurance policy that guarantees the safety of all road users. “We are out this morning to let the world know the importance of insurance; the walk is an awareness to tell the entire public that insurance is a key to our survival. “It is strong to take care of any eventuality. Insurance is pivotal to economic growth. We will want the Assembly to come up with the appropriate laws for the sector. “Lagos State has done very well on insurance, but they can still do more. You have energised us to go for the walk with the way you have attended to us. “We will walk to Awolowo Road in Ikeja to let the people know the value of insurance, ” he said. According to him, in other climes, ordinary man on the street appreciates insurance

ARIAN seeks support of Lagos Assembly on insurance awareness

he Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria ,ARIAN, has called for the support of Lagos State House of Assembly in creating awareness on insurance amongst the residents of the state.

Olorundare

he Federal Government has declared Kaduna Inland Container Depot, ICD, a port of origin and nal destination to extend shipping services to hinterlands and landlocked areas to decongest the ports. Notice of the declaration is contained in a statement signed by Mr Ignatius Nweke, the Deputy Director, Public Relations of the Nigerian Shippers ’ Council, NSC, made available to newsmen on Friday in Lagos. According to the statement, the declaration is contained in a government gazette No 60 Vol. 102 of May 26, 2015, entitled ``Kaduna Dry Port Declaration Order, 15 ’ ’. The NSC said ``it is expected that the Kaduna Inland Dry Port will have the status of international port, including customs, immigration, port health ofcials, as well as government security agencies. ’ ’ The statement noted that the gazette, which was signed by the former Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, had now upgraded the Inland Container Nigeria Ltd., ICNL, Bonded Terminal, Kaduna, to the status of dry port of origin and nal destination. ``The gazette indicated that the newly-designated port with the capacity to handle 29,000 containers per annum shall be a customs port. ``This is in accordance with the provisions of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap. C 45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014. ’ ’ The News Agency of Nigeria ,NAN, reports that the Inland Container Depots ,ICD and Container Freight Stations ,CFS, were initiated by the NSC to bring shipping services to the hinterlands and landlocked neighbouring countries in order to decongest the ports. The NSC statement indicated that there were other approved ICD/CFS in the country which were yet to be designated as port of origin and nal destination in Ibadan, Kano, Jos, Aba, Funtua and Maiduguri.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

Lagos shuts six rms over N11.3m tax default

he Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, has shut down six companies for failing to remit N11.3m personal income taxes of workers to the state government. The new Head of the LIRS, Distrain Unit, Mrs Ajibike Oshodi-Sholola, told the News Agency of Nigeria ,NAN, in Lagos on Fridaythat the companies were sealed on July 9 during a state-wide tax law enforcement exercise. The team leader said the affected companies ’ tax liabilities were for a period of four years. Oshodi-Sholola said that the companies affected by the enforcement included hotels, oil and gas rm, micro-nance bank and digital photo laboratory. She said the enforcement would continue until taxpayers imbibed the culture of voluntary tax compliance, adding that tax evasion was a criminal act. “Tax payment is a civil responsibility of everyone because that is the only way government can provide the necessary infrastructure for the citizens and also improve their standard of living, ” she said. Oshodi-Sholola urged companies to remit taxes deducted from workers ’ salaries promptly to avoid their premises being shut. She said that LIRS sent demand notices on tax liabilities to defaulting companies before the clampdown. According to her, LIRS notices of intent have been sent to the affected companies as required by the Personal Income Tax Act Amendment 2011. ``As to whether they received the notices or not, that is purely an internal matter of the companies, ” she said. The team leader also urged companies operating in the state to remit their taxes promptly, adding that they should not wait for the government to enforce the tax law.

FirstBank partners NCF, sets up conservation clubs in schools Adejuwon Osunnuyi

n its bid at promoting environmental protection and conservation habits among secondary schools students across Nigeria, FirstBank Plc has entered in to partnerships with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation, NCF, to educate them and make them environmental conscious.

L-R: Chairman, Conference of Committee of Heads of Security of Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria and Security Manager Access Bank Plc , Chuks Maha, AIG, Zone 6, Tunde Ogunsakin, General Secretary and Security Manager Fidelity Bank Plc., Peter Okoloh and Vice Chairman (Rtd) and Security Manager, Union Bank Plc. Col. Sam Agbanusi at the recent 8th Annual Conference of Committee of Head of Security of Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria at Tinapa in Calabar

The bank is employing a dual approach to tree planting by setting up students ’ conservation clubs as a strategic vehicle to drive environmental protection and conservation, which will create awareness of the need to preserve wild life and biodiversity among staff; school children and the young generally. In this regard, FirstBank took its tree planting campaign to Evboise Mixed Secondary School, Edo State, where its partnership with the NCF saw the launch of a conservation club in the school, which is expected to empower the members of the club to become actively involved in climate change and be champions for action in their school and communities. The bank ’s head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, Ismail Omamegbe noted that setting up conservation clubs in secondary schools was to create a culture of planting trees and preserving the environment. According to Omamegbe, the rst phase of the initiative began in Lagos state where the bank formally set up a conservation club at the Lagos State Civil Service Model College, Igbogbo, Ikorodu. “The idea is to catch them young so that they can embrace a climate friendly culture by understanding the ways in which tree planting and climate change are linked, while also rallying support for action and change within communities and country. Furthermore, the clubs will serve as platform to heighten awareness about the importance of all types of forests and trees outside forests. ” Mr Omamegbe said. He explained that the conservation initiative is one of the key programmes of the bank as it is part of its long-term approach to promoting sustainability, which involves mini-

mizing its direct and indirect impacts on the environment. “For the last ve years, FirstBank has partnered the NCF in tree planting to minimize the effect of deforestation which is fast becoming a clear and present danger to the nation. The event witnessed the planting of 120 trees which Mr. Omamegbe said is a symbolic representation of the Bank ’s over 120 years in existence and it ’s a commemoration of the anniversary of the bank with regards to its contributions to Nigeria on the green economy as well as combating deforestation/ desertication.

Adedoyin

Maritime Review: Stakeholders task FG on port infrastructure

ome exhibitors at the justconcluded Lagos Maritime Expo, NIMAREX, have suggested that the Federal Government should improve on port infrastructure, to boost maritime trade. The operators made the suggestion in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, as maritime activities closed on Friday in Lagos. An Exhibitor, Mr Moses

Macaulay, a shipping operator working with RANGK Ltd, urged the Federal Government to improve on port infrastructure. “The port infrastructure we have is not adequate but the Federal Government is trying. “Government should try and extend the type of modern port facilities in Onne port to other ports, including Lagos ports, ’ ’ Macaulay told NAN. Head, Chartering, Destiny Maritime and Shipping Ltd Mr Dike Osita, expressed concern about the constant gridlock in Apapa and Tin-Can ports access roads. Osita said the perennial gridlock along the Lagos ports access roads had affected the company ’s income. He, however, urged the Federal Government to invest in rail transportation to boost intermodal transportation of goods and to also decongest the access roads to the ports. Marketing/Public Relations Ofcer, West Atlantic Shipyard, WAS, Miss Juliet Orji, said full participation by stakeholders in future maritime expos would create room for a full grasp of activities in the industry. ``Presently, Nigeria has not tapped the opportunities in the maritime sector and by the time we are all involved in the expo, it will solve the employment problem in the country, ’ ’ Orji said. In his message to the opening of the expo, a former of Head State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, rtd., suggested a road map on how to tap the maritime potential of the nation. Abubakar said the road map would transform Nigerian ports to be the hub of the West Africa sub-region. The former head of state, who was represented by Vice Admiral Samuel Afolayan (rtd.), said Nigeria had over 400 nautical miles and large human resources.

A5 21

He urged Nigerians to take advantage of the maritime potential, adding that 80 per cent of the nation ’s maritime resources had yet to be tapped. Chairman, Planning Committee of NIMAREX, Mr Ayorinde Adedoyin, said the 2015 edition of the expo was targeted at throwing up solutions toward enhancing the economic fortunes of the nation. ``The deliberation will be in the light of the international economic situation which has adversely affected Nigeria ’s monolithic economy primed on crude, ’ ’ Adedoyin said. Mr Hassan Bello, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers ’ Council, NSC, on his part, urged the Federal Government to provide the enabling environment for the growth of the maritime industry.

UBA raises $58m from rights issue

nited Bank for Africa, UBA, said on Friday it had raised N11.5bn, $57.8m, by selling new stock to existing shareholders to bolster its capital base. The bank said the rights issue was fully subscribed. It issued one new share for every 10 already held at 3.50 naira per share, a discount to Thursday ’s close of 4.25 naira at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. The lenders have been shoring up their balance sheets in preparation for the adoption of stricter international capital requirements, which would otherwise see capital ratios for most of them drop by between 100 and 400 basis points to near the regulatory minimum of 16 percent. “With this additional equity, UBA has fortied its capital base ahead of the full implementation of Basel II, which requires (a) higher capital buffer for banks, ” the lender said. Shares in the bank, which fell 52 percent last year, were down 1.65 percent at 4.13 naira. Rival lender Fidelity Bank also last week raised 30 billion naira through an unsecured bond at 16.48 percent, to fund increased lending to small businesses and retail clients. Skye Bank has said it will raise 50 billion naira via a rights issue by the third quarter to expand its loan book, after it sold 100 billion naira worth of commercial notes in March. Nigeria ’s banking sector index, which accounts for around 40 percent of total stock market capitalisation, has lost 0.47 percent so far this year, having shed 22 percent last year due to the heavy burden of tighter regulation which crimped prots. BC

A6 22

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Companies & Markets

Sterling Bank provides N50m credit to tractor owners

Udo Onyeka

terling Bank Plc has nanced the purchase of tractors for members of the Tractors Owners and Hiring Facilities Association of Nigeria, TOHFAN. The cost of the tractors is put at N50m. The tractors which have been distributed to members of the Association following the rst disbursement would help in the adoption of mechanized agriculture, leading to additional hectare coverage, higher yields and enhance food security in the country. The Bank in a statement noted that its involvement in the agricultural sector was based on the need to reposition the sector as the main stay of the economy especially so, with the dwindling revenue from oil. The Bank explained further:

“Sterling Bank Plc has continually restated its commitment to the strategic growth of the agricultural sector by providing adequate funding in alignment with the ongoing reforms in the sector aimed at repositioning it as an attractive business proposition, an input provider for the manufacturing sector and a key foreign exchange earner. “The best bank in Agric Award was conferred on the Bank in recognition of its critical role in the dispensing of nancial services to actors in the Nigerian agricultural value chain. This we have demonstrated again with the nancing of the tractors which will add value to the sector ” The National Treasurer of the Association, Abdullahi Lawal, who also conrmed the development commended the Bank for supporting the Asso-

Yemi Adeola, Sterling Bank CEO

ciation and said that it would go a long way in improving the output of the beneciaries. His words: “We received a facility of N50m from Sterling Bank to nance the purchase of 14 tractors which we have

distributed to beneciaries. The facility would be repaid within the next three years. The beneciaries would be repaying specic amount of money monthly based on the brand of tractor obtained ”. Lawal added that since the loan was obtained by the Association directly, beneciary members were not tasked to provide collateral as the Association guaranteed all members of the Association. He added that the Association decided to partner the private sector rather than the government “because most beneciaries are always reluctant to repay loans obtained from government ”. A rm believer in the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government, Sterling Bank has been in the forefront of agricultural inputs nancing in Nigeria. BC

E-Payment innovation future of banking in Nigeria –Heritage Bank MD

he Managing Director of Heritage Banking Company Limited, Mr. Ie Sekibo, has posited that there is a huge difference between the current growth in volume of epayment in the country and the potentials available, judging by the number of unbanked Nigerians with access to mobile telephone services. He noted that although the volume of e-payment in Nigeria grew from N18.1trn in 2012 to N35.1trn in 2014 with transaction through POS also increasing from N48bn in 2013 to N312bn in 2014, the growth has not mirrored the huge population of mobile phone users in the country which currently stands at over 105 million. Out of this gure, he submitted, there are currently about 60 million Nigerians who do not

have bank accounts but have phones. Sekibo, who spoke on Financial Services Delivery at the annual Cashless card expo of the Central Bank of Nigeria ,CBN, in Lagos recently, charged operators in the nation ’s bank-

Sekibo

ing sector to brace up to deploy more innovative banking services platforms to drive growth. He submitted that innovation is inevitable in the banking industry due to changes in dynamics across the globe which has penetrated the Nigerian banking industry. These changes, he explained, were driven by forces of globalisation, self service mobile devices and regulation. The impact of these changes on the Nigerian banking landscape, he further observed, has reected in the sharp increase in the growth of electronic payment services between 2012 and 2014 in the country. “E-Payment is now a commodity, innovative e-payment is the way to go. More innovation is required to surmount the growing challenges ’, he coun-

selled. He revealed that Heritage Bank has always been driven on the path of continuous innovation, having been the rst to transform the interior of banking halls in addition to being the rst nancial institution to set out deposit machines in all the branches nationwide. He also observed that Heritage Bank was also the rst to launch the rst real transparent MasterCard in Nigeria as well as transform small and medium scale enterprise ,SME, banking approach. “Heritage bank is a product of innovation and therefore, has always continued to encourage deployment of innovative platforms. We bounced back from the past on the waves of innovative thinking, we thrive on an innovative ecosystem ”, he said. BC

Seplat releases $408m for oil asset acquisition

eplat Petroleum Development Company said it has recommenced negotiations to acquire an asset in Nigeria that had previously faced delays. The company said it has reached an agreement to release the funds from an escrow account which was set up with a consortium to make a potential acquisition. The Nigerian-focused oil and gas company said the escrow account was originally set up with the consortium in order to look for opportunities to buy assets from oil and gas companies operating in the region. Under the agreement, Seplat has agreed to release $408mof

the total $453m held in the escrow account. “There have been material delays with the underlying acquisition, prompting Seplat to reach agreement with the consortium for release of the escrow amount, ” it said in a statement. The remaining $45m will remain as a deposit in the escrow account as negotiations about acquiring the unnamed asset have recommenced. “Certain recent events have led to the restart of negotiations by the consortium to secure the asset, and Seplat continues to work with them, ” it said. Following the release of the $408m from the existing es-

crow account, Seplat has placed $29mof those funds into a new escrow account pending the nal terms of the acquisition. Following the amendments and money transfers, Seplat has access to $368m of the $453m that was originally held in the escrow account. If no acquisition is made, the funds held in the escrow account will be returned to Seplat, but if the company chooses not to progress with the acquisition, it will need to pay $20m to the other consortium members but the remaining funds in the escrow account would be released back to Seplat. Seplat has also agreed to pay

a portion of previously incurred consortium costs related to the potential acquisition, totalling $11m. That will be paid in two instalments, with the rst $3.5m being paid immediately and the remaining balance to be paid on a deferred basis, it said. Earlier this year, Seplat had been in talks with Afren PLC, the embattled Nigeria-focused oil and gas company, over a potential takeover offer. Those talks ended in February after Afren said no “satisfactory ” offer had been tabled, but Seplat said at the time it reserved the right to make a bid for Afren within six months. BC

AXA reincorporates Mansard Insurance after acquisition

XA, one of the world ’s foremost insurance companies, has reincorporated the Nigerian insurance company –Mansard Insurance Plc, which it acquired late last year. With this, AXA has rmly established itself as a major operator in the country ’s insurance industry. After obtaining a new certicate of incorporation from the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, Mansard Insurance Plc is now known as AXA Mansard Insurance.. The name of Mansard Insurance being a quoted company has been changed to AXA Mansard Insurance at Nigeria Stock Exchange, NSE and the Central Securities Clearing System, CSCS, Plc, on July 7, 2015. The CSCS is the clearing and settlement depository for the Nigerian capital market. AXA had bought 77 per cent majority equity stake in Mansard Insurance Plc, in a major market-entry push that promises to profoundly impact the Nigerian insurance industry. AXA already has a substantial presence in Africa including Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal and Algeria. AXA took over the 77 per cent equity stake held by Assur Africa Holding Limited ,AAH, the core investor that had purchased the former Guaranty Trust Bank insurance subsidiary. GTBank had sold its insurance subsidiary, Guaranty Trust Assurance Plc, in compliance with regulatory framework of the Central Bank of Nigeria ,CBN. AXA had stated that the acquisition of a majority stake in Mansard Insurance would further strengthen its presence in Africa. Deputy chief executive ofcer, AXA, Denis Duverne, said the acquisition is a unique opportunity for AXA to enter the largest African economy with leading positions in all business lines and to get exposure to the fast-growing Nigerian retail insurance market. AXA noted that Mansard is the fourth largest insurance provider in Nigeria with operations in both property and casualty and life and savings, pointing out that Mansard is well established in commercial lines, which represents nearly two thirds of its revenues, and has been developing successfully its retail business over the past three years. AXA will be looking to explore growth potential in the Nigerian insurance market, the third largest in Africa. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

A7 23

Companies & Markets

Zenith Bank bags triple ISO certication Udo Onyeka

n line with its vision to become the leading nancial institution in Nigeria, Zenith Bank has achieved certication from British Standards Institution ,BSI, for Information Security Management System ISO/ IEC 27001:20013, IT Service Management System ISO/IEC 20000-1:2011 and Business Continuity Management System, ISO 22301:2012. This milestone demonstrates Zenith Banks continual commitment to offer their customer and stakeholders enhanced satisfaction in a more stable and secure environment. In a ceremony in Lagos on Thursday the certicates were awarded to the Chairman of Zenith Bank, Mr Jim Ovia and the Chief Executive Ofcer, Peter Amamgbo from the Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr

Mike Purves. Commenting on the occasion, Ovia said that the commitment to these internationally accepted standards stems from a resolve to deepen customer experience through greater information security, an efcient IT management system and a robust business continuity plan that emphasises the protection of the customers and their investments in an increasingly unpredictable business environment. According to certication to these three standards is strong proof of the bank ’s commitment to implement policies and practices that meet globally recognised standards. Amamgbo commented that “Zenith Bank is proud to have achieved is milestone, technology is at the core of our business strategy in order to meet the needs of our customers. For

us, the customer is the reason we are in business, therefore it is essential that we deliver exceptional customer services. Certication to these standards will assist us in doing this. ” Further he said that becoming certied to these three standards provides evidence in our efforts to comply with local and international regulations relating to data protection, privacy and IT governance. “We hope through implementing ISO/IEC 27001, it will give greater condence to our customers and various stakeholders that the security of assets such as nancial information, intellectual property, employee details and information entrusted to us is protected securely. “ISO/IEC 20000-1 acknowledges our high level of efciency in IT service provision and our ability to continuously improve

the delivery of IT services. “ISO 22301 will help us identify potential threats and unexpected disruptions to our organization and make sure we have a robots plan and solution in place. Therefore if incidents happen, the bank will be prepared and in a position to respond effectively ”, Amamgbo said. Regional Managing Director, BSI. Middle East and Africa, Theuns Kotze, said These ISO certications are a testament of Zenith Bank ’s focus in adopting and implementing global standards and best practices to ensure effectiveness, efciency, condentiality and integrity in its day to day to day operations. “Furthermore this highlights their determination to provide innovative and relevant solutions to maintain the security and intercity rail of its customers ’ data ”, he said. BC

Ovia

Airlines face risk of worse disruptions Old Mutual acquires 13.6% stake in UAP insurance from computer glitches

computer router error that grounded hundreds of United Airlines ,UAL.N, ights on Wednesday is just a preview of what can go wrong for carriers with increasingly automated operations, experts say. As airlines switch to electronic luggage tags and more travelers swap paper tickets for boarding passes stored on smartphones, industry consultants say the impact of technology disruptions will keep growing. That means more money lost for airlines and more travel plans thwarted for passengers when a glitch occurs. “Airlines are ying computers, ” said industry analyst Henry Harteveldt. “Increased reliance on technology has enabled (airlines) to become a much more successful and efcient business, and that also creates an exposure. ” Wednesday ’s disruption at United, which locked the airline out of its reservations records and therefore blocked check-in and boarding, led to delays for tens of thousands of travelers. While a reservations failure of this kind could have happened more than a decade ago, recent automation and staff cuts have widened the impact. United had to halt ights on Wednesday in part because there were fewer airport staff on hand to help customers when automated checkin kiosks fell off the grid. This was the second technical problem in about one month to ground United ’s eet. On June 2, software needed to dispatch the airline ’s ight plan briey lost functionality. American Airlines Group Inc ,AAL.O, ights were delayed just a month earlier because of an application problem on pilots ’ iPads,

A United airlines worker checks computers in their counters

which recently replaced paper ight manuals. Some planes returned to airport gates to access Wi-Fi and x the issue. Airlines have backup systems, but the recent disruptions have left experts asking whether they have invested enough in technological infrastructure, given new prots from baggage and cancellation fees. “They should have had much more built-in resiliency and redundancy in the system, ” Trend Micro Inc (4704.T) Chief Cyber security Ofcer Tom Kellermann said. To be sure, technology has brought benets like shorter wait times for check-in and more inight entertainment via Wi-Fi. “Airlines ’ investment in technology is only going to continue to improve the customer experience, ” trade group Airlines for America said. “When there is a rare disruption, it is often those investments that enable airlines to quickly restore service. ” Consultant and former American Airlines executive Scott Nason said the number of outages had not increased with automation. BC

ld Mutual international investment, savings, insurance and banking group with subsidiary in Nigeria has acquired a 13.6 percent equity holding in UAP Holdings Limited. UAP is a pan-African insurance holding company with subsidiaries in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and South Sudan, as well as an insurance brokerage arm in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Abraaj Group a leading investor operating in global growth markets, had subsequently announced the completion of the full exit of its investment, through one of its Funds,

in UAP Holdings Limited. UAP ’s services include life insurance, general insurance, health insurance, premium nancing services and investment management services. UAP has been operating in Sub-Saharan Africa since 1977 and its general insurance subsidiaries hold dominant market positions in its main markets. The respective general insurance subsidiaries are currently the fourth largest insurance company in Kenya, third largest in Uganda, fth largest in Tanzania and the largest in South Sudan. UAP ’s life insurance subsidiaries have exhibited sustained growth and continue to

improve their market rankings Under the terms of the agreement, Abraaj sold its 13.6 percent stake in the Company, which is traded on Nairobi ’s over the counter, OTC, market, to Old Mutual plc, a Londonlisted international investment, savings, insurance and banking group. In March 2012, Abraaj invested, through one of its Funds, in UAP alongside Africinvest and Swedfund, using a convertible debt instrument. Simultaneously with a limited public offer conducted in November 2012, Abraaj converted its instrument into equity shares in the Company. BC

‘Chicken Republic committed to exceed customers expectations ’

igerian ’s largest chicken chain, Chicken Republic, has shown its commitment to provide customers with authentic and great tasting chicken meals in a world class environment. According to the company ’s Chief Executive Ofcer, Mr. David Butler, Chicken Republic is a dominant brand in the Nigerian Quick Service Restaurant, QSR, sector and is expanding

its footprint to reach more lovers of its West African spiced chicken. “The Nigerian QSR industry is extremely dynamic and fast paced with huge potential. Our aggressive expansion strategy is designed to leverage this massive potential and will be achieved through opening a combination of company and franchise stores across Western Africa, ” he said.

Butler also conrmed that the company has recently reopened three newly renovated outlets in parts of the country such as Ogudu in Lagos, Abacha in Port Harcourt and Nyanya in Nassarawa state. He added that the company has concluded plans to launch its rst Express outlet located at Total Nigeria Plc later this month. The chief executive assured that throughout the balance of this year, Chicken Republic will delight consumers across Western Africa with newly remodelled, world class restaurants and various new concept stores. He explained that the new stores will offer drive through and express outlets. The brand which was founded in 2004 by a dynamic entrepreneur Mr. Deji Akinyanju has reassured that it will triple its existing outlets in the next four years to expand customer base with its legendary West African spiced meals. BC

A8 24

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global News

Jinping

China stocks jump again as emergency measures bite

hinese stocks rose strongly for a second day on Friday, buoyed by a barrage of government support measures, but worries persist about the longterm impact that four weeks of market turmoil may have on the world ’s second-largest economy. Over the past two weeks Chinese authorities have cut interest rates, suspended initial public offerings, relaxed margin lending and collateral rules and enlisted brokerages to buy stocks, backed by cash from the central bank. Some analysts predict further moves to come from the People ’s Bank of China, which often makes policy announcements over the weekend, such as another rate cut or relaxation of the amount of cash banks must hold as reserves (RRR). The frantic efforts to stem a more than 30 percent market slide nally began to gain traction on Thursday, when shares rose around 6 percent after the securities regulator banned shareholders with large stakes in listed rms from selling. The CSI300 index <.CSI300> of the largest listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen rose another 5.4 percent on Friday, while the Shanghai Composite Index <.SSEC> closed up 4.5 percent. “Chinese investors move in herds, ” said Samuel Chien, a partner of Shanghai-based hedge fund manager BoomTrend Investment Management Co. “After panic selling drove the market down to the extreme, prices are now starting to move in the other direction. ” RIPPLE EFFECT At the depths of their slump earlier this week Chinese shares had fallen by close to a third from their mid-June peak, and for some global investors China ’s market turmoil had become a greater concern than the crisis in Greece. In the rst sign that market losses could feed through into depressed spending in the broader economy, China ’s automakers association more than halved its 2015 forecast

for vehicle sales growth to 3 percent, from 7 percent, on Friday. “The stock market has some impact on car sales as it hurts cash ow, ” association chief Dong Yang told reporters. Premier Li Keqiang said China would make more targeted policy changes to support the economy, although he did not comment on the stock market. “We do not take the risks and challenges to growth lightly. We have the ability and condence to prevent regional systemic risks and keep the economy growing within a reasonable range, ” he said. China is set to release its second-quarter economic growth report on Wednesday, and analysts polled by Reuters expect activity to slow to 6.9 percent from 7 percent in the previous three months.

Greece submits new proposals for €53bn bailout

reece has submitted new plans for tackling its debt as the country aims to avoid an exit from the eurozone. The proposals were received by Eurogroup chair Jeroen Dijsselbloem around two hours before a midnight deadline. Greek politicians are due to vote on the measures later on Friday, and the country ’s main opposition party has said it will back the government as it seeks to secure a deal. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his cabinet spent the day drafting the package of tax rises, pension reforms and economic liberalisation measures that could decide their country ’s future in the EU. They have offered to increase tax on shipping companies, end tax breaks for the Greek islands and raise VAT for restaurants. In return, it is asking for a €53.5bn (£38.5bn) bailout from the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), the EU organisation that provides nancial assistance for eurozone members. The leaders of all 28 EU member states are due to discuss the proposals at a

Tsipras

“decisive ” summit on Sunday, with nance ministers set to consider the package the day before. The heads of the EU, International Monetary Fund (IMF), European Central Bank and the eurozone will talk about the offer in a conference call today. Early reaction to the Greek offer has been positive, but some have accused Greece of “caving in ” to the EU a week after voters rejected a milder bailout package in a referendum - at the urging of the government. The offer concedes to Greece ’s creditors on a number of points that the government had previously opposed, such as raising the retirement age, increasing sales taxes and quickening the pace of privatisation. The three-year loan would enable Athens to cover its debt obligations, the Greek nance ministry said, preventing it from defaulting and ensuring it does not have to exit the euro. Mr Tsipras has urged lawmakers to back the plan. An opposition leader has predicted a “large majority ” will back the proposals. Potami party leader Stavros Theodorakis said the Greek people want a deal that ends “the anxiety and the stranglehold ” that they feel.

Ryanair to accept bid for Aer Lingus stake

he board of Ryanair has voted unanimously to accept an offer from IAG for their 29.8 per cent stake in Aer Lingus. The decision clears the way for the airline group, which also owns British Airways, to take over Aer Lingus as Ryanair will vote in support of the sale at an Extraordinary General Meeting (AGM) on 16 July. IAG has conrmed it wants Aer Lingus to join the Oneworld airline alliance, of which its brands BA and Iberia are members, and become part of a joint business that IAG operates over the North Atlantic alongside American Airlines. It has agreed to build a new transatlantic hub at Dublin Airport as part of the €1.3bn (£940m) takeover deal. The Irish government, which had controlled 25 per cent of the company, accepted IAG ’s €1.36bn (£961m) bid for their share in May of this year. The only hurdle now remaining is the European Union ’s competition authorities, who are required to agree to the takeover. IAG may have to agree to concessions such as surrendering slots at Heathrow in

O ’Leary

order to alleviate any competition concerns. Ryanair has itself tried to buy Aer Lingus on three occasions but has been knocked back by competition ofcials. The decision to sell formally ends CEO Michael O ’Leary ’s nine-year effort to seize his Dublin-based competitor. The budget airline had also been ordered by the UK Competition Commission to reduce its stake in Aer Lingus by almost 25% in order to break its hold on routes between Britain and Ireland. Ryanair ’s Michael O ’Leary said: “We believe the IAG offer for Aer Lingus is a reasonable one in the current market and we plan to accept it, in the best interests of Ryanair shareholders. “The price means that Ryanair will make a small prot on its investment in Aer Lingus over the past nine years. “This sale of our stake is timely given that our original strategy for Aer Lingus (to use it as a mid-priced brand to offer competition to ag carriers at primary airports) has been overtaken by the successful rollout - since Sept 2013 - of Ryanair ’s “Always Getting Better ” strategy, which has seen the Ryanair brand successfully enter many of Europe ’s primary airports, being rewarded with strong growth in our network, trafc, load factor and protability, while keeping our fares low and our punctuality high. “We wish IAG well with their takeover of Aer Lingus. ” International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) offered Ryanair a cash payment of €2.50 per Aer Lingus share, plus a cash dividend of €0.05 per share. But any prot made by Ryanair from the deal is unlikely to be very much above the price paid when they rst acquired shares in 2006.

BoE proposes stricter rule for banks to calculate capital

ritain ’s banks could have to use a stricter method than global peers for calculating a key measure of capital

from next year to make gaming the rules harder, the Bank of England said on Friday. The BoE ’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) published a consultation paper setting out how lenders should compile and publish leverage ratios, a measure of capital to balance sheets on a non riskweighted basis. The benchmark is separate from a bank ’s core ratio, which measures capital to riskweighted assets. Under European Union rules brought in after the 2007-09 nancial crisis revealed inadequate capital at banks, lenders must publish their leverage ratio at the end of each quarter. The PRA ’s proposed method seeks to supplement this with a more stringent approach based on daily-averages throughout the quarter, moving in line with the United States. “The PRA is of the view that reporting and disclosing a point-in-time leverage ratio alone could create incentives for rms to manage down temporarily around the reporting date, their exposure measure so as to atter their leverage ratio, a practise commonly referred to as ‘window dressing ’, ” the regulator said. “Requiring an averaged gure for a rm ’s leverage ratio across the reporting period should largely eliminate incentives to adjust this ratio on any specic date, as any increase achieved is likely to have little impact on the averaged gure, ” the PRA said. It is the latest sign of how more hawkish regulators such as the PRA are making it harder for banks to skirt rules. Policymakers have said that lower book values of banks in Europe compared with their U.S. rivals are partly due to investors not fully believing the capital ratios they report. The BoE has mulled requiring larger banks to calculate core capital ratios using a “standard ” formula used by smaller banks as well as using in-house models, whose consistency has been questioned. Britain, Switzerland and the United States have put more emphasis on a bank ’s leverage ratio, which was originally meant to be a simple “backstop ” to core buffers. All three countries are forcing their banks to have higher leverage ratios than what has been globally agreed so far by the Basel Committee of supervisors from across the world. Basel allows for more stringent ways to compile a leverage ratio as long as this is done consistently. The UK change would be phased in over a year from January and the PRA said the cost to banks would not be material. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

A9 25

Brand Watch

Centrespread wins new accounts, charts strategic direction David Audu

entrespread Advertising, a fully integrated marketing communications agency, has unveiled a new strategic direction with a view to positioning itself for meeting clients ’ ever-growing needs. Specically, the 33 year-old agency has embarked on a 360 degree restructuring, re-invention and retooling in order to cope with the wave of business hauls in recent times. In an interactive media chat with select journalists in Lagos at the weekend, the agency ’s Chief Operating Ofcer, Mr. Akinwale

Akintunde, said that the new dawn in the agency necessitated the need to fully re-energize and reinvigorate and retool all its internal workings so as to constantly meet the demands and expectations of the clients. He said: “We are moving towards a strategic direction that put the agency on a fast moving lane so that we can be avantgarde in our service delivery and product offerings ” He disclosed that although the agency had passed through a period of lull in the past, the current effort at restructuring, re-inventing and retooling has started yielding results with

the winning of about seven new businesses across all sectors of the economy. The agency ’s Director of Strategy, Mr. Yomi Martins, said the agency had embarked upon aggressive operational review of its processes by bringing on board vibrant, energetic and knowledgeable personnel. “We are doing everything to achieve our marshal plans within the next ve years ” Yomi Martins said. He said not only had the agency won seven new businesses in successive order through competitive pitches, the agency had been deepening knowledge

Smirnoff ’s ‘pretentious bar ’ TV ad banned

d watchdog, Advertising Standard Association, ASA, has banned a TV ad for Smirnoff, the vodka brand owned by Diageo, for implying alcohol contributes to the success of a social occasion. The spot, called “Filter the unnecessary ” was created by 72andSunny and showed a person enter a bar, which tilted when they ordered a drink, while text on the screen read, “Filter the fake. Keep the good stuff. ” When the bartender poured

Bramham

the vodka and mixer into glass music began to play. The customers began to smile, and text on the screen read, “Filter the unnecessary. Keep the good stuff. ” The ASA ruled to ban the ad on the grounds that the ad implied alcohol is needed for a good night in a bar. In its ruling, it said: “We considered the ad ’s presentation implied that before the visitor asked for an alcoholic drink, the bar was cold and uninviting and that once his drink had been ordered, the bar changed and became livelier and more fun. “We considered the contrast between the two implied it was the presence of the alcohol that was the pivotal point in the bar ’s transformation. ” Diageo denied the claims by the ASA and said that it would appeal the decision. The company said the ad showed a move from a pretentious bar scene. Marketing director at Smirnoff, Julie Bramham, the company is “deeply disappointed ” with the ASA ’s adjudication.BC

containing the seemingly callous command before revealing bigger picture ads that communicate the campaign ’s true message – it ’s better to see a child cry during medical treatment than die from a preventable disease. Doctors of the World claims four million children across the world die from preventable diseases every year. The print and social media ads are backed by a TV spot, which is already running online, and will air in different parts of the world soon..

Akintunde

Harpic unveils new toilet solution …announces Helen Paul brand Ambassador

Silivrili

arpic has agged off a new campaign tagged “Harpic All in One ” which is expected to give impetus to the brand and its campaign as a new Harpic All-In-One to meet traditional cleaning methods. This is just as it also unveiled a new Brand Ambassador, Helen Paul, who would be actively involved in this new campaign. She is also the main character in the new TVC. Speaking at a media conference recently during the unveiling of the brand Ambassador, Reckitt Benckiser ’s Marketing

NGO ags-off ‘make a child cry ’ immunisation campaign octors of the World is telling people to “make a child cry ” as part of a new global campaign to draw attention to child immunization. The #MakeAChildCry hashtag is being seeded on Twitter and has already appeared on press and outdoor ads in France as part of a global campaign by the non-governmental organisation. The idea, which was conceived by DDB Paris, is meant to shock people with teaser ads

and crossing old barriers while dumping old stereotypes. Speaking in similar vein, Client Service Director, Mr. Claude Nwamba said the agency was at the threshold of offering clients a basketful of solutions so as to become the agency of rst choice in the country. It was also gathered that all the subsidiary companies in the group are doing well in their respective sectors. The agency said one of its unique selling points remained to constantly stick to rules and ethics of good corporate governance and global best standards.BC

The lm opens on crying children before panning out to show that they are in tears because they are receiving vaccinations and other treatments. The spot ends with a call to donate at makeachildcry.com. The scenes were shot using actors. Doctors of the World, Médecins du Monde, is an NGO that launched in 1980 and delivers healthcare to the world ’s most vulnerable people, through health programmes and advocacy BC

Director, West Africa, Mr. Oguzhan Silivrili, disclosed that the goal of the new campaign was to enlighten consumers on the superiority of Harpic over traditional toilet cleaning techniques. “We know that consumers want products that can remove tough stains, kill germs and freshen their toilets. This is why you see some people buying detergent, bleach and toilet fresheners for their toilet. This campaign is good news to such consumers. They will now realize they can conserve their cash for other things since they do not need to buy three different products for their toilets. Now, they can get all they need in one product- Harpic ”, said Silivrili. On the choice of Helen Paul as Brand Ambassador, he explained that the brand places “strong premium on the importance of educating and informing our consumers so we had to dig deep and based on consumer preferences through research to identify a special celebrity whose character is congruent with our brand. Silivrili claried: “We all will agree that Helen Paul will create great impact in the minds of all our consumers with her double personality proles that made her the ideal candidate to reach out to different facets of our consumers in this campaign and beyond. “In the next few days, Nigerian consumers would be interacting intimately with Harpic as Helen embarks on the Harpic All in One Challenge where she would be putting our traditional toilet cleaning methods to the test to prove Harpic efcacy to our consumer ’s through

Mystery Home visits as well as other door- to- door activities ”, he added. Helen Paul expressed joy for the honour of being engaged as the Harpic Brand Ambassador, adding that “to have been chosen as the face of Harpic amongst the galaxy of Stars in Nigeria is humbling and encouraging ”. She said that she was poised to bring joy to consumers and drive home all the important messages the brand wants to convey in this campaign. Reinstating Harpic ’s commitment, Marketing Manager Harpic, RB West Africa, Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi Omotola said that in the last few years, Harpic had been in the forefront of educating Nigerians on issues of toilet cleanliness and hygiene. She cited the Harpic Experience Moments where sets of activities are lined up to reach 1million homes yearly across 16 cities within the country educating consumers about how to keep a clean and hygienic toilet. Omotola also referred to World Toilet Day when Harpic Mobile Toilet Experience Trains were rolled out to increase access to clean toilet, mostly in public places where toilets are dilapidated or nonexistent. The idea is to reach the 34 million Nigerians who do not have access to toilets. This is part of a 2.5 billion ,40 per cent, global population of people without access to toilets. She further stated that Harpic was not relenting on the journey of breakout innovations in toilet cleaning as evident with the recent innovation of Harpic BC All in One toilet solution.

A10 26

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Review

NLNG ’s dividends save states from scal crisis Following the expiration of the 10-year tax holiday granted the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, NLNG, in 2013, the company joined the league of taxpaying companies in 2014, paying $1.3 billion last year and $1.6 billion last week to government coffers. The latest payment became handy to the Federal Government which used it to bail the states out of financial crisis. Gbenga Odogun reports.

NLNG cargo ship

orried by the near state of operational paralysis in most states following their inability to pay workers ’ salaries, the Federal Government last week came to the rescue of the states by announcing some palliative measures aimed at cushioning the effect of nonpayment of salaries by some states. Part of the measures includes, the disbursement of $1.7 billion from the Federation Account to the three tiers of government. Other measures adopted by the President on the issue, include a Central Bank-packaged special intervention fund that would offer nancing to the states, ranging from N250 billion to N300 billion in the form of soft loan to enable the states pay backlog of salaries. Besides, a debt relief programme designed by the Debt Management Ofce (DMO) is also in the pipeline to help states restructure their commercial loans currently put at over N660 billion, and extend the life span of such loans, while reducing their debt-servicing expenditures. Parts of the money to be shared comes from the tax and dividends paid into the federation Accounts by the Nigeria Liqueed Natu-

Omotowa

ral Gas Company NLNG amounting to $2.1 billion Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, while conrming this said the money being shared was from the tax and dividends paid by the NLNG. Also speaking in the same direction the Managing Director NLNG Mr Babs Omotowa said that the company paid $1.3 billion last year after the tax holiday and $1.6 to Federal Inland Revenue Service FIRS for onward transfer to the federation account.With this develop-

ment NLNG thus joined the league of revenue generation agency to the federation purse. Experts were of the view that properly harnessed, NLNG could become major source of revenue generation more that what it is currently generating to the Federation Account. The Managing Director in an interview said that the potential of the company is enormous considering that fact that Nigeria has more proven gas reserve than oil. At 184 trillion cubic feet

proven gas reserve Nigeria is Africa ’s largest oil producer, contributing about one percent of the country ’s annual GDP due to rebasing which put Nigeria ’s economy as the largest in Africa. Omotowa also said that NLNG provides one of the greatest opportunities for power stability through regasication solution, using either LNG or LPG. At the moment, NLNG generates 350mwforplants and community in Bonny Island. NLNG added that it has utilised gas that would otherwise be ared, thus resulting to a signicant contribution to the nation ’s income while helping to protect the environment.It further stated that over the years, the company paid dividends of almost $30 billion, out of which 49 per cent went into the federation account through the NNPC. The managing Director also said it contributed to the wealth and economic wellbeing of the states in which it operates by ensuring it paid all applicable taxes and tariffs. It disclosed that in 2014, its corporate income tax amounted to about N220 billion, thus making it the highest tax payer in the Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa. ”

It added that it converted about 133 (billion standard cubic metres (bcm) or 4.68 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of associated gas to exports as LNG and Natural Gas Liquids, NGLs, thus helping to reduce gas aring by upstream companies. On foreign direct investment (FDI), the NLNG said through its plant construction, it has attracted a considerable amount of investment into the country. The project today has assets ranging from property, plant and equipment, worth over $14billion which is nanced mainly by the NLNG ’s shareholders; with 51 percent stake by international oil companies (IOCs), and 49 percent to the country through the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation NNPC. On domestic LPG supply, the company said it has optimised the price of cooking gas from over N7000 in 2007 to less than N3, 500 per 12.5kg cylinder. Nigeria LNG, which has a plant for cooling natural gas into liquids for export on the country ’s Atlantic coast, is owned 49 percent by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corp., 26 percent by Royal Dutch Shell Plc, 15 percent by Total SA and 10 percent by Eni SpA. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

Battle against terrorism moves to social media

Isaiah Erhiawarien

he battle against terrorism has moved to the social media following the pledge by the United States of America to help Nigeria curb the activities to the insurgent group, Boko Haram. The social media have for long been used by terrorists in unleashing havoc on innocent citizens including government. Prominent among the social media tools used by terrorist are Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. According to Reuters report, the Senate Intelligence Committee of the USA has directed the operators of Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to notify federal authorities of online “terrorist activity ”. The types of communication include postings related to “explosives, destructive devices, and weapons of mass destruction ”. The main purpose was to give social media companies ’ additional legal protection if they report to the authorities on trafc circulated by their users, rather than coerce them to spy on users. The social media groups have been widely used by other militant groups such as Islamic State and Yemen-based Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to recruit members and circulate bomb-making instructions. In Nigeria, the terror of the

insurgent has been largely executed using the social media to broadcast their intimidation, particularly the Youtube. Boko Haram has extensively used the social media execute its reign of terror on the country. When it captured Gwoza villages last August, the insurgent used the social media to declare a caliphate, and because of the wide audience of the social media it didn ’t take long before the world got to know about it. According to Japheth Omojuwa, an outstanding Naij.com guest contributor, the social media has greatly benetted the insurgent noting that the social media may offer Boko Haram enormous reach of audience that knows no borders or nationalities. He stated that with the help of the Internet it gets unlimited access to impressionable young people sharing similar ideas adding that the social media would further promote Boko Haram ideology and beliefs. He said further that apart from launching its now suspended ofcial Twitter account in January, Boko Haram has been working with Afriqiyah Media, a jihadist site with a formal link to ISIS, to promote its social media agenda. He attributed the source of the use of social media to the hyper, which the media has given to them each time their

report surface in the social media adding that Twitter has not made things easy for Boko Haram. It would be recalled the Afriqiyah Media, a jihadist site with a formal link to ISIS announced the Boko Haram group ’s intention to align with

the self-proclaimed Caliph of the Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Recently, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director, John Brennan, in a speech in New York said that the social media and other technology are making it increasingly dif-

A11 27

cult to combat militants who are using such modern resources to share information and conduct operations. He said such communications heighten the challenge of dealing with diffuse threats and attacks across the world from groups like Islamic State, known also as ISIL, and others. “New technologies can help groups like ISIL coordinate operations, attract new recruits, disseminate propaganda, and inspire sympathisers across the globe to act in their name, ” Brennan said, using an acronym for the militant group that has taken hold in Syria and Iraq. “The overall threat of terrorism is greatly amplied by today ’s interconnected world, where an incident in one corner of the globe can instantly spark a reaction thousands of miles away; and where a lone extremist can go online and learn how to carry out an attack without ever leaving home, ” Brennan said. In Nigeria, the Boko Haram insurgents have used their Youtube channel to deliver several message, one of the most popular is the video of the Chibok Girls which today is still trends in the social and features on local television stations. The insurgents have since 2012 been using its Youtube channel to spread its message of terror and propaganda. In 2012, the group used a 15 minutes video a message to former President Goodluck Jonathan while in 2013 used the same medium to issue warning to the United States of America in two minutes video. When it was reported in the Nigerian media that its leader, Imam Abubakar Shekau has been executed by the Nigerian army, the insurgent through a two minutes video dispel the claim, and at the heat of the presidential election, the group again used a ve minutes video to campaign against the then president saying that he will not win the election. And aware of the power of the social media, the former president before the end of his tenure signed into the law the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention Bill. The new Act, which also covers cyber-terrorism seeks promote cyber security and the protection of computer systems and networks electronic communications, data and computer programs intellectual property and privacy rights. BC

A12 28

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

Airtel unveils unliminet data bundle Stories by Isaiah Erhiawarien

elecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria, has introduced Unliminet Data Bundle, a rst of its kind product that satises the data, voice and messaging needs of its customers. Unliminet is a voice, data and SMS bundle that keeps you connected to your network of family and friends on all channels. Unveiling the product at the Company ’s Headquarters in Lagos, Airtel ’s Senior Manager, Data Services , Uduak Ekpo –Ufot, explained that the new data is another innovation of the Telco in its commitment to continuously satisfy the desires of customers with a wide spectrum of options aimed at helping them connect without worries with loved ones. According to him, the Unliminet bundle is uniquely designed to address and satisfy the needs of customers, providing a bundle that never runs out; it keeps one

connected to all social media vices such as twitter, whatsapp, facebook BB and Instagram. Explaining the four tiers of the plan that never runs out, Uduak explained that the Unliminet bundle has the daily, weekly, monthly and monthly max options, pointing out that Unliminet Bundle allows customers to enjoy as much as 10MB data, 3 minutes and 3 SMS bonus on recharges of N200 daily, 60MB data, 60 minutes and 25 SMS bonus on recharges of N600 weekly. In addition, Unliminet bundle also offers 1GB data, 180 minutes and 100 SMS bonus on recharges of N3000 monthly, the telco also extend the bundle that never runs out by giving out 2GB data, 300 minutes and 100 SMS bonus on recharges of N5000 monthly max. Speaking further he said, “This product is another avenue for Airtel to provide its customers with the utmost best. ” “At Airtel, we aim to satisfy the needs of our consumers and we will continue

Kim

of the world ’s rst Curved SUHD TV to Nigerian consumers as well as the launch of its new range of Ultra High Denition televisions, said that Nigerian consumers now had the opportunity to purchase the new SUHD TV highlights the most rened television experience ever, with the adoption of the latest technology that users should expect from Samsung ’s smart TVs. He added: “The SUHD TV celebrates a major milestone in the UHD era, delivering superior picture quality with stunning contrast and strik-

with Esther Ozue (ozueesther@nationalmirroronline.net) 08059234648 (sms only)

What business leaders should know about Cloud Computing

Ekpo-Ufot

to do our utmost to meet and even exceed their wants. Innovation is our focus at Airtel, ” he said. Also at the event, Airtel Smart Icon, popular rap artist ‘Phyno ’ who doubles as the face of the product, urged Nigerians to embrace the product which is a smart way to keep family and friends together. The launch of Airtel Unliminet Bundle is a way of satisfying customer wants and enabling them chat without worries of running out of data. BC

Samsung invests $12bn in R&D, employs 6,000 PhD holders amsung Electronics West Africa has reiterated its commitment to be the market leader in Nigeria due to the investment of $12 billion in Research and Development (R&D), amongst other initiatives to deliver best products to its clients. The company ’s Managing Director, Brovo Kim, also said that about 6000 of its workforce earned doctorate degrees in addition to the number professional engineers and other management experts. Kim, who made the disclosure during the introduction

Technotalk

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ing brightness. Included in the product is the SUHD re-mastering engine which automatically analyses the brightness of images to minimise additional power consumption, whilst expressing excellent contrast levels. ” Kim explained that the SUHD TV nano-crystal semiconductor transmits different colours of light depending on their size in order to ensure the highest purity and light efciency available today saying that the technology provides for a wide range of more accurate colours, providing viewers with twice the adjustment points and 64 times more expression than conventional TVs, making it a game changer. SUHD TV ’s nano-crystal semi-conductor transmits different colours of light depending on their size in order to ensure the highest purity and light efciency available today. The technology provides for a wide range of more accurate colours, providing viewers with twice the adjustment points and 64 times more expression than conventional TVs. BC

loud computing is an important development in information technology that is being quickly and widely embraced by organisations of every size and industry. With all the recent attention given to cloud computing as a way to improve organisations ’ agility, exibility and cost competitiveness, there still are important concerns and issues that business leaders raise and want answers to. These range from questions about cloud security and immediate availability of critical data to how best to measure the economic benets of cloud computing. There are several reasons why business executives need to come up to speed quickly on the benets of cloud computing: Catalyst for economic improvement: Cloud can lower capital expenditures by moving responsibility for IT infrastructure off the organisation ’s nancial books to a trusted third party. Additionally, when properly implemented, cloud computing can lower operating expenses by reducing IT headcount, cutting costs on physical space for data centers, trimming power and eliminating many software license fees in favor of xed-price subscriptions. Improves organisational agility and exibility: By choosing to move more workloads to the cloud and away from the traditional on-premise computing model, organisations can ensure that their already busy and often stretched in-house staff can concentrate on transformative, business-changing projects instead of administrative tasks such as software installation, help desk inquiries and security patches. You are already on the public cloud: Have you sent/received mail via gmail? Do you have a facebook or linkedIn account? Have you used dropbox for le sharing purposes? If the answer to any of the questions above is a “YES ”, then you are a public cloud user already. Cloud computing has radically transformed our daily lives right from the way we communicate to the way information is shared. Youtube and google are testimony to the impact created by cloud on social interaction. Compliance and corporate governance: Compliance and governance now take up more time and attention for IT and business teams alike and the risks of being out of compliance or operating outside of corporate governance standards carry a heavy weight. Using an experienced cloud computing partner helps to share the burden for ensuring that all IT practices and data-handling procedures conform to industry and government requirements. Efcient way to future-proof the organisation ’s IT infrastructure: One of the biggest challenges in every budget cycle is soliciting and getting approval for new technology investments that are often required to modernise aging, inefcient technology. Since cloud computing often shifts the responsibility for new infrastructure to a cloud service provider, organisations are able to take advantage of new technology benets on a regular basis. Collaboration in the ecosystem: Cloud enables collaboration in the ecosystem and the breakdown of organisational silos to drive things collaboratively. With companies expanding and terabytes of information waiting to be shared, seamless, efcient, and fast collaboration is a necessary requirement. The business ecosystem consisting of partners, employees and most importantly, customers, are key stakeholders of communication. While email has been considered as the most convenient and widely used method of collaboration, other methodologies such as document sharing, voice interactions have also gained equal popularity. Cloud collaboration offers a low risk and high return on investment, through services such as web, video and voice conferencing. One of the primary drivers of cloud collaboration is the lowered cost associated with it. Companies are constantly striving to lower technology costs, without compromising on operational needs and spending too much on upfront costs. It also enables you get easy access to automatically updated software. Until a few years back, online cloud collaboration was restricted to outlook and exchange but today various other platforms are available. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

A13 29

Owolabi Kapo:

The jewellery merchant By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

orn to Nigerian parents whose roots are from Badagry, Lagos state, South-Africa based Thomas Owolabi Kapo, a renowned jeweler, teacher, founder and chief executive ofcer of Hyde Park, Johannesburg based Akapo Jewels Ltd, has emerged, in the last 38 years, a shining example of a classic entrepreneur who through sheer creativity, determination, hard work, restlessness spirit, clear head and far-sighted business strategies raised his company from ground level to an enviable international status. Born in May 1958, Labi is a gifted and artistic jeweler who has been all over the world and has worked with renowned jewelers such as Andrew Grima (Queens Court Jewelers), Universal Gem Trade and Alexis Jewelry Limited gaining the experience that has made him into the master craftsman he is today. Originally, his surname was Akapo, a name in Yoruba clan, which literarily means treasurer, or keeper of money, but his father had had to remove rst letter when he got to Europe to study. Labi kapo has never been afraid of taking risks and perhaps it has led him to a successful career in a eld not too difcult for people with his background. He is the rst black man of the executive board of the jury of manufacturer association and jury council of pan African. He has made customized hand craft jewelry to most of the top jewelry houses like Christies and Sotheby ’s all over the world. Most of his clients buy his products worth of tens of thousand dollars Imbued with humility and aggressiveness, popularly known as Labi Kapo, he has managed to beat all odds to survive in a turf mostly seen as the preserved of the Western companies. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, young Kapo was barely 10 months old when he left the shores of Nigeria when his parents decided to further their studies in Geneva. From there they moved to London where he grew up and received his education. Kapo had his primary school education at St. Mary and St.

Kapo

His entry into the entrepreneurial world was accidental. He got into the jewellery industry at the age of 17, after helping out at a jewellery shop that was short-staffed. But 35 years down the lane in the jewellery trade, having worked and did commissioned work for over 17 companies around the world, Thomas Owolabi Kapo is today not just an ordinary jeweler, he is a successful industrial icon, a quintessential entrepreneur and a master in the art of (model making and diamond mounting). Evidently, his story no doubt provides a motivational pull for aspiring entrepreneurs

Peters Primary school, Teddington, Middlesex while he later moved to Teddington Secondary Boys School still in Teddington, Middlesex for his high school education. Being a gifted boy, while right from childhood, he was discovered to have been very good at handcraft and hand skills, winning awards, unexpected circumstances had led him to such an expected career. His journey into the jewellery industry at the age of 17 was rather accidental, an act he described as being by chance and luck. He fell into the jewellery industry after helping out at a jewellery shop that was shortstaffed. “My chance came in the jewellery industry when I purchased an expensive beautifully-crafted watch from a friend who worked in a jewellery shop in Knightsbridge, London. I didn ’t have enough money to buy the watch outright so I made arrangements with my friend through his employer to pay in installments. “On making the nal payment, my friend was no longer in their employment. The directors of the jewellery shop, Mr and Mrs Peera, then asked me to help them in the shop. That was the beginning of my entry into the jewellery industry 38 years ago, in 1976. I specialise in bespoke and handmade jewellery, made to order. ” He had explained. Incidentally, after spending some time decided to further his education as he got a qualication in mechanical engineering, and so enlisted at Sir John Cass College in Aldgate, to begin to learn his craft. Having been trained by a rm of goldsmiths in Hatton Gardens, the diamond centre of the United Kingdom and jewellery centre of London, he later moved on to work for top London goldsmiths, Barry Stern Jewellery Limited. “At that time I would have been one of the rst Africans to work in the jewellery industry. That ’s going back to 1975 or 1 976, ” said Labi. Another renowned jeweller whom Labi worked for was Andrew Grima, a Court Jeweller for the Queen of England, who won a number of prestigious Diamonds International Awards for jewellery design. Kapo subsequently joined the industry, Continued on pg A14

Business Courage

doing commissions for private diamond companies within London, including Christie ’s and Sotheby ’s. However, having spent some years on the job as an employee, it was not surprising when Labi decided that he was convinced he could stand on his own. He decided to take a plunge as he established Akapo Jewels Ltd. Akapo Jewels serves the high end of the jewettery trade with specialised, hand-crafted work in 18-carat yellow and white gold, and platinum. Kapo is a master goldsmith, having learned the trade from goldsmiths in the jewellery centre of London. Akapo Jewels, according to Kapo is the only black or African company producing high-end jewellery at the moment producing ne, hand-crafted jewelery in avant-garde, antique and modern or cotemporary designs. The reality with the formation of Akapo Jewels in Johannesburg has offered him the opportunity to produce jewelry for top-end clients and also allowed him the space to train people from the continent to become top manufacturers. He considers himself fortunate to have worked with the likes of Andrewand Svetla Stevens of Greig and Stevens, leading producers of ne design jewellery. Since mid-2003 he had also produced handwork for the higher end of the market for Charles Greig Jewellers shops and designer jewellers Jenna Clifford. He had produced a range of jewellery for e 2004 African Mining Indaba. The range was also displayed at e opening of e new wing at 0R Thambo Intemational Airport, and en at First World African Jewellery in Rosebank. As he confessed however, he did not nd it quite as easy as he had thought. “It wasn ’t easy coming up through the ranks in London. In the 80s, I was able to do a tour of the workshops where I got to meet many elders with years of experience, in order to gain expertise. On some occasions I had to take a pay cut in order to acquire new skills. ” In 2002, after 25 years in the jewellery trade in London, the African goldsmith returned to the continent with his wife, Wumba, to pursue a common dream and open his own highend jewellery manufacturing business in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, a business that could train talented youngsters from Africa to become goldsmiths as good as the best London could offer. Then, a colleague of his who he was teaching in London went to South Africa rst, and then asked if he would be interested in coming down too, to look at the prospects of doing business together. “We spent three months here, but during the last two weeks of my stay I invited

‘

Monday, July 13, 2015

I have a passion for arts and craft I don ’t know how to describe it. What I have learnt and being told as well as what I have known all over the years is that it is quite disservice hoarding information. There is need to pass information across to the next generations

my wife down to have a look at opening a business. That was in 2002. I then returned alone in November 2002 to set up this business. My wife joined me with our children in December 2002. ” Getting to South Africa, he went ahead to set up a top shop in a plush suburb of Johannesburg. Within few years after establishing his feet in South Africa thus becoming a master of the craft and having dazzled millions of people all over the world with his work, the master craftsman decided to focus on on teaching the next generation Africans on how to benet from the continent ’s precious resources. “I have a passion for arts and craft I don ’t know how to describe it. What I have learnt and being told as well as what I have known all over the years is that it is quite disservice hoarding information. There is need to pass information across to the next generations. ” However, while admitting, it was not a bed of roses for him like every entrepreneur, he had little problem with start-up capital, he noted there was not any major difculties as such. “There was no much problem setting up our company here in Hyde Park, because we cater for private clients as well as teaching and training. We run

‘

A14 30

a college with full accreditation. Skills transfer is vital for African development. ” Being one of the few black goldsmiths in the industry, he admitted that there challenges. “Being one of the few black goldsmiths in the industry comes with its own challenges. There have been challenges from as far back as I can remember when I rst started training to become a goldsmith in London. The challenges here in South Africa are very similar to those in London. ” ‘The beneciation industry is small and can be very secretive. When we set up our company here, initially we were warmly welcomed. But when we got involved in transferring skills, we began to notice a change in attitude towards us. “One time a white colleague approached me and asked what I was teaching. I went through a list of different projects to express where we need to take the young people to become good goldsmiths. I was shocked to hear him say that some of the programmes I was teaching were a bit too advanced for black Africans. “Aren ’t they? ”, he asked. “What he wasn ’t aware of was that I had been teaching a “rainbow nation ” in my workshop and at the universities from the day I began teaching here in South Africa, and I always told

my students that I was teaching them to be better than me, and to be free of me, not the same as me, otherwise there would be no progress. I do not discriminate. Limitations in terms of skills cut across race, even though in South Africa blacks were deliberately excluded and need to be given more exposure. The important thing is the opportunity to learn and train. This is why education is extremely important. ” Kapo explained. As a teacher of crafts, Kapo ’s students are all over the globe. He lectures, on a part-time basis, in the manufacture of platinum jewellery at the University of Johannesburg and the Central University of Technology in the province of Free State. Anglo Platinumalso sponsors the annual platAfrica Competition for professional and jewellery design students. The objective remains to stimulate the jewellery industry by driving customer demand and then supporting the design and manufacturing, so that there are local people and industries that can meet that demand. Andrew Stevens of Greig and Stevens attests to the highly specialised nature of producing hand-crafted work serving the high end of the jewellery market. He estimates there to be, ’less than 100 individuals ” in South Africa capable of such work. Kapo is a member of the London Assay Ofce, the body charged with testing and hallmarking precious metals in the United Kingdom, and he is also involved with the University of Johannesburg where he is a lecturer in its Jewellery faculty. He played a prominent role when staff and students from the University ’s Jewellery Design Department helped raise R230 000 for the Nelson Mandela Foundation in July 2010 through an Anglo Platinum initiative. Kapo ’s broach, which auctioned for R100,000, expressed

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

freedom and was entitled Ibhabhathane (buttery). The project was aimed at raising funds and contributing to the long-term sustainability of the foundation as well as an opportunity to celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela. Until recently, he was the only black person on South Africa ’s Jewellery Manufacturers Association. Having seen the potentials deposited in him, in 2010, late former chairman, Alan Mair had invited him to become a member of the executive committee of the Jewellery Manufacturers ’ Association of South Africa, a branch of the Jewellery Council. He had become a member of the association not long after he made a very detailed buttery in platinum, which was auctioned at a charity event. The proceeds went to the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The buttery was set with diamonds, rubies and sapphires. He called the buttery Ibhabhathane. Last year, another black African was invited to join on the board of directors of the Jewellery Council. He is member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen Membership No A079751 member since January 1999, member of the London Assay Ofce Account No 29254 member since May 1980 all pieces made by him are struck by the Assay ofce with his mark TLK, (Thomas Labi Kapo) in the United Kingdom. He is also a member of the National Steering Committee of Jewellery, put together by the Mining Qualications Authority (MQA) and the Jewellery Council, member of the Executive Committee of the Jewellery Manufactures Association of South Africa, member of the ETQA Quality Assurance Sub Committee (MQA) Subject Matter Expert and Member of African Designers & Jewellery Organisation Steering Committee (ADJO). To Kapo, Africa is blessed with many resources especially metals and stones, which can be used to catalyse African development. “I am a goldsmith so I work with gold, platinum, silver, diamonds and all precious and semi-precious stones. Africa has truly been blessed. All the stones from the rubies, emerald, sapphires, tanzanite, etc, are spread throughout the whole continent. What Africans are missing is in the value chain. There is an urgent need for beneciation. The real benet does not go to Africans. ” He believes that at the highend of the jewellery industry, namely the handmade and what is internationally acceptable, it is without a doubt the whites run the show. “They have had a long head start, as black Africans could not enter the industry and were not taught skills at the high-end of jewellery design and manufacture in the old apartheid dispensation. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

A15 31

ThebuddingEntrepreneurs KLINIC

With Mamora Victor Mamora is a system thinker and advisor whose belief and activator leadership strengths are directed towards improving workers perspective for city and enterprise development.

e-mail: olusegunmamora@gmail.com

“T

rain up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. ” King Solomon David To an average person, the word, child, simply means someone below the age of adulthood or a minor who is below the legal age of responsibility or accountability. He might just be right. However, in this edition, I am more interested in the characteristics of a person child than the age. One of the characteristics of a child is that she is a person who does not have a ‘past. ’ What that would mean is that a child given birth and introduced into a family cannot be said to have done anything right or wrong on the rst day of birth and arriving the family. A child cannot be held responsibility for failure or success of domestic activities until the processes of familiarity with family activities. Another characteristic of a child is that he is a person whom everybody supports for growth. In every family, a child is given support for movement and until a child could walk, family members keep on training him. In both cases, the family institution took responsibility for the integration of a child into the family system so as for the child to add value to her immediate family and the society. It is so amazing for business leaders to expect inexperience staff to produce result without investing in training programmes and patience to integrate the employee into the business function. Usually it is an unrealistic expectation. An entree level employee has a common characteristic with a new born child. He has no history, past suc-

cess or failure on corporate job. She requires processes of support and training to be effective member of the enterprise. I remember the story of a farmer who went to his farm with his 3 year-old child for cultivation. After he cleared the weeds, he set it on re. But few metres away from the burning weeds was his child having fun with the seeds inside the bowl. As the ame from the re was reducing, the child had courage to move closer to him with the bowl of the seeds. The child realised the need to make decision for the ame to increase. As soon as the child got close to the burning weed, he poured the seeds into the re and the ame enhanced. There, the farmer lost all the seeds. Isn ’t it the same way many entrepreneurs leave their potentials business capitals in the hands of immature and untrained workers either because of cutting cost or fear of workers turnover. It is obvious that many entrepreneurs don ’t experience business improvement beyond the maturity of the employees and managers.

Invest in training your talents

‘

It is so amazing for business leaders to expect inexperience staff to produce result without investing in training programmes and patience to integrate the employee into the business function. Usually it is an unrealistic expectation

Truth is that business fund in the hand of babyminded workers is the most disastrous decision of any entrepreneur. It saps enterprise life, denies the business of improvement opportunity, and potential for contributing to domestic economic of the nation. If you recruit workers and neglect the importance of training them to operate in a deliberate and protable mode of action, then you increase the risk of business failure. Dear entrepreneur, training is an effective way to successfully integrate a worker into your business system for a realistic and measurable contribution. Invest in training your talents. So what does it mean to train?

discipline workers. Workers who are discipline to carry out business function in processes that produce result improve business. Training discipline workers for business result.

‘

BUSINESS

To train people means to initiate or discipline someone in a deliberate and protable mode of action. It means to discipline and integrate the mind of a person along a path that has produced desire result. Training is effective where both corporate vision and objective are clear to parties involve. How does training improve business? Training stimulates talent growth In every business the key function of people is decision making. People make decision that inuences your business activities and it either improves or depletes your net prot. Growth is a characteristic of healthy business and a reection of

Motivational Business Quotes

usiness is more exciting than any game. – Lord Beaverbrook

Let every man be respected as an individual and no man idolized. – Albert Einstein We are currently not planning on conquering the world. – Sergey Brin If it really was a no-brainer to make it on your own in business there ’d be millions of no-brained, harebrained, and otherwise dubiously brained individuals quitting their day jobs and hanging out their own shingles. Nobody would be left to round out the workforce and execute the business plan. – Bill Rancic

It takes more than capital to swing business. You ’ve got to have the A. I. D. degree to get by — Advertising, Initiative, and Dynamics. – Ren Mulford Jr. For all of its faults, it gives most hardworking people a chance to improve themselves economically, even as the deck is stacked in favor of the privileged few. Here are the choices most of us face in such a system: Get bitter or get busy. – Bill O ’ Reilly A man should never neglect his family for business. – Walt Disney The only limits are, as always, those of vision. – James Broughton BC

Training helps align talents to enterprise values Every enterprise is expected to have values that should be adhere to for the success of both near and long term corporate vision and mission. An example is a small size company with vision to be the world most respected Nigeria micronance bank. Her values are excellence, professionalism, integrity. It is expected that the talents to help in realising the corporate vision be well trained on the importance of excellent services and what it means to every job function. Training creates sustainable business culture Business culture is the belief, values, behavior and processes that constitutes a workers business function approach. It requires consistent training and application for a worker to align with values that form her behaviour for successful business dealings. Every business is expected to have her unique culture for successful business function. My encouragement is that you should plan training for your workers and especially new entrants. When people are offer training and constantly support to adapt it then chances are that your business will improve as the workers improve their ability to make effective decision. Train your staff in the technique they should apply and when they master it they will consistently apply it for business improvement. Be courageous! BC

A16 32

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ThebuddingEntrepreneurs

The Made-in-Nigeria brand ambassador His mission is to set up showrooms across the country to change the mind set of Nigerians and awaken the spirit of patriotism through the patronage of made-in –Nigerian suitcases and travelling bags. Today, Sunny Assenyi ’s mission is gradually being fulfilled through CEE-BELIEVE Ventures, his entrepreneurial endeavour, through which he markets high quality bags and suitcases that are proudly made in Nigeria, the only country with global standards for the industry in the whole of Africa

unny Assenyi, the CEO of CEE-BELIEVE Ventures, is a brand advocate of sort who preaches the gospel of seeing and believing in anything made-in-Nigeria. He started out as an employee through various sectors shoring up experiences that has helped him realise his dream of creating and promoting value through trade. Through a burning desire to take on new challenges, add value to trade and divine providence which guided his working career, Assenyi, today strikes the picture of a fullled man who is living his dream, thanks to his special distribution model, CEE-BELIEVE VENTURES that has become the ofcial face for high quality made- in -Nigeria suitcases and bags. “Having worked in the bags and cases manufacturing sector for eight years before setting up Cee-Believe, I realised that the impressive improvements by indigenous manufacturers of suitcases and bags with SON ’s NIS quality certication were not being properly appreciated by Nigerian traders and consumers, ” he said while explaining his motive behind his venture. He revealed that whereas, traders from neighbouring countries are buying these same products and selling them with pride, bearing made-in-Nigeria labels, the common practice among Nigerian traders is to buy these products and then replace their made-in-Nigeria labels with made-in-Japan or made-in-Italy labels before selling them to consumers. Assenyi ’s entrepreneurial passion, he told Business Courage, was honed during his working career across all sectors, with particular emphasis on Unilever, where he discovered his passion for trading. ”I had always loved trading but not just the normal trading but special trading in the sense that I had always wanted a type of trade that I would be adding value to, unlike when people just go to buy some certain things and start selling them the way they bought them without

making any effort to add value. “ He recounts that one of such opportunities came by way of a brief stint as a relief personal assistant to a renowned business icon, the late Chief Rufus Giwa, the then managing director, Lever Brothers Plc (now Unilever). Assenyi was seconded to Giwa ’s ofce when the substantive personal assistant was away on leave. Being a staff in the computer department at the time, he recalls certain personal traits that earned him the recommendation: “For you to get employed to work in the computer department, you must be, a go-getter, competent and meticulous with an eye for details and Chief Giwa must have seen all that in me. ” “The late Giwa was really very intelligent and businesslike, he doesn ’t play with his time and he dedicated much time and energy in planning before embarking on any business venture in order not to fail and I really cherished that as I was a rst hand witness of all the positive outcomes and I imbibed that attitude from him, ” he recalls. As it turned out, that trait became a major turning point in his mentality as he became exposed to the real intrigues of business from a mogul ’s perspective. “When I nished my relief duties and went back to the computer department, I discovered that I could now easily surmount the challenges of the department because of the way of doing things which I had imbibed from the MD and it also made me to realize that I had somehow outgrown the challenges having being exposed to the real intrigues behind the company ’s business operations and management network. ”. He said that when it came to the notice of management that he had other qualities that could be effectively tapped beyond his normal duties, he was moved to the training department to run computer appreciation courses for middle managers and ofcers. The astonishing and remarkable thing about Assenyi is that he was not even a certied com-

Assenyi

puter literate person but somehow, he knew so much about the computer. Having started out as an employee in the computer library section, he did not trie with the opportunity as he used it propitiously to study the manuals on computer appreciation

and before long, he became so acquainted with the contents of materials in the library to the point where the professionals in the computer department found his knowledge invaluable and relied on him to know where to nd solutions for troubleshooting in the section. And so he

gained prociency by his pragmatic virtue and his desire to improve himself and add value to the organisation. “Back then in the late ‘80s, working with computers were very daunting because there were no automated programmes as you would nd today. You had to write and execute programmes yourself and it must be done to perfection otherwise, your job will be at stake, ” he recollects. With the basic knowledge, Assenyi later did a computer correspondent course with IBM and received an award for introducing a new aspect into their word processing manual. Armed with that experience, he picked up another job as the Personal Assistant to the managing director of a mortgage bank, the defunct New Era Mortgage bank where again he would not be conned to a particular role, as he assisted the operations manager in solving computer related issues. His passion for trading according to him had been stoked at the Lagos and Niger shipping agency, owners of Goldstar Line, an Israeli company that were into the importation of sh, rice and salt during the era of essential commodities in the country. “Being privileged to work with the top management, I was able to see some of the prices of

Management Principles

Principles of entrepreneurship

ho can become an entrepreneur? There is no one denitive prole. Successful entrepreneurs come in various ages, income levels, gender, and race. They differ in education and experience. But research indicates that most successful entrepreneurs share certain personal attributes, including: creativity, dedication, determination, exibility, leadership, passion, self-condence, and “smarts. ” *Creativity is the spark that drives the development of new products or services or ways to do business. It is the push for innovation and improvement. It is continuous learning, questioning, and thinking outside of prescribed formulas. *Dedication is what motivates the entrepreneur to work hard, 12 hours a day or more, even seven days a week, especially in the beginning, to get the endeavour off the ground. Planning and ideas must be joined by hard work to succeed. Dedication makes it happen. *Determination is the extremely strong desire to achieve success. It includes persistence and the ability to bounce back after rough times. It persuades the entrepreneur to make the 10th phone call, after nine have yielded nothing. For the true entrepreneur, money is not the motivation. Success is the motivator; money is the reward. *Flexibility is the ability to move quickly in response to changing market needs. It is being true to a dream while also being mindful of market realities. A story is told about an entrepreneur who started a fancy shop selling only French pastries. But customers wanted to buy mufns as well. Rather than risking the loss of these customers, the entrepreneur modied her vision to accommodate these needs. *Leadership is the ability to create rules and to set goals. It is the capacity to follow through to see that rules are followed and goals are accomplished. *Passion is what gets entrepreneurs started and keeps them there. It gives entrepreneurs the ability to convince others to believe in their vision. It can ’t substitute for planning, but it will help them to stay focused and to get others to look at their plans. *Self-condence comes from thorough planning, which reduces uncertainty and the level of risk. It also comes from expertise. Self-condence gives the entrepreneur the ability to listen without being easily swayed or intimidated. * “Smarts ” consists of common sense joined with knowledge or experience in a related business or endeavour. The former gives good instincts, the latter, expertise. Many people have smarts they don ’t recognize. A person who successfully keeps a household on a budget has organizational and nancial skills.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

A17 33

ThebuddingEntrepreneurs what they were bringing in and how much they were selling them and the prot margin was so much that I said to myself that one day, I would also want to be in business because I saw what they were getting from just one consignment, ” he said. Even in the mortgage bank, his air for creating value saw him interacting with customers in the bank identifying their needs despite not being in the marketing department and when later the bank issued a policy permitting every other ofcer of the bank to earn commissions from bringing in customers, he engaged in it and even though he was doing it on part-time basis (after working hours and during weekends) it netted him enough money to buy a car. He exited the banking sector still in his pursuit for establishing his own business and also to add value to the society. He worked at Jaidab Nigeria Ltd, importers of locksets and his experience in the bank helped him in negotiating better banking rates for the company. After that, he worked at a plastics manufacturing company before nally moving to J. Jumac Nigeria Ltd, a foremost manufacturer of suitcases and bags which happens to be the last place he worked as an employee before he eventually set out to launch his dream of entrepreneurship. At Jumac, Assenyi was initially assisting the chief executive in his oversight functions but as usual, his ability and gift to bring more value to any organization where he works soon got him being assigned and trusted with other portfolios to oversee besides his primary responsibil-

ity, this time he was drafted into the marketing team. At the time he joined the company, the company was only into importation and when the company opened its rst production line in 2005, he was also drafted to oversee production when the initial factory manager seemed overwhelmed by the demands of running the factory. Assenyi reveals that his secret in carrying out any function assigned to him successfully was based on his disposition towards challenges. “Whatever I am given to do, I do it happily because one thing with me is that, whatever I am doing, even if the pay is not up to what I should receive, I believe that God is seeing my contribution and that he will surely reward me one day. ” While at Jumac, he was privileged to be selected as the only person from the organised private sector to accompany a work group from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to China on an expedition to put nishing touches to the formulation of guiding standards under the NIS for all suitcases and bags to be produced in the country to meet global requirements. He disclosed that prior to going to China SON has gone to different countries in Africa like Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania to study their standards for suitcases and bags only to discover that there was no existing quality standards in any African country. “The standards for manufacturing suitcases and bags that we have come up with now are the

Employment, education, and life experiences all contribute to smarts. Every entrepreneur have these qualities in different degrees. But what if a person lacks one or more? Many skills can be learned. Or, someone can be hired who has strengths that the entrepreneur lacks. The most important strategy is to be aware of strengths and to build on them. What leads a person to strike out on his own and start a business? Perhaps a person has been laid off once or more. Sometimes a person is frustrated with his or her cur-rent job and doesn ’t see any better career prospects on the horizon. Sometimes, a person realizes that his or her job is in jeopardy. A rm may be contemplating cutbacks that could end a job or limit career or salary prospects. Perhaps, a person already has been passed over for promotion. Perhaps, a person sees no opportunities in existing businesses for someone with his or her interests and skills. Some people are actually repulsed by the idea of working for someone else. They object to a system where reward is often based on seniority rather than accomplishment, or where they have to conform to corporate culture. Other people decide to become entrepreneurs be-cause they are disillusioned by the bureaucracy or politics involved in getting ahead in an established business or profession. Some are tired of trying to promote a product, service, or way of doing business that is outside the mainstream operations of a large company. In contrast, some people are attracted to entrepreneurship by the advantages of starting a business. These include: *Entrepreneurs are their own bosses. They make the decisions. They choose whom to do business with and what work they will do. They decide what hours to work, as well as what to pay and whether to take vacations. *Entrepreneurship offers a greater possibility of achieving signicant nancial rewards than working for someone else. *It provides the ability to be involved in the total operation of the business, from concept to design and creation, from sales to business operations and customer response. *It offers the prestige of being the person in charge. It gives an individual the opportunity to build equity, which can be kept, sold, or passed on to the next generation. * Entrepreneurship creates an opportunity for a person to make a contribution. Most new entrepreneurs help the local economy. Some people evaluate the possibilities for jobs and careers where they live and make a conscious decision to pursue entrepreneurship. No one reason is more valid than another; none guarantee success. However, a strong desire to start a business, combined with a good idea, careful planning, and hard work, can lead to a very engaging and protable endeavour. BC

Personal Finance Firing your entrepreneurial spirit

Assenyi

only standards available for manufacturing suitcases and bags in the whole of Africa. ” “Today, as I speak to you, I not only know how to test for quality in suitcases and bags but also how to operate the testing machines and that was the essence of the training we had in China and once in a while, I join the SON staff to carry out quality testing in some factories in the country, ” he disclosed. Today, proudly selling and distributing made in Nigeria bags and suitcases has besides the huge nancial potential that Assenyi is tapping from has also given him that sense of belonging and patriotism because according to him, made-in -Nigeria bags are fast selling products in trade expos across the continent, a factor which he said has boosted the export potential of the commodity. The only downside surprisingly is that, the same level of patriotism is not being exhibited by majority of Nigerians with tastes for imported products from Europe. Ironically, Assenyi disclosed that because of the ban on importation of the commodity, clever marketers replace made in Nigeria logos with made in Italy or France logos and the same Nigerians who refuse to patronise anything made in Nigeria end up purchasing them happily though unknowingly. Assenyi, plans to open another outlet soon in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom and eventually it is his dream that CEE-BELIEVE outlets will be in all the six geo-political zones in the country. Today, he is successfully bridging a gap between high quality, manufactured made in Nigeria bags and suitcases on the one hand and patriotic Nigerians who are wary of proliferated substandard products. Assenyi revealed that during the course of rendering this patriotic service to Nigerians he has dealt with about two cases of defective parts which he said is common in all manufacturing processes. “I want people to have condence in what is Nigerian and what I am selling today is different from what is obtainable in the open market. I set out to create a niche that is why I market only made in Nigeria and it has so much value to offer and actually, it may not be cheap but I guarantee quality and satisfaction for customers, ” he said. BC

he best way to achieve success in life is to re your own entrepreneurial spirit. For you to succeed, you need to have strong mindset of creating something. When you create your own business, you have some advantages over a business that you don ’t even know whether you can be sacked today or at any time. Or you are already on a level with a fat salary and you now nd yourself on the roads again, it is very disappointing. One thing is that, even if you are working, you can start a kind of business that you have passion for. If you have passion for it, your interest would be there. So, by the time you are no longer working, you will have something to fall back to. You can never be independent when someone has the power to tell you how many hours you must work, how long a vacation you may have and even as it happens in many cases- what kind of clothes you may or may not wear!. The man who has the brain and energy to get to the top in a big company and earn a “fat ” salary could very likely become a millionaire were he to apply that energy and brain power to his own business. Nobody get rich working for others- Be your own master: When a man works for others, he is merely helping to make his employers rich, which he does at the sacrice of his own independence. There is only one way to achieve independence and the opportunities that go with it and that is to be your own MASTER. A lot has already been said on how to curb unemployment. Many theories have been propounded, position papers written. We are not short of orators. But none has actually showed what could be done. Do what you love, the money will follow: Many people live the nine-to-ve world because they simply don ’t have the passionate for what they do. It can be very difcult to keep working at a dead-end job simply to pay the bills. However, when you choose to own your own business, you can follow your passions. Do you love to work with kids? Then you can start your own home daycare. Do you have a air for graphic design? Indulge your creativity by starting your own graphic design rm. The possibilities are endless. Studies show that you are more likely to stick with a edgling business, even through the roughest start-up period, if you are doing what you love. That ’s why a home-based business can become your barrier against the recession. If you love what you are doing, you will stick with it – even through the roughest periods. In the end, doing what you love can bring about nancial peace and stability. Invest in your own future: If the recession has taught us anything, it ’s that you can no longer trust a company to look out for your nancial future. How many members of the baby boomer generation saw their retirement savings cut to the bone or wiped out completely in the past few years? How many hard-working people have had to delay retirement for the foreseeable future? When you own your own business, all of your hard work is invested in your future. Every success goes directly to your own pocketbook. You control how your money is invested. You can put it back into the business, into retirement account, or invest it as you see t. No longer will your efforts be frittered away by greedy corporate CEOs or inept management practices. Owning your own business is the surest way to seize control of your nancial future. Set your own pace: One of the most fullling parts of owning your own home based business is that you nally have the exibility to set your own hours. If you are a stay-at-home mom with small children, you can work around their nap schedules. If you are caring for an elderly parent, you can accomplish a great deal by working around his or her care schedule. It ’s even possible to work simply when you feel the most alert. For example, some people are night owls and get a great deal accomplished after midnight; others feel the most prolic in the early morning hours. When you become your own boss, you no longer have to adhere to a rigid schedule that ’s determined by someone else. You don ’t have to ask anyone ’s permission to head to the doctor ’s ofce or stay home with your kids. This means you can work when you feel like you can accomplish the most. That ’s what keeps you on track — not only that, but it can be the best way to balance work and family. No matter what reason nally prompts you to seek out a work from home career, you can seize control of your nancial future and begin building wealth when you do so. Seek out an education programme that will help you to learn how best to preserve your wealth and nd your career calling that will keep you engaged for the rest of your life. It ’s the best way to recessionproof your earnings. BC

A18 34

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Behind d Wheels This page is open to sponsorship

Adejuwon Osunnuyi

oosting the SUV market, a South Korea ’s new crossover, the Hyundai Creta, has been unveiled in India, a month after the manufacturer announced the production of the subcompact SUV. The Creta marks Hyundai ’s entry into a growing SUV segment with strong product offering boosting the Hyundai ’s product lineup to a robust 10 product portfolio. Hyundai is set to redene the SUV segment with its globally acclaimed and much appreciated “uidic sculpture 2.0 ” design, superior driving dynamics, high end safety features along with robust body structure, multiple powertrain options and engineering that has gone into the making of Creta, according to autoblog.com. The online auto journal reports the Managing Director

and Chief Executive Ofcer, Hyundai Motor India Limited, Mr. BS Seo, as saying, “The Creta is the most awaited and inspirational SUV of the year and would be a revolutionary product in the Hyundai portfolio. The global SUV Creta will herald a new chapter in Hyundai Motor India ’s success story and will set a new benchmark in the SUV segment of India with unmatched capabilities. ” The Creta, Hyundai says, is “simple and easy to remember ” and is derived from the Greek island of Crete, historically a “focal point for Greece ’s global prowess in trade and culture. ” Creta also “deliberately evokes welcome similarities with the term ‘creative ’ and draws on positive associations with the Mediterranean island of Crete, which is famed for combining a relaxed and tranquil environment with a vibrant, energetic approach to outdoor

activities. ” The Creta ’s design is said to have a premium look, based on Hyundai ’s evolved design philosophy. It looks like the Hyundai Tucson ’s little brother, an online auto journal, Car and Driver, says in its review,

adding however that while some subcompact crossovers look more expressive than their larger siblings —the Nissan Juke, Jeep Renegade, and Chevrolet Trax come to mind —the Creta looks banal and dated.

It provides some of its striking features: “The Creta will be powered by a choice of three engines, two diesels and a 1.6-litre gas engine with 121 horsepower. Standard and available features include 17-inch wheels, LED position-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

A19 35

Behind d Wheels This page is open to sponsorship

Autocare Early warning signs of tire failure

vehicle ’s tires play a crucial role in a car ’s safety. As the only parts of the car that physically touch the ground, they are one of the key factors affecting a vehicle ’s handling and braking, and overall highway safety. What steps can you take to ensure that your tires stay in optimal condition? Performing regular checks is quick and easy, and a worthwhile investment of time in your and your family ’s safety.

ing lights, leather seats, and rear-seat air vents, steeringwheel audio controls, and other stuff we sort of take for granted over here but may not be as common in India. Hell, airbags aren ’t that common in India, but the Creta has those, too. “Fluidic sculpture 2.0 design philosophy carries forward the highly acclaimed uidic design theme in a more rened manner thus lending a modern and premium touch. It stands for futuristic and unique design expression, yet it remains uncompromised on comfort and strength. An SUV with a unique and innovative form, Creta represents a complete package of style and performance. ” The Hyundai Public Relations Manager, Jim Trainor, provides a hint about taking the new vehicle to other markets told us. He says it is fair to say that something along the lines of the Creta is being considered for other markets including the United States.

“We hope that when and if such a vehicle arrives, it will look more like Hyundai ’s cool Intrado concept and less like what we see here. A bit more power wouldn ’t hurt, too, ” he says. Engine and transmission The Creta is equipped with the most powerful yet efcient powertrain and is available with a choice of petrol 1.6 Dual VTVT and U2 1.4 CRDi & U2 1.6 CRDi VGT diesel engines. The engines have been tuned for best performance and high fuel efciency. The six speed manual and automatic transmission (in 1.6 CRDi VGT) will offer the customers a blend of high performance and enhanced driving pleasure. The powerful 1.6 Gamma Dual VTVT petrol engine offers 123 PS power with high fuel efciency. Safety Autoblog says the body shell of Creta has been designed and developed with

advanced engineering techniques and usage of high quality material like ultrahigh tensile steel so as to ensure best in class body rigidity, structural strength and crash performance. The ‘ hive structure ’ of the Creta offers a robust yet lightweight body structure with strong dynamics and enhanced safety. Its body shell scores high on overall strength and rigidity and is set to be a new benchmark for this segment. The Creta features a revolutionary ultra-high tensile steel body structure that enables the SUV to signicantly enhance both performance and efciency. The ring-structure frame design provides a signicant increase in body stiffness, which contributes to more precise handling while maintaining a superb ride quality. This enhances safety and protection by adding strength, rigidity and durability. The CRETA has outstanding NVH characteristics by the use of enhanced sound absorption materials and improved engineering design of engine, transmission and body structural parts. “Multiple measures have been taken to contain the NVH to barely perceptible trace levels like higher thickness of dash panel, anti-vibration pads on oor panel, optimization of central oor tunnel area rigidity, etc, ” the reviewer notes.

Trouble signs to look for Visually inspect your tires on a regular basis. If you note any of the following early warning signs, have a professional inspection performed, check and correct items that may be causing the condition, or replace your tires. • Cracking or cuts in the sidewalls. • Uneven tread wear. This can be caused by improper ination, misaligned wheels, damaged tires, or by problems with suspension parts. • Excessively worn tread. Most modern tires have tread-wear indicator bars running across the tread, which signal the minimum allowable tread depth of 1/16-inch. When the tread wears down to these bars, it ’s time for new tires. Inexpensive tread-wear gauges are available at autoparts and tire stores. • Alternatively, you can use a Lincoln-head penny as a tread-wear indicator. Insert the penny into a tire groove with Lincoln ’s head toward the tire. If you can see the top of Abe ’s head, the tread is too worn. • Bulges or blisters. If you see a bulge or blister on the sidewall, replace the tire at once. These signal potential weak spots that could lead to tire failure. • Excessive vibration. Tire vibration may be a sign a wheel is misaligned, unbalanced, or bent. It could also signify internal tire damage. Don ’t ignore vibration: Have the vehicle serviced at once. The problem of underination Surveys have shown that as many as half the cars on the road may be riding on one or more underinated tires. Part of the problem is that tires lose air through the rubber and at interfaces with the wheel and valve, sometimes so slowly that many people don ’t realize it has happened. Seasonal temperature changes may also cause the tire pressure to drop. Because the sidewall exes more at lower tire pressures, underination compromises the driving control that a tire is designed to provide. Even a small pressure loss —such as 4 psi —can affect a car ’s handling, making it harder to control. It can also make the ride softer and the car wallow. In addition, underinated tires lower a vehicle ’s fuel economy, which can cost you more money at the pump. A sidewall that exes too much can also cause heat to build up excessively, which can shorten a tire ’s life and possibly lead to a tread separation or blowout. Tire-ination maintenance tips • Don ’t judge the pressure by eyeballing a tire. Modern radial tires bulge slightly, making them look a little underinated, even when they ’re not. • At least once a month, use a tire gauge to check the pressure in all four tires and the spare. A tire-pressure gauge is available for as little as $3 to $5 at auto-parts stores. • Set the tires to the automaker ’s recommended tire pressure. This is printed on a placard in the car, either on a doorjamb, the fuel-ller door, or on the inside of the glovecompartment lid. Don ’t go by the “maximum ination pressure ” imprinted on the tire. If your car has a limited-service spare, also check that it ’s inated to the pressure specied on the placard —usually 60 psi. • Measure the pressure with the tires cold, before they ’ve been driven more than a mile or two. As the vehicle is driven, the tires heat up and the pressure rises, which makes it more difcult to set them to the correct cold-tire pressure BC

A20 36

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGULATORS

The Nigerian Ports Authority: Past,

Present, Future By Sesan Onileimo

istorians believe that port operations and development in Nigeria began in the middle of the 19th century and that efforts towards the provision of facilities for ocean-going vessels actually started with the opening of Lagos Lagoon in the early 1900. But the Nigerian Ports Authority says that the Port Harcourt Port was conceptualised on the discovery of coal in Enugu and that the port was subsequently opened for the business in 1913. The completion of the railway line in Enugu in 1916 resulted in the development of four units of 20foot long berths at the Port Harcourt Port to expedite the exploitation and eventual exportation of coal on one hand and the support of importation of goods on the other hand. NPA was at a point in its developmental history, given the status of a Public Liability Company, PLC, albeit, only in name. However, in 2006, the Federal Government initiated the drive towards improving efciency at the nation ’s seaports and the landlord model was adopted. This gave rise to the concession of the 25 port terminals to private terminal operators with lease agreement ranging from 10-25 years. Prior to port concession, turnaround time for ships was too long and usually calculated in weeks, sometime months, depending on the cargo type. Cargo handling plants and equipment that were owned by the NPA were few and mostly unserviceable, leading to shipping companies hiring these machines from private sector sources, that is after paying NPA for such services. As a result of these problems, Nigerian seaports were rated as one of the costliest seaports in the world. Therefore, in all its years, the 2006 port concession is arguably the real watershed in the history of the Nigerian Ports Authority. As mentioned earlier, even though many options had been tried in the past, including commercialisation and even outright privatisation, it was the 2006 concession that gave Nigeria the new NPA that stakeholders are apparently proud of today. The port concession is a bold move to reposition NPA and make it a competitive enterprise, with a knack for efcient service delivery. The exercise was also meant to turn NPA into an enterprise that will yield more revenue into government coffers through improved vessel calls and an enhanced cargo throughout.

To a large extent, this has been achieved. For instance the highest cargo throughput before the concession was a mere 46,150,518 metric tonnes. This soared to a staggering 76,886,997 metric tonnes in 2013, and by 2014, it had increased to 86,603,903 metric tonnes. Most of the terminals have also grown their throughput by about 250 per cent. While Chief Adebayo Sarumi is reputed as the father of the new NPA, having successfully piloted the reform process that led to ceding of certain aspects of NPA ’s operations to the private sector, successive chief executives have also kept the tempo of the new NPA. Succeeding Chief Sarumi was Mallam Abdusalam Mohammed, whose most pressing challenge was to ensure that the ship of port concession did not miss its course nor sink. In all sincerity, he tried to strike a balance between the old order and the new NPA, where entrenched interests of the union, the new terminal operators, the shipping line agents and the larger stakeholders became an issue. It was during the post-port concession challenges characterised by frequent labour-related crisis that another Chief Executive Ofcer, in the person of Engr. Omar Suleiman was appointed in December 2010. His appointment was widely accepted by stakeholders, as he was seen as an insider who has also traversed the nation ’s ports system, a home grown CEO, who joined NPA immediately after his university education. Though he spent only about 18 months as the CEO, he is still credited with lots of achievements; including of stabilising the port system and putting concession on a stronger footing. A graduate in Building Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Omar Suleiman joined the services of the NPA as an engineer at the Delta Ports, Warri, in 1984. His last posting before his appointment as the CEO was General Manager in charge of Capital Projects, having been Port Manager of Onne Port at a time the and also NPA ’s overseas representative in London. Suleiman also holds an MSC degree in Material & Construction Engineering from the University of Nigeria Nsukka; a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Science as well as an Advanced Certicate in Port Concession & Reform from Wayne University, USA. He is a member of Nigerian Institute of Building, Computer Society of Belgium and the International Who ’s Who of Profession-

Ibrahim

Ado Bayero

als, USA. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Nigeria. As a former General Manager, Capital Projects, Suleiman on appointment as CEO, understood the importance of such project and so devoted time to massive infrastructure rehabilitation, repairs and maintenance of buildings, buoys, channels, among others. Signicant projects such as the Lagos harbour moles, quay wall and apron, installation of marine fenders in Zone 1,2 and 3 were carried out. Other capital projects embarked upon included: rehabilitation of Port Harcourt port road network and water supply, connection of Onne Port to National Grid (33KVA) from FOT Junction to Main Gate of Federal Terminal, rehabilitation of Julius Berger Terminal ‘C ’ Old Port Warri ,Delta State, reconstruction of Perimeter Fence at Warri Port, dredging of Escravos-Warri-Aladja to Koko Channel in the Warri Pilotage District. Conscious that Green Field is the next phase of development,

Omar Suleiman introduced a programme of developing deep sea ports in Nigeria,. This accelerated the vision for Ibaka and Lekki Deep Seaports. Suleiman prompted thenGovernor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State to issue the Certicate of Occupancy for the over 5580 Sq meters of land area for the port to NPA as well as the master plan. The Ibaka Deep Sea Port as envisioned by Engr Omar Suleiman is to be the hub of oil and gas operation in the Gulf of Guinea. The port is said to be between 17 and 18 meters draught without dredging and its quay area is expected to span over two kilometres. It is designed to accommodate mega vessels of over 10,000 TEUs. For the workers, Suleiman demonstrated uncommon love for employees, including retirees. It is to his credit that while he was the helmsman, NPA paid the entitlements that were accruable to its workers who had been disengaged about 21 years ago. NPA manifested as a successful business entity with high

returns on investments under Suleiman as the CEO, when he remitted a whopping N29bn into the Federation Account in 2011; a feat yet unparalleled in the organisation ’s history. Stakeholders were not left out in celebrating Suleiman ’s short but impactful stunt. One of those who eulogised him is the Managing Director, Olive Shipping, Mr. Pious Gabriel who described him as an experienced professional, who was t to hold the position. He queried why he was “removed suddenly by the government without telling Nigerians the reason ”. He conrmed that Suleiman added value to the port industry during his short tenure. Also, President, Association of the Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, described his removal as ‘shocking ’. “Although, the government has not given any reasons for his removal, his new 25-year-Master Plan for the port industry, which he has pursued vigorously, was one of his greatest achievements, ” he said. While reacting to the unexpected removal of Suleiman as NPA CEO, chairman, Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria STOAN, Princess Vicky Hastrrup described him as one who understands the challenge of his ofce and also pursued it with determination and doggedness. “He understands the port system and this shows in how he took up his assignment, the ports fared better under him and terminal operators saw in him one person who was able to stabilize all ” Since the exit of Suleiman, NPA has had Alhaji Habib Abdualhi and lately, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero. The way forward for the agency is to devote ample time and resources to the actualisation of deep sea port projects, especially the ones in Lekki in Lagos and Ibom (Ibaka) in Akwa Ibom. It should also keep an eye on the proposed Badagry port. Most of the countries in the West African sub-region are building ports that can berth vessels with capacity for 14,000 containers. Stiff competition for hub status is expected from West and Central African coast from Mauritania to Angola. This maritime axis is one of the few regions of the world with a dominant hub distribution port. Nigerian ports and its handlers especially its subsequent CEOs should emulate the strategy of Engr Omar Suleiman, who within such a short time was able to actualise the post-concession dream where service providers and users are happy. BC Sesan Onileimo, a shipping expert writes from Lagos.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

A21 37

Stock market last week Equities turnover of 1.264 billion shares worth N15.770bn in 17,016 deals were traded last week by investors on the oor of The Exchange in contrast to a total of 1.269 billion shares valued at N17.570bn that exchanged hands the previous week in 18,993 deals. The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 831.925 million shares valued at N8.924bn traded in 9,602 deals; thus contributing 65.81 per cent and 56.59 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Natural Resources Industry followed with a turnover of 210.046 million shares worth N105.218m in 14 deals. The third place was occupied by Oil and Gas Industry with 59.600 million shares worth N1.418bn in 1,632 deals. Trading in the Top Three Equities namely –Zenith International Bank Plc.; Multiverse Plc and Access Bank Plc., (measured by volume) accounted for 604.019 million shares worth N5.590bn in 2,322 deals, contributing 47.78 per cent and 35.45 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

NSE trading hall

ETPs: Also traded during the week were a total of 1,430 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N586,558.50 executed in 17 deals compared with a total of 9,630 units valued at N734,568.22 transacted last week in 22 deals. Retail Bonds A total of 500 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N508,788.04m were traded last week in one deal compared with a total 1,692 units valued at N1.753m transacted last week in three deals. Index Movement The NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalization de-

preciated by 2.49 per cent to close on Friday at 31,729.26 and N10.836trn respectively. Similarly, all the Indices nished lower during the week, with the exception of NSE Insurance Index that closed higher by 1.26 per cent. Summary Of Price Changes Nineteen equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than 33 equities of the preceding week. Fifty equities depreciated in price, higher than 36 equities of the preceding week, while 124 equities remained unchanged, the same as 124 equities recorded in the preceding week. BC

Market Indicators for Week Ended 13-07-15 All-Share Index 31,768.23 points Market Capitalization 10,844,427,245,760.13

NASD OTC REPORT 1 OUTSTANDING OFFERS AND BIDS ON NASD OTC Outstanding deals since May, 2015. Security SD ACORN PETROLEUM PLC SD ARM LIFE PLC SD ARM PROPERTIES PLC SD AFRILAND PROPERTIES PLC SD BGL PLC SD CAPPA AND D'ALBERTO PLC SD CENTRAL SECURITIES CLEARING SYSTEM PLC SD DUFIL PRIMA FOODS PLC SD FRIESLAND CAMPINA WAMCO NIGERIA PLC

Industry Oil & Gas Financials Financials Financials Financials Industrials Financials Consumer Goods Consumer Goods

SD FOOD CONCEPTS PLC

Consumer Services

SD FUMMAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES PLC SD GEO-FLUIDS PLC SD GOLDEN CAPITAL PLC SD INDUSTRIAL & GENERAL INSURANCE PLC SD JAIZ INTERNATIONAL PLC SD NIGER DELTA EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION PLC

Consumer Goods Industrials Financials Financials Financials Oil & Gas

SD PARTNERSHIP INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC SD RESOURCERY PLC SD RIGGS VENTURES WEST AFRICA PLC SD SPRING MORTGAGE PLC SD SWAP TECHNOLOGIES AND TELECOMMS PLC

Financials Technology Industrials Financials Technology Financials

RUSTRUSTBOND MORTGAGE BANK PLC

Nominal value (േ) 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.00 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Last Offer Date 6-Jul-15 8-Jul-15 8-Jul-15 10-Jul-15 25-Jun-15

Offers Volume offered Last Offer Price Last Bid Price 657,000 0.88 0.50 2.69 50,000.00 80.00 15,000 6.00 5.37 9.51 11,147 327.75 280.01 750,000.00 0.85 -

0.50 0.50 0.50 1.00 10.00 0.50

7-Jul-15 14-May-15 9-Jul-15 24-Jun-15

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.00

24-Jun-15 4-Jun-15 2-Jul-15

1,795,899.00 50,000 224,980.00 2,336,000 991,280.00 5,386,800 3,262,650.00

2 DEMATERIALISATION AND CUMULATIVE TRADE IN OTC SECURITIES 10-Jul-15

Security SD ACORN PETROLEUM PLC SD ARM LIFE PLC SD ARM PROPERTIES PLC SD AFRILAND PROPERTIES PLC SD BGL PLC SD CAPPA AND D'ALBERTO PLC SD CENTRAL SECURITIES CLEARING SYSTEM PLC SD DUFIL PRIMA FOODS PLC SD FRIESLAND CAMPINA WAMCO NIGERIA PLC SD FOOD CONCEPTS PLC SD FUMMAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES PLC SD GEO-FLUIDS PLC SD GOLDEN CAPITAL PLC SD INDUSTRIAL & GENERAL INSURANCE PLC SD JAIZ INTERNATIONAL PLC SD NIGER DELTA EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION PLC SD PARTNERSHIP INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC SD RESOURCERY PLC SD RIGGS VENTURES WEST AFRICA PLC SD SPRING MORTGAGE PLC SD SWAP TECHNOLOGIES AND TELECOMMS PLC RUSTRUSTBOND MORTGAGE BANK PLC

Industry Oil and Gas Financials Financials Financials Financials Industrial Financials Consumer Goods Consumer Goods Consumer Services Consumer Goods Industrial Financials Financials Financials Oil and Gas Financials Technology Industrial Financials Technology Financials

1.20

0.60 0.85 220.00 1.00

0.18 0.80 -

0.53 2.16 0.92

0.81 -

Bids Volume Bidded Last Bid Date 100 8-Jul-15 1,504,900 8-Jul-15 1,127,500 8-Jul-15 1,058,590 8-Jul-15 39,800 3-Jul-15 100 1,506,100 10,000 500 -

Year end 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Mar 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec 31/Dec

Total Share Capital Volume % '000 Dematerialised Dematerialised 2,000,000,000 5,785,673,000 1,900,000,000 1,249,000,000 12,000,000,000 196,875,000 5,000,000,000 6,753,333,334 976,335,936 5,650,000,000 3,600,000,000 4,257,668,000 1,170,324,536 14,231,238,000 11,829,700,000 181,408,000 2,875,595,000 2,576,686,039 880,394,000 7,138,199,210 2,705,378,000 10,945,334,000

42,888,346 606,000,000 30,000 12,222,020 1,048,432,984 113,589 75,832,855 172,438,794 87,067,426 554,501,102 65,087,688 991,722,820 1,716,500 9,240,686 185,971,494 516,100,000 14,750,000 90,629,755

103,903,142,055 4,474,746,059

8-Jul-15 9-Jul-15 6-Jul-15 -

TRADE INFORMATION (JAN 2015-TILL DATE)

DEMATERIALISATION INFORMATION

Introduced by Company Registrars Meristem Securities Limited CardinalStone Registrars Limited APT Securities & Fund Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc Mega Equity Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc APT Securities & Fund Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc Nigerian Int. Securities Ltd Unity Registrars Limited UBA Stockbroking Firm African Prudential Registrars Plc Greenwich Securities Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc Anchoria Investment & Securities Lim Nnenna Ejekam Associates Capital Bancorp Plc First Registrars Limited Stanbic IBTC stockbrokers limited Meristem Registrars Limited Integrated Trust & Investment LimitedPAC Registrars Limited Icon Stockbrokers Limited Meristem Registrars Limited Sterling Capital Market Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc Greenwich Securities Limited GTL Registrars Limited APT Securities & Fund Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc FCSL Asset Management Co. Limited United Securities Limited APT Securities & Fund Limited First Registrars Limited APT Securities & Fund Limited EDC Registrars Limited APT Securities & Fund Limited Mainstreet Bank Registrars Limite Primera Africa Securities Limited PAC Registrars Limited Signet Investment and Securities Limi PAC Registrars Limited Prominent Securities Limited United Securities Limited

8-Jul-15

2.14% 10.47% 0.00% 0.98% 8.74% 0.06% 1.52% 0.00% 17.66% 1.54% 0.00% 13.02% 5.56% 6.97% 0.01% 5.09% 6.47% 20.03% 0.00% 0.00% 0.55% 0.83% 4.31%

If you do not see your unquoted Plc on this list or for further enquirys consult your NASD OTC participating broker or visit our website at www.nasdng.com

DEALS 24 2 23 5 4 85 329 63 18 36 16 59 16 16 18 9 723

VOLUME 30,690 1,110 1,192,851 6,300 41,403 13,386,390 135,231,635 6,313,540 11,004,471 110,890,200 12,450 6,485,477 6,700 116,600 17,660 3,560 284,741,037

VALUE (േ) 43,958.90 3,946.00 3,137,584.44 18,900.00 3,517,525.00 63,748,952.21 42,559,547,588.23 3,367,965.00 16,223,635.71 110,334,950.00 10,582.50 1,336,869,442.25 7,592.00 112,270.00 40,143.30 3,479.70 44,096,988,515.24

A22 38

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigerian Breweries:

Benets of merger not yet seen T

he beer maker said its 2015 rst quarter Pretax Prot decline 1.85% Y/Y and 23.52 percent Quarter-on-Quarter ,Q-o-Q, to N14.45bn. According to Cordros research the decline followed a 113 percent Y-o-Y and 2.43 percent Q-o-Q rise in net nance charges. “Elevated nance charges came on the back of higher interest rate - according to management – and increased borrowing which was apparent in an 84 percent surge in total debt, particularly bank overdraft, from December 2014, ” the report said. Prot after tax, PAT, grew by a marginal 0.42 percent Yo-Y to N10.1bn due to a 158 basis points, bps, Y-o-Y dip in effective tax rate to 30.03 percent. “The poor Q-o-Q performance – PAT down 20.41 percent - is customary given that Q4 is usually the strongest quarter for brewers, ’ the report noted. The company rst quarter ended 31 March, 2015 which included the gures of Consolidated Breweries Plc following last year ’s merger, shows that the combined revenue grew marginally Y-o-Y after successive declines recorded by NB pre-merger, in Q3-2014 (-5.74 percent) and Q4-2014 (-8.53 percent). “The marginal increase in revenue was disappointing as it is yet to account for the anticipated synergetic benet (in terms of volume) of NB ’s merger with CB, ” the Cordros report afrmed. The results also suggest a downturn in ROE as it was 5.7 per cent this quarter com-

pared to 8.6 per cent in 2014 Q1. 2015 Q1 ROE of 5.7 per cent also suggest an annualised ROE of 23 per cent even much lower than the 30 per cent in 2014. Protability The company ’s revenue remains almost at for the nancial year ended December 31, 2014, as it recorded N266.4bn, a decline of 0.8 per cent when compared to N268.6bn recorded in the same period of 2013. The decline in revenue is a reection of the intensity of competition in the market. On a quarterly basis, Nigerian Breweries ’ revenue stood at N71.6bn in the fourth quarter, higher than N53.2bn in the third quarter of 2014 by 34.5 per cent. The company recorded 1.0 per cent decline in cost of sales, which lifted gross prot margin marginally. The cost of sales stood at N130.8bn, from N132.1bn recorded in the same period of 2013. The variance in the decline in relative to revenue led to a 10 basis points fall in cost of sale /revenue ratio to 49.1 per cent relative to 49.2 per cent in 2013. However, the average prices of grains which are major input in the processing of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages declined in the review period relative to the preceding year. For example, the average prices of barley and corn declined 29.2 per cent and 25.5 per cent respectively to $146.1tonne and $129.88/tonne in 2014 compared with $206.36/ tonne and $258.96/tonne in 2013.

Nico Vervelde, MD/CEO Nigerian Breweries

Efciency However, the continuous decline in returns on equity and returns on assets poses a concern. For the year under review, the company recorded returns on equity and returns on assets of 24.7 per cent and 12.2 per cent respectively compared to 38.3 per cent and 17.0 per cent in 2013. The decline in the indicators is a reection of weakness in the overall efciency in the current year, however the consistency in the pattern of decline over the years is a concern. The company recorded the highest return on equity and return on assets of 60.5 per cent and 26.5 per cent accordingly in the past ve years, 2010 and the lowest in the review year, though prot margins have remained stable over the period. Exposure to foreign exchange Nigerian Breweries currently sources 43 per cent of its raw materials locally, implying that the company has over 50 per cent exposure to foreign exchange. However, it also sources its raw materials via Heineken (parent company), which its effects on currency may not be pronounced. The company ’s export sales constitute a mere 0.20 per cent of total sales revenue, which is inconsequential. Its major exposure

to currency risk relates to importation of raw materials, spare parts. The company has various measures to curb exchange rate risk in the long term, however, sustained pressure on the local currency against the dollar is expected to affect the company ’s performance dearly. Business strategy Nigerian Breweries and Consolidated Breweries merged late last, which is expected to efciently manufacture products of both entities through the combined operational capacity of both companies, as products will also be sold and distributed across the entire combined sales and distribution network of the two companies The merger ensures that Consolidated Breweries ’ quality brands are marketed and distributed nationwide, hence creating more value for all stakeholders in the future. The company investments in the last two years amounted to about N15bn. In 2013 alone, N6bn was invested in new equipment, capacity expansion and process standardization. The merger provides a platform where the enlarged company benet from economies of scales in procurement, distribution and manufacturing of all the products on offer. Heineken NV Position

“This has created improvement in our operational efciency and cost savings. The impact of these measures is already manifesting in our performance in the result of 2014. In the rst quarter of 2014, we reported very strong volume growth well ahead of the market average, ” the Managing Director, Boudewijin Haarsma said. Companies Background Nigerian Breweries Plc, formerly Nigerian Brewery Limited, is a Nigeria-based company. The company is a subsidiary of Heineken N.V. Incorporated in 1946 Nigerian Breweries plc pioneered the brewing of lager beers in Nigeria when it introduced Starlager beer in 1949. Today Nigerian Breweries operates eight breweries in Nigeria and has a diverse range of products. Apart from it brewing activities, the company is also involved in the marketing of stout and non-alcoholic malt drinks and the bottling. Analyst ’s opinion Long-term solvency and stability position of the company is optimal despite increases in nancial gearing. The company ’s solvency and stability position in the longterm is within acceptable level, though nancial gearing ratio increased to 12.6 per cent in 2014, from 7.4 per cent in 2013. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

A23 39

STOCKWATCH Stock Exchange weekly equities summary as at Friday, July 10, 2015 SECURITY

PRICE (=N=)

QUANTITY

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC 0.50 9,140 OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. 28.50 261,540 PRESCO PLC 34.00 107,996 Fishing/Hunting/Trapping ELLAH LAKES PLC. 4.26 70 Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. 2.03 1,249,104 CONGLOMERATES Diversied Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. 1.40 100,150 CHELLARAMS PLC. 3.95 300 JOHN HOLT PLC. 0.94 17,558 SCOA NIG PLC 4.44 512 TRANSNATIONAL CORP. OF NIG.PLC 2.50 6,693,406 U A C N PLC. 40.01 2,658,148 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. 5.30 375 CAPPA & D ’ALBERTO PLC. NT 3 Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. 0.73 807,550 G CAPPA PLC 14.46 217 Non--Building/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. 47.97 27,437 ROADS NIG PLC. 6.29 1,832 Real Estate Development PINNACLE POINT GROUP PLC NT NT UACN PROPERTY DEV 10.40 324,368 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC 100.00 93 UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INV 45.22 100 UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST10.00 6,350 CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC 0.50 5,016 Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. 5.61 54,992 GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. 0.93 8,132 GUINNESS NIG PLC 139.80 28,374 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. 19.00 172,515 JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. 1.66 50,000 NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 138.51 1,808,302 PREMIER BREWERIES PLC 3.26 513,550 Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. 189.00 24,150 Food Products BIG TREAT PLC NT NT DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC 3.40 224,970 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC 6.30 1,588,435 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. 32.30 187,271 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC 3.23 952,850 MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC 0.50 53,816 N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. 18.05 159,011 NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC 7.60 2,835,920 P S MANDRIDES & CO PLC. 5.35 2.08 124,000 U T C NIG. PLC. 0.50 50 UNION DICON SALT PLC. 11.84 100 Food Products--Diversied CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. 35.05 5,725 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 850.00 390,319 Household Durables BETA GLASS CO PLC. NT 25,333 NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. 30.23 100 VITAFOAM NIG PLC. 5.88 187,845 VONO PRODUCTS PLC. 1.24 15,000 Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. 28.95 156,973 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. 39.00 119,119 Textiles/Apparel UNITED NIG. TEXTILES PLC. NT NT FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. 5.09 20,610,779 DIAMOND BANK PLC 3.95 1,358,484 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INC. 21.00 5,746,153 FIDELITY BANK PLC 1.62 4,669,271 FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC. NT NT GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. 26.11 11,491,149 INTERCONTINENTAL BANK 13.50 SKYE BANK PLC 2.26 5,074,965 STERLING BANK PLC. 2.12 2,601,379 U B A PLC 4.20 11,173,106 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 8.91 1,469,943 UNITY BANK PLC 2.35 359,359 WEMA BANK PLC. 1.00 1,128,531 ZENITH BANK PLC 18.95 9,778,427 Insurance Carriers, Brokers & Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INS. COY. PLC 0.50 200 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 0.95 1,627,718 CONFIDENCE INSURANCE PLC NT NT CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INS. PLC 0.50 9,140 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 1.10 1,882,960 CORNERSTONE INS. COY. PLC. 0.50 62,000 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INS. PLC NT 9,054,578 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. 0.50 4,754 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 0.53 NT GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC 0.50 42,003 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. 0.50 165,731 INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INS. PLC NT NT INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INS. PLC 0.50 698,304 INVESTMENT AND ALLIED ARN. 0.5 NT LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 0.50 14,710 LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. 0.50 100 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC 0.51 220 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC 2.75 23,600 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. 0.50 1,319,465 N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. 0.67 10,579,013 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 0.50 52,100 OASIS INSURANCE PLC NT 1,654,611 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. 0.50 27,973 REGENCY ALLIANCE INS. COY PLC 0.50 5,028 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 0.50 100 STANDARD TRUSTASSURANCE PLC 0.50 1,650 STANDARD ALLIANCE INS. PLC. 0.50 161,547,689 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. 0.50 25,000 UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC 0.50 200 UNIVERSAL INS. COMPANY PLC 0.50 518,140 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 0.50 1,368,084 Micro Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 5.42 10,000,000 NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 1.05 584,766 Mortgage Carriers, Brokers &Services ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC 1.25 500 ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 0.50 500 INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC 1.42 500 RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC 0.50 220,000 UNION HOMES SAVINGS&LOANS PLC 5.78 4,570 Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS 2.7 313,164 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INS. PLC 4.07 369,250 CRUSADER ( NIG) PLC. NT 500 DEAP CAPITAL MGT & TRUST PLC 0.64 5,000 FBN HOLDINGS PLC 7.98 8,812,914 FCMB GROUP PLC 2.91 27045923 ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. 0.50 1,050,953 STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC 25.01 3,807,836 SIM CAPITAL ALLIANCE VALUE FUND 103.24 465 NIGERIA ENERGY SECTOR FUND 552.20 100 UBA CAPITAL PLC 1.37 1,926,013 HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. 3.72 170 UNION DIAGNOSTIC &CLINICAL PLC 0.50 40,000 Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. 1.82 100 Pharmaceuticals

NOTE NT=Not Traded on 10-07-15

N/A=Not Avialable

52 WK HIGH

0.64 107.81 41.14

52 WK LOW

0.50 20.92 8.24

SHARES OUTSTANDING

2,200,000,000 476,955,000 1,000,000,000

EPS

0.10 2.29 7.55

MOV. (%)

N/A -1.69 -2.86

0.50 28.99 35.00

4.26

60,000,000

0.00

N/A

4.26

7.18

0.68

1,199,549,736

0.07

-15.06

2.39

2.08 6.43 5.89

0.71 4.15 1.07

2,191,895,983 963,900,300 389,151,408

0.11 0.16 1.09

0.00 N/A N/A

5.89 71.10

0.50 28.00

821,666,666 1,600,720,323

0.09 4.38

N/A N/A

1.40 3.95 0.94 4.44 2.70 44.49

26.00 95.49

5.05 95.49

148,500,000 196,876,000

0.33 4.50

N/A N/A

5.30 NT

2.66 14.46

0.72 14.46

920,573,765 125,000,000

0.00 0.00

N/A N/A

0.75 14.46

83.75 10.60

19.86 6.61

1,200,000,000 20,000,000

6.74 1.69

-1.09 N/A

48.50 6.29

7.28 20.90

7.28 8.82

1,375,000,000

0.00 2.20

N/A 1.96

NT 10.20

100.00 50.00 10.50

100.00 50.00 0.00

20,000,000 250,019,781

5.82 0.19

N/A N/A

100.00 45.22 10.00

0.50

4,772,528,415

0.00

N/A

0.50

19.48 0.68 297.41 30.00 9.09 179.40 0.97

3.13 0.68 209.10 5.34 0.81 91.10 0.93

900,000,000 272,160,000 1,474,925,519 2,112,914,681 562,000,000 7,562,562,340 126,000,000

0.00 0.00 8.66 0.63 0.00 5.03 0.00

N/A N/A -8.03 N/A N/A -3.81 N/A

5.65 0.93 152.00 19.50 1.66 144.00 3.26

75.90

38.12

640,590,362

4.46

N/A

190.00

0.50 10.68 12.85 109.24 4.11 1.21 29.70 14.00 5.94 0.93 13.31

0.50 3.85 3.26 50.00 1.83 0.50 17.51 3.65 5.35 0.50 4.22

2,000,000,000 5,000,000,000 12,000,000,000 1,879,210,666 7,930,197,658 3,722,493,620 178,200,000 40,000,000 1,233,375,004 360,000,000

0.00 0.00 0.81 3.38 0.34 0.00 0.00 1.05 0.08 1.13 0.00

N/A -6.08 -5.12 -3.58 -7.71 N/A N/A -5.00 N/A 0.00 N/A

NT 3.62 6.64 33.50 3.50 0.50 18.05 8.00 5.35 0.50 11.84

64.53 1250.00

8.33 400.00

3,129,188,160 792,656,250

1.57 28.34

0.00 -0.47

35.05 854.00

15.58 36.19 5.54 2.88

10.03 32.27 2.91 0.57

63,360,000 819,000,000 300,000,001

3.90 13.92 0.71 0.00

N/A N/A 2.26 N/A

NT 31.82 5.75 1.19

56.00 76.00

21.02 27.60

3,176,381,636 3,783,296,250

1.34 1.42

-9.36 -10.34

31.94 43.50

0.97

0.57

843,284,027

0.00

N/A

12.39 7.85 17.51 3.47 8.30 29.99

4.70 1.92 9.90 1.13 3.04 13.02

17,888,251,479 14,475,243,105 9,873,614,567 28,974,797,023 16,271,192,202 29,146,482,209

1.61 1.71 3.67 0.68 0.60 3.08

-5.04 -3.66 -3.45 -1.82 #VALUE! -2.94

7.05 3.05 9.60 15.30 1.16 1.88 27.40

2.65 0.80 1.64 2.34 0.50 0.50 11.96

13,219,334,676 12,563,091,545 32,334,693,693 13,509,726,273 33,675,576,085 12,821,249,880 31,396,493,790

0.97 0.63 1.70 0.44 0.18 0.00 3.30

-0.88 5.47 -9.87 -4.71 0.00 7.53 -2.12

0.50 1.42 0.64 0.52 1.45 0.72 2.44 0.50 0.69 0.60 0.50 2.50 2.50 0.50 0.50 0.61 0.50 2.87 0.63 1.01 1.11 0.50 1.24 0.53 0.59

0.50 0.50 0.61 0.50 0.58 0.50 1.08 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.06 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

20,585,000,000 7,809,391,256 211,626,000 6,000,000,000 10,372,624,157 8,820,010,363 5,100,846,808 8,847,298,420 4,549,947,000 3,827,485,380 720,000,000 5,061,804,000 6,420,427,449 28,000,000,000 7,323,313,227 3,437,330,500 4,083,713,569 10,000,000,000 7,998,705,336 5,332,830,881 5,649,693,923 5,003,506,791 2,508,315,436 6,668,750,000 5,203,757,266

0.00 0.19 0.00 0.05 0.15 0.02 0.24 0.01 0.00 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.25 0.00 0.37 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.04 0.09

N/A 0.00 N/A N/A 0.00 0.00 0.00 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.00 N/A N/A N/A 0.00 1.85 N/A -8.22 N/A N/A 0.00 N/A 0.00

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.55

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

8,493,173,450 2,581,733,505 13,000,000,000 16,000,000,000

0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.07

N/A N/A N/A N/A

6.60 1.22

0.00 0.72

1.65 0.50

1.37 0.50

4,200,000,000 8,679,148,676

0.03 0.02

N/A N/A

0.50 0.99

0.50 0.50

13,175,732,404 7,812,500,000

0.30 0.00

N/A N/A

3,778,005,975 1,333,333,333 32,632,084,358

0.00 0.15 2.45 1.23 0.13 1.53

2.1

0.5

0.61 2.02 21.50 5.70 1.33 20.72 103.24

0.50 2.02 8.57 2.90 0.50 10.64 98.33

1.70

0.00

1.18 0.19

0.50 0.95 NT 0.50 1.00 0.50 NT 0.50 0.53 0.50 0.50 NT 0.50 0.5 0.50 0.50 0.51 2.70 0.50 0.73 0.50 NT 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 5.42 1.05

0.63

3,608,657,661 18,750,000,000

5.36 4.10 21.75 1.65 NT 26.90 13.50 2.28 2.01 4.66 9.35 2.46 0.93 19.36

N/A N/A -0.13 N/A 0.12

0.29

1.25 0.50 1.42 0.50 5.78 2.8 4.00 NT 0.64 7.99 3 0.50 24.98 103.24 552.20 1.37

5.05 0.50

4.32 0.50

498,600,908 3,553,138,528

0.13 0.00

N/A N/A

3.72 0.50

10.54

7.39

152,178,750

0.00

N/A

1.82

SECURITY

PRICE (=N=)

EVANS MEDICAL PLC. 0.83 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 3.48 GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER PLC 43.50 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 1.50 NEIMETH INT PHARM PLC 1.39 NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. 6.32 PHARMA-DEKO PLC. 2.25 ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SLN PLC 0.50 Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC 0.50 Electronic Communications Services MTECH COMMUNICATIONS PLC 0.91 IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC 3.98 NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. 11.02 TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. 1.69 Processing Systems CHAMS PLC 0.50 E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC 3.18 Telecommunications Services IHS NT HIS NIGERIA PLC 2 NT HIS NIGERIA PLC 1 NT MTI PLC 0.5 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC. 2.72 ASHAKA CEM PLC 22.15 BERGER PAINTS PLC 10.68 CAP PLC 41.00 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC 11.50 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 168.30 DN MEYER PLC. 0.76 FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC 0.50 IPWA PLC 0.50 PREMIER PAINTS 10.93 LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. 102.00 PAINTS & COATINGS MANFACT.PLC 1.33 PORTLAND PAINTS & PRDT NIG. PLC 5.00 Electronic and Electrical Products AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC 2.09 CUTIX PLC. 1.50 NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. 0.50 Packaging/Containers ABPLAST PRODUCTS PLC. NT AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS 1.52 BETA GLASS CO PLC. 34.20 GREIF NIGERIA PLC 11.48 NIG. BAGS MANFACT. COY PLC NT POLY PRODUCTS (NIG) PLC. NT W A GLASS IND. PLC. 0.63 Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC 7.46 NIG SEW MACH. MAN. CO PLC. 0.15 STOKVIS NIG PLC. 0.14 NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. 4.86 Metals ALUMACO PLC 7.75 ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. 10.43 MINING SERVICES MULTIVERSE PLC 0.50 Paper/Forest Products HALLMARK PAPER PRODUCTS PLC. NT THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. 0.67 OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SER. PLC 0.50 Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC 14.68 Petroleum &Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC 0.5 CONOIL PLC 40.85 ETERNA PLC. 2.34 FORTE OIL PLC. 180.00 MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. 148.00 MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. 50.54 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. 158.00 Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVT. CO, LTD. 330.11 SERVICES Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC 0.50 Apparel Retailers LENNARDS (NIG) PLC. 3.15 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. 0.77 Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC 4.75 TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. 1.44 Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. 0.52 Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC 0.50 Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL 4.07 IKEJA HOTEL PLC 4.19 TOURIST COY NIG PLC 3.51 TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC 7.86 Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC 0.50 Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS 0.95 LEARN AFRICA PLC 1.25 STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. 2.30 UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. 6.03 Road Transportation ABC TRANSPORT PLCPLC 0.51 Specialty INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC 4.43 SECURE ELECTRONIC TECH.PLC 0.5 Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 2.08 NIG. AVIATION HANDLING COY PLC 5.50 SUPPORT AND LOGISTICS CAVERTON OFFSHORE GROUP PLC 3.42 ASeM CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Property Management SMART PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC NT CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC NT OIL AND GAS CAPITAL OIL PLC NT NAVITUS ENERGY PLC NT Personal/Household Products ROKANA INDUSTRIES PLC. NT HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals AFRIK PHARMACEUTICALS PLC. NT INDUSTRIAL GOODS Electronic and Electrical Products NT ADSWITCH PLC. NT NATURAL RESOURCES Metals W.A. ALUM. PRODUCTS PLC. NT Food/Drug Retailers and Wholesalers NT JULI PLC. NT ETF ’s Sector ETF LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NT NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND NT VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF NT

QUANTITY

52 WK HIGH

52 WK LOW

SHARES OUTSTANDING

EPS

MOV. (%)

74,488 1,444,640 66,411 163,454 251,300 100 572,185

4.80 2.50 69.00 3.38 1.76 8.59 3.50

0.50 0.61 18.97 1.23 0.58 7.36 1.83

486,473,856 1,500,000,000 956,701,192 980,000,000 1,925,717,268 153,786,012 100,000,000

0.58 0.24 3.07 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00

-20.95 4.50 -1.14 0.00 13.93 N/A N/A

1.05 3.33 44.00 1.50 1.22 6.32 2.21

37,000

0.96

0.50

2,960,000,000

0.11

0.00

0.50

100

0.50

2,941,789,472

0.00

N/A

0.50

0.91

4,966,666,668

0.00

N/A

0.91

400 100 5,460

18.70 2.94

13.12 2.07

108,000,000 492,825,600

0.00 0.03

N/A N/A

3.98 11.02 1.69

27,420 1,080

0.50 4.97

0.50 3.13

4,620,600,000 4,200,000,000

0.04 0.04

N/A N/A

0.50 3.18 NT NT NT 0.5

100

0.50

4,893,594,400

0.00

N/A

2,000 1,557,197 40,673 20,474 1,514,719 1,167,463 40,890 600 6,000 60 109,667 50,000 72,650

2.86 29.98 12.20 67.50 12.99 210.01 3.54 0.75 1.34

2.86 8.01 6.82 13.78 4.00 102.00 0.50 0.50 0.50

260,000,000 2,239,453,125 217,367,585 560,000,000 1,241,548,285 15,494,019,668 242,908,200 2,109,928,275 513,696,000

0.07 0.80 0.91 1.66 1.12 5.77 0.06 0.00 0.00

N/A -1.56 -4.98 0.00 0.00 -1.00 N/A N/A N/A

110.00 2.41 7.22

39.80 0.50 2.27

3,001,600,004 792,914,256 400,000,000

6.83 0.36 0.43

0.99 N/A N/A

2.72 22.50 11.24 41.00 11.50 170.00 0.76 0.50 0.50 10.93 101.00 1.33 4.90

100 220,132 100

2.00 2.39 0.73

2.00 1.20 0.50

510,396,608 2,220,000,000

0.05 0.19 0.00

N/A 0.00 N/A

2.09 1.50 0.50

NT 561 1,361 100 NT NT NT

3.98 5.94 13.18 13.28 3.60 1.86 0.63

3.98 1.71 9.04 12.68 1.60 1.05 0.63

N/A N/A

42,640,000 6,215,000,000 240,000,000 199,066,550

0.00 0.00 3.23 0.90 0.24 0.22 0.00

N/A #VALUE! N/A N/A

NT 1.52 36.00 11.48 NT NT 0.63

100 200 NT

8.69

8.26

265,409,280

0.00

N/A

0.14

2,918,000

0.00

N/A

25,000,000 683,974,528

7.46 0.15 0.14

10,000

9.35

5.68

393,120,000

0.76

0.00

4.86

320 100

7.75 12.39

7.75 10.55

75,600,000 100,000,000

0.00 0.24

N/A N/A

7.75 10.43

100

0.50

4,058,989,226

0.01

N/A

0.50

NT 4,050

3.22 1.38

3.22 0.67

50,000,000 220,000,000

0.04 0.00

N/A N/A

NT 0.67

1,408,720

1.02

0.50

6,262,701,716

0.00

0.50

4,924,248

24.80

9.32

2,262,711,568

1.24

-6.50

15.70

10000 2,577,516 2,541,040 412,758 22,164 167,074 43,476

76.00 4.87 115.64 146.00 59.00 190.01

16.96 1.32 7.73 106.00 16.20 118.75

693,952,117 1,249,162,828 1,080,280,628 300,496,051 253,988,672 339,521,837

2.69 0.61 1.43 9.93 1.04 12.91

0.00 -4.49 -5.26 -1.33 N/A -4.24

0.5 40.85 2.45 190.00 150.00 50.54 165.00

306,355

28,677,671

200

0.72

0.50

100

3.48

4,035,497,307

342.00

0.00

N/A

0.50

N/A

3.15

209,933

2.45

1.00

980,294,400

0.00

0.77

2,572,000 3,000

5.10 3.45

2.19 0.73

589,496,310 198,819,763

0.52 0.00

0.00 N/A

4.75 1.34

4,059,547

1.64

0.85

865,808,912

0.00

N/A

0.52

1,500

0.75

0.50

3,211,627,907

0.00

N/A

0.50

100 599,750 1,000 2,800

1.72 3.88 10.00

0.64 3.51 10.00

2,078,796,396

0.00

14.79

4.07 3.65 3.51 7.86

1,000

0.51

0.50

8,000,000,000

0.43

N/A

0.50

16500 224,498 20 20,800

3.09 2.78 5.77

1.39 2.52 3.00

771,450,000 425,641,111

0.00 0.00 0.61

N/A N/A 0.00

0.95 1.26 2.30 6.03

955,140

1.29

0.50

1,507,000,000

0.21

N/A

0.50

6 40,000,700

5.15 1.88

4.90 0.80

236,699,511 5,631,539,736

0.00 0.00

N/A N/A

4.43 0.5

111,000 246,274

5.90 8.81

1.27 5.08

634,000,000 1,230,468,750

0.50 0.43

N/A 10.00

2.08 5.00

189044

3.42

1.43

1.04

45,000,000

0.12

N/A

100

2.26

1.02

201,885,335

0.00

N/A

100000 1000

NT NT

0.60

30,000,000

0.00

N/A

0.50

24,898,850

0.00

N/A

NT NT

1.88

1.63

125,005,250

0.00

N/A

NT NT

NT NT 1,000

0.50

6,650,000

0.00

N/A

3.05

2.76

194,700,000

0.00

N/A

41 10

2,706

2,003

#VALUE! 49467

NT NT NT

A24 40

Business Courage

Monday, July 13, 2015

%& ! ( "$!" $& %

' "$!" $& % !$ %

0>.=4;?4:9 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0

-0/=::8 8,9>4:9 B4?3 >4??492 =: =::8> -0/=::8 2@0>? .3,70? =::8> -:D> <@,=?0=> >B488492 ;::7 -,=-0.@0 3@? ,9/ 2,?0 3:@>0 &* ,95@8, >:6:=: -@5, -

0/=::8 /0?,.30/ 3:@>0 B4?3 # 070.?=4. 2,?0 -:=03:70 >;,.0 1:= >B488492 ;::7 A,.,9? >?,?0 /4=0.?7D :;;:>4?0 2,80> A477,20> -@5, 8 17::=> :114.0 .:8;70C B4?3 , -,96492 3,77 -@47/492 >4??492 :9 ><8 09?=,7 @>490>> 4>?=4.? -@5, - ,>6492 $0>4/09?4,7 7,9/ 80,>@=492 ><8 6,?,8;0 -@5, 8 0/=::8 /0?,.30/ /@;70C :9

><8 -=,348 -/@77,34 =0>.09? :11 %:B0848: >:6:=: -@5, 8 ,>6492 0/=::8 /@;70C B4?3 ,77 =::8> 09>@4?0 >4??492 =::8> ,9/ -0/=::8 # ,9/ , 2090=,?:= 3:@>0 )@>0 -@5,

8 -0/=::8 -@92,7:B B4?3 >4??492 =::8> ,77 =::8> 09>@4?0 , 2,?0 3:@>0 ,9/ , .,= ;:=.3 >4??492 :9 ><8 )@>0 E:90 -@5, 8 ,>6492

@94?> :1 0/=::8 17,? >4??492 :9 8 7:92 @-B, 0C;=0>> -@5, 8 ,>6492 -0/=::8 /0?,.30/ 3:@>0 B4?3 >;,.4:@> 74A492 =::8> B077 1494>30/ >B488492 ;::7 &( >@=A0477,9.0 .,80=, 0?. ?3 A09@0 B,=48;, -@5, 8 9:> :1 -0/=8 17,?> 9: 7:.6 9:> ,?0 :@>0 :9 ><8 )@>0 -@5, 8

/849

0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 =0>0=A:4= :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

!% "$!" $& % !$ %

0>.=4;?4:9 B,=03:@>0 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0

-0/=::8 1@77D /0?,.30/ /@;70C B4?3 ,77 =::8> 09>@4?0 ,9/ 2::/ >0.@=4?D >D>?08 4?D >.,;0 0>?,?0 )@8-, 4>?=4.? -@5, 8 ,>6492 -0/=::8 1@77D /0?,.30/ /@;70C B4?3 ,77 =::8> 09>@4?0 >B488492 ;::7 =::8 # ,9/ , ;09? 3:@>0 4?D >.,;0 0>?,?0 )@8-, 4>?=4.? -@5, 8 ,>6492 @94?> :1 -0/=::8 /@;70C0> B4?3 :90 =::8 # 0,.3 , ;=4A,?0 49-@47? 2,=,20 1:= .,=> >B488492 ;::7 6( 2090=,?:= ,9/ 6( 1:= -,.6 @; ,9/ , 7? B,?0= ;: -@5, 8 ;0= @94?

><8 $0>4/09?4,7 7,9/ B4?3 ! >:6:=: -@5, 8

9/@>?=4,7 B,=0 3:@>0> -,D> ,?,4 ?0=0 ),D @>349 !9 $0<@0>? -0/=::8> -@92,7:B >8,47 >?,?0 ,=D7,9/ !9 $0<@0>? 7:.6 :1 7@C@=D 17,?> -0/=::8> -0/=::8>

9/ A0 :B:9 >?,?0 ;,5, !9 $0<@0>?

-0/=::8 -@92,7:B >4??492 :9 ><8 -05@ 0664

8 0B7D =09:A,?0/ -0/=::8 /0?,.30/ 3:@>0 B4?3 # >4??492 :9 ><8 7,9/ ,;;, >?,?0 ,=D7,9/ 8 ,>6492

"!$& $ !'$& "$!" $& % !$ %

0>.=4;?4:9 :9 , ;7:? :1 7,9/ :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0 0>.=4;?4:9 :.,?4:9 "=4.0

-0/=::8 /@;70C =::8 < =:,/ .3,=70D :D ,=0, B,=48;, -@5, !9 $0<@0>? ><8 7,9/ 0349/ %30=,?:9 :?07 -@5, 8 ,>6492 ?,>?01@77D 1494>30/ 7@849@8 .@=?,49 B,770/ ,9/ >0=A4.0/ ;@=;:>0/ -@47? :114.0 .:8;70C >4??492 :9 8 E:90 )@>0 -@5, -

>?:=0D -@47/492 ,9/ ,

-@92,7:B

B4?3 :1 ! -, =:,/ -D >4:6;: >?=00? $@8@:8,>4 8 ,>6492

;7:?> :1 7,9/ B4?3 :1 ! =?4770=D @9.?4:9 -, =:,/

8 ,>6492 ;7:?> :1 7,9/ B4?3 :1 ! 0>4/0 4/074?D ,96 -D =?4770=D @> >?:; -, =:,/ 8 ,>6492

( $ !'% ! %" % &! & $ $ %'$ ' ABUJAÂ&#x2026;â&#x20AC;Ś

! " + &$ '% %% $ ' =:,/ >?=00? ,2:>

,=49, ,2:> ,?30/=,7 =4A0 9@2@

9:> :1 -0/=8 17,?> 9:

-0/=::8 17,? ;09?1::= 9:> -0/=::8 17,? -,>0809? 9:> -0/=::8 >4??492 :9 ><8 ,=64 =0, -@5, 8 '9/0A07:;0/ 7,9/ ;7:?> 80,>@=492 ><8 @>?4.0 'B,4> >:6:=: -@5, B,4> >:6:=: -@5, 8

' "%%' ' $(*' $ * " $ ' ') *" , + , *!

# " $ %$&'%& ') (") # " %# +++ $ %$&'%& ') (" # ) %# $

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo.com

‘It is well-settled that wherever a right is infringed there is a remedy’ -Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, retired Justice of the Supreme Court xx

OPD has secured N400m compensation for 75,000 victims since inception 42 —Rotimi

President Muhammadu Buhari

Former President Goodluck Jonathan

Federal, state agencies unwilling to comply with FoI Act —Lawyers How Ife community lost bid to curtail Ooni’s economic 45 influence

Ex-US Marine loses appeal over nurse’s murder

Four years after the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act was signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan, notable government agencies and statutory institutions still hoard information that seek to make them accountable to the public, writes WALE IGBINTADE.

hen the Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill was signed into law on May 28, 2011, by President Goodluck Jonathan, it was widely acclaimed as a positive step in the country’s democracy. The law essentially seeks to guarantee access to greater amount of public information by the masses, hence it affords the citizenry the power to unearth facts, fight corruption and hold officials and public institutions accountable. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about activities of government. Basically, the law is designed to give every Nigerian a legal right of access to information, records, and documents held by government bodies and private bodies carrying out public functions, namely; all tiers- of- government. Prior to this time, Nigeria had no law that guarantees citizens access

The idea of concealing what is regarded as classified information or information considered as secret is still part of our culture to public records and information. On the contrary, many Nigerian laws have secrecy clauses prohibiting the disclosure of information. For instance, the Official Secrets Act, the Criminal and Penal Codes, among others, compels public servants to swear to oaths of secrecy when employed. The consequence of this is an entrenched culture of secrecy and arbitrariness in government institutions. Against this backdrop, the enactment of the FoI Act, which compels public officials not only to divulge information when requested but also sets time limits within

which government and public bodies must release the information requested is commendable. Specifically, Section 1(3) of the law says that ‘’any person entitled to the right to information under this Act, shall have the right to institute proceedings in the court to compel any public institution to comply with the provision of this Act’’. However, there are impediments facing Nigerians in their bid to take maximum advantage of the provisions of the law. For instance, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court

in Lagos had on October 31, 2014, held in a ruling that the FoI Act was not binding on the 36 states of the federation. Justice Abang had explained that the FoI Act was enacted by the National Assembly and ‘’is only binding on the Federal Government and its agencies’’. In other words, the states in Nigeria cannot be compelled to provide any information based on the Act. The ruling was delivered in a suit filed by the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) against some states of the Federation, namely: Lagos, Imo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Delta for declining its request for information on the amounts raised and received by the respective states from the Nigerian Capital Market through public offers or private placements between 2007 and 2011. A similar verdict was handed down by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, in Lagos. The court also struck out an FoI suit on the procurement of the controversial bulletproof BMW cars bought for former aviation minister, Princess Stella Oduah. CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Law & Justice

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OPD has secured N400m compensation Mrs. Omotola Rotimi is Director, Office of Public Defender (OPD) in Lagos State Ministry of Justice. In this interview with MATTHEW IRIONYE, she speaks on activities of the agency, its challenges, and contributions to criminal justice reforms in the state, among others. Excerpts:

How will you explain the activities of the OPD? OPD has so many functions but basically the reason for its establishment is to ensure that everybody within the Lagos State has access to justice. The section was created when the former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Vice- President, the then Attorney-General of Lagos State, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo realized that the poor people do not have access to justice because they cannot afford to pay lawyers who can represent them in court. The Lagos State Government established the section so as to ensure that the poor also have access to justice. The OPD has many functions which include representing those who cannot afford to get lawyers in court especially in criminal and civil matters. It is also part of its duties to assist people to get their freedom back through bail, to protect the socio- economic rights of the vulnerable which include women, children and the physically- challenged and disabled people. Besides all those mentioned, it also assists in decongesting the prison, so many inmates are awaiting trial; they have not been in court but languishing in prison custody, we usually follow the state Chief Judge to decongest the prison to ensure that those who ought not to be in prison are released from the prison custody. It is also part of the OPDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s duty to do prison watch and sensitize the public to know their rights; we usually go to schools to ensure that children in Lagos State know their rights under the child right law, we equally go to market places and motor parks and even Local Government to sensitize people about their rights. The OPD specifically hammers on the rights of children and rights against domestic violence. Recently domestic violence is on the daily increase and there is need to create awareness for the members of the public to know their rights towards domestic violence. How many victims have been defended? So far, the agency has had about 75,000 cases, domestic violence and all sorts of sexual abuses records about 12,000 cases. We usually go to court to represent the people and equally settle disputes through the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms. Asides assisting them through the means of intervention, we have equally assisted the victims in getting compensation and we have been able to secure about N400, 000,000 (four hundred million Naira) for the victims from the inception to date, for those that needed to be compensated in one way or the other.

Mrs. Rotimi

The N400m was procured through damages awarded by the court and through other means of damages and insurance claims or wrongful dismissal claims.

The money was procured through damages awarded by the court and through other means of damages and insurance claims or wrongful dismissal claims. What is the contribution of the agency towards criminal justice reforms in the state? Our major contribution is to ensure that people actually get access to administration of justice. What people want is to access the administration of justice, whether justice to the victims or justice for the suspects, because in most cases, the suspect might not really be the offender. When we intervene and such person has access to justice the person would be able to prove his case in court and if discharged and acquitted, in that regard the person has also secured justice. Each time we get justice for the victims or the society it serves as deterrent to others. Access to justice in the criminal justice reform is actually

where OPD has really contributed a lot. It is when the rights of the people are not being infringed upon and children realized that nobody can infringe on their rights that we can have a healthy community. How do you handle the matter when a parent inflicts physical injury on his or her child? When such a thing happens, we have to investigate and where the injury is so severe that it could even take the life of the child we believe that such child is in danger and we will take the child into the custody of the state, thereafter we will call the parents and ask why they need to behave in such manner, where we found out that the action was acted upon on the ignorance to have inflicted pains on a child without knowing the consequences, we will have to enlighten them but where the injury is so severe to the point that the child is at the point of death, we usually re-

port the case to the Police and the Police will prefer criminal charges against the parents for their behaviour. In cases of criminal negligence, we usually report such matter to the Police for proper prosecution of the case, but where the damages is minimal we will bring the parents down and enlighten them, give them warning and give them a copy of child right law. After we have done the necessary we will attach a social worker to the home to check if the child is not further abused, where we find out that the parents have showed remorse we will unite the child back to the parents but where there is no trace of remorse and the child does not want to live with the parents again we can put the child to the protective custody of the State and the state will continue to take care of the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education and well-being until he becomes 18 years. Domestic violence is very common in the society, especially rape cases, how do you handle it and how many offenders have been convicted? Whenever we receive such report, what we normally do is to take such child to Mirabel centre in Lagos State Teaching Hospital, it is a centre where anyone who is sexuallyabused is treated and given proper first aid to protect the victim from diseases or unwanted

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, July 13, 2015

for 75,000 victims since inception â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Rotimi pregnancy. When we get the report from the hospital, the next step is to go to the Police and report the case where the case has not been reported before and if the case has been reported to the Police, we will follow it up and ensure that the case is charged to the court because sexual offence against anybody is a criminal act and there is no how we can settle such case out- of- court. Though, I cannot give exact figure but think we have about 18 convictions, the corroboration is not necessary to the human being. Medical advice is corroboration, forensic examination which actually confirmed that such act was carried out is also a corroboration, it is not necessary because another person might not be there when such act was going on. There are instances where the offender is caught red- handed while trying to run away, most times it is always difficult to get an eyewitness in the process of a rape but medical reports after proper test has been carried out on the victim can serve as corroboration in court. Besides, there are other evidence that can be used such as stain in the pants, rough dress, scratches all over the body. To properly safeguard these people, do you conduct research on the intensity of the abuse or number of persons in need of legal assistance? There is domestic and social violence response scheme, DSVR scheme. It is a group of stakeholders from Ministry of Justice, Office of the Public Offender, Office of the Youth and Sports and Social Development, Office of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Education, alongside with some NGOs and the Police. Anytime we have issues of domestic violence the group takes it up to do their investigations and make sure that the culprit is brought to book. Aside this, there is sexual offence register

where the names of the offender is recorded, each time there is issue of sexual abuse, the names of the offenders are usually being sent to sexual offender register, the purpose is to know the total number of people who are sexual offenders and also to assist people when they want to employ those who can work with the children. For instance, if there is need to employ someone in need of service to take care of children, there is need for the employer to go to the ministry of justice to check and verify if the person he wants to employ does not involve or has not been involved in any sexual offences before the person is employed. There are cases where someone who has been involved in sexual offences was employed in school and he continued jumping on other students in another school. But to correct the habit when people know that there is sexual offenders register they will not want their names to be in the register and in long way it will serve as deterrent to others . There is also what we call mandatory reporting; it requires everyone who has report on sexual abuse that has been meted upon a child to report it whether in school or anywhere. Those who are supposed to give the report include the proprietors of schools, social workers, doctors, and everyone that has day -to -day dealing with children and failure to do so is liable to two years jail term. Is the organisation not under political influence and manipulation considering that it was established by the government? I can categorically say that it is not under any political influence, the OPD as agency has its autonomy. We have had situation where federal institutions had violated the rights of the people, we went to court and we got compensation. Even within the state, there are some agencies violating the rights

Whenever we receive report on rape, we normally take the child-victim to Mirabel centre in Lagos State Teaching Hospital, where anyone who is sexuallyabused is treated and given proper first aid.

of the people, anytime we receive such complaints we go after them, do our investigation and if there is element of truth from what the petitioner has said we either go to court or if it is what we can settle within our might we gladly get it done. There are situations where couples are Lagos State civil servants and there was a case of domestic violence, we intervene and where we could not settle, we went to court. How is the body assisting in prison decongestion in the state? Every three months we normally visit the prison to find people that are awaiting trials; we go into the prison in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja branch. Recently we went with the state Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade to decongest the prison. Aside all mentioned, the officials of the prison also write to us when they see that there are too many young people in the prison custody, we go to the prison to interview them and find means of going to court.

What role is the agency playing in defending traffic offenders in the mobile court to check abuses in the system? We have resident counsels that take up all

the cases, where people were arrested and they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a lawyer, we have lawyers who usually assist the traffic offenders to secure bail and if there is need for them to go to court we have lawyers who are there to assist them. Kindly educate the public on how a landlord should deal with a recalcitrant tenant and vice versa? The law is very clear on landlord and tenancy issues, I think it is important for both landlords and tenants to have a copy of the law, it is very cheap to buy so that they will know their rights under the law, in as much as the law sees that no one overrides the rights of others, the law does not impose a landlord on a tenant neither does it imposes a tenant on the landlord, it will still be within the confines of the law whenever a landlord needs to evict the tenant, so also the tenant needs to know his rights under the law. What is your general advice? My advice to the public is that, the public should strive hard to know their rights because it is by knowing their rights that they will make a community develop and ensure that the streets are crime- free because ignorance is not an excuse.

Law & Justice

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Public records still classified secret in govt departments’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41 The suit jointly instituted by the incorporated trustees of the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) along with incorporated trustees of Public and Private Development sought to compel the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Attorney-General of the Federation to disclose information on the procurement of the controversial bulletproof BMW cars bought for the ex- aviation minister. The applicants had in their suit maintained that the refusal of the first respondent (NCAA) to disclose information requested in their letter dated October 21, 2013 amounted to violation of their right to access to information established and guaranteed by section 1(1) and section 4(a) of the FoI Act 2011. But Justice Buba in his decision held that the information requested was outside the contemplation of the Act. Speaking on the FoI Act, Lagos lawyer, Mr. Wahab Shittu admitted that Nigerians have not made full use of the FoI Act due to lack of awareness. He said ‘’we have not made full and effective use of the FoI Act because the idea of public disclosure of information has not been sufficiently engrained in our culture. The idea of concealing what is regarded as classified information or information considered as secret is still part of our culture. It will take time, I am aware a couple of petitions have been filed in our courts in line with the provision of FoI Act. ‘’But, we need to educate Nigerians to take advantage of the statutory provisions. It is a matter of creating awareness because many Nigerians don’t even know that the law exists. The FoI Act has not been sufficiently advertised, so that people can take advantage of it at different levels. One thing is for us to have legal provisions in place another thing is for people to be aware they exist, for their application and enforcement’’, he stated. The Executive Secretary, Lawyers’

Shittu

Ogunye

Journalists and civil rights lawyers have tried to take maximum advantage of the law but public servants are still living in the past.

League for Human Rights (LHRL), Mr. Jiti Ogunye insisted that journalists and civil rights lawyers have tried to take maximum advantage of the law but that public servants were still living in the past. According to him ‘’seven years on, the FoI Act has not led to a revolution in sourcing and use of information relating to our public life. It is not because journalists, civil rights lawyers have not tried to take maximum advantage of the provisions in that law. Our observation is that in spite of the efforts made by these people, state authorities are still living in the era of Official Secrets Act’’. ‘’Their mindset and disposition berate hatred to era of accountability and transparency that we want to see in our public

life. Because state actors are perpetrators of all sorts of corrupt practices, they are the ones who strive and try to disempower the citizenry’’. According to Ogunye, reports available revealed that, although civil societies and investigative journalists have tried all they can to get information but state actors have not been cooperating. ‘’For instance, the Code of Conduct Bureau has refused to yield regarding the public declaration of public officers. They have also said that there is nothing in the law that compels them to divulge information. With that kind of attitude, you will not achieve much. What we need to do is to strengthen the capacity of civil society groups and journalists alike because the state actors are still

there... the grass is a foot tall!”

Bastard in the family

Bar

Jokes

Fight to win a case

A junior partner in a law firm was sent to a far away country to represent a long-term client accused of robbery. After days of trial, the case was won, the client acquitted and released. Excited about his success, the attorney emailed the firm: “Justice prevailed.” The senior partner replied in haste, “Appeal immediately.”

Generous lawyer

One day a lawyer was riding in his limousine when he saw a guy eating grass. He told the driver to stop. He got out and asked him, “Why are you eating grass?” The man replied, “I’m so poor, I can’t afford anything thing to eat.” So the lawyer said, “Poor guy, come back to my house.” The guy says, “But I have a wife and three kids.” The lawyer told him to bring them along. When they were all in the car, the poor man said, “Thanks for taking us back to your house; it is so kind of you.” The lawyer replied, “You’re going to love it

For three years, the young attorney had been taking his brief vacations at this country inn. The last time he’d finally managed an affair with the innkeeper’s daughter. Looking forward to an exciting few days, he dragged his suitcase up the stairs of the inn, then stopped short. There sat his lover with an infant on her lap! “Helen, why didn’t you write when you learned you were pregnant?” he cried. “I would have rushed up here, we could have gotten married, and the baby would have my name!” “Well,” she said, “when my folks found out about my condition, we sat up all night talkin’ and talkin’ and decided it would be better to have a bastard in the family than a lawyer.”

Lawyer and beautiful woman

A man died and was taken to his place of eternal torment by the devil. As he passed sulphurous pits and shrieking sinners, he saw a man he recognized as a lawyer snuggling up to a beautiful woman. “That’s unfair!” he cried. “I have to roast for all eternity, and that lawyer gets to spend it with a beautiful woman.” “Shut up”, barked the devil, jabbing the man with his pitchfork. Culled from Barjokes.com and Cool Funny Jokes: Lawyer Jokes

zzzz

living in the past’’, he added. National Mirror lends credence to this assertion as a formal letter dated December 4, 2014 and addressed to the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), requesting for the Commission’s statistics of cases in 2012/2013 was ignored. Efforts by our correspondent in Abuja to obtain the information sought after the delivery of the letter also proved abortive. In his view, the Executive Secretary, Consumer Rights Project (CRP), Mr. Onu Eke Uche said ‘’the Freedom of Information Act which is a federal law meant to be applicable in all the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria has not really received the boost it deserved among Nigerians in terms of understanding what the law is all about. “ The law is supposed to be a weapon in the hands of Nigerians to get first hand information about the operations and business of government. It is equally meant to ensure openness and transparency in government as opposed to the secrecy that used to characterize government activities’’. However, since the passage of this law by the defunct 7th National Assembly and its subsequent assent into law, Nigerians have not really taken advantage of it to checkmate the activities of government activities. This could be traced to inadequate enlightenment and education on the part of the citizenry’’. ‘’Ordinarily, such a very vital and sensitive law should be made to get across to all the nooks and crannies of the country via public enlightenment, civic education and mass media education so as to make the citizenry understand the essence of the law. A lot of works need to be done in the above area, by all the agencies of government that are involved in citizens’ education including the media. Until that is done, Nigerians cannot effectively utilize the usefulness of this law in acting as a watchdog to the government’’.

LEGAL TIPS

Fetal rights: Protecting rights of the unborn child

etal rights are moral or legal rights of human fetuses. In other words, they are rights of any unborn human fetus, which is generally a developing human from roughly eight weeks after conception to birth. *Like other categories such as civil rights and human rights, fetal rights embraces a complex variety of topics and issues involving a number of areas of the law, including criminal, employment, health care, and Family Law. *Historically, under both English common law and U.S. law, the fetus has not been recognized as a person with full rights. Instead, legal rights have centered on the mother, with the fetus

treated as a part of her. *Nevertheless, U.S. law has in certain instances granted the fetus limited rights, particularly as medical science has made it increasingly possible to directly view, monitor, diagnose, and treat the fetus as a patient. *The term fetal rights came into wide usage following the landmark 1973 abortion case Roe v. Wade 410 U.S. 113, 93 S. Ct. 705, 35 L. Ed. 2d 147. In that case, the Supreme Court ruled that a woman has a constitutionally guaranteed unqualified right to abortion in the first trimester of her pregnancy. *She also has a right to terminate a pregnancy in the second trimester, although the state may limit that right when the procedure poses

a health risk to the mother that is greater than the risk of carrying the fetus to term. * In making its decision, the court ruled that a fetus is not a person under the terms of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. However, the court also maintained that the state has an interest in protecting the life of a fetus after viability—that is, after the point at which the fetus is capable of living outside the womb. As a result, states were permitted to outlaw abortion in the third trimester of pregnancy except when the procedure is necessary to preserve the life of the mother. Culled from Lawbrain. com

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, July 13, 2015

How Ife community lost bid to curtail Ooni’s economic influence

About fifty- two years ago, the Supreme Court declared that Bale Adedire and his group lacked the power to checkmate the expanding economic influence of the late Ooni of Ife, Sir. Adesoji Aderemi. FRANCIS FAMOROTI writes.

FAMOUS CASES

ba Adesoji Tadenikawo Aderemi was a Nigerian political figure and the Ooni of Ife who reigned in the ancient town from 1930 till 1980. The Ooni also served as the governor of Western Region, Nigeria between 1960 and 1967. Sir Aderemi was a very wealthy man and had a large family of many wives and children. During the colonial era, the Ooni gained a considerable amount of power due to the colonial policy of indirect rule and for the fact that he belonged to the status of a first class Oba among traditional rulers in Yoruba land. The Ooni with the consent of the leading Yoruba political leaders used his position to close the gaps of exploitation of divisional differences among Yorubas and tried fervently to rally the Yoruba towards a common goal. Sometimes in the early 1960s, Bale Adedire and other member of Ife community had dragged the Caretaker Committee of Ife Divisional Council and Aderawos Timber Company Limited to an Ibadan High Court over a concession deed made in 1954. At that time, the Ooni of Ife apart from being the head of Ife Divisional Council also had substantial interests in the timber company. In the statement of claim, Adedire and others claimed against the timber company among others, an order to set aside a Deed of Concession dated 6th January, 1954 between the Ife District Native Authority and the company against the appellants. They also asked for an account of all profits derived by the timber company from the concession and an order to pay the sum found due into the Ife Divisional Council Treasury, and an injunction to restrain the firm from further exploiting the concession. In his judgment the trial judge amended the statement of claim by substituting the words “lfe Divisional Council” for the first defendants. Adedire and others contended that they were members of the Ife community and they sued as such members and taxpayers. They further alleged that the forest area, the subject- matter of the concession was the communal property of the Ife community which was held in trust for the community by the Ife District Native Authority, whose successor was the first defendant; and that Sir Adesoji Aderemi, the Ooni of Ife, was at the material time the trustee of Ife communal lands and a principal shareholder of the appellant company. Adedire and others said that the Ooni with his council signed the concession on behalf of the Ife District Native Authority and as “the traditional authority on behalf of the communal owners of the land”; the monarch acted in a dual capacity as Ooni of Ife and as major shareholder in the company, and that the Concession Deed ought to be set

Ooni Aderemi

The court held that the Ooni of Ife was not a trustee in respect of the

Forest Reserve and therefore no question of his acting in a dual capacity arose.

aside on the ground that the Ooni’s interest as shareholder conflicted with his duty as trustee of communal lands. The timber company and its shareholders in their defence claimed that the claim was barred by section 62 of the Native Authority Ordinance (Cap. 140) and/or by section 242 of the Local Government Law 1957. The company denied the allegations of Adedire and others and claimed that the concession was duly made under the powers vested in the Native Authority by law. Justice Kester dismissed Adedire’s claim. He held that Adedire and the community had failed to prove their right to bring the action. Besides, the court held that the Ooni of Ife was not a trustee in respect of the Forest Reserve and therefore no question of his acting in a dual capacity arose. It declared further that the concession was a valid deed and that the claim was statute-barred. On appeal, the Federal Supreme Court reversed the decision of Kester J. The threes Justice of the Supreme Court

who sat on the panel are, Lord Moris, Lord Hodson, and Lord Guest , who read the judgment of the court. In the judgment delivered on July 28, 1963 in suit No. P.E. No. 33 of 1963, Lord Guest held that Adedire and others had a locus standi entitling them to bring the action. The court also held that the Ooni of Ife acted in a dual capacity in relation to the concession in that he was in a fiduciary position as Ooni of Ife and a major shareholder in the appellant company and that the concession deed should on this ground be set aside and that the action was not statute-barred. There followed an order by the Federal Supreme Court setting aside the Deed of Concession and otherwise in terms of the respondent’s claim.’’ Apart from elaborate general considerations made by their Lordships, the court considered that there was great force in the observations of Kester J. to this effect. According to the court, “‘who are the communal owners?’ Although the plaintiffs claimed as members of the ‘Ife Community’ there is no evidence before the Court as to what constitutes this community. The identity of the ‘communal owners’ is not clear or certain. ‘’Apart from the first plaintiff, there is no evidence about who the other plaintiffs are. No evidence whatever about their identities. Paragraph 1 of the statement of claim was denied by the defendants. In the circumstances, therefore, I am unable to hold that the words ‘communal owners’ in Exhibit ‘A’ refer to the unidentified class of persons described as ‘lfe Community’ which the plain-

tiffs claim they belong and by which right they have brought this action.” Lord Guest said ‘’they attach considerable weight to these views of the trial Judge who is more versed in native law than their Lordships. When to this is added the fact that the first plaintiff at an early stage in his evidence was refused an amendment to show that he was suing in a representative capacity, their Lordships are satisfied that there was no satisfactory proof that the first plaintiff as a native of Ife community had a locus standi to sue his action. The court acknowledged that the locus standi of the respondents was supported in the Federal Supreme Court by a reference to the evidence of the first plaintiff who said his family name was Ogunleye and that he was the head of that family who still hunted in the Forest Reserve. It was argued that his membership of the Ogunleye family qualified his interest in portions of the conceded area. This was not the basis of his title to sue in the pleadings or before the High Court. But their Lordships are prepared to consider this argument as it was apparently taken without objection in the Federal Supreme Court. The only basis for the respondents’ title as a member of the Ogunleye family must be contained in the Second Schedule to the Ife Native Authority Forest Reserve Order 1941 as amended by the Ife District Native Authority Forest Reserve (Amendment) Order 1953, whereby the Ogunleye family rights to reside, farm, hunt and fish are reserved. There are in their Lordships’ opinion two answers to this contention. Firstly, the claim of the respondents to set aside the concession is based on a fiduciary duty said to be owed to the Ife community. The first plaintiff’s membership of the Ogunleye family would not entitle him to challenge the deed on the ground alleged in the statement of claim. Secondly, and in any event the reserved rights of the Ogunleye under the order must be exercised consistently with the constitution of the Forest Reserve. According to the verdict, their Lordships have therefore reached the conclusion that the respondents have not established their locus standi to bring this action to set aside the concession deed. It follows that it is unnecessary for their Lordships to consider the remaining points, namely whether there was a fiduciary duty owed by the Ooni of Ife to the Ife community or whether the claim was statute barred, matters upon which they express no opinion. The justices therefore said the logical result of their conclusions would be to allow the appeal and restore the judgment of Kester J. dismissing the action. Their Lordships therefore humbly advised Her Majesty that the appeal be allowed, the judgment of the Federal Supreme Court set aside with costs and the judgment of Kester J. restored. Indeed, the Ooni thereafter reigned till he joined his ancestors on July 3, 1980.

Law & Justice

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ex-US Marine loses appeal over nurse’s murder AUSTRALIA

Irish court jails farmer for contempt IRELAND

farmer has been jailed for a second time for failing to comply with court orders to hand over buildings on his property to a bank-appointed receiver. ABC report says that at the High Court, Justice Paul Gilligan held that he was imposing a punitive order of 100 days imprisonment on Paul O’Shea, of Davidstown, Castledermot, Co Kildare. It was for his “serious and flagrant contempt” of orders previously granted by the court and of a sworn undertaking he gave to comply with such orders. O’Shea, who opposed the application for his committal to prison, was before the court over his failure to comply with an order granted last December. Under it, he was required to hand over possession of grain and storage sheds on the land to the receiver George Maloney, appointed by Danske Bank. It was his second time to be jailed for failing to comply with High Court orders. He previously spent 15 days in jail after being found in contempt of orders not to interfere with Mr Maloney’s attempts to sell lands. He was released after he agreed to comply.

President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins

In his ruling on what he described as “a long running saga”, the judge noted the contents of a sworn statement from Mr Maloney’ who said O’Shea had refused to comply with his undertaking to give up possession of the sheds. In his affidavit, Maloney said on July 7 that he was “physically assaulted” by O’Shea when he tried to enter the sheds. O’Shea, he said, told the receiver he could not hand over what he didn’t have, and denied him entry to the sheds. The receiver said it was also evident that more items had been were moved in around the sheds that had been there previously. The receiver then withdrew from the property, describing the atmosphere as “menacing”. The Judge said O’Shea had “no intention of complying” with the court’s orders.

ormer US Marine, who cut the throat of a Sydney nurse, Michelle Beets, on the veranda of her north shore home, has failed to have his conviction or life sentence overturned on appeal. The judges in the Court of Criminal Appeal described the crime as “extreme” and the evidence “overwhelming”. According to a report by ABC, Marsh, 54, wearing a grey-green hoodie over his face, crept into Ms Beets’ Chatswood home. Confronting her as she arrived home from work, he cut her throat and stabbed her eight times in the chest, leaving her to die. Marsh was convicted on November 14, 2011, and subsequently sentenced to life in prison. Justice Derek Price declared the murder “cold, merciless and abhorrent”. But Marsh’s lawyers appealed against both his conviction and sentence. They argued that Justice Price had erred in allowing evidence of Marsh’s knife training while in the Marine Corps in the 1970s, saying that should have been ruled inadmissible on the grounds of rel-

Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott

evance, and that it had prejudiced the jury against Marsh. Crown prosecutor Nanette Williams countered that there had been evidence in the trial from a number of marines and a military expert who said this type of training was in place at the time. It also pointed to evidence from another nurse at Royal North Shore who said Marsh had told her he “knew how to slit someone’s throat so they wouldn’t survive”. The three-judge appeal panel found that, on the available evidence from various marines, it was available to the jury to draw an inference that Marsh

Dubai court acquits rape suspects for lack of evidence

our men have been acquitted of forcing a student to follow their car on his motorcycle and then trying to rape him in Al Warqa’a. The four Emirati men, aged between 18 and 25, were said to have threatened their countryman, 18-year-old student with a knife and forced him to drive his motorcycle behind their car to an alley between buildings where they tried to have sex with him in May 2014. Citing lack of corroborated evidence, the Dubai Court of First Instance acquitted the four men of lur-

DUBAI

Prime Minister, UAE, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum

ing the student to the alley and trying to have sex with him. According to ABC report,

Newl ICC Judge, Raul Pangalangan, to be sworn in today

swearing-in ceremony for the new Judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mr Raul Cano Pangalangan, will be held today, July 13, 2015 in Courtroom I at the seat of the Court at The Hague (Netherlands). ICC Judge Pangalangan

THE HAGUE

ICC President, Judge Fernández de Gurmendi

had received the training. They also found it was directly relevant to the question of whether Marsh committed the murder. Marsh’s lawyer, Winston Terracini, SC, also argued that the Crown case was weakened by the fact that there were no witnesses to the crime, no murder weapon was found, nor was forensic evidence; such as DNA or fingerprints, found at the crime scene. The judges disagreed, pointing to a raft of damning evidence, most notably Marsh’s subsequent confession to his wife, Samantha. “No part of my review leads me to have the slightest doubt about the guilt of the appellant,” Justice Ian Harrison said in handing down the appeal decision In the second arm of their appeal, Marsh’s lawyers argued that his life sentence was unreasonable, pointing to the fact that his crime did not have some of the features that often accompany this type of punishment, namely torture, sexual gratification or multiple victims But the judges found that the murder was rightly placed in the most serious type of this kind of offence, and so it was open to Justice Price to impose a life sentence.

(Philippines) was elected on June 24, 2015, to fill a judicial vacancy during the resumed 13th session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute at The Hague (Netherlands). His term of office will end on

March 10, 2021. Judge Pangalangan will take the public oath declaring: “I solemnly undertake that I will perform my duties and exercise my powers as a Judge of the International Criminal Court honourably, faithfully, impartially and conscientiously

three of the quartet, 18-yearold A.Y., 25-year-old S.H. and 24-year-old A.A., strongly refuted the accusation of kidnapping the student at knifepoint and attempting to rape and molest him. According to the ruling, presiding judge Fahd Al Shamsi acquitted the four men because prosecutors’ evidence was insufficient to indict the suspects. According to the charge sheet, prosecutors said S.H. sat behind the student on his motorcycle as the defendants forced him to drive behind their car to the residential area.

and that I will respect the confidentiality of investigations and prosecutions and the secrecy of deliberations”. A statement by the ICC, says that while the event is on invitation-only basis, the ceremony can be followed live on the ICC website.

Then they attempted to rape him under threat but he resisted them and foiled their attempt. The student alleged to prosecutors that the incident happened when he went to clean his motorcycle at a station in Al Warqa’a. “While the motorcycle was being washed, my neighbour, who was with me, and I went to a nearby cafeteria. We came across A.A. and A.M. and chatted for a while. The other suspects joined us. My neighbour went to the station and, when I wanted to leave, the suspects asked to speak to me privately. A.Y. threatened me with a knife when I refused. They forced me to ride my motorcycle behind them. They took my mobile phone away. I refused to have sex with them. A.Y. and S.H. restrained me while A.A. molested me. They tried to make me go into a house, but I told them I needed to make a phone call. I called my mother, but my uncles came and rescued me,” the student alleged.

It was a very good experience —Ajisafe

y first appearance was shortly after I was called to the Bar in 2007. It was before Justice Samuel Candide-Johnson. I was not too familiar with the case because I had not

studied the case file, so I was not sure of what I may encounter in the court. It was a civil matter and I did not have much knowledge of what had happened. The judge really made the day com-

fortable for me because he asked probing questions that made me feel jittery. But at the end of the day, it was a nice experience. I was not abused by the court, instead I was corrected and since then

those mistakes that were corrected have not been repeated, because I have grown by days. It was a very good and sweet experience that everyone must face at the start of pracKayode Ajisafe tice.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday, July 13, 2015

Constitutionality of bailout for state govts Bashir Ramoni

he plea for a bailout from the State governments to the Federal Government of Nigeria dominates our dailies in the last few weeks. The plea is predicated on the fact that some State Governments are unable to pay their workers’ salaries. One would have expected that such agitation should have been orchestrated earlier than now to the immediate past government before it degenerated to present level. But be that as it may, what currently plagues the States after 16 years of civilian misrule, echoes legendary Poet, John Pepper Clarke’s words in “The Fishermen Invocation” wherein he said, “the celebration is ended but the echoes are still around whirling wind like harmattan”. We are all part of the history that upon the popular decision of Nigerians on March 28, 2015, through the exercise of citizens’ franchise rights, President Muhamadu Buhari was elected and later sworn in on May 29, 2015. Since then, the media both electronic and newsprints have been active in reporting and unveiling the ill-wills and sufferings of most of the federating states in Nigeria. This varies from security challenges to fuel scarcity and more importantly, the state governments’ inability to pay workers’ salaries. At the state level, this has precipitated the states’ cry for a bailout in the name of federal grants. The issue has attracted public attention so much

that whenever any of the governors from the affected states is seen at an official function with the states counterparts, it is presumed that the States are strategizing on the way forward which presumption is not out of place. From the media reports and social critics on the issue, attention has not been directed at what actually caused the prevailing situation in those States. Rather, analysts have focused on whether or not the States should be bailed out in one hand; while on the other hand, the presidency is concerned with the potentiality of being able to assist the affected federating states considering the empty treasury inherited from the immediate past government. In this piece, the question of whether the bailout by the federal government is permissible under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is examined. Issues such as what form the bailout should take (is it to be a loan which is repayable or a gift which is non-repayable by law); where should the grants constitutionally come from; and, is there any alternative remedy provided under the Constitution to save the States from their current quagmire? All these are the subject of my discussion in this piece.

Factual Background Shortly after the inauguration of the All Progressive Congress (APC) led national government, many States through their Governors have now gone cap in hand to President Buhari’s led federal government to assist

them by providing funds and or grants to enable them meet their financial commitments essentially to pay workers in the States. In a tacit response, the federal government seems to say that its treasury is empty which is suggestive of the fact that if the funds are available, the states’ request may be considered. In some quarters, it has been argued that there is no basis for the affected State governments making such a plea since other States are not facing such challenges. This argument, however morally convincing it may be is flawed if we consider the fact that some States of the federation receive a larger share from the Federation Account on the basis of “derivative principle”.

Does Federal Government have power to make grants to states? Without deviating from the focus of this discourse, the irresistible question is whether the Federal Government is constitutionally empowered to accede to the States’ request for “grants” or bailout as some of the newspapers put it? According to Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution, it states and I quote: The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed nor shall any person or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. The only document as our point of reference therefore is the 1999 Constitution in determining whether or not the “Federal

Government” has the power to give grant to the State Government. A scrutiny of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended) particularly, Section 164 seems to provide a direction to answering this question and for ease of reference, the section is reproduced hereunder: 164(1) The Federation may make grants to a State to supplement the revenue of that State in such sum and subject to such terms and condition as may be prescribed by the National Assembly. The word “Federation” used in the above quoted provisions of the Constitution appears to be clear and as a matter law, it must be given its ordinary meaning. This position has been given judicial approval in plethora of cases by the apex Court of the land. Amongst the list of such cases includes Fawenhimi v I.G.P. (2002) 7 NWLR (Pt. 767) 606 at 678, the Supreme Court of Nigeria succinctly put the law thus: The proper approach to the interpretation of clear words of a statute is to follow them in their simple grammatical and ordinary meaning rather than look further because that is what prima facie gives them their most reliable meaning. This is also generally true in the construction of Constitutional provisions if they are clear and unambiguous even when it is necessary to give them a liberal or broad interpretation Ramoni, a Legal Practitioner and Tax Consultant writes from Lagos TO BE CONTINUED

EVENTS

Mr. George Etomi, and former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, at the NBA Lagos branch Law Week Dinner & Award Night in Lagos, recently.

L-R: Mr. Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN, Mr. Godwin Omoaka, Mr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, and Mr. Juwon Adenuga, at the 2nd Annual “LCA Day” at the LCA International Centre for Arbitration and ADR (ICAA), in Lagos, recently.

L-R: Mr. Ebun Sofunde (SAN), former Governor Fashola, SAN, NBA Lagos Law Week Chairman, Mrs. Tolani Edu-Adeola, and NBA Lagos branch Chairman, Mr. Alex Muoka.

L-R: Member, Lawyers in the Media (LIM) Mr. Dayo Benson; Secretary, LIM, Alhaji Adam Adedimeji; LIM Publicity Secretary, Mr. Francis Famoroti; LIM Chairman, Mr. John Austin Unachukwu; President, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Mr. Charles Chijide, Vice-President, OAAN, Alhaji Danladi Yaro; OAAN General Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Ajufo; Ex-Offcio, Mr. Tunde Adedoyin and OAAN Treasurer, Mr. Femi Ogala during a visit by LIM executives to OAAN Secretariat in Lagos, recently.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, July 13, 2015

Community Mirror We know that what government has given is not enough, but with the belief that you are going to put it to judicious use, it would go a long way to help. Governor of Lagos – Akinwunmi Ambode

Court remands woman in prison over assault Dare Akogun

Lagos Magistrate’s Court, in Ejigbo, has remanded a 22-year-old woman, Mary Atiake, in prison custody for allegedly inflicting injury on her rival’s face with razor blade. Community Mirror findings revealed that Atiake, who is the daughter of a senior police officer serving in the state, pounced on her rival, Sarah Ogunyemi, whom she met in

her lover’s house at Olowo Close in Igando area of the state. Ogunyemi was said to have bled profusely following the attack and was rushed to Igando General Hospital where she is receiving medical attention. The matter was reported at Igando Police Division and the suspect was subsequently apprehended. Atiake was said to have accused Ogunyemi of being responsible for her unstable relationship with her lover identified as Joe.

The suspect, who was arraigned for inflicting bodily harm under the Criminal Code, however pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against her. In his ruling, the Magisterate, Mr. P.E. Nwaka, granted her bail in the sum of N10,000 with two sureties in like sum. He however ordered that she should be remanded in Kirikiri Prison pending when she perfects her bail condition. Nwaka adjourned the case till 29 July, 2015.

Community leaders urge FG to relocate terrorist in Ekwulobia Prisons

residents-General of Anambra Community has urged the Federal Government to relocate the 47 Boko Haram suspects transferred to Ekwulobia Prisons in Aguata Local Government of the state. About 177 community leaders, under the aegis of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), made the call at a protest rally in Awka recently. The protesters, who moved round the capital city, carried placards with various inscriptions. Some of the inscriptions read ``we need peace, not Boko Haram’’, ``Ekwulobia Prison is not a maximum prison’’, ``Ekwulobia Prison is just behind Federal Polytechnic Oko’’, among others. Mr Jap Okoro, the President of ASATU, said the decision to transfer the prisoners to the state was not in the best interest of the people in the area. He pointed out that there was no military formation there to forestall any case of jail break. Okoro said the courts in Anam-

bra also do not have jurisdiction to try the inmates for their offences as they were still awaiting trial. He then urged the Federal Government to rescind the decision by taking urgent steps to relocate the detainees outside Anambra and the entire South East. ``The Ekwulobia prison is a minimum security prison located in the middle of a densely populated community, surrounded by tertiary institutions and therefore grossly inadequate for such inmates of high security risk. ``Why should they be brought here? There is no military presence, in case of the recurrent emergence of prison breaks associated with Boko Haram insurgents and detainees. ``We,

Presidents-General

the 177 communities in Anambra, therefore urge the Federal Government to rescind this decision and take immediate steps to relocate these detainees outside Anambra state and indeed the entire South East.

Group to build business clusters in 36 states, FCT

FCT taxi drivers obstructing flow of traffic in protest of extortion by officials of Vehicles Inspection Officers (VIO) on Herbert Macaulay Way, Berger Junction, Abuja, recently. PHOTO: NAN

Lawmaker donates 100 wheelchairs to Nasarawa hospitals Igbawase Ukumba LAFIA

ember representing Akwang a/Wamba/ Nasarawa-Eggon Federal constituency from Nasarawa State, David Ombugadu, has donated 100 wheelchairs to hospitals in three Local Government Areas of his constituency. The lawmaker presented the wheelchairs to the beneficiaries at a ceremony in Akwanga, stating that the gesture was part of his contributions to the well-being of his constituents in line with his campaign promises.

Represented by his aide, Miss Agnes Aliyu, the lawmaker said the gesture was meant to benefited both public and private hospitals, adding that 40 of the wheel chairs were for Akwanga, 35 for NasarawaEggon and 25 for Wamba local government areas, respectively. Receiving the items on behalf of the beneficiaries, Chief Medical Director of Akwanga General Hospital, Dr. Gonji Thomas, applauded the lawmaker for the gesture and promised judicious use of the wheel chairs to enhance health care services to the people. In a remark President of the

Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ, Very Reverend Jerry Modibo thanked the donor for the gesture, noting that if all politicians will put the interest of the people’s needs above personal considerations; the nation would witness growth and development. Also speaking, Nasarawa North zonal chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Umaru Gwamna, and Akwanga local government PDP chairman, Alhaji Idris Jide, both expressed joy over the gesture, noting that the lawmaker had justified the confidence reposed on the lawmaker, calling for his sustenance of the

ssociation of Service Oriented Entrepreneurs in Nigeria (ASOEN) said it would build business clusters in 36 states of the federation and Abuja to provide more employment opportunities to people. Mr Isidore Ehochi, National Coordinator of ASOEN, announced this while inaugurating the association’s National Executive Council in Abuja on Tuesday. Ehochi said, the clusters would assist to reduce unemployment when built. He added that the association would partner Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to ensure that government delivered adequate services to Nigerians. According to him, ASOEN being a service oriented organisation, will partner ministries and other agencies of government to enhance service delivery and make jobs available to people. He listed promotion of qual-

ity service delivery, national awareness, orientation, reward for service to people and provision of training for its members as ASOEN’s objectives. Others include re-training members according to global standard; assisting members in accessing loan from SMEs, local, international and common platforms to articulate and to advise government on service issues. Ehochi called on the state coordinators to inaugurate their executive members without delay. He reiterated the association’s readiness to partner with state governors to assist them in ensuring that relevant services provided by the states were delivered to their people. Earlier, Chief Egbe Akparakwu, the Chief Guest at the occasion, told the members of the association to use the organisation to improve themselves and the nation.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Monday, July 13, 2015

Soyinka bestrides literary world like colossus —Amosun

gun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has congratulated Prof. Wole Soyinka on the occasion of his 81st birthday. Amosun, according to a statement signed by Secretary to the State Gov-

ernment, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, described Soyinka as "a quintessential scholar, who bestrides the literary world like a colossus." “Soyinka excels in all the genres of literature and his prodigious

works have continued to be a reference point in academic circles all over the world," the statement said. Amosun said the first winner of the prestigious Awo prize for Leadership "has continued to be a

source of inspiration to youths across the globe on top-notch scholarship, values of industry and public spiritedness." He wished him robust health and many more years of meritorious service to the nation.

L-R: Former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh; Director of School, Pace Setter Academy, Mrs Kate Omansuangbon; Chairman/Proprietor, Dr. Kenneth Imansuangbon and former Governor of Abia State, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, during graduation/speech and price-giving day celebration of Pace Setter Academy in Abuja yesterday.

Sebastine Ebhuomhan BENIN

igeria Labour Congress, NLC, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to sit at home and fight the Boko Haram sect and stop junketing the world in search of ready-made solution to terrorism. Deputy president of NLC and general secretary of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, Comrade Issa Aremu, advised the President on behalf of labour in his remarks as chairperson of IndustriALL Global Union (Africa Region) at the national executive council meeting of the Nigerian Affiliates of IndustriALL Global Union at the weekend. According to labour, besides the pressure the government of the United States of America might put on Nigeria on the issue of same-sex marriage, increasing attacks from Boko Haram demands that Buhari sits down and confront his challenges at home instead of leaving national security in the hands of politicians

Ambode promises rapid development in Epe Francis Suberu

overnor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday assured residents in Epe area of the state that the ancient town would witness infrastructural development in the course of his administration. The governor, who gave the assurance while speaking at a special Ramadan lecture at the premises of Epe Local Government Council, thanked the people for the support shown to the All Progressives Congress, APC, during the electioneering, promising that the development of Epe was uppermost in his heart. He assured residents of the area that his government would reciprocate the gesture by carrying out infrastructural projects that would make life comfortable for them. “I just want to say a big thank you to everyone here. I know that a lot of us contested, but the bottom line is that I belong to this community and whatever it is that we do is in the interest of

Stay home, address security challenges —Labour urges Buhari and running around the globe. Labour also presented a 10-point agenda on insecurity that include: the invitation of states with matters of national security challenges to National Security Council meetings; organisation of National Security Council meetings on quarterly basis except in times of emergency; establishment of an independent, multi-disciplinary national security think tank; implementation of the Local Government Peace and Security Committee at local government level with membership comprising local government area chairmen, State Security Service, traditional ruler, DPO, CPs representative, Army Commander’s representative with local government areas’ secretary as the committee’s secretary and establishment of a National Border Patrol Guard, NBPG, in the Ministry of Defence. Others are the appoint-

ment of Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs purely on merit and seniority; creation of crisis management department in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, comprising NEMA, NSCDC, FRSC etc; establishment up of a minimum baseline for assessing national security; equipping of the armed forces and police and review of their welfare and limitation of deployment of the armed forces for non-combat roles to national emergencies. On the non-payment or delay in the payment of workers’ salaries by the Federal Government, states and local governments, labour warned: “An injury to one is an injury to all. If the governors who must enforce labour laws are not paying salaries as at when due, private employers may copy the bad labour practice.” But labour has commended Buhari over Federal Government’s intervention to state and local governments

on the payment of their workers’ salaries, However, labour has urged the President and indeed all Nigerians to demand responsibility and accountability from governors and all public officials besides blocking all wasteful leakages of public resources and travelling commercial and economy, henceforth. Furthermore, labour called for a review of the present minimum wage and urged the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to immediately declare a state of emergency on industrial revival while objecting to the creation of more states in the country since some of the present 36 states are not viable. On the ban recently lifted on some goods, labour urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to include African prints textile materials in the list of foreign exchange restrictions so as to protect Nigerian industries. Meanwhile, effort aimed

at reconciling the NLC has stepped up as a reconciliatory meeting, the first after the directive of the president of the National Industrial Court, NIC, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, held behind closed-doors at the National Union of Electricity Employees’ office. At the meeting, veterans including the former General Secretary of Amalgamated Workers Union, Comrade Sylvester Ejiofor, founding treasurer of NLC and former president of Food and Beverage Workers Union, Comrade Lanre Oshidipe and pioneer general secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Tola Ogunlusi met with Comrade Joe Ajaero, Comrade Issa Aremu and Comrade Igwe Achese and other leaders of one of the two factions. The reconciliation process will continue this week between the veterans and the other faction led by Comrade Ayuba Wabba.

this community. We are all going to stand together to make sure the development of Epe is uppermost in our heart,” he said. Governor Ambode, who hails from Epe, however enjoined residents to join hands with his government, urging them to seize the period of the Ramadan to pray for the success of his tenure in office. “I am glad Epe is one. It pleases God that what we’ve missed in the city for almost 40 years has come to us. It is now left for all of us to come together and join hands with this government. “There is nothing I can do for Epe people that can be enough, but I assure you that Epe would be a new city. All I need from you now is prayer because I am ready to pay my dues in Epe and I will try my best to ensure that Epe and indeed Lagos State witness all-round development and transformation,” the governor said. Earlier, the guest lecturer, Dr. Nosirudeen Onibon, had urged those who would form the cabinet of the governor to imbibe the culture of moral competence in the discharge of their duties. He said governance thrives on division of labour, hence all hands must be on deck to ensure the success of the administration. Onibon expressed optimism that with Governor Ambode in the helm of affairs in the state, Lagos would witness a great deal of development. Among dignitaries who graced the lecture were the Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, Chief Imam of 1st Epe Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abiola; member, Lagos House of Assembly, Epe Constituency I, Hon. Segun Olulade; a former lawmaker, Hon. Bashir Abisoye Oloto and the Executive Secretary, Epe Local Government, Hon. Ahmed Seriki.

Ambode

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News We are here in Athens ready for an honest compromise and we can reach an agreement if all parties want it –GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL

Talks ‘near end’ amidst Iran warning Afolabi Gambari

WITH AGENCY REPORT

orld powers are on the verge of a historic deal with Iran, according to Western diplomats, though Iran officials caution against the idea that outcome is a foregone conclusion. The Western diplomats say the major hurdles to a deal have been overcome, although they acknowledge some important issues needed to be resolved and capitals still needed to sign off. Those loose ends are what are keeping Iranian officials from sounding more optimistic, with today’s deadline looming. “There are two or three things that need to be worked out,” a senior Iranian official said yesterday. But if all goes well, an announcement to come as early as today, Western officials said. “We are nearly there,” one Western diplomat said. Another said negotiators made good progress over the weekend and the talks were reaching the “endgame.” The Iranian official said whether or not a deal gets struck hinges on the negotiators’ appetite for getting it done. “It only depends on political will,” the official said. US Secretary of State, John Kerry, yesterday said he was

Iran Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

hopeful about the U.S. and the other world powers would reach a deal with Iran to curb its nuclear program. This followed a marathon series of meetings in Vienna on Saturday, including two sessions with the 6 allies and Iran, one going to midnight. There were also separate sessions on Saturday between Kerry, European Union foreign policy

chief Federica Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. “We had a very good meeting. Positive,” Kerry told reporters yesterday of the previous day’s meeting with Zarif. “I think we’re getting to some real decisions so I will say because we have a few tough things to do. I remain hopeful. Hopeful,” he added.

The negotiators, facing another deadline, on Friday extended the talks through today. This was the third extension of the final round. The parties also extended the interim agreement, known as the Joint Plan of Action, through today. On Saturday, after one of his meetings with the European negotiator and the Iranian Foreign Minister, Kerry tweeted “Still have difficult issues to resolve.” A Western diplomat told CNN on Sunday “good progress” has been made and said negotiations Several of the European foreign ministers had left Vienna late last week, but have since returned. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who just arrived back to the Iranian nuclear negotiations in Vienna, said he was optimistic the talks were nearing completion. “I hope we are finally entering the final phase of these marathon negotiations,” he told reporters. In another signal that talks are entering a critical stage, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is en route to Vienna to join negotiations, according to a tweet in Russian issued by Russia’s Foreign Ministry. A top Iranian official also called reaching a deal on today “logistically impossible.”

Debt crisis: Greece handed bail-out conditions

reece won’t get the massive bailout it urgently needs to stay in the euro unless it commits to much deeper economic reforms and shows it can deliver them. That was the message from European finance officials

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras

during a second day of frantic diplomacy yesterday on Greece’s request for a new rescue. Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, arriving for talks in Brussels with the leaders of the other 18 countries that use the euro, said he was ready to compromise.

Whether that will be enough to get the money flowing again soon, secure Greece’s membership of the euro and allow its banks to reopen, remains unclear. German Chancellor Angela Merkel cautioned that yesteday’s talks would be “difficult, and there won’t be a deal at any price.” Europe and the International Monetary Fund estimate Greece needs between 82 billion and 86 billion euros ($96 billion) over the next three years, according to a document drafted by the finance officials. They have already lent Greece about 233 billion euros since 2010. The document says the Greek government needs to go way beyond a reform proposal it submitted last week, by making much more profound changes to its pension system, energy, labor and product markets, and scaling up a program of privatization.

The talks follow an ultimatum Europe gave Tsipras this week: Show us you’re serious about putting Greek finances in order, or you’re out of the euro. Trust in Greece’s commitment to reform was shattered by January’s election of a prime minister fiercely opposed to austerity, and a series of government U-turns in the last two weeks, including calling a referendum to reject reforms it then signed up to days later. Without agreement in principle to start talks on a bailout, the crisis in Greece will only deepen, dragging the country ever closer to exit from the euro. That risk was stated explicitly in the document drafted by finance officials. “In case no agreement could be reached, Greece should be offered swift negotiations on a time out from the euro area, with possible debt restructuring,” it stated.

WORLD BULLETIN Taliban spokesman killed in Afghanistan

A Rhode Island beach was evacuated Saturday while a bomb squad investigated an apparent explosion that injured a woman, authorities said. “We believe there had been a small explosion, sub-surface, that erupted out of the sand and virtually caused one of our beach patrons to ultimately fall backwards and forwards” and land on the rocks of the jetty, Larry Mouradjian of the state department of environmental management said at a press conference yesterday. So far, there’s no evidence an explosive device was involved in the blast at Salty Brine Beach, said Kurt Blanchard of the Rhode Island Environmental Police. “It could be natural,” Mouradjian said, adding, “It could be manmade. At this point, it’s under investigation.”

China screens court deputy Vice-president of China’s highest court, Xi Xiaoming, is being investigated by the country’s anticorruption agency. Xiaoming, who joined the Supreme People’s Court in 1982, has been accused of serious discipline violations, according to a statement from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). No further details were given. China’s ruling Communist Party has vowed to fight political corruption and has already arrested several officials. Last month, a court sentenced former security chief Zhou Yongkang to life imprisonment on corruption charges, making him the highest-ranking former official to be jailed in decades.

Egyptian actor, Sharif, interred The funeral of Egyptian actor Omar Sharif, who died on Friday at the age of 83 following a heart attack, held in Cairo yesterday. Among those who attended the service were fellow actor Hussein Fahmy and former Egyptian antiquities minister, Zahi Hawas, a close friend of the fallen star. Fahmy hailed Sharif as a man who loved Egypt and represented the Egyptian art in its best form. “We are going to miss him for a very long time,” Fahmy said. Egypt-born Sharif won two Golden Globe awards and an Oscar nomination for his role as Sherif Ali in David Lean’s 1962 epic, Lawrence of Arabia. He won a further Golden Globe three years later for Doctor Zhivago. Many local actors attended the funeral at the Hussein Tantawi Mosque in an eastern neighbourhood of the Egyptian capital.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Monday, June 13, 2015

Maku instigated Jonathan against North, says Al-Makura IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

Chairman of Izala Group on Orphans, Amb. Shehu Wurno, presenting some materials to Kabiru Isa, one of the orphans, during Qur’an memorisation at Savanna Bank Road Mosque in Sokoto, recently. PHOTO: NAN

Pensioners want Wada to sack consultant WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

ogi State chapter of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, has issued a sevenday ultimatum to Governor Idris Wada to withdraw the services of a consultant engaged by the state’s Accountant-General, AG Ibrahim Idakwo, to handle pension payment or face protests. While addressing journalists in Lokoja at the weekend, NUP chairman, Onuh Abdullahi, said the ultimatum became necessary because the Accountant General had hijacked the payment of monthly pension from the Bureau of State Government Pensions

and instead engaged a consultant in April 2014. “Since 2012, pensions are being paid through electronic device or eplatform. But the Accountant General misinformed Governor Wada that such payments were done manually. The state’s AG requested the governor to grant approval for introduction of the platform in payment of monthly pensions and it was approved immediately,” he said. He said based on the approval, Idakwo engaged the services of a consultant to make the payment in April 2014, adding that the pensioners opposed the arrangement by writing the state government and other relevant agen-

cies on the possible consequence of the action, but to no avail. Abdullahi alleged that as a result of the development about 225 pensioners were omitted from the payment voucher in April 2015, while new placements for receipt of pension in April were also left out. “In April over N19.92 million was withheld by the Accountant General from the required total money released for pension payment. “In May 2015 the same consultant was used by the AG to effect the payment and the same mistake of April was repeated. Also, the AG instructed the constant to deduct varying sums

of money ranging from N200 to N1,000 from salaries of pensioners,” he added. He said effort to make the government understand that the AG was out to cause confusion and unnecessary pains to pensioners was not heeded and that till now most of the affected pensioners had not received their payment. He insisted whatever reason the AG may have advanced for his action, he was operating an illegality as his actions of unilaterally replacing state pension with a consultant and imposing illegal charges on pensioners without approval among others is disregard for the rule of law.

Avian flu: 1.4 million birds destroyed –NVRI

ore than 1.4 million birds have been destroyed to curb avian influenza (bird flu) that hit poultry farms early this year, says Dr. Mohammed Ahmed, Executive Director, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom. Ahmed told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Vom that 18 states were affected by the flu, which last case was reported on May 28. He said 800 suspicious cases were diagnosed in the institute’s laboratory out of which 500 tested positive to the disease.

The NVRI boss said Federal Government was already paying compensation to owners of the destroyed birds. While appealing to the states to assist farmers, Ahmed particularly warned against cluster farms, and blamed the trend for the large number of birds that had to be destroyed. The NVRI boss singled out Plateau and Kano as states with the largest concentration of cluster farms, adding that the flu usually spreads faster and engulfs more birds in cluster farms.

He expressed satisfaction that the flu was contained in few months compared to the first outbreak that lasted from 2006-2008, but said more birds were destroyed this time. Ahmed said the disease had subsided but “certainly not over yet.” Ahmed said Federal Government was also carrying out forensic investigation to ascertain how the disease came in. He admitted there were many speculations with humans suspected to be possible carriers, while poultry importations

could also be a source of disease dissemination. Ahmed, however, expressed happiness that no human case had been found, saying that people tested, including farm workers, proved negative. The NVRI boss disclosed that another poultry disease, known as Newcastle disease, was being zeroed in for eradication by the international community through vaccinations like Thermostable and MDV12 that is usually targeted at poultry farmers in hinterlands.

asarawa State Governor, Umaru Al-Makura, has accused former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, of having pitched former President Goodluck Jonathan against the North while in office. The governor claimed that Maku’s divisive tendencies along ethnic and religious lines helped fuel the recurrent crises in the state. Maku at a press briefing in Abuja at the weekend alleged that innocent citizens had continued to be killed by gunmen as a result of what he described as the “insensitivity” in handling security situation in the state by the government. Maku noted that he would have addressed the situation had he been sworn in as governor in May this year. However, in a swift reaction yesterday, Special Assistant to Governor Al-Makura on Media and Publicity, Ahmed Tukur, said it was rather unfortunate that Maku, who had ignored invitations extended to him and other stakeholders on

several occasions by the governor to brainstorm towards finding lasting solution to the communal crises in recent past could make such unguarded utterances when the state government has succeeded in overcoming the situation. Al-Makura said insecurity in the state became worse following increase in arms and ammunition when Maku held sway as the supervising minister of defense, insisting that the former minister should rather commend the state government for the relative peace being enjoyed in the state. “It is on record that Nasarawa State had very poor representation at the Federal Executive Council under Mr. Maku as minister from the state. Rather than represent the state diligently, Maku was rather setting former President Jonathan against the state and the entire northern region. “The former minister prevented most of the projects that would have been carried out in the state and northern Nigeria in general because of his selfishness,” AlMakura stated.

Taraba IDPs get more relief materials JUSTIN TYOPUUSU JALINGO

nternally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Taraba Stare yesterday got succour from the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, which distributed additional relief materials worth over N5 million to one of the camps in Mutum-Biyu, Gassol Local Government Area of the state. Crises ranging from ethno-religious to farmers/herdsmen tussles have in recent years claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands of people mainly in central and southern parts of the state, many of who now reside in camps within the state and neighbouring Benue State. Presenting the materials to IDPs in Tudun Haske, Sabongari, Anguwar Tike, Kan-Kwana and Bayan Kasuwa camps in

Mutum Biyu, Gassol local council, Director-General of the agency, Muhammed Sani-Sidi, told IDPs that the Federal Government was not only committed to alleviating their sufferings, but was also making concerted efforts to restore peace to all troubled communities in the country. Represented by the agency’s Head of Gombe Operations Office, Saidu Mini, Sani-Sidi urged the IDPs to support security operatives and other stakeholders in finding lasting solution to violent clashes in their areas. Caretaker chairman of Gassol local council, Bashir Tukura, while thanking NEMA for always identifying with his people in time of need, pledged the support of the council in ensuring peace and unity among people of the area. Spokesman for the IDPs, Arayyan Umar, thanked the Federal Government for the continued support to the affected persons.

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Umahi charges...applauds governors on development Buhari’s directive on NNPC account FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

overnor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State yesterday called on his colleagues to step up efforts that would enable them maximise the economic potential in their various states towards meeting up with aspirations of the people rather than celebrating cut in salaries. He emphasised that 50 per cent pay cut by some governors was highly insignificant to impact meaningfully and stimulate the desired development, particularly the lives of the electorates. He said savings that would be made from the

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Togbeola Oluwatoyin Yetunde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adekunle Oluwatoyin Yetunde. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Babalola Habeebah Taiwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajani Habeebah Taiwo. All documents remain valid. Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayo Monijesu Victoria, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aibinuomo Monijesu Victoria. All former documents remain valid. OYSUBEB, Oriire LGUBEA and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AKADIRI: I Formerly known and addressed as Akadiri Nasiru Bunmi, now wish to be known and address as Quadri Oluwabunmi Nasiru. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

salary volunteered by elected political office holders was not the solution to the current cash crunch confronting many states. Umahi stated this while fielding questions from journalists shortly after emerging from a closeddoor meeting with former president Olusegun Obasanjo at his home in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. The governor added that such makeshift arrangement, which has become the fad among elected politicians, was not what Nigerians bargained for. Umahi, who was reacting to last Saturday’s reduction in the salary of President Muhammadu Buhari

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss John Taiwo Eniola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bademosi Taiwo Eniola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Fadoju Bolanle Margaret, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omotayo Bolanle Margaret. All former documents remain valid. Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinola Oluwaseun Temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olasoji Oluwaseun Temitope. All former documents remain valid. OSUNTESCOM and General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Oriola Aderonke Oluseyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Ezekwe Aderonke Oluseyi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo by 50 per cent, said he would not jump on the bandwagon of elected politicians volunteering a cut in their salaries because such a measure was not the solution required to address the current economic doldrums in the country. “That is not where the issue is. I think it’s not the major issue. The major issue is to be honest to the people, it’s to deploy the resources God has given the people, don’t cheat them, don’t steal their money. “What we take as political leaders, what is due to us is really very meagre.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebayo Alaba Olanrewaju, now wish to be addressed and called as Mrs Ekundayo Alaba Olanrewaju. All fomer documents remain valid. Federal Polytechnic Ede Osun State and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Okon Ebunoluwa Eno, now wish to be known and addressed as Daudu Ebunoluwa Ayodeji. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Ibrahim Olusola Olajumoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bakare Olusola Olajumoke. All documents remain valid; Nigeria Immigration Service and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mr. Okonji Samuel Enuma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Ekeh Ugochukwu Peter. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I earn about N600, 000 a month. So, if I cut it down to 50 per cent, that is N300, 000. That is not the kind of money the society is looking for. They are asking that whatever is due to us, give it to us and I believe in that,” he said. The governor, however, assured that his administration would ensure the development of his state, particularly through investment in agriculture towards bountiful harvest of the Abakaliki local rice as recommended by Obasanjo. “We have taken very major step in addressing the growth of our state, Eb-

CHANGE OF NAME

JAYEOBA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Jayeoba Temilade Mary. Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adepoju Temilade Mary. All former documents remained valid. Force Education Unit Dei - Dei Abuja and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Adekunle Kafilat Abiodun, now wish to be known and addressed as Oyeniyi Kafilat Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Obadimu Elizabeth Oluwakemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Balogun Elizabeth Oluwakemi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Dr. (Miss) Anyanwu Chinonyerem Sarah, now wish to be known and addressed as Dr. (Mrs.) Chimezie Chinonyerem Sarah. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSOCIATION OF TRICYCLE MECHANICS OF LAGOS.

This is to inform the general public that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Aﬀairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:

- Chairman

To maintain and promote the unity and welfare of Akatta indigenes. Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Aﬀairs Commission, Plot 420 Trigis Crescent, oﬀ Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: OBIAKOR OKORIUKWU CHRISTIAN CHAIRMAN

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Libamoyo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Elizabeth Alao. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Omotola Tolulope Shonibare, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omotola Tolulope Jabar. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKAFOR: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okafor Nkiruka Janefrances, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Officha Nkiruka Janefrances. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Odo Priscilla Amaechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ezeugwu Priscilla Amaechi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, Mrs Adeniji Aremu Bamidele is one and same person as Mrs Adeniji Bamidele Hawawu. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

FAGBURE: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeyeni Folake Fagbure, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Dr. (Mrs) Adeyeni Folake Ogunsola. All former documents remain valid. First Registrar, GTB, UBN, LSADA and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Karimu Olorunnisola {Alhaji}, now wish to be known and addressed as Mamudu Karimu. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and called Yantai Labesa J. henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Blessing Joshua. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Ugo Stella Amaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Udealor Stella Amaka. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to no fy the general public that the original of the Deed of Conveyance registered as No. 52 at Page 52 in Volume 991 in respect of the property in Ilupeju Road, Mushin Area of Lagos State in favour of Surakatu A. Rosiji (Deceased) and registered at the Land Registry Oﬃce, Ikeja Lagos State is lost and all eﬀorts to find and recover the said lost tle documenthave proved abor ve.

PUBLIC NOTICE

LOSS OF ORIGINAL OF DEED OF CONVEYANCE REGISTERED AS 14/14/11 IN FAVOUR OF SURAKATU A. ROSIJI DECEASED

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral Corporate Aﬀairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, oﬀ Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

This is to no fy the general public that the original of the Deed of Conveyance registered as No. 14 at Page 14 in Volume 11 in respect of the property in Igbobi area of Lagos State in favour of Surakatu A. Rosiji (Deceased) and registered at the Land Registry Oﬃce, Ikeja, Lagos State is lost and all eﬀorts to find and recover the said lost tle document have proved abor ve.

PUBLIC NOTICE

SIGNED: BARRISTER M. T. OLOYEDE

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Obiakor Okoriukwu Christian 2. Ugochukwu Uchenna Aloysius 3. Aputaziem Achike Cyril 4. Ejimnkeonye Anslem Odidika 5. Odimega Sabestine Chukwudi 6. Okafor Anene Emmanuel 7. Onyemaobi Andrew Emejulu 8. Okoro Livinus 9. Ogbunanwata Bethrand Obiajunwa AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:

CHANGE OF NAME

SMITH: I, formerly known and addressed as Anomneze Smith, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Anomneze Izuchukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Okoli Onyinye Nwamaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nsoromotu Onyinye Nwamaka. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

LOSS OF ORIGINAL OF DEED OF CONVEYANCE REGISTERED AS 52/52/991IN FAVOUR OF SURAKATU A. ROSIJI DECEASED

1. To continue to enhance and improve the expertise of members in the art of tricycle repair through retraining and other knowledge - based seminars. 2.To protect and foster the economic interests of all members of the Association. 3. To co-operate with any other associations or group of persons including government institutions at all levels for the purpose of protecting and fostering the interests of members.

This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied to the Corporate Aﬀairs Commission for registration under the part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990.

CHANGE OF NAME

NYAM: Formerly known and addressed as Christopher Shamaki, now wish to be known and addressed as Christopher Nyam Shamaki. All former documents remain valid. K. S. U B E B and general public should please take note

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Akanmu Taofeek Idowu 2. Kareem Sulaimon Olalekan 3. Adebowale Segun Adewunmi.

AKATTA PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION AKATTA

onyi. We’ve taken decisive steps. Right now, we are auditing our workforce; we think our workforce is not right. We are also doing everything to bring investors into these mineral resources I told you and agricultural sector. “We already have five gigantic rice mill in Ebonyi State, what we don’t have is money and we’ve been asking the Federal Government to give us funds. “The

CBN governor is giving Ebonyi State attention. He has written us since the ban on importation of rice, which is what is supposed to be done. I don’t see the reason why we should import food into Nigeria,” he added. Umahi also applauded the step taken by President Buhari through his directive to stop many accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, stressing that it is one of the steps that will move the country forward.

GETHSEMANE GOSPEL REVIVAL OUTREACH This is to inform the general public that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Aﬀairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Fwangkat Caleb Amos 2. Fwangkat Grace Caleb 3. Artuhur Pankyes Davwet 4. Gora Ayuba Tangsan 5. Dastu Fitima Yunusa 6. Obadiya Josephine Dajwan AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.

- Chairman - Secretary

To preach the gospel of salvation from sin and satanic bondage

SIGNED: CHAIRMAN

LIFE FOR ALL EVANGELICAL POWER MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Aﬀairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Bala Dao’s Dakup 2. Friday Andrew Yenle 3. Joel Madaki Mashi 4. Margaret .N. Jatau 5. Haruna John Dewang 6. Gyang Pam Dung AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To evangelise all the nation with the gospel of Jesus Christ 2. To pray and intercede on behalf of the nation 3. To teach the word of God and deliver the captives

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Aﬀairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, oﬀ Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

SIGNED: FRIDAY A. YENLE

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, July 13, 2015

I think life here is starting great and I believe the weeks and months ahead will be even greater

Sport

Djokovic beats Federer, wins trophy

–NEW YORK CITY FC MIDFIELDER, FRANK LAMPARD

Emmanuel Emenike (l) at his unveiling in Dubai last week

Glo League results

Emenike braces for Al-Ain challenge

FCON 2013 top scorer, Emmanuel Emenike, has declared he is up to the challenge of replacing Ghana star Asamoah Gyan at Dubai club Al Ain. Gyan was a legend at Al Ain, scoring 95 goals in 81 matches and winning several major trophies with the Dubai club before his move to China last week. The Super Eagles striker says he hopes

to do more while on a season-long loan from Turkish club Fenerbache. “I’m here to win more trophies,” he said yesterday. “I have scored goals starting from when I was with Karabukspor and then Fenerbahce. I have won trophies in Turkey, but last season wasn’t that great for me even though I made an impact as I got a lot of assists.”

The Nigerian forward praised Gyan’s achievements in Dubai. “Gyan is a very good player. He has achieved a lot in his career and so have I,” Emenike added. “I have won the African Cup. It doesn’t worry me that I’m replacing Gyan as my plan is to work as a team-man and then do well as a player.”

Kwara

Sharks

3SC

Giwa

Rangers

Lobi

Abia

Taraba

Stars

Bayelsa

Wikki

El-Kanemi

Wolves

Enyimba

Heartland 3

Dolphins

Akwa

Pillar

Nasarawa

Ifeanyi Ubah

Emenike also says he is looking forward to play alongside Al Ain’s ace midfielder Omar Abdul Rahman. “To play with a player like Omar is great and I have seen a few of his videos. He is special and gave some good passes to Gyan. I think I will work well with him and I’m looking forward to training with him,” he further said.

Siasia okays Oliseh’s appointment Paul Erewuba

ational U-23 team Coach, Samson Siasia, has commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for

hiring former Super Eagles’ midfielder, Sunday Oliseh, as successor to the sacked Stephen Keshi. “I think it is good development for football in the country as I believe Nigeria football will get

back to its former enviable position,” Siasia said yesterday. “Sunday is qualified for the job and I hope he succeeds in there. “He should know how this terrain is. Some of us have been there for

a while, he has been in Europe. I pray he copes well because as you know, it is not easy.” Meanwhile, Siasia says his team is well prepared to take on Congo on Saturday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Sta-

dium in Port Harcourt in their Olympic 2016 Championship first leg final round qualifier. “We will need Port Harcourt fans to come out in large number to support us to victory,” the gaffer added.

Siasia

Sports

Monday, July 13, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Djokovic (l) and Federer posing after the trophy presentation

Wimbledon Open 2015:

Djokovic beats Federer, wins trophy

erbian Novak Djokovic yesterday ended Swiss Roger Federer’s dream of winning a record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title with a four set win in men’s singles final. A packed Centre Court witnessed the world’s top two players battle for glory for nearly three hours in a match that lived up to its billing. Federer was aiming to add to his incredible haul of seven Wimbledon titles but

Benteke

couldn’t match defending champion Novak Djokovic’s resilience with the 28-yearold eventually winning 7-6 (7/1), 6-7 (10/12), 6-4, 6-3. With the crowds at the All England Club clearly supporting 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer, the pressure was on Djokovic to win them over with his game. Djokovic proved his mettle with an excellent service game and has now become the first man since 2007 to retain the Wim-

bledon men’s title and in the process took his Grand Slam tally to nine. It was a cathartic moment for Djokovic just a month after his heartbreaking French Open final defeat against Stan Wawrinka - a loss that denied him the only major title he has yet to win. For 33-year-old Federer, it was a bitterly disappointing end to his bid to become the oldest Wimbledon champion of the Open Era. The 17-time major winner has now gone

three years since his last Grand Slam triumph. But he had his chances. In a rollercoaster rematch of last year’s final, he was 4-2 up in the first set and had two set points. Federer then had to save seven set points in the second set before bravely levelling the contest. However, Djokovic stepped on the gas and raced away to the title. Sunday’s final was the pair’s 40th career meeting and 12th in the Grand Slams.

Benteke nears Man United switch R

eports in England yesterday indicate that Manchester United Manager, Louis van Gaal has turned his attention to want away Aston Villa striker, Christian Benteke, and the Belgium international could be on his way to Old Trafford in the coming days. Benteke has a buy-out clause of £32.5million in his contract and Liverpool was thought to be ready

to meet Villa’s demands. But the Red Devils are reportedly ready to lure the 24-year-old in their hunt for striking reinforcements. Van Gaal has just two recognised strikers at the club following the departure of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao. Falcao was deemed unworthy of a permanent deal after spending last season on loan in Manchester.

The news could come as a blow to Reds boss Brendan Rodgers as he was believed to be keen to tie up a deal. Meanwhile, Javier Hernandez could be on Liverpool radar with reports in Portugal suggesting a first transfer between the two clubs in almost half a century could be in the offing. The 27-year-old can leave United for around £8m this summer.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Monday, July 13, 2015

Oliseh, NFF and marriage of convenience Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello Olumide Oyedeji (l) during a recent Afrobasket game

Oyedeji launches ‘Stay in School Initiative’ Paul Erewuba

aptain of the D’Tigers, Olumide Oyedeji, says he is set to launch the Olumide Oyedeji Intercollegiate Basketball championship as an advocacy for sports younsgters to get sound education along with playing professional sports. The initiative adds to Oyedeji’s annual give-back programme, also known as the Olumide Oyedeji Basketball Camp. The basketball star told National Mirror that he was motivated to revive the culture of school sports programme at the tertiary level which helped him on his way to becoming a professional athlete. “It is disturbing that a lot of professional sports people in Nigeria have little

or no education, especially as sport only lasts for a short period of time,” Oyedeji said. “We need to create a situation where going to school and engaging in sports is attractive. That’s why I have decided to start from my constituency which is Basketball. “I remember those years when I played in the Nigerian league, a bulk of us usually met at the NUGA games and that’s why even those who are retired now are all doing good everywhere they are in the world.” The Intercollegiate basketball championship which begins September will feature top tertiary institutions representing the Nigeria University Games (NUGA), Nigeria Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA) and the Nigeria College of Education Games (NACEGA).

Minimah tasks on facility maintenance Ifeanyi Eduzor

resident of Nigeria Boxing Federation, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah, has charged the National Sports Commission to maintain the newly commissioned boxing hostel at the National Stadium, Lagos for present and future generations of the country’s athletes. Minimah, who spoke to National Mirror at the commissioning of the Kenneth Minimah Boxing Hostel over the weekend, said his resolve to complete the facility started in 1994 by the NBF president, Group Captain Brai Ayonote, was to ensure that boxers preparing to represent the country at international competitions enjoyed conducive camping to enhance their medal hauls, stressing that the Brai Ayonote Boxing Gym and the federation’s office would soon be renovated.

Minimah, who is also Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, commended members of Army Corps of Engineers for using direct labour to complete the project in eight months while announcing that the hostel would also be enjoyed by athletes from other sports federations. Commander, Army Corps of Engineers, Major General S.J. Davies, also expressed hope that hostel would position the boxing federation for effective training of boxers targeted at winning laurels, even as he commended the Army chief for the confidence reposed on the engineers. Director General National Sports Commission, Alhassan Yakmut, said the facility would enhance the performance of athletes in future competitions. The two-storey 36 rooms hostel has 30 exquisite apartments, 2x luxury suites, kitchen, dining room and offices furnished to modern standard, as well as a 60KVA generator and borehole.

ew days ago and in my usual habit of exchanging ideas with intellectuals on football matters in Nigeria, we discussed the appointment of Sunday Oliseh as the new Super Eagles’ coach. It was full of mixed reactions as patriotic and passionate Nigerians on the Eagles. I came away with the reality that Nigerians were desperate for a positive change. It’s been a shock jamboree this year at the NFF under the guise of propagating change. They have entertained us with more administrative drama than articulated football programmes. It is no longer news that the NFF is set to unveil Oliseh tomorrow as Stephen Keshi’s successor. But the federation will unveil an inexperienced and rather jobless man. Realistically, Oliseh lacks the experience for such huge position. Ideally, he should have started with the junior team to garner the desired cognate experience like Samson Siasia who grew from the ranks to become the toast of many Nigerians with his successes with the Dream Team. No doubt, Oliseh is eloquent and as an experienced and accomplished footballer, he appears to understand the game as a pundit and through his writeups. In fairness to him, he has indeed proven to be knowledgeable and tactically astute. Nonetheless, we can only wait and pray to see if these can be translated into concrete action and results. However, anyone who properly understands the game can discuss it. Being a good pundit doesn’t make one a good coach. In coaching, theorical experience is totally different from practical coaching. Enu dun rofo jare-it’s easy to cook vegetable soup with verbal description. Yes, Oliseh possesses the highest UEFA coaching license, although abandoned on the shelf for a long time now. I equally hope that the knowledge acquired hasn’t eluded him. However, I will appeal we give him benefit of the doubt. Let’s say it’s a marriage of convenience between the NFF and Oliseh. The questions are: why should the NFF appoint an inexperienced coach to oversee our dwindling Super Eagles? When last did Oliseh attend a refresher course? Can he work with the National Technical Director, Shuaibu Amodu, and the NFF cabals? Why can’t NFF make it transparent enough by calling for applications like the Ivorians and other nations rightly did? Is there any iota of truth that NFF practically begged him to take the job? As an apostle of local coaches for the national teams, there is nothing wrong in hiring him, but everything is wrong when we circumvent or short circuit the recruitment standard. If Oliseh should fail, and I pray he doesn’t, Nigerians will come hard on NFF. The federation should get ready and immunize itself against the impend-

ing onslaught. Before you tag me a prophetess of doom, history has proved that inexperience may not actually pose serious challenge to Oliseh’s success as instances abound of such coaches achieving success in the past. Jurgen Klinsman, Frank Rikjaard and Lothar Matheus are other great examples that readily come to mind. However, Nigeria’s terrain is entirely different from Europe in terms of attitude and administration. If their coaches fail, they give them another opportunity to continue; a rare possibility in Nigeria where we call a failed coach manner of derogatory names that might derail his ambition if he is is not focused. My greatest fear of this marriage and what poses as threats to Oliseh are his would-be employers, the NFF. Oliseh is the beautiful bride now because they want someone out at all cost and to also satisfy yearnings of Nigerians for a local coach. Will the NFF in its true character give the necessary support to Oliseh to succeed? Will the football house be patient enough to stay by his side if he fails? And will their marriage end in war, like with Keshi. What are the antecedents of Oliseh’s foreign assistants? Better we allow time be the judge. Without doubt, we will have it rough at first since Oliseh hasn’t passed through this route before. Even as someone who played football to the highest level, he would find coaching as more practical than theoretical. My advice is that Oliseh should imperatively be mentally and psychologically resilient to deal with the high expectations of many Nigerians. During his playing days, he picked quarrels with and insulted a sports minister and the then NFA before his controversial retirement from the national, even as the captain. I hope such attitude will not haunt him this time. I want to implore media colleagues to sheath their swords and give Oliseh a chance. Nigerians should also support him in patience and understanding, allowing him to swim or sink and leave history as the sole judge. There is time for everything and everybody. Of course, this is Oliseh’s time! From my heart’s bottom, I wish him a blissful marriage with the NFF. Ogunleye-Bello is an Abuja-based journalist, speaker, change agent, sports for development enthusiast and advocate

Oliseh

WORLD RECORD Pogo stick jumping - fastest mile Fastest mile fireman’s carry

Vol. 05 No. 1154 Monday, July 13, 2015

N150

The fastest mile jumping on a pogo stick is 9 min 56 sec and w a s a c h i eve d b y F r e d G r z y b o w s k i ( U S A ) i n Wo o s t e r, O h i o , U S A , o n 4 N ove m b e r 2 0 1 4 .

Reflection on Aregbesola’s recent scare N igerians have every reason to be tentative and melancholic about the current state of their nation. It is a fact that the economy of their country is in dire strait. In fact, the economy is screaming, heamorrhaging at several points and needing immediate fixing to stave off an imminent collapse. The signs of the economic stirrings include shrinking disposable incomes of the people, failure of governments to meet salary obligations to workers, growing graduate unemployment, mounting insecurity, deficit power supply, fuel shortages, dwindling revenues from oil, rapacious corruption, and depreciation of the naira. The failure of governments to meet salary obligations to workers, to me, remains the scariest indicator of the increasing erosion of the legitimacy of the political leaderships in the country. It is universal truism that political legitimacy is founded

HeartBeat Callistus Oke

Callistusoke@nationalmirroronline.net 08054103275 (SMS ONLY) anthonykila@mail.com on the trust people have for their leaders. A parallel exists in the home, when a father/ husband loses moral authority over the wife and children if he could not provide for their sustenance. When our governments default in this all important statutory responsibility, what moral authority do they possess to compel the private sector players to live up to similar responsibility, or tell the people do this and they obey? Such a prospect is nothing but a descent into a dystopian state. Thankfully, Nigeria has been pulled from such tipping point through a strategic bailout worth N805 billion by the Presidency that included the granting of soft loans and restructuring of states’ debt-servicing obligations. Twelve of the 36 states are on the list of highly indebted states. Osun State, whose governor is Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, is unfortunately in that league. The import of this is not lost on critical watchers of his administration, one of the most purposeful and responsive Nigeria has had under this democratic dispensation. I have a personal fascination for the leadership style of Ogbeni Aregbesola because there is a parallelism between Osun and my own Edo State. Chief Luck Igbinedion, as my state governor between 1999 and 2007, ran the most banal government since the creation of that state in 1991. When Comrade Adams Oshiomhole came on board on November 12, 2008, the scenario changed. Through uncommon leadership, he has given a positive meaning to gover-

OGBENI HOLDS THE

YORUBA NATION IN AWE BY HIS PERSONALITY, HIS PROPHETIC VISION, AND HIS INTENSE REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT nance and thus won the love and respect of the people. He has set political benchmark for future leaders of the state. It is the same thing Ogbeni Aregbesola has replicated in the State of Osun since his November 27, 2010’s enthronement. One of the legacies of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the founder of modern Yoruba nation, is infusing in the Yoruba people the positive mindset of assessing and accepting their potential leaders. The political philosophy of Awo, aptly captured Awoism, enunciates the leadership values that could be used to separate a good leader from a bad one. That Awoism is well entrenched in the Yoruba political culture is underscored by the fawning disposition of all politicians in the region to this philosophy. And the fact that the people are so imbued with the value content of Awoism is equally underscored by the speed with which pseudoAwoists are passed over and authentic ones endorsed for leadership positions in the region. I will unapologetically submit that Aregbesola counts among the true disciples

of Awo in contemporary Yoruba nation. Paraphrasing the American anarchist, Emma Goldman, Ogbeni holds the Yoruba nation in awe by his personality, his prophetic vision, and his intense revolutionary spirit. In his State of Osun, he has simplified politics, reducing it to a political capsule, which when administered induces in the people communal ecstasy. Which is why he commands awesome followership in the state. It is an established fact that there is a strong affinity between him and Osun people. It has nothing to do with the pejoratively termed amala politics; it is more about a recognition of an intertwined fate and a shared destiny by them. For a proof, take time off to watch him in action at a public outing; and you will discover an unrestricted felicitation between him and his people. It is this soul mate type relationship well earned by verifiable accomplishments in tangible and intangible goods and services provisioning that the nation’s bitchy economy almost truncated when Ogbeni’s progressive credentials received bashing for his inability to pay workers salary. One of the most extreme reactions to the development was a push for his impeachment. That particular episode is, for progressive leaders in a predatory capitalist economy like ours, a very pathetic reminder that distraction can come from the least expected source. Ogbeni, rattled by the unsavoury development, painfully jolted the memory of his people with this statement: “People cannot just forget the condition that we met here on our assumption of office and the conditions that are here now”. This would have been true in a rational world where there is unity of purpose. But liberal multiparty democracy is all about competitive quest for power, where one man’s failure is the ladder to success for another. Ogbeni has only won a respite; he needs to reinvent his socio-economic policies and programmes to be assured of a permanent victory. Aluta continua!

Sport Extra

Transfer: ‘Why Casillas left Real Madrid’

eparting Real Madrid captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas was forced out by club President Florentino Perez and is too good to play for a lowly

side like Porto, according to his parents. Madrid announced on Saturday that Casillas was leaving after 16 seasons in the first team to join the Portuguese club,

and his exit is widely expected to prompt the arrival of David De Gea from Manchester United. But Casillas’s parents, Jose Luis and Mari Carmen, said yesterday that

their son had been badly treated by Perez since he returned for a second stint as president in 2009. “Iker has put up with a great deal, he has suf-

fered psychological pressure and they treated him differently to other players,” the player’s mother said, as Cassilas bade Madrid fans goodbye at the Bernabeu.

Casillas

Printed and Published by Global Media Mirror Ltd: Head Office: Mirror House, 155/161 Broad Street, Lagos Tel: 07027107407, Abuja Office: NICON Insurance House, Second Floor, Central Business District Area, Abuja Tel: 08070428249, Advert hotline: 01-8446073, Port-Harcourt Office: Suite 115, NICON Hotel, 6, Benjamin Opara Street, Off Olusegun Obasanjo Rd, GRA Phaze 3, Phone: 07032323254 Email: mail@nationalmirroronline.net. Acting Editor: BEN MEMULETIWON. All correspondence to PMB 10001, Marina, Lagos. Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja and Akure. ISSN 0794-232X.