Monday, september 8, 2014

Racketeering drives up price of aviation fuel –Investigation OLUSEGUN KOIKI

T

he skyrocketing price of aviation fuel, also known as Jet A1, is due to large scale racketeer-

Chidoka

Vol. 4 N0. 934

ing involving oil marketing firms and airlines, National Mirror investigations have revealed.

National Mirror learnt that some airline license holders who operate but

have good credit lines with fuel marketers have assumed the role of secondary distributors, and are making millions of naira weekly buying fuel and reselling CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

THE

BUSINESS SECTION

FG converts industrial devt centres in MSME clusters NECA secures waiver from SEC

P.8, P.A4

Free inside

Monday, September 8, 2014

N150

Military launches fresh offensive against B'Haram

…reclaims Bama after heavy bombardments

Jonathan, Deby meet on greater cooperation against terrorism

ROTIMI FADEYI, INUSA NDAHI AND LIVINUS MENEDI

T

he border town of Bama, which was overran by the Boko Haram insurgents, has been retaken by the Nigerian military, sources told our correspondent yesterday.

The insurgents were forced to retreat from the strategic town, following CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

ADVERT HOTLINES

For advert bookings and information, please contact: LAGOS 01-8446073, 08113947415 08113947419 08113947420 08113947422 ABUJA 08113947421 PORT HARCOURT 08113947418 OGBESE 08113947424

L-R: Amirul Hajj and Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and his Niger State counterpart, Babangida Aliyu at the commencement of the airlift of 2014 hajj pilgrims at Dutse International Airport, Jigawa State at the weekend.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Nigeria records 6.54% GDP growth in Q2

Lagos alerts on fake Ebola test kits

P.8

P.2

…nominal GDP stands at N19.9trn, agric sector growth slows

Fashola

Two die, 11 injured in Ogun auto crash

P.9

News

2

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria records 6.54% GDP growth in Q2 TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

I

ndications that economic measures adopted to improve the performance of the Nigerian economy are achieving the desired results.

This was reflected in the latest Gross Domestic Product, GDP, figures which showed a growth rate of 6.54 per cent in the second quarter of this year.

Data released yesterday by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, showed that the nation’s nominal GDP (at basic prices) during the quarter was estimated at N21.73trn and N16.08trn in real terms.

In the corresponding quarter of 2013, nominal GDP was estimated about N19.93trn and N15.09trn in real terms.

These figures indicated

that the real GDP growth rate of 6.54 per cent in Q2 2014 recorded was higher than 5.4 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2013, and also higher than the 6.21 per cent recorded in Q1 2014 A further analysis of the GDP on sector-by-sector basis indicated that Services sector, as was recorded in Q1 2014 accounted for the largest share of real GDP

in the quarter under review, amounting to N8.54trn or 53.15 per cent of the GDP while industry ranked second with a contribution of N4.17trn or 27.36 per cent.

Agriculture contributed N3.36trn or 20.89 per cent of GDP. Even then, crop production was the largest contributor to real GDP in Q2 of 2014, with N2.98trn or 18.55 per cent of total real GDP, marginally lower by

Members of Bring Back Goodluck 2015 rally organised by Goodluck Initiative for Transformation in Abuja at the weekend.

PHOTO:ROTIMI OSASONA

Military launches fresh offensive against B'Haram CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

massive bombardments by the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, fighter jets, military sources confirmed yesterday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The town of almost 270, 000 population was captured

by Boko Haram last week after heavy fighting with troops.

The aerial bombardments were said to have targeted the insurgents, notably their weapons.

A source said: “Our tactical aerial attacks to reclaim this town had been effective and yielding the desired results. This will enable the fleeing residents and villagers to return within the shortest period of time.

“But the weekend battle however took a heavy toll on civilian lives and property as the insurgents were said to be embedded with residents, allegedly used as human shields if the military launches any attack on the occupied town.”

On how Bama was reclaimed, the source said: “The first attacks didn’t really make the expected impact but the second round of bombardment really

injured those Boko Haram boys, which is why they are retreating now. They are no deeper into Bama, while our people are advancing and gaining territory. The Boko Haram boys are right now retreating.

“We are now dislodging them. You know, Air Force have intensified their efforts; they brought F-7 and different kinds of aircraft.

They really bombarded them.”

Another military source also confirmed the advances of the Armed Forces in the battle field of Bama but cautioned that it was no time for celebration yet, as the operation was still ongoing in several parts of Borno State.

He said the situation was “still very volatile” with Gwoza, Gambouru, Wulgo and one or two town in northern Borno, are far from being liberated from the terrorists’ takeover in the last three months.

“We don't want to say anything official but there are still fights going on in different places and on different scales, especially by air. This is a critical and unusual time,” the senior military officer said.

He also explained that apart from the aerial campaign in Bama, NAF had been effective in support of the ground forces with the launch of air attacks with different aircraft types, including helicopter gunships.

He said: “We are very deeply involved. You know what we are having here is a joint operation of the services, even though the Navy may not be involved right now because of the terrain.

“First and foremost, apart from the airlift, we are equally supporting the ground forces; in most of the cases we even take the initiative.

“In modern warfare, Air Force normally does the first dirty job, clear the road for the Army to do the mop up operations.

“Like I said, all our platforms are participating fully here. We have Alpha Jets, we have F7, Beechcraft, Mi35, which is the gunships, and then all our transport planes: C-130, the G TripleT. So we are participating fully and playing a significant role in that place.”

Another military source in Maiduguri also said:

“Gwoza is still a no-go area, I must tell you the truth, as the town is firmly in the hands of the Boko Haram terrorists. We are currently focusing on Bama before advancing to other areas in northern and southern parts of Borno State.”

Sources within the military also blamed some of the difficulties being encountered in the fight against Boko Haram on what they term indiscriminate retirement of experienced officers.

“Our capital city of Maiduguri is today facing a heavy influx of refugees from the local government areas in Borno. Borno citizens have been forced to take refuge in parts of Gombe and Adamawa states mainly on account of man’s inhumanity to fellow man in the gratuitous name of religion. These acts are absolutely condemnable in the strongest of terms,” said the military officer.

The sect has extended its reign of terror to the neighbouring Adamawa State, where thousands of fear-stricken residents have fled their homes after insurgents seized Madagali, GuCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

0.54 percentage points from Q2 2013.

According to the NBS, growth in the agric sector in the second quarter was recorded at 3.56 per cent yearon-year (12.89 per cent QoQ), a rate which was however lower by 1.86 percentage points from the first quarter of the year.

Despite the slowdown in the growth rate in Q2 when compared with the preceding quarter, the agency noted that the sector continued to enjoy government interventions by the way of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

On the oil sector contributions, the statistics agency reported that real growth in the Oil sector was 5.40 per cent in Q2 2014 (-5.22 per cent quarter-on-quarter), indicating better performance compared to -16.42 per cent growth recorded in Q2 of 2013.

During the review period, the average daily crude oil production in the Q2 2014 was recorded at 2.21 million barrels per day, mbpd, as against 2.11 mbpd in the corresponding quarter of 2013, representing an increase of 0.10 mbpd or 4.7 per cent.

Also, the US dollar price of crude increased significantly from an average price of 104.31 in Q2 2013 to 112.25 in Q2 2014, an increase of 7.6 per cent. Consequently, Oil GDP was valued at N2.63trn in nominal terms in the Second Quarter of 2014, which was the same level in the prior year period Comparatively, the Bureau reported that the nonoil sector grew by 6.71 per cent in real terms in Q2 2014 (5.4 per cent QoQ), representing a decline of 2.17 percentage points from the 8.88 per cent growth recorded in the corresponding quarter of last year, adding that relative to Q1 of 2013, non-oil growth was also lower by 1.49 percentage points when growth was recorded at 8.21 per cent.

On the performance of the other sectors, the NBS reported: “Trade ranked second in terms of share to real GDP in Q2 2014. It contributed N2,69trn or 16.77 per cent of real GDP in the Q2 2014, marginally lower than the 16.99 per cent contribution to GDP recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2013.

“While growth was positive in the Q2 2014 at 5.15 per cent (0.72 per cent QoQ),

it was marginally lower than the record for the corresponding quarter of 2013.

This was as a result of slower growth in agricultural output, a key input for traders.

“In real terms, Telecommunications contributed N 1.48trn or 9.25 per cent to total GDP in the second quarter of 2014, roughly unchanged from the contribution made to the total GDP in Q2 2013. In Q2 2014, economic activity picked up however, indicating a growth rate of 6.15 per cent (16.57 per cent QoQ) , 0.85 percentage points higher from Q2 2013, and 1.67 per cent higher from the first quarter of this year. This was as a result of increased consumer demand for telecommunication products”, the Bureau added.

Expatiating further, it reported that Real estate represented 7.87 of real GDP in the second quarter of 2014, marginally lower from its share to GDP in the corresponding quarter of last year.

While year-on-year growth continues to be lower relative to the previous year, growth in the second quarter was higher compared to the first, increasing by 1.78 percentage points to 4.95 per cent (18.90 per cent QoQ) as economic activity in the quarter picked up relative to the first quarter of the year.

On the Key Economic Developments structure, the NBS stated that as observed in the first quarter of the year, the fastest growth continued to be recorded in the manufacturing sector as Chemical and Pharmaceutical products activities grew by 38.5 per cent in Q2 2014, a rate that was still lower than the 41.61 per cent growth recorded in the first quarter of 2014 by 3.1 per cent.

In addition, the Bureau reported that Non-Metallic Products, Textile, Apparel and Footwear, and Plastic and Rubber Products, all of which grew at a rate of close to 30 per cent were amongst the fastest growing manufacturing activities.

The statistical data producing agency noted that slowest Q2 2014 growth was recorded under Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air-conditioning Supply, which exhibited negative real growth of 20.57 per cent as electricity output slowed during the quarter.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, September 8, 2014

3

4

Photo News

Monday September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Chairman, Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Mr. Toba Agboola; President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Remi Bello; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, and President, National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar Badaru, during the presentation of CICAN’s Lifetime Achievement Award to the minister in Lagos, at the weekend.

L-R: Head of Corporate Affairs and Media Management, First City Monument BankZZ Limited, Mr. Louis Ibe; Managing Director, SPAR/Park n Shop Nigeria, Mr. Haresh Keswani, and Senior Manager, Head Office Branch, FCMB, Mrs. Rafat Mohammed, at Nigeria Retailers’ Forum organised by GS1 and sponsored by FCMB, in Lagos, recently.

L-R: Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Osun State Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon; Chief Executive Officer of TEXEM United Kingdom, Mr. Alim Abubakre; Vice Chairman of Business Council Africa United Kingdom, Mr. Clive Carpenter, and Project Director, Manchester Business School, Tara Monkman, during the presentation of award of recognition to Governor Rauf Aregbesola in UK, at the weekend.

L-R: Managing Director, Thermocool, Mr. Panos Katsis; Marketing Communications Manager, Thermocool, Ms. Nsa Yellow-Duke, and Category Manager, Cooling, Mr. Wale Alabi, during the media launch to mark Thermocool’s 40th Anniversary in Nigeria, at the weekend.

National News UDEME AKPAN

T

he massive importation of petroleum products may drop as Green Gas, a joint venture involving Nipco Plc. and Nigerian Gas Company, NGC, plans to set-up 35 Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, filling stations worth over N17 billion in different parts of the country before the end of 2015.

Already, the firm has established seven filling stations, while 10 additional stations have reached advanced stages of construction.

Others, it was learnt, are also at various stages of design and construction in other parts of the country.

A breakdown of the projects showed that four of the stations are located on Benin-Warri Expressway, two on Benin-Asaba Expressway, one on Benin-Lagos Expressway (Onitea in Ondo and Ibafo in Ogun), one on BeninAbuja Expressway, and one in Delta State.

The construction of some of these stations, in-

NGC, Nipco to invest N17bn in CNG retail outlets

cluding the Ibafo project, which is sited close the Mountain of Fire Church, have reached advanced stages of completion, raising the hope for increased availability of CNG in Lagos and its environs.

Investigations showed that the CNG revolution, which is being encouraged by the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has culminated in the conversion of over 1,500 automobiles which previously use petrol to CNG at three conversion workshops.

It was learnt that with increased efforts, the number of automobiles using CNG would increase to over 25,000 next year when ongoing projects are expected to be completed.

Some multinationals, including the Nigerian Bottling Company Plc,

are among those that have converted supply trucks from diesel to CNG. The Managing Director of Nipco, Mr. Venkataraman Venkatapathy, stated in a document made available to National Mirror that CNG had become a preferred alternative to petrol and diesel fuel because it is colourless, odourless, non-toxic, but inflammable and lighter than air.

He said: “CNG is not a liquid fuel and is not the same as LPG, which generally consists of propane and butane in liquid form.

The product is relatively cheaper than petrol and diesel. Also, natural gas is a clean burning fuel that reduces vehicle maintenance costs.”

Venkatapathy said since engine oil was not diluted by CNG, oil change intervals could be extended and while stan-

dard spark plugs of the engines lasted longer in CNG vehicles.

The Nipco boss said that other benefits include the creation of additional employment opportunities, reduced movement of heavy tankers on roads resulting in enhanced road safety and reduction in environmental pollution from heavy automobiles.

He said other benefits include the provision of dual fuel option for the vehicles, lower exhaust emissions from CNG automobiles that lead to healthy city life and placement of the nation in the league of nations that use environmentally friendly fuels.

“CNG has become increasingly popular day by day. Nigeria being a gasrich country, the usage of CNG & PNG shall help the FGN its dependence on

the importation of refined products and at the same time provide its citizen a quality life.

“Efforts are ongoing to get key companies in Benin to use gas for their vehicles and generating sets as it is cheaper, economical and eco-friendly as source of energy. The cost of conversion and availability of gas are some of the major challenges on this scheme, but concerted efforts are on under the joint venture arrangement to further appeal to the Federal Government to look into these areas,” he said.

He added, “On our part, subtle campaigns are ongoing to convince motorist of the inherent benefits in using CNG over other conventional fuels and the fact that the more you travel on it , the faster the recovery period on expenses incurred on

installing the kits.

“At the fitment workshop in Aduwawa Benin, the entire process of conversion takes only 24 hours after a prior preconversion check on the cars for its suitability.

“The company remains committed and has the competence for CNG revolution in the country and make her join other developed nations in the use of this emerging fuel,” he said.

Stakeholders in the oil and gas industry are in support of the flagship project, especially as it would likely bring the era of huge Federal Government subsidy on petrol to an end.

They are hopeful that the development would enable the Federal Government to invest the funds in other areas, including infrastructural development.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Monday, September 8, 2014

5

Military launches fresh offensive against B'Haram CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

lak and Michika towns Already there was pandemonium in Mubi yesterday following the influx of people from the Boko Haram held territories.

The capture of Michika local government areas by the insurgents has resulted in fear among Mubi residents.

The threat of the insurgents carrying their mayhem further to Mubi town, a commercial border settlement, yesterday forced a lot of residents in their thousands to start deserting the town. Our correspondnet gathered that bus fares from Mubi to Yola which used to cost around N750 has gone

up to N4,000.

However, to avert the breakdown of law and order, the military has ordered a lockdown over the town as fighter jets pummel the insurgents in Michika.

As at the time of filing this report aerial bombardment of Bazza town in Michika is on-going by men of the Nigerian Air force.

Residents of Hong local government are also apprehensive that with the current reports of Michika falling into the hands of the insurgents and soldiers escaping to Mubi, it is only a matter of hours before they descend on Uba, Hildi, Mararraba and other towns in the area

Many people have taking to the social media to express their feelings.

Oone such comments on facebook by Prof. Kotos Abubakar said: “What need to be done is the immediate evacuation of the young, old and vulnerable to much safer towns, that are not currently, in the line of fire. For able bodied men to arm and stand firm, in the fashion of Civilian JTF, and face their destiny - protect our home front or perish in the process! What else can we do when soldiers, that ought to protect us, are running away in broad daylight to safer haven and leaving us to our own devices?”

There are reports that a

Personal Assistant to the Adamawa State governor was among those killed in the latest waves of attacks by the Insurgents on Michika community.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck is to leave Abuja today for N’djamena, the Chadian capital where he would hold talks with President Idriss Deby.

A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said the meeting between the two leaders is in continuation of the Federal Government’s efforts to forge a stronger alliance against terrorism and violent extremism with Nigeria’s

neighbours, The talks with Deby, who is also the current Chairman of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council follow their discussions in Nairobi last week on the sidelines of the African Union Peace and Security Council Summit.

Jonathan and his host will discuss the further actualization of agreements for greater cooperation against insurgents and terrorists reached by Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon at a meeting in Paris earlier this year.

Their talks are expected to lead to the strengthening of the Paris Accord on joint border patrols, intelligence sharing and the prevention of the illicit movement of

terrorists, criminals, arms and ammunition across shared borders.

The President would be accompanied by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed and the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, Professor Sheidu Mohammed Before returning to Abuja tomorrow, Jonathan would be a Special Guest of Honour at an international conference on Information Technology and Communication holding in Ndjamena.

Food poisoning claims 6 in Sokoto

S

L-R: First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, during her condolence visit to Kogi State Governor Idris Wada over the death of his father Pa Wada Ejiga, yesterday.

Racketeering drives up price of aviation fuel –Investigation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the product to other airlines that actually fly.

Investigation shows that the airlines with operating licenses buy at a relatively cheap rate from the oil marketers, pay almost instantly and resell such to airlines which some of the marketers have classified as bad debtors.

Investigations further revealed that some of the oil marketers have already blacklisted some of the airlines because of their high level of indebtedness, which enables the “middlemen” (non-operating airlines with licenses) to sell at a hefty premium.

At the moment, aviation fuel price oscillates between N180 and N190 per litre, depending on the volume an airline is buying and the airport.

Some of the fuel market-

ers contacted over the weekend declined to comment on the matter saying any such transaction was a private arrangement between the airlines.

Over the years, airline operators have complained that aviation fuel accounts for about 35 per cent of their operating costs and have called on the government to intervene on the matter.

Commenting on the high price of aviation fuel, the former Air Force Commandant, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos Grp. Capt.

John Ojikutu decried the problem of high cost of aviation fuel had been with the industry for more than two decades.

He recalled that aviation fuel prices started to soar in 1992 after vandals attacked the pipelines supplying fuel from Mosimi depot to the

airport in Lagos, stressing that this was compounded by the cost of using tankers to bridge the supply and the attendant associated cost on demurrage on the tankers.

He pointed that some marketers get subsidy to import dual purpose kerosene into the country, but ended up supplying the product to airlines at a very high price.

Managing Director, MedView Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, identified some of the challenges facing the local operators to include the low value of naira to dollar and high cost of aviation fuel to operators.

He said that at present, operators spend about 35 per cent of the revenues on purchase of aviation fuel and appealed to the government to ensure the availability of the product in the market.

He said: “We don’t have direct source for the dollars

and most of the parts of the aircraft are purchased in the US dollars there is no local market here where you can buy a single spare part, all is foreign. In maintaining your aircraft, you need to talk to them in the US, UK, France, Germany, and other parts of the world where you can source for spare parts.

“Even, fuel marketers here are like a syndicate, we have asked the government to talk to them because the licensing permit, which they use is given to them by the government. How do you say in our own country, we buy fuel at over $1 per litre? It is nothing to talk about. Where is the fuel coming from? It is not a fuel from any other country, but here. We pray that the government will continue to look inward in order to help the local carriers.”

ix members of the same family had reportedly died as a result of suspected food poisoning in Awilkiti village of Gudu Local Government Area in Sokoto state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tragic incident claimed the lives of two women and four children of the same family.

All the deceased persons had since been buried according to Islamic rites.

A delegation of the state government led by Lands and Housing Commissioner, Alhaji Nasiru Dantsoho, had also condoled with the bereaved family.

Dantsoho described the deaths of the six persons as a great loss not only to their family but to the entire state.

The Caretaker Chairman

of the local government council, Alhaji Musa Bachaka, had also commiserated with the family.

Bachaka also donated N20,000 cash and two bags each of rice and millet to them.

In a related development, the Chief Imam of Kutufare village in Gudu local government area, Alhaji Muhammadu Nadande, had drowned in a river in the village.

NAN gathered that the deceased was said to have drowned on Sept. 4 and his remains buried according to Islamic rites.

Dantsoho and Bachaka had also condoled with the family of the late cleric, describing his demise as a great loss to his family and the entire state.

'MFBs generate N125bn in 7 yrs'

T

he National Association of Micro Finance Banks, NAMB, said its members generated about N125 billion in their operations between 2005 when microfinance banks were established in the country and 2012.

The President of the association, Mr Valentine Whensu, made this disclosure when he appeared on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.

Whensu said that microfinance banks also gave out credits of over N97 billion to micro and small-scale entrepreneurs during the period.

Aside from loans, he said that the association organ-

ised fora where businessmen and customers of micro-finance banks were educated on finance management and related matters.

According to him, the sensitisation benefited our customers as most of them are excelling in their various businesses.

“In terms of advisory services, we have been able to bring a lot of people from their former positions to better positions.

“You can imagine the transformation of somebody who started business with N10,000 loan and today he is collecting N150,000; that shows that there is a huge transformation on such a person."

6

News

Monday September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jonathan signs NASS Service Act into law WOLE OLADIMEJI ABUJA

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has signed into law the new National Assembly Service Act, 2014 for effective service delivery.

The law allows for the creation of four directorates, to be headed by permanent secretary status, like was obtainable in the civil service, while clerk of the National Assembly would be at par with the head of Federal Civil Service.

The bill which was passed by the two chambers sought to repeal the National Assembly Service Commission Act Cap N7 Laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 and enact the National Assembly Service Act 2004 to reorganise the management and administrative structure of the National Assembly for improved service delivery.

In the Federal Republic of Nigeria official gazette of the new law, the directorates of the National Assembly are as set out in the second schedule and the secretaries to the directorates shall be appointed by the commission in consultation with National Assembly management.

The secretaries to the directorate shall exercise general superintendence over

the affairs of their respective directorates.

“Notwithstanding the provision of subsection(1) of this section, the commission, on the recommendation of management to the National Assembly shall establish such directorate, departments and divisions as exigencies may demand effective and efficient administration of the service,” the law read.

In exercising the power to make appointment pursuant to the provisions of sections 4 and 14 of this Act, consideration shall be given to seniority, cognate experience, competence or federal character.

There is an established fund for the commission which provision shall be made in the annual budget of the National Assembly.

There shall be paid and credited to the fund established under sub-section(1) of this section(a) such money as may, from time to time, be granted or deposited with the commission by the National Assembly, or any institution within the country. b. All monies raised for the purpose of the commission by way of gift, loans, grants in aid, testamentary disposition or otherwise. c. Proceeds from all other assets that may, from time to time, accrue to it.

N300bn textiles smuggled annually, says union WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

T

he Federal Government has been asked to urgently arrest the trend of smuggled textiles into the country, which is now at the rate of 90 per cent on the smuggled items’ list and estimated to cost N300bn annually.

This was part of the resolutions in a communiqué issued at the end of a threeday workshop for union stakeholders, self-employed tailors and small scale garment makers by the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The union, which listed many problems confronting the textile industry in Nigeria, said imported textiles were estimated to cost

N300bn annually, at the expense of moribund textile factories occasioned by poor government policy on the matter.

Also, NUTGTWN said the textile industry was undergoing a crisis because of huge backlog of Negotiable Duty Credit certificate accumulated over two years because of arbitrary suspension imposed by the Federal Ministry of Finance for duty payments by manufacturers who export their goods through grants.

Similarly, the union wants the government to provide a good atmosphere for the tenure of Cotton Textile Garment, CTG, loan obtained by them from the Bank of Industry, BoI, by extending repayment period to ten years since their company was having production problems.

L-R: Chairman, Coalition of Northern Youths Forum for Namadi Sambo, Musa Khali; Secretary, Rilumanu Abdullahi, and Mrs Abigail Maisamari during a press conference in Kaduna at the weekend.

APC kicks over presidential order on ballot printing OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

T

he All Progressives Congress, APC, has described the Presidential directive that all electoral materials must be printed by the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company, NSPMC, as a threat to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s independence and the organisation of free, fair and credible elections in the country.

In a statement issued in London on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said the directive was suspicious because it was followed by the dissolution of the management of the NSPMC, which may be a ploy by the President to inject PDP card-carrying members into the re-

constituted management so the company could become another rigging tool in subsequent elections, especially the 2015 general elections.

“On the surface, there is nothing wrong in having the NSPMC print electoral materials, since this will translate to more jobs for Nigerians and save money. However, against the background of the PDP-led Federal Government’s abuse of national institutions like the military and the police, which are used as the enforcement arms of the PDP during elections, it will be dangerous to have them (FG) take control of the printing of ballot papers and other electoral materials via the NSPMC. “Secondly, where is the independence of INEC when the President can just direct it by fiat to do

its bidding? INEC should be left to determine where to print its electoral materials to ensure the integrity of such materials.

“Thirdly, asking the CBN Governor, an appointee of the President, to now oversee the ‘reform’ of the NSPMC and the governor’s promptitude in visiting INEC over the presidential directive, raises more questions.

While the CBN is a part owner of the NSPMC, it is not INEC’s supervisory ministry and should not tamper with its duties,’’ it said.

The APC said the bottom line is that INEC should be left alone to carry out its onerous duties without interference from any quarters whatsoever.

“There should be a limit to the desperation of President Jonathan and his party to win the 2015

elections at all costs. They have perfected the use of the security forces, especially the military, the police and the DSS, to harass and intimidate the opposition during elections.

While the whole nation is still trying to get them to stop abusing the security forces, they should not draft another institution into the election rigging fray,” the party said.

INEC boss, Attahiru Jega

N220bn MSME funds to states not for political campaigns – NAMB

A

head of the 2015 election, the Nigerian Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB) has warned that the N220billion funds for Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises will not be used for political campaigns.

President of the association, Valentine Whensu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

in Abuja yesterday.

He said that all states were entitled to N2billion from the fund but stressed that measures had been put in place to ensure that the funds were not diverted for political purposes.

“What the governor of CBN has done and done very well is that whether you are APC or PDP, N2 billion was earmarked for every state in this country.

“So, N72 billion out of that fund is earmarked for every state and then before you can collect the money even as a governor, your house of assembly must legislate because their own collateral is that you are going to drop your ISPO; CBN has right to deduct directly from your allocation.

“I have not seen any legislative arm in this country that you do not have

two or three other parties that are there, whether minority or majority.

“So, the minority parties will not keep quiet and allow you to take this money and use it for your own party.

“Again, also as a condition, you must as a governor put this money into a special purpose vehicle whose name you will submit to CBN for them to monitor,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday September 8, 2014

Governors, editors mourn Dimgba Igwe ABIODUN NEJO AND BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA

G

overnors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun State), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), as well as the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, yesterday expressed shock over the death of the Vice Chairman of The Sun Newspapers, Dimgba Igwe.

Igwe died on Saturday morning, after being reportedly knocked down by a hit-and-run vehicle, while going through his usual morning jogging exercise at his Okota, Lagos neighbourhood.

Aregbesola, in a statement by Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the governor, said Igwe’s death has, once again, robbed the nation’s media family of a doyen.

While describing Igwe’s demise as a devastating

blow to not only the media world, but also to the nation as a whole, Aregbesola further averred that the death of the renowned media guru has again brought to the front burner the level of insecurity to lives and property in the country.

In his own condolence message, in a release by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, Governor Akpabio described the death of the senior journalist as shocking and a great loss, not only to the journalism profession, but to the nation.

He described Igwe as “a fierce and fearless columnist, who became a household name because of his incisive and revealing analysis of local, national and international issues.”

Uduaghan, in a statement signed by Felix Ofou, his chief press secretary, said the death was a big blow to the media, fans and readers of the late journalist, as well as lovers of truth worldwide.

Uduaghan also recalled

with nostalgia the late Dimgba Igwe’s elevated piece on Delta and his bold effort at transforming the state, noting that the article published in the Daily Sun, among others, opened the flood gates for the many awards bestowed on him this year.

Fayemi described the death of Igwe as sad and devastating.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said losing a media icon with a deep understanding of public affairs like Igwe at this time in Nigeria’s history was devastating.

The governor said Igwe was one of the pioneers of human angle genre in the print media, which brought some freshness and excitement to newspaper business and the journalism profession in the country.

Amaechi described Igwe as a thorough professional who had contributed immensely and impacted greatly on the practice of journalism in the country.

Ebola scare: ‘Don’t kill pig farming in Nigeria’ FEMI OYEWESO AND HAKEEM GBADAMOSI

A

s the Ebola virus scare in the country continues to spread with the recent public announcement by the Lagos State Government on radio and television, warning residents against eating bush and pork meat, pig farmers have called on the government not to disseminate false information to the public in the name of fighting the Ebola scourge.

The warning was contained in an interview granted the National Mirror by Temitayo Oguntola, the administrative secretary of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Ogun State, PANOG, the umbrella body of poultry farmers in the state.

Oguntola said though no responsible government would not act to protect

its citizens against any epidemic, but issuing false information in the process that could destroy people’s livelihood would be worse.

He said the public announcement calling on the people to avoid pigs was a call that had no scientific or expert foundation, as no research anywhere had proven that pigs were a reservoir of the Ebola virus.

“Let me emphasise that all scientific researches available to us in this office from the advanced countries has not given indication that pork is a reservoir of the disease.

“The only one we are already familiar with are the bat, monkey and possibly, the bush meat, which of course the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has been doing wonderful campaign about it.’’ Oguntola said.

He said the outbreak

of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, was one of the challenges presently facing poultry farming in Nigeria, in which pig farming is a unit.

The PANOG official said pig production was an essential sector of poultry farming that had contributed to the Nigerian agricultural economy, with thousands of people involved in it, as a means of sustenance and investing heavily into it.

He added that to wage a campaign against such sector, based on unfounded allegation, was to kill the sector and destroy the means of the livelihood of millions without justification.

Oguntola said: “If you take a good look at the pig production industry in Nigeria since the EVD outbreak was announced, it has affected the pig farmers seriously.

National News

7

8

South West

Monday September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Govt converts industrial centres to MSME clusters ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

T

he Federal Government has commenced the process of converting the 23 Industrial Development Centres across the country into world class Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise clusters.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, disclosed this during the Annual Seminar and Awards Ceremony of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria, CICAN, in Lagos, at the weekend.

Before now, the indus-

trial centres were mainly incubation and capacity building centres, which were not adding the required value to industrial/MSME development.

With the approval

by President Goodluck Jonathan to convert the IDCs to MSME clusters, work has commenced to provide infrastructural facilities, enablers such as financing and other facilities that will make MSMEs operating in the zones to operate more cost-effectively and competitively.

All agencies that will help nurture and grow the businesses to international standards, such

as the Bank of Industry, Industrial Training Fund, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, SMEDAN and commercial banks, among others, are already establishing their presence in the zones.

Addressing journalists after the award ceremony, Aganga said: “The focus of this administration is achieving inclusive economic growth, and we cannot achieve that without putting emphasis on the right development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

“Globally, MSMEs have been recognised as the engine of economic

Aganga

growth and development. What the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is doing is to fully recognise the barriers and problems that SMEs have, and then adopt a

holistic institutional approach towards solving the issues,” he explained.

He added, “We know that they have issues in terms of financing, cost of operation, market access and research and technology, among others. All these are where the National Council on SMEs, which was inaugurated by the President on Thursday, will address.

“One of the ways of addressing their cost of operation is to have dedicated SME Industrial zones across the country. The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has about 23 Industrial Development Centres across the country. Now, we have the approval of the President to convert the IDCs into Industrial Zones/MSME Clusters,” he confirmed.

In order to make the zones more productive and competitive, the

minister noted that necessary infrastructure would be provided within it to reduce the cost of doing business for SMEs operating there.

He said: “Within the zones, the MSMEs will have the necessary infrastructure such as electricity, water and other facilities that will help to reduce their cost of production. Also, other government regulatory agencies such as the SON will be there to help them in terms of standards.”

Aganga bagged the Industry Correspondents’ Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the development of Industry, Trade and Investment in Nigeria, while his Senior Special Assistant on Corporate Communications, Mrs. Yemi Kolapo, received the ‘The Most Outstanding Media Person Award for 2013/2014’.

FG’ll consolidate on agric gains, says minister BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

M L-R: Former President, Association of Nigeria Licenced Customs Agent (ANLCA), Sani Kamba; National President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu; Representative of the Vice President of Nigeria, Tahir Bala; Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Dikko Inde and National Secretary of ANLCA, Dr. Emma Oparah Ogu, during the commissioning of the ultra-modern National Secretariat of ANLCA, at Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, on Saturday.

Lagos alerts on fake Ebola test kits FRANCIS SUBERU

L

agos State government has alerted members of the public to the activities of some unscrupulous people who are purportedly marketing fake ‘Ebola Cassette Test Kit’.

Special Adviser on Media to Lagos State governor, Hakeem Bello, who disclosed this to journalists, said the fake items which are branded ‘Rapid Response Canada’, with test results purportedly available in 10 minutes, is a hoax.

According to him, there are no Ebola test kits manufactured anywhere in the world, adding that the technique for its manufacture does not exist yet.

Bello urged members of the public not to patronise the dubious marketers of the product, whose stock in trade is to rip-off unsuspecting members of the public.

In a related development, the Lagos government has stressed the need for all school children to observe basic environmental and personal hygiene as part of measures to curb the

spread of the deadly Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF) when they resume on September 22.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, said there was need for students to inculcate simple and basic habits of environmental and personal hygiene, like hand washing with soap and running water and maintaining clean toilets.

The commissioner noted that the extension should afford all institutions, either private or public, the opportunity to further ensure that the school envi-

ronment is well equipped with all facilities necessary for the well being of students and teachers.

She also allayed the fears of parents and guardians about the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) breaking out in schools, stressing that the collaborative efforts of governments at all levels had brought the disease under control and proper management in the state. Oladunjoye lauded the efforts of all health workers who had been involved in the treatment and management of Ebola Virus infected patients so far in the state.

inister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has assured of more transformation in the agriculture sector through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, ATA. Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony of the National Root and Crops Research Institute, NRCRI, substation in Iresi, a town in Boluwaduro local government of Osun State during the weekend, Adesina said the Jonathan administration had alleviated poverty in the country through the ATA. He noted that the federal government had embarked on programmes aimed at creating wealth for all Nigerians, thereby raising their standard of living.

While stressing that the federal government had improved the food and nutrition security in the country, the minister

stated that more initiatives were in the pipeline for the purpose of building on the current achievements.

According to him, the Jonathan administration would further promote the agriculture sector through efficient research and surplus food provision across the country.

Chairman, Governing Council of NRCRI, Dr Oludaisi Aina, at the event explained that the substation of the institute in Osun State would cater for the research needs of people of the South West region.

Adesina

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Monday, September 8, 2014

9

FG’ll end Boko Haram soon -Ladoja KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

F

ormer Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, at the weekend, gave hope to the end of Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

He said the insurgent group would not be able to over-run the country because the presidency had exhausted negotiation processes and was now ready to root it out at all costs.

The national leader of

Accord Party said this in Ibadan while receiving the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, who paid him a condolence visit at his Ondo Road, Bodija residence over the death of his mother, Al-

haja Halimat Ladoja, who died recently in Ibadan, aged 94.

He said despite the recent occupation of Gwoza and its declaration as a ‘caliphate’ by the insurgents, the attempt to take over Bama, as well as

warning from the United States that the fundamentalists might overrun the North-Eastern parts of the country, the government would very soon put an end to Boko Haram’s activities.

According to him, as a

member of the just-concluded national conference, the delegates recommended to President Goodluck Jonathan administration to negotiate with the insurgents, but if it failed, should root them out with military might.

Two persons die, 11 injured in Tambuwal, Igbinedion seek second term for Ajimobi affiliations,” he said. he Speaker of House achievements in the state, tinued to meet the need of Ogun auto crash In his address,Ajimobi of Representatives, in spite of the differences the people,” he remarked.

FEMI O Y E WESO A B E O KU TA

T

wo persons h ave b e e n c o n fir med dead and 11 others critically injured in an accident at the Abeokut a - L a g o s e x p r e s sw ay ove r t h e we e ke n d .

The accident, wh i c h h a p p e n e d l a t e S a t u r d ay eve n i n g a t Awowo v i l l a g e i n the E we ko r o local g ove r n m e n t a r e a o f O g u n S t a t e, i nvo l ve d a ye l l ow - c o l o u r e d Mazda passenger bus m a rke d ( L AG O S ) K R D 171 XM. The Itori Unit Comm a n d e r o f t h e Fe d e r-

a l Ro a d S a f e t y C o r p s, F R S C , F a t a i B a k a r e, wh o c o n f i r m e d t h e a c cident, also said the passenger bus had 13 o c c u p a n t s, i n c l u d i n g f ive m e n , s eve n wo m en and a child.

Bakare said the 11 o c c u p a n t s we r e r e s cued from the Lagosbound commercial b u s, wh i l e t wo o t h e r s died on the spot.

While attributing the cause of the accid e n t t o ove r s p e n d i n g , the FRSC boss stated that the dead and the injured victims had been ev a c u a t e d to the State Hospital at I j aye, A b e o k u t a .

T

Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and the Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, at the weekend both praised the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, asking the electorate to give him a second term in office.

They both spoke at two separate events in the state capital, Ibadan.

Tambuwal, who was speaking at an empowerment programme, organised by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Saheed Fijabi, lauded the governor for what he called his brilliant performance and monumental

in the political affiliation of the people.

He said political affiliations should not be a yardstick for determining good governance, adding: “I want to appreciate Governor Abiola Ajimobi for his wonderful performance in Oyo State.

“I have always said this, and will keep on saying it, that whenever and wherever you identify good leaders who are doing well, you must continue to acknowledge them and commend them for their good works.

“Notwithstanding the political affiliations and political party differences of the people of Oyo State, Governor Ajimobi has con-

According to the speaker, since not all Nigerians belong to the same political party, politicians and political office holders should deliver good governance to the people.

Tambuwal said the House of Representatives had on many occasions played down political affiliations in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

“After an election, a good leader should discharge the mandate given him for the good of the people, not on political party affiliation.

“In the House of Representatives, we have been working together as a family for the good of all Nigerians, not on political party

stated that the track record of political officers should be a major factor in next year’s general elections.

He enjoined people not to sell their conscience through monetary inducements during elections, saying that would have a negative effect on the future of the country.

At an 80th birthday event organised by the University of Ibadan for Igbinedion, who said he once lived in Ibadan as a police constable, expressed surprise that when he got to the capital of Oyo State, he ‘missed’ his way due to the many infrastructural developments that had been brought to the state by the Ajimobi government.

10

South East

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmir-

PPA accuses Orji of ‘under-developing’ Abia Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA

T

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (right) and the Archbishop of Owerri, His Grace A.J.V. Obinna, during the 2014 Odenigbo Annual Lecture in Owerri, Imo State, yesterday.

85,000 endorse Jonathan’s re-election in Enugu Dennis Agbo ENUGU

N

o fewer than 85,000 people in Enugu State have so far endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan to re-contest the 2015 general elections for a second term of four years.

The number is contained in Transformation Association of Nigeria, TAN’s three fresh registers in the state containing 85,000 signatures and phone numbers.

About 30,000 people signed up in Enugu East senatorial zone; 25,000 in Enugu West and another 30,000 from Enugu North senatorial zones.

The pro-Jonathan organisation said it would not be deterred in its current nationwide rallies to ‘market’ Jonathan and his achieve-

ments in the last four years.

TAN said the rally and road shows which had already taken place in the three geo-political zones of the south would by next Saturday move to Minna, Niger State, which is in the middle-belt, ‘the gateway to Northern Nigeria’.

The founder and national coordinator of TAN, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba, made the declaration in Enugu at the weekend during the inauguration of TAN executives in the three senatorial zones, 17 local government areas and 260 wards of the state.

Uba, an oil magnate and the former governorship aspirant of Labour Party, LP, in the November 16, 2013 Anambra governorship election, stated that Enugu had breasted the tape as the first state in the

country to establish state structures for TAN. He commended the state coordinator, Chief Anayo Onwuegbu (Omeiheikwu) and facilitator, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, for their ‘untiring efforts’.

Uba, who was represented by Chief Ben Etiaba, insisted that as a non-governmental and non-political organisation, TAN was not campaigning, but merely drumming support for the Federal Government lead

by President Jonathan, with a view to highlighting the achievements of the administration.

He added that TAN would enter the campaign stage at the appropriate time, in line with Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, regulations.

Earlier, Onwuegbu said the SouthEast had fared better under President Jonathan’s administration, more than any other in the past.

He listed the achievements of the Jonathan administration to include the construction of Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, award of contract for construction of Second Niger Bridge, reconstruction of EnuguPort-Harcourt and EnuguOnitsha expressways and the inland Port at Onitsha.

Others, according to him, were the appointment of Lt.-Gen. Onyeabor Ihejirika, the first postcivil war chief of army staff from the south east and burial of ex-Biafran warlord, the late Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Community to immortalise Biafran heroes Francis Ekpone ONITSHA

I

fitedunu Community in Dunukofia local government area of Anambra State has announced its readiness to build a memorial spot with an obelisk, in remembrance of the town’s sons and daughters who died during Biafran/Nigerian civil war.

The town’s monarch, Igwe Emeka Ilouno, who made the pronouncement yesterday during his ‘Iri Ji

Day’, said the town was being ‘haunted’ by the spirit of the fallen heroes who, according to him, had not been given a proper burial in the town since their demise.

“We shall also have both traditional and religious memorial services for the pogroms of 1966 and have the names of all the dead from clans pasted on the marble in the obelisk as a way of immortalising them, as many of them are very angry with us for not have given them a befitting buri-

al,” he said.

The monarch, who also announced that henceforth, any Ifitedunu indigene who attains the age of 80 would be celebrated alive and conferred a title, described longevity as a blessing from God. He set up a palace conflict resolution committee to assist him and other cabinet members in handling some internal communal crisis that had hitherto been a torn on his flesh in the town.

Ilouno enjoined the peo-

ple to group themselves into cooperatives of clans, families, associates, or denominations, for the purpose of benefiting from government programmes and agric loans in the state.

Commemorating with the monarch, the PresidentGeneral of the community association, Prince Nezianya Obinabo, stated that the town’s citizens had been banned from leaving Ifitedunu on Nkwo market days without the written permission of the town union.

he Progressives Peoples’ Alliance, PPA, at the weekend in Abuja, berated Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, saying its position on the activities of the governor had been vindicated by other Nigerians.

According to the party, the governor only left its fold merely because it gave him an action plan on ways to develop the state.

The PPA said the state chapter had petitioned the national headquarters of the party which said its rating in the state was going down “due to the poor performance of the governor.”

Its National Chairman, Comrade Peter Ameh, in a statement in Abuja, said at the time the party got the petition, the state earned about N3bn monthly, outside its Internally-Generated Revenue, IGR. “Back then, attention was not paid on the inter-

nally-generated revenue in the state, otherwise they would have been receiving even more money from IGR. Abia is the commercial nerve centre of the SouthEast; we all know that,” he said.

“Ariara market alone can generate N1bn and more a month for the government if it is well managed, but from the N3bn that the state government gets per month back then, it spent about N1.4bn on wage bill.

“So N1.4bn goes out of N3bn every month, and out of the N1.6bn is left to run the state, to build schools, roads, run hospitals, and all that. Of the N1.6bn, you take out N700m every month for security. That is security for you, your wife and your family, and you abandoned the people of Abia State. Is that governance?” Ameh asked.

He added: “When such a report gets to the party, you expect the party to keep quiet and do nothing about it, but sweep it under the carpet.

Don tasks leaders on good governance Chris Njoku OWERRI

A

don, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, has called on Nigerian political leaders to provide quality leadership to the people if the nation must move ahead.

He said for political leaders to earn the support and respect of the people, democratic norms and ideals must be observed at all times.

Nwajiuba, who is Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies at the Imo State University, Owerri, made the call on Saturday while delivering this year’s Archdiocesan Day/Odenigbo lecture series of the Owerri Archdiocese of Catholic Church, entitled in Igbo language ‘Ochioma: Olileanya Ohanaeze’, literally meaning: ‘Good Governance: The Expectation of Everybody’, held at Obiri Odenigbo Pavilion at the Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, Imo State.

In 71– page lecture he delivered in Igbo, the professor of agricultural economics repeatedly asked his audience if the Nigerian political leaders were deliv-

ering the type of democracy they required.

On each occasion, he got a negative reply.

Nwajiuba regretted that most elected political leaders were unable to give a good account of leadership in the areas of employment, security, welfare of Nigerians, electricity, basic amenities, including water, health facilities and education among others.

He, however, praised the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, “for his prudence in management of the state’s resources.”

Though he blamed the electorate for accepting money and other gratifications to sell their conscience during polls, the don called for the need for the leaders to ensure rule of law.

The lecturer regretted the palpable fear in the land, urging that the level of insecurity should be reduced or curbed.

He also regretted that some amenities such as potable water were lacking in some states like Imo State, giving room for the people to sink boreholes in their premises.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Monday, September 8, 2014

11

Ugborodo crisis: Peace process on course, says navy Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI

T

L-R: Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and Prof. Edward Attah and senior brother of former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Victor Attah, at a grand reception for Attah by Ibibio Ethnic Group In Uyo, at the weekend. PHOTO: NAN

Anxiety as Edo lawmakers resume today Sebastine Ebhuomhan BENIN

E

do State House of Assembly will today resume legislative duties after a five-week vacation that ushered in relative calm following feisty relationship between the All Progressive Congress (APC)-dominated Assembly and its People’s Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart.

While the dust raised by the relentless, violent, supremacy clashes between both legislative groups sitting differently at the Old Assembly Chamber at the Government House and the main Assembly Complex at King’s Square is yet to settle, there are fears that the clashes, which the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security and other internal security agencies had

watched with utter helplessness before the embattled lawmakers went on vacation, may continue as they resume sitting.

Not a few residents of Benin City, the state capital, had heaved sigh of relief when the lawmakers began their vacation. Indeed, many cannot forget so soon how the daily fracas at the main Assembly complex resulted in daily blockade of the popular Ring Road in the heart of Benin City, with attendant socio-political and economic losses that lawabiding citizens plying the route suffered daily.

It is therefore the fear of some people that the resumption of legislative activities today may shatter the relative peace Benin City has enjoyed in the last six weeks.

It would be recalled also

that before the lawmakers’ vacation, residents and pedestrians of Benin metropolis and motorists went through challenging times in the hands of security operatives deployed around the King Square to maintain law and order and restrain political thugs allegedly supporting the factional legislators from unleashing violence.

While the Edo police command have received the plaudits of some residents for ensuring no loss of life and property while the violence lasted before the recess, they have, however, urged the Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, to ensure the violence does not result in death and destruction of human life and property after today’s resumption.

The crisis degenerated

when four lawmakers loyal to the PDP were suspended for allegedly seeking to mobilise and induce other lawmakers with money to seize legislative control and, as it was learnt, before possible impeachment of the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

While efforts made by political and party chieftains, opinion leaders, and other stakeholders, especially the monarch of Benin Kingdom, Oba Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa, to call the feuding lawmakers to order and settle the disagreements have hit the rocks until now, an aide of the governor on legislative matters has, however, assured that there will not be any violence when the House reconvenes from today.

come a leading state in the country.

According to him, “This is a partnership that will help the state to understand the challenges of erosion, be it man-made or natural.

There is need for land management so that we are not bogged down by recurring problems as it takes the community so much to sustain the solution.”

The governor charged: “NEWMAP has to be dynamic to do its work before the next rainy season and they have to work with the affected communities to understand how the menace

can be addressed through tested technology, which is the best, more sustainable and less expensive (control method). It should be supported with the planting of grasses and trees on erosion sites.”

He urged the beneficiary communities to cooperate and bury their differences and not create problems to the contractors because it is a partnership between the state and World Bank while they remain the ultimate beneficiaries.

The governor appealed to the contractors to put in everything to ensure

he ongoing peace process towards ending the lingering leadership crisis in Ugborodo town, host community to the $16 billion Export Processing Zone, EPZ, in Warri South West Local Government of Delta State, is on course, Nigerians have been assured.

Captain Musa Gemu, the Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta disclosed this weekend while speaking with journalists at the Naval Base Warri, saying that relative peace has gradually returned to the area.

Gemu observed that as can been seen the peace process was on track even as the state and federal governments were making sacrifices to get concerned parties to sheath their swords for the general development of the oil-rich community.

According to him, much had been done in the last three weeks when the last peace meeting was held to ensure the community finally returns to normal life, noting that one of the issues that had made the crisis linger has be resolved.

33 die in boat mishap Priscilla Dennis MINNA

A C’River, World Bank disburse N497.2m for erosion control Richard Ndoma CALABAR

C

ross River State government at the weekend in Calabar presented cheques of N497,288,129.84 through the state’s Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (CRS NEWMAP) to four contractors to tackle erosion menace within Calabar municipality.

The arrangement is a partnership between the state government and World Bank to fight erosion in parts of Calabar metrop-

olis.

Shortly before the presentation of cheques at the official launch of CRS NEWMAP at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar, the state governor, Liyel Imoke, stressed the importance of the project due to the opportunities it offers the affected communities.

The governor explained that the state’s relationship with the bank has brought significant transformation to its economy and the people by addressing poverty alleviation, wealth creation and jobs, which Cross River aims to leverage on to be-

He said Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had been magnificent in facilitating the release of some members of the community who were arrested and incarcerated in prison custody, noting that their release meant permanent peace would soon be in sight.

He further stated: “You might not be aware that even the six people said to be in Okere Prison have been released by the magnanimity of the Delta State governor. The six people have gone back into the community; this was celebrated last week.”

On the command’s challenges, Gemu said: “Getting information from the public is a challenge because they have this fear that the information might be linked to them and that their lives might be in danger from those criminals. But so far, even the ones we have had interactions with have been safe.”

While commending the media for their unbiased report of the crisis, he however reassured the federal and state governments of its determination to fully flush out oil bunkerers and other criminal tendencies in the coastal communities of Delta.

bout 33 corpses have been recovered from last week’s boat accident, which occurred between Dere and Murtala Bridge on the River Niger.

The boat was conveying about 100 passengers, over 100 bags of rice, baskets of fish and other valuables to Lokoja market in Kogi State from Katcha local government area of Niger State when the incident occurred.

Eyewitnesses said the accident occurred when a pipeline patrol team boat focused its light on the oncoming boat, causing the driver to lose control and ran into a tree that was uprooted by the river and broke into two.

A downpour, it was also learnt had led to the river overflowing.

However, four people were rescued by the locals while five others swam to the bank of the river.

Our correspondent learnt that the boat took off from Katcha and was picking passengers from different villages comprising of fishermen, business women and many children.

They were all said to be travelling without protective vests.

Among the victims were people from Yawa and Baka in Lapai local government of Niger State.

The Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Aboidun Gambari, when contacted confirmed the development.

He however said that the accident occurred outside the state’s jurisdiction of the river.

North

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Frozen accounts: Dansa Foods assures of stability Abolaji Adebayo

T

he management of Dansa Foods Limited and Bulk Pack Services Limited, over the weekend, assured their customers and other vendors of stability in operations, despite last week’s court order restraining the company’s operations with their banks.

Company Secretary and Legal Adviser to the company, Mr. Mohammed Jibril, described the court’s interim injunction as a temporary setback.

“Our lawyers are taking appropriate steps to address our dissatisfaction with the order of the court and the actions filed by the bank,” he said.

It would be recalled that Justice Okon Abang, who made the order last week in a ruling, said the order subsists till September 11 when the court would entertain the applications in the suit brought by Union Bank Plc. against Sani Dangote and his companies.

Describing the situation as a phase that would soon be a thing of the past, he appealed for understanding and calm, adding that all the parties would soon sit down to look at the issues raised and reach an amicable solution suitable to all.

The court had on Friday placed a ‘Mareva injunction’ on two companies in the Dangote group, restraining them from operating their accounts in 20 Nigerian banks over unpaid credit facilities amounting to N6bn they took from Union Bank Plc. The bank extended a credit facility amounting to N5.2bn to Dansa Foods, while it also extended to Bulk Pack Services Limited

N954m in 2008. Alhaji Sani Dangote stood as the guarantor for the loans.

In the statement of claim filed before the court by Union Bank’s lawyer, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, the bank stated that “the failure of the two Dangote companies to liquidate their indebtedness to the bank has adversely affected the liquidity of the bank and has impacted negatively on its ability to extend loans to small and medium scale businesses, which in turn would have helped in boosting the nation’s economy and salvage the country from its present malaise of corruption and underdevelopment crisis.”

In the case of Dansa Foods, the bank claimed that it “extended the N5.2bn to the company via a board resolution dated November 20,2008, accepted the bank’s offer which consisted of the following: N500m overdraft; N500m advert loan; N300mequipment lease; N300m sales and lease back agreement and N3.6bn import finance. These monies were subsequently disbursed and utilised by the company.”

The bank stated that, as an act of benevolence, it restructured the loan for the company on July 23, 2012 when it became apparent that it was not meeting its obligations.

The restructuring was also accepted by the board of Dansa Foods. Despite the restructuring, the company still defaulted in its obligations to the tune of N4.3bn.

The defendant thereafter pleaded for more time, and promised to repay by March 2013. This also failed, which led to another restructuring of the facility in September 2013.

Acting Governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri (4th-left), with six of the seven Peoples’ Democracy Party, PDP governorship aspirants who withdrew from the primaries, during their solidarity visit to the acting governor at the Government House, in Yola, at the weekend. PHOTO: NAN

Gunmen kill 6 persons, injure others in Plateau James Abraham JOS

G

unmen at the weekend attacked Lamba Gyambar community in Wase local government area of Plateau State, leaving six persons dead.

Six other persons were also critically injured in the attack, which oc-

curred on Saturday night.

It was gathered that the attackers swooped on the community around 11pm, shooting sporadically and setting homes ablaze.

A resident of the community, Ibrahim Idris, told our reporter on phone that four people were initially killed on Saturday, and eight in-

MAIDUGURI

T

he leadership crisis rocking the Borno Stater chapter of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, ended on yesterday with the election of substantive executives in Maiduguri, an official has said.

Alhaji Zarma Mustapha, the IPMAN Zonal Secretary, disclosed this in an in-

terview with newsmen in Maiduguri.

Mustapha said the election followed the intervention of the national headquarters of the IPMAN, which led to a truce between the warring factions.

“The Borno chapter was faced with problem of the factionalisation, with two parties both claiming leadership of the body.

“I wish to state categorically that the problem has been resolved today with

point were removed on Friday, to be deployed to Maiduguri, which is why our attackers took advantage and attacked us.”

The Special Task Force, STF, Media and Information Officer, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, confirmed the incident, but could not confirm the casualty figures at the time of filing this report.

Stakeholders laud new justice system James Abraham JOS

S

takeholders in Plateau State have expressed hope that the new set of laws being worked out by the government would transform the state for a bet-

ter society when fully operational.

The state Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Edward Pwajok, had, last week, after a weekly executive council meeting, disclosed that a new criminal justice system that would replace

IPMAN reconciles warring Borno factions Inusa Ndahi

jured.

Idris said out of the eight that were rushed to Dangi General Hospital in Kanam local government area, two died yesterday morning, bringing the casualty figures to six.

He said: “Two died of gunshot wounds this morning. The soldiers that were at the check-

the election of new executives led by Alhaji Kuluwu Mohammed.

“The election was aimed at bringing to an end to the problem of factionalisation, because some many people were claiming to be the caretaker chairman of the association.

“With the election, the people have decided to vote for their rightful leaders.

I believe we have one IPMAN now in Borno,” he noted.

He said each faction of the association was given equal opportunity in the election for fairness.

He advised the new leaders to live up to the expectations by striving hard to ensure unity among members of the association.

Mustapha named some of the elected officials as Alhaji Ado Gaya (Vice Chairman), Alhaji Abbas Yakubu (Secretary) and Abdulkadir Fura (Financial Secretary).

the old laws of the state would soon be introduced.

According to him, the new laws adopted by the council were a product of extensive research work which began six years ago, and focused on reviewing the old laws to make them more relevant and effective in the face of current realities.

In a statement issued in Jos and made available to National Mirror at the weekend, stakeholders for democracy and good governance commended the state attorney-general and his team of lawyers for working tirelessly within six years to give the people of the state a new set of laws that would usher in a new criminal justice system in the state.

Chairman of the group, Timothy Nanle and secretary, Obed Peters, who signed the statement, said they were happy that the old laws of the 1960s of the state and Northern Nigeria could no longer be operational in the state as they had been changed with new ones that would soon become operational in the state courts.

They particularly appreciated the new laws on rape of minors and the punishment meted out for brewers of local drink, Goskolo, as well as people caught taking the dreaded liquor.

They added that with the new laws, Plateau would soon become a better state that criminals would find it difficult to operate in.

12

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Jonathan uninterested in amassing illegal wealth – ANNID President

14

Fintiri picks PDP ticket for October by-election LIVINUS MENEDI YOLA

A

damawa State acting governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, emerged winner of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship primaries held last Saturday, polling 624 votes to defeat four other aspirants, ahead of

•Beats Marwa, Modibbo, others the October 11 governorship by-election.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, who supervised over the state congress held at Lamido Cinema, returned Fintiri as the winner of the PDP guber primaries,

defeating former executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Ahmed Modibbo, who polled 169 votes; former military administrator of Lagos and Borno states, Bridagier-General Buba Marwa, who polled 59

votes, and Umar Ardo and Hon. Jerry Kumdisi who garnered 9 and 4 votes, respectively.

Former political adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Ali Gulak eventually pulled out of the contest, thus leaving only four aspi-

Delegates waiting to be screened for Adamawa Peoples Democracy Party governorship election primaries in Jimeta-Yola, on Saturday.

PHOTO: NAN

WIC endorses President Jonathan’s second term bid EBERE NDUKWU

W

orld Igbo Congress, WIC, has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in office, citing projects his administration has carried out in the South-East and SouthSouth region as some of the reasons for their support.

Among these projects are the Owerri-Onitsha road, Enugu-Onitsha expressway, Enugu-Port Harcourt road, Nguju-EddaNporo-Ohafia road, the Obiziora-Iziagu road, Enugu-Abakaliki road, Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road, the Ore-Benin road and other accomplishments in other areas.

Touting President Jonathan’s accomplishments at its 20th annual convention in Houston, Texas, United States, were Nze Elvis Agukwe, national coordinator of South-East Amalgamation for Jonathan/ Sambo 2015 and his USA counterpart of the proJonathan outfit, Dr. Acho Orabuchi, the group under the leadership of Engr. Joe Nze Eto, in a communiqué, said it was impressed with the accomplishments of President Jonathan, despite opposition-induced challenges.

The communiqué reads: “Ndi-Igbo will be better served with Jonathan as the President of Nigeria.

He has demonstrated fairness and equity in his ap-

pointments and policies.

Detractors of the President have used every means possible to stifle his transformation agenda and create chaos in the country. It is therefore patriotic to endorse the president at this time when it matters. It is important for our people at home to know where our sentiments lie. We are with Jonathan.”

Representing the President at the event, Minister of Labor and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, enunciated the President’s accomplishment in the South-East and extolled the virtues of the Igbo and their contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic and political developments, as well as their rich history of

accomplishments.

He said: “All through our history, the Igbo have cut a distinguishing niche in all aspects of our national life in the areas of education, sports, politics, science and technology, literary excellence, enterprise, diplomacy, among others.”

Consul-General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Amb Geoffrey Teneilabe, recalled how the South-East gave the greatest percentage of block votes to President Jonathan in 2011, adding that the zone has been unwavering in its support for him, describing as very significant the 1.6 million signatories of South-East electorate who recently endorsed the President for second term.

rants to jostle for the ticket with Fintiri.

Modibbo and Marwa had, prior to commencement of the primaries, said their resolve not to step down in the aftermath of the meeting convened by PDP national leadership where certain agreement were reached, was borne out of their desire to “serve the Adamawa people.”

The primaries which started late Saturday afternoon, witnessed the first ballot cast at about 7pm by the acting governor who led other statutory delegates.

The ballot was however later voided by the Bankole-led congress committee. Ardo had vehemently raised objection to the modalities adopted by the congress committee, which was later amended by the committee.

The primaries, which was meticulously executed by the Bankole-led committee ended at exactly 4 a.m on Sunday morning.

Under the new modalities, vetting of delegates was left in the hands of the party chairmen in the 21 local government councils of the state, instead of the initial procedure where delegates were just allowed into the venue to cast their ballot.

Fintiri, in his victory speech, thanked the delegates for voting him as the PDP candidate, while also requesting the support of his co-contestants.

He urged every aspirant involved in the contest to rally round him for the party to emerge victorious in the October 11 governorship by-election.

Former milad of Lagos and Borno states, Marwa in an interaction with journalists at his residence yesterday conceded defeat and also pledged to support the acting governor to win the October 11 bye-election, by using his structure to campaign for Fintiri.

Marwa also used the opportunity to make it clear

33 DAYS TO GO that he will “never leave the PDP,” to lay to rest any speculations about his political future and on whether since losing the ticket, he would seek for another political platform to prosecute his political ambition.

He said: “I never leave the PDP. I will remain in it to contribute to the party loyally. Based on my credentials and my character I always keep my words,” adding that he would abide by the gentleman agreement reached by the party which has zoned the 2015 gubernatorial elections of the state to the Central senatorial zone and barred the winner of the October 11 contest from participating in the 2015 general elections.

Meanwhile, the PDP primary has been described as indicative of the fact that the Adamawa people can now take charge of their own destiny.

A public commentator and social entrepreneur, Chief Daniel Richards, said the successful conduct of the PDP primaries has made the state a test case of the dividends of democracy, while also absolving the Presidency of any interference in the politics of the primary.

Richards, who said democratic dividends go beyond providing roads and infrastructure, however noted that “the dividends of democracy are for people to participate in choosing their own leaders without any form of coercion or inducement”.

14

Politics

How would you compare Nigeria’s politics with that of South Africa where you reside?

The differences in Nigeria politics and that of South Africa are huge and very visible. Inasmuch as their history of apartheid tainted and painted their general public and private life, their political institutions are far more established and their level of political awareness and participation very high. Their constitution is modern, progressive, proactive and all encompassing, conforming to modern trends and development. Their law has more chances of incarcerating a corrupt politician than ours. Their elections are freer and fairer than ours. South African votes count more than ours. Their electoral process is more transparent with little or no rigging and there is excellent communication and transportation of electoral materials. And also less violence with appropriate policing and provision of essential services.

They deliver election results in the shortest possible time with verifiable data and accountability. South Africa politics is as advanced like any of the best western world democracy you can think of.

Though they run proportional representative parliamentary democracy different from our direct party candidates elected representatives, but while they are well off with their system of democracy, ours is more unique in representative capacity as it is more people oriented but theirs is party determined. Having said that the stability in their political party is very seminal, imagine a political party over a century old and still counting. Imagine the less interest in money politics and godfatherism, the less level of cross-carpeting even in the face of heavy political tribulations in a party. Having said all that, I must also say that there is hope for Nigeria democracy, most especially, with the type of president we have. I must say President Goodluck Jonathan means good for this country and Nigerians should ensure he is re-elected.

What is your assessment of President Jonathan, to justify your support?

I score President Jonathan’s performance 65 per cent, this is in consideration of the mammoth obstacle the country is facing at present and the attendant level of decay the country was moving towards before he ascended power. I believe no president of Nigeria has done in policies and practicality half of what Jonathan has done.

Mr. President has demonstrated at the polls that the electorate votes can count. Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, under him has been less manipulative; there is transparency and fair play.

Look at Ekiti and Osun states elections. We expect that Adamawa election will be better and 2015 elections the hallmark.

On the economic level, look at our gross domestic product, GDP; the rebasing of our economy did wonders. Nigeria has never hosted World Economic Forum, WEF, and a country can only host it if the global economic stakeholders believe in the country’s economy. So, the rebasing and deregulation of certain sectors of the economy have opened the economy for competitions. Nigeria attracts over 70 per cent of Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, which comes into Africa and that is a feat. If the leader has not established trust, other countries would not be interested in the country.

The deregulation of the power sector

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Jonathan uninterested in amassing illegal wealth – ANNID President Hon Emeka Alloy Johnson Ukwuoma, president, All Nigeria Nationals in the Diaspora, ANNID, South African chapter and publicity secretary, South African chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, tells EBERE NDUKWU why Diaspora Nigerians are supporting President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election, among other issues. Excerpts: and that is one of the things that interest us in the Diaspora. Assuming he has, we will know because we have a Diaspora network that will know in any country of the world, where he has a bank account, but he doesn’t. Jonathan is not materialistic; he’s a simple man who is not interested in amassing illegal wealth.

Don’t you think the loss of Osun State governorship election would affect Jonathan in the West?

When you look at the PDP loss of Osun State, you should also look at the gain of Ekiti for PDP and as we are speaking Ondo is almost PDP. My permutation is that out of the six states of the South West, PDP will have three. At the presidential polls, the Yorubas will vote radically as they did last time. PDP will even do better in the South West than it did in 2011; this is because the Yorubas have been sold far too cheap by the political bigwigs of the APC, led by Bola Tinubu.

Ukwuoma

cal killings have subsided.

I BELIEVE NO PRESIDENT OF

NIGERIA HAS DONE IN POLICIES AND PRACTICALITY HALF OF WHAT

JONATHAN

HAS DONE have done wonders, though people have not started feeling the result because that sector is capital intensive which is already ongoing, but having the political will to deregulate that sector doesn’t come easy, doing that shows he is ready to take vital decisions to better the country, irrespective of cabals that fight such policy turn around.

For the first time in the history of Nigeria, we have an oil minister that has been retained irrespective of the pressures on the President by the cabals. His ability to tackle head-on, the powers that be in Nigeria, who tacitly rob this country through subsidy scam, is legendary.

Jonathan’s government has been all-inclusive, South-East that has been neglected since civil war is now receiving attention.

The second Niger Bridge is a wonderful gift to the people of Nigeria not only the people of South-East and South-South. The East-West road is a wonderful project, the railway is coming back and the deregulation of the aviation industry has seen our airports improve. Federal roads are receiving attention and a couple of federal secretariats have been refurbished and are functional. And more importantly, politi-

But there is doubt over the President’s chances of re-election, considering a stronger opposition in the All Progressives Congress, APC? I won’t be surprised that the President will score nothing less than 70 per cent vote at the polls because of what he has achieved. He’s somebody that is not quick to action and reaction. He does the proper calculations and you can see the hand of God is in most of the things he does. All the scheming of the haters of the country to have the country implode, he has always succeeded in quelling them and that is why myriads of organisations are sprouting up to support him, to show that he’s well accepted. Look at what happened during the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, South-West rally in Ibadan.

That brings us to the question of who sponsors TAN and other Jonathan’s re-election campaign organisations and, coming all the way from South Africa to be part of TAN rally in Ibadan, could you tell who the sponsors are?

I belong to a couple of organisations in support of Jonathan’s re-election and the truth remains that every organisation rooting for Jonathan, none has received a cent.

Everybody is spending from his pocket and reserve to sponsor their organisation.

If you Google most of these organisations, you will see people that are behind them, they are not organisation that are hidden. You can see the money bags that are sponsoring these organisations; they are people who can afford it. The major sponsor of TAN is a Labour Party, LP, member.

Jonathan is the poorest of all the presidents that has ever rule this country, the only one that has no bank account abroad

One would think you’ll be supporting Igbo presidency?

As for now, Igbos in different organisation and caucuses both in the Diaspora and at home have decided to support Mr. President and we are in the open about it.

All Igbo politicians who have shown interest have been advised not to contest. The Igbos are not putting up any presidential candidate and are not going to contest from any of the political parties. We are wholesomely in support of Mr. President for the second term.

What is the goal and interest of ANNID? ANNID is a worldwide Nigeria organisation formed out of the need of a formidable body to address unique and numerous challenges faced by Diaspora Nigerians. The basic difference between ANNID and myriads of other Nigeria Diaspora organisations like Nigerians in the Diaspora, NIDO, is that ANNID is the brain child of Diaspora Nigerians themselves, unlike NIDO which was formed and financed by the Federal Government and maintains a select membership. ANNID boast of 30 chapters across four continents with headquarters in Houston, Texas. The main underlying interest is to bridge brain drain through brain gain.

Identifying the enormous expertise, vast managerial and quality manpower gained in Diaspora by Nigerians.

ANNID mobilises the vast wealth and resources of Diaspora back home and provides soft landing as a springboard for full facilitation and transformation in all areas of our national development. We intend being a platform for Diaspora to interface with government, legislatures or any establishment for proactive contribution to the Nigerian polity, hence, we strongly agitate for Diaspora vote and establishment of Diaspora commission as a standalone government organ for Diaspora issues and concerns.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Monday, September 8, 2014

15

For the media to strengthen our democracy (11) Mirror of the moment ABDUL-WAREES A SOLANKE korewarith@yahoo.com, 08090585723 (SMS only)

Continued from last Monday

W

hile the print media has a relatively long history in Africa, spanning more than one-anda-half century as in the case of Nigeria, broadcasting began much later with the introduction of the relay of BBC programmes from London. The first newspaper published in Nigeria, Iwe Irohin Yoruba, a Christian missionary endeavour, debuted in 1859; but radio broadcasting began as a colonial propaganda instrument with the introduction of a wire service for redistributing or relaying BBC signals from London to the overseas territories during the Second World War. The redistribution service soon gave way to a national broadcasting service, but still under the colonial information department.

With attainment of independence, the broadcasting service was nationalised.

Expectedly, the post-independent broadcasting media channels were more or less part of the government bureaucratic structures, and were not expected to depart fundamentally from government positions in their programme contents and editorial policies. But where can one draw the line between the government interest

and the public interest? In essence, broadcasting in Africa, being a colonial legacy, did not evolve from a culture of political diversity. The neocolonial agenda in any case did not favour true democratization in the continent. Nay, most ruling parties, being proxies of the former imperial governments, ensured that opposition parties were denied access to the radio and television services.

Political discontent soon paved way for military take-over in many African countries. Essentially, the military is unitary, with zero tolerance for populist inclinations. So, state control of the mass media was reinforced under the military regimes. But change of policies in the West towards Africa in the advancement of democracy meant the launch of demilitarization campaigns, while one-party which formerly enjoyed Western support lost reckoning. The West shifted support, not to the political parties or groups this time, but to non-governmental organizations, civil society, labour, and faith-based groups who, regarded as non-partisan, became the engine of democratization process in the continent. The NGOs and the civil society proved effective in mobilizing the masses in ending military rule or forcing one-party states to embrace multipartism.

Much of the successes of the civil society in advancing democratization is owed to the populist mass media. Despite moves to gag them with enactment of obnoxious laws, harassment and intimidation, and even state-sponsored murders of media practitioners, the mass but nocturnal media were only emboldened. It did not

IN THE AFRICAN CONTEXT, THE IDEAL MASS MEDIA ARE EXPECTED TO OPERATE UNDER THE THEORY AND VALUES OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY take the military, as in the case of Nigeria, long to recognize the futility of trying to gag the media. The option was to tow the path of liberalization of the broadcast media, which the government hitherto monopolized. Having helped in setting in motion the democratization process and installing democratic governments, there remains, for the mass media a fundamental challenge of monitoring the democratization process, widening the arena of participation, deepening democratic values and assuming full responsibility of nation-building.

Democracy assumes adult and universal suffrage. It also assumes freedom to vote and be voted for. It is predicated on the principle of one man one vote. It is premised on availability of choice and options. While democracy should create representative government, it should give people power over their representatives to hold them responsible and accountable. What these imply is that democracy should serve as system of people’s empowerment and instrument of promoting good governance. The visible likely linkage that could be established is true governance and good government. Iden-

tifying and giving voice to this ideal of democracy is inextricably in the mass media’s purview.

But is there the ideal mass media? In the African context, the ideal mass media are expected to operate under the theory and values of social responsibility; behave as partners in progress with government of the day; serve as agents of social mobilization; explain government policies and programmes; and bring to the fore the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens.

They are not expected to be overtly critical or not expected to promote foreign values and interests.

These demands and expectations, however, introduce a set of dilemma for the mass media: Do they possess the powers and independence to fulfill these social responsibilities? Are these powers and independence sufficiently protected by law?

Put differently, does the political economy, the socio-cultural system and state of technology accommodate a socially responsible mass media system or render them just a mere state appendages? From these questions, what emerges is that there must be potential and foundation for a mass media system not burdened by state censorship, not weakened by parlous economy, not limited by technology, but that which is fully empowered to galvanize the politically conscious citizenry and sustain democracy and good governance through open and cheap media access.

Conclusion of the excerpt of a paper presented at the 18th Annual Conference of the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre, New Delhi, India in June 2009 by this columnist.

That secret sin we are ‘hoarding’ (11) SANDRA AKUOMA

T

his week, we are spending to find out what we are holding on to that is taking unnecessary space. When an object becomes our property, it undergoes a transformation and its value is immediately increased because we choose it and associate it with ourselves. If someone offers to buy it from us, the chances are, we want to charge much more than they are prepared to pay. This is called ”endowment effect”. It’s the reason that we have our garages, Ghana must go bags and storage spaces full of junk with which we cannot bear to be parted from.

The ‘endowment effect’ is particularly strong for things that are very personal and easy to associate with the self, like a piece of jewelry from our partner. Similarly we also overvalue things we’ve had for a long time.

Greed/selfishness is the number one cause of hoarding. Through greed we find it difficult to pass good sales in the shops, say no to free stuff, and not give out what we don’t need because we are a bit selfish. We always feel the need for more and more and never get enough of it. Remember the definition of greed is excessive selfish desire to want more than we need. Applying this definition to our hoarding habits, we can see it’s one of

WHEN WE DEFINE OUR SELF-WORTH, THROUGH THE THINGS WE HAVE, WE FIND IT ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO LET GO OF WHAT WE DO NOT NEED the main causes of hoarding – passing a lovely shoe, shirt, trousers etc. to a window shop even though we have 100 pairs of shoes, loads of shirts and trousers; not being able to say No to stuff even though we really don’t have the need for it.

Fear is another major cause of hoarding. We fear that if we throw away or give away something, it might be useful to us in the near future, or we might find it difficult to get it again. Maybe it cost us a fortune or it took us time to get it. With this fear in mind, we cease to live in the present moment when we live through the mind - past (through memories), future (through uncertainty, dreams and wishes), so we tend to hold on to things we think we might need in the future or hold on to stuff because of some past event. When our minds are never in the present moment, never in the here and now, in the there and then, we always ac-

cumulate things that will never be useful to us in our present reality.

We hold on to our clutter because they remind us of some loved ones, good times we had in the past or someone that left us! This can lead to our keeping boxes of childhood toys, photographs and mementoes, contacts. We even find it difficult to let go of people that have no value or serve no real purpose in our lives right now, like our past relationships. People are known to still keep close contacts with their exes even when they have moved on. When we get too attached to people or things we end up cluttering and hoarding our hearts them even if we don’t need them.

The issue of letting them go becomes a huge struggle and causes so much anxiety, anger and pain. Letting go of items that belonged to a loved one, who has died can mean facing up to our own loss and grief.

We may also feel some anxiety and guilt, as if we are failing to honour a person if we let go of any of their items.

A busy lifestyle can lead to a cluttered home, which can lead to hoarding, simply because we just don’t get enough time to sort our belongings out or to organize efficient storage systems. A number of us feel life is too short to de-clutter, we have very busy social lives and the idea of spending time sorting our homes out is not high on our agenda.

When we define our self-worth, through

the things we have, we find it absolutely impossible to let go of what we do not need; we are only focused on keeping what we already have and amass more and more because in our minds the external things we have define who we truly are as a person. In a society where materialism is praised or encouraged we are mostly judged by our possessions, thus we are encouraged to acquire more and more, get the best new thing so we can keep up with the “Joneses”. It is a big struggle to take stock and look within to find the wealth and beauty inside ourselves. Because of all these reasons, we have a strong bond to material goods and people which only birth the hoarding tendencies in us.

Did you feel any of these emotions when you looked through your clutter; spend time to meditate and be honest with yourself.

Next week we will be discussing ways to curb our hoarding tendencies.

Akuoma lives in Lagos and wrote via sanlifepointers@hotmail.com

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

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

16

Editorial

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

KAFILAT OGBARA

MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO

SUNDAY OLAJIDE

DEPUTY MD/CEO

SEYI FASUGBA

DAILY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI

SATURDAY EDITOR

KAYODE FASUA

ACTING EDITOR, SUNDAY

AYO OLESIN

GENERAL EDITOR

BEN MEMULETIWON

GENERAL EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA

COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

CALLISTUS OKE

EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

ISE-OLUWA IGE

ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

FIDELIS LEMCHI OWOAMANAM

REGIONAL DIRECTOR, S/SOUTH

KING ODODORU

HEAD, GRAPHICS

IS

Lawyers and the challenge of nation building

I

t cannot be gainsaid the fact that a nation’s judiciary and its Bar, have major roles to play in both the maintenance of law and order and in facilitating the template for its social engineering. The judiciary particularly is the last bastion of hope for the downtrodden in the search for justice. President Goodluck Jonathan did not lose sight of this fact when he pleaded with the nation’s Bar, from where members of the Bench are recruited, at the beginning of the recently concluded 54th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Owerri, Imo State capital, not to let the nation down. Jonathan, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, while declaring the conference open, urged the lawyers to lend sufficient support to the fight against corruption and problems of insecurity plaguing the country instead of settling for armchair criticisms . The Federal Government, the president said, would not relent in its fight against corruption in all areas of governance.

It was obvious that Jonathan’s solicitation streamed partly from the complicit roles lawyers play in sabotaging high profile corruption cases – courtesy of revelations by the hierarchy of the Economic

and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on the one hand, and due recognition of the noble roles legal practitioners can play in nation building and development, on the other.

In its own communiqué released at the end of the conference, the NBA had said: “… there is the need for all Nigerians to seriously and practically confront the pervasive corruption ravaging Nigeria’s sociopolitical and economic fabrics… there’s the dire need for the FG to re-engineer and re-invigorate all the anti-corruption agencies, as well as grant them more autonomy, with a view to ensuring their impartiality; and for them to exercise their powers and perform their functions without fear, favour or prejudice and without interference from any person or organ of (the) state.”

For its part, it may be said that the judiciary has been doing well lately as an impartial arbiter. The number of judges removed from the bench for compromising their jobs says that much. Some of them removed from office or retired abruptly within the past 13 or so months were Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos, and Justice T. D. Naron of the High Court of Plateau State; a former judge of the Lagos High Court, Justice Adebayo Manuwa; a former judge

WITH A CORRUPT JUDICIARY, ROOTING OUT CORRUPTION FROM THE NATION WILL REMAIN AN UPHILL TASK of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Chukwuemeka Nwaogwugwu; and a former Chief judge of the Abia State High Court, Justice Kalu Amah.

Others were former Justice Wilson Egbo-Egbo of the Federal High Court; and a former judge of the Enugu State High Court, Justice Stanley Nnaji.

In addition, recent developments that eroded public confidence in the nation’s judiciary that may be cited include the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu and former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Isa Salami, saga; the less than honest handling of the trial of former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, for corruption in the country; as well as that of Charles Okah, to mention just a few.

Moreover, there are many other issues relating to procedural and technical aspects of justice administration that hamper effective justice delivery service. They include

ON THIS DAY September 8, 1962 Newly independent Algeria, by referendum, adopted a constitution. A referendum (in some countries synonymous with plebiscite — or a vote on a ballot question) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to vote on a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, or a law. Referendum is the gerund of the Latin verb ‘refero’, meaning bringing back issues back to the people.

Letters tothe theEditor Editor Letters to

September 8, 1994 USAir Flight 427, on approach to Pittsburgh International Airport, suddenly crashed in clear weather, killing all 132 people aboard; resulting in the most extensive aviation investigation in world’s history and altering manufacturing practices in the industry. USAir Flight 427 was a scheduled flight from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to Pittsburgh International Airport, with a final destination of West Palm Beach, Florida.

incessant delay made possible by lawyers’ antics and sheepish adherence to principles like the ‘de novo’ doctrine, among others. The way plea-bargaining is being practised in Nigeria is also worrisome, as it suffocates justice instead of promoting same. Indeed, it has got to a stage where federal and state legislatures should enact laws to redefine the contexts for the application of plea bargaining in the country. Many of the nation’s archaic laws that impede the administration of justice should also be urgently reviewed; and concerted efforts be made to reform the legal profession, especially all the institutions saddled with one role or the other in the education and professional development of lawyers and judges.

Such bodies would include law faculties of the various universities in the country, the Council of Legal Education, Body of Benchers, Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, National Judicial Institute and the National Judicial Council, etc. Only fit and proper persons should be admitted to the Bar and Bench. The National Judicial Council should sustain the tempo of its newly-found zero tolerance for corruption.

For, with a corrupt judiciary, rooting out corruption from the nation will remain an uphill task.

x September 8, 2013 Eleven people were killed in a train collision in La i County, Romania. The train involved in the accident was operated by private rail company Regiotrans and ran between Ia i and Dorohoi. All of the dead were on the minibus, which ignored posted signs at the railway crossing, none of the passengers and crew aboard the train were injured or killed. There were no survivors in the minibus.

A2 18

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cover

Tales of economic woes Aside the daily wanton destruction of lives, it may just be a matter of time for the entire north eastern geopolitical hemisphere of Nigeria to be engulfed by a looming famine as the activities of the insurgents is currently taking its toll on the economy of most of the affected states, especially Borno State. Most hit by this trend is agriculture, especially rice farming, which incidentally is the life-wire of the state. These rice farmers alone, estimate that they have lost well over N3 billion worth of food crops, especially in the last three years Nyanya motor park bombing

By Inusa Ndahi, Maiduguri

T

here is no gainsaying that the security challenges posed by the terrorists, who have been in the news since July 2009, have affected virtually all nooks and crannies of the country and have permeated all aspects of the country’s national life.

Perhaps, it might just be a matter of time for the entire north eastern geo-political hemisphere of Nigeria to be engulfed by a looming famine as the activities of the insurgents is currently taking its toll on the economy of most of the affected states, especially Borno State.

For about five years now, Borno State, one of Nigeria’s federating units, which prides itself as the “Home of Peace”, is now a danger zone following coordinated and uncoordinated bombings, sporadic gun battles, raiding of police stations, targeted killings, drive-by shootings, or road ambush etc.

All of these were unknown to people of the state until the 2009 insurgency mounted by the extremist Islamist sect, Jama’atu Ahis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, referred to in common parlance as Boko Haram.

Borno State has borne the brunt of the insurgency which has led to the loss of so many lives, loss of livelihood of numerous others, burning and looting of business premises, market stalls, whole markets, public schools, recreation centres, etc.

On top of this are the loss

of man-hours due to shortened working hours by banks and commercial institutions and the unprecedented loss of manhours or closure of businesses by those who work at night due to the curfew consequent on the state of emergency.

To a great extent, the insurgents’ activities have in no small way affected not only the informal but widespread sector of the local economy such as suya, shayi, kosai vendors who eke out their living on day-to-day basis.

Though there is no valid statistical data on the economic and social implications of the conflict, but they must be enormous. For instance, according to the state governor, Kashim Shettima, in one of the speeches he delivered at a public function recently, he gave four main factors in which the level of insecurity has manifested itself in the wanton and indiscriminate loss of lives, which runs into thousands, the dislocation of the local economy with serious implications for the living conditions of the inhabitants, closure of schools due to firebombing of educational facilities, which has put a lot of stress on existing facilities and created a climate of fear among pupils and parents and the psychological trauma of victims and survivors of the crisis, especially children and young adults.

Shettima noted, ““The circumstances that led to the current unfortunate situation in our state and neighbouring areas arose from long years of neglect and structural violence on our people by successive govern-

ments, which had failed to address their deplorable existential conditions. The retreating state, dwindling economic resources, visionless ruling class steeped in conspicuous consumption in the midst of abundant poverty created a fertile environment for Boko Haram to thrive.”

To say the fact, since the beginning of the crisis, life has never been the same for Borno indegines and people living in the states. Every facet of life has virtually been affected by the lingering crises.

Our correspondent surveyed the troubled life that the residents had to contend with. Obviously, people no longer feel safe even in their houses, they feel discouraged going to public places like markets, super stores and gathering like wedding ceremonies and other social gathering such as festivities for fear of being attacked by the terrorists especially through suicide bombings.

In essence, prices of food items and other essential commodities have skyrocketed as traders no longer bring wares to Maiduguri for fear of being ambushed on the highways.

It was also observed by our correspondent that on daily basis, traders are being attacked on the highways especially the BiuDamboa, Gwoza- Bama- Maiduguri roads which are now a death trap.

For instance, during the month of Ramadan, people could not shop for essential commodities as it was out of their reach.

Moreover, the continuous

influx of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, into Maiduguri due to sacking of villages by the insurgents, have increased the number of beggars on the streets of the city, a situation that has forced some of the women into prostitution just to make ends meet.

Most popular roads within the metropolis are blocked by the military and commuters as many pedestrians sometimes spend some hours before reaching their destination.

While people wishing to travel out of Maiduguri to visit their relations and friends can no longer do so, as the major roads are blocked and in some cases, bridges blown off especially the bridges linking Maiduguri- Biu and Maiduguri -Gwoza federal highways, the city, which used to be centre of commercial activities, has become a shadow of its former self as traders find it difficult to move freely.

Specifically, to traders from neighbouring countries of Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republics, the state has become a no go area as majority of them have refrained from carrying out trading activities.

Today, all basic needs such as water, firewood, transportation and groceries, among others, have all become commodities too expensive to easily afford in the state.

Speaking with Business Courage, a primary school teacher in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, James John, said he has battling with one major problem which has been how to

feed his family daily.

According to him, though he still gets food stuff to buy but the means of processing the food has been the major headache. Cooking gas or kerosene stove are not the means of cooking in John’s home. His household depends solely on firewood.

But of recent, even firewood has become a very expensive essential domestic commodity to buy in Maiduguri . Three pieces of sliced firewood sell for between N300 and N400.

“We are faced with a very difficult situation here; getting to buy woods for cooking is now very expensive, because our local firewood vendors are now being prevented by the Civilian-JTF and soldiers from entering the town,” he said.

It was also gathered that firewood, though a major energy source for cooking in the homes of nearly 80 per cent of the residents in Maiduguri, had since become a scarce commodity in the city following discoveries that some of the vehicles conveying firewood into Maiduguri are concealed with bombs and used in suicide mission.

It is a very old tradition in Maiduguri and most part of Borno State to see pickup vans loaded with firewood coming into urban areas to either deliver their goods to a dealer or directly hawking them from streets to streets. But of late, security personnel claimed it has been discovered that after the last February twin blasts in Ajilari area of Maiduguri, firewood are being used to conceal weapons and ex-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

A3 19

as insurgency persists

plosives in pickup vans that ferried secretly into the city.

To check this dangerous trend that has contributed to the killings of hundreds of lives in the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency, most trucks carrying firewood are now being prevented from entering the city. Those that made it to town could only do so after completely off-loading the woods for checks by security operatives before reloading and entering the city.

In essence, our investigations revealed that most of the firewood traders had had to pay heavy tips before being allowed to move into the towns.

The Boko Haram-induced difficulties are not restricted to firewood scarcity alone. Virtually all sectors of the state’s economy are seriously in a lamentable state.

For over two years now, the per capital income of the business people of Borno State has seriously been affected due to the complete shutdown of night life as a result of the insurgencyrelated curfews that have lasted for about two years now.

Many businesses, especially those that thrive at night, have packed up while those that still exist are majorly running at a loss.

For example, the popular evening delicacy and roasted fish and fried Irish potatoes business, which had been a thriving business in Maiduguri in the last five years, is gradually grinding to a halt, because of the evening curfew.

Most importantly, this medium gathered that the people now

face serious famine challenge as a result of reduced farming activities in most parts of the state.

Mallam Abba Jauro, one of the leaders of the rice farming communities around Alau Dam, in Konduga local government area, had cried out that their farmlands had been badly affected since last year after gunmen, suspected to be Boko Haram members, came killing their fellow farmers and setting their farms and harvested products on fire.

“Our rice farms were attacked and set on fire when Boko Haram gunmen attacked our farming community. About eight of our colleagues have died in the series of attacks that occurred within that period,” “They attacked when we were in the peak of harvesting period, and they set ablaze both already harvested and bagged rice, as well as the rice farms. We had to flee when the rice plantations were being burnt. These Boko Haram people have got us liquidated completely. And we wonder why they are still moving freely, killing us, and government is not doing anything about it”. He stated.

Similarly, the Borno State chairman of Farmers Association, Alhaji Muhammed Namadi, decrying the spate of attacks on farmers within the state, lamented that the Boko Haram insurgency had caused them a loss of well over N3 billion worth of food crops, especially rice, in the last three years.

Namadi feared possible hunger in the state as he disclosed that hundreds of other farmers in the state have either been killed, or have fled their plantations in the wake of the Boko Haram killings.

“We have suffered a great deal as farmers in the last three years.

We have lost well over three billion naira worth of food and grain production due to the insecurity in the state. Many young and old farmers have been forced to leave their farms and many forfeited their already planted crops.”

Namadi said.

Namadi appealed to the state governor as well the federal government to bail them out through funds and equipment that will enable them bounce back.

In a related development, the managing director of Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA), Dr Garba Abubakar Iliya, disclosed that at least 19,000 wheat farmers had been chased out of their farms by Boko Haram gunmen during the period of the 2013 harvest.

“About 5,000 hectares of wheat under the South Chad Ir-

rigation Scheme of the authority had been cropped in 2013, but the farmers could not finish the harvests due to activities of the insurgents, which forced the farmers to abandon 3,500 hectares of wheat to be destroyed and pilfered by stray animals and thieves,” he said.

Though Maiduguri has a robust water board that supplies water to most parts of the city, half of Maiduguri , especially the Bulumkutu area down to the airport areas, still depends on submersible water pumps or local water vendors to get their daily water needs. Besides that, some parts of the new GRA and Polo area too solely depend on water vendors.

Kyari Usman, who sells provisions in the main market of Damboa Local Government Area, while describing the economic effects caused by Boko Haram said, “Business has been slow in the last one year and it is increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

Sometimes, I spend the whole day in the market without making any sales because traders in neighbouring villages of Chibok, Azr, Sabon Gari and other remotes areas are no longer coming in due to Boko Haram attacks. I use whatever little sales I make to feed my family.”

In Bama council area for example, the attack on the town in which the Shehu of Bama’s palace was affected and over 500 vehicles were razed down at a motor park, has left many drivers jobless. In that attack, 600 houses, 200 shops, market were burnt with property worth millions of naira destroyed.

A local farmer in Jere council area, Mallam Abubakar Usman in an interview said, “Only God knows the cost and quantum

Shettima

of damage caused by the Boko Haram insurgents as people living around Sambiza forest, such as Maiduguri, Konduga, Mafa, Dikwa, Damboa, Kala-Balge, Chibok among others did not farm in the last farming season because the insurgency did not allow them to do so.

Even in the few communities of Ajigin, Talala, Konduga and Zabarmari that cultivated, some of their farmers did not harvest as the insurgents set them ablaze.

An economist, Dr. Maigari Inuwa noted that economic activities in Borno state have dropped to its lowest ebb as a result of the protracted Boko Haram insurgency which has made it impossible for traders to move from one location to another.

“Another reason also is the inability of farmers to cultivate their crops which they sell to supplement their food crops.

During the last farming season, only farmers in southern Borno were able to farm as their counterparts in the northern and Central zones were constantly subjected to attacks when they attempted go to their farms. ”A clear example is when the wheat farmers along the Chad Basin had to abandon their wheat even though the yields were good, but for fear of Boko Haram, they lost all they laboured for,” he stated.

Another businessman who specialised in fruits, Mallam Abba Ibrahim Gaidam in Yobe and Borno states said, “the situation has led the people to near starvation as they resort to eating unripe mangoes and other fruits to survive.

“Cash crop farmers like cotton, pepper and even vegetables have resorted to other trades like brick laying and pushing

trucks where any could be found as most of the population depend on handouts from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA ) and other government agencies to make ends meet.

“As for those border communities, even the rosy life they enjoyed has been cut off because people from neighbouring countries no more come to buy from them and life is very hard as all commercial activities have ceased to exist”.

Also in Gwoza mountainous area, the people of Ngoshe, Kuhum, Ashigashiya, Barawa, Chinene, Gava and other villages have left their farms and fled to the neighbouring Cameroon republic for fear of their lives.

A farmer, Mallam Audu Agijin who fled to Buratai village in Biu local government said he fled with his children to Buratai because the insurgents have taken over their villages as he is presently living at mercy of the people of Buratai where he is squatting with his friend with two wives and 10 children.

A butcher, Mallam Shuabu Isa said he used to slaughter over 20 cows per day but now, he hardly slaughters two or three cows, as he has lost all of his working capital to the insurgency.

According to him, anytime there was an attack in the abattoir or the Maiduguri Monday market, they would abandon their meat and run for their dear lives and when they come back a day or two later, the meat would have damaged.

He said, “You know this our business, sometimes, we have to give the meat on credit to retail meat sellers and afterwards, they would settle the credit and when they incur loss, there’s nothing you can do but to exercise patience.”

Another butcher, John Dahode in Gamboru market said they have lost a lot of money to the insurgents as according to him, each time there was an attack on the market, they fled and left their meat only to come the next day to meet it spoilt.

A trader in Maiduguri Monday market, Alhaji Abdullahi said things are hard for them, because some times, he had come to the market without making sale and has to trek about 15 kilometers back to his house.

According to him, he used to make sales worth over N10 million per day when the people of the neighboring Chad, Cameroon and Niger used come to the market, but now, they have stopped coming due to the state of insecurity in the state. BC

A4 20

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News NECA secures waiver from SEC on filing of returns

By Johnson Okanlawon

T

he Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has secured forbearance for companies from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on penalties for late or non-filing of returns.

The waiver followed the outcome of a successful engagement between NECA and SEC. A statement from NECA said the engagement became necessary because for some time corporate entities had pleaded with SEC to waive penalties slammed on companies that had failed to comply with SEC rules on filling requirements as stipulated by the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2007.

It explained that NECA had to intervene on behalf of the Organised Private Sector, OPS, to make a plea to SEC to grant some forbearance in view of the fact that most private sector companies were not aware of the requirement.

According to the statement, SEC had granted 100 per cent waiver of all penalties imposed on public companies from 2008 to 2010 and 40 per cent waiver on outstanding penalties from 2011 to 2013.

Commenting on the development, the President of the NECA, Larry Ettah said, “The outcome of this initiative by NECA is another testimony of how private and public sector institutions could work together for the good of the economy.”

He stressed that NECA has already communicated the outcome of the engagement to private sector operators, who are expected to take advantage of it within one week of the agreement.

NECA is a platform for private sector employers to interact with the government, labour, communities and other relevant institutions in and outside Nigeria for the purpose of promoting harmonious business environment that engenders productivity and prosperity for the country.

Credible elections, stable democracy imperatives to economic growth, says DG NIMASA

By Francis Ezem

T

he Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Ziakede Patrick Ak-

L-R, Zonal Business Manager, South Central Zone, Airtel Nigeria, with Ada Ruben, Rep. Sector Commander, FRSC Benue during Airtel’s ICT tour in Benue State recently

pobolokemi has made a strong case for the enthronement of stable democracy and credible in Nigeria as part of strategies to grow the economy.

The Director General, was represented by the Deputy Director/Head of Public Relations, Isichei Osamgbi, at the just concluded 10th edition of the All Nigerian Editors Conference, which held in Katsina state.

He said that credible elections, which are part of the embodiments of a stable democracy, would engender economic growth and therefore enable the citizens fulfil their individual and collective aspirations.

According to him, the Nigerian economy was growing in leaps and bounds as demonstrated by increasing volume of trade and foreign direct investment.

He also expressed optimism that the economy would experience even more growth given the consciousness by the government to further strengthen the country’s democracy.

The NIMASA-boss also said that the theme of the conference- Credible Elections and Good Governance: the Role of the Editor was quite apt at a time when Nigeria was putting finishing touches to the next general elections.

“Nigerians have reasons to be optimistic about the future as the economy had been acknowledged to be on track to becoming one of the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020”, he said.

According to the NIMASA Director General, Nigeria had been classified among MINT countries projected to be future economic leaders, which included Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey.

He observed that the country was in 2000, ranked 52nd in the world in terms of

Gross Domestic Product at purchasing power parity. But the country’s ranking improved to 40th in 2005 and 26th in 2014, making it the largest within Africa.

“Nigeria is recognised as an emerging market with expanding financial services, communications, and entertainment sectors. Its re-emergent manufacturing sector is the thirdlargest on the continent, and produces a large proportion of goods and services for the West African sub-region. This is why we, at NIMASA play a key role in ensuring that international and local operators have absolute confidence in the Nigerian maritime environment.”, Akpobolokemi said.

The Director General also explained: “As we all know, safety of lives and property is a significant prerequisite for the growth and investment in any institution, sector or society.

This is why maritime safety and security is engrained in us in NIMASA. It is a way of life; an aspect that is never compromised.”

He therefore assured that NIMASA would continue to deliver on its own mandate and explained that the recent Memorandum of Understanding the Agency signed with the Nigerian Air Force to complement that with the Nigerian

Navy was a way of further safeguarding the country’s maritime domain.

Akpobolokemi also reiterated the Agency’s commitment to human capacity development, which is demonstrated in the recent launch of the Nigeria Maritime University in Okerenkoko, Delta State, to complement the Agency’s sponsorship of maritime institutes in four universities, namely the University of Lagos; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State; and Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State.

He said: “In order to effectively cover Nigeria and eight other countries under the Regional Maritime Search and Rescue Centre, NIMASA has put in place robust maritime domain awareness and response system, which led to the birth of the NIMASA Satellite Surveillance Centre”.

“Our desire is to provide safety for all those doing business within Nigerian waters.

With the NIMASA Satellite Surveillance Centre, the Agency is now able to respond to any distress call on Nigerian waters and even beyond. The new 24-hour Satellite Surveillance equipment has the capability to detect boats, ships and objects of predefined cross-section floating on water,” the Director General further assured.

32.5 cement grade is for plastering and flooring only, says Dangote

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi Akpobolokemi

M

anagement of Dangote Cement has revealed that

its new variants of 32.5 grade of cement is for plastering and flooring only.

The company said this is in line with the clarifications of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), on the different grades of cement and its uses.

The recent categorization of cement grades and applications by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) prescribes three grades of cement, 52.5, 42.5 and 32.5 for use in Nigeria.

It issued a directive that 52.5 grade be used for bridges, 42.5 grade should be used for casting of columns, beams, slabs and making blocks(multipurpose), while 32.5 grade was restricted to plastering and flooring.

The management of Dangote Cement said it was leveraging on the clear’ standards set by SON to push its own brand of 32.5 cement into the market for the benefits of its teeming customers who might want to plaster their houses or do the flooring.

The Group Managing Director of the company, Devakumar V.G. Edwin, revealed last week that the decision to start producing the grade of cement was not in any way meant to take away the importance of the 42.5 grade which he said the company had been producing for the past nine years.

“SON has clearly given all cement manufacturers in the country producing the 32.5 grade of cement up till the end of this month (September) to, among other things; clearly indicate on their cement bags that the grade of cement they are producing is only meant for plastering purposes only. We see this as a step in the right direction. Therefore, we believe that the time is right for us to start producing this grade of cement. This justifies what we have been clamouring for in the past months, and it underscores the high premium we place on safety,” he noted.

According to Edwin, with the addition of the fresh nine million capacity, comprising of six million metric tonnes in the Ibese plant and three million metric tonnes in the Obajana factory, Dangote has extended its capacity of integrated cement production in the country from about 20 million tonnes per annum, to around 29 million tonnes.

The managing director said the 32.5 cement grade from the stable of Dangote Cement was also to ensure consumers pay the right price for the right value so that consumers would not be paying more for lower grade as is presently the case.

The largest cement producer in Nigeria noted that the move is to develop an array of cement types to meet the varied needs of consumers for the different grades of cement.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dangote, with this move, now produces 42.5 for column casting, block making, decking and other general purpose construction work that require high strength, while also producing the premium 32.5 grade for plastering and flooring only.

The company also noted that it would continue with its nationwide campaign and capacity building which it initiated and had sustained in the past three years, to ensure that the different grades of cement are easily identified by users and used only for their prescribed purposes.

The company is also pushing out the 52.5 grade for specialised construction of high strength and specialised structures such as bridges, flyovers among others.

The 32.5 grade of cement, which has the lowest strength among the various cement products is priced lower than the others, selling for N200 lower than the price of the higher strength 42.5.

Dangote said in compliance with the SON standard for cement quality and packaging, the lower 32.5 type on the Dangote shelf will be clearly labelled as such, in order to prevent the problem of misapplication and misuse of the product, which has become rampant in the nation’s building and construction industry.

The company is also to intensify its campaign and training of users on the proper application of all grades of cement.

“We have significantly increased the supply of cement to the market and as it is expected, the enhancement in supply of the product to the market has also resulted to a reasonable reduction in the price of the product,” Devakumar said.

He hinted that the formal inauguration of the new nine million tonnes capacity enhancement would hopefully be carried out by President Goodluck Jonathan next month.

NERC floats office to resolve BEDC’s power disputes

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

T

he National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has opened a forum office in Benin, the Edo State capital, to be closer to the consumers in addressing unresolved electricity issues between the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and its customers within latter’s coverage area of Edo state.

Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, who commissioned the office, said that

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

Nebo

the initiative would enhance NERC’s mandate of protecting the right .

Nebo, who was represented by a Deputy Director in the Ministry, Omololu Ogunleye, hinged the success of ongoing reforms in the sector on level of interaction among the stakeholders.

He called for support for the distribution companies to ensure that consumers’ rights were protected. “These companies must ensure that Nigerians have adequate power supply,” he stressed.

Ogunleye said that the forum would serve as a platform and a major talk point for the resolution of electricity issues from various communities.

“The commission has the mandate to ensure that Nigerians have adequate and reliable supply of power. Let me use this opportunity to emphasise that the federal government’s efforts are quite glaring and it will not rest on it oars until it has achieved the desire to provide electricity for all. “ It takes the commitment of all stakeholders and patience of the consumers to achieve this goal. There is no gainsaying that the success of the electricity sector is dependent on the effective coordination of the sector,” he said.

In his remarks, the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Energy and Water resources, Chris Ebare, said that the NERC forum office had been expected.

He suggested that such offices should be opened in all the local government areas in the state to reduce the burden of people in the rural areas travelling to the state capital to lay complaints.

Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, represented by Dr Albert Ibrahim, said that the forum office was set up specifically to bridge the gap between power consumers and the electricity distribution company in the state. “The forum is a body charged by the commission to hear and resolve customer complaints on appeal in the operational area of every distribution licensee. Complaints that may come to the forum are complaints not settled at the customer care units situ-

ated in the distribution company,” he said.

Amadi said officials of complaints office were drawn from relevant stakeholders, which he said included the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Consumer Protection Council, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations and the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture (BENCCIMA).

He however, urged electricity consumers to demonstrate understanding with the distribution company in the state, bearing in mind that the transformation in the power sector was a gradual process.

Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the BEDC, Funke Osibodu, who was represented by, her Executive Director, Commercial, Abu Ejoor, described the effort as a timely intervention to boost the interaction between the company and its numerous consumers.

On his part, Chairman House of Representatives on Power, Patrick Ikhariale, said he believed that the revolution in the telecom sector would be a child’s play when the power sector becomes fully operational under private sector management.

He said: “If we get the power sector right, we would have solved 60 to 70 per cent of Nigeria’s challenges. The business of electricity is not a tea party business. It is capital intensive, it requires commitment, interest and technical know-how to succeed.”

NACCIMA flays private sector exclusion as MSME fund administrator

By Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

T

he Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Mines and Agriculture has criticised the exclusion of notable umbrella bodies of the organised private sector OPS as members of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s CBN N220 Billion Micro Small & Medium Enterprises Development Fund MSMEDF. In its state of the nation press briefing in Lagos, NACCIMA’s National president, Badaru Abubakar, therefore counseled that the CBN should review the guidelines and include the OPS in the Steering Committee for effective administration and management of the Fund, with a view to enhancing private sector collaboration with the apex bank, stressing that it would improve access to finance to

genuine MSME operators in the country.

However, the body commended the government for the recently constituted Presidential Advisory Council for the Fund, which includes seasoned businessmen from the OPS. “We believe that the technocrats from the public and private sectors will bring their expertise to bear in ensuring the effective delivery of the objectives of the Fund as desired in the overall interest of the economy,” he said.

The Chamber expressed concerns over the viability of the implementation/take-off date of the new Auto Policy in Nigeria, after reviewing the lingering controversies between Government and Auto Industry Stakeholders.

“We wish to add our voice by expressing some concerns on the short moratorium period given on the effective takeoff date of the policy, which if implemented in July 2014, will not only constrain them to operate optimally but also negatively affect sustainable transformation of the economy. it would inadvertently lead to fall in demand of imported used vehicles, which invariable will negatively affect the transportation sector; erode the welfare of the citizens by reducing their purchasing power; breed unnecessary monopoly due to privilege/insider information about the government policy; result in increase in unemployment, low income, inflation, amongst others,” NACCIMA president said.

The Chamber said that they were of the belief that the implementation of the sharp increase in import duty on fully built vehicles to 70 per cent from 22 per cent will place the cost of vehicles beyond the reach of about 90 per cent of Nigerians, increase the cost of transportation by at least 50 per cent, increase inflation level and create huge gap between demand and local supply capacity of automobiles due to infrastructural challenges.

“Hence, we wish to reiterate our earlier position that the new Auto Policy Implementation take-off date should be extended to at least March, 2015,” the NACCIMA boss said.

NACCIMA therefore called

Abubakar

A5 21

on the federal government to further dialogue with all stakeholders amidst the lingering controversy over a new automotive policy, for extension of the date of implementation and reach a common consensus on how to effectively implement the automotive industry policy with adequate concessions and incentives to manufacturers that will enable the policy play both strategic and catalytic roles in economic development, particularly in employment creation and wealth generation.

“Today supply stands at a pathetic 45,000 units while demand stands at 800,000 units per annum, smuggling activities from neighbouring countries will boom, especially from Cotonou Port with imported vehicles still dominating the market place, since we have about 1,400 illegal entry routes, over 80 poorly manned borders and a yet to be fullyequipped Customs structure,” he said.

Stakeholders welcome transformation of cottage industries by FG, BOI

By Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

S

takeholders have expressed their support for the emerging job opportunities and additional wealth channels which are being opened up in cottage industries across the country, through the commitment of funds by the Federal Ministry of agriculture and the Bank of Industry.

Witnessing the commissioning of two oil palm processing cottage industries in Osun State over the weekend, most of the stakeholders were unanimous that the initiative would no doubt serve as a catalyst for expanding capacity and developing value addition to Nigeria’s raw materials starting from the grassroots.

According to the Osun state special adviser to the governor on Agric and Food Security, Festus Agunbiade, most farmers are challenged at the stage of processing, because when they sell without adding value they are bound to get a poor price.

“If we don’t take care of processing facilities then we would just be producing for wastages and if you are sure that your commodities would be processed you will be encouraged to add more value. From today, in Osun state you can be assured that farmers would be encouraged to grow oil-palm because they are sure that their incomes will increase as wastages are being drastically reduced,” he said.

Continued on pg A22

A6 22

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Feature

Accelerating economic growth through public private partnership Given the overriding interest of all stakeholders to ensure economic growth, jobs creation and wealth generation for the nation, it has become necessary to forge and sustain a public/private alliance between the Federal Government as policy makers and the organised private sector as the drivers of production in order to achieve inclusive and sustainable industrial growth

By Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

I

t is a known fact that where there is no provision of an enabling environment for businesses and investments to thrive, such a nation will have no option than to rely heavily on imports and suffer the attendant effects of capital flight, unemployment and unavoidable poverty.

Indeed, for Nigeria, the need for a closer collaboration between the government and private sector has become even more imperative in view of the current administration’s on-going efforts to transform the nation’s economy and develop its non-oil potential.

Analysts have identified the National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment as one of the veritable platforms that will enhance collaboration and robust policy interface among various stakeholders in the economy.

The Council is an annual event and it is the highest policy making body in the country that provides a platform for Ministers, State Commissioners on Trade and Industry, private sector and development partners to rub minds and strategise on policies in the trade and industrial sector of the Nigerian economy as well as provide information on their activities to the council.

In the past, critics of the National Council have pointed out that most of the actionable resolutions adopted at the council meetings always come up at subsequent meeting as “Action not taken” and that there was no identifiable policy implementation which would have served as an achievement of the council.

For instance, from 20082011, there have been recurring resolutions on the provision of enabling environment, access to cheap funds, uniform standard indigenous measure, clusters, Free Trade Zone, Registration of business, review of trade policy, industrial plan and skills, , Weights and Measures and patronage of made in

Nigeria goods as well as African Growth and Opportunity Act AGOA. However, this scenario appears to have been reversed since the assumption of office by the present Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga and the Minister of State, Dr. Samuel Ortom.

This is mainly due to the Ministry’s initiative of collaborating with the private sector and development partners in policy formulation and implementation, which had enhanced the private sector’s reception of most of the policies.

This collaborative effort has started yielding visible results as can be seen in Nigeria’s industrial, trade and investment sectors today.

It is cheering that currently there abound a lot of success stories which the Ministry can reference as a result of the implementation of various policies which the Organized Private Sector OPS have leveraged on to provide employment opportunities and create wealth in the country.

For instance, the intervention of the Federal Government through the Bank of Industry BOI via the textile intervention fund has significantly enhanced the revival of some comatose textile companies.

The Ministry through its effort has saved 8,070 jobs through the disbursement of the N100bn Cotton Textile Garment Intervention Fund.

Last year, the Managing Director ProForce, Adetokunbo Ogundeyin, expressed his company’s appreciation to the Ministry on the support given to the organisation through the BOI Funds which was accessed through National Automotive Council funds to improve their production capacity.

Also, Innoson Group has been supported by BOI to access cheap loan since 2004 when he had only 500 staff. The company was able to access National Automotive Council fund to expand its vehicle plant. This factory is now a fully estab-

Aganga

lished indigenous motor manufacturing plant, employing more than 2,300 Nigerians producing various ranges of buses from 6-seater to 45-seater buses.

In the same vein, the Auto policy of the Federal Government has given stakeholders more investment opportunities.

As at today, NISSAN, Hyundai, Peugeot, Innoson have started rolling out made in Nigeria assembled cars.

The new automobile policy has been structured to encourage Original Equipment Manufacturers OEMs to invest in Nigeria to create jobs and develop the economy.

The Ministry also held several consultations with stakeholders in the sugar industry which culminated in the formulation of a Sugar Master Plan as a government policy that will enable Nigeria develop its sugar value chain from sugarcane to sugar production.

The Nigerian Sugar Master Plan, which provides the roadmap for 100 per cent local production of sugar, has within one year of its implementation, raised the country’s profile by attracting about $3 billion pipeline investments into the sector.

An overview of the activities in the sector had exceeded stakeholders’ expectations in terms of formulation and implementation of policies that have impacted positively on the country’s economy.

The cement industry is a perfect example of the transformation that can happen in an industry based on the focused implementation of a well-thought out policy and a continuous partnership that harnesses the expertise of the private sector and the capacity

of the public sector.

As at 2002, the local cement industry had the capacity to barely produce two million metric tonnes per annum. By the year 2013, this had grown to 28.5 million metric tonnes and the installed capacity is expected to notch up to 39 million metric tonnes by the end of 2014.

Today, the Nigerian cement industry has attracted $8billion in both local and foreign investments and supports approximately 1.6 million jobs. The industry also serves as the fulcrum of the housing and construction sectors. These sectors now contribute 11.13 per cent to Nigeria’s forecast Gross Domestic Product for 2013.

The manufacturing sector is now the major driver of economic growth in Nigeria, as revealed in the latest economic report by Renaissance Capital.

According to the report, with Nigeria’s rebased Gross Domestic Product, the manufacturing sector is currently growing faster than the telecommunications, oil and gas and agricultural sectors.

The report further strengthens recent figures by the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, which showed that there was an increase in manufacturing capacity utilisation from 46.3 per cent recorded in the first half of 2013 to 52.7 per cent in the 2nd half of 2013.

The Federal Government’s Industrial Revolution Plan received a boost recently with the inauguration of Nigeria’s first Technology and Innovation Support Centre at the Ministry of Trade and Investment, Abuja.

The Centre, which is the product of a collaborative effort

between the Ministry of Trade and Investment and the World Intellectual Property Organisation, will provide Research and Development institutions, Small and Medium Enterprises, students and industries, among others, access to valuable technology information.

The Centre would provide the basis for building the important and growth-enabling culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students; enable SMEs to create strategic partnerships; serve as catalysts in clustering small businesses and attracting foreign partners and investors.

Nigeria as one of the last frontier of investment destination was able to attract billions of naira from foreign and local investors. On Thursday January 31, 2013, Nigeria recorded a milestone in her investment drive as the Federal Government and General Electric Company of the United States sealed a $1bn (N158bn) investment deal on the establishment of a new manufacturing and assembly facility in Calabar.

On Tuesday July 10, 2012, the Minister, Olusegun Aganga represented President Goodluck Jonathan as Special Guest of Honour to perform the ground breaking ceremony of the $250 million P & G Agbara plant in Ogun state. Notore and Indorama are also investing $1.3 and $1.4 respectively in the economy.

The zeal to involve stakeholders from states, OPS and development partners has been taken to the zenith; this no doubt serves as a fulcrum on which the Ministry will hopefully attain its objective of providing five million jobs before the end of 2015.

Indeed the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture NACCIMA, which is the apex advocacy group for the organised private sector, noted that it has become obvious that the current Public-Private Partnership PPP arrangements should be sustained more than before.

According to a statement by the association under its review of the state of the economy in 2014, it said: “Government, through the Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment has created a good working relationship between the public and private sectors. Now, the private sector has been given more roles in advising government before implementation of major policies/programmes in the country. This will definitely bring about positive direction and growth of the national economy for the prosperity of all Nigerians.” BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

A7 23

Brand Watch with Adejuwon Osunnuyi megacrown1@yahoo.com 08025237926

Fedoke joins Maltina Dance All panel of judges M

L-R: Olamide Jolaoso of Retail Products, Sterling Bank Plc; Executive Director, Finance and Strategy, Abubakar Suleiman and Head, Retail Products, Gbenga Adegoke, during a media launch of The Gunner’s Promo, organised by the Bank in Lagos recently

Dell introduces new commercial PC portfolio A

s the global leader in providing the most secure, manageable and reliable commercial PC solutions, Dell has debuted sleek, completely redesigned additions to its trusted Latitude and OptiPlex portfolio: the Latitude 7000 Series 2-in-1 detachable laptop; the Latitude 3000 and 5000 Series laptops; the Latitude 14 Rugged laptop; and the OptiPlex 9020 and 3020 Micro desktop PCs. In addition it also introduced its Chromebox and Chromebox for meetings solutions and new additions to its monitor line-up further expanding its global leadership in flat panel displays.

“Dell understands the complexity of supporting the wide variety of devices present in today’s evolving workforce environment,” said Kirk Schell, vice president and general manager, commercial client solutions, Dell.

“Our new portfolio enables businesses of all sizes to embrace sleek and innovative form factors their workforce will be proud to use day after day to accomplish their productivity goals. Even though they look like thin and light consumer devices, these commercial PCs are backed by the industry’s best security and manageability that only Dell provides.”

Only Dell offers comprehensive encryption, advanced

authentication and leading-edge malware prevention from a single source via its award-winning Dell Data Protection portfolio.

Dell builds management capabilities into its Latitude and OptiPlex portfolio to help customers maximise their hardware investment and the all-new Dell Client Command Suite offers free automation tools to help significantly reduce time spent on deploying, monitoring and updating systems.

Also introduced, Dell KACE K1000 Express is a free, easyto-use IT inventory solution exclusive to Dell customers that manages warranty status, BIOS and driver updates across a company’s Dell devices. With K1000 Express, customers gain a holistic view of all of their hardware and software assets, encompassing tablets, desktops and servers.

To help ensure outstanding reliability, Dell offers its award winning enterprise-class Dell ProSupport™ and each Latitude and OptiPlex system is built to last with each component tested beyond industry standards.

Systems also undergo rigorous accelerated life cycle and torture tests for extreme heat, hinge endurance and twists.

Dell also uses premium materials including aluminum chassis and LCD display backs, and touch screens are clad with Corning® Gorilla® Glass for up

to 10x scratch resistance over soda lime glass used in most other laptops.

Dell’s new additions to the Latitude family of commercial PCs offer a variety of work styles and use cases—from the executive road warrior to the rough and tumble demands of workers in the field.

The new Latitude 13 7000 Series is the world’s most secure 2-in-1, combining a lightweight business Ultrabook™ and a detachable tablet in one powerful device without compromise.

This “laptop-first” 2-in-1 offers a large 13.3-inch display and a professional, ISO-certified backlit keyboard, bolstered by the convenience of Instant Go from sleep mode, a feature often reserved for smart phones and traditional tablets.

When paired with the Dell Mobile Office, a suite of accessories specifically designed for this device – a carrying case, sleeve, power companion and universal dongle—the Latitude 13 7000 Series 2-in-1 detachable laptop offers ultra-mobile professionals a first-class productivity experience.

According to a preview from Dell’s latest Evolving Workforce Study, to be released in full later this year, flexibility and the ability to work anywhere continues to demonstrate considerable benefits for overall health and well-being. BC

Big Brother Hotshots show will still hold, says M-Net

F

ollowing the devastating fire on 2 September 2014 at the Big Brother house in Johannesburg, M-Net and Endemol SA have spent the last 48 hours searching both locally and internationally for a venue in which to produce Season 9 of the highly popular Big Brother Africa reality show.

After exploring all possible options, the team is delighted to announce that the show will go on as a venue has been found to get the show on air within the next month.

A multitude of factors have had to be considered including the complex technical requirements, logistics, technical

crews and satellite link facilities which have all formed part of the challenge.

However, M-Net is delighted to assure all its Big Brother fans that their favourite reality show will launch soon and thanks fans from across the continent for their support during the last two days. BC

altina, the organisers of popular family dance TV show, Maltina Dance All (MDA) has introduced Comfort Ogheneruro Fedoke as a member of the show’s panel of judges.

Fedoke, who boasts an extraordinary dance career, will join a powerful MDA panel of judges which already comprises the duo of Emmy-nominated choreographer Jeffery Paige and dance maestro Olumuyiwa Osinaike.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas and raised in Lagos, Nigeria until she returned to the United States at age 8, Fedoke, a former track and field athlete, began dancing after an injury forced her out of the competitive sports scene.

She learned hip hop dancing from watching videos and then began to session with her brothers to further hone her craft. Her father enrolled her in Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts midway into her sophomore year where she received training in tap, ballet,

and jazz.

Fedoke is an All-star and choreographer on popular American dance competition “So You Think You Can Dance” where she has featured in seasons 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. She has appeared as a guest on ‘The Ellen show’.

She also boasts features in American musical comedy-drama television series, Glee, The Mindy Project, Honey 2, The Michael Jackson Tribute Tour and Step up 5.

Her memorable performances in “Fallin”, as an all-star alongside Adechike and “who runs the world” with Jasmine Harper won an Emmy award for best choreography by Tabitha and Napoleon.

Having worked with artistes such as Ciara, Missy-Elliot, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Justin Beiber, Robin Thicke, Jason Derulo, Jennifer Lopez amongst other heavyweights, Fedoke brings her striking dance repertoire to bear in this year’s Maltina Dance All competition. BC

2014 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards nominees announced

A

frica’s leading urban music channel, Channel O, has announced the nominees for the 2014 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards.

Spread across 14 categories, this year’s Channel O Africa Music Video Awards nominees are a showcase of Original African music from all corners of the continent – befitting to the dashing 17 year old music channel that has and continues to consistently be a pioneer for Africa’s musicians and music.

“The quality of music videos we have seen over the past few years is testament to the way music videos are playing an increasingly important role in the promotion of African music. It is refreshing to see newcomers nominated with industry veterans in this year’s nominees list and it proves that there is no barrier to making an impact on the music scene. The music and videos produced on our African soil is of the same, if not even better, quality as that of those produced internationally and most of our nominees are no stranger to performing on global stages,” says Channel O Africa Manager Leslie Kasumba.

The Channel O Africa Music Video Awards are the only public voted annual music video awards show broadcast around the continent that exclusively feature African artists and now in their 11th year, 2014 will

see the awards taking place on Saturday, 29 November at Nasrec Expo Centre in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Leading with the most nominees this year is South African and new kid on these Hip Hop streets Cassper Nyovest; K.O and Nigeria’s Davido with five nominations each.

Nyovest flexes his musical prowess with his nominations for Most Gifted Male Video, Most Gifted Newcomer Video, the ever controversial Most Gifted Hip Hop Video, Most Gifted Southern Video as well as the prestigious Most Gifted Video of the Year categories for “Doc Shebeleza.”

Davido represents West Africa with his impressive nominations for the track “Aye” which dominated in four categories Most Gifted Male Video, Most Gifted Afro Pop Video, Most Gifted West Video and Most Gifted Video of the Year, while “Skelewu” earned him a comfortable spot in the Most Gifted Dance Video category.

K.O, the man behind one of the most popular tracks that’s blazing radio and television stations alike at the moment, “Caracara”, makes his Channel O Africa Music Video Awards nominee debut as a solo artist in the categories Most Gifted Male Video, Most Gifted Duo, Group or Featuring Video, Most Gifted Hip Hop Video, Most Gifted Southern Video and Most Gifted Video of the Year. BC

A8 24

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global News

Draghi

Draghi sees almost $1 trillion stimulus as QE fight waits

M

ario Draghi signaled at least 700 billion euros ($906 billion) of fresh aid for his moribund economy and left a fight with Germany over sovereign-bond purchases for another day.

Pledging to “significantly steer” the European Central Bank’s balance sheet back toward the 2.7 trillion euros of early 2012 from 2 trillion euros now, the ECB president Friday day announced a final round of interest-rate cuts and a plan to buy privately owned securities. His mission: to revive inflation in the 18-nation euro area.

Fully-fledged quantitative easing as deployed in the U.S. and Japan wasn’t enacted amid a split on the 24-member Governing Council, with Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann opposing the new stimulus and others seeking more. The latest round of measures pushed the euro below $1.30 for the first time since July 2013 and sent European bond yields negative.

The steps “probably reflect that President Draghi does not have unanimity, or a large enough majority for quantitative easing,” said Andrew Bosomworth, a Munichbased portfolio manager at Pacific Investment Management Co. and a former ECB economist. “The ECB is ready to do more if more is needed.”

With euro-area inflation languishing at 0.3 per cent last month, a fraction of the ECB’s 2.0 per cent goal, and Draghi saying price expectations are worsening, policy makers unexpectedly cut interest rates. The benchmark and deposit rates were reduced by 10 basis points to 0.05 per cent and minus 0.2 per cent, respectively.

Euro-area investment shrank 0.3 per cent last quarter, the first decline since the start of 2013, a report from the European Union’s statistics office showed today.

That led to stagnation in gross domestic product even as household consumption and government spending rose.

Bond prices rose and the euro dropped after the ECB’s measures. The single currency fell as low as $1.292 Friday and is headed for a record eighth straight weekly decline. It was at $1.2955 at 11:04 a.m.

Governing Council member Ewald Nowotny said late fridat that “the rate cut was mainly meant to lead to a reversal of the euro appreciation,” which will provide relief for exporters. “The key issue was the influence on the exchange rate, and that happened very quickly and is going to last,” he said in an interview.

Apple aims to change the game again with mobile-payments

A

pple Inc. is jumping into the mobile-payments market just as retailers upgrade their cash registers to be more secure and ready to receive wireless transactions.

Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook is planning to unveil new iPhones, wearable devices and a mobilepayments system on Sept. 9, people with knowledge of the matter have said. Visa Inc. , MasterCard Inc. (MA) and American Express Co. , as well as banks and retailers, are forming partnerships with Apple to let shoppers pay with iPhones, and possibly using a device worn on the wrist, a person familiar with the plans said this week.

Apple is targeting a market that’s projected to jump to $90 billion in 2017 from $12.8 billion in 2012, according to Forrester Research Inc. The dynamics are changing now, as most credit-card issuers push U.S. merchants to upgrade their payment terminals to accept chip-based debit and credit cards.

Those are more secure and usually capable of handling near field communication or contactless transactions. New iPhones will also include the wireless feature, the person said.

As Apple did with the iPod and iPhone, the Cupertino, California-based company isn’t inventing a new market. By combining existing technologies in an easy-touse package of hardware, software and services, Apple is betting that it can further cement its products into the

daily fabric of customers’ lives.

“If Apple introduces it now, while retailers are upgrading, then by next year, there could be an installed base of NFC terminals that would make it quite useful,” said Gil Luria, an analyst at Wedbush Securities Inc. in Los Angeles.

While Google Inc., EBay Inc.’s PayPal and Softcard, formerly known as Isis, have introduced mobile-payment services, they haven’t yet become mainstream. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Target Corp. and dozens of other retailers have also banded together to create a mobile-payments network called CurrentC, which is being piloted in some U.S. locations and will roll out next year.

“Isis, Google, PayPal -those are the guys that will be most impacted by this,” said Chris Gardner, cofounder of startup Paydiant Inc., which helps retailers build mobile wallets.

Apple’s move into mobile payments coincides with some initiatives that have already started to gain traction among consumers. Starbucks Corp. now processes more than 15 per cent of its U.S. sales through its mobile app; Softcard has 20,000 new app activations daily, according to the company.

“Payments is a hard business,” Anuj Najar, a spokesman for PayPal, said of Apple’s entry into the market.

“You need trust for a transaction to work.”

“It’s in many ways overdue -- it moves the market in the right direction and it would endorse the direction that we’ve held,” Jim Stapleton, a senior vice president at Softcard, said in an interview.

“Our biggest competition is the leather wallet. We are trying to shift consumer behavior and habits.”

Just as with the iPod, iPhone and iPad, which spurred the emergence of entirely new product categories and services, Apple is betting that it can foster a mobilepayments ecosystem that will

Cook

fuel demand for its gadgets.

“The real reason Apple is doing this is to create a killer shopping experience that its rivals can’t replicate,” said Gene Munster, an analyst at Piper Jaffray Cos. “If having an iPhone means getting out of stores faster and making it easier to keep track of receipts, it’s going to be good for Apple’s hardware sales.”

Alibaba’s IPO may herald the end of U.S. e-commerce dominance

T

his fall, Alibaba Group Holdings will go public on the New York Stock Exchange, and it could raise $20 billion, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., the e-commerce company whose fortunes surged along with China’s economy, plans a historic U.S. initial public offering that may also claim the global record.

Alibaba is seeking a valuation of as much as $162.7 billion, larger than 95 per cent of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, as it enters the final stages of an IPO. At the high end of the proposed price range, Alibaba would be the third most valuable Internet company traded in the U.S. after Google Inc. and Facebook Inc. The offering could raise as much as $21.1 billion.

Chairman Jack Ma, who’s worth an estimated $12.5 billion, owns 8.9 percent of the company. Aside from raising money, the IPO will send a message: China’s Web entrepreneurs are positioning themselves to compete in— and win—the race to build the first truly global online marketplace.

Alibaba is the corporate manifestation of China’s 500 million-strong middle class, which is rising up to assert its right to Western-style consumerism. A well-capitalised Alibaba, bent on expansion and with access to almost unlimited funds from the public market, could reorder the balance of power on the Internet.

With its emphasis on brokering transactions into and out of China, it also promises to enable a new age of border-hopping commerce that bypasses middlemen and erodes the ability of governments to regulate trade.

That’s likely to help Alibaba siphon consumers away from established U.S. sites such as Amazon and EBay.

“This is the first time we’ve seen a sizable threat to American e-commerce dominance,” says Sam Hamadeh, the chief executive officer of PrivCo, a financial information website.

By the standards of U.S. e-commerce companies, Alibaba’s estimated $8 billion in revenue in 2013 seems a tad thin. EBay brought in $16 billion in revenue last year; Amazon.com $75 billion. The number is deceiving, though, because it represents only Alibaba’s commissions on sales and fees for its services.

A better measure of Alibaba’s power is the volume of merchandise sold through its various properties: $248 billion in 2013.

Amazon did about half that; EBay, a third. Or here’s another way to think about it: Last year, Alibaba facilitated the delivery of five billion packages from transactions on its retail websites, more than half of the total packages sent by delivery companies in China, according to its registration document with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By comparison, UPS sent about 4.3 billion packages and documents last year.

With its multiple marketplaces and business models, and its hearty appetite for investing in seemingly unrelated businesses, Alibaba can be a challenging company to understand. Unlike Amazon and EBay, which created single online hubs and then opened regional versions around the world, Ma and his colleagues have succeeded by creating several different sites, each tailored for a different style of transaction— and each with the potential for massive global reach.

Alibaba.com, the company’s original marketplace, connects the sprawling base of Chinese manufacturers with small businesses across the globe. Companies such as cosmetics retailer 100 per cent Pure, based in San Jose, use Alibaba.com to source key ingredients and packaging materials from wholesalers that list their wares on the site.

“I have access to hundreds of suppliers at my fingertips,” says Susie Wang, 100 per cent Pure’s co-founder. Without Alibaba, she’d likely be on a plane a few times a year, meeting with suppliers in China and Taiwan to haggle for fair terms. “If one is not reliable or not working well with us, I have the freedom to pick another and shop competitively for prices,” she says. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

A9 25

A soldierly entrepreneur He is a retired military officer by training, but years after leaving the military profession, his other calling, entrepreneurship, has almost beclouded his meritorious years as a military officer. Today, Sani Bello, the Kontagora, Niger State-born retired Army Colonel has his footprints in virtually all sectors of the Nigerian economy

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

S

ani Bello’s name might not ring a bell in the circle of Nigerian billionaire entrepreneurs, but his calm mien is enough to capture your instincts. Though mostly known as a retired military colonel, Bello is also a foremost businessman, farmer, administrator, industrialist, philanthropist and an oil magnate.

Going by the recently released Forbes’ list, Bello’s net worth is said to be about $500 million making him rank 38 among Africa’s 50 richest men.

Born in 1942 at Kontagora, Niger State, Bello attended Central Primary School, Kontagora in 1950 and Government College, Bida, Niger State, in 1957. In December 1962, he began his glorious journey in the Nigerian Army at the Nigerian Military Training Centre as a Cadet and a year later, he got admitted into the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, England as an Officer.

Three years after, owing largely to his exceptional qualities, he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in 1965.

Following his commission, he returned to Nigeria and was posted to the 1st Battalion, Nigerian Army Enugu as a Platoon Commander. He held various posts in the Army as he progressed in ranks.

In his characteristic trail blazing manner, he was appointed ADC to the then Head of State and Supreme Commander of the Nigerian Armed forces, Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi from April 1966 to July 29, 1966. This is said to have remained an unparalleled feat, a record that has not been equaled in the history of the Nigerian Army.

After the coup, he was posted to the 6th Battalion, Ikeja, as Training Officer between October 1966 and July 1967. During the ensuing war, he served first as Company commander and later as Bonny Sector Commander until he got wounded in December 1967. He was later to become Staff Officer at the Rear Headquarters of 3rd Marine Commando Division, Apapa and rose to become Rear Commander of the division in 1970.

A multi-jurisdictional officer, Bello was posted to the Headquarters of the 3rd Marine Commando, Port Harcourt, Rivers State in January 1971 as Grade 11 Staff Officer and was later appointed Bello

Continued on pg A10

Business Courage

Assistant Quarter Master General of the entire Division in June 1971.

At the rank of Major, he was posted to the Army Headquarters, Lagos as Deputy Adjutant General from June 1971 – March 1975 and served at infantry Battalion, Kaduna, from April to July, 1975.

While his administrative prowess was identified, he was called to task as he was appointed the Military Governor of old Kano State from 1975 to 1978. His regime remains known for lots of positive innovations in the state.

In another pace setting fashion, Col. Sani Bello was posted to the Command and Staff College, Jaji, as the first Nigerian Principal Staff Officer of the College on leaving Kano in July 1978.

Having fulfilled his calling in the Nigerian Army, Sani Bello retired at the rank of Colonel on the 22nd day of August 1979 but he was later appointed an Ambassador and posted to Zimbabwe by the Government of General Muhammadu Buhari between 1984 and 1986 before he resigned his appointment in the Foreign Service.

On his return from Zimbabwe, Bello’s business prowess became manifested as he successfully and meritoriously served on corporate boards variously as Chairman, Vice Chairman or director. These boards spanning various institutions both in the private and public sectors of the economy include telecommunications, oil, banking, educational institutions, recreational organizations and other sectors.

Many of the corporate institutions where he has made his mark include former Broadbank Nigeria Ltd, Globe Re Nigeria Ltd, Law Union and Rock Insurance Company Plc, Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, MTN Communications Ltd, Equatel Communication Ltd, Amni International Petroleum Development Company Ltd, He was the President of National Association of Indigenous Petroleum Explorers in Nigeria and lately chairman of Mainstream Energy Solutions ltd Nigeria, arguably the highest electricity, generating company in Nigeria.

An avid educationist, in 1981, he established Nursery, Primary as well as the famous Mustafa Comprehensive School, Kontagora and has also served in other education oriented capacities. After retirement in 1979, Colonel Bello held various part time appointments as chairman of Niger State NYSC, Niger State Polytechnic and Niger State Science and Technical School Board. As a renowned farmer, he also served as Niger State Green Revolution.

Aside being a minority shareholder in MTN Commu-

nications Ltd, his strength of vision and relentless entrepreneurial zeal made him to play a significant role in the telecommunications industry.

Following the deregulations of the telecommunications sector, Bello got licence to establish Equatel telecom, a developer and provider of fixed-cellular technology. Located in Victoria Island part of Lagos State, the firm provides a range of products and services for operators, regulators and entrepreneurs as well.

Equatel Telecommunications Limited was set out to create a dynamic platform that will grant unhindered access to quality telecommunications services to the underserved population of Nigerians, premised on a value chain that includes affordability and a robust technology, thereby equalizing telecommunications opportunities.

With its SIM payphone system, it has been able to provide the most rapid and costeffective solutions for enabling telecommunications access to communities, stimulate new subscriber growth and foster subscriber loyalty. To a large extent, Equatel assists regulators in shaping policy for rural telephony and underserved/ underprivileged areas. It also provides turnkey systems and business planning for entrepreneurs and MVNOs who wish to create their own business opportunities through enabling telecom.

At Equatel, thinking ‘cellular’ differently, the telecoms firm prides itself as being able to take out the mobile out of mobile. In essence, it won the prestigious International World Quality Commitment Award, in Paris France. The award according to the organisers was in recognition of its commitment to quality, leadership, technology and innovation.

Equatel was said to have earned the award for pioneering a unique technology that facilitates the operation of public payphones over GSM frequencies, which grants access to subscribers on their personalized phone lines through the use of solid SIM cards that function as virtual handsets.

The technology offers a total subscriber experience to non handset owners, without the necessity of owning a handset.

This feat according to Business Initiative Directions, BID, organisers of the award, positions Equatel as worthy representatives of success for Nigeria in the telecoms sector and the business world, generally.

President and CEO of Business Initiative Directions, Jose E. Prieto noted that Equatel and other awarded companies were symbols of commitment to leadership, technology and innovation which make them models for other companies in their

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, September 8, 2014

‘

Going by the recently released Forbes’ list, Bello’s net worth is said to be about $500 million making him rank 38 among Africa’s 50 richest men

sectors.

According to him “the companies from 53 countries from Europe, America, Africa, Asia and Oceania received the International World Quality Commitment Award as recognition of their achievements in spreading Quality Culture. It was of special international significance for these companies to join B.I.D.’s historic group of most important companies in the world, distinguished by their commitment to quality” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of Equatel, Henry Onaga, said the award was another plus to Equatel’s creativity and innovativeness. “When we developed this technology that won us this award, we had the low income earners in mind, recognizing

‘

A10 26

that the joy of modern communications has eluded them on account of the high cost of telecommunications collaterals, which act as a barrier to them.”

He had noted.

As an oil mogul, Bello got Amni International Petroleum Development Company Limited (Amni) incorporated in 1993.

Amni is an independent (indigenous) oil and gas Exploration and Production (E&P) company, an oil exploration company with net 2P reserves of 28MMBO and 1TCFG and a 50 per cent interest in the Okoro Setu oil field, is located in shallow water offshore Nigeria.

Amni shares ownership of the Okoro Setu field with London-listed exploration firm Afren with an average of 18,200 barrels production a day. The

company was granted Oil Prospecting Licences (OPL) 469 and 237 in 1993 and 1994 respectively for a term of five years by Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

Poised to be the most profitable independent producer in Africa, Amni is committed to transparency, dedicated to professionalism and deeply rooted in excellence.

With a liberal tax regime and a rapidly expanding indigenous oil and gas industry, Nigeria has become the country of interest and Amni the company of choice.

The company initially had as its technical partner Liberty Technical Services, a subsidiary company of Abacan Resource Corporation of Canada with exploration and drilling activities commencing in early 1995, production commenced in earnest in December 1996.

During the first year, a total of 6,271,723 barrels of oil was produced out of which 6,181,790 barrels was exported. As a result of the successful implementation of its work programme, OPL 469 was converted to Oil Mining Lease (OML) 112 for a term of 25 years in 1998, while OPL 237 was converted to OML 117 in 1999.

An initiative to bring more accountability to operations in mid 1998 resulted in the dissolution of the partnership between Amni & Abacan as Amni assumed sole operatorship of the concession. During this period, the company faced enormous challenges, mostly financial.

However, it is interesting to note that these vicissitudes faced by the firm rather strengthened the company, giving it the experience advantage. Amni has lived up to the Latin phraseology fortitudine vincimus - “by endurance we conquered”. Over the years, the company has shown that an indigenous oil and gas E&P company can survive in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

Today, Amni has set new standards for itself and is determined more than ever to exceed them. Amni entered into Agreements with TOTAL through its subsidiary TOTAL E&P Nigeria Limited (formerly Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited) in 2005, under which TOTAL acquired a 40 per cent interest in OMLs 112 and 117. TOTAL relinquished its rights to the crude oil from the current developed reservoirs in Ima Field effective from April 2007.

TOTAL subsequently relinquished both its right to participate in and any future right of re-entry into the development of Okoro/ Setu Fields, allowing Amni , in March 2006, to enter into agreements with Afren Energy Resources, a wholly owned subsidiary of Afren Plc, for the Okoro/Setu (exclusive area) fields development. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

A11 27

News ers, especially, professors to access the loan even at the age of 65 years.

The introduction of these products is a further justification of the promise of the financial institution to constantly seek new ways of improving the standard of lives and lifestyle of the Nigerians and remain the bank of choice for value addition.

Ahmed Kuru, Enterprise bank md

Enterprise Bank introduces armed forces personnel loan scheme

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

E

nterprise Bank has again tailored its unique products and services to specially cater for armed forces personnel in line with the bank’s avowed desire to continually delight her growing clientele.

The product, named “The Nigerian Armed Forces Special Personal Loan Scheme,” is designed to avail personnel of the Nigerian armed forces personal loans that will enable them bridge financial gaps at discounted interest rates.

Created for officers currently serving in the Army, Air Force and Navy, from the rank of Second Lieutenant, Pilot Officer or Midshipman respectively, and upwards, Enterprise Bank announced in a statement that subscribers to the loan will access various sums, which are available with repayment tenures of 12 to 36 months.

According to the statement, The Nigerian Armed Forces Special Personal Loan is availed against the security of Credit Life Insurance, domiciliation of salary and a third party guarantee. As a way of making it easy for the gentlemen officers, the statement said that the loan repayment will come from the beneficiary’s salary account domiciled with the bank.

Only recently, Enterprise Bank also introduced “Tertiary Cluster Loan” for staff of all tertiary institutions in Nigeria (including Polytechnics, Universities and Colleges of Education). ”The loan is also designed to avail their staff (both academic and non academic staff) personal loans that enable them to also bridge financial gaps at discounted interest rates. In that loan category, subscribers stand a chance of accessing funds of between a minimum of N250, 000 and a maximum of N5 million, with a repayment period of up to three years. Aside from that, the product also allows lectur-

FG says Turn Around Time of ships has improved at ports

V

ice President Namadi Sambo on Friday said that the Turn Around Time of ships had improved tremendously in Nigerian ports.

Sambo said this in a message to the inauguration of the permanent secretariat of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) in Lagos.

He said that ships now spent less time at the nation’s ports.

The vice president, who was represented by Olugbenga Oyewole, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Maritime Services, also said the cost of doing business in Nigerian ports was no longer high. ``The introduction of Pre-Arrival Assessment Report of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had assisted in reducing the time which ships spent while waiting to discharge cargoes. ``The cooperation of customs and other government agencies led to the tremendous change in port operations. ``This is the first time in the history of Nigeria that clearing agents will be moved out of the ports,’’ he said.

He said the NCS was tasked to recover N1.2 trillion out of N4 trillion expected to be generated from all government’s revenues in 2014.

He urged the management of the NCS to recognise and regulate the activities of Chandlers at the port.

Chandlers are a group of people that supply all the needs of ships’ operators.

The Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, who was also represented by Alhaji Tahiru Bala, the Senior Special Assistant on Maritime Operations in the Ministry of Transport commended ANLCA for the effective role it played in the establishment of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).

He said the celebration of 60 years by the association was a landmark achievement, adding that the Federal Government was aware of its contribution to revenue collection.

Idris commended the efforts of ANLCA in achieving the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President.

In his speech, the Comptroller-General of Customs said that 60 years anniversary of ANLCA indicated that the association had come of age as a strong institution in the trade facilitation chain. ``The commissioning of the association’s permanent secretariat also symbolises its bold determination to establish the association as a professional body. ``The NCS wishes to identify with you on this occasion and reaffirm our commitment to partner with you in attaining professionalism. ``We note with satisfaction the cooperation which customs has enjoyed from ANLCA over the years, particularly under the leadership of Prince Olayiwola Shittu,’’ Dikko stated.

The NCS boss said the service had recorded tremendous progress in the implementation of the government’s six-point Agenda.

Power outage: Shettima sets up task force

By Inusa Ndahi, Maiduguri

F

ollowing the lingering power outage in Maiduguri and some parts of Borno State in the last two months, Governor Kashim Shettima has set up an Emergency Task Force on Restoration of Electricity in the state with the mandate of deploying any available legal means aimed at quick restoration of electricity supply.

The Managing Director of them newly established Borno Energy Development Company, Engineer Umar Zubairu, who spoke in an interview with newsmen at the weekend stated that the task force which has Engineer Ibrahim Ali, the Chief of Staff, Abubakar Kyari and a staff of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Imamuddeen Talba as members, has since commenced high level talks with stakeholders in the power sector.

Zubairu said at different times between last Monday and Thursday, the Task Force was at the headquarters of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria in Abuja during which a technical meeting was held with Directors and other key officials.

He noted that the Task Force was also at the Transmission Company of Nigeria and met with the Director, Transmission Service Provider, Engr T.O Uwah before holding another meeting with Nestor Divina, who is head of technical operations and also acting Managing Director of Yola Electricity Distribution Company which supplies electricity to Borno.

The meeting with Yola

DISCO, he noted, had in attendance, the company’s secretary, Mohammed Bala.

In all the meetings between the Borno Task Force and the power stakeholders, Malam Umar Zubairu said, options were analyzed on ways by which electricity could be restored in the immediate, short and long term.

Malam Zubairu noted that the Task Force had found from its technical sessions that the power outage was as a result of the destruction of132 KV line in Damboa, which couldn’t be repaired due to security challenges in that axis.

He added that the Task Force equally discovered that 330 Kilo Volts line from Potiskum through Damaturu, had one tower destroyed while there was also a problem with movement of a heavy duty transformer for 330-132 KV (Kilo volt) due to access road to transformer site.

He explained that while the transformer weights 90 tons, the road leading to wasn’t designed to withstand such machine.

On the way forward, the Managing Director said Governor Kashim Shettima has given the Task Force the go ahead to commit Borno State Government to immediately begin technical works through the Borno Road Maintenance Agency to reinforce and stabilize the road to access the heavy duty transformer so it can be installed on the 330-132 kilo volt line.

In addition, he explained, the governor has directed the Task Force to conclude technical partnership with the power stakeholders on ways for repair of the tower on the 330 Kilo Vots from Potiskum-Damaturu axis while he also directed the task force to involve the Transmission Company and Yola DISCO on installation and transmission of power using 20 megawatts generators.

Benjamin Dikki, BPE boss

BPE orders removal of abandoned properties from Lagos NITEL exchanges

T

he Bureau Public Enterprises (BPE) has com-

menced the guided liquidation of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), with the evacuation of moveable assets of the once telecommunication giant in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited some of the offices on Friday in Lagos reports that most of abandoned but viable properties of the company across the various exchanges in the city have been moved to secured sites.

The offices visited were Iponri, Oyingbo and Falomo exchanges.

At the Iponri exchange, along Funso Williams Avenue, Iganmu, an official, who pleaded anonymity, said the removal of the moveable assets was on the orders of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

He said some of the items so far removed included abandoned vehicles and cables among others.

“We are moving the equipment from here to the other building of NITEL, as you can see, this place is burnt,’’ the source said.

The source also said that the removal of the equipment was part of preparations for the guided liquation of the telecommunications company.

According to the source the relocated properties are not part of the assets earmarked for sale.

Another source at former NITEL’s Lagos Zonal Office, Falamo, Ikoyi, said that the company’s offices at Iponri and Ikeja had been sold, hence, the evacuation of the moveable properties.

NAN recalls that the National Council on Privatisation had in August approved two firms for the guided liquidation of the NITEL and its mobile arm, M-Tel. The firms, NATCOM Consortium and NETAD Consortium, were picked from the 17 firms shortlisted for NITEL liquidation.

The assets bided for in NITEL include the licences, the spectrum, nationwide fixed wired networks, national right of way duct system, fibre optic transmission backbone and the Code division multiple access (CDMA) network system.

The others are international gateway earth stations, microwave transmission equipment/ network and towers and other core assets.

The assets up for sale in M-Tel are the licences and the spectrum, national right of way; GSM network, including mobile switching centres, base station controllers, base transceiver stations and the general packet radio services.

Joe Aniechebe, spokesman for BPE had said the liquidation option was adopted because the expected proceeds from the sale was likely going to be less than its (debts’) value.BC

A12 28

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

10 Questions

Govt has demonstrated political will A renowned researcher per excellence, Prof Lateef Sanni, Country Manager Cassava: Adding Value to Africa C:AVA and Dean of Food Science and Human Ecology, University of Agriculture Abeokuta, UNAAB, in this chat with Business Courage sums up the gains and challenges of the agri-business value chain development in Nigeria and the impact of the Agricultural transformation agenda ATA. He also appraises the coming of age and pedigree of made-inNigeria post harvest agricultural equipment through research work, one of which has being exported to another African country today

O

ver the years, you have made a lot of impact in agri-business research work. What has been your motivation?

My passion is to see a sustainable agricultural development, my interest is to ensure that the private sector is profitable in post-harvest handling of agricultural commodities and that has been my area of research.

I started working on solar drying of agricultural produce on B.sc, M.sc and PhD and thereafter I was opportune to partner with colleagues from the Natural Resources Institute in UK through DFID and EU funds on improvement of post-harvest technologies in Africa.

By 2004, I gained access to being a post-harvest scientist with IITA and there I coordinated integrated cassava projects as a post harvest scientist and that was also when we assisted the presidential initiative on cassava during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime.

We established more than 20 to 30 small to medium enterprises introducing new grating, peeling and drying systems to them.

We introduced the rotary and flash dryers then, when we were working with fabricators like Peak Products Abeokuta and others, up until 2008 when we commenced C:AVA. How has the agric equipment fabrication sector been repositioned to promote home-made technology?

We had some partners from UK and they assessed all the Flash dryer models and found out that we needed to improve on some of the aspects of the flash dryer and so C:AVA took over the improvement of the Flash Dryer system from 2008 to date.

And between 2010 to 2012, we had already recorded enormous successes, we had Nobex tech Ltd that was able to actually improve the heat exchanger, the blade and also some of the parts of the Cyclone for the Flash Dryer because the company received direct capacity building from an engineer from NRI. Nobex was able to fabricate equipment that moved to Malawi in 2013 and it was tested and we found out that it was working, they were then encouraged to produce heat exchangers that could be used to replace existing ones.

Do you think the government policy has had any impact on local agric technology innovators?

As we were doing that the federal government was also pushing cassava through the cassava transformation and that was how today Nobex became a kind of darling of all, at least we are comfortable that we have Flash Dryers that are fuel efficient, and can even be powered by agricultural wastes depending on what the client wants.

I am also happy that the Bank of Industry through the federal government has committed themselves to deliver 20 of these flash dryers to processors in the country and are even going up to 35 just to support SMEs. The commissioning of one of them recently in Ekiti is a landmark that commends the federal government under the present minister of Agriculture because at least for once government will release funds that would assist the private sector and all of us are seeing it moving.

What other opportunities does this development present to agricultural development partners?

It is now a very good opportunity for developmental projects like C:AVA, IITA and IFAD on strengthening the supply chain, because it is one thing to install efficient equipment and it is

‘

In terms of market challenge, it is important to note that the implementation of policy matters a lot; there is high hope on the implementation of the transformation agenda policy- the inclusion policy and I’m sure that the minister of agriculture is working seriously with most of the end-user market to begin to realistically come out with the percentages that we are sure will stimulate the market and the value chain at the end of the day

‘

By Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

another thing to run the equipment profitably with human resource, financial and technical management to ensure that safe food is what goes to the market.

Specifically, this is an area where C: AVA is going to play an active role. We have funds from the donor to facilitate experts that would help to strengthen farmers, processors and the marketers, we are still meeting with BOI and representatives of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the federal government to strategise on the best way forward.

I have observed that from 2004 to date as a post-harvest scientist that most of Nigeria’s local fabricators still need assistance in terms of equipment finishing and maintenance and this is an area where we need projects that will also help the operators of those machines to prevent mismanagement and mishandling.

So, we need to raise a crop of well trained machine operators and maintenance personnel on proper handling of these machines and I want to call on all donor supported projects on cassava value chain to assist the fed-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

A13 29

in funding BOA and BOI – Prof Sanni

What advice will you give to the government and the developers of made-in-Nigeria agric equipment?

The value chain will continue to grow if government continue to stimulate the market and regulators stand up to do their work, because in the agric-fabricating sector it is expected that all product contact surfaces must be of stainless material because of its contact with food and if they continue to improve on their quality, they will make more money to use on research for innovation in order to compete favourably.

But, if the market is not there, they may find themselves shifting to building equipment fabrication or something else and that would be a loss to Nigeria’s economy and agri-business development.

How will you rate the present administration in terms of funding agriculture?

Today, I am confident to say that government has demonstrated their political will by releasing funds to BOA and BOI and the banks have started releasing the funds so the onus now lies with the private sector to make sure that they utilise the opportunities very well.

What do you think are some of the

What are some of the research findings that could be put in place to mitigate these challenges?

In essence, farm-gate is actually one of such research findings. That is why we are preaching farm-gate processing, where processors can process their cassavas to wet-cake on the farm so that at least 40 per cent of the water would be extracted at the farms instead of carrying 100 per cent water to

their plants.

On the project, we are urging rural processors to take advantage of the market that surrounds them, provided by rural bakers and make more money immediately, rather than taking HQCF on a long distance and then lose their little profit.

How will you rate the use of research findings by Nigerian farmers?

Definitely very low, most Nigerians want everything free; unfortunately most researchers are not rich because they have limited funds, however most research partners/donors want us to declare our research output as public good and that is what we do making it easy to popularise of work.

Unfortunately, those things that we are popularising are just a little application of the downstream of research output, but I am telling you today that

‘

The cassava industry has gradually evolved into a high-tech segment from one unit of operation to the other and we are trying to teach people how to maximise their opportunities within these units of operation in order to save money, time and increase profitability

‘

eral government with its transformation agenda.

challenges of agricultural commodity processors in the country?

I am aware that the private sector is also limited; most of them are not experts in processing and will need some support.

There is also a physical infrastructural challenge that can hamper productivity as most of the farm road networks are very bad, most times after harvest there are no vehicles to pick up the commodities and this more often than not leads to the frustration of the farmer; vehicles should be able to travel to the hinterlands with ease.

As the government is helping some of these SMEs, majority of other SMEs are closing down because they do not have working capital, some that have money are not confident that the market is sustainable because of the buying price of high quality cassava flour which is still at N80 per kg if delivered to the mills and N110 if delivered to rural bakeries.

In terms of market challenge, it is important to note that the implementation of policy matters a lot; there is high hope on the implementation of the transformation agenda policy- the inclusion policy and I’m sure that the minister of agriculture is working seriously with most of the end-user market to begin to realistically come out with the percentages that we are sure will stimulate the market and the value chain at the end of the day.

we have a lot of good output from the research work in Nigeria put they are mostly on the shelves.

For instance, assuming we take 20 per cent high quality cassava inclusion in bread that is immediate demand and you are talking in terms of about 400,000 tonnes of cassava flour in a year and invariably on the average let us say 1.6m tonnes of cassava root and one tonne is selling at N20,000 that is about N32billion for farmers and a lot of employment opportunities along the value chain.

So many people will have money from farmers to processors, so what the minister of agriculture is saying is correct that if you allow 20 per cent of HQCF in bread we are sure to raise the bar of agricultural productivity and once that is done you are raising the bar for income opportunity through job creation and also stability in the Nigerian polity.

How would research help Nigerian farmers become wealthy and what limits their adoption?

We are adding value to agricultural waste in partnership with Federal Institute of Industrial Research FIIRO on converting yam peel to edible mushroom and we have started demonstration already.

We have also demonstrated that some other wastes can be converted to snacks and millions of people take these snacks like donuts, chin-chin and others.

There is no way you can develop technology and then don’t transfer them and if people are not trained, the adoption rate will be low.

Some of us scientists need to change our approach on capacity building by partnering with the media so that they can be the one to drive it because they have the way to get to the people.

People are not conscious of new technology which we have designed that helps to conserve energy and costs in production because there is no short cut to profitability, one must be wise to enable one make more money.

The cassava industry has gradually evolved into a high-tech segment from one unit of operation to the other and we are trying to teach people how to maximise their opportunities within these units of operation in order to save money, time and increase profitability.

Most people do not know that putting hygiene into their operation will increase sales, because quality has now become a watchword in the industry, due to bigger players’ demand for high quality cassava flour.

Millions of people are not aware and that is where the issue of capacity building and creating awareness comes in. BC

A14 30

Business Courage

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, September 8, 2014

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

O

ne day, a preacher was travelling to one of his churches. Along the way, he saw a farmer ploughing his fields. The farm was so beautiful to behold that it stretched many miles. The preacher stopped his car in order to commend the hardworking farmer. As he waved at him, the farmer stopped his tractor and jumped down asking the preacher, “Reverend, how may I help you?”

The preacher looked directly at the farmer and pointed at the farm with all its beauty and large cultivation, “God has certainly blessed you, my son,” he said.

The farmer removed his cap, wiped his brow with his sleeve and looked directly at the preacher. “You are perfectly correct, reverend. The lord has certainly blessed me abundantly and for that I am eternally grateful.”

However, the farmer then paused to catch his breath, looked up and returning his gaze to the preacher, he stated further, with conviction, “But you should have seen this place when He had it all to himself!”

Here is the lesson; land, rain, sunshine, wind are provisions from God, but a beautiful and productive farm are product of hard work and personal investment. One must cultivate the land and consistently invest his time to yield the expected produce.

The same principle applies to idea and dreams that are in the mind, although intangibles, but attitude of responsibility makes it a tangible venture and attractive to prospective customers. It is the law of inertia; everything remains at a point of rest until force is applied. A business idea remains at the point of dream until executive force is applied.

Businesses that are attractive today have stories of start-up CEOs, who at a time had experiences of tough challenges, failures, endurance, and active hope.

One time, the real estate

billionaire, Donald Trump, was asked about the secret of his success and he answered, “It is failure.” He was bankrupt twice but kept hope alive to build his business. A farmer knows his seed must die or seemly fail in the soil before it could yield a stem and produce fruits. Farmers are so clear of their business potential that they do not mind the dead seed but focus on the potential result. When a famer goes to water dead seed, it looks crazy, but soon, the dead seed comes alive.

How long can you endure and be persistence with business that seems dead? It is part of the process for building your entrepreneurial responsibility muscles.

One of the most profound principles in life is that you will never get something for nothing. You will get something for something. When you sow, then you reap. It is the principle of cause and effect. Obviously, the future of every business is resident in the start-up CEO. Future is never external but internal.

Enterprise future is first within and then without. Enterprise future is the untapped potential of the chief executive officer of the organisation.

Let us take the case of Ap-

I

The untapped potential of the CEO

‘

One of the most profound principles in life is that you will never get something for nothing. You will get something for something. When you sow, then you reap.

It is the principle of cause and effect.

Obviously, the future of every business is resident in the start-up CEO

ple computer prior to return of its late founder, Steve Jobs when it was losing the market.

The moment Steve was able to buy his way back, he tapped into his private potential to make decision for designs of ipod, iphone, and other i-generation gadgets. Although the business seemed going down, but he knew the potential he had and the potential of the business in the market. Today, Apple computer is one of the most profitable businesses in the world. If you are ready to develop and implant your potential into the business, then you will get something profitable. Value attracts values in the market place and it is usually what we refer to as return on investment.

The same way a CEO potential impacts on business, so does the system thinking of

‘

BUSINESS

workers impact greatly on the operational system. In farm cultivation, there are two levels of natural impact on seedlings, which are vertical and horizontal impact. The vertical impact such as rain, sun, winds all help in productivity of the planted seed planted.

Talking about the horizontal impact, this can be said to be the land and this composes of the soil layers, the nutrients in the soil, the topography of the land. The same way the weather condition is vertical impact so is the startup CEO. The horizontal impact, which is the land component, is likened to the business system team members. The CEO, likened to the vertical weather, can supply motivational energy and give direction from above but without the team activating her potential at the

Motivational Business Quotes

have known not a few men who, after reaching the summits of business success, found themselves miserable on attaining retirement age. They were so exclusively engrossed in their day to day affairs that they had no time for friend making. – B.C. Forbes

at this and want it badly enough I can have it.

It’s called perseverance. – Lee Iacocca

The cynic says, “One man can’t do anything”. I say, “Only one man can do anything.” - John W. Gardner

Success in business requires training and discipline and hard work. But if you’re not frightened by these things, the opportunities are just as great today as they ever were.

– David Rockefeller

I feel that luck is preparation meeting opportunity. – Oprah Winfrey If there is such a thing as good leadership, it is to give a good example. – Ingvar Kamprad Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly and get on with improving your other innovations.

– Steve Jobs You’ve got to say, I think that if I keep working

The desire of knowledge, like the thirst for riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it. – Laurence Sterne

Well, you know, I was a human being before I became a businessman. – George Soros Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it. – Dwight Eisenhower If you did not look after today’s business then you might as well forget about tomorrow.

– Isaac Mophatlane BC

horizontal level, the business will not produce a good result.

The potential of the startup team equally matters. System is not only about operations, but it is also about the thinking of the individual member that is tapped and aligned with members of the team to achieve either project or business result. During the business meeting, what goes on is system thinking and it cannot be better than the ability of individual to respect perspective that is different from the other individual and harness all to produce at least one product. While that is the tough job of a leader, it is the secret of most successful and most respected global brand. It is the ability to build system of creative thinkers and harness the diversity of their perspective for development of great products, business processes, and policies.

A vertical influence of CEO must put a great value on horizontal potential of workers to produce business result. Good business result is a legitimate goal for startup entrepreneur; however, the path to achieve it is to lead with character, and value the potential of team members who wakes up to support in the business.

The startup CEO must take responsibility to making sure that the potentials of workers are harnessed for maximum use. That way, the workers will become better and take home personal greatness everyday, which is more valuable than salary.

Dear friend, my encouragement is that you cultivate that potential now. Go for leadership training and be ready to build character. A wise person said leaders discovered and developed his potentials, but great leaders help other people discover and develop their potentials. Help your associates and team members discover their potential and cooperate with them to develop it through the business services and trainings. Cheer up and enjoy freedom! BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

A15 31

Reforming Nigeria’s telecoms VAS market Inundated with several complaints emanating from telecoms consumers with regards to unethical practices by value added services (VAS) providers in the country, the industry regulator is stepping up measures to develop a more robust regulatory framework that will engender efficient harmonisation and administration of the nation’s telecoms VAS segment Juwah

By Kunle Azeez

T

he Value Added Services (VAS) segment of the Nigeria’s telecommunications industry remains loosely regulated in the past years and this development is breeding all sorts of unethical practices among the VAS providers to the discomfort of the teaming telecoms consumers.

Over the years, telecoms operators have allegedly been colluding with some VAS operators to offer various services, driven by inclination to increase their share of the nation’s huge telecoms VAS potential.

According to official data, about 6, 706 short codes (CS) have been activated by the telecoms networks to provide all sorts of services on their own and while also working with licensed VAS providers to provide contents for the use of the short codes.

The short codes are assigned number bloc that are generated by telecoms networks to deliver various VAS services.

However, because the process of generating the codes is free to the operators, the use of the codes have been prone t abuse to the extent that some VAS operators are now operating illegally without proper licensing by the Nigerian Communications Commission, the industry watchdog.

For instance, four telecoms operators and 10 VAS were recently fingered, in well-publicised document obtained on the Commission’s website, by the regulator for allegedly indulging in ‘illegal mining’ of Nigeria’s vast telecoms VAS market.

The four telecoms firms against which the allegation was leveled by the telecoms in-

dustry regulator include MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat.

The telcos were alleged of colluding with the unathorised VAS providers to offer different value-added services to the over 127 million telecoms subscribers in the country.

Mobile VAS is a key component of mobile services worldwide and it represents the non-voice services offered by network operators.

Experts say mobile valueadded services have evolved from simple text messaging, SMS,) to advanced functions such as mobile entertainment, caller ring back tone, Push-toTalk, payments, email, instant messaging and m-Commerce, among others.

Value added services are supplied either in-house by the mobile network operators themselves or by a third-party service provider also known as content providers.

According to the information gathered from the NCC, “Following the compliance monitoring activities carried out on Value Added Service licensees from January and December, 2013, the Commission directed all the network operators to disconnect all unlicensed VAS providers.

“However, subsequent monitoring exercise carried out in March 2014 showed that mobile service providers still have some unauthorized VAS Providers on their networks including MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat.”

The Commission further identified the 10 unauthorised VAS providers to include Qrios, Pnvasl, Tvemob, Urfilez, Double U, Velti, Nu Object, SEMA, ISYS and ForgetMeNot. According to official data, with over 108 VAS providers

Aderinlola

duly licensed by the Commission to provide myriad of VAS to telecoms consumers using mobile networks, Nigeria’s VAS market is expected to reach $500 million annually in the coming years, experts have said.

The NCC also promised then that it had commenced enforcement process on the identified VAS providers and the affected network operators.

Consequently, the Commission took a decisive measure last week when it organised a interactive session in Lagos with the VAS operators and Mobile Networks Operators (MNOs) on the regulatory framework for the VAS segment of the Nigerian telecoms industry.

Already, at the well-attended event held at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, the regulator disclosed that the volume of business activities taking place in mobile value added services segment of the Nigeria’s telecommunication industry is currently valued at $200 million annually, underscoring the imperative of having an industry-driven regulatory framework on VAS provision in the country.

Also, the revenue is, however, expected to more than double to reach $500 million in the next few years with proper regulatory framework is put in place.

Speaking at the forum, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, who was represented by the Executive Commission, Stakeholder management at NCC, Dr. Okechuwkwu Itanyi, said the forum was aimed at presenting the Commission’s findings of some unethical conducts in VAS provision and

chart a w ay forward in the VAS segment of the Nigerian telecoms industry.

He said the exponential growth in the Nigerian telecom industry, in the last 12 years, has given rise to the evolution of the mobile phone from a device just to support communications requirement to a smart phone with the capacity to provide a plethora of services.

Given the decreasing Average Revenue Per User, ARPU, in the voice services owing to increased competition, telecoms service providers in Nigeria now see value added services as a new vista of opportunity to add a new revenue stream for the mobile network operators.

“According industry experts, mobile VAS is currently worth over $200 million annually with huge potential to accelerate to $500 million in the next few years. Based on the impressive value of the market, we must seize the opportunity to ensure the right market practices by the operators in the VAS segment of the telecoms industry to enrich the consumers total quality service experience.”

He noted that, recently, the industry has witnessed some practices and behaviors in the VAS segment, which a, as individuals subscribers and as industry regulator have given us lot of concern.

“The Commission has received avalanche of complaints from Nigerian subscribers regarding forceful activation of various value added services by service providers without explicit consent. Worse still, these services are auto-renewed resulting to perpetual look-in of subscribers by the VAS providers,” he said.

Similarly, Meanwhile, the Head, Compliance Monitoring

and Enforcement at NCC, Mr. Efosa Idehen, has stated that the ultimate objective of the interaction was not top witch hunt any mobile VAS providers or MNOs but “to ensure the provision of fair and transparent value added services to consumers and protect operators’ investment for healthy competition in the Nigerian telecoms space.”

The regulator also used the event to present its findings and views on the host of issues identified during its monitoring exercise pursuant t the formation of a regulatory framework on VAS provision in the country.

The findings were presented against international best practices with submission from the VAS operators and MNOs on what should be the best regulatory framework for VAS in Nigeria going forward.

In a revealing presentation on the findings of the regulator vis-à-vis the nation’s telecoms VAS market, Head, Compliance Monitoring at NCC, Ephraim Nwokenneya, said the regular was looking for a situation whereby the short codes its assigns to them is uniform across the networks.

“As such, we had to collect all the short codes being used by the mobile networks to know those that are activated and those that are critical. We have done this o ensure that there is minimal disruption to the network and that is the objective why we demanded the list of short codes that have been assigned to the MNOs and to know those that are critical such as the ones for dedicated heath services, emergency operations, customer care services and so on,” he said.

He also highlighted a number of challenges found to be facing the industry in the move to come up with a regulatory framework for the VAS market; the task of harmonizing the short codes and USSD allocated by the network operators; methodology to be adopted for migration of the existing short codes on which services are running; devising means of allocating short codes and USSD in a fair and equitable manner and ensuring efficient use of the short codes and USSD. Nwokenneya traced the abuse of the short cods to its free nature, hinting that though short codes generation is free, the new regulation might put premium on it. “Short code is free as at today but with every free gifts comes some challenges. So, it may not be free again tomorrow,” he said.

He said the NCC is still looking at utilisation as a regulaContinued on pg A16

A16 32

Business Courage

tory condition for the use of short codes, saying that in the allocation of normal E16 number series allocated to the operators, the holding rule is that 70 per cent utilization of the allocated bloc of number must be achieved before a operator can apply for a new block. “So, similar thing is being considered in the area of short codes,” he stated.

On measures to be taken by the regulator, Nwokenneya said assigned short codes must be utilised to ensure that VAS operators don’t hoard short codes; Adebayo all un-utilised short codes shall be recovered and retrieved; all short codes not aging Director, Cellulant Nigeassigned by the Commission ria Limited, an indigenous VAS shall be retrieved accordingly company, Goke Akinboro, had and harmonized in accordance stated that the country’s telewith the Commission’s Short coms VAS potential is worth Code plan while there will also $500m annually with a huge be uniform short code plan for potential to expand at an accustomer care services, billing, celerated pace to $1bn by next airtime recharge, balance check year.

“I think that the VAS landand so on.

He also said the Commission scape in Nigeria is growing and is building a central database to the potential is there. My take ensure proper administration of is that it is worth over $500m short codes to ensure there is every year. The potential of the clear visibility of the short codes market is about $500m annuallocated till date. According to ally. It may actually be moving him, “We are looking at having towards $1bn in the next three a short code regulation that will years,” he said.

Information Technology inreflect current situation and realities in line with international dustry business intelligence provider, Informa, in a 2013 best practices.

Also, in his submission, the report, said Africa’s mobile VAS National Coordinating Consul- market was worth over $5.5bn tant, Wireless Application Ser- in 2010.

According to it, the market vice Providers of Nigeria, WASPAN, Simon Aderinlola, harped is expected to grow at a strong on the need for the NCC to look compound annual rate of into the area of revenue sharing around 22 per cent, adding that among MNOs and VAS provid- it was expected to generate over $11.5bn in revenue by 2014. ers in its proposed regulation.

Informa said, “Currently, He also noted that there is a need for increased collabora- South Africa is by far the largtion among NCC and operators est VAS market, representing to set up a central database a third of the continent’s revecentre where unsolicited VAS nues with over $1.5bn expected messages can be screened and in 2010, to grow to $3.87bn in monitored, adding that the reg- 2014.

“Other major VAS markets ulator should protect the indigare Nigeria and Egypt (also enous VAS players.

Aderinlola also canvassed the continent’s top markets in the need for a ‘carrier-grade terms of mobile subscription spam filter’ to prevent cases numbers), with $9.58bn and of SMS spam, and spam VAS $625m revenues, respectively messages and all forms of un- in 2010.

“Nigeria is forecast to grow wanted SMS not emanating from licensed VAS operators or to $2.01bn by 2014, representing 17.4 per cent of the total Afthe MNOs. Head, Legal, NCC, Yetunde rican market, while Egypt will Akinloye, said NCC, working an grow to $1.76bn or 15.3 per Industry Working Group on the cent of the market.”

Investigation showed that project would ensure the delivery o the regulation before the the huge VAS market potential end of 2014. “We would also en- in the country, where operators sure that we expand the mem- are struggling to shore up their bership of the IWG to accom- revenues in the face of high cost modate all shades of opinions of operations, has made VAS and views,” she added, saying market an attractive source of that NCC VAS is an important revenue for telecoms firms.

For instance, it was gathered aspect of the telecoms industry and that the regulator can- that MTN Callertunez, a special not be looking at the consumer ring tone VAS on the network aspect of the industry without launched in 2008, has recorded looking at what is happening in over 17 million subscriber mark with average N50 charged for the VAS space.

In a recent interview with the service on a monthly basis.

With average charges of Business Courage, the Man-

Monday, September 8, 2014

N1.6k on daily basis, MTN rakes in an estimated N28 million from the 17 million Callertunez subscribers daily.

This figure translates into N198.1 million weekly and monthly, the figures goes as high as N792.5 million.

Investigations show that similar revenues are made on other mobile networks in the country.

It was also gathered that the current revenue-sharing formula between the VAS and network operators is also encouraging the operators to, more or less, contravene NCC directive, which had earlier warned the operators not to do business with unauthorised VAS providers.

For instance, Aderinlola, during the NCC event, had noted that the sharing formula had changed from 60 per cent for the mobile operators and 40 per cent for VAS operators to 70 per cent for mobile network operators, while the VAS providers are now taking 30 per cent.

He argued that the current sharing formula and non-payment of money that accrued to providers was adversely affecting efforts to develop the market.

Major VAS providers in Nigeria include MTech, Cellcast, TaviaTxt, SaveMyContacts, Textnigeria, Entegration Solutions, Cellulant, CellTrust, 3G Reality Centre and A3&O, among others.

In phone interview at the weekend, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, has cautioned telecoms firms from patronising duly licensed VAS operators to provide service on their networks.

“The telecoms firms were licensed by the regulator after that had followed the laid doing procedure for licensing and VAS operators should also do same.

Also, telecom firms should be doing proper background check before allowing a VAS providers t connect to their network to avoid NCC sanctions,” Adebayo said.

President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, NATCOMS, Deolu Ogunbanjo, had, in an interview with Business Courage, decried the operations of VAS providers and the operators “especially in the area of sending annoying, intruding and unsolicited SMS to you, creating distraction for subscribers.” He called on the NCC to regulate the SMS aspect of VAS operation in Nigeria.

Meanwhile participants at the interactive session say the eventual development of the regulatory framework for the VAS segment of the nation’s telecoms industry would be a good initiative that will bring sanity and more coordination into the VAS market. BC

Technotalk

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

Tips to conserve iphone/ ipad battery life

G

ood battery life is essential for a mobile device to succeed in the post-pc era, and apple’s iOS devices continue to pack upgraded internals and improved battery technology into every product iteration.

Enterprises, government and business owners love the iPhone and ipad because of its back-end management and security features but one thing that can hinder you is it’s battery life. To get the most time out of your iPhone/iPad battery, you have to manage it and its enabled services and features on your device to make sure you get the most life out of your battery especially when you have emergencies where you need to sacrifice some features to use the device a little longer.

Here are seven tips to stay firmly in charge of your battery: 1. Place your device in airplane mode when you don’t need to communicate In situations when you are not using your iPhone to make or receive calls, and connect to the Internet, place your device into airplane mode. This can be done in areas where no wireless signal is available or when boarding an airplane that is not equipped with wi-fi as your iOS device will expend a lot of power continuously looking for a wireless signal.

2. Turn off bluetooth and wi-fi If you have no bluetooth devices (such as a headset or wireless speakers) connected to your iPhone or iPad, turn off the bluetooth feature. To do this, launch Settings, tap the bluetooth option, and then turn the virtual switch for the bluetooth option to the off position. If you have a bluetooth device paired with your device that you know you won’t be using for a while, turn off bluetooth on your phone or tablet to conserve battery life.

3. Don’t rely too heavily on the Internet Connecting your iPhone or iPad to the Internet requires a lot of power, particularly when using a cellular data connection. To extend your device’s battery life, refrain from surfing the internet too much, using Safari or continuously checking your email account(s) with the mail app. If possible, connect to the Internet using wi-fi.

4. Turn off the vibrate feature The iPhone’s vibrate feature that activates for incoming calls, text messages, and notifications, should be turned off to conserve battery life.

5. Don’t use the built-in speakers Using the iPhone or iPad’s built-in speakers to play audio uses more battery power than plugging corded headphones into the device. Likewise, on the iPhone, avoid using the speakerphone option when engaged in a phone call.

6. Reduce your reliance on the maps, weather, and stocks apps The maps, weather, and stocks apps are examples of apps that heavily use the Internet in order to function. Since excessive Internet usage drains battery life faster, shutting down these apps when conserving battery power is important.

7. Keep your conversations short On the iPhone, keep your phone conversations short since talking on the phone is one of the quickest ways to deplete battery life. If you are using Skype on your iOS mobile device, it will drain the battery faster because heavy Internet usage is required.

In summary, for many people on the go, finding someplace to plug in your iPhone or iPad to charge it can be a challenge. Having a mobile power bank is just the smartest way to keep your battery back to life at any point in time.

Also having your charger cords at home, offices and in the car is another smart way to charge your phone incase your battery runs low or dies. Conserving your iPad / IPhone batteries is key for you to always stay intouch and be productive in your businesses anywhere you are without losing track of your customers. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Banjo

Industry operators seek new approach to 2.6GHz spectrum auction Stories by Adejuwon Osunnuyi

N

igerian telecommunication operating companies have asked the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to come up with new modality for the auctioning of the planned two slots of 70MHz in the 2.6GHz spectrum licence which the regulator intends to sale in the for the provisioning of telecommunication broadband services in the country.

Some of the stakeholders called for the present pattern of national licensing to be maintained, while others want a regional licensing approach that will create room for more players and improved deployment phase.

President, Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Engineer Lanre Ajayi, applauded the sense of seeking stakeholders’ views on the process.

However, he sought to know why close to 30 companies expressed interest during the sale of 2.3GHz band earlier in the year, but only two went ahead to bid.

He urged NCC to review the process and create changes for business viability.

According to him, most organizations might become sceptical about the bidding should NCC fail to declare its intentions on time, citing the sale of 2.6GHz few months after the 2.3GHz as unpalatable for ventures.

On the modalities licensing model, Ajayi said he believes in spectrum trading, where a company with either a national or a regional licence can have the leverage of selling the same to another company without been queried by the NCC. However, president, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Engineer Bayo Banjo, said that the industry should learn from past experience that allocation of licences on

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

national bases has not alleviated the broadband penetration challenges.

According to him, national frequency allocation has caused more harm than good, creating hiccups for organizations during deployment and making recouping of investments hard to attain.

He opined that such practice can become viable if the bidders and eventual winners are meant to sign agreement to cover the 36 states and the FCT, and no redundancy in spectrum utilization in any of the states.

Earlier in his welcome speech, Engineer Peter Igoh, chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said that, the transparent way in which the Commission had conduct its licensing processes, including auctions, have been globally recognised.

Intel, Microsoft back e-Curriculum Initiative

T

he Nigeria Education Research and Development Council (NERDC) in partnership with Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited have launched an innovative e-Curriculum that will make educational curriculum both for students and teachers available online.

The innovation will be powered by Intel processor and will run on Microsoft computer software.

The launch which took place at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja recently was chaired by the Minister of State for Education, Nyeesom Wike.

Other dignitaries in attendance included the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Professor Godswill Obioma; Managing Director of Sidmarch Technologies Nigeria Limited, Hassan Alao.

Others were Corporate Affairs Manager of Intel Corporations Nigeria, Akinola Babatunde and Director, Education for Microsoft Nigeria, Patrick Onwumere among other stakeholders.

The e-Curriculum project is in line with the core mandate of NERDC which is the agency of the Federal Ministry of Education.

The National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) is the implementing agency for policies of the Federal Ministry of Education in respect of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) and other educational programmes nationwide.

Besides the Minister, many stakeholders in the educational sector hailed the initiative as a welcome development especially in the face of the global

digitalization trend and the limitless use to which online medium can be put to.

Speaking on the innovation, Corporate Affairs Manager, INTEL Corporations Nigeria, Akinola Babatunde expressed delight at the role INTEL played in making the e-Curriculum see the light of the day.

He explained that the eCurriculum involves the development of a scalable portal for the provision of digital online version of the present Curriculum that was developed by Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council and approved by the Ministry of Education for Nigerian schools.

“Intel is proud to be associated with such a novel initiative that has resulted in the creation of the e-Curriculum that is being launched today.

The decision to support the e-Curriculum initiative was in line with the core objectives of Intel which is to help to expand the frontiers of solutions provisions.

“It is common knowledge that Intel Explore and Learn is a digital based portal that has been in the vanguard of advancing the frontiers of teaching and learning by taking it beyond the four walls of the classrooms and more available to students and the teachers. Like the Intel Explore and Learn portal, the new e-Curriculum will be powered by Intel processor with support from Microsoft Windows platform.”

Babatunde stated.

Also speaking at the event, Director, Education for Microsoft Nigeria, Patrick Onwumere explained, “It is an accepted fact that the pace at which a nation’s economy develops is strongly tied to its ability to access and utilize knowledge, the achievement of which is largely attributable to the development and deployment of ICT. Incidentally, for us at Microsoft, providing that Access strongly aligns with our 4Afrika initiative, reason we are very happy with the portal development which is a great addition to our many other collaborative efforts on education with the Nigerian government and its agencies.”

While commending the partnership between NERDC and Sidmach Technologies Limited, Onwumere added, “This portal launch today is a huge leap towards easing ac-

Wike

cess to teaching and learning and I dare say that this is in line with global trend. Nations of the world are now adopting trends that take teaching and learning to homes and in the palms of those that are willing and this is why Microsoft will continue to provide the technical support needed to make this happen as we have always done.”

A17 33

lation, as the desired field of view and levelled image can be easily achieved by using the supplied lens tool to direct and rotate the ball that holds the lens and image sensor. The tool can also be used to exchange and focus the lens when a lens with a different angle of view is required. The cameras provide a pixel counter for verifying that the pixel resolution of an object meets specific requirements.

Axis announces highperformance cameras for video surveillance FG takes pavilion to in public transport and shop for investors in Gitex 2014 vehicles

A

xis Communications, the global leader in network video, has announced the local availability of the Axis P39-R Network Camera Series offering protection against dust and water and able withstand tough conditions such as vibrations, shocks, bumps and temperature fluctuations.

The series also features active tampering alarm function that allows for the detection of tampering attempts such as blocking or spray-painting.

Jason McGregor, sales manager at Axis Communications, noted that Axis is the pioneer in developing COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf), mobile-rated IP cameras.

“The Axis P39-R Series is our third generation suite of ruggedised cameras designed for the on-board environment and, for customers who want to upgrade to this latest version, the P39-R Series shares the same physical interface as Axis M31-R cameras,” he explained.

The cameras are specially adapted to respond quickly to changes in light levels, ensuring that high image quality and image usability are maintained. Also, the use of progressive scan enables the cameras to show moving objects without distortion. Traffic Light mode helps to better distinguish colours of traffic lights in very dark scenes.

“In addition to the rail and bus markets, we are seeing more and more mobile applications for this type of highly reliable camera for rugged environments that include cargo and freight, emergency, mining and other types of utility vehicles,” said McGregor.

The P39-R Series includes the Axis P3904-R network camera with HDTV 720p resolution, the Axis P3905-R with HDTV 1080p resolution and the Axis P3915-R with HDTV 1080p resolution as well as audio-in and I/O capabilities.

Each model is available with either a male RJ45 connector or a rugged M12 connector.

AXIS P39-R Series allows for a quick and reliable instal-

T

he Federal Government of Nigeria is in top gear preparation for its Country Partner status involvement in Gitex, an ICT Investment Conference due for Dubai October 12 - 16, 2014.

The Nigerian Pavilion will promote start-ups as well as well-honed indigenous ICT companies.

With the theme ‘Invest in Nigeria - The gateway to Africa’, it was said to have been chosen to capture the mood and mission of Nigerian officials and the country as she is certain to feature her forays in Agriculture, where it has done very well, and in Information technology where it is pushing the frontiers in a focused direction.

The forum is expected to be a business and investment peering platform to also feature key decision makers from the MEASA including government functionaries and business leaders.

From an African observatory, Gitex is arguably the second largest ICT event in the world. It recorded over 154, 000 visitors last year 25, 000 of which came from Africa.

The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA noted that it is using the Gitex event to promote Nigeria’s ICT potentials and encourage its budding innovators to attract global attention and investors.

According to Communication Technology Minister, Dr Omobola Johnson, “The ICT Sector has been a prime motivator of real growth and contributor to the country’s GDP. It has great attraction for investors and is a highyield market.”

The Director General of NITDA, Peter Jack said “We are using Gitex to affirm the fact that Nigeria welcomes investors and seeks global partnership to explore her diverse opportunities. Nigeria is in Gitex to meet Investors seeking new, dynamic and BC rewarding markets.” BC

A18 34

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Behind d Wheels This page is open to sponsorship

Autocare Get your lights right

E

By Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

T

he General Motors premium brand, last week at an auto show in Chengdu, China, introduced its first time offering in the SUV midsize segment, the Buick Envision and the auto makers revealed that the Envision is meant to join the small Encore and large Enclave to round out the Buick SUV portfolio.

The Envision, which shares a name General Motors Company used for a crossover concept unveiled back in 2011, will compete against small crossovers in the premium segment such as the Acura RDX and Infiniti EX. It may even manage to lure some buyers from the likes of the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class China is Buick’s biggest market and GM does considerable Buick design and development there, including on models intended for both China and the U.S. so it’s not far-fetched to think the Envision was developed with both countries in mind. A version of the Envision is also expected to be sold in Europe

by Opel.

Though Buick’s big Entourage three-row its small Encore crossover SUVs sell very well, Buick’s had no mid-size, two-row, five-passenger model like Envision to compete with the Lexus RX, best-seller among upscale mid-size crossovers, or Acura RDX, Audi Q5 or BMW X3 -- all two-row models about the same size as the Buick shown in China.

Reviewers believe that this new vehicle will fill that gap between Encore and Entourage and give Buick an entry in a rapidly growing segment.

GM could make it the second mid-size vehicle that the automaker has promised the United Auto Workers union it will manufacture at Spring Hill, Tenn., to keep the plant open. GM just announced that the next-generation Cadillac SRX SUV will be the first mid-size model there, but the automaker won’t identify what the second one will be.

Exterior and Mechanics: On the styling front, the Envision has a small waterfall grille that is flanked by xenon headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights. Moving further back, there’s prominent character lines, chrome trim and 19-inch aluminum wheels.

The Envision has a length of 4,667 millimeters, a width of 1,804 mm and height of 1,659 mm. Its wheelbase stretches 2,750 mm. Its maximum storage is a tad less than 55 cubic feet.

For the Chinese market, the En-

vision h a s been announced with a turbocharged and directinjected 2.0-liter nder four-cylinder engine rat-ed at 260 horsepower and 247 poundfeet of torque.

A sixuspeed aud allll tomatic and wheel drive is standard across the range.

The all-wheel-drive system is a new one for GM. It features two electronically controlled multi-plate clutches in the rear axle that automatically distribute torque from the front to rear wheels and between the rear wheels as needed. Depending on conditions, up to 100 percent of torque can be sent to either axle.

The FlexRide system in the Envision offers a choice of four driving modes: Normal, Tour, Sport and Off-Road. The Off-Road mode, available for the first time in a Buick model, is ideal for driving on slippery, unstable or bumpy surfaces.

Interior / Technology: The Envision combines Buick’s signature 360-degree integrated design with several new interior styling elements, including a driver-friendly left-tilted center console. Looking undeniably elegant, the cabin comes nicely equipped with wood trim, piano black accents and chrome details. The model also has burgundy leather upholstery, giving the instrument panel a streamlined, modern feel.

Drivers will find themselves surrounded by premium materials and modern amenities such as wood trim, metallic accents and a MyLink infotainment system with an eightinch display. There’s also ambient lighting and a Bose audio system with Active Noise Cancellation technology. Other highlights include a panoramic sunroof and heated / cooled front seats.

The area beneath the centre console is wrapped in burgundy leather

accentuated by French-style dual stitching. It includes thoughtfully arranged shift knobs and heating and air conditioning controls.

The split center armrest has ample space for personal belongings with a USB port. The refinement extends to the materials used on the door panels and rear passenger space.

The Envision comes with a comfortable leather-wrapped threespoke sport steering wheel with a segment-first heating element to keep drivers’ hands warm on chilly days. Buttons and knobs on both sides of the steering wheel allow the driver to activate cruise control, play music and make Bluetooth phone calls while keeping their hands on the wheel. The light yet rigid seats have an ergonomic design that provides premium support and comfort.

Safety: Electronic safety aids on the Envision include Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane-Keeping Assist, Following Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert, Collision Mitigation Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Hill-Start Assist and intelligent headlights. Options include Hill Descent Control, OnStar telematics and an Automatic Parking Assist system.

The Envision is also expected to hit Europe with Opel and Vauxhall badges, in Australia, the Envision would likely replace the ageing Captiva 5, which, along with the Captiva 7, has been on the global market since 2006.

Importantly, the Envision represents a major styling and interior quality improvement. BC

very year problems with vehicle lighting contribute to around several deaths and injuries on our roads.

Inadequate lighting can make it difficult for a driver to see and for their vehicle to be seen at night. However, lights which are too bright, incorrectly fitted or poorly aligned can be just as dangerous.

There are now legal limits on how many extra lights can be fitted on a vehicle and where – as well as new restrictions on cosmetic lighting. The law says your lights must not dazzle, confuse or distract other road users and sets out how and when you can use some types of vehicle lights.

If you don’t get your lights right, not only could your vehicle fail its warrant of fitness, but you could also be in for a hefty fine. Even worse, you could cause a crash.

Cosmetic lighting: If you want to use cosmetic lighting to make your vehicle stand out, take the time to get it right – and avoid hassles later on!

Cosmetic lamps can be any colour as long as they meet the following requirements: They must be angled downwards and fitted so that the light source isn’t directly visible from the front or back of the vehicle (this will prevent the lights distracting, confusing or dazzling other road users).

They should only give off light that is spread out (diffuse) rather than light concentrated in a beam. They must not be positioned close to essential lights such as headlights or indicators. They must not flash, pulse, fade in and out or change colour. They must not revolve, rotate or move in any direction.

It is against the law to use cosmetic lamps in a way that could dazzle, confuse or distract other road users.

Dipped beam headlamps: Dipped beam headlamps are used for lighting the way ahead of the vehicle at night. The beam pattern is controlled so that the driver can see the road ahead without causing glare to other road users. (Dipped beam and main beam headlamps are often combined into one lamp.)

Dipped beam headlamps should be used during the hours of darkness and whenever visibility is poor. Because they are dipped, they can be safely used in all conditions without dazzling other road users.

Main beam headlamps: Main beam headlamps are used for lighting the way a long way ahead of the vehicle. Because they are not dipped, they will dazzle other road users if not used properly. (Dipped beam and main beam headlamps are often combined into one lamp.) Additional main beam headlamps are also known as ‘driving lamps’.

Only use main beam headlamps when you’re driving on the open road and there are no other vehicles directly in front of you or coming towards you.

You must switch to dipped beam as soon as you notice other vehicles ahead to avoid dazzling them.

Front fog lamps: Front fog lamps illuminate the road ahead in foggy conditions, both at night and during the day. They give off a short, wide beam of light that is designed to shine through the fog, lighting up the area directly in front of the vehicle and helping the driver see the sides of the road better.

You may have up to two front fog lamps fitted to your vehicle. If your vehicle already has two front fog lamps fitted as original equipment, you cannot fit a second pair. Fog lamps should be wired so that they can be turned on or off independently of the headlamps.

Fog lamps should only be used when visibility is severely reduced, eg by snow or fog. It is against the law to use fog lamps in clear conditions (day or night) as they can dazzle other road users. BC To be continued next week

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

A19 35

Global Commodities ENERGY AND OIL PRICES CRUDE OIL & NATURAL GAS Commodity Crude Oil (WTI) Crude Oil (Brent) TOCOM Crude Oil NYMEX Natural Gas

Oil steadies around $102

B

rent crude oil price steadied at about 102 dollars a barrel on Friday, heading for a weekly drop in price in three consecutive weeks.

Oil prices on both sides of the Atlantic fell nearly one dollar on Thursday as a cut in interest rates by the European Central Bank led to a spike in the U.S. dollar.

Brent oil went down by 15 cents to sell at 101.68 dollars a barrel, after losing 94 cents on Thursday.

The U.S. crude was five cents lower at 94.40 dollars a barrel, having lost 1.09 dollars the previous day.

The position made it more expensive for holders of other currencies to buy the dollar-denominated commodity.

Both benchmarks were on track to end the week with a loss of more than one per cent. ``The main factor driving us down has been the strength of the dollar. ``Supply is plentiful, but it has been for some time. The change this week has been the rise of the U.S. currency. ``We would need to see a weaker dollar and signs of improving demand for oil prices to rise much on a sustainable basis,’’ Carsten Fritsch, a senior oil and commodities analyst at Commerzbank in Frankfurt said.

Dominick Chirichella, at New York’s Energy Management Institute, said the U.S. jobs data was also negative.

``I view the oil complex as overall bearish right now,’’ Chirichella said.

U.S. crude oil stocks fell by 905,000 barrels last week, while gasoline stocks dropped by 2.3 million barrels, Energy Information Administration data said.

Stock of crude increased at the Cushing, Oklahoma, but delivery hub fell by 385,000 barrels.

However, rising U.S. production, together with the potential for rising exports from OPEC members, Libya and Iran, continued to add downward pressure on oil prices.

Libya’s oil production rose to 725,000 barrels per day (bpd) this week, more than six times the level two months ago.

Meanwhile, successful talks between the West and Tehran over its nuclear programme could bring more Iranian barrels to global markets. ``We think any easing of sanctions (on Iran) will likely be negative for oil markets in the short term. ``But it is unlikely to be the significant sustained bear event for oil markets many may perceive,’’ Morgan Stanley, an analyst, said.

He also said that Iranian exports could recover to 1.52 million bpd over the next 12 to 18 months if sanctions are lifted, adding that the country had been exporting slightly more than one million bpd in recent months. BC

Gold rebounds from 11-week low

G

old rose from an 11-week low, after U.S. employers added the fewest jobs this year, adding some pressure on the Federal Reserve to maintain lower interest rates.

The 142,000 advance in payrolls last month was weaker than the lowest forecast in a Bloomberg survey, government data showed today. Slowing labour gains come after Fed policy makers had signalled they could raise borrowing costs sooner than they anticipated amid faster job growth.

Gold is heading for the first quarterly loss this year as the outlook for higher interest rates curbed demand for an inflation hedge. Separate reports this week showed gains for U.S. manufacturing and

housing.

“Previous data had suggested the economy was gaining traction, but today’s number is a bit of a disappointment, and the Fed may have to maintain lower interest rates,” Chris Gaffney, the senior

Price 97.88 104.84 66,540.00 3.80

Change 0.00 -1.18 -550.00 -0.04

% Change 0.00% -1.11% -0.82% -1.12%

Contract Sep 14 Sep 14 Jan 15 Sep 14

Time(ET) 17:14:59 18:00:00 14:59:41 17:14:49

REFINED PRODUCTS RBOB Gasoline USd/gal.

NYMEX Heating Oil USd/gal.

ICE Gasoil USD/MT TOCOM Kerosene JPY/kl

274.43 286.61 885.75 82,810.00

0.00 0.00 -3.75 -470.00

0.00% 0.00% -0.42% -0.56%

Sep 14 Sep 14 Sep 14 Feb 15

17:14:28 17:14:28 18:00:00 14:59:41

EMISSIONS ICE ECX Emissions

6.29

+0.06

+0.96%

Dec 14

11:59:59

Gold, Silver and GOLD COMEX Gold TOCOM Gold Gold Spot Euro Spot British Pound Spot Japanese Yen Spot Indian Rupee Spot

Units USD/bbl.

USD/bbl.

JPY/kl USD/MMBtu

EUR/MT

Industrial Metals Prices USD/t oz.

JPY/g USD/t oz.

EUR/t oz.

GBP/t oz.

JPY/t oz.

INR/t oz.

1,294.80 4,272.00 1,293.75 963.31 769.12 132,749.13 78,627.69

+12.00 +17.00 +11.16 +5.41 +9.49 +895.09 +492.11

+0.94% +0.40% +0.87% +0.56% +1.25% +0.68% +0.63%

Dec 14 Jun 15 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

17:15:00 14:59:58 16:59:45 16:59:57 16:59:56 16:59:45 16:58:44

USD/t oz.

JPY/g USD/t oz.

EUR/t oz.

GBP/t oz.

JPY/t oz.

INR/t oz.

20.37 67.10 20.33 15.14 12.09 2,085.85 1,236.10

0.00 -0.80 -0.07 -0.09 +0.01 -10.61 -6.26

0.00% -1.18% -0.33% -0.60% +0.05% -0.51% -0.50%

Sep 14 Jun 15 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

17:14:56 14:38:39 16:59:48 16:59:57 16:59:46 16:59:52 16:59:46

OTHER PRECIOUS METALS Platinum Spot USD/t oz.

Palladium Spot USD/t oz.

1,463.69 864.45

+3.06 -8.43

+0.21% -0.97%

N/A N/A

16:58:10 16:56:03

INDUSTRIAL METALS COMEX Copper USd/lb.

LME 3 Month Copper USD/MT LME 3 Month Aluminum USD/MT LME 3 Month Zinc USD/MT LME 3 Month Tin USD/MT

321.45 7,115.00 1,988.00 2,360.00 22,850.00

0.00 -10.00 -34.00 -20.00 -40.00

0.00% -0.14% -1.68% -0.84% -0.17%

Sep 14 2014 10 31 2014 10 31 2014 10 31 2014 10 31

17:15:00 07/31/2014 07/31/2014 07/31/2014 07/31/2014

Agricultural Commodity Prices GRAINS CBOT Corn USd/bu.

362.25 CBOT Wheat USd/bu.

534.25 CBOT Oats USd/bu.

330.75 CBOT Rough Rice USD/cwt 12.79 CBOT Soybeans USd/bu.

1,058.50 CBOT Soybean Meal USD/st 342.40 CBOT Soybean Oil USd/lb.

35.71 ICE Canola CAD/mt 434.30

-4.75 +4.00 +0.25 -0.20 -23.50 -6.40 -0.69 -7.00

-1.29% +0.75% +0.08% -1.50% -2.17% -1.83% -1.90% -1.59%

Dec 14 Sep 14 Dec 14 Sep 14 Nov 14 Dec 14 Dec 14 Nov 14

14:15:00 14:15:00 14:15:00 14:14:58 14:15:00 14:15:00 14:15:00 14:14:59

SOFTS ICE Cocoa ICE Coffee “C” ICE Sugar #11 ICE Orange Juice Conc ICE Cotton #2 SFE Greasy Wool CME Lumber TOCOM Rubber CME Ethanol

USD/mt USd/lb.

USd/lb.

USd/lb.

USd/lb. cents/kg USD/tbf JPY/kg USD/gal.

3,207.00 192.35 16.35 139.35 63.27 324.10 205.80 1.91

-12.00 -2.70 -0.11 -1.35 +0.40 -0.30 -0.10 +0.01

-0.37% -1.38% -0.67% -0.96% +0.64% -% -0.09% -0.05% +0.47%

Dec 14 Sep 14 Oct 14 Sep 14 Dec 14 Aug 14 Sep 14 Jan 15 Oct 14

13:30:00 13:35:10 13:08:34 14:00:00 14:20:35 14:54:40 05:59:55 14:14:11

LIVESTOCK CME Live Cattle CME Feeder Cattle CME Lean Hogs

USd/lb.

USd/lb.

USd/lb.

156.00 220.28 102.83

-1.33 -0.40 -0.35

-0.84% -0.18% -0.34%

Oct 14 Aug 14 Oct 14

17:00:00 14:54:32 14:54:31

SILVER COMEX Silver TOCOM Silver US Dollar Spot Euro Spot British Pound Spot Japanese Yen Spot Indian Rupee Spot

market strategist at EverBank Wealth Management in St. Louis, said in a telephone interview. “This is a good number for gold.”

Gold futures for December delivery rose 0.1 percent to close at $1,267.30 an ounce at 1:37 p.m. on the Comex in New York. Earlier, the price fell as much as 0.7 percent to $1,258, the lowest for a most-active contract since June 17.

The metal has gained 5.4 percent this year on demand for a haven amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Bullion jumped 70 per cent from December 2008 to June 2011 as the

Fed bought debt and held borrowing costs at an all-time low to support the economy.

Last year, the metal slumped 28 percent as equities rallied and the Fed slowed the pace of monetary stimulus.

Silver futures for December delivery advanced 0.1 percent to $19.156 an ounce on the Comex.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, palladium futures for December delivery increased 0.1 per cent to $891.45 an ounce. Platinum futures for October delivery added 0.2 per cent to $1,411 an ounce, after touching $1,403.50, the lowest since April 24. BC

A20 36

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CWG’s change in business strategy affects her H1 Financial Report

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

T

he Computer Warehouse Group (CWG Plc), at the twilight of a five year strategic plan to take the company in a different direction into a more robust subscription businesses model, paused to evaluate the progress achieved, and the impact on her hitherto traditional business, underpinned by technology sales and support to major enterprises in Africa.

According to Austin Okere, Group Chief Executive Officer, ‘we crafted the plan code named CWG2.0 in 2010, realising back then the pervasiveness of cloud computing, and the major enablement for this in our region following the increase in broadband access from 0.65tb to a combined capacity of 9Tbits per second. We were very clear that while our tremendous growth over the years had been propelled by our traditional businesses in hardware and software sales and support, and VSAT bandwidth vending, these represented mature and declining margin businesses, the import of which have been evident in our recent Financial Statements’.

The uptake of the company’s New Cloud products not only in Nigeria but also in Ghana, Cameroon and Uganda proves that her emerging business model of providing cloud services on a subscription basis is scalable, repeatable and transferable, albeit relatively more sustainable and profitable.

Following her listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in November last year, the company has vigorously pursued her CWG2.0 initiative with the commissioning of a tier 3 Data Centre and the release of many products, which have been solely locally developed, or in collaboration with other innovative Companies such as MTN Nigeria, Diamond bank and Ericsson among others.

According to James Agada, Chief Technology Officer of the group, ‘CWG2.0 is all about the freedom to dream and the passion to execute.

CWG2.0 defines the future direction of our company. In summary it is a social impact investment initiative directed towards empowering the African Entrepreneur.’

CWG2.0 comprises products such as SMERP, an online resource planning solution that enhances proper business inventory management by business owners; Openshoppen, an ecommerce site that provides multiple shop owners the opportunity to open virtual shops online, complemented by an integrated secured payment gateway, thereby allowing online buyers to pay for products and services with their cards.

CWG2.0 also includes a Payment Terminal Service Provider (PTSP) smart grid solution, and various cloud services which promote the Cashless policy initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Okere

The company’s SMERP product has received increasing interest, with different channel partnerships being developed for rapid deployment of the product. There is a lot of interest for this service from individual merchants, banks and other organizations that support SME business.

CWG is currently nurturing relationships with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Bank of Industry, as well as other Agencies charged with the support and growth of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria to take advantage of her vast offering.

In addition, CWG has entered into strategic partnership with SES Astra, a Satellite Services provider to provide

teleport and platform services for the pioneer satellite-based free to Air and free to View digital Television system that will launch commercially in Q4 2014.

According to Gbadebo Adesina, head of Power Business at CWG, ‘the audacious plan to privatize the power sector has unveiled a new revenue opportunity for us, as we have partnered with a company in India to provide a key solution to address the technical and non-technical loses in power distribution. Our solution which provides an effective medium for energy audit and revenue assurance is currently undergoing proof of concept with two of the largest DISCOs in Nigeria, and we expect that this new line of business will be at implementation stage

by Q3 2015’.

‘With the full launch of this solution, CWG shall generate an additional source of revenue, not unlike the volumes witnessed during the telecoms boom earlier in the decade’ he continued.

Remi Adeloye, CWG Financial Controller, noted that ‘CWG’s 2014 first half of the year revenue of N8.3b is 16 per cent below 2013 N9.9b, while Gross Profit N1.6b is 23 per cent below 2013 N2.1b. The lower H1 revenues is a reflection of the continued decline in margins on traditional IT infrastructure business due to commoditization and competitive pressures, as well as

viable alternatives in the Cloud Computing Frontier’.

Continuing, Adeloye said ‘the financial position of the group remains strong with adequate liquidity, leverage and efficiency ratios. H1 2014 Current ratio improved to 1.5 as against H1 2013 which was 1.4 signifying strong liquidity and adequacy of working capital to meet transactional needs. Also CWG’s leverage Debt to Equity ratio remains low at 9 per cent as against 10 per cent in 2013.’

Emphasising the imperative in the shift in strategy, the CWG Boss, Okere added ‘we consider the refocusing of our business into a subscription based model as a dual advantage play.

In addition to being a more sustaining strategy, it maximizes our social impact investing on the economy of Africa, and helps to create jobs by empowering entrepreneurs in the countries of our operation. The dip in our H1 numbers while expected, will be more than compensated for when the full import of CWG2.0 comes fully on stream by H2 215.’

With the rebasing of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to $509.0b (N80.3trillion), capturing the recent growth effects in sectors such as telecommunication and the movie industry (Nollywood), and with the fast growth of the ICT sector, contributing about 8.3 per cent of current GDP, Okere’s optimism is not far-fetched. BC

S & P assigns BB, stable outlook to Skye Bank

By Johnson Okanlawon

A

global rating agency, Standard and Poor’s (S&P), has assigned (B/stable/B) to Skye Bank Plc in its current rating released in August 2014.

The agency said it based its rating of the bank on Nigeria’s positive economic prospects which will support the bank’s earnings growth, capitalization and asset quality over the next 12-18 months.

Standard and Poor’s rationalized the bank’s stable rating on its modest, but profitable franchise, operating in the mid-tier of the country’s highly competitive banking sector, saying it anticipates that Skye Bank’s RAC ratio will remain between 5.5% and 6% over the next 12 months, reflecting robust internal capital generation and mild risk-asset accumulation.

“We also expect that Skye Bank will maintain non-performing loans (NPLs) at about 3.5% of total loans, a cost of risk of about 2.5 per cent and a loan-loss coverage ratio in excess of 90 per cent of NPLs over the next 12 months”, while stating that the Bank is largely funded by stable customer deposits and relies on a sizable portfolio of liquid assets.

The agency noted that the bank had a modest, mid-tier position in

Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, Skye bank md/ceo

the country’s increasingly competitive banking sector, pointing out that in 2013, it reported total assets of N1.4trn ($7bn at $1 to N160, ranking it the eighth-largest bank in Nigeria by lending.

Also, the renowned global rating body said its rating is based on the bank’s strategy of focusing on expanding its retail and commercial (largely SME) franchise, while leveraging its branch network and electronic platforms to mobilize low-cost retail deposits.

“In 2013, the bank achieved a marked reduction in cost of funds to 4.7 per cent, from 6.8 per cent a year earlier, thus improving its net interest margin by 140 basis points to 6.6

per cent. Although assets are mainly generated through the corporate and investment banking unit (59 per cent of assets; 17 per cent of profits before tax), higher yields achieved on loans from the commercial banking (28 per cent of assets; 49 per cent of profits before tax) and retail banking (13 per cent of assets; 34 per cent of profits before tax) units resulted in disproportionate profit contributions at year-end 2013.

The agency added, “We believe the bank would forgo higher margins on corporate loans to retain top-tier corporate as a strategic source of additional business by banking their employees and their value chain of suppliers, contractors and other service providers,” it said.

“We have not included in our outlook, any impact from the prospective mergers or acquisitions mooted

by Skye Bank as the timing, capital impact and prospective support from shareholders are unclear”.

However, such a transaction is expected to have a significant impact on the bank’s capitalization and, potentially, its risk profile.

“We could lower the ratings if the bank failed to maintain a risk-adjusted capital (RAC) ratio above five per cent over the next 12 months”, S&P said. BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

A21 37

NSE: Market capitalisation records 0.35% growth

A

ctivities at the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Friday reversed to the upward trend after downturn in transactions was recorded for four consecutive days.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the day’s market capitalisation, which opened at N13.54 trillion, increased by 0.35 per cent or N48 billion to close at N13.59 trillion.

The All-Share Index rose by 143.13 points or 0.35 per cent to close at 41,160.62 points as against 41,017.49 points recorded on Thursday.

Lafarge Wapco led the gainers’ chart by N2 to close at N117 per share.

NNFM gained N1.11 to close

at N22.05, while ETI grew by 85k to close at N17.86 per share.

Presco appreciated by 7k to close at N36 while GTBank chalked up 51k to close at N29.82 per share.

On the other hand, Nestle recorded the highest price loss, shedding N12 to close at N1,019 per share.

Total Oil trailed with a loss of N7.94 to close at N172.06 while Flour Mill dipped N3.35 to close at N64.76 per share.

Forte Oil lost N1 to close at N219, while International Breweries depreciated by 5k to close at N28.5 per share.

Ftncocoa emerged as investors’ delight, accounting

for 56.76 million shares worth N29.29 million at the trading.

UBCAP exchanged 51.31 million shares valued at N111.04 million, while Access Bank sold 21.61 million shares worth N201.50 million.

Sterling Bank sold 21.29 million shares worth N46.25 million, while Zenith Bank sold 18.53 million shares valued at N450.04 million.

However, the volume of shares traded decreased by 86.42 per cent as investors exchanged a total of 306.68 million shares worth N2.73 billion in 4,407 deals.

This was against the 2.25 billion shares valued at N38.88 billion traded in 5,304 deals on Thursday. BC

Flourmills declares N50bn dividend, begins commercial farming

By Johnson Okanlawon

F

lourmills Nigeria Plc (FMN) has said that it plans to pay a total dividend of N5bn to its shareholders for the current financial year.

The Group Managing Director of the company, Paul Gbededo said in Lagos that the dividend would culminate to N2.10 per share due to every shareholder of the company for the 2014 financial year.

Gbededo noted that the company is also proposing a bonus issue of one for every 10 shares held during the same period.

He assured shareholders that the company is well positioned to enhance profitability and deliver a long term sustainable growth.

Gbededo pointed out that the company has made strategic investment in large scale commercial farming to support

its food processing units with locally produced raw materials, adding that the company cultivates 10,000 hectares of sugar at Sunti Golden Sugar Estate to feed the sugar refinery.

According to him, the Kaboji Farms Limited in Niger State contains maize and soya beans to feed milling operations, including the cassava, which provides quality cassava flour.

“Agro Allied Limited grows 5,000 hectares of cassava on land purchased at Shao, Kwara State to feed Thai Farm’s Cassava Mill in Ososa. Agric Palm Limited has 3,000 hectare in Edo State to support the group’s edible oil refineries at ROM Oil Mill. Agro Allied Farms Sunti Limited grows a 4,500 hectare rice farm along the Niger River basin. This project will add to the rice production at Sunti Farm to complement the backward integration of our rice milling operations,” he said.

Gbededo explained that

these major investments as made on the food and agro- allied business which, according to him constitutes 95 per cent of the company’s revenue.

Speaking on why the $250million Golden Sugar Company did not generate revenue for the financial year, Gbadedo said; ‘’for such a huge investment, you will not expect to make profit in the first year but we have positioned it for growth. We just commissioned the plant and the first year was difficult, we could not produce enough.

“Again, we commenced production last year and the sugar that was selling at N9,000 dropped to N5,500 but we are strong enough to stay in that business and we are looking beyond what we have today.

We are currently at 48 per cent capacity utilization and in the years to come, it will add proper value to all shareholders,” he assured. BC

Market Indicators for Week Ended 05-09-14 All-Share Index 41,160.62POINTS Market Capitalization N13,591,128,501,120.02 Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING PRICE

WAPCO

CLOSING PRICE

CHANGE

115

117

2

NNFM

20.94

22.05

1.11

ETI

17.01

17.86

0.85

35.3

36

0.7

GUARANTY

29.31

29.82

0.51

COMPANY

OPENING PRICE

PRESCO

LOSERS NESTLE TOTAL FLOURMILL

CLOSING PRICE

CHANGE

1031

1019

-12

180

172.06

-7.94

68.11

64.76

-3.35

FO

3.9

3.72

-0.18

INTBREW

29

28.5

-0.5

Inter-Bank Rates TENOR

RATE%(PREV) 25-Aug-2014

CALL

0.0000 - 0.0000%

0.0000 - 0.0000%

10.7500 - 12.0000%

10.5000 - 12.0000%

OBB

RATE%(CURR) 26-Aug-2014

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

91-Day

27850.15

RATE (%) 9.79

DATE 03-SEPT-14

182-Day

50000

10.17

03-SEPT-14

364-Day

105000

10.35

03-SEPT-14

Open Market Operation TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

133Day

50000

RATE (%)

DATE

10.8

04-SEPT-14

136Day

50000

10.8

01-SEPT-14

126Day

70000

10.8

08-AUG-14

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$300m

$ 298,996,197.03m

$ 298,996,197.03m

03-SEPT-14

$350m

$ 349,833,707.32m

$ 349,833,707.32m

01-SEPT-14

A22 38

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News Continued from pg A5 He noted that the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina understands perfectly the challenges of farming and the farmers and his efforts has resulted in the increase of production capacity.

“We are also witnessing a better approach to the issue of funding by BOI because they have come down to the real issues; farmers can no longer bear the high costs of commercial bank facilities, it is very good that BOI has now come down to its real mandate and is financing agriculture by charging single digit interest rates.

I will advise them that they increase their monitoring activity so that such facilities will be well monitored,” he said.

On his part, Barrister Bola Adebowale, Company Legal Secretary to one of the beneficiary cottage industries, E99 Oasis Integrated Services Ltd, commended the initiative as a worthy one under the ATA championed by Dr Akinwumi Adesina.

“Let me sincerely thank the Bank of Industry for the support provided on this project.

This is a clear indication of a financial institution building strong support in the actualisation of agricultural programmes, especially in the oil palm cottage processing mill.

Today’s commissioning is a great event and a milestone in the annals of the history of farm E99 which was established to aid food production in the country as well as enhance stable food availability to the people. With this Mill, I am sure palm oil produced in the farm will meet the international standard quality,” he said.

He stressed that it was heart-warming to note that the problems facing the producers and farmers of oil palm will soon fade away, as it was now possible for farmers to get their palm-oil produced without the body-aching old and unhygienic system.

Fabricator and installer of the machines at the industries, Victor Olomo, CEO Process Concepts and Technologies Ltd, explained that the machines will be used to pro-

Akinwumi

cess palm-oil from harvested bunches from the oil-palm plantation.

“The idea is that we want to produce palm-oil that is of high enough quality that can be safely consumed, used by industries and meet export specifications and this facility here meets the requirement,” he said.

He noted that so much has been done but that much can still be done in the agricultural sector because of its vast potential for job creation, income generation and income substitution.

“Another great thing about this project that is being supported by BOI is that part of the terms is for us to train the equipment operators and we have trained those presented by the cottage industries to ensure that there will be no problem with operation and maintenance of the installed equipment,” he enthused.

He noted that the ATA has been very positive not leaving out local equipment fabricators, as greater opportunities have arisen for processors to come in and reduce postharvest losses and that has enabled the machine fabricating sector to grow, a clear demonstration that agriculture can be more vibrant than it was before.

He stressed that it was a demonstration of courage, determination and patriotism for BOI to partner with the federal government and investors to make sure that resources are made available to cottage industries like these ones.

Presidential Advisory Committee wants PPP sustained in NIRP implementation

By Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

T

he Presidential Advisory Committee on Nigeria’s industrial revolution plan has stated the need for a sustained Public Private Partnership in order to attract investments into the nation’s economy.

Stating this at its 3rd meeting in Lagos, members of the committee agreed that the gains being recorded in the growth of the economy so far had been realised under the PPP platform.

According to the Minister of Investment Trade and Industry, Chairman of the committee, the council serves as one of the standing committees and advisory body to President Goodluck Jonathan on the NIRP’s implementation.

He noted that the committee was a private sector driven initiative with able representations from the Manufacturing

Dangote

Association of Nigeria MAN; Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Mines and Agriculture NACCIMA and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“We have about 45 points to discuss; those are points that affect businesses and manufacturers in the country. We are going to discuss each of them today and after that the council would be meeting with Mr. President to advise him on those issues,” he said He noted that it was impossible to overlook positive developments in the economy such as the growth of the manufacturing sector.

“Looking at the economy today, manufacturing of cement is now the biggest growth driver. It grew by 22 per cent in 2013 and by 14 per cent in 2012 and of course the export of manufactured goods has moved up to 95.2 per cent, an indication that something positive is happening in Nigeria’s economy,” he said.

In his remark the alternate Chairman of PAC, and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, noted that the deliberations of the committee was a continuous process.

“It is not something that we sit down one day and ask the government to implement, rather as issues come up we keep talking about them and keep suggesting to government the ways to sort them out,” he said.

He pointed out that as business practitioners they were aware of the challenges of the operating environment which has direct impact on their businesses.

On the issue of waivers, he called on the government to sustain transparency in granting waivers to sectors rather than to individuals and select companies.

“This is a great partnership between us and government and has never happened before. It has actually made life easy for and that is why we continue to invest and keep hoping other people will also come to invest.

He commended the government for also taking a stance

against policy somersaults and for seeking ways to prevent any policy somersault.

On his part, Oba Otudeko, Chairman, Honeywell Group, spoke on the effect of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease EVD on the economy and what can be done to mitigate its impact. “we have also decided as a group, manufacturers and people in the productive sector to find a way of intervention to work with government, not only directly as we are doing in our respective companies but collectively to lessen the burden and the impact of Ebola.

Not only as sickness but also as phenomenon which needs to be understood and which needs to be also nipped in the bud so that it will not continue to affect business,” he said.

He stressed that the private sector will continue working with the government in order to promote in a concrete manner the public private partnership, which actually anchors on the industrial policy and economic development that the government was promoting through the transformation agenda.

Adopt GS1 global solution, Nigerian manufacturers told

By Emmanuel Ogbonnaya

M

anufacturers in the country have been told to adopt the barcode technology offered by GS1 Nigeria if they are to realise their ambition of easy access into the global retail market.

This advised was offered by the immediate past president of manufacturers association of Nigeria, Kola Jamodu, in Lagos at a retailers forum organised

by GS1 Nigeria, on the occasion of the organisation’s 40th year commemoration of its existence in the global business sphere.

Jamodu, who spoke as the chairman of the occasion, noted that GS1 through its technological solution has captured a uniform global way

Jamodu

to share information across the retail value chain, connecting organisations across geographical and regional boundaries.

“At a time when manufacturers are addressing global challenges, the global positioning of an organisation will not evolve without a global platform, standards, ethics and language and this is what GS1 A is offering,” he said.

He pointed out that any business owner who desires to be successful must accept that the world has shrunk into a global village and his progress would be determined by his steps on the global pedestal.

He commended GS1 for value added to manufacturing which he also noted has been hampered by the paucity of some essential infrastructure and people/organisations resistance to change.

“This initiative holds a lot of benefits for manufacturers as today’s consumers have become more health conscious and are demanding real time updates on genuine products,” he said.

In his presentation, the MD, SPAR/Park ‘n’ Shop Nigeria, Haresh Keswani, noted that GS1 barcode technology provided an opportunity for Nigerian manufacturers to come on board and make more money.

Representing the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, Pharmacist Elizabeth Awagu, noted that GS1 has raised the standards of businesses by promoting product traceability.

“Traceability is a common ground for NAFDAC and GS1 and hopefully we will be involved in some kind of collaboration in the future,” she said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the president of GS1 Nigeria, Asiwaju S.K Onafowokan, stated that GS1 was an NGO empowered by millions of member companies, retailers and information technology providers.

He noted that the adoption of GS1 barcodes was critical to the visibility of products and supply chain efficiency within strategic sectors.

“Health and food related products consumers, more than ever before demand immeasurably visible and safety information as a matter of priority in every country,” he said.

He explained that GS1 standards today included: GS1 Databar, robust barcode symbologies designed primarily to enhance business processes.

“Our Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) through electronic product code facilitates increased visibility and efficiency throughout the supply chain and higher quality information flow between companies and their trading partners,” he said BC

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

A23 39

STOCKWATCH Stock Exchange weekly equities summary as at Friday, Sept 05, 2014 SECURITY

PRICE (=N=)

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC 0.50 OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. 34.50 PRESCO PLC 36.30 Fishing/Hunting/Trapping ELLAH LAKES PLC. NT Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. 3.28 CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. 1.47 CHELLARAMS PLC. 3.95 JOHN HOLT PLC. 1.13 SCOA NIG PLC NT TRANSNATIONAL CORP. OF NIG.PLC 6.10 U A C N PLC. 59.00 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. NT CAPPA & D’ALBERTO PLC. NT Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. 1.08 G CAPPA PLC NT Non--Building/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. 65.00 ROADS NIG PLC. NT Real Estate Development PINNACLE POINT GROUP PLC NT UACN PROPERTY DEV 15.60 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC NT UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INV NT UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST NT CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC NT Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. NT GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. NT GUINNESS NIG PLC 185.00 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. 28.00 JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NT NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 177.00 PREMIER BREWERIES PLC 2.08 Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. 134.00 Food Products BIG TREAT PLC NT DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC 7.00 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC 8.74 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. 68.11 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC 4.17 MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NT N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. 19.95 NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC 10.19 P S MANDRIDES & CO PLC. NT U T C NIG. PLC. NT UNION DICON SALT PLC. 14.11 Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. 59.85 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 1,079.99 Household Durables BETA GLASS CO PLC. NT NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. NT VITAFOAM NIG PLC. 4.15 VONO PRODUCTS PLC. 1.05 Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. 35.00 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. 48.55 Textiles/Apparel UNITED NIG. TEXTILES PLC. NT FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. 9.90 DIAMOND BANK PLC 6.10 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INC. 16.90 FIDELITY BANK PLC 1.98 FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC. NT GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. 29.90 SKYE BANK PLC 2.90 STERLING BANK PLC. 2.26 U B A PLC 7.60 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 8.10 UNITY BANK PLC 0.50 WEMA BANK PLC. 0.97 ZENITH BANK PLC 24.60 Insurance Carriers, Brokers & Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INS. COY. PLC NT AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 0.80 CONFIDENCE INSURANCE PLC NT CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INS. PLC NT CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 1.00 CORNERSTONE INS. COY. PLC. 0.57 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INS. PLC NT EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. 0.50 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC NT GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC NT GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. NT INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INS. PLC NT INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INS. PLC 0.52 INVESTMENT AND ALLIED ARN. NT LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. NT LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. 0.50 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC NT MANSARD INSURANCE PLC 2.50 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. 0.52 N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. 0.81 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NT OASIS INSURANCE PLC NT PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. 0.50 REGENCY ALLIANCE INS. COY PLC NT SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC NT STANDARD TRUSTASSURANCE PLC 0.50 STANDARD ALLIANCE INS. PLC. NT UNIC INSURANCE PLC. NT UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC 0.50 UNIVERSAL INS. COMPANY PLC 0.50 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 0.79 Micro Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC NT NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 1.00 Mortgage Carriers, Brokers &Services ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC NT ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 0.50 INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC NT RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC NT UNION HOMES SAVINGS&LOANS PLC 0.5 Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS 3.36 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INS. PLC 3.92 CRUSADER ( NIG) PLC. NT DEAP CAPITAL MGT & TRUST PLC NT FBN HOLDINGS PLC 15.04 FCMB GROUP PLC 4.25 ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. NT STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC 30.00 UBA CAPITAL PLC 2.20 HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. NT UNION DIAGNOSTIC &CLINICAL PLC NT Medical Supplies

NOTE NT=Not Traded on 05-09-14

QUANTITY

300,000 221,065 293,090

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 -5.40 0.00

Previous

NT 36.47 36.30

70

4.26

4.26

60,000,000

0.00

N/A

NT

1,456,049

7.18

0.68

1,199,549,736

0.07

2.18

3.21

155,000 867 250 512 80,743,089 917,450

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

5.00 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 NT 1.13 NT 5.72 59.00

375 3

26.00 95.49

5.05 95.49

148,500,000 196,876,000

0.33 4.50

N/A N/A

NT NT

1,963,524 217

2.66 14.46

0.72 14.46

920,573,765 125,000,000

0.00 0.00

N/A N/A

1.13 NT

125,269 4,000

83.75 10.60

19.86 6.61

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

6.74 1.69

0.00 N/A

65.00 8.46

NT 297,655

7.28 20.90

7.28 8.82

1,375,000,000

0.00 2.20

N/A -3.70

NT 16.20

963 100 6,350

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

NT NT NT

5,016

0.50

0.50

4,772,528,415

0.00

N/A

NT

184,000 8,132 134,593 125,380 500 13,653,583 51,119

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 -2.63 N/A N/A 0.83 N/A

8.31 NT 190.00 27.00 2.46 175.54 1.58

98,173

75.90

38.12

640,590,362

4.46

N/A

126.78

NT 99,721 1,656,528 86,045 1,005,186 1,971,492 2,340 189,085 2.08124,000 50 6,054

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 -6.67 0.46 0.00 1.46 N/A N/A 2.93 N/A #VALUE! N/A

NT 7.50 8.70 68.11 4.11 NT 21.00 9.90 NT NT 14.11

49,292 50,179

64.53 1250.00

8.33 400.00

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

1.57 28.34

-10.27 0.00

66.70 1,079.99

25,333 100 213,262 300,000

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 0.00 N/A

NT NT 4.15 1.25

212,980 5,019,056

56.00 76.00

21.02 27.60

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

1.34 1.42

-2.78 -0.92

36.00 49.00

NT

0.97

0.57

843,284,027

0.00

N/A

NT

17,927,301 16,448,071 19,324,958 784,752 NT 22,659,441 2,735,167 1,278,207 5,705,819 2,629,544 976,921 2,352,871 11,014,655

12.39 7.85 17.51 3.47 8.30 29.99 7.05 3.05 9.60 15.30 1.16 1.88 27.40

4.70 1.92 9.90 1.13 3.04 13.02 2.65 0.80 1.64 2.34 0.50 0.50 11.96

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

1.61 1.71 3.67 0.68 0.60 3.08 0.97 0.63 1.70 0.44 0.18 0.00 3.30

2.70 -1.61 2.42 1.02 #VALUE! 4.80 0.00 -0.88 5.26 -0.86 0.00 -1.02 -0.40

9.64 6.20 16.50 1.96 NT 28.53 2.90 2.28 7.22 8.17 0.50 0.98 24.70

250 1,564,642 NT 9,140 3,375,000 500 9,054,578 185,000 NT 42,003 39,288 NT 215,507 NT 14,710 16,500 500 300,500 695,659 7,992,701 1,661 1,654,611 1,650 800 490 100 2,000 2,000,000 100 5,000 3,936,293

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 0.00 N/A 0.00 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

0.50 0.80 NT NT 0.98 0.59 NT NT NT NT 0.50 NT 0.50 NT NT 0.50 0.50 2.50 0.54 0.81 NT NT 0.50 NT 0.50 NT 0.50 NT NT 0.50 0.76

10,000,000 405,450

6.60 1.22

0.00 0.72

1.18 0.19

NT 1.05

500 300 5,000 24,477,384 1,000

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

338,851 343,211 500 5,000 10,710,251 21925530 125,000 787,953 1,854,651

2.1

0.5

0.61 2.02 21.50 5.70 1.33 20.72 1.70

0.50 2.02 8.57 2.90 0.50 10.64 0.00

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

0.00 0.15 2.45 1.23 0.13 1.53 0.29

170 40,000

N/A=Not Avialable

5.05 0.50

4.32 0.50

0.63

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

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

0.13 0.00

N/A N/A 2.94 N/A 0.00

N/A N/A

NT NT 1.52 0.50 NT 3.24 3.86 NT NT 14.61 4.3 0.61 30.00 2.17

NT NT

SECURITY

PRICE (=N=)

MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. NT Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. 2.05 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 3.33 GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER PLC 65.99 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 1.42 NEIMETH INT PHARM PLC 1.04 NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. NT PHARMA-DEKO PLC. NT ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SLN PLC 0.57 Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC NT Electronic Communications Services MTECH COMMUNICATIONS PLC NT IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC NT NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. 13.50 TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. 1.88 Processing Systems CHAMS PLC 0.50 E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC 2.21 Telecommunications Services MTI PLC NT INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC. NT ASHAKA CEM PLC 33.50 BERGER PAINTS PLC 9.00 CAP PLC 39.05 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC 14.30 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 225.00 DN MEYER PLC. 1.15 FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC 0.50 IPWA PLC NT LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. 117.01 PAINTS & COATINGS MANFACT.PLC NT PORTLAND PAINTS & PRDT NIG. PLC 5.25 Electronic and Electrical Products AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC NT CUTIX PLC. 1.84 NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. NT Packaging/Containers ABPLAST PRODUCTS PLC. NT AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS NT BETA GLASS CO PLC. 18.85 GREIF NIGERIA PLC NT NIG. BAGS MANFACT. COY PLC NT POLY PRODUCTS (NIG) PLC. NT W A GLASS IND. PLC. NT Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC NT STOKVIS NIG PLC. NT NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. NT Metals ALUMACO PLC NT ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. NT MINING SERVICES MULTIVERSE PLC NT Paper/Forest Products HALLMARK PAPER PRODUCTS PLC. NT THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. NT OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SER. PLC 0.51 Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC 27.45 Petroleum &Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC NT CONOIL PLC 65.05 ETERNA PLC. 3.72 FORTE OIL PLC. 229.00 MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. 175.00 MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. 55.96 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. 180.00 Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVT. CO, LTD. 680.00 SERVICES Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC NT Apparel Retailers LENNARDS (NIG) PLC. NT Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. 0.87 Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC 4.80 TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. NT Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. 0.50 Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC NT Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL NT IKEJA HOTEL PLC 0.77 Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC NT Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS 1.55 LEARN AFRICA PLC 1.58 STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. NT UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. 4.35 Road Transportation ABC TRANSPORT PLCPLC 0.68 Specialty INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC NT SECURE ELECTRONIC TECH.PLC NT Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 2.09 NIG. AVIATION HANDLING COY PLC NT SUPPORT AND LOGISTICS CAVERTON OFFSHORE GROUP PLC 5.32 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 Petroleum &Petroleum Products Distributors ANINO INTERNATIONAL 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 NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND 2,020.00 VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF 18.88

QUANTITY

52 WK HIGH

52 WK LOW

SHARES OUTSTANDING

EPS

MOV. (%)

Previous

100

10.54

7.39

152,178,750

0.00

N/A

NT

219,647 259,375 14,020 1,336,537 126,452 100 79,950

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

2.50 0.00 0.00 -10.13 -13.33 N/A N/A

2.00 3.33 65.99 1.58 1.20 NT 2.38

40,100

0.96

0.50

2,960,000,000

0.11

0.00

0.57

100

0.50

0.50

2,941,789,472

0.00

N/A

NT

NT

0.91

0.91

4,966,666,668

0.00

N/A

NT

200 2,740 200

18.70 2.94

13.12 2.07

108,000,000 492,825,600

0.00 0.03

N/A N/A

5 13.72 NT

9,251,000 5,000

0.50 4.97

0.50 3.13

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

0.04 0.04

N/A N/A

NT NT

100

0.50

0.50

4,893,594,400

0.00

N/A

NT

2,000 3,054,075 41,000 20,433 733,527 188,664 56,965 20,000 6,000 187,515 129,900 840,010

2.86 29.98 12.20 67.50 12.99 210.01 3.54 0.75 1.34 110.00 2.41 7.22

2.86 8.01 6.82 13.78 4.00 102.00 0.50 0.50 0.50 39.80 0.50 2.27

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

0.07 0.80 0.91 1.66 1.12 5.77 0.06 0.00 0.00 6.83 0.36 0.43

N/A -1.47 -2.17 0.00 -2.12 -2.16 N/A N/A N/A -1.10 N/A N/A

NT 34.00 9.20 39.05 14.61 229.97 1.15 NT NT 118.31 NT 5.01

70 61,666 100

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 -3.16 N/A

2.00 1.90 NT

NT 7,600 21,940 200 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 1.75 17.11 12.08 NT NT NT

100 NT

8.69 0.14

8.26 0.14

265,409,280 2,918,000

0.00 0.00

N/A N/A

NT NT

25,000,000 683,974,528

10,000

9.35

5.68

393,120,000

0.76

#VALUE!

NT

320 100

7.75 12.39

7.75 10.55

75,600,000 100,000,000

0.00 0.24

N/A N/A

NT NT

150

0.50

0.50

4,058,989,226

0.01

N/A

NT

NT 100

3.22 1.38

3.22 0.67

50,000,000 220,000,000

0.04 0.00

N/A N/A

NT 0.79

4,251,137

1.02

0.50

6,262,701,716

0.00

-3.77

0.53

9,323,872

24.80

9.32

2,262,711,568

1.24

3.78

26.45

10000 391,009 501,400 190,167 22,306 104,712 253,740

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

-4.97 -2.36 -0.95 0.00 N/A -0.56

NT 68.45 3.81 231.20 175.00 58.49 181.02

271,231

28,677,671

200

0.72

0.50

680.00

4,035,497,307

0.00

N/A

NT

100

3.48

3.48

0

N/A

NT

488,460

2.45

1.00

980,294,400

0.00

1.16

0.86

17,583 10,500

5.10 3.45

2.19 0.73

589,496,310 198,819,763

0.52 0.00

4.35 N/A

4.60 NT

40,000

1.64

0.85

865,808,912

0.00

N/A

NT

1,500

0.75

0.50

3,211,627,907

0.00

N/A

NT

100 1,173,000

1.72

0.64

2,078,796,396

0.00

-1.28

NT 0.78

1,000

0.51

0.50

8,000,000,000

0.43

N/A

NT

3500 40,000 75 650,778

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 -0.46

1.55 1.60 2.40 4.37

53,034,059

1.29

0.50

1,507,000,000

0.21

N/A

0.70

6 1,000

5.15 1.88

4.90 0.80

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

0.00 0.00

N/A N/A

NT 0.5

340,246 397,229

5.90 8.81

1.27 5.08

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

0.50 0.43

N/A #VALUE!

2.16 5.00

9441

5.6

60

1.43

1.04

45,000,000

0.12

N/A

NT

100

2.26

1.02

201,885,335

0.00

N/A

NT

100000 1000

NT NT

30000

NT

NT

0.60

0.60

30,000,000

0.00

N/A

NT

NT

0.50

0.50

24,898,850

0.00

N/A

NT

NT NT

1.88

1.63

125,005,250

0.00

N/A

NT NT

NT NT 1,000

0.50

0.50

6,650,000

0.00

N/A

3.05

2.76

194,700,000

0.00

N/A

2,706

2,003

102 25000

0.80 49467

NT NT NT

2,004.00 18.99

A24 40

Business Courage

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

41

Law & Justice nationalmirrorlaw@yahoo.com

We should open our doors of doing substantial justice so that the lower courts can enter and do similar justice –.Justice Niki Tobi, retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. xx

Ability to circumvent the law is our major problem –Jimilehin 42 Justice Dikko

AGF Bello Adoke

Impeachment: Legislature can’t compel CJ to disband probe panel –SANs, others Decree 4: The trial, conviction of two Guardian journalists 45

Impeachment proceedings of a governor and the deputy governor in the country have always elicited controversy. The recent face-off between the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and the state Chief Judge over the composition of a panel to investigate the state Governor, Alhaji Umaru Al-Makura, is not an exception. WALE IGBINTADE examines the competence of the state legislature to compel the CJ to do its bidding.

S

DNA evidence overturns 30-year conviction of half brothers 46

ince the return of democracy in May 1999, there have been a series of impeachment proceedings involving elected public office holders in the executive and the legislative arms of the federation. The latest in the series cases is the botched attempt to impeach the Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Umaru AlMakura.

It would be recalled that Nassarawa State House of Assembly had earlier expressed reservations over the composition of the members of the panel set up by the state Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Dikko, to investigate 16 allegations of gross misconduct levelled

against the governor. Hence, many people were not surprised when the lawmakers, on August 4, 2014, rejected the verdict of the panel.

Section 188 (5) of the 1999 Constitution states that ‘’within seven days of the passing of a motion under the foregoing provisions of this section, the Chief judge of the State shall at the request of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, appoint a Panel of seven persons

who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political party, to investigate the allegation as provided in this section’’.

It appears that going by the letters and spirit of the Constitution, Section 188 (5), it is entirely the responsibility of the Chief Judge of a state to appoint persons who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity. But, many people have queried the ‘’opinion’’ of Chief Judge on the composition of the panel? For instance, in the botched attempt to impeach Governor Al-Makura, the Nassarawa State House of Assembly called for the dissolution of the seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge.

Consequently, questions begging for answers are; whether the Chief Judge, under the 1999 constitution has

LEGISLATORS HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO QUESTION THE COMPOSITION OF THE PANEL SET UP BY THE CHIEF JUDGE

the power to dissolve the seven-man panel that he had already constituted to investigate allegations of wrongdoings against the governor of the State. Besides, another issue is whether it is within the competence of the Nasarawa State Assembly to demand for the dissolution of the panel.

Speaking on the issue, Mallam Yusuf Ali, SAN said the legislature lacked power to direct the CJ to disband an already constituted panel arguing that ‘’once the Chief Judge had set up a panel to investigate an impeachment allegation under Section 188 (5) of the Constitution at the request of the Speaker, the House of Assembly lacks any authority to call for the dissolution of the panel’’.

According to him, in line with the principle of separation of powers, no arm of government can usurp the power or function of other arms of government. ‘’The lawmakers have no such power to direct the CJ to disband an existing panel stressing that under the constitution’’, he maintained.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

42

Law & Justice

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ability to circumvent the law is our major Chief Oladipo Jimilehin is a versatile lawyer and the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Bar Association NBA during the tenure of Mrs. Priscilla Kuye as NBA President. Called to the English Bar in 1977, he was a member, National Constitutional Conference Commission in the mid-1990s. In this interview with MATTHEW IRINOYE, he speaks on the outcome of the National Conference, justice delivery system, and the future of Nigerian judiciary, among others. Excerpts.

How do you appraise the outcome of the just-concluded National Conference?

In a situation like this, it is better to talk about Nigeria, to peak a little fact from the past one can reflect that the issue about drafting constitution in Nigeria has always been controversial. There is never a time we had a constitution and the people would say we have arrived and that we have gotten a constitution. During the colonial era it was criticism throughout, many were saying they did not allow people to partake of the constitutional conference. Until 1914, when Lugard Constitution was drafted, after that Richards’ constitution was drafted, very controversial constitution that led the man to leave Nigeria unceremoniously before Macpherson constitution which also led to resignation of ministers at that time so, every constitution has always been like that in Nigeria.

In 1978 to 1979, there was need to draft a constitution to return to a civilian rule and to form political parties, that one was unique in one sense. Between 1988 and 1989 there was new constitution and new political parties, from 1997 to 1998 there was a new constitution to form new political parties without much ado, those three constitutional conferences were unique, most of the governors came out from those National Conferences, the like of Olusegun Osoba, Lam Adeshina, Peter Odili and several many others.

Do you think the confab report should be subjected to a referendum or be adopted by the National Assembly?

Do not let us lose fact on this issue, the fact we must address is that there was a serious clamour that there should be a redefined corporate existence of Nigeria and that there should be a sovereign National Conference. I made bold to say that it is not easy to have a sovereign National Conference as long as there is National Assembly.

Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution is very clear that the President cannot dissolve the power of the National Assembly because the National Assembly is for the people; the President accepted the conference after so much pressure from the people. To appraise the outcome I told my colleagues when they were going based on my experience, some people would come to the conference with strict positions, I could remember when we were going for the 1988/89 constitutional conference we had it in mind that we were going there and everyone should go his own way the North should stand apart, the East and everyone, believe me by the time we were together as Nigerians we forgot it, when they asked if Nigeria should remain an entity, indivisible under Federal system of government, people shouted yes, so the same thing is happening now. When they were going they clamoured for sovereign national conference, I was in a committee and our conclusion was that they should subject the outcome of the confab to a referendum and once such is being done then it

I think the system is getting better, I could remember those days when one gets to court on Monday morning, and the judge has to attend to about 50 cases writing with pen and paper. At that time it was manual typewriter we normally use to type the processes, gradually we moved to electric typewriter and today it is computer. Everything now is computerized and I must say that what complicates the matter more is that people are aware of their rights, more volume of cases are filed on daily basis, the number of courts have been increased as well as the number of judges, all these things is just a matter of time, we would get there.

Jimilehin

would become a new constitution, the confab did not come out with a new constitution they only came out with the amendment to the constitution, I do not subscribe to the clamour of having a new constitution.

The military usually rule by the decrees and they never formulated a constitution so to acknowledge a particular constitution to the military is like giving them the leverage they never deserved. It was the same constitutional conference in 1988 and 1989 and it was adopted in the 1999 Constitution that nobody would have the power to take over the government of Nigeria other than by democracy, it is an indirect way to say that they cannot make a coup. It was an unanimous decision of the civilians.

By and large, the confab has succeeded in discussing the future of Nigeria and I can foresee that this may not be the end of the constitutional conference. Among many things that were achieved in the conference if it would be adopted, is the issue of state police among major issues, that has been on ground for a period of time. It is possible that many of the issues discussed at the confab would be adopted, like federal character commission was introduced by 1988/89 constitutional conference also the rotation of presidency, when it was first introduced many people said it was rubbish but in the long run it was adopted. In one breath, the report of the confab should be subjected to a referendum and from there Nigeria as a nation can have a new brand of constitution.

How should the Federal Government use law to eradicate corruption and insecurity in Nigeria?

With the nature of the Nigerian society as of now, however good the law is, it is tidy in many ramifications, and no matter how good the law is some people have the ability to circumvent the law and that is the major problem the country is facing.

No doubt there are people who would be so determined that the law is there and must make it effective, that could be regarded as Nigeria factor and we must admit the fact.

By and large, we are getting there, one cannot compare the military regime to democratic rule, the fair hearing is part of democracy and there is need to say that the legal profession is technical, a good lawyer would only do his best for his client but I think a replica of what is obtainable in Hong Kong should be adopted in Nigeria as well. In Hong Kong , a public office holder seen building mansions and buying cars after he might have left office would be called upon to justify himself, I think that is the whole idea behind the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with that, one can say that many people accumulating wealth in an unclean way have been exposed, anybody would agree with me that there is exposure of corrupt people in the country; Nigeria is gradually progressing in using law to eradicate corruption and insecurity in the country.

What is the way out of the lingering delay in hearing and disposal of cases?

THE REPORT OF THE CONFAB SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO A REFERENDUM AND FROM THERE

NIGERIA AS A NATION CAN HAVE A NEW CONSTITUTION

How do you see the quality of judgements being churned out from the country’s courts in recent times?

It is very difficult to compare and say the standard of judgment at a particular time is higher than the other. There was a time we had judges like late Chukwudifu Oputa, Justice Phillip Nnameka- Agu of the Court of Appeal, late Justice Kayode Eso, but then one could still see the rationale behind giving the judgement and therefore it is very difficult to say whether one judgment was sound or not. On the whole, there is a worldwide of difference between those of us who are practitioners then and the young lawyers of nowadays. In those days one is proud to be a lawyer, it is everything to you but these days, the interest is no longer seen in the job, rather everybody is just running after the money. I can boldly say that since I started legal profession about 30 years ago, I have never collected agency rent or fee from anybody; it has been litigation throughout but majority of young lawyers nowadays are involved in buying and selling of properties as well as giving out rent to clients, many of them are not ready to sit down in office and strategize on how to go about the matters they are handling and that is why they usually suffer defeat from the experienced ones, some judges who are so kind usually help them out by referring them to check the work being done by the other counsel.

By and large, the society where we leave also contribute to those problems and it is affecting everything in the society, politics, profession, business, trading, it is no longer a matter of integrity but everything is all about money.

Lawyers have been accused of conniving with touts to present fake bail papers to court, what is your take on this?

With due respect to some of my colleagues, there are some of us who believe in charge and bail, that is their specialized area but in all honest I am not for such and I have never been involved in it. To say such a thing does not happen may be understatement, I have heard of co-operation between magistrates and lawyers who engage in charge and bail practice but it could not be substantiated.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

problem –Jimilehin By and large, if the bail condition is stated by a court, I do not think it is possible for a lawyer to do such thing without the support of court officials, the area needs to get more attention from the authority concerned.

The Lagos State Government recently introduced professional bondsmen to curb touting; do you think it can work out without the so-called Nigeria factors?

I do not want to be pessimistic but optimistic, if we can give it a chance it will work out well, though it may take some times but it will work out eventually. It is all about trial and error and there is need to commend Lagos State Government for putting such thing in place.

A large number of Nigerian lawyers have been attending International Bar Association IBA yearly, what is the impact of the meeting on the NBA? It was during our time we had International Bar Association (IBA), Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, we then introduced African Bar Association, and I could remember we go to the extent of having West African Bar Association and then Nigeria Bar Association. To reflect back in 1986, we had a Commonwealth Law Conference in Jamaica and the International Bar Association conference in New York. It was a kind of jamboree, it was like an excursion where useful papers were being discussed, and people felt the impact.

I could remember, myself, Dr Olu Onagoruwa and Funke Adekoya (SAN) were together attending the summit. In those days the young lawyers could not afford to attend the conference; invariably they were supposed to be sponsored by their principals but now such does not happen except in the year of election, anytime we have election conference, the principals would be ready to sponsor the young ones simply to go and vote. I could remember one election we had in 1997, it was controversial and chaotic because there was an issue with the then presidential candidate, we did not hold the election and for about a period of five years there was no national executives of the bar association because at that time we imported many junior ones and all they were there to do was to vote.

Law & Justice

Monday, September 8, 2014

I HAVE HEARD OF COOPERATION BETWEEN MAGISTRATES AND LAWYERS WHO

ENGAGE IN ‘CHARGE

AND BAIL’ PRACTICES BUT IT COULD NOT BE SUBSTANTIATED I could remember when I was serving as the publicity secretary I allocated the room given to me to a young lawyer then who is now a senior advocate now, only for me to check him I found out that about five of them were in a room, it was as bad as that. I think the NBA conference can have impact on the young lawyers only if the principals are ready to sponsor the young ones. It is also important to say that the conference should come before election even if the election would come up in the same year.

The new NBA executive committee has just been inaugurated at the AGC of the NBA in Owerri. What should be there focus?

Let me give an example of what a bar was in 1983, Buhari /Idiagbon took over the government, in January they set up a paneled headed by one Ndiomu, a top military officer to probe all the politicians, the Nigeria Bar Association members met at Victoria Island including Rotimi Williams, Kehinde Molajo, Olisa Chukwura, Toye Coker saying that politicians have been charged for various offences and they are to face the military panel. Chief Williams said that I have even been briefed for five million naira, insisting that the bar association would not appear before Ndiomu panel because we say that any panel should be headed by a judge of the High Court before we can appear”. Everybody boycotted the panel but the late Gani Fawehinmi, was the only lawyer who appeared before the panel and we blacklisted him, he took the NBA to court but he failed because at that time we had truly senior members of the bar.

43

Task before Alegeh-led NBA executives BUNMI OLUGBADE

T

he Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference which began August 24 ended on August 29, at Owerri, Imo State. This article is aimed at highlighting some of the key issues that should engage the attention of the conference and the new leadership of the Bar. In my humble opinion, the greatest task before the NBA and the new leadership is the restoration of the integrity and independence of the association. Many have posited that these are not the best of times for the NBA as was expressed by all the presidential candidates in the last election.

One of the primary aims and objectives of the association is the “maintenance and defence of the integrity and independence of the Bar and the Judiciary in Nigeria, as well as the promotion and protection of the principles of the rule of law and respect for and enforcement of fundamental rights, human rights, human rights and the people’s rights”.

Close observers of the Bar in the last five years both lawyers and non-lawyers will confirm that the existential objectives and fundamental principles of the association have been so shamelessly compromised and eroded.

Indeed, it is arguable if the NBA has not lost its relevance to its members and the Nation at large. No wonder, all the five candidates who contested the office of the President in the July 2014 election openly canvassed a change of direction for the association. The truth is that what the NBA needs today is not just a cosmetic change but a fundamental transformation from its present alienated position from its members and its timid, docile and sometimes escapist approach to critical national issues.

Independence is a state or quality of not being subjected to the control or influence of another. Not being controlled or influenced by other people or things.

In my humble opinion, if anything has compromised the independence and integrity of the Bar or silenced the voice of the Bar in recent times, it is money.

The new executives must restore, secure the integrity and independence of the Bar by putting a definite stop to soliciting for and receiving money in form of grants, donations or gifts from governments both at the State and Federal levels.

From observation, collecting funds from state governments became a habitual act under the outgoing administration to the embarrassment of members of the Bar. At times, we heard of the President and Local Organising Committees fighting and quarrelling over monies approved for National Executive Committee meetings by State Governors because it was a habitual practice to seek for and obtain money from State Governments to host the quarterly NBA (NEC) meetings.

This must stop, a dependence on fat envelopes from politically- exposed persons and government patronage is not the best for the association, he who pays the piper dictates the tune. NBA has become a piper that stands face to face with external interferences and possible dictations. The consequences of course is the painful loss of the voice and dynamism of the Bar as witnessed in

recent times.

It is the responsibility of the NBA under its constitution to host its quarterly meetings. Therefore, soliciting for and getting government funds to hold NBA NEC meetings was not the practice of the Bar it is indeed a recent innovation the has eroded the integrity of the Bar, hence this my humble submission that the practice of soliciting for and collecting money from governments to host NEC meetings amounts to corrupt practice on the part of the NBA leadership.

There is hardly any doubt that NBA is an influential body. It is expected to be the guardian of our nascent democracy and the protector and defender of the Rule of Law and due process. Regrettably, that influence and relevance to defend the rule of law, protect fundamental liberties of the Nigerian people and protect democracy has virtually disappeared.

At the NEC meeting held in Ekiti State in March 2014, the Ekiti State Chief Judge stated repeatedly in his address that NBA has lost its voice. The silence of the NBA at these critical times can never do the Nation any good. It is not only the legitimate expectation of the people, but it is also the duty of the Bar to speak to powers-that-be at all times. NBA must wake up from its slumber to once again take its rightful position as the conscience of the Nation.

Let it be stated that the long standing crises that has plagued the judiciary of Rivers State must attract the new NBA leadership’s attention with utmost urgency. It is a common knowledge that Lawyers in Rivers State have not gone to court in the last six months or neither have litigants been able to have their matters adjudicated upon. The business of the third arm of government in Rivers State has been totally and effectively frustrated by the impasse between the State Government and the National Judicial Council.

Strangely, this all important issue was never discussed ones at the NBA NEC. The immediate past administration under Okey Wali SAN heard nothing, said nothing and did nothing. This can only be likened to “a blind man surrounded by deaf people.”

Clause 9 of the NBA Constitution generally empowers the NEC to exercise control and manage the affairs of the association including but not limited to its finances, appointments of representatives to statutory bodies and to express the views of the association upon any matter of public interest or general interest o the legal profession.

It is also the powers of the NEC to generally exercise all the powers vested in the Association so as to promote and carry out the aims and objectives of the Association. We pray that the era of “approved, approved” at NBA NEC shall be gone for the good of all Lawyers in Nigeria.

Furthermore, the constitution empowers the NEC to exercise all the power vested in the association so as to promote and carry out its aims and objectives. These clear provision were serially breached with relish by the last three successive administrations of the association all of whom one after the other ran the affairs of the association like dictators or Sole Administrators.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

44

Law & Justice

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘No arm of govt can usurp power of others’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41 In his response, Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN said ‘’under the Constitution, the lawmakers could not ask for the disbandment of the panel. Even the CJ who constituted the panel could not disband it’’.

According to him, ‘’ impeachment process in Nigeria was strictly governed by the Constitution, adding that with regard to the office of a state Governor the relevant provisions are contained in Section 188 (1) to (11) of the 1999 Constitution.

He said ‘’the legislature has no such power to direct the Chief Judge to disband a constituted panel. However they could appear before the panel and give reasons why a particular member is not fit to be in the panel. They have no authority to question the composition of the panel by the Chief Judge. They have no powers over the CJ, if they have complaint arising from the action of the CJ in the CJ’s compliance with the provisions of Section 188; they have the option to go to court.”

In his view, Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN argued ‘’the power given to the Chief Judge to constitute the panel is provided for in section 188(5) of the constitution. If in the opinion of the Chief Judge, a member of the panel is of unquestionable integrity, is not a member of any public service, not a member of any legislative House and not a member of any political party. If somebody suddenly wake up and said a member of the panel belonged to a political party, such a person must provide additional evidence. You cannot just make a sweeping statement. Unfortunately that is what we see in this country’’.

Ekomaru further stated that the C J lacked constitutional power to disband the panel after setting it up under sec-

Dr. Nwobike, SAN

Ekomaru, SAN

Dr. Abayomi

ONCE THE CHIEF JUDGE HAS APPOINTED THE PANEL UNDER SECTION 188 (5), HE BECOMES ‘FUNCTUS OFFICIO’ tion 188 (5) of the 1999 constitution. ‘’Section 188 (5) of the Constitution is clear ‘’within seven days of the passing of a motion under the foregoing provisions of this section, the Chief Judge of the state shall, at the request of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, appoint a panel of seven persons who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political party, to investigate the allegation as provided in this section’.

Dr. Tunji Abayomi also shared the same view saying that the impeachment of an elected public officer was a seri-

Bar

Jokes

Chasing a lawyer A man walks into a friend and sees that his friend’s car is total loss and covered with leaves, grass, branches, dirt and blood. He asks his friend, “What’s happened to your car?” “Well,” the friend responded, “I ran into a lawyer”.

“OK,” says the man, “that explains the blood...

But what about the leaves, the grass, the branches and the dirt?” “Well, I had to chase him all through the park.”

Honest opinion Lawyer: “Let me give you my honest opinion.” Client: “No, no. I’m paying for professional advice.”

Jesus died with thief next to him A person is in the hospital and asked his doctor

ous matter and should be approached with all seriousness by the lawmakers.

He stated that neither the legislature nor the CJ could dissolve the panel at this stage saying ‘’once the Chief Judge has appointed the panel under Section 188 (5), he becomes ‘functus officio’, that is he has no further powers on the matter. The lawmakers can only await the report of the panel’’.

In his view, Mr. Mohammed Fawehinmi said ‘’once the CJ has set up such panel, the lawmakers must make representation before the panel and give reason on whoever is on that panel that is not meant to be there. Setting up an

how much time does he have left to live. The doctor did not want to lie so he told him that he wouldn’t make it through the night. So the person calls for his lawyer and asks him to come and sit by his bed. Right before the person dies, the lawyer asks him why did he want him next to him. The dying person replied, “When Jesus died, he had a thief next to him and I want to go the same way.”

One less lawyer An old man was critically ill. Feeling that death was near, he called his lawyer. “I want to become a lawyer. How much is it or the express degree you told me about?” “It’s $50, 000,” the lawyer said. “But why? You’ll be dead soon, why do you want to become a lawyer?” “That’s my business!

Get me the course!” Four days later, the old man got his law degree. His lawyer was at his bedside, making sure his bill would be paid.

Suddenly the old man was racked with fits of coughing and it was clear that this would be the end. Still curious, the lawyer leaned over and said, “Please, before it’s too late, tell me why you wanted to get a law degree so badly before you died?” In a faint whisper, as he breathed his last, the old man said, “One less lawyer . . .”

Culled from Best funny Jokes

impeachment panel is a constitutional provision and once it has been set on motion, it must carry out its duties.

That panel has become an institution.’’

“It needs to be made clear to the legislators that they cannot be the accusers, the prosecutors and the judge in their own case, they must allow the CJ to freely act in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution so that the law would be allowed to rule. “There was no way the Chief Judge could stop the impeachment proceedings which had begun with the inauguration of the panel. So, he chose to allow the process to go on since the court is always there for the aggrieved’’.

It is interesting to suffice that the lawyers were unanimous that the state house of assembly had no power to challenge the competence of the CJ’s choice of whoever he appointed on the panel.

LEGAL TIPS Garnishee proceedings in Nigeria A garnishee proceeding is a judicial process whereby a judgement creditor, who is armed with the judgement of a court, may recover such debt owed by judgement debtor from a third party who, in turn, has an obligation to the judgement debtor. *Thus, there are three parties in garnishee proceedings; the garnishor who is the judgement creditor, the garnishee, who is the third party and the judgement debtor. *For instance, if Mr. A gets a monetary judgement in court against Mr. B and Mr.

B has refused to pay, Mr. A can ask the court to help collect Mr. B’s money from Mr. C who in turn owes Mr. B money. The third person indebted to the judgement debtor is called the garnishee while the judgement creditor is also referred to as the garnishor. *The law governing garnishee proceedings can be found in Rules of Court, the Sheriff and Civil Process Act (SCPA) Cap 407, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and case laws. *Any debt owing to a judgement debtor from any other person

within the jurisdiction of the court can be recovered by the judgement – creditor towards the satisfaction of his judgement by attachment of debts via a garnishee order. *For a debt that is on attachment, it must be due or accruing to the judgement debtor. It must also be a sum certain, examples are, salaries, money in bank account and rent.

Written by Francis Famoroti, Head, Judiciary. We welcome feedback and reactions from readers via our e-mail: nationalmirrorlaw@ yahoo.com

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Law & Justice

Monday September 8, 2014

45

Decree 4: The trial, conviction of two Guardian journalists Thirty years ago, two Guardian newspaper journalists, Tunde Thompson and Nduka Iraboh, were jailed on July 4, 1984 by a military tribunal under Decree No 4 of 1984, promulgated by the Muhammadu Buhari administration. FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary, highlights the issues in the case.

FAMOUS CASES

N

igerian Journalists have not been known to enjoy civil liberties involving Press freedom and freedom of expression under the military regimes. Beginning from the Yakubu Gowon administration when the head of Minere Amakiri of the Bigerian Observer was shaved in the old Rivers State, the Murtala/Obasanjo regime that banned the late Chris Okolie’s Newbreed magazine, to the Buhari/ Babangida administrations, journalists and other media practitioners were placed under one form of repression or the other. Indeed, the memories of successive military regimes often evoked the era of the promulgation of obnoxious decrees and draconian laws made by the junta at the helms of the country’s affairs.

One of such repressive enactments was Decree No 4 of 1984 (Protection Against False Accusation) Decree under which two Guardian journalists, Tunde Thompson and Nduka Iraboh, were tried and convicted. The decree was made by the Gen. Muhammadu Buhari administration which at the time did not hide its disdain for the press. At the inception of his administration, Buhari made no pretentions of his hatred for the press and he backed up the threat with the promulgation of Decree No 4.

Section 1(1) of the decree states that ‘’ Any person who published in any form, whether written or otherwise any message, rumour, report or statement or report which is false in any material particular or which brings or is calculated to bring the Federal Military Government or the government of a state or a public officer to ridicule or disrepute shall be guilty of an offence under this Decree.

Section 3(1) states ‘’in any prosecution for an offence under this decree, the burden of proving that the message, rumour, report or statement which is the subject matter of the charge is true in every material particular shall notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any enactment or rule of law lie or the person charged.’’

The Decree No 4 made it an offence for anyone to accuse a Public officer of the government of any wrong doing, even the allegation is true. Unfortunately, Thompson and Iraboh, who carried stories on diplomatic postings of certain Nigerian envoys, were caught in the web of the military law. The stories one of which had the headline: ‘’Haruna replaces Hannaniya’’ were

Iraboh

Ibru

not denied by Buhari regime neither was the newspaper asked to retract the publication.

Surprisingly, on April 11, 1984, men of the defunct National Security Organisation (NSO) as the security agents were called then came for the journalists and arrested them.They were later taken before a military tribunal headed by Justice Olalere Ayinde and arraigned on charges of falsely accusing public officers of the Federal Government. This was sequel to the summons issued by the Special Military Tribunal.

The summons given to them on June 2, 1984 read: Form 2 Public Officers (Protection Against False Accusation) Decree No. 4 of 1984 summon to accused.

Specifically, under the Buhari regime, the government promulgated the notorious Decree 4 of 1984- Public Officers (Protection against False accusation) Decree 4 of 1984 under which Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor, both of The Guardian newspapers were charged before the tribunal.

Part of the charges reads: “That you, Tunde Thompson, being the Diplomatic correspondent of The Guardian newspapers and Guardian Newspapers Limited, being the publishers of Guardian newspapers, on or about the 31st day of March, 1984, at Rutam House, Isolo, Lagos, Nigeria, published a statement which was false in any material particular, to wit: “11 foreign Missions to be closed” in The Guardian Newspapers edition of 31st March, 1984, published as volume 2 No. 288 and thereby committed an of-

fence contrary to section 1(i) and punishable under section 8(i) of the Public Officers(Protection Against False accusation) Decree No. 4 of 1984.” ‘’That you Tunde Thompson and Nduka Iraboh of the Guardian Newspapers, Limited, Rutam House, Isolo between 31st day of March, 1984 and or about the 1st day of April, 1984 at Rutam House, Isolo in Lagos , did publish ‘’False statement contrary to section 1(1) of the Decree No 4 of 1984.

You are therefore summoned to appear before the Tribunal mentioned above sittingat Federal High Court on the 4th day of June at the hour of 9.a.m in the forenoon to answer the said complaint’’.

Also accused along with the men was their employer, Guardian Newspapers Limited. Under this Decree, the

THE TRIBUNAL ACCORDINGLY SENTENCED

THOMPSON AND IRABOH TO ONE YEAR EACH WITHOUT OPTION OF FINE,

GUARDIAN NEWSPAPERS WAS, HOWEVER, FINED N50, 000

WHILE THE

truth of the published story is not a defence.

The prosecutor in the case who signed the summons was the then Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Chike Offodile (SAN). The journalists and their newspaper were represented by legal luminary, Chief Rotimi Williams (SAN), who led a team of lawyers.

While the trial of the men lasted, the Guardian publisher, Mr Alex Ibru and other top directors of the company, namely, Mr. Lade Bonuola, Dr. Stanley Macebuh and Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, were always at the tribunal.

After two months’ of arguments and counter-arguments at the proceedings before the tribunal, the Chairman, Justice Ayinde on July 4, 1984, found the journalists guilty of the offence.

The tribunal accordingly sentenced Thompson and Iraboh to one year each without option of fine while the Guardian newspapers was however, fined N50, 000. The verdict was a setback for journalism practice in the country as journalists and their media organisations’ engaged in censorships of the news items for fear of being sent to the goal under the repressive decree.

Immediately, a military coup ousted the Buhari/ Tunde Idiagbon regime, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in nationwide broadcast abrogated Decree No 4 of 1984 and ordered the release of the jailed journalists.

He also assured that the media would enjoy a level-playing field in the pursuit of their constitutional role which enjoined them to hold the government accountable to the people in the society.

46

Law & Justice

T

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43

The new President must thread the path of Democracy and Constitutionalism. Internal democracy must be returned to the proceedings NEC, plurality of opinions must be encouraged and promoted. Democracy and Good Governance must be institutionalized.

Other critical areas requiring urgent transformational focus and attention

T

he Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Lawyers in the Media, LIM, has elected new officers to run the affairs of the forum at the Annual General Conference of the NBA in Owerri.

The election which was keenly contested produced the following officers for the association: John Austin

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

DNA evidence overturns 30-year conviction of half brothers

USA wo US men who spent three decades in prison for rape and murder, have been released after DNA evidence proved their innocence.

According to BBC report, mentally disabled half brothers Henry McCollum, 50, and Leon Brown, 46, were convicted in 1984 of raping and killing an 11-year-old girl in North Carolina.

Recently analysed DNA evidence from the crime scene implicated another man, who is in prison for a similar crime.

The court judgement followed an investigation by the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, which tested DNA evidence found at the scene.

The commission found

Monday September 8, 2014

that none could be traced to Mr McCollum or Mr Brown.

The near-naked body of 11-year-old Sabrina Buie was found in 1983 near the town of Red Springs, North Carolina. She had been raped before being killed.

McCollum and Brown, who were 19 and 15 at the time, were picked up by police a few weeks later.

There was no physical evidence connecting them to the crime.

McCollum confessed after five hours of intense questioning, without a lawyer or family member present. His younger brother also signed a confession written by the police.

The two later recanted

their confessions in court, saying they were made under duress. But despite a weak case, the brothers were found guilty and given death sentences.

Brown’s sentence was later reduced to life in prison and his charge reduced to rape, but McCollum remained on death row for three decades.

In the years since their false confessions, McCollum and Brown maintained their innocence and made a number of appeals.

In 2010 the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission took up their case and uncovered evidence the men’s legal team had not been able to obtain.

The evidence found no link between the broth-

ers and the victim, but did implicate Roscoe Artis, 74, who lived close to where the victim’s body was found.

Although he was not a suspect in the original case, Artis was found guilty for the rape and murder of another girl in similar circumstances less than a month after Sabrina Buie’s killing.

After their release, McCollum and Brown, their legal team thanked those who had worked to correct wrongs that occurred under the previous prosecutions “It’s terrifying that our justice system allowed two intellectually disabled children to go to prison for a crime they had nothing to do with, and then to suf-

US President, Barack Obama

fer there for 30 years,” said lawyer Ken Rose.

“It’s impossible to put

into words what these men have been through and how much they have lost.”

Task before the Alegeh-led NBA executives tion provides for 24hrs for such notice?

More worrisome was the fact that there was no accreditation before voting at the last election and this was deliberate. There can be no excuse for failure.

When a process is vitiated or characterised by flaws, fraud or fundamental irregularities, it cannot be cured by excuses. Whether this was done to favour a

particular candidate is of no moment now. The deed, or better called, damage is already done. Our new President definitely must live up to prove these assertions wrong.

Happily enough, this was one of his major campaign promises. The new leadership will do well not to shy away from this important agenda.

It is sufficient to say that

include but not limited to the issue of electronic voting universal lawyers suffrage, that is to say, “One Lawyer, One Vote”.

The delegate system has been highly abused, totally misused and out rightly corrupted, it must be stopped forthwith. My experience at the last delegates’ election in Abuja was particularly worrisome and not palatable.

The leadership of the electoral committee of the NBA pretended and feigned ignorance of what election is all about. Thus the body created huge credibility problem for the product of the exercise.

How does one explain an electoral process in which a candidate is notified of his disqualification a few hours to the election proper when the NBA Constitu-

Unachukwu-Chair man, Mrs Vera Chinwuba-Vice -chairman, Adam Adedimeji-Secretary, Wunmi Obabori-Assistant Secretary, Jude IgbanoiTreasurer, Adelanwa B a m i g b o ye - F i n a n c i a l Secretary, Theodora KioLawson- Welfare Officer, and Francis FamorotiPublicity Secretary.

A statement by LIM

LIM elects new officers chairman-elect, said other Officers are; former NBA Publicity Secretary, Muritala Abdulrasheed and the immediate past Chairman of the Forum, Charles Odenigbo who were elected Ex-Officio members of the Forum.

In his acceptance speech, Unachukwu thanked members of the Forum for the confidence reposed on him and his fellow officers to serve the association at this critical time in its history. He thanked the LIM

former chairman, and his team for keeping the flag of the forum afloat in spite of the challenges they faced in the last three years.

Unachukwu promised to consolidate on the success recorded by his pre-

the welfare of members of the Bar particularly the junior and young members must occupy the priority attention of the new leadership. Otherwise, to keep the association together in the near future may pose a serious challenge.

Mr. Olugbade, Chairman of NBA Ikere- Ekiti branch writes from Ekiti State

decessors in office and pledged to co-operate with the leadership of the NBA to achieve the aims and objectives of the founding fathers of LIM for the overall interest, welfare and well being of its members.

I didn’t sleep the whole night - Funke Adekoya

I

did my youth service in Kaduna and was posted to a private chambers. Immediately I got into the chambers my principal said ‘you have been called to the Bar’. I said yes sir about two weeks ago’. He said go and read this file, we are going to interview the client. I read the file;

it was an undefended divorce petition.

When the client came, my principal conducted the interview and I took down the questions. He said you will handle the matter tomorrow and left.

I didn’t sleep the whole night, the following day I went to the court. I went through the process and

I thought I had finished.

But, the Judge said from my records I don’t see any evidence that they have ever lived together after they got married.

There was no cohabitation; I had forgotten to ask where they lived after they got married.

I quickly jumped up from my seat saying ‘I

am sorry my Lord’. I then asked her where they lived after they got married and how long they stayed together. I was not frightened but I was excited. So I didn’t sleep the whole night, I was busy reading the file and writing points down but I forgot the most important points .

Adekoya

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday September 8, 2014

THE ADVOCATE OLUGBEMI FATULA

08037213732 (sms only) E-mail: afribic@yahoo.com

Dichotomy between Common Law, Equity

O

riginally, there was no court of Equity. Actions were commenced in any of the Common Law courts (King’s Bench, Common pleas and Exchequer). And this was by the issue of writ under the Seal of the Chancellor, the keeper of the Great Seal. The early Chancellor was more connected with the executive arm of government than the judiciary. His official position as the King’s First Secretary and Keeper of the Great Seal was what made him assume the responsibility for issuing the royal writs which began an action at law.

Each different kind of action had its own writ often with its own special procedure. And a plaintiff could only succeed if and only if some writs provided a formula to fit his case. As for novel cases not covered by existing writs, the Chancery was empowered to provide new writs. But this power was severely restricted by the Provisions of Oxford 1258 in which the Chancellor was restrained from either issuing a new writ for a new cause of action or adapting an existing writ to accommodate a new cause of action without the consent of the king and his Council.

The result of this was to stunt the growth of the writ system, leaving many cases without remedy and inflicting great hardship on the litigants.

The Statute of West Minister 11, 1285 did little or nothing to ameliorate

this hardship. Due to this hardship, injustice and the fact that even where Common Law purported to give remedies such remedies were inadequate, by the end of the 13th Century litigants who hard vainly sought the assistance of the Common Law courts turned their petition to the king as the fountain of justice. These petitions were at first heard by the King’s Council of which the Chancellor was an important member.

As the petitions became numerous, responsibility of dealing with them was transferred to the Chancellor alone and thus was laid the foundation of the Chancellor’s future Judicial power. There gradually came into existence the court of Chancery in which the Chancellor acting independently of the king’s Council sat as a judge administering a system of justice called Equity.

The jurisdiction of the Chancery in granting reliefs to the various petitions was based on reason, conscience and fairness in the administration of justice. The early Chancellors were non lawyers but mostly church men vast in both the Canon and the Roman laws so that the justice of the Chancery was said to vary according to the sense of justice, conscience and reason of each Chancellor. After the end of the 17th Century only lawyers were appointed to the office and by the time of

THE EARLY CHANCELLOR WAS MORE CONNECTED WITH THE EXECUTIVE ARM OF GOVERNMENT THAN THE JUDICIARY

Lord Ellesmere, Equity began to develop into a code of principles. The work of Lord Nottingham (1673-1682) helped systematized the rules so that by the time Lord Eldom retired in 1827 the rules of Equity were as well settled as those of Common Law. In the cause of time as various subsidiary officials were appointed to assist the Chancellor, a system of appeal developed.

Opposition to the extra-ordinary jurisdiction of the Chancery began both from the Parliament and the Common Law courts particularly as the Decree of the Chancellor often conflict with judgment obtained at Common Law. A party that had lost his case at Common Law could obtain in Chancery a Common injunction forbidding his opponent from executing the Common Law judgment.

The decision, rather than solve the problem increased the hostility between officials of both system. Moreover, existence of two separate systems of court only increased the hardship of litigants and makes litigation very expensive. Attempts to reduce tension, achieve unification and ameliorate the hardship were made culminating in the setting up of the Royal Commission whose recommendations were substantially enacted as the Judicature Act 18731875.

By the Judicature Act 1873-75, the superior courts of law and equity were united into one Supreme Court, divided into a High Court and Court of Appeal. The High Court of Justice consists of three divisions, the Kings Bench Division, the Chancery Division, and the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division. These however are only divisions of one court, the High Court, and not separate courts having distinct Jurisdiction. Each division of the High Court has the same jurisdiction and can therefore enforce both legal and equitable rights and give both legal and equitable remedies.

Law & Justice

47

Event

Former President, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN, and the immediate past Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS, Prof. Epiphany Azinge SAN, at the 54th Annual General Conference of the NBA in Owerri, Imo State, recently.

L-R NBA President, Mr. Augustine Alegeh SAN, Mallam Yusuf Ali SAN, and Mr. Daudu SAN, at the event.

L-R Immediate past president, NBA, Mr. Okey Wali SAN, Imo State Governor, Mr. Rochas Okorocha, and former head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd).

Attorney- General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (left), SAN, and Speaker, House of Representatives, Malam Aminu Tambuwal.

48 48

National Mirror National Mirror Friday 1, 2014 MondayAugust September 8, 2014 www.nationalmirroronline.net www.nationalmirroronline.net

Community Mirror We knew there were no resources though the state sits on some vast opportunities which remained untapped. Our people needed quality leadership to galvanise them into action and make them see the opportunities.

OSUN STATE GOVERNOR- RAUF AREGBESOLA

Nigerians urged to embrace community policing DARE AKOGUN

T

he Commander, Area E Command of the Nigeria Police in Festac Town, ACP Dan Okoro, has urged Nigerians to embrace community policing to secure their environment.

Okoro gave the advice in Lagos during the quarterly general meeting and election of the Festac Town Residents Association.

He said the obligation

of ensuring the safety of a community rests with everyone and not just the police.

According to him, community policing involves residents being conscious of what is happening around their environment and reporting abnormalities to the police.

He urged landlords to be mindful of the tenants they harbour in their houses, while tenants should to be mindful of landlords they rent accomodation from to

check wrong doings.

He said, ‘’If you notice that the mechanic in your area is in the habit of dismantling car tanks and fixing another, please report to the police, because it might be a way of installing bombs in a car.

When your guard, cook or messenger is working more than expected, he may be an agent of insecurity.

With that you are not doing any good to the police, but to yourself. The secu-

People walking on the pavement of flooded Ojo Giwa Street on Lagos Island.

rity of this country has changed, be very mindful and careful of your children, siblings, friends and neighbours,’’ he said.

He said that residents of Festac Town were at advantage with the Area Commander’s office situated in the community.

According to him, there was high rate of crimes in Festac Town when he assumed office, even as many youths were into criminal activities, but he ensured that crimes were

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Cleric pleads for physically-challenged persons KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

A

cleric, Prophet Moses Muyideen Kasalli, has charged parents and the public not to see physically-challenged persons as outcasts who cannot make positive impact in the social and economic development of the country.

Kasali, who is the General Overseer of Hour of Mercy Prayer Ministry, gave the charge in Ibadan while playing host to some physically challenged persons.

The cleric, who is also physically challenged, said there is need for parents and the society to change their perception about disabled persons, and accord them due recognition and respect.

He also enjoined the physically challenged not to see their disability as hindrance to greatness in life, but rather see ability in their disability.

Kasali called on them to shun street begging and to develop their talents so as to become respectable and responsible people in the society.

He specifically re-

ferred to Barrister Ayodele Adekanbi who is visually impaired but had the opportunity to serve as Special Adviser on People with Disabilities in the administration of former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.

He added that Adekanbi was also at the just concluded National Conference, where he represented the physically challenged.

He then called on governments at all levels and public spirited individuals to come to the aid of the less privileged, in form of financial and

material assistance and by donating wheel chairs, crutches, food items among others.

Founder of the centre, Evangelist Veronica Odusina , called on well to do in the society and governments to aid the less privileged by donating to the centre.

During the visit there were praise and worship, music ministration and drama presentation which climaxed with the presentation of clothing materials and cash donation to the visitors by wife of the prophet, Lady Evangelist Bunmi Kasali.

curbed.

He said with these efforts, the command has received awards from the Presidency and countries in West Africa.

‘’The Nigerian Police is tremendously working in Festac Town and the residents should understand what the police are doing,’’ the ACP stated.

Council boss urges youths to obtain voter cards

C

hairman of Itire/ Ikate local council development area of Lagos State, Hakeem Adisa Bamigbola, has advised youths in Lagos Central Senatorial zone to obtain their permanent voter cards when the exercise begins, to enable them participate in the 2015 general elections.

He gave the advice when members of the All Progressive Congress,APC, organised a sensitisation tour in the local government headquarters at Ijeshatedo.

According to him, youths constitute 70 percent of the electorate and as such should be encouraged to obtain their voter cards to enable them effect the change needed to move the country forward.

The council boss recalled that before the present democratic dispensation in 1999, people in the council area found it difficult to access health care services, good schools , roads and other basic social amenities, even as he attributed the successes recorded by his administration to prudent management of resources.

While commending them for their steadfastness and commitment to the development of the state, Bamigbola promised to liaise with all the 13 local government chairmen in the senatorial zone to ensure that the youths are adequately empowered through the various vocational training.

Our intervention cuts across all facets of life - SURE-P FRANCIS SUBERU

T

he committee on Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, has reiterated the functionality and importance of the programme in the country, saying its interventions cuts across all facets of life.

A committee member, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said that SUREP’s intervention is especially targeted at wealth and job creation for Nigerians.

He said; “we do a whole lot of things especially wealth and job creation. We are all aware that unemployment rate in the country is

very high and as such, we try to train our youths in all the 36 states of the federation on skills acquisition to make them employable.

“SURE-P programmes are implemented through Project Implementation Units, PIU, that have overall responsibility for management of funded projects.

The PIUs are located in the respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs which original mandates are similar to that of the PIU and the staff are drawn largely from the host MDAs, but may also include private sector personnel with relevant skills and experience.”

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

I will be making a decision around probably after the first of the year about whether I am going to run again or not.

–Former US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton

Al-Shabaab appoints new leader after US strike kills Godane PAUL ARHEWE

S

Al-Shabaab fighters want to overthrow the UN-backed Somali government

Shabaab themselves confirmed the death of Godane.

Earlier on Saturday, Somali National Security Minister Kalif Ahmed Ereg told reporters: “Security agencies have obtained information indicating that al-Shabaab is now planning to carry out desperate attacks against medical facilities, education centres and other government facilities.”

Ereg “congratulated the Somali people” on Godane’s death,

adding: “The security forces are ready to counter their attacks and we call on people to help the security forces in standing against violent acts.”

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud issued a statement on Friday urging militants to embrace peace after the death of their leader.

He announced a 45-day amnesty for militants who were willing to renounce the group.

Godane was one of the US state department’s most wanted men.

The US has supported the African Union (AU) force that has driven al-Shabaab out of the capital Mogadishu and other towns since 2011.

The al-Qaeda-linked fighters want to overthrow the UN-backed Somali government and frequently attack government targets as well as neighbouring countries that provide troops to the AU force.

Obama to set out US offensive against ISIS

U

S President Barack Obama is to set out his “game plan” against Islamic State militants in a speech on Wednesday.

Obama told NBC TV the US would degrade IS, shrink its territory and “defeat them”.

He was criticised last month for saying “we don’t have a strategy yet” when asked about IS dur-

ing a briefing.

The US expanded its operations yesterday, carrying out air strikes on IS for the first time in western Iraq, to defend Iraqi troops at Haditha dam.

Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Obama said: “I’m preparing the country to make sure that we deal with a threat from Isil.”

IS, also often referred to as

IS fighters have taken large swathes of Iraq and Syria.

Isil or Isis, has taken over large swathes of Iraq and Syria in recent months, declaring the land it holds a “caliphate”.

Obama went on: “On Wednesday, I’ll make a speech and describe what our game plan’s going to be going forward.”

He said he would “start going on some offense” against IS. But the strategy was “not going to be an announcement about US ground troops”, he added.

He said: “This is not the equivalent of the Iraq war. What this is, is similar to the kinds of counterterrorism campaigns that we’ve been engaging in consistently over the last five, six, seven years.

“I just want the American people to understand the nature of the threat and how we’re going to deal with it and to have confidence that we’ll be able to deal with it.”

Obama said the strategy would not involve the US alone but

Ebola vaccine works on monkey, needs booster –Study New monkey studies show that one shot of an experimental Ebola vaccine can trigger fast protection, but the effect waned unless the animals got a booster shot made a different way.

Some healthy people are rolling up their sleeves at the National Institutes of Health for the first human safety study of this vaccine in hopes it eventually might be used in the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

The NIH yesterday published some of the key animal research behind those injections. One reason the vaccine was deemed promising was that a single dose protected all four vaccinated monkeys when they were exposed to high levels of Ebola virus just five weeks later, researchers reported in the journal Nature Medicine.

WITH AGENCY REPORT

omalia’s Islamist group alShabaab has named Ahmad Umar as successor to former leader Ahmed Abdi Godane, who was killed in a US air strike.

The group announced the move in an online statement, vowing to take revenge for Godane’s death.

Somalia’s authorities earlier put the country on alert for possible retaliatory attacks by alShabaab.

The alert came as the US confirmed the death of Godane in air strikes south of Mogadishu on Monday night.

Little is known about Ahmad Umar, who is also known as Abu Ubaidah.

In a statement, al-Shabaab also warned: “Avenging the death of our scholars and leaders is a binding obligation on our shoulders that we will never relinquish nor forget no matter how long it takes.”

“By the permission of Allah, you will surely taste the bitter consequences of your actions.”

The announcement of the new leader came just minutes after al-

WORLD BULLETIN

would be one pursued by an international coalition.

He said: “We are going to be able to not just blunt the momentum of Isil. We are going to systematically degrade their capabilities. We’re going to shrink the territory that they control. And ultimately we’re going to defeat them.”

The interview was conducted on Saturday, shortly after Obama returned from the NATO summit in Wales, where the grouping agreed to take on IS. Obama made his “no strategy” comment last month when asked whether he needed Congress’s approval to “go into Syria”.

BBC North America editor Jon Sopel says that while it showed how complex the situation in the region was, it also showed the extreme wariness of the president to unilaterally start military action when it was not clear where it would end.

Force only option against renegade general – Lesotho’s army head Lesotho’s army commander said yesterday that military action was now the only option against a general accused of masterminding an attempted coup, and appealed to neighbouring states for assistance.

Lieutenant General Maaparankoe Mahao told in a telephone interview from Maseru, capital of the tiny Southern African nation, that efforts to negotiate with the renegade general after the coup bid had failed.

Tlali Kamoli, who was removed from his post as army chief by Prime Minister Tom Thabane a little over a week ago, has refused to step down.

Shelling kills woman despite Ukraine’s truce A woman died and at least four people were wounded when fighting flared again in eastern Ukraine overnight into yesterday, jeopardizing a ceasefire struck less than two days earlier between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists.

The accord, brokered by envoys from Ukraine, the separatist leadership, Russia and Europe’s OSCE security watchdog, is part of a peace plan intended to end a five-month conflict that has killed nearly 3,000 people and caused the sharpest confrontation between Russia and the West since the Cold War.

50

North

Monday, September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2015: I don’t want Sambo’s seat –Shema

…urges states to conduct LG polls JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

A

head of the 2015 general polls, the Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, has again denied interest in taking over Vice President Namadi Sambo’s seat.

Shema, who was fielding questions from reporters on several issues, said report that he was interested in the Vice Presidency remained an insinuation devoid of fact.

He said he was not known to be forward in showing interest in any position, and that all he wanted was to serve the people to the best of his ability wher-

ever he finds himself.

He insisted that reports that he was interested in taking over Sambo’s position and possibly getting to contest in the 2015 general elections alongside President Goodluck Jonathan was the effort of political jobbers.

He pointed out that he had never seriously thought about publications on the issue, hence he had not responded to any such report.

“Insinuation is close to fiction. It is not for me to replace anybody or be in a certain position except what God wills.

“Anybody in Katsina will tell you that I have not been

known to be crazy about position. I came to be governor of Katsina State by the special grace of God, through the votes I received from the people and through the help of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

“Whether I’m interested in this or that is not the issue. Whatever God desires for you would be. What would not be, would not be.

“For the position of Senate or vice president or any position for that matter; it entirely and absolutely belongs to God Almighty.

I didn’t bring myself to where I am; neither did Namadi or any public office holder.

“Yes, political jobbers

go and say ‘Shema is interested in this, this governor is interested in that’. That is how they feed. They have to collect money from gullible politicians when they set one against the other.

“But have you heard me talk about such a thing on the pages of newspapers?

Sometimes people publish rubbish about whether I want to be vice president or not. Have you ever heard me respond or reply?

“I still believe that God holds all power and authority and gives it to whomever he wills when he desires and how he desires, and nobody can change the course of this,” he posited.

Meanwhile, the gover-

nor has called on states of the federation yet to conduct Local Government elections to do so as a mark of respect for the country’s Constitution.

Shema stated this at a dinner organised by the state government in honour of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions, FORISCON, which was held at the state’s Presidential Banquet hall.

Shema said with the concluded council polls, the state’s Independent Electoral Commission, KTSIEC, had “demonstrated capacity to conduct free and fair elections” in the state.

He said turnout of eligible voters during the elections across the 34 council areas had shown that democracy is working in the state.

He said the state has rich history of democratic activities due to the resultoriented policies and programmes initiated to better the living condition of the people.

The FORSICON chairman, Justice Fatai Afolabi, commended KTSIEC for successfully conducting the just concluded local government elections, with hope that KTSIEC would conduct future exercises in similar peaceful and orderly manner.

Afolabi said the forum’s visit to the state was part of its practice to tap experiences in conducting elections.

The FORSIECON’s secretary, Dr. Hannatu Usman, said a total of 28 SIECs were in the state as observers for last Saturday’s local government elections.

Al-Makura pledges to end strikes in schools IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

G Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima with some Internally Displaced Persons at a camp in Maiduguri during his visit on Saturday

Kogi NSCDC uncovers illegal refinery, nabs suspect WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

K

ogi State command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has uncovered fresh illegal refinery in the state, razed it down and arrested a suspected operator.

The State Commandant of NSCDC, Adesuyi Dayo Clement, who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen at the weekend in Lokoja, stated that the command would not fold its hands and allow pipeline vandals to destroy the nation’s economy.

Clement said operatives of NSCDC got the information of the illegal refinery at Asusi, Okene local government area of the state through intelligence gathering, following the com-

mand’s deployment of operatives in the last two weeks to survey the area.

To the consternation of the state commandant who led the operation, a total of 65 drums of petrol and diesel already refined were found at the refinery, noting that one person was arrested in connection with the incident while other suspects ran away with various degree of injuries after the gun battle with men of the command.

He said the vandals had

Gov Idris Wada

perfected their strategies to continue to siphon crude oil to their illegal refinery at Asusi, stressing that they had long pipe, pipe blade to mix the petrol and diesel together.

The commandant added that the vandals also creat-

ed various departments in their illegal business with a canteen to keep food.

Clement stated that the Kogi NSCDC is battle ready to continue to foil the activities of economic saboteurs and illegal refineries in the state.

overnor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has assured that his administration will remain committed to the adoption of measures that will minimise recurring strikes in the future among state governmentowned schools.

The governor, however, sought the empathy of all categories of workers in the state when making their demands given that his administration has kept faith with all workers in terms of their emoluments.

He disclosed this in Lafia during the maiden convocation ceremony of the state polytechnic, Lafia.

The polytechnic, since its inception about a decade and half ago, has graduated

12 sets of students without organising a single convocation.

This development, according to the governor, “has a telling effect on the morale of the teeming graduands in their educational endeavours.

“By extension, it also impacts poorly on the reputation of the institution in the eyes of the outside world,” he observed.

He commended the governing council, academic board, management and staff of the institution for the achievement in the short period of their appointment.

To show the level of government commitment to the development of the polytechnic, Al-Makura assured the gathering that all the remaining 15 courses will be accredited before the end of this year.

PDP wins Niger-East bye-election PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

I

n a final vote collated and announced Saturday night for the Niger East bye-election, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Shem Nuhu Zagbayi, has emerged the winner.

While Zagbayi polled 92,056 votes, APC’s David Umaru got 87,405 votes,

APGA’s Isah Bello earned 2,185 votes and SDP’s Abdullahi Shuaibu Dikko got 491 votes.

Announcing the results at the state College of Education, Minna, the returning officer, Prof Morenikeji Oluwole, said of the entire votes cast, 182,137 were valid and 8,042 were invalid, totaling 190,179.

According to him, in all no fewer than 949,851 vot-

ers were registered, out of which only 205,765 voters were accredited for the election, an indication that less than 25 percent registered voters voted.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Dr. Muazu Aliyu, said he has dedicated the victory of the PDP in the Niger East Senatorial bye-election to the people of the state.

He expressed satisfaction over the conduct and out-

come of the election, saying despite the use of thugs, a level playing ground was the major characteristic of the entire process.

Aliyu however charged the senator-elect to pursue and consolidate on all the legislative agenda of the late Senator Kuta, adding that the late lawmaker had already set the stage for the benefit of the state and indeed the entire country.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Monday, September 8, 2014

51

Ekiti carpets PDP over spurious allegations OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

E

kiti State government has reacted to the spurious allegations being made by the state’s Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Chief Dipo Anisulowo, chairman of the transition committee put in place by governorelect, Mr Ayodele Fayose, describing their outbursts

...says party and transition committee starting on a faulty note as highly irresponsible and infantile in nature.

The media have been awash, in the last two weeks, with unfounded stories of allegations of shady deals levelled against the incumbent administration, ranging from last minute recruitment of workers, to panicky withdrawal of funds, among others.

The state government, in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to Governor Kayode Fayemi, Yinka Oyebode, in Ado-Ekiti yesterday said that no responsible party or transition committee would make such malicious allegations against the incumbent administration, especially when such

claims are unfounded.

It said that the Fayemi administration has run the affairs of the state in the last four years with utmost regard for public accountability and fiscal responsibility laws, a development that has earned the state accolades from relevant authorities and rating organisations both locally and globally.

L-R: Former National Vice Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, South-West zone, Oba Olatunji; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Joke Orelope-Adefulire; APC National Vice-Chairman, South West zone, Chief Pius Akinyelure, and Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, during the APC South West Assembly in Ibadan, recently.

PHOTO: NAN

Osun LP factions trade words over NEC meeting invitation BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

O

ne of the factions in the leadership tussle that has dogged Osun State Labour Party, LP, yesterday declared that the national leadership of the party had recognised it.

Since February, the LP had been in crises with three different groups laying claim to its leadership, leading to several cases

instituted by the parties involved in the matter, pending before different courts in the state.

Although momentary respite came for LP, when one of those involved in the leadership crises, Chief Daniel Afilaka, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, few days to the August 9 governorship election, however, a leader of one of the factions in the tussle, Comrade Rufus Oyatoro, is still pressing

ahead with the matter before Federal High Court, Osogbo, challenging the faction of LP loyal to Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, the party’s standard bearer in the governorship poll.

But the faction, which presented the governorship candidate that ran on the platform of LP at the last governorship poll, led by Barr Timothy Olatunji, while speaking in an exclusive chat with National Mirror yesterday in

Osogbo, declared that he has been invited to the National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of the LP holding this week in Abuja.

When contacted, the factional chairman of LP, Oyatoro, who insisted he remains the only recognised chairman of the party, added that his position was affirmed by the court and that until a contrary ruling, his position was not under threat, even if shunned by LP national leadership.

Senate needs people with skill, panache, conviction –Adeniran ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

F

ormer Education Minister, Professor Tunde Adeniran, has said that the Senate requires sensitive men and women of integrity, public service experience and development dynamics to be effective and serve the people’s interest.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain said: “The Senate requires people with skill, panache and conviction. It is an apex legislative house that demands soberness, se-

renity and determination propelled by deep humanity and breadth of vision capable of inspiring others to action.”

Speaking at the Ekiti State PDP Secretariat, Ado Ekiti at the weekend while submitting his letter of intent to contest as senator representing Ekiti North, Adeniran expressed conviction that he would offer effective representation if given the mandate.

He said that he was offering himself to “give a new value and definition to our national politics.”

Saying that local com-

munities, the state and the country can only develop and the people get what they deserve from government when their mandate is carried with responsibility and committed to effective representation, Adeniran added that with the right people in place, the country’s socio-economic and political opportunities and visions of good life, a peaceful and developed nation would be turned into reality.

He lamented that “it has been a history of hope and tales ranging from ineffective representation due to

inadequate comprehension of the roles of the legislature to gross abuse of power deriving from patent disregard for the tenets of democracy,” in the country.

State PDP chairman, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, lauded Adeniran’s contributions to the party in the state and as a Board of Trustees, BoT, member, describing him as a father to the party and assured that the party would present credible and quality candidates who would emerge through transparent process for all positions for the 2015 General Elections.

Oyebode said: “Having built a reputation of service and integrity over the years, nothing - not even a controversial loss in an election - would make us go back on this path of honour. Neither are we going to succumb to cheap and infantile blackmail.”

Saying that the PDP allegations are not only wicked, reckless and malicious, the statement added that it was a calculated attempt to tarnish the reputation of the current administration and an anticipatory excuse for lack of performance when the new government gets into office.

Oyebode challenged the PDP to mention the banks where the alleged illegal movement of funds took place and explain where the so called 3,000 workers were recruited illegally, adding that the establishment of 19 LCDAs went through a due process that culminated in the law passed by the state Assembly, stressing that the incoming government could annul the new councils by simply going through the lay down procedure if it so desired.

The statement added that the delay in the payment of August salary of workers, the first of its kind in the life of the administration, was occasioned by the panic created by the governor-elect in financial institutions dealing with the state, which has made overdraft facility non-available.

He said: “Having started well on the path of honour and credibility, we intend to end well by ensuring that all projects and programmes of the administration are fully actualised in a honest and responsible way that has been the hallmark of our administration.

“Having built a reputation of credibility and excellent service delivery, loads of lies and campaign of calumny by the PDP cannot distract us.

“Our concern is that the PDP by its infantile attitude would cause the incoming administration to start on a faulty note, because our people, having seen through their lies, would tag the incoming administration as one that lacks integrity and credibility.”

‘APC ‘ll support credible candidate for Delta 2015’ THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

A

ll Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State has said the party is not in support of the current clamour for power shift, saying that it is more interested in an acceptable candidate that will take the state to higher grounds.

State APC secretary, Mr. Chidi Okonji, gave the hint while speaking with journalists in Asaba, the state capital, maintaining that the party’s primary concern was to search for that winning candidate who has what it takes to take the state to a higher level, insisting that ethnic origin is in the suburbs of the party’s strategy for the governorship race.

While dismissing the clamour for power shift in 2015 by the Anioma people of Delta North senatorial district, Okonji posited that the governorship candidate would come from anywhere irrespective of the

ethnic group or district.

He disclosed that so far, the Director of Lagos Business School, Prof. Pat Utomi, former running mate to Chief Great Ogboru in the 2011 governorship election, Chief Fidelis Tilijie and Olorogun Emerhor Otega have indicated interest to seek the party’s ticket for the contest.

Okonji said: “The APC in Delta believes in internal democracy. APC is not talking of rotation. The party is looking for that man who is accessible and can win the governorship election and solve the problems of the state. We are not saying that power must go to Delta North, Central or South. The constitution of APC is very clear. Everybody should contest. Whoever emerges will pick the ticket.”

He maintained that it is only one person that will emerge through a primary which he assured will be free and fair, adding that the party strongly believes in internal democracy.

52

Monday, September 8 , 2014

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okolie Oluchi Augustina, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Obodozie Oluchi Augustina. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

DECLARATION OF AGE

This is to confirm that Mr. Glory Uriri Eyimosa was born on 23rd of January 1970 at Orhehre-Agbarho. All other dates were made in error and therefore invalid.

All former documents remain valid. Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NNABUGWU: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Nnabugwu Nkoli Faith, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alphonsor Nkoli Faith Ukamaka. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

GBUUGA: Formerly known and called Miss Maudlyn Mimidoo Gbuuga, now wish to be known and address as Mrs. Maudlyn Mimidoo Anumeh. All other documents remain valid.Constituted authorities and the general public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Mr Oladele, now wish to be known and addressed as Ayodeji Oluwashola Lawrence and family wife and children. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Chani-Mark Fulani Agnes, now wish to be known and addressed as Hall Fulani Agnes. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OMIRIN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Omirin Olayemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oluwafemi Olayemi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ANYANWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Anyanwu Happiness Chinagorom now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Happiness Chinagorom Okon .All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

PAUL: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Charity Paul, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Charity Daniel. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWAOGU: formerly known as Miss Cordelia Chinyere Nwaogu, now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs. Cordelia Chinyere Onyedimma. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ENYIDEDEYA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Enyidedeya Oluchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ebiloma Achenyo Oluchi. All former documents remain valid. Nigerian Airforce and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that Friday Silas and Friday Silas Bungon refer as one person but now wish to be known and address as Friday Silas Bungon. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

OLUSEGUN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Olusegun Adebanke Blessing, now wish to be known and address as Mrs. Adara Adebanke Blessing. All documents bearing my former surname remain valid.

General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OGUNTOLU: Formerly known and addressed as Oguntolu Temitope Success, now wish to be known and addressed as Aliu Temitope Success. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

KASALI: Formerly known and addressed as Olayemi Omotayo Kasali, now wish to be known and addressed as Olayemi Omotayo lshola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ABARA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akam Augustine Abara, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akam Sylvanus Daniel. National Association Of Nigeria Nurses And Midwives (NANNM) and general public take note

FATOKE: Formerly known and addressed as Fatoke Helen Funmilola, Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogunmola Helen Funmilola. All formal documents remain valid. Teaching Services Commission, Ado Ekiti and general public note.

CHANGE OF NAME

KASALI: Formerly know and addressed as Abdullahi Oluwadamilola Kasali, now wish to be known and addressed as Abdullahi Oluwadamilola Ishola.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

DINA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Dina Adetutu Oluwaseun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alawode Adetutu Oluwaseun.All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OGHENEREKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Agatha Efe Ezugo Oghenereke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odogu Agatha. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Osunjimi Tobiloba now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Malomo Tobiloba Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

GEORGE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adejumoke Ifeoluwa George hereby wish to change my name to Mrs Adejumoke Ifeoluwa Ayodele. All former documents remain valid. General public take notice

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that Taiwo Olalekan is the same one person as Taiwo Olalekan Oyinloye, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Taiwo Olalekan Oyinloye. All former documents remain valid, WAEC, Osun State Polytechnic,Iree and general public should please take note.

This is to confirm that Yekeen Morufat is the same one person as Yekeen Morufat Olaitan, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as Yekeen Morufat Olaitan. All former documents remain valid, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

1X1 CLASSIFIED ADVERT SPACE

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Odunayo Ojo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olowofela Ileasanmi Odunayo.All former documents remain valid . General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWANKWO: Formerly known and addressed as Nwankwo Chiamaka Chinaza, now wish to be called as Onyebuchi Chiamaka Chinaza. All former documents remain valid. The general public to please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Hosful Dorothy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Hosful Dorothy Ihunnaya. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

UGWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugwu Elizabeth Obiageli, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ugwuowo Elizabeth Obiageli.

All former documents remain valid.

PPSMB, Enugu State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEBIYI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebiyi Deborah Titilade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Agbaje Deborah Titilade. All former documents remain valid.General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

ONANUGA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onanuga Titilope Eta Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adesanya Titilope Esther. All former document remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEBAYO: Formerly known and addreseed as Miss Adebayo Florence Tinuade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Amao Florence Tinuade. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

1X2 ADVERT SPACE

CHANGE OF NAME

AGBOOLA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Agboola Oluwabukunmi Florence, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Agboola Temilola Oluwabukunmi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF NAME

BABAFEMI: Formerly known and addressed as Adedoyin Adenike Babafemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Adedoyin Adenike Ihejeto.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

KAYODE: formerly known and addressed as Kayode Olajumoke Folasade, now wish to be known and addressed as Ogunsanwo Olajumoke Folasade. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

KALU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ndubunma Obin Kalu, now wish to be known and addressed as Ndubunma Eke Imaga. All former documents remain valid. Federal Medical Centre Makurdi and the general public to please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OPARAORIAKU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oparaoriaku Lovelyn Ijeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lovelyn Ijeoma Ozor Matthew.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

AMANTU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Amantu Maureen Chizoba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Egesi Maureen Chizoba. All former documents remain valid. ESUT, NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

MICHAEL: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Michael Mary Mojisola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adekunle Mary Mojisola. All former documents remain valid.General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

GEORGE-EHUMADU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss GeorgeEhumadu Adaku Joy Chibuzor now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adepoju-Emmanuel Joy Adaku Chibuzor all former document remain valid. M.L.S.C.N and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

FASELUKA: Formerly known and addressed as Faseluka Olabisi Adeola, now wish to be known and addressed as Adebayo Olabisi Adeola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

SOLUEKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Solueke Ogoamaka Maryann, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Obiatuegwu Ogoamaka Maryann. All former documents remain valid. Fed Poly Nekede, NYSC and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

VEL FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNITY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.

YENDEL OCHA KPELING MINISTRY

The above-named foundation has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

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 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Chukwudi Kanu-Oji 2. Joshua Ogbonnaya 3. Pastor Ade Washington Olaleye 4. Ikechukwu Victor Njoku

- President.

- Secretary.

- Member.

- Member.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. Promotion of entrepreneurship amongst Youths.

2. Organising capacity building Initiatives on topical Issues for youths.

3. Liaising with relevant Public Agencies, Corporate Firms and Individuals to Promote youth entrepreneurship.

4. To affiliate with relevant associations nationally and internationally.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar – General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pst. Ferdinand N. Shing 2. Mrs. Susan Janfa 3. Mrs. Esther Akinbo 4. Miss Manko Mirigazhi 5. Mrs. Miner Sally Alice THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. Total reaching to widows in all aspect of life by providing comfort and relieve through biblical scriptures 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: S.S. OBENDE

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

KASALI: Formerly known and addressed as Abolade Tawab Kasali, now wish to be known and addressed as Abolade Tawab Ishola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

SUNDAY: Formerly known and addressed as Isah Saibu Sunday, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Martins Sediq Isah.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

NWADOZIE: Formerly known and addressed as Philomina Nkem Nwadozie, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Stephanie Nkem Martins. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

CHANGE OF NAME

MUIBI: Formerly called and addressed as Miss Muibi Nafisat Omoshalewa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ashiru Nafisat Omoshalewa. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, Charles C. Obidiegwu hereby informs the general public that I lost land documents that bears Karachi Nnenna Obidiegwu. Original offers of Statutory Right of Occupancy in respect of plot No.1769 Cadastral Zone E02 Karshi District. I was in transit, when the documents got lost in Abuja, all effort made to trace the missing documents proved abortive.

Signed: Charles C. Obidiegwu

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ANENE: Formerly known and addressed as Anene Blessing Ogochukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Nwokoye Chinelo Nkechinyere. All former documents remain valid. Women Dignity Restoration and Relief Initiative (WDRRI), Corporate Affairs Commission, (CAC) and general public take note.

OBETTA: Formerly known and called Mrs Ladi Ene Obetta, now wish to be called and addressed as Ms Ladi Ene Garba. All former documents remain valid. The Keystone Bank and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

AGBOOLA: Formerly known and addressed as Agboola Fadeke Cecilia, Now wish to be known and addressed as Akinwowo Fadeke Cecilia. All other documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONWUEGBULAM: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chimeruo Onwuegbulam, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chimeruo Uzor. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EKWEDIKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adline Ifeoma Ekwedike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ekpete Adline Ifeoma. All former documents remain valid. Aninri Local Government Enugu and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EGBEOLOWO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Egbeolowo Kuburat Oritoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Abolanle Kuburat Oritoke. All former documents remain valid; general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AKINYEMI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinyemi Oluwadamilola Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ismaila Oluwadamilola Adenike.

All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Omolua Adebola Omoyeni, now wish to be known and Addressed as Mrs. Obafemi-Lawal Adebola Omoyeni. All other documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWASOR: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwasor Nwadinma Jane, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uchendu Nwadinma Jane. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

IHEUKO: Formerly known and addressed as Iheuko Martin Onyebuchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Ojinimee Martin Onyebuchi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEKUNLE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adekunle Mercy Aderonke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oladapo Mercy Aderonke. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force, The Polytechnic, Ibadan and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EJIMS: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Theresa Nkemjika Ejims, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Theresa Nkemjika Ajise. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

THOMAS: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Angela Orejoke Thomas, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Angela Orejoke Jibodu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AZIKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Azike Ijeoma Doris, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nnabuihe Ijeoma Doris. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

KASALI: Formerly known and addressed as Islamiyah Oluwadarasimi Kasali, now wish to be known and addressed as Islamiyah Oluwadarasimi Ishola.

All former documents remain valid General public take note.

EJIOGU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ejiogu Angela Nkiruka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ofoma Angela Nkiruka. All former documents remain valid. NSE, FUTO and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

AGBA: formerly known and addressed as Miss Agba Cynthia Ifeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Onugha Cynthia Ifeoma. All former documents remain valid. Federal Poly Nekede, NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EVBUOMWAN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Helen Omoze Benedicta. Evbuomwan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gadzama Helen Omoze Benedicta. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ILYAS: Formerly called and addressed as Miss Ilyas Mutiyat Sayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bamidele Mutiyat Sayo. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AUCTION SALES This is to inform the general public that the following motor vehicles: Reg. No. PHC 852 APR; Reg. No. AB 800 DER; Reg. No. AX 837 DER; Reg. No. AM 319 DLY; Reg. No. BU 168 KPU; Reg. No. XB 822 FKJ; Reg.NO. PHC 681 AE and some Motorcycles and other assorted items arrested and impound at Ugwunagbo, Ariria And Uratta Police Divisions, Aba shall be sold by Public Auction after 14 days of this Publication. The police shall not be held liable for any item sold by Public Auction after the 14 days notice.

Signed: Mr Sunday Ochi, Auctioneer 08036727080, 07015207628

Monday September 8, 2014

The prospects of our wrestlers have not been as brighter in recent years as they are now

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

Sport

US Open 2014: I didn’t lose to family commitments –Djokovic 55

– PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA WRESTLING FEDERATION, DANIEL IGALI

Fashanu faults tactics, Chukwu urges focus PAUL EREWUBA

N

Super Eagles defender Efe Ambrose (in green shirt) heading clear of a Congolese opponent in the match in Calabar on Saturday

igeria’s football Ambassador, John Fashafaulted the fornu, has fa mation adopted

by Super n a o ad Eagles, Coach Eag Stephen Keshi, Step i n the AFCON 2015 A qualifier with Red Devils of R Congo in Calabar Calaba on Saturday, saying the mistake mista cost Nigeria the match.

“I admire Stephen Keshi a Ste lot, but his tactics tacti in the first half and the players he sep lected cost Nigeria Niger the game,” Fashanu told National Mirror Na yesterday.

“I understand the idea of resting players because of the b South Africa game gam on Wednesday, but leaving his h best striker Emmanuel Emenike out and Eme starting with Uche Nwofor U who strikes no fear into the minds of the opposition, was op a gamble that backfired.” he b

Fashanu

Cape Town battle:

added, stressing, “For the fact that all the goals Congo scored are avoidable, it simply means we have a lot of work to do if we are to be at the Nations Cup next year,” he added.

The former Wimbledon captain, however, enjoined the team to avoid conceding early goal in Cape Town on Wednesday. “Eagles must approach the Bafana with a strong mentality,” he pleaded.

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, has called on the Eagles’ technical crew to preach focus to the players ahead of Wednesday’s game.

“They must get their concentration right this time,” Chukwu said.

“We cannot underrate South Africa any more, especially after they got a very good result away at Sudan and we got a very bad result at home,” the former Nigeria international added.

Chukwu

Eagles jet out to South Africa AFOLABI GAMBARI

S

marting from an unexpected 3-2 defeat to Congo Brazzaville in their AFCON 2015 qualifier in Calabar on Saturday, the Super Eagles departed Lagos last night for Johannesburg enroute Cape Town, where they are scheduled to meet Bafana

Bafana of South Africa for the second game of Group A on Wednesday.

Earlier reports had stressed that the Nigerian team would depart today and arrive in Johannesburg in the early hours of tomorrow before heading to the match in time to have a feel of the venue turf.

But National Mirror gathered

yesterday that the Eagles’ officials had changed the itinerary to enable the team to focus on the Cape Town encounter which has turned out to be crucial after South Africa beat Sudan 3-0 in the group’s opening round of matches to top the log.

Coach Stephen Keshi, who upbraided his players for what he called “shameful performance”

against the Congolese, had told journalists after the match that Nigeria was condemned to pick the maximum points on Wednesday to remain in contention for a ticket to the Morocco finals next January.

“We have let off our guard and now we have no other choice but to win in Cape Town and must be ready to face all odds to achieve victory,” Keshi said, amidst con-

fusion about who would exact the remuneration needed by the national team in view of the Nigeria Football Federation’s factional battle that has threatened the team’s focus.

But Keshi can draw on the strength of his previous two consecutive wins against Bafana Bafana since 2012 to motivate his players.

54

Sports

Monday September 8, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Euro qualifier:

Rooney banks on mates E ngland captain, Wayne Rooney, yesterday admitted that criticism of the team’s perfor-

Rooney

mance against N o r w a y will inspire the players to perform better when they take on Switzerland in the opening European Qualifier in Basel today.

The Three Lions laboured

to a 1-0 win at Wembley on Wednesday evening in a display that failed to exorcise the memories of a disastrous World Cup campaign in Brazil in the summer.

But Rooney, who scored England’s first goal in a 3-1 Euro 2012 qualifying win in Basel four years ago, insists the young squad is determined to improve and prove their critics wrong.

“There is the determina-

tion,” Rooney said.

“We’re a tight-knit group and we’re working hard together to get the best out of each other. We’ve got a lot of quality in the team and it’s about that quality coming together.

“It’s a nice game to play in.

It’s probably the most difficult game of the group and we want to do well and come out of it with a good result. We are ready and we have the quality to do well.”

AFCON 2015 qualifiers fallout…

Renard fumes at Elephants’ slacking

C

ote d’Ivoire Coach, Herve Renard, has expressed disappointment with his team’s lack of collective performance against Sierra Leone on Saturday, despite the Elephants’ 2-1 victory in Abidjan in their Group D opener of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2015 qualifiers.

Trailing by one goal at the break with the Leone Stars taking the lead in the dying minutes of the first half, the Elephants scored twice in the second half through substitute Seydou Doumbia and Gervinho to claim the full points.

“I believe that we did almost everything we shouldn’t have done. It is the individual quality that got us out of trouble.

Collectively speaking, we were very average,” Renard said.

“We did not up the tempo enough to be on course early in the game.

But when you look at the other results, Ghana were held by at home Uganda and Nigeria fell at home to Congo. It means we will have to do much more against Cameroon in Yaounde on Wednesday and to make sure to be mentally 100 per cent ready to go there with a conquering spirit.”

CIV Coach, Herve Renard

Janza bullish on team’s chance

‘Why Ghana struggled in Kumasi’

B

Atsu

lack Stars winger, Christian Atsu, believes fans apathy contributed to their below par 1-1 draw display against Uganda at home in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Ghanaian side had a hostile reception from the fans and uncharacteristically were not at the Baba Yara Stadium in their numbers to support the team.

Officials and players have been apologising to the fans for the off-the-pitch incidents which riddled Ghana’s World Cup campaign and resulted in a first round exit.

But all that fell on deaf ears and that had a negative impact on the performance of the team.

“We need the fans. We apologise to them that things went wrong in Brazil. We are hoping that it will not continue like this,” the Chelsea loanee at Everton said yesterday.

“If they want the country to move forward, they should not look at what happened in Brazil but look at the future and make it better.”

Atsu was handed a starting role as the Black Stars rallied to draw level the scoring courtesy an Andre Ayew controversial second half penalty.

Z

ambia Coach, Honour Janza, is defiant despite Mozambique putting spanner in his works in Saturday’s unconvincing scoreless home draw in Ndola.

The Chipolopolo failed to show any killer instinct against Mozambique in their opening 2015 Africa Cup Group F qualifier just a week after Janza made a promising start to his interim tenure on August 31 with a 3-1 friendly home win over Sudan in Lusaka.

“At times it is not how much you start but how you finish in your remaining games. So for me it doesn’t worry me,” Janza said.

“Of course a win would have been the best for me but also not losing is also good but all I can say is we have enough manpower that can take us to AFCON 2015 so we are OK.” Janza faces his biggest test so far in his two-match-old reign on Wednesday when he takes Zambia to Praia to face Cape Verde.

Cape Verde leads Group F on three points after beating Niger 3-1 away in Niamey on Saturday.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Monday September 8, 2014

55

Federer succumbs to Cilic’s ‘fire power’ S wiss star, Roger Federer, has admitted that he had no answer to what he calls the incredible tennis of Marin Cilic in the semi-finals of the US Open.

Cilic reached his first grand slam final after a stunning 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over the five-time champion, completing a day of semi-final shocks after Kei Nishikori had earlier beaten Novak Djokovic.

Federer seemed outgunned from the start of the first set and could not come close to mounting the same sort of dramatic comeback which he produced in his five-set win over Gael Monfils in the last eight.

“It’s fairly simple: I think Marin played great. I maybe didn’t catch my best day, but I think that was pretty much it in a nutshell,” Federer said yesterday.

“I was feeling good. I just think if I could have stayed longer with him in the first set, I felt like there was a proper match going on.

“But him playing with the lead, he played with no fear and just full-out confidence.

He served great when he had to. Credit to him for just playing incredible tennis.”

With Djokovic already out of the tournament, Federer would certainly have seen this as a great chance to extend his

cord title.

grand slam rewith an 18th

has

T h e 33-year-old won more m at ch e s a n y

t h a n other man this season but it is more than two years since his last major victory.

“I’m just really disappointed after how well I have played this season, especially here also at the tournament.

I really felt like I could win this tournament,” the former world number one added.

“I don’t need another title to be more happy or anything.

But the moment itself, it would mean a lot.

“I’ll give it a go again in Australia-I hope to be healthy there. I enjoy playing there.

It’s been one of my most consistent slams. I hope to get another chance at it. I can’t do more than try really hard, which I’m doing.”

T h e U S

and Nishikori was the first time since the Australian Open in 2005 that a slam final did not feature one of Federer, D j o k o v i c , Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray.

Fellow semi final loser Roger Federer

Open title match between Cilic

Losing semi finalist Novak Djokovic

W

orld number one, Novak Djokovic, yesterday denied that his growing off-court commitments contributed to his shock exit on Saturday.

The top seed Serbian was dumped out at Flushing Meadows after being beaten 6-4 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 by Japanese dark horse Kei Nishikori in the semi-finals.

Since winning Wimbledon at the start of July he has gone out early at the Masters 1000 tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati and has now failed to reach the US Open final for the first time in five years.

Some have attributed his declining form to his recent marriage and the upcoming

US Open 2014:

I didn’t lose to family commitments –Djokovic birth of his first child, but the Serbian rubbished those suggestions.

“Of course I’m in touch with my wife. Of course I am being part of her pregnancy.

But it’s no different for me in terms of preparing for the match and for the tournament,” Djokovic said.

“I had all my dedication, everything directed to this US Open. I tried to give my best and I did. Now, my best today was not where I wanted it to be.”

Djokovic said it was “too early” to say how his playing schedule for the rest of the year will be affected by the

birth of his child, but did say that his campaign “is not over yet”.

He has already qualified for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London, which take place in November, and he is also set to play in the new International Premier League in December.

But first he must regroup after the defeat to Nishikori, who seemed to handle the sweltering conditions in New York better despite coming off the back of consecutive fiveset marathons.

“It was not easy to play in these conditions, but also he had more hours spent on the court,” Djokovic added.

“I wasn’t in the balance. I thought it was just an overall feeling. My strokes just weren’t there.

“It is what it is. It’s sport. I have to congratulate the better opponent and move on and try to finish off this year hopefully as close as I have last year.”

WORLD RECORD

Most Pimile places memorised Fastest fireman’s carry Vol. 04 No. 933 Monday, September 8, 2014

N150

The record for memorising Pi was achieved by Chao Lu (China) who recited Pi from memory to 67,890 places, at the Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi province, China, on 20 November 2005.

Making mean of Stephen Davis expose

I

read the excerpts of the interview the Australian international negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davis, had with ABC NewsCable. What about you? Expectedly, cacophonous furore has greeted the mass of information on the raging Boko Haram-induced insurgency in the country revealed by a foreigner, who is unarguably one of the few external friends Nigeria could count on. Please, do not remind me that Dr. Davis was not on charity visit to Nigeria.

There are three approaches to the man’s revelations. The easiest and most unprofitable one is to remain detached from them.

The second is to deconstruct them to satisfy a fixated mindset of treating the Australian as agent provocateur. In the reactions of many Nigerians, Dr. Davis is seen as doing a hatchet job of sowing confusion in the polity to further polarize the nation’s

HeartBeat Callistus Oke

Callistusoke@nationalmirroronline.net 08054103275 (SMS ONLY) anthonykila@mail.com political class. And the third approach is to reconstruct the polity from the new information available and take a more intelligible stance on the raison d’être for the continuing pervasive security challenge in the country. This is the perspective I have taken.

The breeds of insurgents in the north east zone of the country bears similarity to the emergency of militants in the Niger Delta region: They were first recruits in the private armies of well oiled politicians, who finding no useful engagements after they had secured victories for their patrons, turned the arms in their possession and the expertise in the act of killing against the society. Many chroniclers have confirmed this thesis.

In the names of politicians peddled by the Australian, names supplied by “some commanders” of the sect, he is substantially correct. It is an act of futility for any politicians linked to the formation of Boko Haram to dissociate themselves from its birth. A more engaging endeavour for them now would be to repudiate their continuing association with the sect in the post 2009 era with incontrovertible proofs.

A surprise mention is the erstwhile Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika. This should not come as a surprise to discerning Nigerians! The Ihejirika era remains the most controversial since 2009 on account of the iron cast resolve of the general to apply anything in the book to rid the country of the insurgents. So lethal

THE NATION HAS GOT THE CONFIRMATION OF THE LINGERING SUSPICION THAT THE

REINVIGORATED BOKO

HARAM ONSLAUGHT IS THE CONTEST FOR 2015

BY OTHER MEANS and ferocious were the counter-insurgency campaigns of General Ihejirika that even a section of the North’s political establishment launched a surprise offensive anchored on genocide allegation against him.

So, who should be surprised that Ihejirika is named as one of Boko Haram sponsors?

This does not exonerate our military leaders from exploiting the security challenge for self aggrandizement. Profiteering is a pop culture in the country. I harbour the personal sentiments that President Goodluck Jonathan’s non-military background has been exploited to rip off the nation.

When Dr. Davis said Jonathan was denied credible military loyalty, who will doubt him? The huge military budgets in the last four years without concrete evidence of commensurate military hardware and the apparent sloppiness of our counter-terrorism campaigns support my thesis. So, a forensic auditing of military spending in the last four years is imperative.

The nation has got the confirmation of the lingering suspicion that the reinvigorated Boko Haram onslaught is the contest for 2015 by other means. The increasing cohesiveness of the sect and its strategical effectiveness, it is revealed, is due to the fusion of three separate militant groups.

Equally scary is the prospect of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Al Qaeda and Al Shaabab combining forces with Boko Haram in the months ahead.

President Jonathan’s options are very clear and limited: Either an all out war to dislodge the sect or appeasement of the North through repudiation of his second term ambition. However, he has settled for a variance of appeasement I call settlement.

So far, it has worked, which is why a united northern approach to 2015 has been made impossible. If you are in doubt, tell me why Dr. Davis traversed the forests of north east Nigeria for close to four months negotiating the release of the Chibok girls? Tell me also why Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, hardcore northern power monger, has become a pro Jonathan praise singer?

The signs are very clear that Jonathan’s second term bid is already settled. The major concern is how to ensure victory in 2015. I do not think this will pose much problem because of the desperate drive to build a broad national consensus for his candidacy. However, I shudder at the prospect of Jonathan’s second term presidency with the Boko Haram structure intact.

If Boko Haram is all about winning the presidency for the North in 2015, the forces that sustain its relevance as a critical factor in 2015 political equation will be difficult to discourage having gone thus far. The escape from the gloom of this worst case scenario will be either a total containment war or a political settlement that would remove the Jonathan factor in the 2015 presidential election equation.

This second option appears farfetched because of the horde of political jobbers milling around Mr. President’s political camp.

Sport Extra

w

Transfer: Ronaldinho makes Mexican league switch

F

ormer Brazil international, Ronaldinho, has signed for Mexican top-flight club Queretaro.

Reports yesterday said the 2002 World Cup win-

ner, who left Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro in July, has signed a two-year deal.

“I chose Mexico for the affection I have always received here. I am very mo-

tivated to represent Queretaro,” Ronaldinho, 34, said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Conference South side Basingstoke Town said it had also made an offer to Ronaldinho,

who won 97 caps for Brazil.

Queretaro was almost thrown out of the Mexico League last year following a corruption scandal involving the club’s former owner.

They are currently eighth, the final play-off place, in the Liga MX 2014 Apertura tournament after seven games of Mexico’s domestic summer season.

XXXXXX

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.

Editor: SEYI FASUGBA. All correspondence to PMB 10001, Marina, Lagos.

Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja and Akure. ISSN 0794-232X.