Nov 3rd by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Buhari to re-present $30bn loan request –Lai Mohammed •FG unveils national carrier next year Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

Buhari

inister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed yesterday said that Presi-

dent Muhammadu Buhari would re-present to the Senate his request for foreign loan plan of about $30 billion. The Senate had on Tuesday rejected the request for

external borrowing plan of $29.96 billion to finance infrastructural projects across the country between 2016 and 2018. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Globacom’s Brand Specialist, Nkiru Orji flanked by the Director, Information Systems, Ajay Satyarthi (left) and Head, Usage and Retention, Mr. Sola Arowogbadamu (right) at the launch of “Borrow Me Data”, and repackaged “Double Free Tomorrow”, “11k per second” and “IDD Packs” in Lagos.

APC govs shun Tinubu, Atiku, others Vol. 6 N0. 1475

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... pledge support for OdigieOyegun as party chairman Marcus Fatunmole and Ajibola Winner, Abuja

overnors elected on the platform of ruling All Progressives Governors, Wednesday, opposed calls by National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and other leaders of the APC seeking resignation of National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, over alleged incompetence, bias and corruption. The governors, under the auspices of Progressives Governors Forum, spoke through their chairman and Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha. Okorocha met National Working Committee, NWC, of the party, at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Ondo PDP P.10 crisis: Appeal Court President constitutes fresh panel

Scene of fire outbreak at Dangote factory, Ipakodo Ikorodu, Lagos, yesterday.

Jimoh Ibrahim replies Fayose, Reps to grant local govts says too early to panic financial P.4

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APC govs shun Tinubu, Atiku, others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Briefing journalists on behalf of other APC governors after the meeting, Okorocha said the governors were troubled by crises in the party, and that there was need for unity among its fold. He argued that members of the NWC were elected, and that “no one will bully them out or husk them out” of office, adding that their tenure will expire by 2018. “I have come to reassure them, because sometimes, when you have the fear or worry that you are not stable, you begin to react in a negative way, but if you know you are stable, you will put in your best. Here is a reassuring visit,” he said. Except other APC governors (who did not attend the meeting and were not available at the briefing) rebuff Okorocha’s claims, it was the first time they had openly supported Oyegun against those calling for his resignation. An estranged member of the NWC, and National Deputy Publicity Secretary of the party, Timi Frank, and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, have joined the calls that Oyegun resign as the party’s national chairman. Frank has fiercely attacked Oyegun. The party recently set up a disciplinary committee to probe him over undisclosed offences. He vowed to shun the committee. And, he has since increased his attacks on the national chairman.

Wrangling between Oyegun and camp of those calling for his resignation was made public through Tinubu’s outburst shortly after recent gubernatorial primary for this month’s governorship election in Ondo State. The primary, conducted last August saw Tinubu’s preferred candidate, Segun Abraham, losing to Rotimi Akeredolu. Tinubu alleged the process was manipulated by a cabal headed by Oyegun. Aftermath of ensuing disagreements puts the party at the risk of losing the Ondo gubernatorial election, as aggrieved aspirants and their supporters have defected to other parties to fight the APC at the poll. Following increasing troubles in the party, Okorocha, Wednedsday, advised the NWC to relocate its office to Ondo State to help the party’s drive to win the election. He also said the NWC would be joined by the APC Governors Forum. He further revealed that President Mohammadu Buhari would address the party in the next few weeks, as part of efforts to end grievances among its members. The governor noted that the NWC worked for elections of President Buhari and other elected office holders who got their victories through the party, and that they should be commended and supported by all party members. He however informed that wherever there is need for restructuring within

the party, such should be carried out. “I am here at our party’s headquarters to meet with the members of the National Working Committee and to deliberate on what we must do to ensure unity in our party,” he said. “We noticed there is so much bitterness among the ranks and members of our party, and there is need for communication, and dialogue because where is no communication and there no dialogue, war is inevitable. “You may recall that it was the same National Working Committee and

that these party leaders that saw us through during the last election. What that means is that if these people were good enough to see us through and never betrayed us, they should so be honoured. I want to assure them that no one will bully them out or husk them out. But, where there is need to make amendment, which is natural within any human organization, the party will be restructured for the purpose of making it stronger and to move forward as a people and as a party. “Again, very important, I came to commend the Na-

tional Working Committee for their understanding, their patience and sacrifice they made, especially during the time of our election. Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari who is the leader of our party will be addressing the party very soon in the couple of weeks to come or before the next two months. From there, we shall take it up to ensure the unity of our party. Our party is united, we must take advantage of the moment, especially with the visible crisis in PDP. Many good people in PDP want

to join the APC, they are still watching because they have not seen us show that which we were known for. We were so united before election, and there is no reason we cannot manage this victory. So, APC must manage its victory. “And, Nigerians are not going to ask us who is able to outdo each other in the party, or who is able to bring down who, they will ask us what have we been able to do as a party? We can do something when we are united. So, I came here for a call for unity, and the CONTINUED ON PAGE 4>>

L-R: Head of Service, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita; Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari; Secretary to Government of Federation (SGF), David Babachir Lawal; Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari, during the Federal Executive Council meeting, at the Presidential Villa, yesterday . PHOTO: ANAYO OPARA

Buhari to re-present $30bn loan request –Lai Mohammed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

But Mohammed during the briefing of State House Correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council meeting, explained that the government would continue to engage lawmakers on need for the loan. According to him, the Senators would change their position and approve the request when the government makes more details available. “It is not unusual for the government and the Senate to have some disagreements, they want more information. We will continue to engage them. We will give them all the information they need,” he said. Also yesterday, Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika disclosed that government would in the next one week appoint transition adviser to facilitate the establishment of a new national carrier within the

next 12 months. According to him, the establishment of the national carrier would help meet the needs of Nigerians both on domestic and international routes. He said this would also encourage competition, provision of good aircraft and eventually affect fares. “The most important incentive is that between now and Wednesday, we will appoint transaction adviser for national carrier, once that is in place Nigerians will have options, they will be competition, good aircraft and this will bring the price down.” He also said the new national carrier would be managed by the private sector with government owning only five percent stake. The minister said FEC approved the revised total estimate cost of finishing Port Harcourt airport for both domestic and international wing. According to him, the re-

habilitation of the international wing of the airport would cost N1,684,520,310.58, saying that Messer Entaba, who is the original contractor would complete the project. He stated that the refurbishment of terminal building phase II domestic wing of the airport was reviewed from N746,830,782.12 to N1,411,662,855.67 “So FEC approves the project as it is captured in the 2016 and 2017 budget. So very soon we will complete that very important airport especially the arrival Port Harcourt airport has been tagged the worst airport in the world but by the grace of God and the wisdom of council, it will be completed,” Sirika said. Speaking on foreign carriers that are threatening to leave Nigeria, the minister said it was due to the recession in the country as well as inability to get the airlines to repatriate in their currency what they earn through sales of tickets,

he said the inability of the airlines to get aviation fuel at some point and other operational reasons had also made it difficult for the foreign airlines to operate and do business. Sirika said foreign exchange required by local airlines was being provided now by government and would be made available for the airlines “Aviation is dollar denominated, you buy aircraft in dollar, you service in dollar, you train your crew in dollar, you do everything in dollar. And we simply do not have the dollar to pay these airlines. “But now as we are talking, government through the CBN has made available $300 million out of the $600 million of the airlines funds stock in Nigeria to pay the airlines to demonstrate its commitment to the sector. And with devaluation, $600 million could be $1 billion. With government intervention, they have been given $300 million and gradually

we will clear everything and once that happens, they are not going anywhere. Meanwhile, Federal Government approved eight new private universities to commence academic activities. Briefing State House Correspondents after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Minister of State for Education, Anthony Onwuka said the approval followed the recommendations of the National Universities Commission (NUC). According to him, the new eight universities would be given three-year provisional licences, saying that some existing older universities in the country had been appointed as mentors of the new universities. The new universities are Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos, owned by Deeper Christian Life Ministry; Arthur Jarvis University,

Akpabuyo, Cross River, owned by The Glitter House Nigeria Limited; Clifford University and Owerrinta, Abia, owned by Seventh Day Adventist Church. Others are Coal City University, Enugu, owned by African Thinkers Community of Inquiry College of Education, Enugu; CrownHill University, Eiyenkorin, Kwara, owned by Modern Morgy and Sons Limited and Dominican University, Ibadan, owned by Order of Preachers, Nigerian Dominican Community. Also granted license are Kola Daisi University, Ibadan, owned by Kola Daisi Foundation and Legacy University, Okija, Anambra The minister disclosed that Anchor University would be mentored by the University of Lagos; Arthur Jarvis University would be mentored by the University of Calabar and Clifford University would be mentored by the UniverCONTINUED ON PAGE 4>>

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Jimoh Ibrahim replies Fayose, says too early to panic

ubernatorial flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming election in Ondo State, Dr Jimoh Ibrahim has lambasted Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose over his unguided statement that the party’s candidate can never be governor of Ondo State. In a terse message to the governor, titled: Fayose, too early to panic, Jimoh Ibrahim disclosed that the same horsewhip used for the incumbent Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko would soon be visited on the governor. “The crisis in Ondo State PDP has not degenerated to a situation where a Judge

was beaten up in his Court during proceedings as it was in Ekiti State during Governor Fayose’s bid to become governor,” Ibrahim said. “There is no need for Governor Fayose to panic at this time as it is too early to do so. “Fayose is advised to wait till November 27 after the election in Ondo State, as we shall move to Ekiti in full force to enforce Justice Abang’s judgement, which also covers the Executive of PDP in Ekiti State. Our movement to Ekiti will be in day time, so it is better for Fayose to prepare and also learn from experience of Governor Mimiko who was performing in Ondo until he was distracted by

Governor Fayose. “Let me remind Governor Fayose that I am not exGovernor Fayemi and it is now a payback time to treat Governor Fayose exactly the way he treated Fayemi using the framework of how the clustering disaster was resolved in Ekiti State leading to Governor Fayose’s “victory”. The business mogul advised the Ekiti governor that this is not an election of prophesy and if it were to be so, “Fayose must be speaking after taking a strange coffee or “ogogoro” as he did when he predicted that Buhari will never be President of Nigeria. Now President Buhari is in the second year in office. Since

strengthen the operation of the councils because state governments have `capitalised’ on the joint account to exploit councils and starve them of fund. Onyejeocha stressed the need to abolish the statelocal government joint account, saying that it would foster the autonomy, transparency and accountability of local government administration in the country. “The practice of true federalism is lacking in Nigeria, especially at the local government level. “Some state governments deprive their local governments of principal source of their revenues. “Unless more stable internal source of revenue are exploited, and statelocal government joint account abolished, the objective of strengthening local governments relationship with state and federal governments will remain a mirage,’’ Onyejeocha said. She said the amendment bill proposed for each local government to maintain a special account to be called “Local Government Council Allocation Account,”

where all funds accruing to every council shall be paid into. “The amendment also stipulates that disbursement shall not be made from the account except by a bye-law passed by the Local Government Legislative Council,’’ she added.

Reps to grant local govts financial autonomy

bill to grant financial autonomy to local government councils in the country scaled through the second reading in the House of Representatives on Wednesday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the bill sponsored by Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (PDP-Abia) seeks to alter section 162 of the 1999 constitution. Section 162 provides for the State Joint Local Government Account, into which all revenues accruing to the local governments from the federal and state governments are paid. In her debate however, Onyejeocha argued that unless the joint account was abolished, the objective of strengthening local government as a tier of government would be unattainable. She said local governments lacked the needed financial autonomy necessary for effective management of financial resources due to them from the federation account. According to her, the bill if passed into law will

APC govs shun Tinubu, Atiku, others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

governors are willing to show leadership in this regard by making sure all the members of the National Working Committee, the APC governors and National Assembly work together to ensure the unity of our party. “Again, Mr. Chairman, I want to commend you for a job well done. I want to thank all of you because

sometimes in our chequered history, we forget to say thank you to people who have done well. You have seen me reassure them that we are still one. They have not been forgotten. So, do your best in spite of the situation we are going through. But, know that Nigeria is going through a difficult moment, and very soon, we are going to get out of it,” he said.

Fayose has predicted that I will not be governor as he did to Buhari, it simply means he will be invited to attend my inauguration ceremony.” Meanwhile two prominent political aides to the embattled Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko resigned from their positions on Wednesday.

Oladun Aderonke Morolayo, Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters, and Victor Ojo, Special Assistant to the Governor on Mobilization, tendered their resignation letters on Wednesday and defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the November 26 Ondo State guberna-

torial election. Ondo State APC spokesperson Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya confirmed the defection of the duo in a chat. Adesanya said that the two former PDP stalwarts were received by the APC camp at the Rotimi Akeredolu governorship campaign office in Akure.

panied the death of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abubakar Audu, at the November 2015 gubernatorial election in Kogi State. The amendment, which was among several amendments being carried out on the Electoral Act 2010 was meant to amend Section 36 of the Electoral Act “by inserting a new sub-section ‘3’ which provides for the substitution of a candidate of a political party who dies before the declaration of the result of an election with

the first runner up in the party’s primaries (which was won by the deceased candidate.” The senate was however, forced to suspend the amendment because it was not satisfied with the committee’s recommendation on the mode of substituting dead candidates as debate on the matter was contentious. Consequently, the senators resolved to send the bill back to the committee for further legislation and consultation that will lead to a more acceptable recommendation.

Senate commences, suspends amendment on INEC Act George Oji

he senate yesterday began the amendment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Act 2010, but was forced to suspend the exercise, when it could not agree on the way forward to address the issue of a dead presidential or gubernatorial candidate who dies before the conclusion and announcement of an election. The amendment was intended to address a repeat of the crisis which accom-

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye (L) presenting President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter congratulating President Juan Manuel Santos of Columbia for winning the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize to Colombian ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Claudia Quintero, in Abuja, yesterday.

Buhari to re-present $30bn loan request –Lai Mohammed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

sity of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia. For Coal City University, Enugu, the mentor would be University of Nigeria, Nsukka; CrownHill University, Eiyenkorin would be mentored by the University of Ilorin while both Dominican and Kola Daisi University would be mentored by the Univer-

sity of Ibadan. The Minister further disclosed that Legacy University would be mentored by Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa. He explained that the issue of mentoring was part of Education Act Cap E3 Law of Federal Republic, 2004 implemented by the NUC and the Federal Ministry of Education.

“So, it is the part of the requirements. An older university old enough within the university zone where each of the new universities has been approved is given the mandate to oversee and mentor the new universities in terms of academic culture, administrative for three years within which period they

must have learnt the art of university governance and academic details. “There must some nearby big brothers that make sure you don’t operate outside the scope of what you are expected to do within the university structure. So, that mentoring is to supervise so that they don’t do the wrong thing,” he said.

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FG approves 8 new private varsities ...Airlines to get $600m lifeline

Rotimi Fadeyi ABUJA

ederal Government has approved eight new private universities to commence aca-

demic activities. Briefing State House Correspondents after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari

at the Presidential Villa, Minister of State for Education, Anthony Onwuka, said the approval followed the recommendations of the National Universities Commission, NUC. According to him, the new universities would

be given three-year provisional licences, adding that some older universities had been appointed as their mentors. The varsities are Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos, owned by Deeper Christian Life Ministry;

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (3rd left); Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (3rd right); Wife of APC Chairman, Lagos State, Mrs. Toun Ajomole (2nd left) and OMEP Elders during a 3-Day National Conference tagged ‘Transforming Early Childhood Systems for Future Generation’, organised by OMEP Nigeria, at Ikeja, yesterday.

4 firms convicted over laundering $15.7m for Jonathan’s aide Wale Igbintade

Federal High Court in Lagos Wednesday convicted four companies allegedly used by Waripamo-owei Dudafa, a former Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, for having laundered $15,591,700 million. Justice Babs Kuewum convicted the companies after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, had reviewed the facts of the charge and agreed with the directors of the companies. The firms convicted by the court are: Pluto Property and Investment Development Company Limited, Seagate Property and Investment Development Company Limited, Transoceanic Property and Investment Development Company Limited, and Avalon Property and Investment Development Company Limited. The purported companies’ directors had earlier pleaded guilty on behalf of

the companies. They are Friday Davis: Agbo Baro; Kola Fredrick; and Taiwo Ebenezer and China John. The companies were charged alongside Dudafa, a lawyer Amajuoyi Azubike Briggs, and Adedamola Bolodeoku, a senior Staff of Skye Bank Plc, on alleged laundering of the $15 million, which the immediate past Nigeria’s first lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, is laying claim to. Reviewing the facts of the charge against the companies on Wednesday, Oyedepo informed the Justice Kuewumi-led court that Pluto Property and Investment Development Company Limited, between November 14 and 19, 2014 retained the sum of $1,940,500 million, $1.2 million, $1,340,700 million, $1,895,400 million and $1.2 million in its accounts, with numbers 2110002207 and 2110002238 domiciled with Skye Bank. He stated that Transoceanic Property and Investment Development Company Limited also retained

in its accounts number domiciled with Skye Bank the sum of $1,897,700 million, between February 21 and November 19, 2014. Oyedepo further informed the court that Seagate Property and Investment Development Company Limited, also retained in its Skye Bank accounts number 2110002243 the sum of $1,839,900 million, while Avalon Property and Investment Development Company Limited retained $250,000 in account number 0122493290 domiciled with WEMA Bank Plc, on February 28, 2015. He further told the court that the said money were proceeds of crime, and were paid into the four companies’ accounts by one Festus Iyoha, a domestic Servant at the State House, Abuja. He also informed the court that the said Iyoha had paid the monies into the companies’ accounts on the order of the first defendant in the charge, Dudafa, the Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to President Jonathan. Oyedepo, after review-

ing the facts of the charge, also tendered the documents such as the companies’ bank mandate forms, account opening packages and the CAC’s Forms 2, which indicated that the purported directors are major shareholders in the companies.

Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River, owned by The Glitter House Nigeria Limited; Clifford University and Owerrinta, Abia, owned by Seventh Day Adventist Church. Others are Coal City University, Enugu, owned by African Thinkers Community of Inquiry College of Education, Enugu; Crown-Hill University, Eiyenkorin, Kwara, owned by Modern Morgy and Sons Limited and Dominican University, Ibadan, owned by Order of Preachers, Nigerian Dominican Community. Also granted license are Kola Daisi University, Ibadan, owned by Kola Daisi Foundation and Legacy University, Okija, Anambra. The Minister disclosed that Anchor University would be mentored by University of Lagos, Arthur Jarvis mentored by University of Calabar and Clifford University would be mentored by the University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia. For Coal City University, Enugu, the mentor would be University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Crown-Hill University, Eiyenkorin would be mentored by the University of Ilorin while both Dominican and Kola Daisi University would be mentored by the University of Ibadan. The Minister further disclosed that Legacy University would be mentored by Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa.

He explained that the issue of mentoring was part of Education Act Cap E3 Law of Federal Republic, 2004 implemented by the NUC and the Federal Ministry of Education. “So, it is the part of the requirements. An older university old enough within the zone of each new university is given the mandate to oversee and mentor the new universities in terms of academic culture, administrative ethos for three years within which they must have learnt the art of university governance and academic details. “There must some nearby big brothers that make sure you don’t operate outside the scope of what you are expected to do within the university structure. The mentoring is about supervision, so they don’t do the wrong thing,” he said. Also, Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, at the briefing said FEC approved the revised total cost of finishing Port Harcourt airport for both domestic and international wing. According to him, the rehabilitation of the international wing of the airport would cost N1,684,520,310.58, adding that Messr Entaba, the original contractor, would complete the project. He stated that the refurbishment of terminal building phase II domestic wing of the airport was reviewed from N746,830,782.12 to N1,411,662,855.67

N’Delta crisis: Group lauds Buhari, stakeholders’ peace move Adeola Tukuru ABUJA

iddle Belt Youth Leaders Forum has commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s move to restore peace in the Niger Delta following his meeting with leaders of the region. Addressing journalists in Abuja Wednesday, Secretary General of the group, Kuanum Terrence, urged the militants to embrace the peace move to avoid armed conflict. He said refusal to embrace the initiative will require military action which would have conse-

quences on the region. He said, “The Middle Belt Youth Leaders Forum has followed with satisfaction the meeting of President Muhammadu Buhari with leaders and other stakeholders in the Niger Delta to discuss how to end the militancy and sabotage of oil infrastructure in their region. “We see the development as a confirmation of President Buhari’s declaration that he is the president of all Nigeria, just as it is a testament to his credentials as a democrat with firm belief in the power of dialogue.

“We totally support the call for the leaders of the Niger Delta to take the initiative more to do than anyone else to bring peace to their region especially now that is glaring that they are the ones influencing the militant groups.” According to him, the militants and their sponsors should also be put on notice that any attempt to dare the might of our military and their ability to protect the nation’s territorial integrity from external and internal aggressors would not be taken lightly by the Nigerian people.

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Adamawa State Governor, Muhammad Jibrilla Bindow; (left) receiving mattresses for IDP’s Camps of Adamawa State from Head, Government and Community Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Muhammed Suleh-Yusuf, during the official presentation of Etisalat Nigeria’s Corporate Social Responsibility to the IDP Camps, in Adamawa, Yola State, on Monday.

L-R: Emir of Shonga in Kwara, Dr Haliru Yahaya; Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 4th National Family Planning Conference, Dr Ejike Oji and Ofor of Umuofor Kingdom, Oguta in Imo, Eze Abdulfatah Emetumah, during an Inter-Faith Pre-Conference for the 4th National Family Planning Conference, in Abuja. yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

L-R: Head of the Department of Vocational Skills Development, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mr Kunle Bamgbade; Deputy Director, South West Zone, Mrs Christie Olowogbemi; Zonal Director, South West, Alhaji Adebayo Adegbite and Oyo State Coordinator, Malam Adebanjo Awosanya, at an Orientatiom and Employability Training Workshop by the NDE for Graduate Attachment Programme in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

L-R: Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Dakuku Peterside; Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Ms. Hadiza Usman; President, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Chief Adebayo Sarumi and former Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Adamu Biu, at the 2016 World Maritime Day Celebration in Lagos yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

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Arms deal: How Badeh laundered N48m through GTB –Witness D oosuur I wambe ABUJA

rs. Eso Faleke, 7th prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the former chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh before the Federal High Abuja, Wednesday gave an account of how Badeh laundered the sum of N48million through Guaranty Trust Bank. The witness, a staff of GTB, and an account officer of Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, told Justice Okon Abang that the bank transferred the sum of N48 million from the company’s account on the instructions of Badeh to some other companies and individuals. Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, the witness told the court that the account, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, was opened with the bank

in 2005 by one Mary I. Badeh. Iyalikam Nigeria Limited is the 2nd defendant in the trial. She said: “Badeh instructed the bank to transfer the sum of N10m via electronic transfer from Iyalikam Nigeria Limited to one Mohammed Hamidu. “Also on July 23, 2015, Badeh requested that we transfer another N8m to the same Mohammed Hamidu.” The witness also told the court that the bank transferred N30m in two tranches of N14m and N16m to Habco Nigeria Limited. Mrs Faleke further told the court that the sum of N4.7m was deposited into Iyalikam Nigeria’s account on July 2013 following orders from Bamuba Global Resource. The account also received the sum of N3m credit deposit on October 18, 2013 by one Enyi

Jonathan. It received N6m transfer sent by Nonaway Nigeria Limited, while the sum of N40m was deposited in the account by Prime Touch Insurance on April 23, 2015. Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Akin Olujimi (SAN), Faleke said Iyalikam Nigeria Limited was opened at Garki branch of GTB in 2015. The witness said Olorun Femi who handled

the opening of the account has left the bank and that she believes he is still alive as she had not heard any news of his death. She confirmed that at the time of opening the account, Badeh was not a signatory to the account, until later in 2015. She said the N30m transfer was under the written instruction of Badeh and that the N10m and N8m were

transferred based on telephone instructions. The witness insisted that telephone instructions were valid instructions because they were usually backed by verification via an email sent to the defendant, Badeh. Cross examination of the witness will continue today. Badeh is standing trial alongside his fir m, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, for allegedly abus-

ing his office by using the dollar equivalent of N1.4 billion removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to purchase properties in choice areas of Abuja between January and December, 2013. The prosecution had already called six witnesses, who gave evidence in the 10-count charge preferred against Badeh and the firm.

700,000 apply for 500 FIRS jobs

hairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Mr Tunde Fowler, says the organisation has received over 700,000 applications from the recent job advert it placed. Fowler disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petition. The News Agency of

Nigeria reports that the FIRS boss’ appearance at the lower chamber followed a petition from some applicants, who claimed to have been excluded from the employment processes. The Service had invited applications for various positions in series of adverts placed in some national dailies. Fowler said that out of the 700,000 applicants

more than 2,000 had first class degrees in various disciplines and were qualified to be engaged by the Service. He said FIRS would recruit only 500 people, adding that the exercise was designed to increase manpower for tax revenue collection and expand the country’s revenue base. He assured that the organisation would ensure fairness and due process

in the recruitment process. “We have secured waiver and endorsement from the Federal Character Commission in order to ensure that the right thing is done,’’ he said. Also, Chairman of the house committee, Mr Nkem Abonta, directed Fowler to submit to the committee the service’s nominal roll to assist it in arriving at a decision.

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Senate: Privately sponsored PIB scales second reading GEORGE OJI

private membersponsored Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) by Senator Omotayo Donald Alasoadura (APC Ondo Central) Wednesday passed second reading in the senate. Entitled: “A bill for an act to provide for the Governance and Institutional framework for the Petroleum Industry and for other related matters 2016,” the bill intends amongst others to, create an efficient and effective governing institution with clear and separate roles for the petroleum industry and establish a framework for the creation of commercially-oriented and profitdriven petroleum entities that ensures value addition and internationalisation of the petroleum industry. The bill, which was cosponsored by 28 other senators, also seeks to provide transparency and accountability in the administration

of Nigeria’s petroleum resources and foster a conducive business environment for petroleum industry operations. The bill splits the NNPC into two separate entities: the Nigeria Petroleum Assets Management Co (NPAM) and a National Oil Company (NOC), such that the NOC will be an “integrated oil and gas company operating as a fully commercial entity,” and will run like a private company. Part of the intendment of the bill is that the NOC will keep its revenues, deduct costs directly and pay dividends to the government thus putting an end to the era of waiting for Federal allocation for funding and always failing to meet cash call obligations. Some of the other key features of the bill is that it assigns responsibility for the determination, formulation and monitoring of Government policy for the petroleum industry to the Minister of Petroleum, such

that in the event of a state of national emergency as specified in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Minister shall have the right of pre-emption of all petroleum products obtained, marketed or otherwise dealt with under any license granted under this Act or any other enactment. The bill also establishes the Nigeria Petroleum Regulatory Commission as a corporate body, which shall have the power to; enter into contracts and incur obligations, acquire, hold, mortgage, purchase and deal with property and perform all such things as are necessary for or incidental to the carrying out of its functions and duties under the Act. The bill shall upon coming into effect within the first six months, establish the Nigeria Petroleum Assets Management Company and the National Petroleum Com-

pany, which will manage the assets detailed in the Fourth Schedule to the Act and operate the assets transferred to it as a fully commercial entity. In his contributions to the debate, Senator James Manager (Delta South) insisted that the bill must contain provisions, which gives oil bearing communities at least 10 per cent of all oil proceeds from the areas as a way of ensuring peace in the affected communities. “I speak with a lot of passion and a lot of ill feelings. Therefore, if the next batch of the debate or of the Petroleum Industry Bill is about the oil bearing communities, then I have no option than to support this bill. And if this is supported, I hope and pray that in the final analysis, whatever we do and whatever we say here particularly laws that we make here are laws that must be imple-

mentable. And you can only implement the laws where there is peace and tranquillity,” Manager said. While backing the proposal by Manager, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki said, ‘’I want to make observations on the comment by Senator James Manager. Clearly what we have done here is really to make us to move forward in this important bill, to see that after so many years, we finally pass this petroleum industry bill. And that is why it has been put into different sections. But I want to give a commitment on behalf of our colleagues that this one is just on the issue of governance. ‘’Before we proceed into the finalization of this part of the bill, the committee must come with a bill regarding the issue the host communities for discussion. And I think that that can be done within the next four

weeks before we come back for consideration of clause by clause. We must bring the bill here on community issues, frontiers so that we can also pass it into second reading and commit it to the committee. “I think it would be fair to create an understanding that the purpose of this bill is to send the message that truly, as a Senate, we are committed in ensuring that we create that enabling environment for this sector. We can only do it in an environment of peace. “So, we will put it that while this bill is being referred to the Committees of Petroleum Upstream, Downstream and Gas, and being expected back in four weeks, we want to have the bill for the consideration of the issues of the oil bearing communities and also thinks like the fiscal issues before the four weeks time.

NIS to exceed 2016 revenue projection Adeola Tukuru ABUJA

igeria Immigration service, NIS, is set to exceed its revenue projection for 2016. Comptroller-General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede, explained this Wednesday to the House of Representatives Committee on Interior on the activities of his agency in Abuja. He said the revenue projected for 2016 from passports, visas and other administrative fees was put at N26,342,506,305.17 and $29,852,391.09. However, by the end of September 2016, the Service had collected N26,342,506,305.17 and $28,964,288.17; a clear indication that the Service would exceed its target in the next three months. He also said this was made possible due to his commitment in changing the way of doing things in the Public Service. The CGI advocated the introduction of a new regime in the fees charged for passports and other facilities the NIS issues in order

to increase the revenue accumulating to government, the same way it is done in the United Kingdom. In this regards, the passport applicants who wish to process and collect their passports same day could be made to pay higher fees and their applications for the passport put on fasttrack. However, the process must pass through all security checks that have been put in place. Babandede added that this will not only increase revenue but reduce corruption as it is the same excuse used by a few mischievous officers to extort applicants. Earlier, Chairman of the House Committee on Interior, Jagaba Adams Jagaba told the CGI that the committee was at the NIS Headquarters as part of its oversight function. While admonishing the CGI to be just and fair to all officers, he also encouraged him to ensure that the NIS assumes its rightful place in the security matrix of the country under his tenure.

Members of the Nigerian Legion at a news conference on the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja, Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

Telecom firms will provide quality service —Shittu Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

inister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, has assured of the commitment of his ministry to making all telecommunication outfits in the country give quality service to the people. Shittu, who gave the commitment while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said he is also a victim of unimpressive service delivery of network pro-

viders in the telecommunication industry. While disclosing that there are 158 million active lines in the country, he said we need to also consider the environment where these service providers operate, adding that power failure, vandalism of their equipments and other challenges accounted for some of the problems. He said also that the mandate of the Nigerian Postal Service, which is seemingly inefficient, would soon be expanded,

stating that this will include financial inclusiveness to cater for rural areas where there are no banks. On his ministry’s contribution to helping the country get out of recession, he said NIPOST Property and Development Company will take care of NIPOST excess lands to develop them into shopping malls that would provide employment for the youths. Shittu dismissed the claim that cabals have hijacked the administration from President Muham-

madu Buhari, stating that the comment only existed in the minds of the speculators. He added that the issue of fine imposed on the telecommunication giant, MTN, has been settled as far as he is concerned because the Federal Government and the company had done the needful. He noted that the fine was reduced after considering the role the company had played in the area of unemployment of jobless youths in the country.

Editorial

Thursday November 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Still on self-serving NASS and CCB/CCT law

he Senate, last Thursday, passed the Code of Conduct (amendment) Bill 2016 in a desperate bid to pave way for the National Assembly to seize the power to appoint staff of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) from the Presidency. If left unchallenged, and the bill is assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, the two bodies charged with regulating the conduct of public officers and punishing them for infractions, respectively, would now turn agencies under the vice grip of the lawmakers. Vice grip because the amendment was neither made in good fate, for the purpose of promoting good governance, nor in public interest. The panic-stricken amendment bill was more of NASS’ titfor-tat against the executive arm of government in response to the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who are currently undergoing trial for false asset declaration and other felonies they allegedly committed against the state. With the purported amendment, the President’s power on appointment of chairman and members of the tribunal as contained in Section 20 (4) of the Act was whittled down, as NASS subjected such appointments to

confirmation by the Senate. By the same token, CCB and CCT heads would be reporting to the NASS; while they also made it compulsory for CCB to bring to the notice of any public officer any case or breach or non-compliance to the provisions of the Act before heading to the CCT for prosecution, an embarrassing provision that gives an offender the privilege of unduly influencing his or her prosecution. The lawmakers, in addition, reduced the tenure of chairman and members of the CCT from serving until they are 70, to a term of five years. The first five-year term is, however, subject to renewal for one further term only, bringing the tenure to a total of 10 years, maximum, among other alterations. The CCB was established in 1979 during the Second Republic, after several years of military rule. The defunct 1979 Constitution provided a list of ethical codes to guide and regulate the conduct of public officers in the course of performing their duties. Public officers are, for instance, required by the law to truthfully declare their assets before assuming positions of trust. The 5th Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (part one, paragraph three) also says the President, Vice President, Governor , Deputy Governor, ministers of the government of

We implore President Muhammadu Buhari to put his feet down and ensure that this legislative

rascality… does not see the light of day

the federation and commissioners of the governments of the states, members of the National Assembly and Houses of the Assembly of the states shall not maintain or operate bank accounts outside Nigeria. The CCB has since 1979 been featuring in the 5th schedule of all Constitutions after that of 1979, namely: 1989, 1993, 1995 and 1999 even as (amended). The CCT, on the other hand, is meant to impose punishment on any public officer it found guilty of contravening the CCB law. The 1999 Constitution in Paragraph 15 (4), equally provides that the “National Assembly may by law confer on the Code of Conduct Tribunal such additional powers as may appear to it necessary to enable it more effectively discharge the functions conferred on it in this Schedule”. The Constitution never instructed NASS to make laws for its self-aggrandisement or to diminish the powers or potency of either the CCB or CCT, as is

now the case. It was obvious early in the year that the 8th NASS was hell bent on amending the CCB/ CCT law as a means to an end – the end being to enable NASS undermine the course of justice by scuttling the trial of its embattled President, Dr. Saraki, especially, who is currently standing criminal trial for false and anticipatory declaration of assets before the CCT; and who has been going on all fours to escape justice. Nigerians are, however, not fooled by the latest self-serving legislative gamble of the lawmakers. We implore President Muhammadu Buhari to put his feet down and ensure that this legislative rascality that affronts presidential powers; and promises a gateway to impunity among public officers does not see the light of day. Challenged by the latest NASS’s shenanegans, too, are Organised Labour, civil society groups, the professions and all citizens that loathe legislative recklessness and the resort to odious self-help by the legislators. The Nigerian NASS should not be permitted the luxury of legislative rascality for self preservation. It is constituted, not for the rabid protection of illegal, immoral and personal interests, but for the purpose of making laws for the good governance of the country.

ON THIS DAY November 3, 1982

November 3, 2013

The Salang tunnel fire in Afghanistan killed up to 2,000 people. The tunnel fire occurred during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Details were uncertain, but the incident might have been the deadliest known road accident; and one of the deadliest fires of modern times. The Salang tunnel, which opened the famous Salang Pass (or Kotal-e Salang) to motor traffic, was built by Soviet engineers.

A solar eclipse swept across Africa, Europe and the Eastern United States. It was a total solar eclipse in some of the areas affected, a hybrid eclipse of the Sun with a magnitude of 1.0159, with a small portion over the western Atlantic Ocean at sunrise as an annular eclipse. The rest was a narrow total solar eclipse. It happened simultaneously with the 2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

November 3, 2014 ‘One World Trade Center’, the main building of the new World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States, was officially opened. The 104-storey structure shares a numeric name with the North Tower of the original World Trade Center (WTC), which was destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It stands on the northwest of the WTC site.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Subsidy killing: Appeal Court reserves judgement on ex-DPO’s appeal Wale Igbintade

ourt of Appeal, Lagos Division, Wednesday reserved judgement on an appeal filed by the exDivisional Police Officer (DPO) of Agege Police Station, Segun Fabunmi, seeking nullification of a 10-year jail term on him by a Lagos High Court for manslaughter. Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos State High Court had sentenced Fabunmi to 10 years in prison for manslaughter following the death of one Ademola Daramola during the January

9, 2012 fuel subsidy protest in Lagos. The lower court found Fabunmi guilty of shooting three other persons – Alimi Abubakar, Egbujor Samuel and Chizorba Odoh - during the protest, thereby causing them grievous bodily harm. Dissatisfied, Fabunmi in his notice of appeal urged the appellate court to set aside the judgement of the lower court. Arguing the appeal yesterday, Fabunmi’s counsel, CJ Jiakponna, stated that his client’s conviction and sentencing was in error. He urged the court in the interest of justice to al-

low the appeal and set aside the judgement of the lower court. He argued that the lower court relied solely on the evidence of the prosecution which he said was contradictory in nature. He urged the court to determine whether the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, whether the learned trial judge properly evaluated the evidence before convicting the appellant and whether the lower court considered the defence available before convicting Fabunmi for manslaughter. But Lagos State represented by the Attorney-

General and commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem SAN, urged the court to affirm the judgement of the lower court and dismiss the appeal. He maintained that the act of the appellant was intentional with knowledge that death or grievous bodily harm was its possible consequences. Kazeem further submitted that the trial judge was right when she resolved that the act of the appellant was intentional with knowledge that death or grievous bodily harm was its possible consequences. After taking the argument, the panel presided

over by Justice U. I. Ndukwe-Anyanwu reserved judgement on the appeal. Other members of the panel were Justices Biobele Georgewill and U. A. Ogakwu respectively. Fabunmi, of No. 12 Oyewole Street, Ogudu, Lagos, who joined the police in 1984, was arraigned on May 5, 2013 by the Lagos State government on a sevencount charge bordering on murder, attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm. At the time of the incident, the defendant was the DPO of Pen Cinema Police Station, Agege and had led his men to Yaya-Abatan

area of Ogba following intelligence report that there was a disturbance in that area, with hoodlums shattering people’s windscreens and holding others hostage. He had testified that when he got there, there was breakdown of law and order and that immediately the hoodlums saw him and the seven other policemen on his team, they started throwing bottles, sticks, cutlasses, stones and Molotov cocktails. Fabunmi said he was attacked by the mob, during which the rifle containing 60 bullets went off. But he denied shooting the deceased or anyone else.

NDLEA nabs 4 NAHCO staff for smuggling Olusegun Koiki

ational Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, said it has arrested four staff of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO Plc at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja over their involvement in an attempt to smuggle 144kg of ephedrine to Maputo, Mozambique. The agency also said the fifth suspect, , Victor Ahenje, a Load Controller who is also linked with the crime is on the run. But the Managing Director of NAHCO, Mr. Norbert Bielderman when contacted on phone by our correspondent said he had no comment to make on the crime. A statement by NDLEA spokesman, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, game the names of the suspects as the Chief Security Supervisor, Mr. Audu Garba, two Security Officers, Nasiru Ibrahim and Haruna Abdullahi as well as one of its drivers, Adamu Dasura. Ofoyeju said the plan of the suspects was to smuggle the illegal shipment out of the country in an Ethiopian Airline flight, but for the timely interception of its eagle-eyed officers. He explained that in order to courier the drug out of the country, the suspects concealed it inside noodles

and packed in three brown cartons together with relaxers and cereals. He emphasised that some officials who were working at the cargo section had been invited for questioning, with four NAHCO staff subsequently detained for the crime. He said, “Preliminary investigation suggests flagrant lapses on the part of NACHO security in charge of cargo. So far, they are cooperating with our team of investigators.” Besides, the Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.), seized the opportunity to call for proper vetting and re-vetting of airport staff to prevent acts of sabotage and compromise capable of undermining national security. He said the attempted smuggling of the illicit drug was a case of conspiracy involving workers within the airport community and assured that the agency would get to the bottom of the matter. He said, “The agency is investigating the level of involvement of the suspects under interrogation and anyone indicted shall be prosecuted. Any act of sabotage can cause untold damage to national security. We shall get to the root of this case. The agency is working very hard to promote peace and enhance the image of the country.”

L-R: Wife of the Chairman of Iwajowa Local Government Area, Mrs. Esther Egunjobi; her husband, Samuel Egunjobi and wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, during the visit of Mrs Ajimobi to Iwajowa Local Government Area in the state yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Oyo demands 13% derivation for solid minerals Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

yo State government has called on the Federal Government to commence payment of 13 per cent derivation from royalties, taxes and levies from solid minerals to the state and local governments. Governor Abiola Aji-

mobi made the call in his office while playing host to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission team on nationwide monitoring exercise on royalty collections and activities of miners at the state and local governments. The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Govern-

ment (SSG), Mr. Olalekan Alli, said the state was due for the derivation, stressing that the derivation funds would be committed to developmental projects in the state. He appealed to miners in the state to start paying their land use charges, taxes and other levies into the covers of the state government.

IGP orders fresh probe of Ijebu-Ode murders Akindele Orimolade

welve years after the murder of two members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, the Inspector General of Police, IGP

Ibrahim Idris, has ordered fresh investigation into the incident. This followed a petition dated October 25, written by Prince Shefiu Bello, a NURTW official, addressed to the police boss requesting a revisit of the case following the emergence of fresh facts.

Bello in the petition alleged that a suspect in a robbery case last month confessed to a Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS team led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police that he (the suspect) was involved in the gruesome murder of one Musliu Adeyemi in November 2004.

South West Coordinator of the exercise, Mr. Uche Nwagbara, said the Federal Government gave several benefits to the mining sector such as tax waivers to a newly established industry, duty free on importation of machinery among others to boost the activities of the industry. Special Adviser to the Governor on Solid Minerals, Mr. Mathew Oyedokun, assured that the state government would collaborate with RMAFC in its activities, reiterating that the state would create an enabling environment for generating wealth from mineral resources and also to transform the mineral sector into an irresistible Mining destination for local and global market.

South West

Thursday, November 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ondo PDP crisis: Appeal Court President constitutes fresh panel Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

fresh panel to handle all appeals emanating from the legal tussle over the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State between the Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi-led Caretaker committee and the Senator Ali Modu-Sherif faction of the party was yesterday constituted. The constitution of the new panel follows the

withdrawal of the threemember panel of Justices of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Jummai Hannatu Sankey from all the appeals relating to Ondo State governorship election slated for November 26, 2016. The three Justices had on Tuesday withdrawn from the cases following a petition written by chairman of the PDP in the state, Prince Biyi Poroye, who alleged that the Justices have been compromised.

In a letter with reference number, PCA/Abuja/ VII/2016, Justice Bulkachuwa named Justice Ibrahim M. Saulawa as chairman of the panel, which has Justices Ignatius Igwe Agube and Godwin Mbaba as members. The President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa in constituting the new panel said that the three-member panel of Justices of the appellate court will handle appeals by the PDP and Chief Ben-

son Akingboye and 2 others, that of Hon. Diri Kelly Adonye and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and 2 others, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi and Another and Prince Biyi Poroye and 10 others and the appeal by Engr Clement Faboyede and Another and Prince Biyi Poroye and 10 others. “You are hereby empanelled to sit and determine the above appeals in Abuja Division expeditiously. Fixation of dates to be

worked out with the presiding Justice of the Abuja Division”, Justice Bulkachuwa stated in the letter. Meanwhile, the meeting of the National Judicial Council (NJC) is ongoing and may stretch to Thursday to discuss several issues bordering the nation’s judiciary. The meeting will among other issues consider the appointment of a substantive Secretary for the NJC between the two candidates recommended to it after due consultation.

The two contenders for the job are the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court Court, Barrister Ahmed Gambo Saleh and the Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Barrister Aliyu Ibrahim. NJC, it was learnt will consider them for the appointment in line with the regulations and guidelines which stipulates issues of seniority and experience as major yardstick in determining the best candidate for the NJC Secretary job.

Hope rises for drop out students Olubunmi Omoogun

n line with its vision to stem the rate of teenage pregnancy and increase opportunities for adolescents students to actualize their dreams, a non-governmental organization, Sephamid Bridge Foundation (SBF) has rolled out a program tagged `Back to School Initiative’ (BSi) in EwuEkiti community in Ekiti state. The program seeks to improve the lifestyle of adolescent drop out students, change their oorientation and equip them to contribute immensely to the socio-economic development in the society. The team which is made up of professionals from different walks of life has been impacting in the lives of dropout school students for months also engaged the students on varied health risk behavioral issues such as high level premarital sexual CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as RAHMON JUBRIL ADIO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLADIPUPO GABRIEL ADIO. Former documents remain valid. General public note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, MRS. IGE, VICTORIA AREOLA is the same as MRS. IGE, VICTORIA. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ige, Victoria Areola. All former documents remain valid. GTB and General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as BAJO KUNLE, now wish to be known and addressed as BAJO ADEKUNLE OLUWAFEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

activities, unprotected sex, alcoholism, smoking and drug abuse. According to the coordinator of the foundation, Dayo Ayeni, he explained that the BSi program gives teenage mothers opportunity to reestablish their dreams to be successful and become role models for their kids and be productive members of their communities. During this laudable program, teen moms are counseled to help them make informed choices and choose either to go back to school or sign up for vocational and entrepreneurship training such as tailoring, baking and hairdressing skills. He said `the foundation has provided school materials, uniforms and school sandals, school bags and school fees for dropout students in the rural areas to ease the students’ efforts to going back to school, all fully funded by the foundation’. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MRS HAMEED KADIJAT TOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEDIRAN KADIJAT TOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AKINTELU MULIKAT JAIYESINMI ALHAJA, now wish to be known and addressed as AKINTELU-JAIYESIMI MULIKAT ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as BENEDICT SWART ONYEMAECHI UZODIMMA, now wish to be known and addressed as UZODIMMA BENSWART BENEDICT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

L-R: Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; President/Vice Chancellor Adeleke University, Ede, Prof. Samuel Ekundayo Alao; Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and Associate Vice President, Records, Dr. Toyin Onayinka, during the familiarisation visit to the Governor by the newly inaugurated Adeleke University administrators in his office, Osogbo, yesterday.

Students of National Judicial Institute visit Glo

tudents of the National Judicial Institute (NJI) paid an academic visit to Globacom during which they lauded the company for its enviable innovations in the nation’s telecommunications industry. The students who are judges from diverse courts of the country visited the company under the aegis of the NJI in partial fulfillment of the Nigerian Communications Commission NCC/ NJI Workshop For Judges on Legal Issues In Telecoms . They also expressed appreciation to the network for its infrastructural development which has contributed to moving Nigeria ahead in the areas of business, interpersonal relationships and due judicial processes. Hon Justice Chinwe Iyizoba, Justice of the Court

of Appeal, Ibadan Division, who spoke on behalf of the students who were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), noted that Globacom was a pride to all Nigerians owing to its commitment to the growth and enhancement of the indigenous telecommunications which has placed it at par with other global telecoms operators. Justice Iyizoba enthused that “Globacom is doing well,” after seeing the level of investment in the customer care department of the company. She added that the company has made immense contributions to the socio-economic development of the Nigerian economy. The visit was also aimed at assisting the judges to appreciate the central place occupied by the telecommunications industry as a crucial

national infrastructure. Executive Director of Globacom, Mr. Adewale Sangowawa, who received the judges on behalf of the company, disclosed that Globacom was mindful of the enormous contributions of the Bench to the development and preservation of Nigeria as a nation, especially its part in guiding the nation’s young democracy. According to Mr Sangowawa, “In these days of the telecoms revolution, Globacom remains a partner with you in the dispensing of justice. Our massive infrastructure facilitates easy and seamless administration of justice anywhere in the country.” “Our facilities like the 4G LTE, riding upon our advanced fibre optic and submarine infrastructure, are readily available to make the dispensing of law and justice

faster and more convenient. Globacom’s advanced telecommunications technology will make your work easier and faster, especially as it concerns documentation and access to volumes of legal resources at the speed of light. Also, we believe that very soon distance will not be a problem when it comes to access to witnesses and other persons that may be important in the process of arriving at fair and accurate judgments,” he added Director, Customer Care, Maria Svensson while explaining the operations of her department explained that Globacom as a system is powered by world-class, top of the range technology. “Customers are attended to at the customer care centre in English, Pidgin, Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo languages on a 24/7 basis,’ she said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South East

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Illegal levies: 2 principals, 28 others arrested in Anambra Gloria Anaeze ONITSHA

nambra State governor, Willie Obiano, has revealed that no fewer than 30 persons, including two school principals have so far been arrested for allegedly collecting unauthorised levies and revenues in schools and other locations within the state. The people, according to the governor, were apprehended by the special inspection and monitoring team on the effective implementation and abuses of the state’s economic stimulus package recently introduced by his administration. He urged people of the state, especially parents and guardians, to report abuses of the recently announced economic relief packages to his administration for immediate action, pointing out that his ad-

• Obiano tasks farmers on cooperatives societies

ministration was sustaining the war against collection of unapproved levies by individuals parading themselves as government agents. The governor noted that the levies were abdicated by his administration to give the people some financial respite in view of the prevailing economic recession, and revealed those arrested had been charged to court. He urged the people to support his administration in the implementation of the economic stimulus package by reporting anyone founds to be exploiting them in the name of collecting levies for government, for prompt disciplinary action. The governor, who spoke at the Pontifical High Mass held at St. Joseph’s Catho-

Imo to partner FG on pollution, erosion control

he Imo government has restated its resolve to partner the Federal Government to tackle the challenges of erosion and environmental pollution ravaging parts of the state. The Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday, at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri. He said the state government’s priority was not only to save lives and property of her citizenry, but to ensure commercial food production and habitable environment for all. Madumere said the state was willing to partner the Federal Government to achieve its environment agenda. He said he was already discussing with Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed, on how to tackle the ecological problems in the state. Madumere, however, stressed the need for proactive measure by various communities to promote healthy environmental practice. He decried the menace of erosion, which accord-

ing to him had largely affected the people of the state. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Imo is among states with high incidences of gully erosion in the South-East geo-political zone. This had adversely affected agriculture production and socio-economic activities in the state. The deputy governor frowned at what he called “lackadaisical attitude“ of some of oil firms operating in the state towards their host communities in times of environmental challenges. According to him, the attitude of some oil firms on reported cases of pollution as a result of leakages from their oil facilities is not encouraging. He, however, expressed happiness for the proactive measure being taken by the Minister of Environment and her team to handle such situations in the oil producing areas. “I believe that with the positive words of the Minister of Environment, there will be light at the end of the tunnel in response to the protracted ecological challenges in the state.’’

lic Parish, Oraukwu in Idemili North council of the state, to mark the 50th anniversary of the parish called on the people of the state, especially those in the vegetables export business initiative to organise themselves in cooperative groups to enable them ben-

efit adequately from government’s agricultural support packages so as to boost their production. He acknowledged that Oraukwu community has continued to play key role in the state’s vegetables export business arrangement. Obiano advocated broth-

erly love and care for one another as befitting true Christians, as a sure way to overcome the negative implications of the present economic recession. In a homily, the auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Onitsha, Rev Dennis Isizor, described anni-

versary celebrations as a period of stock-taking and reflection, pointing out that Oraukwu community was famous for its numerous sons who have contributed immensely towards the advancement of Christianity. He urged the community to utilise the event to solidify its faith in God and commitment towards promoting evangelism.

L-R: Igwe Donald Ezeugwu; Head of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) Enugu state, Mr. Nnaemeka Nwajagu; Igwe Paul Ogbodo and Igwe Innocent Ayalogu during the NICO Enugu’s maiden edition of her New Yam Festival in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Man sues Umahi, Speaker over environment law Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

n aged man, Mr. Sunday Ekpa, Wednesday dragged Ebonyi State government to the state High Court sitting in Abakaliki for failure to produce the gazzetted copy of the amended Ministry of Environment Law in the state. Also, included in the suit are the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Augustine Nwank-

wegu and Ebonyi State House of Assembly and its Clerk, Mrs. Roseline Nwokporo. Ekpa had approached the court demanding the release of the gazetted copy of the Tax law to enable him study the law and assessment of the arbitrary sanitation rate which he claimed has scared investors. Investigation revealed that the state government banned the Ebonyi State Environmental Protection

Agency (EBSEPA) in 2015 and its law metamorphosed into the state Ministry of Environment Law which has triggered off the latest controversy of the actual year of its amendment since its enforcement is alleged to have been backdated to 2013. The applicant noted that his landlord, Chief A.E. Oselebe who was presented a Demand Notice No: 001401 with Reference No: EB/SF/ WM/DMD/008 for the payment of N216,000 being payment for 2013, 2014 and 2015

sanitation rate, said it was a condition precedent for the payment of house rent. In an Order of Mandamus, the Applicant through his Counsel Uchenna OmeIgwe prayed the court to compel the 1st Respondent (Clerk) 2nd Respondent (Ebonyi House of Assembly) to produce the Gazetted copy of Ebonyi State Ministry of Environment Law Vol.2 CAP. 53 as Amended, which the government of the 3rd respondent (Attorney-General) has been parading.

Don’t allow politicians hijack shoe contracts —Aba shoemakers

hoe manufacturers in Aba, Abia have called on the state government to ensure that shoe production contracts through government intervention are not hijacked by politicians. Chairman of Powerline Shoe Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Mr Goodluck Mmeri, made the call in Aba on Wednesday in an interview with

the News Agency of Nigeria. He warned that if the opportunity to improve consumption of Aba-manufactured shoes by government agencies was mishandled, it would result in perpetual disdain for the products. Mmeri said the shoe manufacturers stand the chance of having their products gain greater acceptance by Nigerians and the international commu-

nity if the contract was well handled. “When I heard the news that the military had agreed to buy 50,000 pairs of military boots produced in Aba, I was happy. “We thank the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, for the effort which directly or indirectly resulted in the award. “We, however, wish to inform the governor that if the contract to supply the

military 50,000 pairs of boots from Aba is given to the manufacturers, it will change the fortunes of the leather industry in Aba. “The government should spread the production among the 11 shoe clusters in Ariaria and give part to Powerline, Imo Avenue, Umuehilegbu industrial Market, Plaza, Old Site clusters and others.

South South

Thursday, November 3, 2016

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Military confirms blast at NPDC flow station in Delta

he Joint Military Task Force deployed to the Niger Delta to protect oil infrastructure on Wednesday, confirmed an explosion at an oil field operated by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company

(NPDC) in Delta. Lt.-Col. Olaolu Daudu, Spokesman of the joint force code-named “Operation Delta Safe’’ who confirmed the development to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa said investigations had

commenced. He said troops deployed to the area heard an explosion at the Bantan Flow Station run by NPDC, a subsidiary of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). “Troops of Operation

Delta Safe located at Sector 1, in Delta while on routine patrol heard an explosive sound caused by suspected economic saboteurs at Batan Flow Station around Ekweregbene, Bantan general area.

“The incident is however, being investigated and details will be made available as events unfold. “Also, troops of Forward Operation Base, deployed at Bonny in Rivers, while on anti – crude oil theft/ illegal bunkering patrol, discovered two illegal refinery sites along Ogbunku Creek,’’ he said. He further said the troops recovered three 40 horse power outboard en-

gines and three pumping machines. Sources in the area said no militant group has claimed responsibility for the explosion, coming barely 24 hours after the Niger Delta stakeholders met with President Muhammadu Buhari. It was also gathered that the attack breached a crude export line that was commissioned on Monday.

Pension: FG urges pensioners to be patient

L-R: Akwa Ibom State Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Petroleum Matters, Obong Essien Esema; Chief Maritime Labour Officer at Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Lawal Abdullahi and Mr Udoka Ogbonna, inspecting site for building logistics jetty at Esuene Beach, Eket LGA, yesterday.

Rivers govt to rehabilitate 9 general hospitals

ivers Government said it had approved the rehabilitation of nine general hospitals and a secondary school in the state. The Commissioner for Information, Dr Austin Tam-George, who stated this in Port Harcourt, told newsmen that the State Executive Council approved the rehabilitation of the hospitals at

its meeting on Wednesday. Tam-George said the hospitals were located in Omoku, Nchia, Abua, Isiokpo, Abonnema, Okrika, Opobo, Terabo and Ngo. He said the decision was in line with the vision of the Governor Nyesom Wike to provide quality healthcare for people in the state. He stated that the hos-

pitals would be upgraded for better service. The commissioner also announced that the council approved the rehabilitation of Government Secondary School, Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area. “The Wike administration, as promised, will give attention to the development of infrastructure in the health and education sectors in

the state. “This approval by the State Executive Council is in line with the New Rivers Vision of the Wike administration,” he said. He disclosed that the upgrade of the Orthopaedic Department of Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, Port Harcourt, undertaken by the government, had been completed.

Oil leak from Agip’s field pollutes Otuokpoti community in Bayelsa

esidents of Ekole Creek in Bayelsa on Wednesday reported a massive oil leak from an oil field operated by Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in the state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ekole Creek is around Agbura and Otuokpoti communities in Ogbia and Yenagoa local government areas respectively. They said the spill resulting from the leak destroyed farmlands and aquatic lives in the communities.

Residents said that crude oil deposits from the spillage measured about five centimeter thick on the surface of the water. The incident caused some of the residents to troop out to scoop the flowing crude oil. A resident of Otuokpoti community, Mrs Cecilia Osain said the spillage had negatively affected fishing activities in the river. According to her, those who went fishing came back with no catch as the crude oil has

scared the fish, crayfish and shrimps away into the high sea beyond the reach of artisanal fishermen. Osain, who also scooped the crude, said bathing in the river is no longer safe for residents as those who did complained of itching all over their bodies. She said that the community relied on the creek for drinking water and for domestic use. Meanwhile, the people of Otuokpoti community have appealed to the government of Bayelsa to

provide relief materials to ameliorate the plight of the people. In a letter signed by their Paramount ruler, Chief Cousin Wongo and Chairman, Community Development Committee, Mr Simpson Isikpi, the community noted that the spillage polluted the entire river. According to the letter, the incident has negatively affected the economic life of the people as the river serves as a major source of income to members of the community.

he Federal Government on Wednesday pleaded with pensioners to be patient following delay in the payment of pension and death benefits to beneficiaries. Mrs Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, made the plea in Abuja at the National Executive Council meeting of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners. “As a critical stakeholder in the pension administration in Nigeria, the Head of Civil Service is well informed of some of the challenges faced by pensioners. “This is either as beneficiaries under the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS) or the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS); worthy to mention is the legion of complaints and challenges faced by pensioners under the DBS. “Similarly, under the CPS, what has recently been on the front burner

is the non- payment of pension to officers who retired from 2015 arising from the delayed funding of their accrued rights. “It is imperative to state that President Buhari, through the instrumentality of relevant government agencies saddled with responsibility of pension administration is working hard to evolve more ingenious solution to address the challenges, ‘’she said. Oyo-Ita noted that the OHCSF had earlier in the year inaugurated a tripartite standing committee on pension matters to handle flurry of inquiries received on daily basis in the OHCSF. She said that the committee, which membership was drawn from the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), met monthly to review complaints.

Attempt to smuggle 144kg of ephedrine to Mozambique:NDLEA arrests 4 NAHCO staff Olusegun Koiki

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, said it has arrested four staff of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO, Plc at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja over their involvement in an attempt to smuggle 144kg of ephedrine to Maputo, Mozambique. The agency also said that the fifth suspect, the fifth suspect, Victor Ahenje, a Load Controller who is also linked with the crime is on the run.

But, the Managing Director of NAHCO, Mr. Norbert Bielderman, when contacted on phone by our correspondent said he had no comment to make on the crime. He said; “I have no comment to make on the issue. I have no comment to make.” A statement by the spokesman of NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Oofyeju game the names of the four suspects as the Chief Security Supervisor, Mr. Audu Garba, two Security Officers, Nasiru Ibrahim and Haruna Abdullahi as well as one of its drivers, Adamu Dasura.

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Thursday , October, November 3, 2013 - Page Thursday 3, 201633

Nigeria@56: True federalism, Our leaders should way forward for stop apportioning Nigeria —Atilade blame -North

$29.96bn Loan: Lawmaker urges Senate to reconsiders Buhari’s demand Isesele Ezekiel

BENIN

ormer member, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon . Johnson Oghuma yesterday prevailed on members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly to

reconsider their position on the $29.96billion loan requested for approval by President Muhammadu Buhari in the interest of Nigeria Oghuma who spoke with newsmen in Benin City also stressed on the urgent need by the parlia-

mentarians to collaborate with the federal government in the drive to bail out the country from the present economic recession and hardship currently stirring the people at the face The APC Chieftain said deliberate actions need to be taken towards

injecting money into the various key sectors of the economy to boost investments, raise infrastructure amidst current global fall in oil prices and economy meltdown “All the stakeholders including the National Assembly members must work as a team towards

rescuing the country out of her present economic crisis. The people’s interest must be uppermost in consideration and in doing so there will be a lot of economic activities” “Taking loan is not a sin or crime. We need something to fall back on since our foreign reserve

was depleted by past governments; this (President Buhari’s) government is normal, sensitive and is sincere about the nation’s wellbeing and its people. We need the loan to jump-start or boost the economy and rescue the country out of the recession.”

Ladoja, Bianca, other APGA leaders in closed door meeting Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

ife of the late Igbo leader, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, yesterday, led some national leaders of the All Progressives Grand Alliance,APGA, including a former Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, to a closed-door meeting with the national leader of Accord party and former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja. National Mirror learnt that the meeting, which was held at the Bodija residence of Ladoja, lasted for over two hours with discussion possibly about the ongoing talks among opposition parties for a national coalition. The meeting came barely 24-hours after Ladoja said Accord party would be in the vanguard of the third force political platform while inaugurating new state executive members of the party. It was gathered the meeting was the first between Ladoja and APGA national leaders, a development a source described as “the beginning of a robust, acrossthe-bridge relationship among the stakeholders.” With Ladoja to receive the guests were Chief Bisi Ilaka; the National Secre-

tary of Accord, Mr Nureni Adisa; Chief Bayo Lawal; former state chairman of Accord, Alhaji Bashir Lawal and Mr Bimbo Adepoju. Bianca and Maku, while speaking on the purpose of the visit, said they came to congratulate Ladoja on his elevation to the ladder of the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland. It will be recalled that Ladoja was in January this year, elevated from Ashipa to Osi Olubadan by the Olubadan-in-Council along other chiefs who moved a step forward following the death of Oba Samuel Odulana, the immediate past Olubadan. Bianca is a Board of Trustees member of APGA, while Maku is the National Secretary of APGA.

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, Senator Suleiman Adokwe; members of the committee, Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, during their oversight function visit to the headquarters of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Taraba APC, PDP in war of words over ambassadorial nominee Justin Tyopuusu JALINGO

here is a war of words going on in Taraba state between the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the nomination of Mustafa Jaji as ambassadorial nominee by President Muhammadu Buhari. While the Peoples

Democratic Party, PDP Taraba state chapter hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for nominating the former Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund ,TETFUND, Mallam Mustafa Jeji, the APC has condemned the nomination of Mustafa and call on the president to reverse the nomination. State Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Victor Bala Kona

No opposition in Taraba —PDP Chairman Justin Tyopuusu JALINGO

araba state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party , PDP and state Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Hon. Victor Bala Kona has said PDP will continue to win in Taraba because there is no op-

position in the state. Bala Kona stated this on Wednesday while fielding questions from journalists on the level of preparation of the party ahead of local government elections in the state slated for next year. The State Independent Electoral Commission, SIEC had fixed

February 11 next year as date for the conduct of local government elections in the state. “There is practically no opposition in Taraba. Since the return to democracy in 1999, PDP has been wining overwhelmingly in Taraba. Taraba has been a PDP state and will continue to be.

in a chat with journalists in Jalingo commended President Buhari for considering a worthy and competent son of Taraba state for ambassadorial position. Kona who said the PDP as a Party in the state was happy with the choice of Mustafa because he was more than qualified to represent Mr. President anywhere in the world. “Mustafa Jaji is a Nigerian and an indigene of Taraba. He is educated and well experience. So, he is qualify to represent Nigeria in any part of the world. I don’t know why some people are kicking against his nomination with political insinuations. “President Buhari has made a brilliant choice from Taraba state and we in PDP in the state are very happy with his choice,” he said. But in a swift reaction, state APC Chairman, Mallam Ardo Jika said

the nomination of Mustafa Jeji was against the promises of President Muhammadu Buhari to party members not only in Taraba state but across the country. Ardo lamented that the president did not consult the state executive of the party as well as state and national representatives of APC before making the nomination. “Mr. President has promised the party loyalists of reward for their labour, so I don’t understand why the president would dump those that worked for him and the party to reward those who worked against the party in the last general elections. “As far as APC is concern in Taraba state, nobody contacted us or informed us of the nomination of Mustafa Jeji. Jeji has never been a member of APC in Taraba state. All we know is that from his own ward,

Mustafa Jeji is a registered member of PDP” “We are repeating President Buhari’s statement which he made to us that there will never be a situation where someone will be sick lying in the bed while another person will be taking drugs on his behalf. So, I believe this nomination did not come from Buhari, somebody might have suggested the name for him wrongly” “I believe Mr. President will reverse the name because we use to know him as a man of his words that whoever suffered for APC and vote for APC would be rewarded, and that is what we heard him saying in our last NEC meeting. “All our party executive and members of our state and National Assemblies are not in support of the nomination because the nomination will dampen the morale of APC supporters,” he said.

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True federalism, way forward for Nigeria —Atilade President, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, South-West Zone, Archbishop Magnus Atilade in a media chat in Lagos implored President Muhammadu Buhari to take urgent action to tackle some of the issues raised by the First Lady especially the one concerning delivery of dividends of democracy to millions of Nigerians who he noted are presently going through hard times. Atilade who is also the President, Gospel Baptist Conference of Nigeria and Overseas, also spoke on other national issues including Nigeria at 56, War Against Corruption, assessment of Buhari’s administration and the renewed call for restructuring. AYO ESAN brings excerpts.

ow would you assess the journey so far under President Muhammadu Buhari? So far so good, we thank God that we are still on track. We thank God that Nigeria is still one nation. However while Buhari’s government has been at work recording some progress in the past one year, one must not fail to point out that we are yet to have the desired change. Although some may argue that change is a gradual process, but then for millions of Nigerians that have been expectant before Buhari got there and since he has also been in the saddle are still longing for the desired change. For the common man and people at the grassroots who readily constitute the largest percentage of the population, many of them are still groaning, yearning for dividends of democracy. If the truth must be told, even though government is trying especially in the War Against Corruption, but Buhari and his advisers should also shift their attention to other areas requiring urgent attention. The president should look into problem of hunger and poverty. Millions of Nigerians are complaining of hard times, these are people that voted him into office, so the president can’t afford to ignore them. Buhari and his advisers should look at how to formulate policies that will ensure that we have food in abundance, and that will also ensure that jobs are created for millions of unemployed youths. An hungry man is an angry man as the saying goes. As clerics we are very close to the grassroots, these common people come to us everyday complaining and looking up to the religious leaders for succor. I however believe that Buhari should not let Nigerians have a feeling that he has disappointed them. Buhari came on the platform of effecting change, so he owes Nigerians that obligation to bring about changes that will put smiles on the faces of Nigerians. In view of your comments, do you think the recent outbursts of the First Lady; Aisha Buhari should be given attention by the President?

they were expecting from Buhari. But I’m very sure that if many Nigerians have food on their tables, are gainfully employed and can meet the obligations required by their basic needs, they will be very happy and there won’t be some of these complaints. I’m however using this medium to appeal to Nigerians to exercise patience with Buhari’s administration. With time and understanding from Nigerians, I believe that Buhari’s administration will make a positive difference. What is your take on calls for restructuring of the country? It is sad and very unfortunate. The way some people including respectable elders have been interpreting the calls for restructuring. For these set of people, calls for restructuring is an indirect call for break-up of Nigeria. But this is nothing but peddling of falsehood. Today, Nigeria is in a dire economic problem. Effects of recession is biting hard on everybody. 27 state governments can’t pay salaries, and the future look gloomy. Must we continue like this? Absolutely No. We must look for urgent solutions. One of the solutions is through restructuring; we must embark on fiscal restructuring. This is a situation whereby component units that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be encouraged to explore and exploit resources in their various domains for revenue purpose – they will now pay tax to the federal government. Atilade God bless the First Lady, Aisha Buhari. It is God that spoke through her the minds of millions of Nigerians. She deserves kudos. She is a woman that doesn’t want her husband to fail, and that was why she was able to display that rare courage in speaking out. If I were Buhari, I will not trivialize what Aisha said. I will not gloss over issues she raised in that interview. Rather, I will take steps to be sober and reflective. Aisha obviously knew what she was saying. She is the president’s wife and very close to him. Nobody is perfect. Buhari is human. Therefore he should not feel bad that Aisha granted interview, what Buhari should address are the issues the woman raised. Buhari should know that as an elected leader, he is under what is called social contract to fulfill his electoral promises to Nigerians. Just like I said earlier, almost one and half years into his administration, has Buhari been able to tackle problems of hunger, poverty and unemployment. He should do something very urgent on these three areas. Secondly, the issue of a cabal holding him ransom or hostage in Aso Rock. This is an issue we should not dismiss with a wave of the hand. We know that in Nigeria, for any government in power, you will always have these cabals. These are few men and powerful women who surround themselves around the president – some call them kitchen cabinet – they wield enormous influence around the corridors of power. Any president that is not vigilant, these cabals can hijack such president, preventing him from what is good for the collective interests of Nigerians. They are very selfish and

often are responsible for downfall of some leaders. Buhari should be reflective and after a thorough self-examination and examination of those closely surrounding him he should carry out a purge. He should purge the so-called cabal and dismantle them. He should only recruit and get the best hands to work with him to make him succeed. What Buhari should remember is that the buck stop at his table. But with the war being waged against corruption … Cuts in.. . I know that the War Against Corruption is good, but that should not occupy 90 percent of Buhari’s time. There are other areas and sections yearning for his attention. I was one of those clerics that formed a group called “Pastors For Change” in the build-up to 2015 general elections. Our group openly canvassed for Buhari’s emergence even though he is a Muslim candidate and was contesting against a sitting Christian President. When we clerics in that group were supporting Buhari’s emergence, our support for him was borne out of patriotism and not out of any other sentiments. We believe that he has the credentials to deliver the goods. Up till now we still believe in him, and that’s why we are advising him on how to succeed. Now we are facing economic recession, and things are generally tough for Nigerians. It is not that millions of Nigerians don’t know that Buhari is fighting corruption, they know and they support him, but then they are also hungry and that’s why they are lamenting that this is not the change

The genesis of Nigeria’s problem was when we neglect this practice and became solely dependent on oil, crude oil.

Now that the prices

of crude oil has crashed, that is why we are having this problem. It is either we do the needful now or we will continue to suffer.

There is no region or geo-political zone that is not blessed with one natural resource or the other. So I don’t know why some people are afraid of fiscal restructuring? This was even the way it was during the First Republic. That was the era of cocoa production in the South West, groundnut pyramid in Kano, palm oil in the East. You also have coal, cotton and rubber being cultivated and exported for revenue. The genesis of Nigeria’s problem was when we neglect this practice and became solely dependent on oil, crude oil. Now that the prices of crude oil has crashed, that is why we are having this problem. It is either we do the needful now or we will continue to suffer. The military intervention of 1966 also disrupted everything. It corrupted true federalism that we were practicing as the military now introduced unitary system of government. Are you saying that the military should be held responsible for Nigeria’s current problems? Absolutely yes. They laid the foundation for the rot facing the country. Military intervention did a lot of damage. It also led to moral breakdown. Unitary system introduced by the military also polluted true federalism. We have to go back to true federalism, otherwise we may not be able to get it right. Some people have described public office holders’ salaries as outrageous and they are calling for a drastic cut, what’s your view on this? That’s part of what is killing this nation. Salaries and other emoluments being collected by public office holders is too much. It is obnoxious and very outrageous. In a situation where workers in 27 states are being owed salaries, some public office holders and lawmakers are collecting millions of naira every month, and mostly for doing nothing. What do we even need Bi-camera Legislature for? Full time legislature should also be reviewed. Part-time legislature is one of the best ways to know those who genuinely want to serve the nation. We should make public office less attractive remunerationswise. It is by doing so that we will know those who genuinely want to serve.

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The Place of women in the society (2) CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

(Continued from Thursday October 27, 2016) istory of humanity is replete with ascensions of potentates, states, empires and governments which had one time or the other exercised imperial powers over their subjects, but with time all these powers inevitably fell and the conquered or the exploited became liberated. This unfortunately has not been the case with gender imperialism as; it has been so consistent all over the period of recorded history that it has been taken for granted, it was as if as it is natural for one half of humanity to lord it over the other half perpetually. Despite the fact man/woman superiority concept had neither scientific nor spiritual basis, exploitative practices on the basis of gender difference continue to this day. In spite of all the efforts made so far to reengineer the society toward a better, just and egalitarian regime, virtually all societies in the world still reek with entrenched domineering influence of the men to the detriment of women. While the developed countries could boast of modest achievements in this regard,

the same, unfortunately could not be said of the African countries. The continent seems to have a permanent, stubborn social mechanism for gender exploitation and repression. These social mechanisms entrenched through cultural and religious practices are too deeply rooted to be dislodged by episodic campaign and un-sustained efforts. They require well coordinated, comprehensive and sustained endeavors because the requisite changes can be achieved. Let us use Nigeria as a case study. Hardly any day passes without a report of wanton abuse of women rights. This is of course, not surprising given the fact that the society has been historically patriarchal and men had enjoyed comprehensive and unchallenged dominance over women. The incipient philosophy of gender parity as enshrined in the numerous international treaties and conventions is accepted only superficially by our leaders, but not in spirit. Therefore, culture of women subjugation anchored on the unfounded notion of men’s superiority and supremacy still thrives. Even, among the educated, albeit unenlightened ones, women are still generally regarded as inferior, subservient species who has been sentenced to a perpetual role of second class citizens. The headship status of a man has over his family is construed as absolute, inalienable and natural. He does not lose this headship even if he not the “breadwinner” and his wife feeds him and the children, pays the house rent, provided clothing and other conveniences. All these avail to nothing in the traditional thinking as the status of the woman is considered subservient

Jonathan finds his voice...

Bola Bolawole

urrah! Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has found his voice again! After losing the 2015 presidential election and relinquished power to Muhammadu Buhari, Jonathan ran tail between his legs to his Otuoke village in Bayelsa state, faded out of the limelight and embraced obscurity. Spirited efforts by prying reporters to draw him out failed; the only time he made any worthwhile statement was when the news spread that he had run out of the country into exile. He did not; he said; then returned to the country and quickly withdrew again into his shell. The wide publicity given the investigation of Dasuki-gate and the din of those demanding his probe and trial did not make Jonathan change his mind; he seemed bent on quietly enjoying his ‘retirement’ or of not ruffling feathers. On the few occasions that he spoke, he was terse. Once, he told us he was under probe; on another, we learnt that his life could be under threat. By and large, however, Jonathan maintained sturdy silence, soaking the heat and absorbing all the punches thrown at him. He must have taken Isaiah 53:7 very much to heart – but that was then. Now, no more! Jonathan has suddenly found his groove and would have no more of keeping silent in the face of unbridled assault and unprovoked insults. I guess he will now return fire for fire, even if with some guile and subtlety. Twice in a week the ex-President has spoken out in defence of his time and achievements in office. He said his embattled NSA, Sambo Dasuki, did not embezzle the 2.1 billion dollar arms fund for which he was be-

ing held. Repeated court orders that the man be released on bail have been spurned by the Buhari administration. Now we hear the man might be tried in camera; that is to say, in secret. Government is said to be afraid that the revelations that can pour out from the man’s mouth are able to drown many powerful Nigerian leaders. Even Buhari, we have learnt, will not be spared. Highly-placed traditional rulers and former Heads of State are said to have benefitted from the ONSA funds; some are even saying that the bullet-proof car reportedly sent the way of Candidate Buhari after he escaped a bomb attack in Kaduna could have had Dasuki’s signature. These must be what Jonathan is diplomatically or stylishly referring to. Money meant for arms may have been diverted for other purposes; in bureaucracy parlance it is called “virement”, the type Buhari is asking the National Assembly for approval to do with the 2016 budget. Jonathan’s queer sense of reasoning is known to all: He has told us that much of what is called corruption by Nigerians is nothing but ordinary millof-the-run stealing. So, is stealing corruption and corruption, stealing? Egg-heads; please come to the rescue! The late Chief of General Staff Augustus Aikhomu, once made such interesting distinction between “misappropriation” and “misapplication” of funds! Because Nigerians get angry easily and flare up rather than ask for proper and dispassionate dissection of, and elucidation on, the various terminologies and their implications for national development, we lose a lot of lessons that can stand us in good stead. Jonathan has spoken again, this time more frontally. The only other time he had fired straight from the hips like this is when he declared that his administration bought

Exploitation

of women is too endemic in our system to be rooted out by episodic antidote to the husband and the husband is at liberty to beat up such a woman every now and then for any perceived act of insubordination to his “imperial” authority The male driven-political economy in Nigeria has relegated women economically far below what should naturally be their lot considering their contributions, and potential capacity to contribute to the national economy and development. Consequently 70 per cent of the “very poor “people in the country are women. This is in spite of the fact that women’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy, in one form or the other equals that of men. It is saddening that the evil practices of wife beating and other forms of domestic violence, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, child marriage, rape, acid bathing of alleged cheating spouses, degrading and dehumanizing treatment as well as economic deprivation of women continue unabated. It is a well documented fact that our laws enforcement agents are themselves, whether they know it or not, victims of patriarchal complacency. Instances abound when a woman would

The economy is comatose and

Nigerians have never before suffered like they are doing now quality arms for the military and that it is those arms that he bought that the Buhari administration is still leveraging upon in the fight against Boko Haram. Hear Jonathan: “No matter what my critics (may say) about me, I ensured that there was both freedom of speech and freedom after the speech” Who says this man is not intelligent? His play on words here is as interesting as it is informative. I must confess this is the very first time I would consider the distinction he so poignantly made: You can have freedom to say what you want to say, but may lose your freedom afterwards because of what you have just exercised your freedom of speech to say. In order words, you can get punished for exercising your freedom of speech. That, I am sure you know, is one sure way to curtail freedom of speech, for, as they say, once bitten (or is it beaten\ detained?), twice or fore ever shy! Added Jonathan: “Under my watch, not a single Nigerian was sent to prison because of anything they wrote or said about me or the administration. Nigeria had neither political prisoners nor political exile under my watch...” He is right. Many will say that had since changed and that there are people whose crime today is because they dare criticise this government. Now, the

report a case of domestic violence against her husband to the police only to be told that it was a domestic affairs that requires no state intervention. Such a woman would in most case resign to her fate. One police officer was once reported as saying “any woman who does not respect her husband deserves to be beaten” when a victim reported a case of battering against her husband at the police station. Now, the pertinent questions are who determine what constitutes act of disrespect? Who punishes the man who does not respect the wife? Finally does a man has the legal authority to unleash punishment for a real or imagined acts of disobedience on any fellow citizen, including his wife? In one particular documented instance, a woman was driven away by her husband in the dead of the night after a serious domestic brawl. She went to report the matter at the Police Station, She was told to stay overnight at the station as against going back to home in order to avoid violence with her husband. But she was raped overnight in the Police Station by some Police Officers! Exploitation of women is too endemic in our system to be rooted out by episodic antidote. It is clear that a comprehensive, purposeful and well-coordinated programme of actions engineered holistically within the system is needed to reorientate the polity towards achieving a just and androgynous society. Concluded KETEFE may be followed on twitter @Ketesco

killer punches: “We gave institutions unlimited freedom and ensured that the NBA and other professional institutions were devoid of any government influence... Most of my principal aides in government hailed from different ethnic nationalities”. This is as direct a reference as it could be to the DSS “sting” operation against some judges and the lopsidedness of Buhari’s appointments. Two reasons may suggest why Jonathan is coming out in the open to fight. One: He may have felt the nose tightening around his neck. The Buhari administration had been dancing around Jonathan for a long time. The frontal attack on his wife, Dame Patience, may have, for Jonathan, taken the “handshake” beyond the elbow. Two: The government of Buhari is floundering on many fronts; apart from the limited success against Boko Haram, there is nothing again cheery about Buhari. The economy is comatose and Nigerians have never before suffered like they are doing now. Opposition against Buhari is gathering and thickening on many fronts; erstwhile supporters are becoming sworn and implacable foes. Buhari is losing his hold; it is only natural that this is the right time for Jonathan to find his groove. turnpot@gmail.com 0807 552 5533

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.

Politics

Thursday, November 3, 2016 Friday, January 17, 2014

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Community Mirror Ondo PDP leaders lampoon Agbi Robert Awokuse

eaders of the Ondo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP under the aegis of PDP Solidarity Group have berated a statement credited to a chieftain of the party, Prof. Olu Agbi – the Asiwaju of Akureland, who according to the leaders is making remarks that, could engender violence. The PDP Solidarity Group’s condemnation of Agbi was contained in statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Folagbade Akinola and made available to National Mirror. Akinola said it is unfortunate that someone of Agbi’s calibre who occupies such a revered position in the state, could be passing inciting statements saying that if Ey-

itayo Jegede is not given the PDP ticket it may bring back a recurrence of the 1983 crisis . The statement reads in part: “Our attention has been drawn to a recent statement by Prof. Olu Agbi, the Asiwaju of Akure Land invoking the spirit of the 1983 crisis which followed the then governorship election between Chief Akin Omoboriowo of the National Party of Nigeria and Pa Adekunle Ajasin, then incumbent governor and candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria. “It is total falsehood for Prof. Agbi and his likes to compare both crises as they are far apart. The present intra-party crisis cannot be equated to the then inter party crisis between the Unity Party of Nigeria and the Na-

Assembly urges Ambode to halt planned demolition of riverine shanties Patrick Okohue

he Lagos State House of Assembly has appealed to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to reconsider its planned demolition of shanties and slums in riverine areas across the state. The House made the plea following the presentation of a report by the Assembly’s ad - hoc committee on the matter led by Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Petitions. Tejuosho said during her presentation that the buildings in the slums are sinking, and that the ground floor was no longer visible. “We will appreciate what the government is doing to make things better, not for them alone but for the people of the state. “It is not conducive for them to continue to dwell there. However, I think we should crave the indulgence of the governor to actually relocate these persons instead of throwing them into the street. “If we allow this, they will go and congregate somewhere and the hazard to the health will not be easy to curtail,” she said. The lawmaker, however, advised Ambode to put in

measures to relocate the slum dwellers before the demolition. In his comments, Hon. Moshood Oshun from Eti Osa Constituency 2 said that the residents were occupying the place illegally, stressing that they were not government tenants. According to him, there are slums everywhere; in Iwaya, Makoko, and other places, saying that all these should be considered also. While some of them supported the demolition, others suggested that the governor should discuss with the residents and see how the matter could be resolved

tional Party of Nigeria. history at the University some prominent Akure then majority leader in When the come , come to come “Reliable source has of Ibadan) at instigating indigenes such as Chief the State House of Aswill sit up inthe this Ministry. Rev. Christhe Okotie, confirmed pivotalspeaking and fuelling of the 1983everybody Olaiya Fagbamigbe, sembly and Chief R. A role by Prof. Agbi crisis which unfortu- renowned publisher, Mr. Agbayewa among othon played the state of the nation PETROLEUM RESOURCES,ALIISON MADUEKE (even then a teacher of nately led to HON the MINISTER death ofFORTunde Agunbiade, the ers”.

L-R: National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Chairman, Progressive Governors/ Imo State Governor, Chief, Rochas Okorocha and Deputy National Chairman South-West, Chief, Segun Oni, during the Progressive Governors meeting with the National Working Committee at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Rivers rerun elections: Abe commends NASS directive on INEC

he All Progressives Congress, APC candidate for Rivers South East Senatorial District in the legislative rerun elections, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has commended the National Assembly for its decision to mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conclude all rerun elections in the country particularly in Rivers State. In a statement issued

in Port- Harcourt and signed by his spokesman, Mr. Parry Saroh Benson, said the directive on INEC by the National Assembly was expedient as the legislative duration of the positions have almost been halved as a result of the delay. Senator Abe said the postponement of the elections did not serve the interest of Rivers People. He said though he would not speak for INEC,

the reason the election was delayed by INEC might not be unconnected to incessant threats to the lives of INEC officials by the governor of Rivers State. Abe urged the governor to provide a convivial environment for the election to hold. He, therefore, appealed to INEC to expeditiously conduct the elections as the body language of Gov. Wike now suggests his

willingness to cooperate with INEC. Abe stated that on his part, he was prepared to cooperate with INEC and other stakeholders to have a peaceful, free and fair election. The former Secretary to Rivers State Government reiterated his philosophy of non-violence in elections as exemplified in his various campaigns that youths should be dissuaded.

CDGA holds 2016 annual lecture in Abuja Afolabi Gambari

he Centre for Democratic Governance in Africa, CDGA will hold its 2016 annual lecture with the theme: “Global recession as it affects good governance – Need for proactive action – Nigeria as a case study” on November 24, 2016 in Abuja. According to the Executive Director, Corporate Governance of the Centre, Hon. Dan Alabrah, the essence of this year’s

lecture is to proffer solutions to issues confronting good governance in Africa and identifying collective solutions by brainstorming on the way forward. Among dignitaries expected at the occasion according to him is the former Head of State , General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) , Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, the Ghana and Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria and Chief Williams Makinde, MD, DESOPADEC. Alabrah further said that agreed lectures and seminars have been held

now and in the time past which is gearing towards a positive pact, but said the one for this year is cutting across Nigeria and that is the reason why they looked beyond Nigeria by bringing speakers from other countries. The Executive Director went further to explain on the award that will come up same day saying Kebbi and Anambra states were found worthy of award and so the governors of the two states, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and Willie Obiano will receive award for

good governance. He said in selecting the two governors, “a research was conducted on good governance in Nigeria beaming our searchlights on excellence democratic governance without the knowledge of the State Governments and funded by the centre, we took time to carry out a comprehensive assessment, at the end of our research we found Kebbi and Anambra States worthy of emulation in looking beyond the usual Federal allocation in terms of agricultural development and the Anambra

State export initiative in boosting their Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. “ It is based on this we found it worthy to identify with the wonderful performances of these two Governors”. The Director General of CDGA, Dr. Dafe Akpocha further said that all the Governors in Nigeria are doing well but there are specific criteria set up by the Award Committee . Dr. Akpocha said the award given by the Centre for Democratic Governance in Africa is based on merit and credibility.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, November 3, 2016

No rule of law without independent, incorruptible judiciary–Ozobia

Ngozi Okpalakunne

rs. Boma Ozobia (OON) is indeed an ambitious woman who has carved a niche for herself in her law chosen profession. Having qualified as a dual legal practitioner in Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK), with years of practice experience, Mrs. Ozobia who is also a former President of Common Wealth Lawyers Association (CWLA) seems to be determined to make a change in the way law is practiced in Nigeria. That is perhaps the reason she established Sterling Partnership, a law firm focused and dedicated to providing pragmatic legal support to their clients. Speaking in an interview with the National Mirror in her Lagos office, Mrs. Ozobia who said she is specialised in Maritime Law, International and Alternative Dispute Resolution, regretted the recent arrest of some superior judges who were allegedly involved in corrupt practices describing it as unfortunate. According to her, “Judges are part of the society. We have a society where corruption is endemic. If you go back to our history, every coup that had taken place in this country from the first to the last has been because of corruption, so it is not new. “What is new and sad for me is that in judiciary which previously has somehow managed not to be so painted in the public perception has somehow been painted and is no longer seen as being above the other two arms of government and the rest of the society. Perception is becoming endemic in the judiciary. It is now common among lawyers who are constantly going to the press using the print and electronic media to establish that judges are corrupt, they are even ready to call names and these lawyers are part of the problem that is creating these perceptions. “We have means of dealing with judicial corruption or misconducts by judicial officials and lawyers. There is a process in place. You can write to the National Judicial Commission (NJC), they will investigate the allegations, if the allegation holds water; the judicial officer is sanctioned appropriately. So, for lawyers going to the press rather than going through the normal procedure is another sad development because it undermines public confidence in the system. It is not an ideal thing to have judges’ home raided by armed officers in the middle of the night and to have it reported that huge sum of cash were discovered in some of those homes. Then you begin to wonder how this country will sur-

vive as a civilised society. “The reason being that the foundation of a democratic and civilised society is the rule of law, and the rule of law cannot take root without an independent and incorruptible judiciary,” the legal luminary said. She recalled that in the traditional setting in those days, the traditional communities of the various ethnic communities had rule of law. Ozobia added:“It is not just about common law or English law, it is about respecting each other’s rights, understanding that when you infringe on my rights, there is a grave consequence attached to it. “It is also about having an independent arbiter in whom you and I have faith and confidence that whenever there is judgment on a particular case that is brought before them; we are willing to accept it.” Ozobia further said: “In our traditional society then that was the case. They will go to the oracle in confidence, knowing that it cannot be bribed or bought. Once there was a pronouncement, it was accepted by all, whoever deserves to be punished is being punished and the innocent is satisfied having got justice. Imagine if they thought the oracle could be bribed, then they would resolve to self help. “For us to live together in a civilised community, this is the bedrock, without a functional justice system in which we have confidence, we might as well been living in the jungle. She continued: “And this crisis is beginning to trickle down to the society because now there is a breakdown of law and order, the citizen is losing confidence in the ability of the system to deliver justice to them. “The delay, the time, the cost and now the questioning of the integrity of judicial officers compound the challenges that are already undermining the citizen’s confidence in the system. It is widely reported now that people attack their neighbours with cutlass, matchet, all because they are not sure of getting justice if they go to the court,” Ozobia said. Her response to what would you

Ozobia say is responsible for corruption within the system and if it could be poor conditions of service, the legal Amazon will interest any reader. She said: “With all due respect, I cannot say that conditions of employment are the reasons for corruption in the system. We have a choice on this matter, the choice to go to the bench was the first choice, judges were first lawyers before they become judges. The condition of employment should not be an excuse for corruption. She added: “From my own experience and understanding of how this profession should work, money should not be the priority, the profession is about honour, legacy and dignity these should be the motivating factor and not about money. “A lawyer can even earn more than a judge, it is all about perception, there are lot of hardworking and contented judges in the system who are not corrupt. I’ve been in practice for many years now and I’ve not encountered any judicial corruption in my practice. The perception in my view is far worse than the reality,” she said. “The recent incident has com-

pounded the perception more. Now the reaction to the incident both from the jurist (accused) and the NJC has not helped, it has actually eroded the public confidence and that is very sad,” she noted. Reacting to a recent comment by the Chief Justice of the Federation, Mahmud Mohammed who stated that he was yet to get a formal complaint from the Department of State Security Service (DSS) regarding the seven superior court judges it arrested, Mrs. Ozobia maintained that if judges in the course of carrying out their duty did not do it right, then NJC is equipped to deal with it. But, judges are also part of this society she said and added that if NJC fails in their duty, then DSS should step in and handle the matter. “Similarly, DSS in investigating a crime that in their view borders on issues of national importance or national security do not have to petition the NJC before investigating a crime. The NJC consists of very senior lawyers and juries who know what they are supposed to do at a given point in time,” she added.

It is not an ideal thing to have judges’ home raided by armed officers in the middle of the night and to have it reported that huge sum of cash were discovered in some of those homes. Then you begin to wonder how this country will survive as a civilised society

On the economic recession and how soon Nigeria can come out of the situation, she described the situation as a global issue and stated that Nigeria is not the only economy that is affected. According to her, countries that are affected most are those that depend on oil and are not doing very well economically. Therefore, she stressed the need for Nigeria to diversify her economy. It is interesting to note that Mrs. Ozobia is the first woman and the first Africa to occupy the seat of the President of Common Wealth Lawyers Association. She described the body as an association of lawyers from 54 different jurisdictions across six continents. Considering some of the challenges she encountered during her tenure, Ozobia said it was that of communication in all ramifications. In her words: “Communicating across different time zones and different cultures was challenging. Although we had the English language and the profession in common, culturally, there was a broad spectrum of cultures making up the association. There were a few jurisdictions that were clearly not used to dealing with women in a professional capacity and as equals. It was not entirely unexpected as I was aware of that and have respect for different cultures and religious beliefs. “Also being a Nigerian and having the privilege of attending a Unity school, meant that I grew up knowing that we have diversity in culture and religion and respect for each person’s rights,” she concluded. Balancing the professional commitments and family life was also challenging to her. Explaining further, she said: “The family and bringing up your children is a full time job in itself and at the same time, your professional career and aspirations cannot be neglected. I had a fantastic example in my mother who raised eight children while working full time firstly, as a teacher and later in construction, agriculture and other business ventures. I saw that it could be done, through her example and that made it much easier for me.” Advising younger lawyers and women in the legal profession or any other profession, she said they should not bring their gender into the workplace, adding that it is inconsequential. Also, she stressed the need for them to plan for success, saying that anyone who fails to plan for success should be guaranteed that he or she has planned to fail.

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, November 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

T-Pain thrills youths at Heineken “Live Your Music” party Leonard Okachie

ighly anticipated ‘’Live Your Music’’ party which was announced as the official after-party for Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design W eek 2016 (LFDW) delivered on its promise of providing the ultimate musical experience for music lovers as the party started in the last hour of last Saturday and the music kept on blazing until the early hours of Sunday. Bright lights, blasting speakers, thumping feet, excited whistles and united chants were all prominent features of the ‘Live Your Music’ party hosted by multiple-award winning American R ‘n’ B singer, T-Pain. One of the numerous interesting parts of the party was the music Takeover. The Takeover is an interactive Heineken Live Your Music feature that involves a programmed system that proposes two songs for audience to choose from using a wristband.

....Omenai wins Tafiri’s customised design

The crowd went into frenzy as they selected between green and red lights on their wristbands to vote the song that eventually played. T-Pain performed some of his hit tracks “Buy You A Drink”, “Panda”, amongst others during his first session. Dotun of Cool Fm kept the show rolling with his grand mastery of the crowd, and together with the DJs, he took the audience down memory lanes with tracks that have ruled the airwaves over the past decade being churned out to the delight of the crowd. These include hits from artistes like Da’grin, 2face, 9ice, Eedris Abdulkareem, Awilo Logonba, Remedies, Styl Plus, Dr. Sid and many others. The grooving also got turned up a notch when T-Pain and his crew were challenged to show their dancing skills to Nigerian dance steps including; galala, shoki, yahoozee amongst others.

T-Pain on stage at ‘Live Your Music’ party in Lagos The crowd went into frenzy as T-Pain hijacked the Shakiti bobo move and started dancing the move as vigorously and entertainingly as possible. The party kept on till the early hours of the day, and everyone was thoroughly entertained. The Live Your Music wasn’t just another party, but an ultimate musical experience that is only

Kcee shuts down Owerri for Real Deal Experience Leonard Okachie

op star, Kcee gave a perfect end to an electrifying night of entertainment at Legend Extra Stout’s Real Deal Experience in Owerri’s Old Township Stadium on Sunday. The visit to Nigeria’s entertainment capital, Owerri, marks the eighth stop in the Real Deal Experi-

ence series. The exciting show saw lucky consumers win amazing prizes ranging from generators, refrigerators, t-shirts, free drinks, and other exciting instant prizes. The Platinum Blazers band opened the stage with their scintillating performance before Kcee took over after an eventful evening of funfilled activities. The thunderous reception that cheered him proved that the crowd was glad to see him and

Kcee entertains fans in Owerri

true to his word, Kcee gave them an impeccable show churning out some of his monster hits. His energy and high-spirited dance moves ensured that the crowd was active and carried along all through his hour-long performance. Speaking on his performance, Kcee commented; “Legend always targets the core fans and I’m glad they had a great time tonight! I loved the energy and I can’t wait to be back here again sharing such a wonderful experience.” Brand Manager, Legend, Oluseun Lawal also said;“Our consumers mean a lot to us so ensuring they have the best experiences is one of our major objectives. We are more than satisfied at the turn out in Owerri. It was a night of fun and I’m happy every one including Kcee enjoyed it. I also want to congratulate all the lucky consumers who went home with prizes” The Real Deal Experience, which kicked off on April 3, 2016, has also been to Okokomaiko, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Umuahia, Abuja, Ikorodu and will be visiting other major cities in Nigeria in the coming weeks.

befitting a brilliant and fantastic fashion show like HeinekenLFDW2016. Meanwhile, prominent designer, Ejiro Amos Tafiri showcased her customized designs supported by Heineken on the second day of Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2016. The designs showcased by

U.S supports Cross River to reduce maternal, newborn deaths Leonard Okachie

aving Mothers, Giving Life (SMGL) Initiative has concluded a productive week-long, global team-building meeting, sponsored by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Calabar, Cross River State. The five-year, $18 million USG initiative is a public-private partnership that addresses the three primary delays associated with maternal and newborn health: the delay in seeking services, the delay in reaching care, and the delay in receiving high-quality care at a health facility. In 2014, Nigeria became the third country to adopt the initiative after successes were reported by the program in Uganda and Zambia. The meeting, organized by the Cross River State Government in partnership with USAID, brought together national and regional partners and key stakeholders to share updates on the progress of activities in Uganda and Zambia and guide inputs on expansion in Nigeria. The U.S. Consul General, John Bray, USAID Acting Mission Director, Aler Grubbs, and the Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Benedict

Association inaugurates committee for inclusive education Joel Ajayi ABUJA

n its desire to ensure all children with disabilities in the country have access to quality basic education, the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, has inaugurated Inclusive Education Policy Drafting Committee IEPDC to ensure policies on inclusive education be implemented. It is an initiative with the support

of USAID through its strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement (SACE) programme in Nigeria. Speaking at the official inauguration of the Inclusive Education Policy Drafting Committee for Federal Capital Territory FCT, on Tuesday in Abuja the Director of Science and Technology Education Mrs. Rosemary Umana, disclosed that many special schools in the country are nothing to write home about, adding that something urgent must done for inclusive

basic education. She however, tasked all members to work together and ensure a better policy on inclusive education is drafted, harmonized and assented to for the benefit of all children in the country. In her remarks the president of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities JONAPWD Mrs. Ekaete Judith Umoh, revealed that the committee made up of all stakeholder would no doubt work

Ejiro Amos Tafiri and supported by Heineken were innovative, brilliant and daring as it combined culture allure of the collection leading to increased excitement amongst the audience. At the end of her showcase, Ivie Omenai was named the lucky winner of a customized design by Ejiro Amos Tafiri supported by Heineken. She won as a result of purchasing a Heineken six-pack at #HeinekenLFDW2016. Omenai, however, won’t be the only fashion enthusiast to win a customized design during the fashion week as another lucky individual will win a customized design by Mai Atafo supported by Heineken on the 28th October, 2016. Mai Atafo known for his brilliant collections will be showcasing his designs for #HeinekenLFDW 2016 on the third day of the event and to stand a chance of winning a customized design by Mai Atafo, all you have to do is simply buy a Heineken six pack at the #HeinekenLFDW2016.

hard to ensure inclusive and accessible education for the teeming number of out of school children with disabilities in FCT and Nigeria. She lamented non-inclusive, inaccessible environment and unfriendly policy as the reason why persons with disabilities in Nigeria unable to fully maximizes their full potential and contribute to development of the country. According to her, People living with some form of impairments or dis-

Ayade participated in the opening ceremony. SMGL team members worked together to provide solutions to problems, share lessons learned, and lay the groundwork for increased collaboration and technical assistance. “Health challenges in Nigeria are not always a result of limited access to facilities, but access to enough skilled professionals and quality services within those facilities. Saving Mothers, Giving Life Initiative is helping reduce both maternal and neonatal mortality. We will continue to support and encourage the Cross River State Government in its efforts as we look to expanding the program into other areas in Nigeria,” said Consul General, John Bray. A woman dying from pregnancy and childbirth related complications is a major challenge in Africa and reducing maternal mortality has become a global priority. In Nigeria, the probability of a maternal death occurring is 1:13. In partnership with host countries and non-governmental organizations, the U.S. Government has been working to not only reduce, but also end preventable maternal and newborn deaths globally.

abilities in Nigeria today go through many challenges both in public and private places She said: “With the UNICEF over 3 million children persons with disabilities are out of school in Nigeria, an offshoot of the inaccessible and non-inclusive nature of school environments more so, special schools have proven to be grossly inadequate to accommodate the teeming number of out of school children with disabilities in Nigeria...”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NBS puts petrol consumption at 12.655bn in 9 months

Business Thursday,, November October 3, 2013 Thursday 3, 2016

Airtel’s boss urges practitioners to prioritise 49 digital advertising 21

Page PAGE

Satellite connectivity gets major boost in Nigeria 22

Mining sector key to diversification agenda’s success - Experts NIYI JACOBS

perators in mining industry in Nigeria’s mining sector have said that except the Federal Government increases funding of the solid minerals sector, the country may not achieve its desire in successfully economic diversification. The Miners Association of Nigeria which made this known at the recently concluded Nigeria Mining week which was organised by the association in partnership with Spintelligent and PwC Nigeria in Abuja, stressed that Nigeria need to reap from its enormous mineral resource endowment. While appreciating the N30 billion intervention fund for the sector recently announced by the President, mining stakeholders at the 3-day forum noted that mining was a long term, high risk and capital intensive venture and a lot had to be done to support operators in the industry and to make the sector more attractive for investors. Declaring the conference open, Ministers of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, noted that the new Mining Roadmap which would be presented to the public next Monday identified the key chal-

lenges hindering the sector from significantly contributing to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and expressed the ministries’ readiness to implement the roadmap in order to change the fortunes of mining in Nigeria. He said the sector had secured improved funding for the mining sector through increased budgetary allocation and intervention funds from the Natural Resources Development Fund (NRDF) and International Development Partners through the World

Bank. He said the NRDF fund would be used for the Geosciences data generation, improved minefield security, monitoring enforcement of the provisions of Nigeria Mining Act 2007 and its regulations of 2011. The minister explained that the funds from the International Development Partner would be used to implement Nigeria’s mineral sector to support the economic diversification project and improve on the sector’s GDP contribution.

“The fund will provide assistance to a selection of mineral exploration and mining projects to assist the development of the sector; operators are to exploit this funding opportunity to advance their mining projects. At the ministry of Mines and Steel development, our target is for the ministry to contribute five per cent to the GDP by 2020 as against the current 0.34 per cent and we look forward to working with all of you to achieve this target’’, he added.

he Commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Dr. Felix Abali, has disclosed that the equipment at the agency’s Wreckage Preservation and Reconstruction Hangar facility in Abuja has reached 40 per cent completion. The commissioner gave this hint yesterday during an interaction with some aviation journalists in Lagos. Abali declared that the wreckage hangar facility was built for the agency in 2015 by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria,

Med-View Airline Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. AbujaYola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00. Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50. Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00. Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00

Dana Air

L-R: Omobolanle Osotule, Head Marketing and Corporate Communications, Yvonne Isichei, Executive Director, Operations & Technology, Ime Okon, MD, Keystone Bank Sierra-Leone, Samir Hassanyeh, Chairman, Keystone Bank Sierra-Leone at the Sierra-Leone Business Awards last weekend.

AIB’s wreckage hangar facility reaches 40% completion – Commissioner OLUSEGUN KOIKI

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES

FAAN, with the support of the Ministry of Aviation. With the completion of the hangar facility, AIB thereby became the first agency in West Africa to have such equipment. The industry mishap investigation expert however noted that with availability of funds, the agency would complete the equipping of the facility, but maintained that with some of the facilities, it could carry out analysis of accident investigations in the country. According to him, the wreckage hangar facility would serve the purpose of storage of acci-

dent aircraft parts for analyses as it would for the engine of accident aircraft after it has been torn apart for detailed analysis. The AIB boss explained that with this project, expectations were already high that management of mishaps that had hitherto proved difficult would now be enhanced, adding that the facility would also facilitate the improvement of the quality and timelines of accident investigation. He said: “The wreckage hangar is completed now and our members of staff have been trained on how to handle it. So, as it stands, we have a wreckage

hangar that will further aid our investigations. This was one of the things that we used to go to abroad to do and it cost a lot of money and time. “Based on the money spent, we have done about 40 per cent equipping the hangar. The current contract was awarded in 2014 when naira was N160 to a dollar.”, Abali added. He disclosed further that the Bureau had 29 investigators to carry out effective accident investigation, adding that no fewer than 24 were recently trained at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria.

Abuja-Lagos 9am, 1pm, 5.28pm daily Lagos-Abuja 7am, 11am, 1.23pm,3.30pm daily Lagos-PH: 7.20AM, Ph-Abuja9.54am, Abujaph: 3.30pm and Ph-Lagos: 5.28pm daily Lagos-Uyo: 9.20am, Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am, Abuja-Uyo 1.05pm, UyoLagos: 3pm daily Weekends Lagos-Abuja: 7.02am, 9am, 3.30pm Abuja-Lagos: 9am, 2.20pm and 5.28pm Lagos -Phc: 11.07am Phc-Lagos: 1.05pm Phc-Abuja: 12.51pm Abuja-Phc: 10.50am Lagos-Uyo: 9.18am Uyo-LOS -3.03pm Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am Abuja-Uyo: 1.05pm

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

Business News

Thursday, November 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NBS puts petrol consumption at 12.655bn in 9 months ….Lagos accounts for 18.32% of total consumption BEN UMUTEME Abuja

he National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, has reported that 12,655,215,047 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, were consumed nationwide in the nine month period ended September this year. The figures represented a daily average consumption of 34,671,822 litres of PMS. This is even as 3,102,879,280 billion litres of diesel and 756,734,112 million litres of Kerosene were also consumed during the period under review. A breakdown of the Petroleum Products Consumption Statistics in Nigeria report, Lagos State accounted for 2,318,741,469 litres of total petrol consumed in the country in the three quarters

of this year. This was followed by Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Oyo, Ogun and Delta with 1,261,812,920, 843,439,946, 705,283,906 and 517,078,729 litres respectively. This accounted for 18.32 per cent, 9.97 per cent, 6.66 per cent, 5.57 per cent and 4.09 per cent of total petrol consumed in the first 9 months of this year. Data from the report showed that for sectorially, consumption was more in the Retail sector than for Industrial usage. According to NBS, the Retail sector accounted for 2,913,434,850, representing 93.91 per cent of petrol consumed by the different sectors. While Industrial sector accounted for 69,843,183 million representing 0.55 per cent of total total petrol consumption of 12.655 billion litres across sectors.

‘Heritage Bank is committed to sustainable growth’ UDO ONYEKA

eritage Bank has said it is committed to sustainable growth with the aim of emerging as a systemic important bank in the country, in spite of the current fiscal headwinds in the macro-economic environment. Chairman of the bank, Mr. Akinsola Akinfemiwa, gave this hint during the bank’s maiden investors forum held in Lagos, adding that “our ambition to emerge as a systemic important bank remains the underlying essence of our next growth phase strategy.” Akinfemiwa, who was represented by one of the Directors, Mr. Adetola Atekoja, noted that “the foundational element of our strategy – People, Partnership and Process will be recalibrated to match the rapidly changing needs of our customers, especially, as we deploy a full steam retail banking franchise.” He explained the bank was on a growth track and was not

unmindful of the headwinds facing the domestic economy, adding that the board and management remained “optimistic that the Heritage Brand will continue to surf over the current economic tide through our collective efforts to remain an enduring institution.” On the bank’s future prospects, he said the bank was confident that it would continue to grow by appealing to key client segments, especially in the retail space, an important and growing market and that they would also continue to focus on underpenetrated banking segments and building loyalty amongst the bank’s existing customer base. The seasoned banker told participants at the forum that the business combination with Enterprise Bank Limited in September 2015 was a commendable success, adding that this is reflective of the commitment of the staff, support of their customers and the degree of investors’ confidence in the bank.

For AGO or diesel as it is commonly referred to. 3.102 billion litres was consumed. A breakdown showed that while 2.913 billion litres was used by the Retail sector, the Industrial sector accounted for just 189,068,430 or 6.09per cent of total sectors consumption.

L-R: Founder Agusto & Co., Bode Agusto; Managing Director Julius Berger Nigeria Plc., Engr. Wolfgang Goetsch and Chairman, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. Mutiu Sunmonu FNSE, CON, during a meeting with the management team of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. Office of The Vice President, State House, Abuja, yesterday.

Arik Air targets 52 aircraft fleet by 2025 OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he management of Arik Air has unveiled plans to expand its aircraft fleet from the current 28 to 52 by 2025. This is as the airline disclosed that it had carried 19.5 million passengers since it commenced flight operations over the past 10 years. The Managing Director of the airline, Mr. Chris Ndulue disclosed these during the week at the 10th year ceremony of the airline in Lagos. Ndulue said that Arik Air had become market leader in the West and Central African regions in terms of number of aircraft, capacity deployed, network and daily flight operations. He recalled that in 2006 when it commenced scheduled operations, the airline airlifted just 29, 363 passengers, but as at September 30, 2016, the carrier had flown 19,543,951 passengers. “That is the entire population

ERA/FoEN tasks Nigeria, others on tobacco menace ELO EDREMODA Warri

he Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/ FoEN) has advised Nigeria and other developing countries to support the adoption of mechanisms to tackle the tobacco in-

dustry during the seventh session of conference of parties (COP7) meeting on Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). In a statement issued by the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) last week, the group noted that this year’s COP7

For Kerosene, Retail sector accounted for about 97.48 per cent which is about 737,684,374 out of a total consumption of 756,734,112 million litres while the Industrial sector accounted for a paltry 19,049,738 million litres (2.52 per cent) of consumption in the sec-

tors. Meanwhile data for the four quarters of 2015, has revealed that total consumption of petrol was 17.779 billion litres. For diesel kerosene, 3.249 billion litres and 1.711 billion litres was consumed. Total Aviation fuel consumed in 2015 stood at 459, 844,659 million litres.

meeting will give provision for the tobacco companies to be held civilly and criminally liable for the harms of their products. ERA/FoEN, which is also part of the Network, while urging delegates from Nigeria and other developing countries to support strong measures “to nip the tobacco menace in the bud”

of Kano, Imo, Delta and Kwara combined,” he said. He recounted that the road to the airline’s 10th anniversary had not been easy, adding that it took the collective support of Arik’s staff and the media for the airline to get to where it is today. Ndulue attributed the phenomenal growth of the airline to its business model, which he said was based on modern equipment and new technologies, high standards of maintenance and connectivity. He explained that given the airline’s dominant position in the aviation market today along with current and future planned capacity, it has the capacity to expand its operations to new cities around the world. He said: “In the coming years, we hope to maintain our market leadership and our growth strategy involves substantially increasing our fleet from 28 aircraft today to 52 aircraft by 2025. On route development, we are also looking

at starting new routes and we will update our customers with details in the New Year.” The Arik boss said that 10 years on, it had delivered on its promises of operating the youngest fleet in West Africa with an average hull age of seven and eight years, creating employment opportunities and partnering with top maintenance providers such as Lufthansa Technik, Lufthansa Cityline and Samco Engineering under full “turn-key” maintenance service contracts from inception to date. Recalled that Arik Air started scheduled flights on October 30, 2006 with only three daily flights between Lagos and Abuja now operates an average of 110 daily flights across a network of 18 domestic, 10 regional and three international destinations including Johannesburg (South Africa), London Heathrow (UK) and New York JFK (USA).

said the COP7 will help low and middle income countries where the majority of the world’s smokers now live. According to the statement, the event described to mark a global turning point in public health, will push policies to exclude the industry from public health treaties at international and national levels, just as it recalled the British American To-

bacco (BAT)’s widespread bribery in Africa, early this year. The NATT Nigeria spokesperson, Philip Jakpor, clarified: “Nigeria and other developing nations targeted by Big Tobacco for marketing of their lethal products now have the opportunity to support the adoption of mechanisms to hold the industry accountable for the harms caused by tobacco.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Brands & Marketing

Airtel’s boss urges practitioners to prioritise digital advertising DAVID AUDU

anaging Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, has called on advertising practitioners to pay close attention to digital advertising in order to connect with target audience and ensure maximum returns from advertising spend. Ogunsanya, who was guest speaker at the 2016 Advertisers Association of Nigeria, ADVAN, awards for marketing in Lagos recently, noted that with the ubiquitous nature of mobile devices, digital advertising is the future. According to him, there are over 5 billion people with access to mobile phones, therefore a mobile device remains the easiest

way to connect with people, especially the youths. He noted that Millennials are looking at many different screens for advertising. They are now concentrating on digital media, and advertising has to move to the digital space. “We, the clients, can no longer rely on strategies counting on users to just watch our messages on TV or listen on radio anymore. Nor can we be so sure that consumers will watch a prime time show at prime time, or in their homes, or out of work hours”. While speaking on what brands should do differently, the Airtel CEO urged advertising practitioners to ensure that engagement with targeted audience is personal and relevant

just as he noted that brands must always adopt a two way communication (conversation) with their target audience so as to get feedback. He also recommended that organisations must measure and evaluate their advertising campaigns in order to test the effectiveness, saying that this will aid the direction of future advertising campaigns. President of ADVAN, David Okeme used the occasion to highlight the importance of advertising to individuals and the economy. Okeme noted that Advertising unlocks economic activities, thus boosting a country’s GDP. The event was a night to celebrate brands that have done well in the field of advertising.

Brokerage firm unveils new identity DAVID AUDU

off and Company Insurance Brokers Limited recently celebrated 25 years of excellence in insurance brokerage service delivery and the unveiling of its new brand identity. Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the company, Mr. Babajide Olatunde-Agbeja, said that the dream for which the company was established 25 years ago was to operate a professional brokerage firm with a mission to offer its clients personalised services. “We knew that an average person likes attention and he will stay with you if he feels that you have his interest at heart. We set out to market private companies as most government parastatals owed premiums and

NB awards will promote media excellence – Vervelde DAVID AUDU

igerian Breweries Plc has rewarded media excellence and outstanding journalism practice at its Golden Pen Award in Lagos at the weekend. Speaking at the event, Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde said that the award was launched eight years ago to promote professionalism and objectivity of media reports. He explained that the choice of education, youth empowerment and talent development as the focus of this year’s edition, is hinged on the fact that no

country can lay claim to development and prosperity without adequate attention to the education and empowerment of the youth. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who was also a guest, commended Nigerian Breweries for sustaining the award over eight years and saluted the courage of journalists for their contribution to the nation’s development. He appealed to the media to continue to be the watchdog and gatekeeper of the nation’s democracy. Guest speaker and Chairman of Channels Television, Mr. John Momoh, called for soul-searching by the media and extolled them to bridge the gap

between training and practice. Also, Managing Director of Tanus Communications and Chairman of the Panel of Judges, Yemi Ogunbiyi, commended Nigerian Breweries for the initiative and enjoined journalists to aspire to the highest standards. Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, disclosed that a total of 267 entries were received when submission closed for the award. He explained that the award criteria of quality, professionalism and objectivity remain the filters upon which entries were shortlisted for the award, as decided by the independent judging panel.

were used to paying premium in arrears,” He said. Also speaking at the event, the special guest, Dr. Oba Otudeko commended Chief Agbeja and his team for running and sustaining a professional company for 25 years which he described as a rare feat for Nigerian companies. He advised other Nigerian companies to emulate the professionalism and integrity for which Boff and Company is reputed for. In his remarks, the Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration, Mr. George Onekhena, who represented the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Mohammed Kari, noted that the ‘No Premium No Cover’ policy introduced by the National Insurance Commission has attracted international support for the industry.

RISAA urges outdoor advertising firms on registration DAVID AUDU

L-R: Mrs. Elke Helen, Deputy CEO, Giessen Friedberg Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dr Matthias Leder, CEO, Giessen Friedberg Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI); Mr Robert Malzachar, Head, German Law and Taxes, Giessan Friedberg Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mr Joachim Muench, Advisor, Development Cooperation of Hessian CCI - Alliance during the Business Meeting between the Giessen Friedberg Chamber of commerce, Germany and the LCCI at the Commerce House yesterday

n a bid to restore sanity outdoor landscape, the Rivers State Signage and Advertisement Agency, RISAA, has advised outdoor practitioners and owners of billboard and signage structures in the state to register with the Agency soonest. Acting Managing Director of RISSA, Chukwudi Dimkpa said every outdoor structure in the state must be registered by its owner as any unregistered structure is classified as illegal and shall be removed after due notice. Dimkpa noted that by the provisions of the law establishing the Agency, it is unlawful for any person or group to erect, con-

struct, enlarge or structurally modify any outdoor structure or operate any structure for signage development without being registered by the agency. He said owners and operators of existing structures shall obtain, complete and submit the prescribed registration form with the Agency and apply for the permit, warning that the cost of removing such structures shall be borne by the offending outdoor operator. and the dismantled offending structure impounded until, all cost incurred by the Agency are paid up, including a demurrage that begins to count five working days after the structure is removed by the Agency.

Marketing Academy’s scholarship programme opens for nominations

ach year 30 people are selected to take part in The Marketing Academy UK’s free nine-month development programme within the marketing, advertising and communications industries. Scholars receive one-to-one mentoring from agency chief executives, chief marketing officers, and entrepreneurs. It is the eighth time the scholarship programme has run. Mentors include Keith Weed, the chief marketing officer of Unilever; Cilla Snowball, group chairman of Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO; and David Pemsel, chief executive of Guardian Me-

dia Group. Places are open to all marketers with between five and 15 years’ experience within brands and agencies, as well as entrepreneurs or people who can demonstrate “remarkable potential as marketers. Sherilyn Shackell, founder of The Marketing Academy, said: “Our aim is simple; we want to equip marketing leaders to take their rightful place in the Board rooms of the future. The deadline for applications is 20 February 2017. For more information visit marketingacademy. org.uk. (Source – campainglive. co.uk)

Info Tech

Satellite connectivity gets major boost in Nigeria ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

major landmark has been achieved in satellite connectivity in Africa that will boost broadband connectivity in Nigeria as well as other countries in the continent. It is expected that the initiative, when fully consummated, would minimize the current broadband internet access problems in the various countries This is sequel to the signing of a multi-year capacity agreement between Eutelsat Communications and Yahsat, the Abu Dhabi-based international satellite operator that is expected to provide access to high-performance commercial Kaband capacity for broadband services across Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the terms of the agreement, Broadband for Africa will use capacity on up to 16 Kaband spotbeams on the Yahsat 1B satellite in order to roll out broadband services during the first half

of 2017. A statement issud by the parties to the deal indcated that further expansion would be supported later in the year using capacity on 18 spotbeams on Yahsat’s Al Yah 3 satellite, scheduled for launch in early 2017, and that both Yahsat 1B and Al Yah 3 are equipped with high power spotbeams with SubSaharan African coverage, ideal for community and Direct-to-User Internet access using affordable, off-the-shelf customer premises equipment. For Eutelsat, this capacity will replace the payload previously contracted on the Amos-6 satellite which was lost in September following a launchpad explosion. The African Broadband service will be launched in the first quarter of 2017, thereby enabling Eutelsat to revert to its initial business plan of a revenue contribution of 15 million euro in the financial year of 2017-18 and 25-30 million euro in the financial year

of 2018 and 2019. Commenting on the deal, the Chief Executive Officer of Broadband for Africa, Laurent Grimaldi, expressed his company’s delight on the relationship with Yahsat and to reactivate the company’s Africa broadband programme back on track. “We fully share Yahsat’s conviction in the long-term role satellites will play in wireless connectivity and in the need for high-quality infrastructure to transform Africa’s broadband landscape.”, he said. Grimaldi explained that satellite Yahsat 1B was already covering main countries such as Nigeria and South Africa, therefore the service to be launched by Broadband for Africa in 2017 will encompass such countries.

L-R :Group Executive, Consumer Banking, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Patrick Akinwuntan, Group Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Ade Ayeyemi,Country Manager, Visa West Africa, Ade Ashaye and Business Development Manager, Visa West Africa, Osaretin Moses Ekhator at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on mVisa in Lagos recently.

ntel launches VOXHD app on Google Play Store

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, November 3, 2016

tel has launched its VOXHD application on Google Play Store. The Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) application allow customers who have 4G/LTE devices supported on the ntel network, to experience voice service provided by ntel. Speaking on the launch of the application, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Kamar Abass, disclosed that this was the first time a Voice Over LTE application that is native to a Nigerian network is being hosted on Google Play Store.” He explained that the ap-

plication availed its customers of crystal clear high definition VoLTE calls, Short Message Service (SMS over LTE) as well as other traditional features expected from a cellular voice service. He said that with this application, our customers can make and receive HD voice calls, send and receive SMS on their ntel line, with any compatible 4G device, anywhere within our coverage areas. To download the application, subscribers should simply type “ntel VOXHD” on the relevant Google Play Store page.

Abass noted that ntel is committed to improving user experience by deploying cutting edge technology in its service delivery saying that ntel VOXHD application is currently compatible with devices running on Android Operating Systems versions from Android 5.X. ntel is also working to integrate the Apple iOS version shortly for the benefit of Apple iPhone users. Updates on this will be provided regularly on our website. ntel’s VOXHD is compatible with only ntel SIM cards to the exclusion of other networks.

MTN debuts on Facebook-designed Voyager platform ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

TN Group has become the first mobile operator in the world to deploy and test the open optical packet transport platform, known as Voyager, after joining the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) earlier this year. The TIP initiative, which was launched in February 2016, is a global endeavour which brings together key stakeholders in the telecoms and technology space to collaborate on the development of new technologies and find fresh approaches to build and deploy telecom network in-

frastructure. The South Africa telecoms company stated that the project was aimed at reducing costs and increases in the speed of rolling out internet connectivity. MTN is part of the Open Optical Packet Transport project group, and worked closely with the TIP community to field-test the Voyager next generation technology in MTN data centres between 14th Avenue in Fairlands and Soccer City in Soweto, at the end of October. The test results showed the highest performance with zero packet (signal) loss and potential for significant overall cost savings.

Stakeholders to tackle eFraud menace at confab

takeholders in the electronic payment industry and others in the economy are set to converge on Lagos to tackle the menace of electronic fraud, eFraud at this year’s edition of the Electronic Fraud Conference. According to the organisers of the event, the Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN), over 15 topnotch chief executive officers and senior level government executives to speak at the conference holding Monday next week. The association’s Executive Secretary, Mrs. Regha Onajite, said that the theme of the 7th Annual Payment Systems and Fraud Conference, 2016 is E-Payment Fraud: People, Process and

Technology”. She explained that the conference would have 18 distinguished panelists and speakers and over 250 attendees, including chief executives and senior executives from banks, government agencies and industry regulators who are dedicated in defining and protecting the integrity of the financial and payment systems in Nigeria. The conference is hosted by the association in partnership with the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum; Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria, Information Security Society of Africa-Nigeria, Association of Chief Audit Executives of Bank in Nigeria and other industry stakeholders.

BlackBerry, Ford seal software deal

lackBerry has signed a deal to work directly with Ford Motor to expand the carmaker’s use of its QNX secure operating system, the Canadian technology company said yesterday, as Ford develops increasingly automated vehicles. Reuters reported that the deal with Ford is the first BlackBerry has done directly with a major automaker, though it currently sells its technology to auto industry suppliers. The company is betting its future on expanding sales of software products, including to automakers and other manufacturers, after largely ceding the smartphone market to rivals including Apple, Alphabet’s Google and

Samsung Electronics. Panasonic Automotive currently uses QNX software in the Sync 3 infotainment console that it supplies to Ford. BlackBerry is hoping the new deal will expand use of BlackBerry’s software in Ford vehicles as the companies identify other systems where it might be used. “We can form the basis of the entire vehicle all the way from autonomous drive through to infotainment,” John Wall, head of BlackBerry’s QNX unit, said in a phone interview. Ford is ramping up its driverless vehicle efforts and plans to offer a fully automated vehicle for commercial ride-sharing in 2021, it announced in August.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Global Business

UK’s inflation to soar to 4% by late 2017

he rise in prices will “accelerate rapidly” during 2017 as the fall in sterling is passed on to consumers, according to the National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR). The revised figure is sharply higher than the 3% it forecast in August. The economy also faces “significant risks” that could restrict growth. “Households have really got a choice. Do they spend less or do they start saving less?” Dr Angus Armstrong, director of macroeconomics at NIESR, told the BBC’s Today programme. He said given the savings ratio was at its lowest level since 2008, “the most likely scenario is that they spend much less, hence the weaker [growth] forecast for next year.” Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rose to 1% in September, up from 0.6% in August, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said last month. That was the highest rate for nearly two years as the cost of clothes, petrol and hotel rooms increased. The pound has fallen sharply against the dollar and euro since

the Brexit vote and NIESR expected sterling to remain at about $1.22 and 1.11 euro both this year and next. The cost of a cuppa: Typhoo tea, which imports all its tea leaves, said the sharp fall in the pound meant it had no choice but to increase prices Marmite and Pot Noodles: Food manufacturer Unilever says the pound’s drop forced it to raise the wholesale price of these and many of its other products, which some supermarkets have passed on to customers Wine: Online wine retailer Naked Wines said it would raise the cost of its wine by 5% from November because of increasing import costs linked to sterling Rising prices for clothes, hotel rooms and petrol drove the official rate of inflation to 1% in September, its highest level for almost two years Model trains: Hornby and Dapol have both said they’ve increased prices between 10 and 20% due to the higher cost of imports Apple has increased the prices of its laptop and desktop computers in the UK by hundreds of pounds citing currency fluctua-

May

tions as one of the reasons Microsoft said some of its UK business service prices would go up by 22% in 2017, reflecting the pound’s weakened value against the euro Simon Kirby, head of macroeconomic modelling and forecasting at NIESR, said the fall in sterling had been the most striking feature of the economic landscape since the EU referendum. “This will pass through into consumer prices over the coming months and quarters,” he said. “While we expect this to be only a temporary phenomenon, it will nonetheless weigh on the purchasing power of consumers over the next couple of years.” (Source: bbc.com)

Zhang

as high as Alibaba has reported. Last year’s total exceeded the combined sales of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping events in the United States. The SEC had told the company that its investigation did not mean it had breached any laws. Former English teacher Jack Ma founded Alibaba, which floated on the New York Stock Exchange in September 2014. Its shares soared 38% on the first day of trading to $93.89, valuing the business at $231bn. The stock fell below $60 in September last year, but has since recovered. Shares were 1.7% higher on Wednesday at $102.67 after Alibaba reported a better-thanexpected 55% rise in revenue to $5.14bn for the three months to September, while net profit rose 41% to $1.94bn. That was the second successive quarter of strong results, suggesting the company can still generate robust growth despite concerns about the Chinese economy slowing down as consumers curb spending. Alibaba - by far China’s biggest online retailer - said e-commerce sales rose 41% to $4.27bn

compared with the same period last year. Revenue from its digital media and entertainment division soared just over 300% to $541m, while the cloud computing unit posted a 130% rise in sales to $224m. Daniel Zhang, chief executive, said the group saw “huge potential” in the newly integrated media business, which includes Youku, the third most popular online video site in China. “By combining engaging online experiences with highly relevant content, we delivered impressive financial and operational results in the quarter,” he said. Maggie Wu, chief financial officer, said Alibaba expected the two divisions, along with its “innovation initiatives” unit, to “drive long-term value for both our customers and shareholders”. The company has also been seeking growth outside China as that market becomes increasingly saturated. It bought southeast Asian online retailer Lazada Group for about $1bn in May. (Source: bbc.com)

Oil prices slump to $47.97 per barrel

Alibaba sets sights on Singles Day he Securities and Exchange Commission is examining the accounting methods the company uses for Singles Day sales. Last year’s event generated record-breaking sales of more than $14bn for Alibaba’s sites such as Taobao. Singles Day, held every year on November 11, is also referred to as Double Eleven because of its date. Alibaba said in late May that the SEC had begun its investigation earlier this year. Some merchants in China have questioned whether results from Singles Day, where consumers are offered big discounts, are

Business News

il prices dipped in the latter part of Tuesday, November 2, as U.S. gasoline prices pared an early rally sparked by a pipeline blast and crude was also pressured by renewed doubts about whether OPEC will follow through with proposed output cuts, Reuters reports. The American Petroleum Institute (API) reported U.S. crude stocks rose by 9.3 million barrels in the last week. Analysts had forecast that U.S. crude stocks had increased by more than 1 million barrels last week after unseasonal declines in seven of the past eight weeks also weighed on crude. The API report came ahead of official government data on Wednesday. Brent January crude futures were down 64 cents, or 1.3 percent, at $47.97 a barrel by 4:50 p.m. ET (2050 GMT). They fell by nearly 3 percent the day before in their biggest one-day drop since Sept. 23.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures settled down 19 cents, or 0.4 percent, at $46.67 a barrel, after a near-4 percent drop on Monday. They were lower after the settle following the API release. Crude was up earlier, boosted as the U.S. dollar slid, making dollar-denominated oil cheaper for users of other currencies. Crude was also helped by a gasoline rally after Colonial Pipeline Co shut its main gasoline and distillates pipelines following an explosion in Alabama. Gasoline futures jumped 13 percent, then pared gains on news Colonial had reopened another gasoline line. “Oil rode up at first on the Colonial pipeline news, but that effect has faded,” said John Kilduff, partner at New York energy hedge fund Again Capital. “All attention is back on OPEC’s failure thus far to put together a convincing production cut plan, and the possibility of higher U.S. crude stocks from here.” (Source – API)

Nissan deal ‘won’t persuade others to invest’

ne of Japan’s top business strategists says investment in the UK will be smaller following the Brexit vote - and he is advising companies to hold fire. In an interview with BBC Newsnight, Kenichi Ohmae called the recent deal at Nissan’s plant in Sunderland a “minor decision” involving one company. “I don’t think other companies will follow suit,” he added. Mr Ohmae advised Nissan to set up its main European plant in the UK in the early 1980s. Last week, Nissan confirmed it will build both the new Qashqai and the X-Trail SUV at its Sunderland plant following government “support and assurances”. Prime Minister Theresa May described the announcement as

Nissan

“fantastic news”, adding: “This vote of confidence shows Britain is open for business.” Nissan’s decision is the first major development for the car industry since the Brexit vote and secures 7,000 jobs. But Mr Ohmae questioned whether exports will continue from Sunderland in the same manner as before the EU referendum vote. “That’s just a statement by the UK government. We will have to wait and see. “It is true that Nissan have said they will continue producing the two types of models after Brexit, [but] that’s a very, very minor one company decision. I don’t think other companies will follow suit.” He said he believes Nissan is “a very special case”. (Source: bbc. com)

Capital Market

Thursday, November 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Investors lose N11bn on profit-taking hunt Johnson Okanlawon

rading in equities closed on a negative note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as some investors took profit from the gains recorded the preceding day. Specifically, the All Share Index depreciated by 0.11 per cent to close at 27,223.08 points, as against the increase recorded the preceding day to close at 27,294.21 points. Market capitalization dipped N11billion to close at N9. 35trillion, in contrast to the rise of N12billion re-

corded the preceding day to close at N9.36trillion. The depreciation recorded in the share prices of ETI, Oando, Guaranty Trust Bank, FBN Holdings and Nigerian Breweries were responsible for the loss recorded in the index. The total value of stocks traded on the floors was N1.26billion, down by 4.05 per cent from N1.31billion recorded the preceding day. The total volume of stocks traded was 202.70million in 3,337

deals, while the three most actively traded stocks were FCMB, Transcorp and Guaranty Trust Bank. Champion Breweries Plc led the gainers’ table with 18 kobo or 7.32 per cent t close at N2.64 per share, followed by Transcorp Plc with six kobo or 6.90 per cent to close at 93 kobo per share. Air Service Plc appreciated 11 kobo or five per cent to close at N2.31 per share, while MRS Plc added N2.16 or 4.98 per cent to close at N45.51 per share. Union Bank Plc was up N2.30 or 4.84 per cent to

close at N4.51 per share. Conversely, Ecobank Plc dropped 53 kobo or 4.95 per cent to close N10.18 per share, while Oando Plc declined 23 kobo or 4.89 per cent to close at N4.47 per share. UAC-Properties Plc depreciated 15 kobo or 4.85 per cent to close at N2.94 per share, while Portland Paints Plc fell seven kobo or 4.83 per cent to close at Inter-Bank Rate N1.38 per share. Fidson Healthcare Plc Naira Gainers and Losers dipped six kobo or 4.72 per Start Date 01/11/2016 through End Date N305 02/11/2016 cent to close at N1.21 Printper Date 02/11/2016 share. Market indicators Gainers and Losers

FMDQ, Proshare launch fixed income, FX price ticker tape Johnson Okanlawon

s a continuous developmental move to boost its enlightenment and engagement initiatives, Proshare, in collaboration with FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange (FMDQ) yesterday launched the FMDQ price ticker tape and fixings data segment on the ProshareNG’s homepage. The FMDQ price ticker is a representation of the intraday and closing market prices/rates of benchmark bonds and treasury bills traded on the Exchange, while the FMDQ fixings data widget depicts independent fixings of FMDQ’s fixed

ship is coming to fruition, having asserted earlier in the year that the new Nigerian financial market, rather than being about the equities market alone, is an embodiment of the FMDQ and NASD OTC markets, which should not be ignored. He further stated that with partners like FMDQ,you can be sure not to get it wrong with Proshare. The Managing Director of FMDQ, Mr. Bola Onadele Koko,said that as a market organiser, and being the information repository for the markets under its purview, it was delighted to partner with Proshare, a leading capital market-focused news site to ensure that these

highly significant, yet largely under-reported markets are broadcast to a wider and more diverse audience. He said, “As a securities exchange keen on promoting a transparent and well-regulated market, FMDQ remains committed to making the Nigerian financial market globally competitive and operationally excellent”. Having partnered with such renowned Exchanges within the Nigerian financial market, Proshare, being a forward thinking organisation, looks forward to bringing global markets closer to the Nigerian investing community as investment alternatives increase globally.

All-Share Index 27,223.08 points

like Clinton was going to win and now that Trump is gaining momentum, it’s making people nervous,” said Neil Massa, senior equity trader at Manulife Asset Management in Boston. “The market doesn’t like uncertainty and just wants to know one way or another. The fall in crude oil isn’t helping matters either.” Gold XAU hit a near onemonth high, suggesting investor anxiety over the election. Wall Street closed lower on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 ending the day at the lowest level since July 7. The index had breached a key technical level earlier in the session. The selloff in equities comes as the Fed holds its two-day policy meeting. While traders do not

expect the central bank to raise interest rates just a week before the election, they are looking for clues that the Fed is set to hike rates in December. Traders are pricing in a 73.6 percent chance of a December hike, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 41.47 points, or 0.23 percent, at 17,995.63. The S&P 500 was down 8.68 points, or 0.41 percent, at 2,103.04. The Nasdaq Composite was down 19.45 points, or 0.38 percent, at 5,134.13. Eight of the 11 major S&P sectors were lower, with the energy index’s 1.65 percent fall topping the decliners. Crude oil prices fell for

Gainers for Equities

Market capitalisation 9.35trn S/N

Symbol

CHAMPION

TRANSCORP

3 S/N 4 1 5

AIRSERVICE MRS Symbol

2 6 3 7 4 8 5 9

6 10 7 11 8 12 9 13

10 14 11 15 12 16 13 17 14 18 15

CHAMPION UBN TRANSCORP WAPCO

0.93 49.80 2.31 2.50

47.50 0.87 2.40 0.58

49.80 0.90 2.50 0.60

43.35 0.73 4.30 1.04

0.73 3.84 1.04 82.09

0.76 3.93 1.08 84.00

3.84 2.49 82.09 6.20

3.93 2.50 84.00 6.22

Symbol

ETI

OANDO UAC-PROP Symbol PORTPAINT

1 5 2 6

ETI FIDSON OANDO LIVESTOCK

3 7 4 8

UAC-PROP TOTAL PORTPAINT UACN

5 9 6 10 7 11

FIDSON UNITYBNK LIVESTOCK STERLNBANK

FBNH UBA FLOURMILL

Inflation

16.48

MPR

Crude oil price

$48.30

5.00 4.17 4.98 4.11

2.16 0.03 0.21 0.04

4.88 3.85 4.84 3.45

2.30 0.03 0.10 0.02

4.17 3.45 4.11 2.34

0.03 0.09 0.04 1.91

3.85 2.33 3.45 1.17

0.03 0.03 0.02 0.01

3.45 0.96 2.34 0.40

0.09 0.01 1.91 0.02

2.33 0.32 1.17 0.02

2.50

0.01

0.40

6.20for Equities 6.22 Losers

0.02

0.32

0.03 0.01 0.01

0.96

0.01 Loss(N)

0.02 % Change

10.18

-0.53

-4.95

Losers 4.70for Equities 4.47

-0.23

-4.89

-0.15 Loss(N) -0.07

-4.85 % Change -4.83

-0.53 -0.06 -0.23 -0.03

-4.95 -4.72 -4.89 -3.95

-0.15 -12.50 -0.07 -0.60

-4.85 -3.62 -4.83 -3.13

-0.06 -0.02 -0.03 -0.02

-4.72 -3.03 -3.95 -2.33

-12.50 -0.05 -0.60 -0.18

-3.62 -1.61 -3.13 -0.94

-0.02 -0.20 -0.02 -1.01

-3.03 -0.84 -2.33 -0.69

4.70 0.76 3.09 345.00

4.47 0.73 2.94 332.50

1.45 19.20 1.27 0.66

1.38 18.60 1.21 0.64

0.76 0.86 345.00 3.10

0.73 0.84 332.50 3.05

19.20 19.18 0.66 23.80

18.60 19.00 0.64 23.60

0.86 146.01 3.10 4.27

0.84 145.00 3.05 4.26

19.18

19.00

-0.05 -0.01 -0.18

-1.61 -0.23 -0.94

23.80

23.60

-0.20

-0.84

146.01

145.00

-1.01

-0.69

OTC FX FUTURES OPEN CONTRACTS AS AT NOVEMBER 2, 2016 (4:30PM) GUARANTY

NB Contract Tenor

Contract

UBA (Month) the fourth day after in-by The 15 Published Nigerian Stock Exchange © 1 NGUS NOV 23 2016 dustry data showed a 2 NGUS DEC 21 2016 3 NGUS JAN 25 2017 surprise build in U.S. 4 NGUS FEB 22 2017 © MAR 22 2017 stockpiles. Oil hasPublished lostby The Nigerian Stock5 ExchangeNGUS 6 NGUS APR 26 2017 more than 10 percent in 7 NGUS MAY 24 2017 8 NGUS JUN 21 2017 the last two weeks.

Rate (%)

7.32 4.88 6.90 4.84

0.06 2.30 0.11 0.10

2.49

3.09 2.94 2016-11-01 2016-11-02 Closing Price(N) 1.45 Closing Price(N) 1.38 10.71 10.18 1.27 1.21

UNITYBNK GUARANTY STERLNBANK NB

5.00 % Change 4.98

2.60 50.01 1.05

50.00 50.01 2016-11-01 2016-11-02 Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N)

TOTAL FBNH UACN FLOURMILL

6.90

0.11 Gain(N) 2.16 0.18 0.21

0.90 2.60 0.60 1.05

10.71

3 S/N 4

7.32

0.06

2.57 50.00 1.04

NPFMCRFBK

S/N

% Change

0.18

45.51 0.76 4.51 1.08

0.87 2.57 0.58 1.04

GUINNESS DANGSUGAR NAHCO UNILEVER

UNILEVER

0.87 47.50 2.20 2.40

SKYEBANK NPFMCRFBK CUSTODYINS UCAP

DANGSUGAR

2.20 2.31 2016-11-01 2016-11-02 Closing Price(N) 43.35 Closing Price(N) 45.51 2.46 2.64 4.30 4.51

DIAMONDBNK GUINNESS FIDELITYBK NAHCO

Gain(N)

2.64

Gainers 0.87 for Equities0.93

VITAFOAM SKYEBANK LEARNAFRCA CUSTODYINS

2.46

UBN DIAMONDBNK WAPCO FIDELITYBK

UCAP

8 12 9 13

2016-11-01 2016-11-02 Closing Price(N) Closing Price(N)

AIRSERVICE VITAFOAM MRS LEARNAFRCA

10 14 11 15

US stocks dip on election jitters, weak oil price nited States stocks fell yesterday, with the S&P 500 headed for seventh day of losses as a tightening race for the White House rattled investors and a fall in oil also weighed on sentiment. Investors are rethinking their long-held bets of a November 8 victory for Democrat Hillary Clinton amid signs that her Republican rival Donald Trump could be closing the gap. While Clinton held a five percentage point lead over Trump, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Monday, some other polls showed her Republican rival ahead by 1-2 percentage points. “The main driver for today is concerns regarding the election. It looked

US Dollar

Start Date 01/11/2016 through End Date 02/11/2016

Print Date 02/11/2016

income and FX markets. These fixings include the Nigerian Inter-Bank Foreign Exchange Fixings (NIFEX), Nigerian InterBank Offered Rate (NIBOR) and Nigerian InterBank Treasury Bills’ True Yield (NITTY). This collaboration with FMDQ marks a long- term partnership that would see Proshare disseminate more credible data from the Exchange, which is the information repository for all activities in the Nigerian fixed income (money, repo, commercial papers, bonds, treasury bills), FX and derivatives markets. Managing Director, Proshare Nigeria, Mr. Olufemi Awoyemi expressed delight that this partner-

Source: NSE

Settlement Value of Open Current Rate 4.27 4.26 Contracts ($’mm) -0.01Page ($/₦)-0.23 Date 1 of 393.93 23-Nov-2016 300.50 427.47 21-Dec-2016 295.50 148.33 25-Jan-2017 290.50 178.79 22-Feb-2017 285.50 Page 281.50 1 of 206.17 22-Mar-2017 795.42 26-Apr-2017 276.50 141.65 24-May-2017 273.50 498.93 21-Jun-2017 270.50 466.09 19-Jul-2017 267.50 164.40 16-Aug-2017 264.50

NGUS JUL 19 2017

NGUS AUG 16 2017

NGUS SEP 20 2017

20-Sep-2017

NGUS OCT 25 2017

25-Oct-2017

121.59 23.70

3566.47

Total

255.50 258.50

Termination of Trading Trading shall cease at 2:00PM eight (8) calendar days before the expiry date of each respective Contract. i.e. the Tuesday preceding the week the contract expires.

NITTY Tenor

Rate (%)

Change (%)

Exchange

Rates (N)

18.632

0.16

WAUA

417.836

USD

305

18.6984

0.04

EURO

333.2125

18.88

0.08

CFA

0.4955

NIBOR

YEN

2.9231

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

307.2429

O/N

15.3333

POUNDS STERLING

372.527

18.1885

19.3832

SDR

419.07

20.5232 NIBOR as @ November 1, 2016NIBOR FAQs

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, November 3, 2016

North

Thursday, November 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Plateau records N6.6bn IGR in 9 months James Abraham JOS

lateau State government on Tuesday said it generated a total of N6.6 billion internal revenue from January to September despite the recession. Acting Chairman, Plateau State internal Revenue Service, PSIRS, Mr Dashe Arlat, disclosed this in a chat with newsmen in Jos. Arlat, who described the feat as ``very satisfactory’’ and ‘’encouraging,’’ commended the efforts of his staff and the MDAs whose collection during the period had improved tremendously. The chairman expressed happiness over the monthly collections

which he said was a sharp deviation from that of last year having netted between N700million and N800 million despite the harsh economic situation. ‘’By keeping this tempo in nine months, we have succeeded in collecting what was realized in the whole of last year (2015) in the sum of N6.93 billion. ‘’We are pretty sure that by God’s grace before December ending we should be clocking N9 billion as revenue collection for 2016, ’’ he said. Giving a breakdown of the collection, Arlat said PSIRS gathered N5.05 billion while Ministries, Departments and Agencies realised N1.55 billion. He said the lowest revenue of N597,971,825.56 in

February with the highest of N855,561,238.59 in March, was recorded within the period under review. Arlat disclosed that very soon a Service provider, engaged by the state government would soon commence enumeration of all taxable adults with Biomet-

ric capturing. He explained that the target is the informal sector under various ministries such as Commerce, Transport, Tourism, Agriculture, Health and Education aimed at harmonising the revenue collection and erasing double or multiple taxation in

the state. ‘’By the time the service provider commences work around the state, we shall do away with multiple or double taxation, which usually are the complaints of a sizable number of tax payers,’’ he stated. The chairman called for un-

derstanding and optimal cooperation from all able adults and corporate bodies toward prompt payment of their tax to avoid the wrath of the law. He said for some months now, defaulters were being tried at the PSIRS special court.

El-Rufai resolves leadership tussle in mosque A za Msue KADUNA

aduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has resolved the Sultan Bello Mosque’s leadership tussle. El-Rufai’s spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement following a meeting with stakeholders held at the instance of the governor. According to the statement, the governor’s intervention was purely on security ground, adding that the state government will not tolerate breakdown of law and order in the name of religion. After hearing all the parties involved in the leadership tussle, the governor said: “I heard your submissions but our interest as a

government is to ensure security and contain threats to peace. We will not tolerate breakdown of law and order, and we will not fold our arms and allow people to resort to self help. “I took the oath to be fair and just and to protect all citizens of Kaduna State irrespective of their religion, including those that don’t believe in the existence of God. “We will not interfere with your affairs, but we will also not allow the security of lives and properties to be compromised. As a responsible government, we will act and nip in the bud all threats. This is our plea to you: sheathe your swords and resolve the tussle amicably for the sake of peace and stability.”

Cult clashes claim four lives in Ilorin Wole Adedeji ILORIN

our people were killed in Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday in renewed bloody clashes between rival members. National Mirror learnt yesterday evening that the cult members had earlier on Monday engaged themselves in a street brawl at Gaa Akanbi area, where a boy said to be in his ‘20s was gruesomely murdered. The fight, according to sources, later spread to

Ipata Market and Kankatu, and the brawl continued till Tuesday where two persons were killed. A teenager of about 18 years of age was reportedly killed at Kankatu area and dumped by the side of the Amule Bridge. He was said to be a member of Osoogun compound in Ilorin. Bodies of the other killed members were said to have been evacuated by the police and taken to undisclosed hospital morgues in town as at the time of filing this report yesterday evening.

Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal distributing ‘Zakkat’ and endowment items as part of activities marking the 10 years anniversary of the Sultan, Alahji Sa’ad Abubakar III, in Sokoto, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Bello lauds Sultan’s 10-year reign Priscilla Dennis MINNA

iger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has applauded the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Sa’ad Abubakar III, for his significant contributions to the unity, peace, progress and development of the country in his first decade on the throne. In a congratulatory message to Northern Nigeria’s most eminent monarch and spiritual leader of the country’s Muslims, Bello described the 10-year reign of the Sultan as filled with im-

measurable activities, challenges and overwhelming success. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Jibrin Ndace, the governor said the Sultan has been able to bring hope and understanding where despair, desperation and uncertainty had taken hold. He cited the many initiatives and efforts by the monarch to counter negative perception and reduce influence of ethno-religious influence in Nigeria through various fora including inviting international Joint Muslim-Christian Delegation to Nigeria. The governor also noted that the 20th Sultan of Sokoto was instrumental to the

establishment of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, which is championing the course of sustainable peace, security, ethno-religious harmony and peaceful co-existence amongst people of various faiths. “The Sultan’s reign has brought unity and peaceful co-existence and greatly reduced mutual suspicion and tension amongst people from different religious and ethnic divide. He has been able to sustain and enhanced the status of the throne and wielded influence that transcends the country’s borders. These efforts has earned the Sultan national and international recognition including joint nomination with Car-

dinal John Onayekan for Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of their peace-building roles,” the governor stated. While acknowledging the role of traditional rulers and religious leaders in nation building, Bello stressed the need for government to support them by creating the right platform for them to function effectively. The governor prayed Allah to grant the spiritual leader many more decades ahead in good health and wisdom to continue with the remarkable service to humanity by promoting mutual respect and condemning bigotry wherever it rears its head.

Erosion: Al-Makura seeks FG’s intervention Igbawase Ukumba LAFIA

asarawa State governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, on Wednesday appealed to the Federal Government to assist the state tackle erosion menace. The governor made the appeal while inspecting one of the erosion sites in Lafia,

the state capital. He said the intensity of the devastation caused by erosion in the state is beyond the state, hence the appeal for Federal Government’s support alongside other sister agencies. He said: “The incident requires the intervention of the Federal Government through the ecological fund

or other related interventions for adequate control and management. The huge amount of money required to tackle the problem is not within the resources of the state government.” Al-Makura further appealed to residents of the erosion-prone areas to exercise patience with the state government as efforts were

on to ensure their safety, even as he urged them to respect building codes. He however stated that the Nasarawa government has so far expended much funds to rescue communities in the state from the widening gully erosion that has been threatening the state capital and other local governments.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Kemi Olaitan

ast week, the students of secondary schools in Oyo State shocked the world when they set some school buildings on fire just to protest the new policy of government banning automatic promotion for students in the public schools in the state. This happened in less than six months after the state witnessed a mass protest by students, teachers and the principals of public secondary schools in the state over what they termed unfavourable policy of the state government on education. Many described these actions of students particularly the latest one as barbaric. For example, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela said it was strange that secondary school students could carry out such destructive action against public facilities. Justifying the latest policy, the commissioner said the step was taken in the overall interest of the public, stating that it is an established fact that education is the bedrock of individual and societal development and indeed a veritable tool for achieving the growth of any nation. According to him, the state government would continue to enforce the no automatic promotion policy in public secondary schools, calling on parents, teachers and other stakeholders to support and adhere strictly to the policy. Also speaking on the issue, the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, said the state government had no intention reneging on its decision to stop automatic promotions in public secondary schools in the state, saying its decision to reform the education sector would be pursued rigorously until it yields positive results. He said it was unacceptable for the state to occupy the rung of the ladder positions in the senior school certificate examinations (WAEC and NECO) when it should be setting the pace, stressing that the state is known for many firsts and her education sector should be the benchmark for others. According to him, the on-going reforms in the sector was inevitable because of the consistent high number of failures in WAEC Examinations which is a key yardstick for performance measurement, adding that no amount of protests would deter the state from changing its stand on the no automatic promotion policy in public secondary schools in the state. He said, “We cannot encourage automatic promotion with the woeful performance of our students in examinations in the last 15 years. The statistics we have from the Ministry of Education strongly support the state government’s stance. In the Year 2008, 61,232 sat for the exam, 5,608 passed, Year 2009 60,444 sat for the exam, 7,204 passed. Year 2010, 65,330 sat for the exam, 8,757 passed, in 2011, 72,559 sat for the exam and 12,314 passed while in 2012, there were 75, 179 candidates and 12,314 passed.” Arulogun added that the situation had been the same in the last three years, stat-

Resumption: Osun college lecturers ignore govt order 28

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Students’ unrest:

No automatic promotion policy in Oyo stands —Govt

.Says ‘We can no longer tolerate mass failure in WASSCE’

One of the burnt buildings by the protesting students. Inset is Gov Abiola Ajimobi

ing that in 2013, 74,319 wrote the exams, 16,049 passed, in the year 2014, 77,685 sat for the exam and 16,197 passed and in 2015, there were 78,897 candidates and 17,051 passed. He maintained that the step to sustain the cancellation of automatic promotion was taken in the overall interest of the public in order to give the students quality education. However, the first sign that the policy may not go down well with the students came two weeks ago when students in some schools in Oyo town staged a demonstration to kick against the policy. The students who called for the reversal of the policy maintained that they are been unnecessarily punished for the negligence of the government, as according to them they were made to write examinations immediately the public schools resumed after about seven weeks that the schools were closed over the crisis of government trying to adopt PPP in running some secondary schools in the state. But the matter assumed a new dimension last Thursday when students in some schools still in Oyo town and some part of Ibadan rather than stage demonstration went on rampage during which they burnt the administrative block, school library, ‘‘

laboratory, classrooms and the principal’s office at Isale Oyo Community High School in Oyo, while they also beat their teachers with some lucky to escape jumping through the window and school fence. But in a swift reaction to the incident, the state government shut down five schools involved in the protest. The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Olowofela, who announced the indefinite closure, gave the name of the affected schools as Community Secondary School, Iyana Idi-Ose and Ojoo High School, Ojoo, both in Ibadan and Isale Oyo Community High School, Oyo, Anglican-Methodist Secondary School, Oyo and Oba Adeyemi High school, Oyo. According to him, the no automatic promotion policy was contained in a circular sent to education stakeholders across the state on April 23, 2015. He said, “The efforts were to address our examination preparedness strategy with the immediate cancellation of automatic promotion in all classes. “Because we are usually ill-prepared for external exams, our results always come out poor and even worse than many of the states traditionally considered to be educationally backward,” he stressed. Olowofela lamented that it was sadden-

FG should stop quota system policy in university admission —Ibidapo-Obe

ing that some hoodlums parading themselves as students decided to cause mayhem in some schools, thereby disturbing the peace of the law abiding individuals in the schools. The commissioner, who urged wellmeaning students to continue with their studies and teachers with their job, added that security agents have been alerted of the development. He also called on parents and guardians to advise their children and wards to go on with their studies and run away from all acts that could jeopardise their well-being, stating that the students should be warned not to allow themselves to be used by destructive elements in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Protest: A’Ibom terminates appointment of 5, 000 newly recruited teachers 29

Education Today

Don’t neglect duties on your children, parents told Tunbosun Ogundare

paramilitary and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), National School Crime Prevention Corps (NSCPC) has charged parents and guardians in the country to intensify efforts in cautioning their children and wards against joining unlawful societies in and outside schools and to also shun all forms of vices including violence. The Commandant-General of the group, Mr. Ige Folayinka stated this while holding a meeting with the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of Premier Grammar School, Lafenwa, Abeokuta, Ogun State, saying involving in illegal associations and social vices was capable of truncating lives. He said it was important that parents take good care of their children and monitor them right from their early ages so as to be able to grow with acceptable behaviour that would help them do well in future. Folayinka traced about 50 per cent of social vices and abnormal behaviours often exhibit by some children to their parents and the same percentage to parents of those who do well in their studies and behave well in the society. He emphasised that parents\guardians should not neglect their roles over their children for schools and the teachers, saying each of them has specific roles in the life of children. Appreciating the charitable organisation for its efforts in shaping the lives of children for the future, one of the parents, Mr. Bolaji Akinbola asked other parents and guardians to make good use of all the advice given, saying all is to the best interest of the children and the society. NSCPC is empowered by the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to work with schools and make them crime free.

FHI 360 donates to C’River school Richard Ndoma CALABAR

he Commissioner for Education, Mr. Godwin Ettah has lauded the Family Health International (FHI 360) for contributing positively to the welfare of orphans and vulnerable children in the country. He gave the commendation when he received the items donated by the organisation in collaboration with the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) to Prof. Eyo-Ita Primary School, Nyanhasang in Calabar Municipality of the state. The items include 145 children plastic chairs, floor mats, puzzle mats, balls, complete swing, masking tapes, crayon, cardboards, magnetic white chalk board and waste baskets, among others. The commissioner however expressed gratitude to the organisation, promising that the items would be channel into the purpose they were meant for. It will be recalled that the Family Health International (FHI 360) is a reputable nongovernmental organisation with the aim of supporting children’s development from pre-natal to early primary grade. Presenting the items earlier, the state Programme Manager of the group, Dr. Henry Ayuk stated that as part of their efforts to strengthen and promote Early Child Care Development (ECCD) in Cross River State, the organisation with funding from USAID had earlier equipped a functional Early Child Care Development (ECCD) Centre at St. Mary’s Primary School, Ugep, Yakurr, stressing that the organisation is now equipping another centre at Prof. EyoIta Primary School.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Resumption: Osun college lecturers ignore govt order Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

espite the resumption order given by Osun State government to workers in its College of Education in Ila Orangun, life is yet to return to the campus of the institution. Government in a statement signed by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Sunday Olajide, had directed workers, who had been on industrial action since August back to work. But responding to the order, Chairman, College of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, OSCE, Ila chapter, Mr. Segun Onifade, said worker would only resume work, when Governing Council of the institution is dis-

•Say ‘We won’t resume except board’s chairman is sacked’ •Students, indigenes protest prolonged closure solved and its chairman removed. It will be recalled that students and many residents of Ila community had recently staged a peaceful protest over indefinite closure of the tertiary institution by its staffers. While the protest lasted, economic activities in the host community were paralysed as major roads leading into and out of the town were barricaded by the protesters. National Mirror learnt that some sacked workers of the institution, laid off in January this year had been holding the institution to ransom, as they allegedly refused to submit students’

L-R: Representative of the Minister of Education, Mr. Joel Ojo; Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Dr Kudirat Ladipo; Registrar, Mrs Charity Amapakabo and Deputy Rector, Administration, Mr. Taofeek Raheem at the 30th Convocation of the college, last week. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

results and release sensitive documents and materials in their possession to the management. In solidarity with the affected workers, staff unions in the institution also demanded removal of the institution’s Governing Council chairman, Mr Oyeniyi Akande for alleged misappropriation of funds and threatened not to return to work until he is sacked. Speaking during the protest, President of Students’ Union Government of the institution, Mr. Abdulmanan Adetunbi said: “We are here for mass protest against the closure of our institution. The people of Ila community have also joined us in this protest because the closure of the school is affecting them. “Our institution has been closed over two months. The closure is as a result of the internal crisis and we are being made to suffer the crime we did not commit. The crisis is between the staff and the council. How could they allow the interest of 72 workers to affect thousands of students”? Addressing the protesters, Alhaja Silifatu Akanni, who led market women to solidarise with the students, said traders in Ila were in no small measure, affected by the closure of the college as their sales have dropped drastically. Akanni said the traders received major patronage from students, complaining that their means of livelihood had been cut short as a result of the long closure of the school. She therefore asked both parties in the crisis to mend their differences and allow normalcy returns to the school.

FG should stop quota system policy in university admission —Ibidapo-Obe Saidat Alausa

ormer Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Akoka, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe has stressed the need for the Federal Government to stop henceforth various policies that promoting quota system as consideration to admit students into the federal-government owned educational institutions in the country. He said using of such policies as state of origin, federal character, catchment areas rather than performance for students’ admission was inimical to intellectual growth and development. Prof Ibidapo-Obe who also served as vice-chancellor of Federal University, Ebonyi State equally asked government to invest more in education sector if the country truly wants to be globally relevance and becomes one of the top economies by 2020. L-R: Vice Principal, Administration, Government Junior College, Ikoyi, Lagos, Mr. Ogunkayode Bolaji; Secretary, school’s Parents’ Forum, Mrs. Victoria James; Treasurer, Mrs. Nkechi Ezeofor; Social Secretary, Mrs. Emiola Kafilat; Chairman, Mr. Sheriff Sheriff; Principal of the school, Mr. Sanni Rauf and Public Relations Officer of the parents’ forum, Mrs. Shonibare Fatimoh during the handing over of furniture donated by the parents forum to the school, recently.

He said though it was good that the country is now diversifying to agriculture, it is better it improves on knowledge economy and make all sectors competitive. Ibidapo-Obe who is a professor of computer science made the observation while delivering the 15th matriculation lecture of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, titled, ‘’Attaining Global Relevance and National Socio-Economic Advancement through University Education,’’ last Friday. According to him, the nation need to improve on the access and quality education at all levels and that is why education must be separated from politics. He however pointed out that access to quality education had been a major challenge in the country as many parents want their children to go to good universities to acquire right knowledge and skills but that inadequate space has been

a big challenge. While identifying poor funding as a challenge hindering infrastructure development in most universities, the educationist noted that quality and standard of education was not falling as many people have made to believe. He said most Nigerian graduates excelled in their various fields overseas. In his remark, the Chancellor of the university, Bishop David Oyedepo said Covenant University was established to bring about revolution in university education in the country, adding that it was only sound education that could drive economy prosperity for a nation. Earlier in his address, the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Prof. Aaron Atayero congratulated the new students and urged them to face their studies so as to be able to graduate not only in record time but also with good grades.

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Ex-minister charges teachers on students’ upbringing

Education Today

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Minister tasks unity colleges on ICT education

Kemi Olaitan

Minister of State for Education, Prof Anthony Anwukah(in cap) with the Principal of Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Lagos, Rev. Chris Ugorji(1st right) and students of the college shortly after presenting their numerous outstanding awards won in the last academic year to the minister in Abuja, recently.

IBADAN

ormer Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, has charged teachers to do everything within their power to be good role models to the students. She gave the admonition at the inauguration of a block of six classrooms, library and headmaster’s office donated by a development partner and a borehole donated by the German Embassy, in collaboration with the Olajumoke Akinjide Foundation (OAF), to St. James Primary School, Akanran, Ibadan, Oyo State. She said as the custodians and moulders of the destinies of the young children, the knowledge that they impart to the pupils is what would help in shaping their future. While stating that it is common knowledge that the environment that people learn stimulates and promotes better, she insisted that what goes on in the four walls of the school is more important than what goes on outside the walls. She said, “The knowledge we impact, the counsel we give, the disciplines we instill and the virtues and the principles that we ourselves model to them all come together to shape these children and form the bedrock of their character. Your role as educators is critical in building a better and more prosperous future for our great nation.” Akinjide assured that her foundation would continue to commit itself to doing everything it can to ensure that students get the best education possible.

Group to coach Osun students for public exams Tunbosun Ogundare

non-governmental organisation, Volunteer Corps has entered into agreement with the Osun State government to organise coaching classes for SS3 students in public schools across the 31 local government areas of the state beginning from this month. The goal of the programme according to the charitable organisation is to equip the students of the state with the right knowledge and skills that would help them to do well in their studies and external examinations. The founder of the group, Sir Demola Aladekomo who dropped this hint in a statement said the unimpressive performance of students of the state in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the last five years despite the huge government investment in education had necessitated the project as a way of giving back to the society. According to him, the initiative will help tackling the problem and secure better future for the teeming youths in the state. “That is why we also call on other organizations and philanthropic individuals to join hands in this regard to bring about appreciable improvement in students’ performance and the educational sector in the state,” he added. Aladekomo explained that the 24-yearold organisation had already assembled a pool of volunteer teachers to coach the students in core subjects including Mathematics, English language and life skills. Disclosing that a coordinating centre is already cited in Osogbowhile is in the process of establishing one coaching centre in each of council areas in the state, Aladekomo noted that the programme was to complement the efforts of the regular teachers and not to usurp responsibilities. He pointed out that the state’s Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Laoye-Tomori who led the government team in supporting the project was fascinated by the initiative.

Tunbosun Ogundare

he Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah has called on the 104 unity colleges in the country to take Information Communication and Technology (ICT) education more seriously, saying that was one of the surest ways to produce globally competitive students. He made the call at the official presentation of the various Outstanding Performance Awards won by the students of Federal Science and Technical College Yaba, Lagos in the last academic year to the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja, last week. Some of the laurels include Top Achievement Certificate award from Cisco International for producing the best student, Master Daniel Yelogo in Nigeria, West Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

The college also received the Best Cisco Networking Academy award for producing the highest number of students who graduated in West and Central Africa at the just concluded ASC UNITES Cisco training while another student of the college, Christine Ezekiel is a Cisco’s nominee to attend an all expenses-paid Summit in Germany later in the year, among other laurels. Commending FSTC for this landmark achievement in the field of ICT, the minister said unity colleges must have to give ICT education a deserved priority since this, according to him, is the major way out of the current economic challenges confronting the country. He pointed out that adequate investment in ICT would not only create room for job opportunities and hands-on experience particularly for the teeming youths upon graduation in the country, it would also create many other avenues to build the

Don lists ways out of recession

Saidat Alausa

he Deputy Rector, Administration, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Mr. Omobayo Raheem has urged Nigerians to use the recession period to develop new dynamic growth of the financial and private sectors. He said government should also embrace public and private investments and entrepreneurship in high economic potential sectors to drive the country out of the recession and sustain the movement. The don gave the advice while delivering the 30th convocation lecture of the college titled: “Technology as tool to salvage the current economic recession,” last week. According to him, Nigeria should devote its more on sectors capable of generating significant income in hard currencies to stabilize the forex demand and boost foreign reserve. “So, government should without delay

diversify from mono oil economy to other various high yielding sectors such as agriculture, mine and steel, and other emerging sectors capable of driving the economic growth and social transformation,” he stressed. While also advising government to broaden the scope of its National Economic Council to drive development, Raheem said the country must at all cost prevents the rise in unemployment to avoid a longterm social-fiscal burden in future. He said if Nigeria could attack recession aggressively and strengthen the ability of people to cope with long-term economic and social challenges, the country would come out of recession stronger. In her remark, the Rector of the institution, Dr. Margaret Ladipo said the topic of the lecture was informed by the present economic reality facing the country and the need for the college to create a platform for an academic discourse as it own contribution to addressing the situation.

L-R: Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Prof. Aaron Atayero, Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo and guest lecturer and former Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Akoka, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe shortly after he delivered the 15th matriculation lecture of Covenant University in Ota, last week.

economy. “So, I will say FSTC Yaba has already treading on that path and that is why it was able to win many awards in various ICT competitions organised locally and internationally. While lamenting that Nigeria has relied so much in foreign technology by being a consumer of other country’s technology, Prof Anwukah in a statement made available to journalists by FSTC, said the time to overturn this trend was now. According to him, we must strive to look inward and begin to see how we can harness our local materials and promote our own indigenous technology since we have competent personnel and enough content to go about these. Earlier in his speech, the Principal of FSTC, Yaba, Rev. Chris Ugorji promised that the college would not renege in its resolve to always be a model for other unity colleges in the country. He said he was particularly happy that the college won seven out of nine awards in the 2016 Africa Future Trust Model United Nations (TAFMUN) programme involving academic institutions nationwide. Ugorji, who is also a cleric, thanked God for the achievements and assured that the college would continue to impart students with relevant knowledge and skills that would make them contribute meaningfully to nation building.

Protest: A’Ibom terminates appointment of 5, 000 newly recruited teachers Julius Onwuma UYO

overnor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has ordered the cancellation of recruitment exercise carried out by the State Secondary Education Board which saw to the appointment of 5,000 new teachers into the state public schools last year. In a statement signed by the Head of Service, Mrs. Ekereobong Akpan, the state government declared null and void all letters of appointments earlier issued by the board to the affected persons. The statement also indicated that the state government would make adequate arrangement for the engagement of qualified indigenes of the state to teach in the state public secondary schools as soon as possible. It will be recalled that the 5,000 teachers who were recruited under the administration of immediate past Governor, who is now a serving Senator, Godswill Akpabio between February and April, last year were yet to be deployed to schools and protested the development recently . It was gathered that Governor Udom upon assumption of office suspended the deployment of the teachers, stating that the recruitment process was marred with irregularities.

Education Today

Thursday, November 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Automatic promotion, a failed policy

he recent barbaric destruction by fire of public school buildings in Oyo State marks a new phase in the downward slide of the Nigerian educational system over the past decades. I would have considered it inconceivable that students of public secondary schools would exhibit such level of disdain for law to participate in the wanton destruction of infrastructure that were dedicated to their education at the expense of the State. Their actions nevertheless seem to mirror the established destructive tendencies of their siblings in higher institutions which have been displayed more frequently in recent times at every flimsy excuse. The decision of the Oyo State government to insist on the 50% pass mark in two key subjects, namely, English language and Mathematics is a bold attempt to correct the anomalies that have plagued the Nigerian educational system these past decades. The insidious adoption of the policy of automatic promotion with the introduction of universal basic education has dealt a crippling blow to the quality of Nigerian education. This was probably inadvertently adopted to reduce high incidence of repeaters. High repetition is seen as a sign of inefficiency in the education system, a drag on the fragile financial situation and a source of additional pressure on the limiting infrastructure, further complicating the unacceptably high students to teacher ratio. More damaging to the system is the concomitant lowering of the pass mark from 50% post-independence to 40% sometime thereafter. The combination of these two policies ensures that pupils and students who have no understanding of the subject matter are allowed to progress along the educational ladder until they are confronted with a different reality namely, a fifty percent pass mark and the insistence that the admission to the next level would no longer be by automatic promotion. These reali-

ties have not really been accepted by the generality of Nigerian including the parents, pupils, students and teachers at the various levels of the educational ladder. This is the reason that the problem of examination malpractice lingers on in the nation’s educational system. It must be mentioned here that many educationists and educational administrators are sympathetic to the plight of the pupils and students caught in the web of this vice, and often collaborate with them in perpetuating the act, or simply turn a blind eye. You may be amazed that highly placed civil servants, teachers, government officials and politicians have been known to be actively involved in helping those caught in the act to avoid punishment. If not, why has not a single perpetrator been indicted, found guilty and put behind bars for their roles in this nefarious act. Was it really not an irony of life for schools to adopt 40% as pass mark for internal school examinations only to be confronted with a 50% pass mark as the minimum entry requirement into tertiary institutions? I salute the courage of the Oyo State government in taking this epoch making decision to bring the practices in the internal school examination system in line with the those of the external examinations for which these kids are supposedly been prepared in the secondary schools. I am sure many will soon follow the trail you are now blazing!

I suggest that the parents of the kids involved in this act should be made to bear the full cost of restoration of the damaged buildings to serve as a deterrent to other students and their parents. A more permanent solution is to improve on the quality of teachers and their commitment to teaching. The current crop of teachers cannot be fully dedicated to the lofty ideals of education because they did not choose to be teachers. Worse still majority do not know the ABC of their subject matter. A lot remains to be done at the primary school level to ensure that the pupils have a firm grip on these two subjects which determines the progress of any civilized society. Brilliant minds must be encouraged to take to the teaching profession, especially in English language, Mathematics and the Sciences through a series of incentives which should be too attractive to ignore! Even the Chinese with their well-developed national language and culture, makes English language and mathematics compulsory for all candidates who sit for their “Galcao”, the equivalent of our Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). I salute the courage of the teachers who conducted the promotion examinations that revealed the true situation of the students under the spotlight. Reports from other parts of the country including some universities often give the contrary opinion due to massive manipulation of the results under the guise of “moderation”! Now that we have identified the problem, we are nearer the solution of our decayed educational system than when we started to ask questions. The result posted by candidates in the Senior School Certificate Examinations is only a reflection of the quality of candidates presented. The West African Examination Council and National Examination Council cannot be blamed for the poor performance of candidates in these external examinations.

How biotechnology can guarantee food security —Don Saidat Alausa

he Director of Biotechnology Centre, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Dr. Adewale Obadina, has restated that Biotechnology was capable of guarantee food security in the 21st Century. He made the observation at the commencement of the weekly Biotechnology Seminar for Science Students in senior secondary schools in Ogun State held recently. According to him, FAO has predicted that by 2050, we would need to feed a world population of 9.1 billion people and this re-

quires raising food production by approximately 70 per cent globally. The don noted that biotechnology could be applied through the development of disease-resistant plants, plants that reduce environmental burden of fertilizers, food crops that could produce greater yields, increasing nutrient in plants such as vitamins and genetically-engineered bacteria that could degrade environmental pollutants. Obadina stated further that other areas that biotechnology could help solve food problems include detection of forensics, DNA finger-printing, gene therapy, transgenic crops, animals and DNA tracking

My award will spur me to work harder — C’River SUBEB boss Richard Ndoma CALABAR

he Chairman, Cross River State Universal Basic Education, SUBEB, Dr.Stephen Odey has said the Award of Excellence conferred on him by the President’s School Debate Nigeria (PSDN) would spur him to discharge his duties and contribution to mankind more effectively. He made the commitment shortly after receiving the award at the 56th Independence Anniversary Inter-SUBEB Schools Debate Championship National Finals & Award Ceremony held in Minna, Niger State, recently. The award is being organised annually by PSDN in conjunction with the Universal Basic Education Commission for the states’ SUBEB chairmen nationwide. Odey, according to the organisers, won the award based on his sterling contribution to the education sector in the southsouth geopolitical zone of the country. He however thanked them for the honnour. In his remark at the event, Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Bello congratulated all the award recipients and the organisers for bringing the ceremony to his state. He said programme like the award

would strongly encourage healthy competition among SUBBEB chairmen as well as knowledge and research- based education. He governor, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Education Science andTechnology, Hajiya Fatima Mandugu said his administration was very passionate about education thus the reason its invests heavily in the sector..

of seeds, aquaculture, bio-remediation and bio-extractions, bio-informatics, tissue culture among others. The director explained that the goal of the weekly seminar was to introduce teams of high school students and adult leaders to concepts such as DNA extraction, genetic engineering for them to be able to make informed decisions on what Biotechnology is about and it usage. Speaking at the event, one of the participants and SS3 student of Stephen Centre International School, Obantoko, Abeokuta, Miss Ayeni Adeogo, said biotechnology was useful to man particularly in the areas of genetics and forensic analysis to determine the cause of death of plants and animals. She recommended the use of biotechnology to solve human problems as it cuts across every field of human existence, Participating schools at the seminar include Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta International School (FUNIS); Deeper Life High School, Abeokuta Campus; Emmanuel College, Obantoko; Nawair-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Obantoko; and Aminat International College, Obantoko; all in Abeokuta.

Representative of Niger State governor and Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Fatima Mandugu (right) presenting the 2016 Award of Excellence to the Chairman of Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Stephen Odey in Minna, recently.

No automatic promotion policy in Oyo stands —Govt CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 society. Also, during a visit to the affected schools in Oyo town, Olowofela said all the students would pay for the burnt classrooms and other property destroyed during the protest. He said the destruction carried out by the protesting students was massive and uncalled for, hence the need for the government to sanction the perpetrators, noting that the closing of the affected schools is permanent for now. The commissioner, who declared that there would be no going back on the “no automatic promotion” policy for the students, maintained that the policy was to strengthen the capacity of secondary school students to enhance their performances in external examinations. He said, “We will not reverse the policy nor renege on our promise to improve the standard of education in our schools across the state. All we want is strict compliance with the policy to build the capacity of the students and ensure that they can perform outstandingly wherever they find themselves.” On its part, a socio-cultural group, Oyo Development Initiative, urged the state government not to treat the students’ protest with kid gloves but rather take strict measures to prevent recurrence. The group in a statement issued by its Coordinator, Dr. Adesola Okanlawon, said corrective measures like making the affected students undergo counselling sessions in order to re-orientate them will go a long way beyond the closure of schools and apologies from the affected schools. While condemning the actions of the students, who he said had turned themselves to arsonists, Okanlawon stressed that their parents should also be factored into whatever punishment and measures the government will take to avert future occurrence. He said, “It is sad that we now have touts in school uniforms. The action of the students is rather unfortunate and all hands must be on deck to deal with the situation. Even, students of higher institutions rarely destroy government properties during their ‘Aluta’ days. One now wonders what students of secondary schools have turned into?

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Formerly known, called and addressed as ADENIJI YEMI FUNKE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ABIMBOLA OLUFUNKE YEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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LOSS OF DOCUMENT That I, MRS. ESTHER OLUFUNMILAYO ELEMIDE is the lawful owner of property situated at BLOCK N12, FLAT 3, ABESAN ESTATE, IPAJA, LAGOS and l was issued all documents relating to the said property by Lagos Building Investment Corporation (LBIC), Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State but got lost in transit and all effort made to trace same proved abortive. If found please return to the owner at the above address. General public take note.

This is to inform the general public that my name was mistakenly written on as YUSUF HAMMED ADEYEMI instead of YUSUFF AHMED ADEYEMI. That my correct name is YUSUFF AHMED ADEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEBAYO HALIMAT TITILOPE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. AMINU HALIMAT TITILOPE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, general public and Authorities Concerned should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AKINSANYA ADESHOLA JULIANAH, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MOJIBOYE ADESHOLA JULIANAH. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as INI KELVIN JAMES now wish to be known and addressed as INI AKPAN JAMES. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS UTULU VINCENT VICTOR YADIKAW, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS UTULU VINCENT VICTOR. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as UZOR VICTORY OLUCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as OBIZUE VICTORY OLUCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as RUBEN OMASI HAMILTON, now wish to be known and addressed as FRANK UKPENYI HAMILTON. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as ISMAIL BOLAJI OKE ODOTUN, now wish to be known and addressed as ISMOHEEL ADEWALE SAKARIYAH. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as EKENE UWA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as UWAOMA CHRISTOPHER EKENEDILICHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note. ADDITION OF NAME

I formerly known, called and addressed as AROWOSOMO OLUSOLA in First Bank Account But Henceforth, I wish to be known, called an addressed as AROWOSOMO OLUSOLA AKINYEMI. All other former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OLANREWAJU HAMUDATU ALHAJA, now wish to be known and addressed as OLANREWAJU AMUDALAT ABEKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OKEKE THEOPHILUS, now wish to be known and addressed as OKEKE THEOPHILUS MAKUOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as HASSAN JIDDA, now wish to be known and addressed as DUNGUS HASSAN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as TAIWO OLUWATOYOSI ADEDEJI ADEOTI, now wish to be known and addressed as TAIWO JOSEPH OLUWATOYOSI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as OLADIMEJI JULIET OLAWUMI, now wish to be known and addressed as AMACHUKWU JULIET OLAWUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ADEGBOYEGUN-KING OLUWASEGUN OKWA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADEGBOYEGUN OLUWASEGUN OKWA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as EGEMBA CHIDOZIE LOUISE, now wish to be known and addressed as EGEMBA CHIDOZIE DONATUS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as SUNDAY MARVELOUS, now wish to be known and addressed as AZAGIDI SUNDAY MARVELOUS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL OKAFOR, now wish to be known and addressed as MR IKECHUKWU ONOVO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as ROSEMARY OSABOR, now wish to be known and addressed as ROSEMARY NWABU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as EBILOMA MUAZU NIC, now wish to be known and addressed as EBILOMA MUAZU NICODEMUS. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ALOGBA OPEYEMI LAMIDI, now wish to be known and addressed as OJOMO OPEYEMI JANET. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ADEGBITE ABIODUN SENAMI, now wish to be known and addressed as ODETUNDE ABIODUN SENAMI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IKONG CHRISTOPHER CYPRIAN, now wish to be known and addressed as IKONG CHRISTOPHER OCHIM. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ARIT JOHNSON, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ARIT THOMPSON. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY known and addressed as MRS ANIFOWOSE ELIZABETH MOSUNMOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OMOTOSO ELIZABETH MOSUNMOLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. FIRST BANK PLC AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm and certify that BENNY JOY, ONYEJIUKWA BENNY JOY, ONYEJIUKWA BENNY CHINONSO, ONYEJIUKWA BENNIE CHINONSO and ONYEJIUKWA JOY BENNY is one and same person, But now wish to be known and addressed as ONYEJIUKWA JOY BENNY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as IZUEHIE VICTORIA CHIZOBA, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEHANONU VICTORIA CHIZOBA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AGBOTIKEUYO MOMODU ALAGBE, now wish to be known and addressed as AGBOTIKEUYO MUHAMMED ALAGBE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

I formerly known and addressed as ATILOLA ADEBOWALE TAOFEEK, now wish to be known and addressed as ATILOLA ADEBOWALE OLAWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

CORRECTION OF NAME I, FORMERLY NWEKE JULIUS NOW NWEKE JULIUS OKORONKWO, HENCEFORTH I WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NWEKE JULIUS OKORONKWO AND MY CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH IS 9TH MARCH 1982.ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID.DIAMOND BANK,FIRSTBANK PLC, ZENITH BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE .

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME This is to inform the general public that my name and date of birth was mistakenly written on as ADENIKE OLAKOJO BUSAYO and 14th May, 1978 instead of OLAJOKO BUSAYO ADENIKE and 14th May, 1976. That my correct name and date of birth is OLAJOKO BUSAYO ADENIKE and 14th May, 1976. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as PAUL ANYANWU IBE, now wish to be known and addressed as IBEACHUM PAUL ANYANWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as IZUEHIE DAVID ANAENE, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEHANONU DAVID ANAENE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Friday, February 14, 2014

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MUSA HALLURU DANBATTA, now wish to be known and addressed as HALLURU MUSA DANBATTA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as CHINAZA SAMUEL OJI, now wish to be known and addressed as OJI BLESSING SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ELA YINZUO, now wish to be known and addressed as ELAWEREMI YINZUO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as RAHMON JUBRIL ADIO, now wish to be known and addressed as OLADIPUPO GABRIEL ADIO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as IGHORUE JOANA ONAJOMO now wish to be known and addressed as EBOKA JOANA ONAJOMO. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to certify that my correct name is ARINZE EUNICE UDEGO not ARINZE EUNICE ASIKA henceforth my name will be spelt, called and addressed as ARINZE EUNICE UDEGO while my correct date of birth is 16th day of December, 1991. Eco Bank Plc, and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as NNAMANI OBIAGELI MARY now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS NWATU OBIAGELI MARY. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as ERNEST AYAECHIE NNADI, now wish to be known and addressed as ERNEST AYAECHIE CHUKWU. All documents remain valid valid. General public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

NNADI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NNADI MODESTA CHIZOBA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OZOUDE MODESTA CHIZOBA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

NWAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as NWAFOR IGWEBUIKE OKOYE, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAFOR IGWEBUIKE OKOLIE. But my National I.D card was wrongly written as “ IGWBUIKE” All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OLATUJA AKINDOJU KEHINDE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SOKUNBI AKINDOJU KEHINDE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

NWAGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as UGOCHINYERE NWAGWU, now wish to be known and addressed as UGOCHINYERE MICHAEL OSANEBI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

JOYCE: Formerly known and addressed as JOYCE OGIEABU, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNNIYI JOYCE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

PETER: Formerly known and addressed as PETER DAVID AGBONG and PETER DAVID now wish to be known and addressed as AGBONG PETER EKPA . All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OJEDEJI: Formerly known and addressed as OJEDEJI OLANIYI MICHAEL, now wish to be known and addressed as OLATUNJI OLANIYI MICHAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OLETU: I formerly known and addressed as MISS OLETU GLORY EJIRO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IRITEVU GLORY EJIRO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Friday, February 14, 2014

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MR. OYEBODE TIMOTHY JOSEPH, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. OYEBODE TIMOTHY GBENGA. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MRS PRISCILLA IFEYINWA IGBOKWE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS PRISCILLA IFEYINWA ALFRED-IGBOKWE. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as AKINDOKO OLABANJI now wish to be known, called and addressed as AKINDUKO OLABANJI MOSES. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as MISS AJAKAYE OLUWATOSIN IFEOLUWA now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS ADESANMI OLUWATOSIN IFEOLUWA. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as LAWAL KAFAYAT, now wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL KAFAYAT OLABISI, and my correct date of birth is 18th march 1979 not 18th march 1978.All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

MADUIKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MADUIKE CHRISTIANA NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UFODINAMA CHRISTIANA NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm and certify that OZOEBUNU DONATUS OKOLOAGU and OZOEBUNU DONATUS refer to one and the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as OZOEBUNE DONATUS OKOLOAGU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that Iyiola Paul and OLAOGUN PAUL IYIOLA are same person. I opened a GTB account with the name Iyiola Paul while the name on my national identity card is OLAOGUN PAUL IYIOLA. Hence, I want to be addressed as OLAOGUN PAUL IYIOLA. All former documents remain valid. GTB and general public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

MACARTHY: I, formerly known and addressed as MACARTHY MOSES, now wish to be known and addressed as MACARTHY MOSES OLAOLU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

LAWANI: Formerly known and addressed as LAWANI IKPONMWOSA GLORY, now wish to be known and addressed as LAWANI IKPONMWOSA AND MY DATE OF BIRTH IS 30TH DECEMBER 1974 All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Thursday, November 3, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as KOLAWOLE RAFIAT OLABISI 3-41992 now wish to be known and addressed as KOLAWOLE RAFIAT OLABISI 23-7-1990. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AKANIMO UDO USORO now wish to be known and addressed as IME UDO USORO. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as MISS OMONIGHO OGHENEOCHUKO RACHAEL now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS OLOWOBITAN OGHENEOCHUKO RACHAEL. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known, called and addressed as AKINMOLAYAN TOYE QUEEN now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS AKINTOMIDE TOYE ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that USMAN BABAJIDE OGUNBIYI is the same person bearing UTHMAN HABEEB BABAJIDE. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS PRINCESS CHUKWU CHISOM CYNTHIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS PRINCESS YAWE CHISOM CYNTHIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm and certify that JOHN CHIDINMA PEACE, JOHN CHIDINMA and ONYEMA CHIDINMA PEACE refer to one and the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as JOHN CHIDINMA PEACE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as VICTORIA AJIBARE now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS VICTORIA AJIBARE AINA. Also, my correct date of birth is 16th day of May, 1953. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed and USMAN OGUNBIYI OLAMIDE ARIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as USMAN OLAMIDE SHUKURAT. All former documents remain valid, general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OKEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKEKE MAUREEN UZOAMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANI MAUREEN UZOAMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to inform the general public of loss of Power of Attorney belonging to MR. JOSEPH UMUNWAKWE ONOH with Reg. No 25/25/1560 of plot B Aria Road Lay- out Area, G . R . A Enugu . At Land Registry Enugu. All effort to trace the said document proved abortive. If found kindly return to Ministry of Lands Enugu. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME / DATE OF BIRTH This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly spelt and stated as EZEKIEL MERCY instead of EZEKIEL MERCY ESTHER . Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as EZEKIEL MERCY ESTHER and my date of birth is 13/10/1996 not 5/10/1996 All former documents remain valid. Banks, and the general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

FATAI: I, formerly known and addressed as FATAI ALANI IYANDA, now wish to be known and addressed as DAVID ALANI IYANDA All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ANTONINE: Formerly known and addressed as ANTONINE ADENIKE WILLIAMS, now wish to be known and addressed as ANTONINE ADENIKE OBASI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as IDEPEFO OLANIKE VICTORIA now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS OLATUJA OLANIKE VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note.

NWALI: I, formerly known and addressed as NWALI SOLOMON ODOM, now wish to be known and addressed as NWALI ODOM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

UBE: Formerly known and addressed as UBE WILLIAMS YVONNE ONYINYECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as UBE WILLIAMS YVONNE ALUORDU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MARRY: I formerly known and addressed as MISS VERONICA MARRY EBUVIABO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS VERONICA NSIDIBE INOCK. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as EMERIKE GODWIN NWACHUKWU OGBUJIE now wish to be known and addressed as MR GODWIN NWACHUKWU. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OGUNLEYE ADUKE now wish to be known and addressed as SOLOTAN ADERONKE ADUKE. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and the general public should take note.

ADANMA: Formerly known and addressed as ADANMA NKULO, now wish to be known and addressed as SUNDAY FLORENCE ADANMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ONIGBANJO: Formerly known and addressed as ONIGBANJO EKUNDAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNLANA EKUNDAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as FRIDAY EDEM SAMPSON now wish to be known and addressed as EDEM SAMSON FRED. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that AKANDE RASAK FEMI and AKANDE RASAK AKINPELU, refer to one and the same person . All documents bearing both names remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note. INCLUSION OF NAME

I formerly known, called and addressed as AUGUSTUS AJUGBA, now wish to include TOSAN to my other names. That henceforth now wish to be known, called and addressed as AUGUSTUS AJUGBA TOSAN. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and General public please take note.

SUMALIA: Formerly known and addressed as SUMALIA MOHAMMED, now wish to be known and addressed as UMORU HASSAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CYRIL: Formerly known and addressed as CYRIL NSINI LOVETH, now wish to be known and addressed as UMANA ANIEFIOK NSINI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AGBOOLA OLUWAFUNKE TEMITOPE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEKOYA OLUWAFUNKE TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid, Banks and general public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that VICTOR PADONU and NESTOR VICTOR PADANU belong to me, one and the same person. But now wish to be known, called and addressed as NESTOR VICTOR PADANU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as UDOH MONDAY UDEH now wish to be known and addressed as IBANGA MONDAY UDOH. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

My name was wrongly written as ONUNKWO KELECHI LEONARD. instead of ONUNKWO EKENECHI LEONARD. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known, called and addressed as MISS ALUKO DEBORAH now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS OMOJUGBAGBE DEBORAH. All former documents lease Note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as MISS OLAITAN OLADOTUN OLUWADAMILOLA now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS ADELU OLADOTUN OLUWADAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as ODESANMI OLADUNNI FIFUNMI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS FATOBA OLADUNNI FIFUNMI. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

MUFTAU: I, formerly known and addressed as MUFTAU RUFAI ABAYOMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MUFTAU RUFAI ABDULLAHI. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ODUM EKPE ESTHER now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MMADAKULAM ESTHER. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CORRECTION OF NAME

My name was wrongly written as IYANDA OMOWUNMI SILIFAT. instead of IYANDA FAUSAT OMOWUNMI. All documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as ROTIMI WILLIAM now wish to be known, called and addressed as ALIU ROTIMI WILLIAM. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS BAMISAYE FUNKE,now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGUNLEYE FUNKE ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid. Union bank plc, Diamond bank plc and the general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OSUAGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as OSUAGWU JOHN ODINAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as ENYINNAYA JOHN ODINAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ONOH: I, formerly known and addressed as ONOH ONYEKACHI SAMSON, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL ONYEKACHI TESTIFY. My correct date of birth is 5/11/1989. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENTS This is to notify the general public that the certificate of Occupancy C of O bearing the name, MISS LINDA CHUKWU is missing, All efforts to trace the said document proved abortive,if found please contact the following 08066700611 and 08095054188. CHANGE OF NAME

OHURE: I, formerly known and addressed as FRANCIS WALLICES OHURE, now wish to be known and addressed as FRANCIS SOLOMON OHURE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This to confirm that ADESINA TAIYELOLU ADELEKE and ADESINA TAIYE ADELEKE refer to one and same person. All former documents remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

MARTINS: Formerly known and addressed as MRS MARTINS ADETOUN ADEFOLABO REBECCA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ALEX-DUDUYEMI ADETOUN ADEFOLABO REBECCA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

NNANWEOBI: Formerly known and addressed as NNANWEOBI VERA AMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAFOR VERA. AMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as UHUNOMA OGHENERUKEVWE IMALELE. now wish to be known and addressed as UHUNOMA OGHENERUKEVWE MODEBE. All former documents remain valid, banks and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MRS HASSAN ABIDEMI MOTUNRAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as MS OLADELE ABIDEMI MOTUNRAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

FAGEEBO: I, formerly known and addressed as FAGEEBO JANET OLUWAKEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as ELUSOJI JANET OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This to confirm that PRECIOUS MARGARET MAUZU and PRECIOUS MEG MAUZU refer to one and same person. All former documents remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks and the general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OLOWORA: Formerly known and addressed as OLOWORA AKEEM, now wish to be known and addressed as OLOWORA AKEEM OLATUNJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ABODUNRIN: Formerly known and addressed as ABODUNRIN IDOWU FOLASHADE, now wish to be known and addressed as SHITTU SIMIAT IDOWU . All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OKEH: I formerly known and addressed as MISS OKEH PROGRESS ONEMEMENYERE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. PROGRESS ONEMEMENYERE SEUNUWAYA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known, called and addressed as OGEDENGBE GIFT IRETE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OGEDENGBE GODSGIFT IRETENEVESHO. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, November 3, 2016

NOUN appoints 6 regional media officers Tunbosun Ogundare

he authorities of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) have appointed regional media officers for the six geo-political zones of the country. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu, who made this known in Abuja, said the decision was to bring the university closer to the grassroots. He explained that the management saw it necessary to set up media office in each of the six geopolitical zones for effective information gathering and dissemination about the operations and activities of the university. According to him, NOUN is established to cater for the educational needs of people of diverse backgrounds irrespective of their locations and circumstances and with the effective media offices in place, students and stakeholders nationwide would access information and the feedback on their enquiries with ease. The vice-chancellor in a statement made available to journalists by the Direc-

tor of Media and Publicity of the university, Mr. Ibrahim Sheme, said six members of staff of the Media Directorate had been redeployed to oversee the newly established regional media officers located in Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kaduna and Bauchi. He gave their names and locations as Mr Joel Nkanta, Principal Editor (SouthSouth), Mr Abiodun Akanmu, Senior Media Officer (South-West), Mr Ambrose Gowong, Senior Media Officer, (North- Central). Others are Mr Achulonu Egenti, Media Officer (South-East), and Mr. Hamza Inuwa, Media Officer (North-West). He noted that their redeployment takes immediate effect.

600L, PHARMACY, UNIBEN

wo students from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State have been selected to participate in the President Barrack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Leadership training holding in Ghana from November 7 through to December 9th, 2016. They are Imadojiemu Osetohanmhen Marietta, a final year medical student and Uwoghiren Ogbemudia Eddy who is in 400 level of the same department and National Mirror Campus Reporter at the institution. While the former will be trained in Business and Entrepreneurship, the latter will go for Public Management training, and both will last five weeks. The duo were selected for the programme from a pool of over 20, 000 applicants from across

KADPOLY shines in Enactus World Cup Tunbosun Ogundare

T Joel

2 UNIBEN students for Obama leadership training Ezekiel Efeobokhan

Nigeria’s team and students of Kaduna Polytechnic at the Enactus World Cup in Canada

West Africa after a rigorous selection process. Eddy said “It was my first time of applying for the training. Over the years, I have always been scared because I have heard stories of how competitive the selection process is. “But this year, I put in and I was selected after series of reviews and online interviews on skype.” The all expenses-paid training which is expected to hold at Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Accra will bring together 100 youths from across West Africa. The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is a flagship programme of President Barack Obama of the United States to invest in African youth and build their capacity towards developing their immediate environment and ultimately transforming Africa.

hirty three countries from all over the world made it to the final of this year’s Enactus World Cup held in Toronto, Canada in September. The Nigeria’s team who are students of Kaduna Polytechnic (KADPOLY), Kaduna State was among them. The team got the world ticket following its emergence as the winner of the local edition of the competition earlier organised among more than 30 polytechnics and universities in the country which included the University of Lagos, Akoka; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Covenant University, Ota; Federal Polytechnic Offa; Ibadan Polytechnic; Bayero University, Kano and University of Port Harcourt, to mention a few. Enactus is a global charitable organisation with special focus on youth entrepreneurship and development. It holds annual competition which is open to all undergraduates across the world to develop entrepreneurship concepts of national interest and showcase how they are helping to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. However, at the Canada’s outing, Kadpoly students who had won the same ticket for four consecutive times were said to be paired with the teams from United Kingdom, Malaysia and the Netherlands to form League 1 to compete with other seven leagues that participated in the opening round of the competition. It was also said by the media relations manager of the organisation in Nigeria, Mrs Elizabeth Okwo in a statement that the team and that from the University of Nottingham UK scaled through the round to the semifinal round where it was paired with the same UK team and those from Ghana and Puerto Rico. The team emerged the winner of League 2 and competed with Germany, India and Canada at the final stage. Unfortunately, it came fourth queuing behind Germany, India and Canada which came third, second and first respectively. Okwo said Canada which won the trophy was represented by Memorial

University of Newfoundland while India and Germany were represented by the Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies and RWTH Achen in that order. She explained that Kadpoly students presented to the global panel of assessors who are world business leaders and the audience the project it won the world ticket. Titled: “Power to the IDPs’’ the project according to her, addressed the education and economy challenges facing over three million people displaced by Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast region of the country and living in camps. Through the project, the teams provided classrooms for some of the children in the internally displaced camps, adopted 11 of them who are orphans and trained adults on trades

that would make them earn income rather than to continue living on charity, among others. In his remark, the country’s director, Mr Michael Ajayi, said though there was no financial reward attached to winners, the competition created the platform for participants project partnership and sponsorship for upscale and sustainability. He also said though Nigeria’s team did not win the trophy, that it was exposed to international best practices and enjoyed some level of self confidence worth celebrated. He commended the team and urged them and other teams in various campuses in the country to remain part of the solution to environmental, social and economic challenges confronting the ordinary man in the country.

Resumption: AAUA students vote for permanent peace on campus ‘Yomi Ayeleso

400L, BUS ADM. AAU, AKUNGBA-AKOKO

ollowing the reopening of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko ,Ondo state, the students have expressed happiness over their resumption on campus to continue the second semester. The students were sent home three months ago following the indefinite strike embarked upon by the lecturers who wanted the government to pay them their salaries. The university was reopened two weeks ago when the university management and the striking lecturers struck a deal to end the industrial action. One of the students, Inumidun Faniyi, a 400-level accounting student, described the strike as unnecessary, saying it has succeeded in interrupting the school calendar .He said both parties in the crisis must be able to sustain the agreement in order to guide against another strike. Another 100 level student, Bayo Iperepolu expressed his happiness over the resumption, calling for understanding between the parties to avoid a situation where the school

would lose its credibility because of constant disruption of its academic calendar. He said the consistent break in the academic calendar was detrimental to the future of students. The President of Students’ Union Government (SUG), Adegbola Odunyemi said: “We are happy about the news. Although the effects of the strike on students are unquantifiable, we thank God that we are back to complete the 2015/2016 academic session. He urged both ASUU and management to look for other means of settling their differences, rather than strike. He said the state government should also improve on its subvention to the university and commit itself to funding of the school for it to meet up with its statutory obligations. A lecturer, Dr Timothy Ihinmoyan who described the strike as unfortunate said the lecturers embarked on the strike in order to demand for their legitimate salaries. He assured the students the readiness of his colleagues to work hard and cover up the lost time occasioned by the strike.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Attention: Waheed Olagunju

HE following juvenile blunders are from Bank of Industry (BoI) full-page advertisement, DAILY SUN, October 31, Page 19: “…I was a serving corp (corps) member with Lagos State. I now own a shoe manufacturing (shoe-manufacturing) line.” “More grease (power) to your elbow” (Full-page congratulatory message to Senator Osita Izunaso signed by His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Governor of Kano State, DAILY SUN, October 31, 2016) Did you know that ‘write me’ is American English, while the formal (British standard) form is ‘write to me’? “Our prayers is (why?) that Almighty God should grant you more wisdom….” (Full-page advertorial, THISDAY, October 29) “Round-the clock news from around the world” (StarTimes Full-page advertisement) Adjectival entry: Round-the-clock news National Mirror of October 31 contained an avalanche of mistakes starting from the following watery headline to its Views and Editorial Pages and other equally wobbly departments: “Ajimobi commissions (auspicates, inaugurates, opens, establishes, launch-

es, initiates, unveils…) Asejire water plant, 17 years after” The verbal context of ‘commission’ here is utterly wrong and shows a poverty of vocabulary. I do not understand why journalists keep fumbling ridiculously and lousily with this word every day despite innumerable corrections here! This is sheer misrepresentation of the diligent and pacesetting Oyo State Governor, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi. “Katsina PDP: Why late (the late) President Yar’Adua’s close associates are defecting to APC” “It is in the interest of the nation (Nigeria is a country—not a nation, by the way) that the press should at all time (times) expose corrupt officers….” “…to the consternation of majority (a majority) of the citizens who look up to such businesses to serve public needs.” “Administrator advocates more scholarships for indigents” When did ‘indigent’, an adjective, become a noun?” “People who cannot read or write and who have never seen the four walls of a secondary school….” Education Today: the walls (not four walls)! Lastly from NATIONAL MIR-

ROR Back Page Banner: “Right sizing the civil service: A more realistic approach” Spell-check: rightsizing DAILY SUN of October 29 fumbled twice: “These big masquerades (masqueraders) entered the world and destroyed sacred….” Masqueraders wear masquerades, masks, etc. “Man remanded over (for) alleged killing of wife” THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAGAZINE of October 30 disseminated just two solecisms: “… in this piece pays tribute to one of Africa’s notable poet (poets) as he enters the winter of life.” “Small business start ups tips” Get it right: start-up tips “Its (It’s) been 7 years since you left us but memories of you lingers (linger) in our hearts.” (Fullpage advertisement) “Congratulations…for (on/ upon) participating in the National Growth Challenge September to December 2013…sponsored by Unilever” DAILY SUN of October 28 comes next: “Borno reviews 24hrs (sic) curfew” and “Igbo community in Kano elects new officers” This way: 24-hour curfew/24 hours’ curfew. The community

Be well-behaved, FUT Minna new SUG officers urged

he newly elected officials of the Students’ Union Government, SUG, of the Federal University of Technology, FUT, Minna, Niger state have been warned to shun any act of indiscipline within and outside the university. Speaking, while inaugurating the officers at the Senate Chamber of main campus, the ViceChancellor, of the university, Professor Musbau Adewumi Akanji, urged the new leaders to work in unity for the progress and development of the institution. Commending the orderly manner they conducted themselves during and after the election, he expressed satisfaction with the unity exhibited between the losers and winners of the election. Prof. Akanji also explained that the university being a specialised institution had a total of 18,000 applicants for admission for the 2016/2017 session. He noted that 15,990 showed up out of the figure for screening exercise, out of which only 4,771 would be offered ad-

mission into the various degree programmes. He added that due to the measures adopted by the university, the incidences of exam malpractices are on the decline, noting that students caught involved in such act are expelled from the institution, while promising to organize a leadership training programme for the new SUG officials. Earlier, the Chairman, Students’ Union Independent Electoral Commission, SUIEC, Prof.

Salawu Sadiku commended the maturity and cooperation shown by the students during the election. Also, in his inaugural speech, the new SUG President, Hamzat Lateef thanked the students for voting him to lead them, assuring them that he would not betray their confidence in him. He then urged the school management to organize an e-test orientation programme for the fresh students.

elected officials (not the otiose ‘new’)—if they were old officials, you re-elect! “Japanese diplomat arrested over (for/in connection with) fire at DRC embassy” “Torching (Touching) lives of orphans through sports” THE NATION ON SUNDAY of October 23 disseminated four infractions: “Campaigners accuse Shell over (of) weapons” “Aregbesola, Tinubu, Oritsejafor pay last respect (respects) to….” THISDAY of August 17 also circulated four blunders: “FG hands tanker drivers 48hrs (48 hrs’) ultimatum to relocate from MMIA” By the way, what difference would it have made spelling out ‘hours’? “In its stead comes a mindblowing display of opulence that has suddenly taken a firm root among the elite and nouveau riche….” Singular: nouveau riche; plural: nouveaux riches “Before now, weather forecasts from NIMET were never taken serious (seriously) because….” Lastly from THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER of October 29: “As part of the build up (build-up) to

Ezekiel Titus BAUCHI

he Federal Government has approved the establishment of Police Secondary School for the North East and to be located in Bauchi State. The Force Education Officer, Mr. Rabiu Ladodo disclosed this while on a tour of the three Police Children Schools in Bauchi State recently, disclosing that all arrangements have been concluded on the establishment of the school. He noted that it was only the north east that had no such school so far among the six geopolitical zones in the country. Ladodo, who is the Depu-

the event….” The PUNCH of October 28 published a few mistakes: “AT least one person was feared killed on Thursday morning when a 12man armed bandits (12-man gang of bandits) struck at….” ‘Banditry’ involves the deployment of a measure of violence with sharp objects/instruments/weaponry during robbery. So, ‘armed banditry’ is sheer verbosity! Of course, robbery and armed robbery “Ban condemns crack down (crackdown) on Cairo protesters” Lastly from the Back Page of The PUNCH under review: “… whereas they are kept at arms’ length.” Friday musings: arm’s length “Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (right), paying his (it could not have been another person’s!) last respect (respects) to the late (we do not pay last respects to the living!) General Evangelist…at the lying-instate and commendation service for the late (again, what’s going on with this back page caption?) clergyman in Akure…on Thursday.” (Source: as above) A rewrite: …Mimiko paying last respects to the General Evangelist…at…for the clergyman….

FG establishes Police Secondary School for North East ty Commissioner of Police however promised to look into the challenges of inadequate teaching and nonteaching staff as well as infrastructural deficiency confronting the three police children schools in the state with a view to addressing them. The schools he visited are at Yelwa, Yandoka and Kafin Madaki. Speaking earlier, the head teachers of the three schools asked for the construction of more class

Don cautions youths against computer fraud Saidat Alausa

Students playing while waiting for bus at Idi Iroko bus stop, on Ikorodu Road, Lagos. PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

rooms and provision of safe water supply in addition to more workers. Also speaking, the Chairman, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of one of the school-Bauchi 1 Police Children School, Bala Usman Garga urged the visitor to give priority to the region. He said Boko Haram activities had further taken the region backward educationally and therefore deserves special attention to close the huge gap with the rest zones.

eputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Prof. Ololade Enikuomehin, has charged youths in the country to utilise the potentials and opportunities at their disposal positively. Speaking during the graduation and send-forth ceremony organised by the International Centre for Professional Development (ICPD) of the University for the 2016 Summer School Programme, Prof. Enikuomehin who described this generation lucky and fortunate encouraged the youths to continue learning by using the computer on a

daily basis. Represented by Mr. Charles Akinola of the centre, the DVC, however, advised the graduating students to avoid using the computer to do fraudulent activities like watching unproductive games and films. He highlighted the benefits of the two-month information technology training to include creating awareness and job opportunities to make the youths employable and job-creators. Prof. Enikuomehin added that the training was also designed to help discover and develop participants potentials, keep them busy during the holidays and reduce the likelihood of engaging in social vices.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Community Mirror It seems to me the time has come for us to re-examine the legal and constitutional framework for policing in Nigeria. – SPEAKER HOUSE OF REPS, HON. YAKUBU DOGARA

Clean-up exercise: Ambode donates vans to residents’ association Francis Suberu

agos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday donated two Toyota Hilux Pick- Up vans to the Victoria Island Ikoyi Residents Association (VIIRA), says it is in furtherance of the need to sustain the gains of the Clean-up of Ikoyi and Victoria Island areas. The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, while handing over the keys, said he is committed to the success of the exercise and felt that there is a need to empower the residents association to assist in driving the campaign. Bello who spoke at the Car Park of Lagos House, Ikeja, stressed that the present administration believes that the government cannot do it alone and must involve the members of the community who are the first point of call for anybody living in the area. “The residents are the first

to notice any infraction in any area and would be able to tell the government about it. These vehicles would be used in patrolling the cleaned up areas and would assist with the feedback mechanism which the state government has put

in place to ensure that there is zero tolerance for shanties and illegal structures in Victoria Island and Ikoyi. “We must support the residents association in helping the government to achieve its aims. We are hopeful that that these

vehicles would assist in ensuring a cleaner and safer Victoria Island and Ikoyi as envisioned in the original master plan of the areas”, he added. The Governor said since the clean- up exercise of Ikoyi and Victoria Island started a

A view of the demolished illegal structures at Low-Cost Housing Estate in Oke-Afa, Isolo in Lagos State, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

couple of months ago, appreciable progress has been made, adding that the government remains focused in ensuring that the areas regain its lost glories. In his response, a member of the executive committee of the Victoria Island Ikoyi Residents Association (VIIRA) Dr Mohammed Salami stated that the gesture by the Lagos State Government is unprecedented in the annals of the history of the State. He expressed the appreciation of the residents association to the State Government saying the vehicles would be well utilized as the donation is coming very handy at a period when the association is contending with shortage of vehicles for patrolling. Dr Salami added that VIIRA will continue to preoccupy itself with environmental and security issues towards ensuring that it assist the government in delivering its mandate of ensuring the safety of life and property.

Fw: Oyo NURTW boss denies abducting member Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

ollowing the recent protest by members of the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) in Ibadan, the Oyo State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, Tuesday denied alleged abduction of a member of the union, Musbaudeen Adeyemi, who was a former Chairman of a local branch of the tricycle riders of the state. The NURTW boss while speaking with journalists, said the report linking him with the last weekend abduction saga of Musbaudeen was untrue and intended to dent his image. He said, “Musbaudeen was my boy in the union and for his past activities as a vibrant officer, I made him Chairman of Tricycle branch and he served out his four years term without any hindrance. But his colleagues said they didn’t want him to run for another term and instead elected another officer. But he was not satisfied and ended up joining a rival union group under the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN).” Oyerinde who is also the South West Zonal Chairman of NURTW, said the latest disagreement Musbaudeen had with his colleagues stemmed from the

fact that he still wanted to be using NURTW base to operate. According to him, he was told to go elsewhere and look for his own park different from the NURTW own but he stuck to his gun which then led to a friction. ‘’And as their boss, I told the two groups not to engage in disturbance of public peace and I am happy the police had waded in with a view to further cementing the peace moves I have already started. “This state is peaceful since my reign started few years ago and we shall continue to ensure peace reign everywhere in the state in line with the peace lov-

ing stance of Governor Abiola Ajimobi. Whoever is willing to forment trouble or disturb the prevailing peace here will have himself to blame. There is no iota of truth in the said report that the boy was abducted and rescued by the police in my residence. I challenge anyone with that fact to name the police officer who led the rescue operation,” he said. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Adekunle Ajisebutu, while speaking on the incident, said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Samuel Adegbuyi on Monday summoned a peace meeting

between the two waring parties. He said both parties were warned against the breakdown of law and order in the state, adding that they were made to sign an undertaking before leaving the police headquarters at Eleyele. Ajisebutu who noted that the two parties have been directed to return back to the command today, added that investigation is still on-going over all the allegation levelled against the NURTW Chairman. It will be recalled that pandemonium had broke out on Monday at the state secretariat of the Trade Union Congress, TUC

Bricklayers protest hike in cement price

agos state bricklayers association on Wednesday took to the streets to protest the hike in cement and other building materials in the country. The protesters wearing their white uniforms armed with thier work tools matched through the ever busy Awolowo road Ikeja, to draw the attention of the government to thier plight. They were received by the government representative

who promised to pass thier message across to the governor. The Chairman of the Association in Lagos Deacon Abel Kayode said the high cost of cement and other building materials is affecting thier job. He said “ Dangote Cement which used to sell for N1600 is now N2600. This is well too high and Nigerians who are supposed to build houses

cannot do so because of this increment. Those who are building have abandoned thier houses and those who have the intention to build are no longer interested. This is affecting us as nobody is patronising us. We are ready to work but the high cost of cement and other building materials are way too high. Government should intervene by reducing the amount as this is affecting everybody and making life difficult “.

in Ibadan as members of TOAN, which is an affiliate of TUC protested an alleged kidnap of their state chairman, Comrade Adeyemi Musbaudeen. Musbaudeen had alleged that he was kidnapped with dangerous weapons on Sunday by members of the Odua People’s Congress, OPC, who took him to the house of Oyerinde and was later rescued by the police. He said he was kidnapped and brutalized for operating an association which is not accredited by him, noting that the association had dragged the matter to law court and the association had been granted an injunction to operate as an independent body.

Police warn vehicle owners

agos state police command have warned owners of abandoned vehicles to have them removed immediately. The police added that such abandoned vehicles would be auctioned if they are not removed after 21 days. The vehicles are a Pathfinder Jeep with registration number FKJ516AL and a Daewoo car with registration number 99CE76 abandoned at the Elere Division.

WorldNews

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, November 3, 2016 -

Page 36

US poll: You’re bullying women, Clinton charges Trump Afolabi Gambari

WITH AGENCY REPORT

emocratic nominee in the US presidential election billed for November 8, Hillary Clinton, has looked past a fresh inquiry about her emails to label Donald Trump a bully who insults women. She said the Republican had a 30-year history of demeaning, degrading, insulting and assaulting women. But Trump has branded Clinton corrupt and said she would destroy American healthcare forever. He told early Clinton voters with buyer’s remorse they could change their vote in four states. The clashes came as the fractious contest entered its final week, with opinion polls ap-

US Democratic Party’s presidential candidate Hillary Clinton

pearing to show the race getting tighter. The prospect of a Trump presidency sent Asian shares tumbling, appearing to confirm some analysts’ view that

the financial markets believe a Clinton victory would bring more stability for the US economy. In Fort Lauderdale, Clinton hit back at a protester who

waved a sign saying her husband, former President Bill Clinton, is a rapist, a regular sight at Clinton rallies. “I am sick and tired of the negative, dark, divisive, dangerous divisions and behaviours of people who support Donald Trump,” she said. Echoing Clinton’s comments at a rally in Ohio, President Barack Obama said the Republican candidate had spent a lifetime calling women pigs and dogs and slobs. The Republican nominee has faced a string of sexual harassment allegations in the last month, after a 2005 video tape that saw him making obscene remarks about women emerged. He has denied any wrongdoing and threatened to sue those involved after the election.

Pressure mounts on Zuma amid sleaze

watchdog’s report into corruption allegations against South African President Jacob Zuma must be published yesterday, a court in Pretoria ruled, as demonstrators calling for Zuma to quit gathered in the streets of the capital. Police used water cannons and stun grenades as they tried to disperse crowds of protesters amid increasingly chaotic scenes. The demonstrations have blocked off many downtown streets amid looting. The judge at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled that the Public Protector must release the so-called Gupta report by 5 p.m. local time (11 a.m. ET) yesterday. The judge’s ruling came shortly after Zuma’s lawyer, Anthea Platt, announced the president was dropping his bid to block the release of the report, which could potentially show corruption at the highest levels of his government. “My instructions are to withdraw the application and to tender costs; my instructions are further not to oppose any costs

South African President Jacob Zuma

on the scale, the scale of the costs and we abide the decision of this honorable court in relation to those costs,” Platt told the court in Pretoria. Zuma has always denied any wrongdoing. But the latest demonstrations in Pretoria and elsewhere will add to the mounting pressure the president is under from South Africa’s political opposition, business groups, civil society and legal quarters to step aside. Opposition protesters who gathered in the streets of Pretoria called angrily for Zuma to resign. Some waved signs saying, “Zuma must go.”

Smoke could be seen rising from burning tires in some areas of the capital’s commercial center. The governing African National Congress said via Twitter that it welcomed the president’s decision to withdraw his attempt to block the report’s release. The report examines allegations of influence peddling in relation to brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta and Zuma’s government. The ANC, the party that has ruled South Africa since the end of apartheid, has so far stood by Zuma but suffered significant losses in local elections held nationwide in August, with the op-

position Democratic Alliance gaining more than a quarter of the vote. A statement released Tuesday by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, founded by South Africa’s late president, called for the ANC to take the steps necessary to ensure that the vehicle of state be protected and placed in safe and capable hands, as political meddling had weakened critical institutions. “The Nelson Mandela Foundation supports the demand to hold to account those responsible for compromising our democratic state and looting its resources,” the statement stressed.

Syria: Putin declares humanitarian cease fire

ussian President Vladimir Putin has unilaterally declared a 10-hour “humanitarian pause” for Aleppo on Friday, a senior Russian official said yesterday. “A decision was made to introduce a humanitarian pause in Aleppo on November 4 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (3 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET),” Chief of Russia’s General Staff Valery Gerasimov said in a statement on yesterday. The latest truce comes as fighting in the beleaguered city grows ever more deadly, with rebel assaults on regime-held parts of Aleppo claiming 84 lives over the weekend, the Syrian military said Monday. The latest violence also wounded 280 people in western Aleppo, Syria’s General Command of the

Armed Forces said. Syrian rebels have intensified attacks on western Aleppo to try to break the regime’s siege of opposition-held eastern Aleppo, which has been choked off from food, fuel and other necessities. Several previous attempts at introducing pauses in the fighting and bombing have quickly deteriorated, with both sides accusing the other of breaking the truce. The most recent, in mid-October, was more successful, with fighting suspended for several days, despite being originally planned for only eight hours. But that, too, ended with the resumption of Russian airstrikes against the besieged, rebel-held portion of eastern Aleppo. Washington called off bilateral talks with Russia this month fol-

lowing the collapse of a shortlived ceasefire in Aleppo and Syria’s renewed offensive against the city’s rebel-held east. “Bunker-buster” bombs destroyed the M10 hospital in rebelheld eastern Aleppo this month, opposition activists said. Much of the hospital was underground due to the near-constant fear of airstrikes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin

“The essence is to disabuse the minds of the people of the world that Muslims are enemies. No, ISIS are the enemies” –Former British prime minister, Tony Blair

WORLD BULLETIN Iraqi forces ‘enters Mosul’ Reports yesterday said Iraqi forces are securing their foothold in the city of Mosul, moving from house to house to clear areas of ISIS militants. Soldiers and special forces paused their advance yesterday, a day after pushing into the eastern outskirts. Meanwhile, an aid agency has warned that the lives of civilians in Mosul are in grave danger. Wolfgang Gressmann of the Norwegian Refugee Council said its staff were bracing for the worst as the battle for the city intensified. “The lives of 1.2 million civilians are in grave danger, and the future of all of Iraq is now in the balance,” Gressmann added. Elite Counter-Terrorism Service troops retook the eastern Kukjali area and reached the more built-up Karama district, on Tuesday, having entered the city for the first time since it was overrun by ISIS in June 2014.

Moscow seals Amnesty office

Amnesty International’s office in Moscow has been sealed off by the city authorities, members of staff said yesterday. Arriving for work, they found official seals placed across the office entrances, the locks had been changed and the power was cut off. The human rights group said it was given no warning but hoped there was a simple administrative explanation. It has in the past complained of harassment by the authorities in Russia. Amnesty’s Moscow Director, Sergei Nikitin, posted photos of the seals and discarded locks on Facebook. Staff member Alexander Artemyev told independent Dozhd TV internet broadcaster that the organisation had been renting an office belonging to Moscow’s department of city property for 20 years.

Arms sale soar ahead US poll A major arms manufacturer, Sturm, Ruger (RGR) said yesterday that gun sales are surging because of the presidential campaign. The manufacturer reported that sales jumped by a third, to $161.4 million, in the quarter ended October 1 compared with the same period last year. Earnings rose 66 per cent. The company’s stock rose 2 per cent in early trading yesterday. The company said sales were up across the industry, based on FBI data on background checks, which tend to rise and fall along with sales. “Sales are likely bolstered by the political campaign for next week’s election,” the Sturm, Ruger Executive, Chris Killoy, who will take over as CEO next year, said.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Pinnick assures on payment of Falcons’ bonuses

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Neil Tovey, take your time, don’t rush things, we want you to fully recover and be in great condition. That is what we want from you – SAFA president, Danny Jordaan

Ahead battle against Algeria: Akpeyi replaces Ikeme

Daniel Akpeyi

...as sports minister charges Eagles

Joel Ajayi ABUJA

uper Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has invited South Africa-based goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, to camp for next week’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Algeria in Uyo. Akpeyi, who stars for Chippa United, was in the Nigeria U-20

squad that finished as runners-up at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Championship in the Netherlands, and was also in the bronze-winning U-23 team at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament in Brazil in August this year. The former junior international is a direct replacement for Super Eagles number one, Carl Ikeme, whose English club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, wrote

to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that he would be unavailable as a result of injury. Super Eagles take on the Desert Foxes of Algeria in Uyo on Saturday, November 12, in a Matchday 2 clash of the African race for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, Minister of Youths and Sports Barr Solomon Dalung, has tasked the NFF, technical crew as well as Eagles play-

ers to repeat the kind of huge success they achieved in their first match against Zambia when Nigeria confront Algeria in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Dalung gave the charge on Tuesday, in Abuja shortly after he declared open the National Youth Job Creation Committee Stakeholders’ meeting, adding that Nigeria can’t afford to miss the 2018 World Cup.

NFF/CBN tourney: 16 banks to compete for N5m

total of 16 teams will take part in this year’s NFF/CBN All Financial Institutions Football Competition, as revealed by both organisations yesterday. At a press parley to announce this year’s competition, CBN’s Director of Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, noted that the competition serves “as a platform for the promotion of unity, harmony and peaceful co-existence among institutions operating within Nigeria’s financial system.”

The annual event, now in its 30th year, was also graced in the past by top names in Nigeria football, including the late Stephen Keshi, Henry Nwosu, Nwankwo Kanu and Pascal Patrick. On its part, the NFF pledged to continue to provide the necessary technical support to make the competition even more successful, from this year’s edition. NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi was represented by the Director of Competitions, Mr. Bola Oyeyode.

Five million naira (N5million) has been set aside by the CBN as prize money for the competition, with the winner to take home N2million; 2ndplace N1.5million; third place N1million and; fourth place N500,000. Akure, Enugu, Jos and Kaduna will serve as centres for the preliminary competition and the quarter finals, with the semi-finals to take place in Calabar and Owerri, and the final at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Saturday, 19th No-

vember. Participating institutions are First Bank of Nigeria Dadinkowa MFB, Accountant General Office, Lavunkpan MFB (Group A, Kaduna), Central Bank of Nigeria, Union Assurance, Access Bank, Enterprise Bank (Group B, Enugu), Federal Inland Revenue Service, Unity Bank, Brass MFB, Kwali MFB (Group C, Jos), Security and Exchange Commission, Fulani Balogun MFB, Tangale MFB and Federal Ministry of Finance (Group D, Akure).

“The team has been wonderful, we have internal cohesion in terms of organisation, unity, among the technical crew, players and administration. We cannot afford to disappoint Nigerians again. “I am now appealing to the federation to ensure there is no room for lapses. Of course, we need to ensure that like we did in the last outing against Zambia when the players’ welfare was taken care of. Same arrangement must be put in place, we must ensure we don’t give room for players to make excuses. “One of the problems we had in the past is idea of players playing and been owed bonuses and allowances and this has been discouraging them whenever they are invited. “I want to assure all Nigerians that all that is important now is for Nigerians to come together in unity as we did against Zambia. We cannot afford to miss World Cup,” the minister said.

Sports

Thursday, November 3, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

W/Cup qualifier: Gervinho out of Ivorian squad

ormer Arsenal striker, Gervinho, is out injured from the Cote d’Ivoire November 12 World Cup qualifier against Morocco and a friendly with France three days later, joining Eric Bailly on the sidelines. Manchester United defender, Bailly, was already out of action with knee trouble suffered in last month’s 4-0 thrashing at Chelsea. Gervinho, 29, who joined China’s Hebei Fortune from Roma in January, is set to miss out on January’s Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon after injuring his anterior cruciate ligament. Better new for the Elephants is that Hertha Berlin striker Salomon Kalou, who missed last month’s qualifier with Mali, is back and in the squad unveiled by Michel Dussuyer. Three new faces are goalkeeper Axel Kacou of French side Tours, striker Nicolas Pepe, also based in France with Angers, and midfielder Jules Eboue of Russian side Krasnodar. Elephants: Goalkeepers: Sylvain Gbohouo (TP Mazembe/DRC), Mande Sayouba (Stabaek/NOR), Axel Kacou (FC Tours/FRA), Ali Badra Sangare (AS Tanda/CIV) Defenders: Serge Aurier (Paris SG/FRA), Simon Deli (Slavia Prague/CZE), Ousmane Diarrassouba (Adanaspor/TUR), Wilfried Kanon (The Hague/NED), Lamine Kone (Sunderland AFC/ENG), Adama Traore (FC Basle/SUI), Bagayoko Mamadou (KV Sint Truiden/BEL) Midfielders: Geoffrey Serey Die (FC Basle/SUI), Victorien Angban(Grenada/ESP), Cheick Doukoure (FC Metz/FRA), Franck Kessie (Atlanta Bergame/ITA), Serge N’Guessan (AS Nancy Lorraine/FRA), Jean Michael Seri (Nice/FRA), Jules Eboue (Krasnodar/RUS) Strikers: Wilfried Bony (Stoke City/ENG), Max Gradel (Bournemouth/ENG), Jonathan Kodjia (Aston Villa/ENG), Giovanni Sio (Rennes/FRA), Salomon Kalou (Hertha Berlin/GER), Nicolas Pepe (Angers/FRA)

Barca won’t sink after City defeat – Enrique

arcelona will not be knocked off course by their 3-1 defeat at Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday despite being outplayed in the second half by Pep Guardiola’s fired-up side, the Catalan club’s manager, Luis Enrique, has said. The Spanish champions are second in La Liga two points behind arch rivals Real Madrid and face a testing game on Sunday at high-flying Sevilla, who are a point behind them, with Luis Enrique declaring they would not dwell on the City defeat. “We have to get up and keep going. We never sit back when we win and we don’t sink when we lose. Defeats are everyone’s responsibility, above all the coach’s, and we’re going to keep getting better,” Reuters quoted Enrique. Barca suffered scathing criticism from the Catalan press for their collapse at the Etihad stadium, with the Daily Sport declaring that “Barca got themselves into a twist” and “threw away a game that was half won, overpowered by City’s intensity”. Mundo Deportivo, meanwhile, likened Barca’s surrender in the second half, after they took an early

lead, to a power cut. Luis Enrique emphasised Barca’s domination of City for most of the first period, in which Lionel Messi scored, but conceded that they never recovered from Sergi Roberto’s misplaced pass which allowed Ilkay Guendogan to level before the break. “This is how it is, this isn’t a drinks machine where you hit a

A statement published by his agent said, “Alexis Sanchez has fully obeyed the laws imposed by the countries where he has resided.” It added, “He has paid taxes to all the local tax and revenue organisations. Furthermore, all of his personal and image rights income has been declared to all of those national tax and revenue agencies.” Sanchez joined Arsenal from Barcelona for £35m in 2014.

game went. In games like this you always pay for your errors.” Striker Luis Suarez added, “We’re aware of how well we played in the first half but... we have to be self critical because we did not play well in the second half. “We have to take positive and negative conclusions from the game. Now we have to forget about the Champions League for a bit and think about Sevilla.”

Coleman, Ranieri on FIFA coach shortlist

en head coaches have been shortlisted by experts from the FIFA Football Committee for The Best FIFA Men’s Coach 2016. The 10 candidates were announced yesterday, and the 10 shortlisted names for The Best FIFA Women’s Player will be unveiled today. The list of 23 finalists for The Best FIFA Men’s Player award will be published on 4 November. Wales manager, Chris Coleman, and Leicester City boss, Claudio Ranieri, are among the nominees for the coach award. Wales reached the European Championship semi-finals, their first major tournament since the

Sanchez accused of tax fraud Arsenal forward, Alexis Sanchez, has been accused of committing tax fraud in Spain when he was a Barcelona player. Prosecutors in Barcelona allege the 27-year-old failed to pay tax on 983,443 euros (£888,246) between 2012 and 2013. They say the Chile international used an offshore company in Malta to avoid paying tax on image rights earnings.

button and a can of Coke comes out. If anyone turned their TV off after 40 minutes they wouldn’t have believed we lost the game,” the Barca boss said after their first Group C loss. “We played scandalously well for 40 minutes but we committed a huge error that really harmed us. It was 40 minutes for us, 50 for them, and the result reflects how the

Sanchez

1958 World Cup, while Ranieri’s Leicester stunned football by winning the 2015-16 Premier League. The candidates, in alphabetical order, are: Chris Coleman (Wales/ Welsh national team), Didier Deschamps (France/ French national team), Pep Guardiola (Spain/ FC Bayern Munich/ Manchester City), Jürgen Klopp (Germany/ Liverpool), Luis Enrique (Spain/FC Barcelona), Mauricio Pochettino (Argentina/ Tottenham Hotspur), Claudio Ranieri (Italy/Leicester City), Fernando Santos (Portugal/Portuguese national team), Diego Pablo Simeone (Argentina/Atlético Madrid), Zinédine Zidane (France/Real Madrid). FIFA said in a statement that the winner of The Best FIFA Men’s Coach 2016 will be chosen through a combined voting process, in which 50% of the decision will be based on the choices of all captains and head coaches of national teams around the globe. The other 50% will be split between the result of an online public ballot with football fans and submissions from

Ranieri

a selected group of over 200 media representatives from the six continents. Voting for player and coach of the year in 2016, in both men’s and women’s football, starts on November 4 and will close on November 22.The final lists of three nominees for these categories – as well as for the FIFA Puskás Award and the brand new FIFA Fan Award – will be announced on December 2. The 55 nominees for the FIFA FIFPro World11 will be released in late November, while the winners of all categories, including the FIFA Fair Play Award 2016, will be presented at The Best FIFA Football Awards show on January 9, 2017.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Thursday, November 3, 2016

B’ball: Adams lists gains of Montage Back 2 School clinic Ifeanyi Eduzor

oordinator of the 2nd edition of the annual Montage Back 2 School Basketball Clinic, Joel Adams, has described the programme organised yesterday for kids at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos as a huge success. Over 1,200 children from the ages of six-12 years drawn from 63 public schools in and around Surulere area of Lagos attended the clinic aimed at teaching the basic principles of the slamming and dunk game to the children. Adams who was full of gratitude to Montage Cable Television network for bankrolling the clinic commended seasoned basketball coaches, Alex Owochio, Jean Massai from Cameroun and Monday Tochukwu from Raptors Basketball Club for their technical input, stating that the kids have been boosted technically, psychologically and physically. “As far as I’m concerned, having over 1,200 kids on ground is a big achievement considering that this is just the second edition. Now virtually all the kids know slam, dunk, shooting, positioning and general knowledge of basketball and by the grace of God, some top basketball stars could emerge from this noble initiative,” began the former Nigeria international who played for Lagos Islanders and Dodan Warriors before getting divine inspiration to train kids basketball. “A million thanks to Montage Cable Television Network , officials of all the schools and coaches Owochio, Massai, Monday Tochukwu and co. I’m sure with bigger financial and moral support from the corporate world, more stars could be discovered nationally through such clinics,” concluded Adams.

Pinnick assures on payment of Falcons’ bonuses Joel Ajayi ABUJA

resident of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pininck, has assured that the federation will leave no stone unturned to ensure prompt payment of bonuses and allowances of the Super Falcons. He made the promise Tuesday when he declared open the FIFA female leadership development training organised by NFF in Abuja. Amaju who was not happy with the way national teams are being owed by the federation said no effort would be spared to ensure the payment of bonuses, and allowances as at when due. “It’s not in the federation’s

habit to be owing, it is just that the economic situation in the country is not being fair to everybody. “We have made application to the company that is ready to fund the team; we are working seriously. We will not shortchange anyone one kobo, we have settled the U-17 team all their allowances, we are not owing them kobo,” Pinnick said. Falcons threatened last week to boycott the imminent African Women’s Nations Cup in Cameroun over unpaid qualification games’ bonuses. Nigeria is expected to face tough competition from Ghana, Mali and Kenya in Group B of the AWCON later this month. Pininck expressed confidence in Coach Florence Omagbemi led

Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited Clay Neff and his wife, Margaret presenting trophy and gifts to Michael Osewa, the winner of the 2016 NNPC/Chevron Tennis championship

Super Falcons team. “Falcons have been rated as one of the best teams in the world, we need to support them, and by the grace of God all hands will be on deck to give them all the support they need.” The NFF president ,however,

charged the women football players to see a role model in the incumbent Head Coach of the Falcons, Omagbemi, who captained the Falcons for several years and won many laurels, and is today a member of the FIFA Technical Study Group.

Harrison targets another Guinness Record Ifeanyi Eduzor

arley seven months after breaking the Guinness Book of World Records as the man to have travelled the farthest distance with ball balanced on his head, Cambodia-based Nigerian footballer, Harrison Chinedu, has concluded plans to set another record; this time as the man to travel the farthest distance with the ball balanced on his head riding a bicycle. Harrison on March 6 set the record after walking a total distance of 48.08km from the Redeemed Christian Church of God camp on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. The feat shattered the former record held by an Indian soldier, Naib Singh, who walked a distance of 45.64km in his country in 2014. Announcing his decision to embark on another history making event, coordinator of the event, Effiong Nyong, noted that the unique thing is that it has not been done before and that officials of the Guinness World Records in London has assured that once he rides about 5kms, his name will enter the world records even as he announced that they are working

closely with a team of Licensed surveyors to measure out the real distance he will cover. “His decision to embark on this is to also show the world that he has a lot to offer and the unique thing is that nobody has attempted balancing the ball on the head, riding a bicycle. “To ensure that the event gets credibility, we are working with licensed surveyors to get the accurate measurement of the kilometres and have also appointed a retired FIFA badged referee, Dr. Alex Mana, as head of the technical committee,” stated the veteran journalist. Harrison told National Mirror that his zeal to show the world that talents abound in Nigeria made him to think of doing what nobody has done before, promising that he will not disappoint. In his remarks, Head of Marketing/ Communications of Bet9ja, sponsors of the event, Tunji Meshioye, noted that his company decided to sponsor him as part of its efforts at encouraging Nigerian youths to exhibit their talents. The new attempt which is has been slated for Sunday, November, 20 will see Harrison ride his bicycle with ball balanced on his head from Eleko Beach to the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos which is a distance of 100 km.

WORLD RECORD

Largest Peruvian folk Vol. 06 No. 1475

The largest Peruvian folk dance consisted of 1, 247 couples and was achieved by the Municipality of Arequipa (Peru) in celebration of the city’s 474th anniversary on August 24 2014.

N150

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Chidinma Okeke: What manner of award?

y friends all, it is bad enough that Miss Chidinma Okeke, ex-Miss Anambra is embroiled in one of the scandals of the year, unwittingly becoming the symbol of everything that can be wrong with a girl’s unfettered ambition. But what may turn out worse in due course is the trending news that the organizers of Diva Queens Awards, a project supposedly created to celebrate young women of impeccable character, are honouring the embattled ex-beauty queen, regardless of her alleged involvement in a series of sex tapes that have become an Internet sensation. For discerning Nigerians, this decision was not only preposterous, they see it as a total subjugation of decency and a drunken applause for indecent human behaviour. Even though there are pockets of approval of this latest dimension to a very sordid story of a child of the right going wrong, the prevailing sentiment about this curious at-

ovak Djokovic beat Gilles Muller 6-3, 6-4 in the Paris Masters second round as he fights the challenge of Andy Murray for his world number one status. BBC Sport reports that Djokovic easily saw off his 34th-ranked opponent from Luxembourg to set up a clash with Bulgarian Grigor Dimi-

Guest Columnist

Sola

Ojewusi

tempt to applaud delinquency has been that of outrage and I share this latter view. Has our society become so rotten that our usual sense of outrage at degrading human behaviors no longer counts even in the face of brazen acts of misdemeanor? Who in his or her right sense would celebrate the totally demeaning position a supposed role model descended into for whatever ends? While one may sympathize with Chidinma for crashing, mid-trajectory, from grace, such sympathetic feeling is easily stymied by this stubborn sense of recriminations for a girl who apparently drove herself into infamy due to unbridled ambition. While one must also condemn those who would publish such life-demolishing tapes for some alleged injury from Chidinma as inhuman, hell-born pigs, under no circumstance, from the scenes in that tape would one exonerate the girl. Nobody has the right Nobody has the right to punish a girl so and if caught, such ugly minds must be severely punished. But it is wrong to gloss over Chidinma’s own failings. Far too alarmingly, many of our youths are fast succumbing to the indecent vagaries of modernity and foreign cultures and any attempt to celebrate any of these culprits is an evil wind for the future of our youths. When we celebrate such brazen acts of infamy, what message are we passing to the next generation? What is even more annoying is the warped defence being given this ill-timed award by the organizers. According to Chijioke “Mr. Decency” Awugosi, project coordinator of DIVA Queens award, “Chidinma

Supporting the exbeauty queen to curb the exploitation of young girls by the high and mighty didn’t have to meet any criteria to receive this award. It was solely the decision of the brand to honour her.” The question then is, what manner of award would be so shorn of honorable guiding principles that a woman recently enmeshed in indecency would become its leading light? Going further, Awogusi was quoted by Premium Times to have stated: “We are aware of the controversy that will come with it. But we hope that in due time, every well-meaning and reasonable individual will see the reasons behind the award.” I am sorry to say that that sort of statement make the very essence of this ward so suspect. I still find it difficult to understand what would make the story of Chidinma Okeke so appealing for such deuced sense of reasoning. For those who do not know the story, in early October, leaked sex videos of Miss Okeke went viral on the internet appearing to show her and one Adaobi Nzekwe, reportedly her personal assistant, in totally graphic lesbian sex situations. The two young ladies were seen kissing and inserting cucumber fruits in each other’s private parts. Although Miss Okeke initially denied that she was the one in the video, the

release of a follow up tape clearly debunked that position, leading to her accusing some yet unidentified parties of blackmailing her with the tapes. What is obvious now is that of a normally well-groomed young lady succumbing to indecency for fame and pecuniary matters. From the tone, body language and nuances of the tapes, experts would tell you that there didn’t appear to be any force and compulsion in the lesbian acts. It looked clearly voluntary and regardless of the purpose of the tape, such an act is a gross abuse of our sensibilities as a decent African society. Although Mr. Chijioke, sees the award as the organisers’ way of “supporting the ex-beauty queen to curb the exploitation of young girls by the “high and mighty” in the modelling industry, who allegedly use blackmail to tarnish the image and dreams of young girls and bring the modelling industry as a whole into disrepute,” I think the idea of an award is at best inappropriate, ill-timed and absurd. While there is nothing bad in Mr Chijioke’s group standing “with Chidinma right till the very end” and giving her “every support we have at our disposal; morally, psychologically, legally,” as stated by the group, the idea of an award defeats whatever good intention is behind this move. Calling Miss Okeke “an icon” through who the organizers “can reach out to thousands of girls who have or are on the verge of being sexually exploited” is a greater disservice to youths, many of whom would never descend as low as Okeke for whatever reason. An award is not the way to support a woman who I know was mature enough to know the implication of surrendering to this manner of action. What Chidinma needs is psychological help to get her off a self-dug pit. By giving her an award for her indecorum, we are encouraging other youths to see nothing bad in indecency. We are telling them to go out there and succumb to immorality without letting them see the comeuppance. It’s as simple as that. Ojewusi wrote via solaojewusi@yahoo.com

Sport Extra

Paris Masters: Djokovic beats Gilles, in third round trov. He took the first set after breaking Muller in the sixth game and another break to go 5-4 up in the second proved crucial as the top seed won in an hour and 20 minutes. Djokovic, 29, has been top for 122 weeks and will hold on to his rank-

ing if he reaches the final in Paris. However, failure to do so would allow Murray to overtake him if the Scot can win, or if Murray reaches the final and Djokovic exits before the semis. Murray, 29, won his third title in as many weeks with victory in Vi-

enna last Sunday, and could top the rankings for the first time with another good run this week. But four-time Paris champion Djokovic looked composed as he returned to action after losing in the Shanghai semi-finals two weeks ago.

Djokovic

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