Thursday, july 23, 2015 (new)

Group vows to mobilise against dumping confab report

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Thursday, July 23,

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Anglican bishop urges Buhari on implementation

KEMI OLAITAN AND DENNIS NAKU

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non-governmental organisation, Nigeria Voters Assembly, NVA, yesterday

Kutigi

Vol. 5 N0. 1162

Thursday, July 23, 2015

stated its resolve to mobilise Nigerians to persuade President Muhammadu Buhari not to dump the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

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Ministers stole 1m barrels of oil per day, says Buhari

...to be arrested, prosecuted for looting

ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

Wants access to US weapons to fight terrorists P P.5

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Washington DC, said the Federal Government was examining pieces of evidence that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of some former minis-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

100 oil thieves burnt to death in Arepo

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EU commits N1.72bn to Nigeria’s social, financial data projects P.2

L-R: Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Prof. Ade Adefuye; President Muhammadu Buhari and CEO, EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu, during a meet and greet with President Buhari, in Washington DC, yesterday.

DSS releases Obua, Jonathan’s P..6 CSO

ABUAD: Pace-setter in Quality and Functional Education –Justice Yinka Ayoola AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD)

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Thursday, July 23, 2015

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EU commits N1.72bn to Nigeria’s social, financial data projects TOLA AKINMUTIMI

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uropean Union, EU, yesterday confirmed that it had expended over eight million Euros (about N1.72bn) to support Nigeria’s efforts to generate, process and disseminate quality social and financial data nationwide.

Representative of EU delegation in Nigeria, Mr. Omotunde Oni, disclosed this at a 2-day Stakeholders’ workshop for the Validation of the Compendium of Statistical Terms and Framework for Capturing Administrative Statistics in Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, in Abuja.

On the projects to which the funds were committed, he said EU, under the 10th European Development Fund, EDF, provided support to the Federal Government Public Service Reform, SUFEGOR, programme as well as the Statistics in Nigeria project, a component of the Multi-donor Economy Management Capacity Project, EMCAP, implemented between 2003 and 2006.

Oni explained: “The EU’s contribution to EMCAP was eight million Euros. The expected result of EMCAP included the generation and dissemination of social and financial data for the country as well as the facilitation of period publication and accessibility of data.

“EU is very pleased to be associated with the success of EMCAP, particularly with the output of the project that was produced with the EU financing.

“Such output included the rationalisation of the former Office of Statistics, which staff strength was reduced from about 12,000 to 620 after rigorous resources management exercise.

“About 340 professional staff were produced by that exercise, some of the professionals which stand out from in NBS today are products of the project.”

According to him, capacity building of staff was done through EMCAP in form of training, re-training and study to benefit from best practices from other countries just as support of the EU was also provided for the SUFEGOR programme on the implementation of the National Strategy for the Public Service Reforms, NSPSR.

He disclosed that the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, the producing agency for the nation’s official statistics and coordinating institution of the National Statistical System, NSS, was one of the beneficiary institutions of the programme.

The EU envoy listed other agencies that benefit-

ted from the programmes to include, National Planning Commission, Office of Head of Service of the Federation, Federal Inland Revenue Service and Bureau of Public Service Reform, BPSR, which served as the implementing Agency.

Expatiating further on the achievements of the

SUFEGOR project, Oni, who hinted that the EU’s support to NBS also included National Consumer Survey, Poverty Statistics, Office and Expenditure Review between 2003 and 2006, pointed out that it also supported the social sector statistics such as the formation and dissemination of all welfare

education questionnaires.

He noted that with the support from the EU and other donor/development partners, the quality and timeliness of producing national statistics for development had improved significantly.

“It (statistics) has improved from almost zero level in 2002 when statistics

were not readily accessible to current situation where a wide range of social and economic statistics are now produced and accessible through the NBS. “This achievement would have not been possible without the inspiration and leadership of NBS and I want to CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

New President, Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association, Mrs. Omobolanle Olonisakin (6th-left); her predecessor, Mrs. Mary Badeh (7th left) and other members of the association, during handover ceremony in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Group vows to mobilise against dumping confab report CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

National Conference report in order not to throw away the baby with the bath water.

The group in a release issued by its President, Comrade Mashood Erubami, said it was going to do this so that the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government will not join the list of others in the country that dumped reports despite the huge resources used in producing such.

He said the group is persuaded to do this because of its belief that President Buhari is committed to doing things that will better serve the best interest of Nigerians. He stated that his group would prevail on him not to consign the report of the National Conference into another dustbin of waste in order not to make Nigerians pay for the offence of the few leaders who refused to organise a truly Sovereign National Conference.

He called on the President to instead of dumping the reports, set up a multi-stakeholder Implementation Committee to streamline the contents and review the final recommendations of reports submitted to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as a first step to move Nigeria on the path of progressive change and development.

Erubami stated further that all recommendations and resolutions that require constitutional amendment and enactment of new laws should be forwarded to the National Assembly for necessary actions while policy actions should be taken appropriately at all levels of governments.

Speaking in the same vein, Bishop of the Church of Anglican Communion, Province of Niger Delta Diocese of Evo, Bishop Innocent Ordu, urged the President to

implement the report of the Constitutional Conference.

Bishop Ordu gave the charge yesterday, while addressing a press conference as prelude to the 3rd session of the 2nd Synod in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said if implemented the report would go a long way in chatting a positive course for the development and stability of Nigeria.

The cleric called on President Buhari to as a matter of utmost national importance implement the recommendations of the conference because it represents various shades of views and opinions of Nigerians, irrespective of party or ethnic affiliations He noted that but for divine intervention, Nigeria would have broken up like other countries of the world that did not pass through even half of the problems she had experi-

enced.

Bishop Ordu further said God has a purpose for keeping Nigeria together despite its numerous problems and challenges.

He however blamed the country’s poor leadership for the continued political and economic woes it was currently facing, adding that “the leadership of this country has been taking Nigerians on a ride.

“The leadership of this country thinks that Nigerians are fools. This is a sad development. Nigeria is a gathering of various groups that come together as a nation but we have been managing ourselves.

“I commend all the leaders who have been holding this country together. In other countries, Nigeria would have split.

“There is advantage in our numerical strength.

Nigeria will be a very great country in times to come. I want to urge this government strongly to implement the report of

the last national conference.

“It was the gathering of wise men and women of this country and this government must take a deep look into it,” he said.

Bishop Ordu called on Nigerians and all well meaning people across the world to reject the same sex marriage policy as being propagated by the government of the United States of America and other developed countries.

According to him, such practice was in strict variance with the precepts of the Bible and by extension against the word of God. “Homosexuality and same sex marriage are against the scriptures and God abhors them”, he said.

He added that there was nothing wrong for churches to partner with government in effecting positive change in the society but must not be partisan.

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Thursday, July 23, 2015

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Photo

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Thursday, July 23, 2015

NEWS

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Directors in Tanzania, Mr. Said Baraka Kambi; Director General/CEO, IoD , Nigeria, Mr. Victor Banjo; President, African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA), Mr. Oscar Onyema; Chairman, African Corporate Governance Network (ACGN), Jane Valls; Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, NSE, Mr. Ade Bajomo and Head, Corporate Services Division, NSE, Mr. Bola Adeeko, during the closing gong ceremony in commemoration of the memorandum of understanding between ASEA and ACGN at the Exchange, yesterday.

L-R: Father of the day, Mr. Celestine Toruka; Headmistress, Madonna International Nursery and Primary School, Gwagwalada, Rev. Sis. Felicia Anukanti; Bursar, Sis. Florence Onwuzuruike and Chairman on the occasion, Chief Ifeanyi Odike, during the graduation of pupils of Madonna Catholic International Nursery and Primary School, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

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L-R: Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Hassan Bello; Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Abdullahi Dikko and Director, Commercial Shipping Services, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mrs. Dabany Shall-Holma, during a meeting with technical committee on areas of collaboration between Nigeria Shippers Council and Nigeria Customs Service on inland container depots project in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Sam Worlu (right), and Director-General, Radio Deutsche Welle (Germany), Mr. Peter Limbourg, after a meeting on review of the memorandum of understanding between VON and Deutsche Welle, in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday.

National News

JAMB explains admission procedure to Unilag candidates, parents

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oint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has said the national cut-off point for screening of candidates for admission remains the minimum expectation each candidate desirous of university admission should

have.

This is contained in a statement issued by Public Relations Officer of the board, Dr Fabian Benjamin, in Lagos.

The statement admitted that some candidates were facing challenges in accessing

the University of Lagos site to register for Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, adding that the board sincerely sympathised with their frustration.

“We want to seize this opportunity to state

that our attention has been drawn to the agitation by some parents and students, who turned out for registration for postJAMB screening exercise for candidates.

“We sympathise with them, but wish to state categorically that the

national cut-off point is just the minimum expectation each candidate desirous of university admission should have.

“However, universities are at liberty to go higher than 180, depending on their peculiarities

Senate minority leader: PDP chieftains lose bid to truncate Akpabio’s ambition Ise-Oluwa Ige ABUJA

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Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, rejected an invitation by two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to issue an interim order prohibiting the nomination of former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, or any other first time senator for the post of Minority Leader in the 8th Senate.

Turning down the request of Hon. Alaye Don Pedro and Dr. Okechukwu

Ibeh, Justice Gabriel Kolawole said the PDP chieftains failed to establish their locus standi to file the case.

The judge held that it would have been a different ball game were the PDP chieftains vying for the position of minority leader in the Senate.

The judge, though, by the ruling, had indicated that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter since the applicants had no locus standi to file the case, he however directed the party chieftains to put all the defendants in the case on

notice.

He specifically ordered that they should publish the originating summons in two national daily newspapers for the defendants to be aware of the suit.

The court ordered that the summons should be published in The Punch and ThisDay newspapers before the next adjourned date for the defendants to put up appearance in court.

The two party men had approached the court for an order to prohibit nomination of Akpabio or any other unqualified senator for the post of Minority

Leader in the 8th Senate.

They had contended that nomination of the former governor or any other fresh senator for the position of principal officer of the Senate would breach the provisions of section 3(2) of the Senate Standing Rule.

In the legal action instituted to stop the SouthSouth Senate Caucus from presenting anybody caught by the provisions of the section, the two chieftains argued that a first timer in the senate was by the rule not qualified to hold the office for now.

Akpabio is a fresh senator.

They applied for the order of the court to stop the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki from accepting nomination of any unqualified senator so as to protect the sanctity of the senate and the breach of its own laws.

The legal action was instituted on their behalf

by Mr. Joel Bankole Akomolafe and has the Senate President, Akpabio and 16 others as defendants.

The16 other defendants constituted South-South senate caucus.

and the performance of candidates who chose them.

“For instance, if over 10,000 candidates who made Unilag their first choice scored 250 and above, it will be difficult for them to go lower than 250 when they are to admit only about 7000.

“I wish to state that a time will come when some universities will go up to 300 as their cut off mark, depending on the performance,” the statement said.

It explained that because of the development, the board decided that some of the candidates who chose such institutions but fall below their cut off marks should not miss out, hence the need to send them to other schools.

The statement added that such a gesture should rather be applauded, instead of condemning the JAMB management.

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Thursday, July 23, 2015

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Ministers stole 1m barrels of oil per day, says Buhari CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ters and other government officials for looting and stealing the country’s crude oil.

Buhari stated this at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington while answering questions at an interactive session with Nigerians in the Diaspora.

He said evidence of looting and oil theft were being compiled by relevant agencies for possible prosecution.

He lamented that some of the affected officials were involved in illegal sale and diversion of crude oil monies belonging to the Federal Government to multiple private accounts abroad.

He vowed that his administration would trace accounts, freeze and recover the loot and prosecute the culprits.

He lamented that corruption in Nigeria has virtually developed into a culture where honest people are abused.

According to him, the Federal Government has contacted some leaders of developed nations to assist Nigeria to freeze such dubious accounts where the monies are being kept.

“We are now looking for evidences of shipping some of our crude, their destinations and where and which accounts they were paid into and in which country.

“When we get as much as we can get as soon as possible, we will approach those countries to freeze those accounts and go to court, prosecute those people and let the accounts be taken to Nigeria.

“250,000 barrels per day of Nigerian crude are being stolen and people sell and put the money into individual accounts,” he said.

According to him, the United States and others are helping the Federal Government to trace such accounts.

“The amount of money is mind-boggling but we have started getting documents.

“We have started getting documents where some of the senior people in government, former ministers, some of them had as much as five accounts and were moving about one million barrel per day on their own.

“We have started getting those documents. Whichever documents we are able to get and subsequently trace the sale of the crude

or transfer of money from ministries, departments and the Central Bank, we will ask for the cooperation of those countries to return those monies to the federation accounts and we will use those documents to arrest those people and prosecute them. This, I promise Nigerians.

“A lot of damage has been done to the integrity of Nigeria with individuals and institutions already compromised,” Buhari added.

The President frowned at the way Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, was being managed, saying his administration would check the excesses of the corporation.

Buhari said unlike what obtained during his tenure as Federal Commissioner for Petroleum, when NNPC had only two traceable accounts before paying oil proceeds into the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, “everybody is now doing anyhow.”

On oil subsidy, Buhari said his administration was being careful, saying that he would not be a party to taking decision that would further bring hardship on Nigerians by removing subsidy.

He said: “When people ask you to remove subsidy, ask them to define it. Who is subsidising who? Let me make it clear. The people are gleefully saying ‘remove subsidy.’

“They want petrol to cost N500 per litre. If you are working and subsidy is removed, you can’t control transport, you can’t control market women, the cost of food, the cost of transport will rise.

“If you are earning N20,000 per day and you are living in Lagos or Ibadan, the cost of transport to work and back, the cost of food…

You cannot control the market women; they have to pay what transporters charge them.

“If there is need to remove subsidy, I will study it.

With my experience, I will see what I can do. But I’m thinking more than half the population of Nigeria virtually cannot afford to live.

“Where will they get the money to go to work? How can they feed their families? How can they pay their rent?

“If Nigeria were not an oil-producing country - all well and good. Our refiner-

ies are not working. We have a lot of work to do.”

On appointment of ministers, Buhari dismissed those accusing his administration of being too slow in taking crucial decisions relating to governance and appointment of political office holders.

He observed jokingly that the question was chasing him around the world even to the point that he had been nicknamed, “Baba Go Slow.”

He however noted that not even the Peoples Demo-

cratic Party, PDP, during all the years it ruled the country ever formed cabinet within the first four months.

Buhari said: “I am going to go slow and steady.”

He appealed for patience from Nigerians to allow the new administration “put some sense into governance and deal with corruption.”

On insurgency in the North East, the President said the Federal Government would only negotiate with Boko Haram if genuine and confirmed leaders of the sect came forward and

convince the government of the current conditions of the abducted Chibok girls, their location and their willingness to negotiate.

He promised that his administration would at the right time tap into the enormous talents available among members of NIDO especially as consultants while their requests for voting right in 2019, a Diaspora Commission and opening of new consulates in parts of the United States and Canada would be looked into.

The President pleaded with Nigerians in Diaspora looking for government jobs back home to be patient as the economy is in bad shape, stressing that it would take about 18 months or more to fix.

All those who spoke at the interactive session expressed readiness to assist the All Progressives Congress-led administration of Buhari to achieve its campaign promises for the benefit of Nigerians.

They also called on Buhari to sign into law the Diaspora Bill.

L-R: General Secretary, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr. Clement Wetkur; Deputy President, Chief Elijah Uwumokpo; President, Alhaji Najeem Yasin and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during a courtesy visit by NURTW officials to the vice president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

EU commits N1.72bn to Nigeria’s social, financial data projects CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

urge you to sustain it,” he added.

In his opening remarks at the forum, the NBS’ Assistant Director, Field Services and Methodology Department, Mr. Simeon Harry,

said the workshop was organised to underscore the importance of the implementation of SUFEGOR project in the country.

According to him, the workshop provided an opportunity for stakeholders

to critically appraise reports of the Review of the Compendium of Statistical Terms and the Framework for producing statistics at the MDAs level.

The SUFEGOR project is designed to facilitate the

establishment of network of institutions to strength the capacity of NBS in the production as well as the harmonisation and dissemination of social, economic and administrative data nationwide.

Buhari wants access to US weapons to fight terrorists

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the United States Government and Congress to review Nigeria’s status regarding application of the ‘Leahy Law’ to enable the country access appropriate strategic weapons to fight insurgency.

The President made the appeal in a paper he delivered at the US Institute for Peace, USIP, in Washington yesterday.

He said the blanket application of the Leahy Law by the US on the grounds of unproven allegations of human rights violations levelled against the nation’s forces had denied Nigeria the necessary weapons to prosecute the war.

“In our efforts at combating the activities of Boko Haram, the new government has sought and obtained the support of not only our neighbours, but other international friends and partners.

“Regrettably, the blanket application of the Leahy Law by the United States on the grounds of unproven allegations of human rights violations levelled against our forces has denied us access to appropriate strategic weapons to prosecute the war against the insurgents.

“In the face of abduction of innocent school girls from their hostels, indiscriminate bombings of civilians in markets and places of worship, our forces have remained largely impotent.

“This is because they do not possess the appropriate weapons and technology which they could have had, had the so-called human rights violations not been an obstacle.

“Unwittingly, and I dare say, unintentionally, the application of the Leahy law amendment by the U. S. Government has aided and abated the Boko Haram terrorist group in the prosecution of its extremist ideology and hate, the indiscriminate killings and maiming of civilians, in raping of women and girls, and in their other heinous crimes,” he said.

According to him, this is not the spirit of the Leahy Law, and the American people cannot support any group engaged in these crimes.

The President, therefore, appealed to both the executive arm and the US Congress to examine how the US Government could provide Nigeria with far more substantial counter-terrorism assistance with minimal strings.

“The longer we delay, the deadlier the Boko Haram gets. At all events, we have rewritten the rules of engagement protecting the rights of combatants and in particular safeguarding civilians in theatres of conflict.

“As we ramp up our efforts to defeat Boko Haram, we know that winning this battle sustainably will require that we expand economic opportunities and create jobs for our teeming young population,” he added.

National News

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DSS releases Obua, Jonathan’s CSO OMEIZA AJAYI

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L-R: Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Muhammed; Vice Chancellor, National Open University, Prof Vincent Tenebe and Dean, School of Law, Prof. Justus Sokefun, during the university’s 4th annual lecture in honour of Justice Muhammed, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

We can contain insurgency - IGP •Offers scholarship to slain officers’ children WILLIAMS ATTAH AND EZEKIEL TITUS

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nspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has assured that the internal security challenge confronting the nation, especially in the North-East, can be handled with support of the public.

He spoke yesterday during a one-day working trip to Gombe State where he assured men and officers of the state Police Command that government was in full support of the agency and would ensure its operatives are not overwhelmed by hoodlums.

He appealed to Gombe people to cooperate with the police as the fight against terrorism and the

insurgents can only be won collectively.

According to him, the problem of insurgency or terrorism is a global issue, not restricted to Northeastern Nigeria alone. He said Nigeria had never experienced the problem and never anticipated it would happen to it, but that the nation was facing up to the reality now.

He said even countries that are more technologically advanced than Nigeria like the USA had been battling terrorism for a long time now, adding: “It is for us to be more vigilant; we are concerned about our environment.

How many policemen have we within the length and breadth of the country? So, we need public

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mr. Adebanjo Yunusa Omotolulope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Sulaimon Yunusa Omotolulope. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service and general public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Oke Kikelomo, now wish to be known and addressed as Kikelomo Ayodele Iwaloye. All previous documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE GLORIOUS JOY ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL

This is to inform the general public that the above named ASSEMBLY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for incorporation under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Pastor Olayiwola Ezekiel Abiola 2. Pastor Kolapo Timothy Ibitayo 3. Reverend Oladepo Emmanuel Oluwole 4. Bro. Olayiwola Philip Abolaji

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1 To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to all those who have not heard and have not accept it 2 To cultivate among its members faith in divine inspiration of the Holy Bible 3 To eradicate the faith in witchcraft, charms, and work of darkness 4 To plant Church or Churches where members shall be taught the doctrine of the Bible Any objection to the incorporation of the above ministry should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street,P.M.B 198, Maitama, , Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

support.”

At a courtesy call on the state governor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, the police boss described him as the best police-friendly governor in the country for remaining supportive to the Command in terms of logistics which has given it upper hand in its successful performance.

Dankwambo during the courtesy call accused some politicians of working against the government’s effort at eradicating youth restiveness which he described as a major problem of his administration and sought appropriate police sanctions. The governor explained that such politicians were all out to frustrate government’s efforts at eradicating youth restiveness through the use of money to attract and recruit youths back into restiveness.

He regretted that the actions of these heartless politicians have continued to place a clog in the wheel of government’s policies and programmes that were richly designed to tackle youth restiveness. He attributed these setbacks to the absence of sanctions from the police.

The governor said disciplinary measures would check negative measures of these heartless politicians and discourage youth restiveness as the affected youths were rendered unproductive and useless to their parents and society.

Meanwhile, the IGP

has offered scholarship to children of police officers who lost their lives while fighting insurgency, even as he assured that the officers would be promoted posthumously.

The police boss, who made the promise yesterday at the State Police headquarters in Bauchi during a one-day working visit to officers of the command, also harped on community policing, pointing out that policepublic partnership is a most effective way to combat crime in the society.

The IG assured that the welfare of police officers remain paramount on his table of priorities, stressing that they are the frontline soldiers who sacrifice their lives for the nation.

Aarase promised to foot the bills of 36,000 officers attending promotion training course in the nation and cater for other expenses in the course of their training, adding that police officers tend to be corrupt because of fear of the unknown.

In his address, the Gombe police commissioner, Mohammed K. Mohammed, requested for adequate manpower in the state, saying that 273 policemen have been transferred out of the state while 16 were posted to the command.

He commended the Inspector General on his emphasis on professional ethics by members of the force in the discharge of their duties.

fter nearly six days in captivity, the Department of State Services, DSS, has released Mr Gordon Obua, the former chief security officer, CSO, to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Obua, who was detained last Thursday, was reportedly released on Tuesday night just hours after the agency was embarrassed by reports that the detainee had passed away in its custody.

Before his release, the DSS had presented him to journalists in Abuja to dispel speculations of his death in custody.

PRNigeria, an organisation that often releases press statements for Nigerian security agencies, said Obua was released around 10pm and allowed to go home to his family on Tuesday night.

“Competent security sources informed PRNigeria that Mr. Obuah slept in his house on Tuesday night

along with his family after a comprehensive debriefing by operatives of the Department,” PRNigeria stated.

Obua had at the media presentation dispelled rumour of his death in DSS custody.

The former CSO, who was presented before journalists at the Yellow House headquarters of DSS, was however shielded from responding to media enquiries.

He said having completed his duties as CSO to former President Jonathan, the Service only took him in to give account of his stewardship.

“Let me use this opportunity to thank all Nigerians and members of my family, who have expressed serious concerns for the past six days, because of the prevailing situation between my office and I. “This morning, my attention was drawn to the news that I had died in detention. This has caused very serious anxiety within the polity.

TETFund trains 12,000 lecturers in 4 years MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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xecutive-Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, Prof Suleiman Bogoro, yesterday said in addition to funding critical infrastructures of the nation’s tertiary institutions of learning, the agency had in four years trained about 12,000 academics of the country’s origin, both locally and overseas to acquire Masters and PHDs degrees.

Bogoro stated this when he received Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, who paid him a courtesy visit.

He said the agency was committed to improving the lot of all public tertiary educational institutions in the country, and by implication raise the standard of the nation’s education,

especially at the tertiary level.

He argued TETFund had resuscitated professional journals across the country and thus enhanced the ratings of the country’s tertiary universities.

In his remarks, Lalong commended TETFund for its assistance towards improving critical infrastructures and other projects in public tertiary institutions in his state.

He informed that his administration was committed to improving education in the state, and further requested that TETFund be more committed to funding tertiary schools in the state.

He said the visit was to express appreciation to TETFund for the different forms of funding support to the state-owned tertiary institutions.

Senate Rules: Police to release report soon

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he Nigeria Police in Abuja yesterday said it would release report on alleged forgery of Senate Rules by some of its principal officers as soon as investigation is concluded.

The police had promised to release the report of their investigation into the forgery allegation this week.

The police public relations officer, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria

(NAN) in Abuja.

It would be recalled that Ojukwu said the police had talked to all those involved in the case and would make the findings public.

The Senate Unity Forum, which petitioned the police on the forgery, had expressed concern over the slow pace of investigation into the forgery allegations.

The forum alleged that the Senate Rules Book was amended without the input of senators to favour the emergence of Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President.

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Thursday, July 23, 2015

The legend @ 86 I

t is said that the history of the world is but the biographies of great men.

Undoubtedly, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande’s biography greatly contributed to this history. A trail blazer, an astute leader, a role model, a legend, a veteran journalist and elder statesman, Jakande has left an indelible mark in the sands of time, having touched lives of his people in many ways.

Men of honour, they say, are not dressed in gold, but when you scratch them you see that they are made of gold. Jakande is made of gold.

Born on July 23, 1929, in Epetedo area of Lagos State, Jakande whose parents hailed from Omun Aran, Kwara State, is a political icon in the history of public ad-

ministration in Nigeria.

A man of many parts, LKJ, as he is fondly called, was a journalist who became the first civilian governor of Lagos State in Nigeria from 1979 to 1983, and later Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime (1993– 98).

A versatile journalist, Jakande had cut his teeth in the penpushing profession.

He began his journalism career in 1949 first with the Daily Service and then in 1953 joining the Nigerian Tribune.

In 1956 he was appointed editor-inchief of the Tribune by the owner, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

After leaving the Tribune in 1975, Jakande established John West Publications and be-

gan to publish The Lagos News.

He served as the first President of Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).

With this wealth of journalism experience tucked in his sleeve, Jakande ventured into politics, where he set an exemplary integrity, and has become a role model.

Nicknamed ‘Action Man’ because of his impeccable record of service in public administration, Jakande’s government was effective and open.

He was greatly admired for his introduction of housing and educational programmes, targeting the poor, building new neighbourhood primary and secondary schools and providing free primary and secondary education. His government constructed over 30,000 housing units.

Some of the housing projects include the estates in Ipaja, Abule Nla, Epe, Amuwo-Odofin, Surulere, Iba, Ikorodu, Isheri/Olowu, Ijaiye, Dolphin, Orisigun, Anikantamo, Abesan, Iponri and Badagry.

His administration also established Lagos State University, LASU, built the current seat of government, the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja; Lagos State House of Assembly Complex; Lagos State Television and Radio, among others.

Known for his Spartan lifestyle, LKJ is one of the few respected old generation Nigerian politicians, who shunned looting of treasuries. Simplicity personified Jakande’s humility baffles many that have come across him.

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South West

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agos State government’s decision to implement the verdict of the coroner’s inquest on the September 12, 2014, building collapse at the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, has received commendations from prominent lawyers in the country.

Those who spoke also admonished the state government to back up the statement with action to serve as deterrent to those who flagrantly flout the laws of the land with impunity.

It would be recalled that the coroner, Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, in his verdict on July 7 had called for investigation and prosecution of the church and its contractors over its failure to secure the necessary permit and approval before commencing the building of its collapsed structure, which killed 116 persons, mostly foreigners from South Africa.

Consequent upon the

Thursday, July 23, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Synagogue: Lawyers hail Ambode’s decision on coroner’s verdict

• Court stops govt from arresting engineers judgement, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had promised to implement the verdict to the letter. According to the governor, aside prosecuting the contractor and structural engineer, the state government would also prosecute the church for not obtaining building approval before commencing the work, contrary to provisions of the Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2010.

Speaking on the issue, constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Prof. Itse Sagay, who described the incident as a criminal offence, said the

statement by the governor is commendable, given the fact that the church authorities and the contractors failed to obtain necessary approval before embarking on the exercise.

“The statement from the Lagos State government is a commendable one. This is because the whole tragedy not only involved human lives, it also involved the lives of non-Nigerians, creating what I will call a diplomatic incidence between Nigeria and South Africa.

“It is a major tragic development and it has become clear from the findings of the coroner that the build-

ing was not professionally constructed and they did not receive the imprimatur of the Ministry of Physical Planning before constructing it,” he said.

Former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ikeja branch, Monday Ubani, who also applauded the position of the state government, said the verdict, if implemented, would give Nigerians a sense of hope that indeed, true change has come to the country.

Another constitutional lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said Nigerians did not expect anything less from the state government.

He said: “The governor is right and deserves commendation for insisting on diligent prosecution, given the outright disregard of relevant laws by the church authorities and the contractor who handled the failed project.

“That statement by the Lagos State government is welcome. We do not expect anything less. After the incident, especially during the coroner’s inquest, the Synagogue Church of All Nations didn’t exhibit the expected response.”

Another lawyer, Ifeoluwa Olalere, dispelled the notion that the church was being persecuted.

“There is no case of witchhunting anybody here. It is total compliance with the rule of law. Churches are supposed to be good examples to the citizens. Even the Bible encourages us to obey governmental authorities.

“I am in support of the

decision by the governor to implement the verdict. It will make other citizens do the right thing at all time,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday restrained the state government from implementing the recommendations of the Coroner Inquest.

The court specifically restrained the government from arresting and prosecuting the two structural engineers, Messrs Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, for criminal negligence.

Ogundeji and Fatiregun, through their lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, appeared before Justice Mohammed Idris with ex-parte applications, seeking to restrain the police from inviting or arresting them for questioning.

They filed two separate suits numbered FHC/L/ CS/1095/15 and FHC/L/ CS/1096/15.

Scores feared dead in Arepo pipeline explosion Dare Akogun

S L-R: Deputy Superintendent of Police, Folashade Odoro; Chairman, Osun State Police Community Relations Committee, Comrade Amitolu Shittu; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Chief Superintendent of Police, Mr. Babatunde Sowole and Superintendent of Police, Waare Samuel, during a visit to the governor in Osogbo, recently

Breach of contract: Lawyer slams N200m suit on MTN, others Gbenga Ogunbufunmi

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Lagos lawyer, Dr. Charles Dumber Mekwunye, has filed a N200 million suit against MTN Nigeria Communication Limited, MTNN, for alleged breach of contract.

Joined as co-defendants in the suit are Lotus Capital Limited, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management and two other limited liability companies, IHS Holding Limited and INT Towers Limited.

Mekwunye, in his witness statement filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos averred that sometime in 2008, he was invited by Lotus

Capital Limited and Stanbic IBTC Assets Management Limited to invest in a fund purportedly established by Lotus Capital called ‘Telecoms Private Equity Fund,’ which was an investment into MTNN Linked Units.

He added that he bought 5,000 units of the MTNN Linked Units at a rate of US $24.56, per unit in 2008 and paid $122,800, which was the equivalent of N18,376,800 million.

He said both Lotus Capital Limited and Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Company, represented to him that at the end of three years, the MTN Nigeria’s Linked Unit would be exchanged for MTN’s shares

in a Special Purpose Vehicle, which would be listed in the Nigerian Stock Exchange or another globallyrecognised stock exchange.

This, he said, was primarily considered before investing in the shares.

However, at the end of the three years, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management in breach of the agreement, failed to create the Exit Special Purpose Vehicle, SPV, as agreed in the private placement memorandum, on ground that MTN International was already quoted on Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

He further stated that on April 4, 2013, Lotus Capital informed him of an

upward review of “management fees” without his knowledge or consent. The said management fees was arbitrarily reviewed to one per cent of the value of his investment and consequently took $5,250 as management fees deducted from total value of his MTN units each year.

Consequent upon the alleged breach of contract, the plaintiff is asking the court to declare that Lotus Capital is in breach of the contract for the sale of MTN Linked Unit shares it entered into with him on May 21, 2008, as there exists a fiduciary relationship between them.

cores of suspected vandals were feared dead in an early morning explosion that rocked the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipeline at Arepo village, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

A source, who didn’t want his name in print based on his close relation with the vandals, revealed that so many of them were so burnt that their faces could not be recognised. Describing how the “tragedy” occurred, he said the vandals had already concluded their operation and were about to leave when their speed boat refused to start. It was while trying to start it that a spark occurred.

“I learnt that many people died, but more than 100 of them were so burnt that we could not even recognise their faces.

“It’s a very sad day for those guys because it’s a job, if one person is involved, he brings in his brothers and

sisters. It’s a very dangerous job; they die just the way they make their money.

“Even those who are still alive are bearing very serious injuries and they have no hope of surviving,” he said.

Speaking about the attraction to the job, the source noted that the vandals make so much money that some of them buy cars after ‘working’ for just two weeks.

“Even those who are involved just on the periphery make up to N300,000 per day.

Their arrowheads make more than N2 million daily,” he said.

Meanwhile, the South West spokesperson of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, while confirming the incident, stated that the explosion was caused by a clash among different groups of vandals.

Farinloye stated that the agency alerted the NNPC about the explosion immediately information got to it and have shut down supplies to suffocate the fire while efforts are on to put it out by the corporation’s safety unit.

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Thursday, July 23, 2015

INSIDE

Making money through stock on Lagos raises alarm over new criminal antics Broad Street >47

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Broad Street Diary

Thursday, July 23, 2015

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Tinubu Square synonymous with power, influence

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ny visitor or tourists to Lagos Island may not have enough stories to tell until he or she visited the popular Tinubu Square sited in the centre part of Lagos Island.

The squire now boost of a water fountain mounted on an architectural landscape and with green grasses and flowers adorned the squire with the status of the late Madam Efunroye Tinubu sitting atop.

The story of business activities in the early part of Lagos history would not be complete without relishing the story of late Madam Tinubu, one of Nigeria’s businesswoman and patriot.

The story of Lagos as the business hub of Nigeria today, is synonymous with the tale of Madam Tinubu said to be a great merchant whose business traverses not only Lagos, but other towns within what is today known as Yoruba territories in the present South West Nigeria.

According to history, Madam Efunroye Tinubu after whom a prominent Lagos landmark, “Tinubu Square,” is named, lived in the 19th century and was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Western Nigeria, to a trading family.

After a period of trading apprenticeship under her mother, Tinubu went to Badagry, an important trading post on the outskirts of Lagos during the colonial era, where, despite her lack

of formal education, she soon established a flourishing trade in tobacco and salt.

The entreprising Tinubu later expanded her trade which brought her into contact with the European slave traders, with whom she dealt as a middleperson.

In 1846 Tinubu, then a successful businesswoman was said to have played hostess to the exiled King Akintoye of Lagos who sought refuge in Badagry; she used her influential position to inaugurate a pro-Akintoye movement dedicated to the eventual return of the king to the throne in Lagos.

Thus commenced her involvement in the politics of Lagos, which was then dominated by men of wealth and education.

In 1851 Akintoye regained his throne and Tinubu was invited to Lagos where she soon relocated her business activity.

Tinubu strengthened her position as an intermediary in the trade between the expatriate community and the indigenous population of Lagos on the one hand and the interior which include her birthplace, Abeokuta, on the others.

Her influence in the court of Akintoye was said to have grown to such an extent that she was often accused of being the power behind the throne, a belief which in 1853 led to the rebellion of two prominent chiefs.

By 1853, when Akintoye was

Madam Tinubu’s statue succeeded by Prince Dosunmu, Tinubu’s influence grew even more.

In 1855, the late Tinubu was said to have led a campaign

against the Brazilian and Sierra Leonean immigrants in Lagos for using their wealth and power against the King and for subverting the ancient customs

of Lagos Island, thus displaying a degree of nationalism which worried the British colonial government.

The colonial regime latter retaliated with mass arrests of organisers of the protest, followed by her expulsion from Lagos. Tinubu and her followers were deported to Abeokuta in May 1856.

In Abeokuta, Madam Tinubu was said to have more than ever before expanded her business activities to include a wide range of wares such as gunpowder and bullets. In time her influence began to be felt also in Egba politics in which she played two important roles; her contribution to the successful defence of Egbaland during the Dahomean invasion of 1863 following which she was awarded the title of Iyalode (First Lady) in 1864.

Also, in the Alake succession crisis of 1877 her chosen candidate was installed. The conferment of the title of Iyalode placed her in a position of power, which she was denied in Lagos, for, by virtue of it, she not only acquire d a constitutional right to participate in Egba affairs, but was also accorded honour and esteem respect in the community.

Madam Tinubu died in 1887 when she was at the height of her popularity. Today in Abeokuta, a monument stands in the town square named after her, Ita Iyalode (Iyalode Square).

Traders say sales still low after Ramadan

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raders at the popular Balogun market and adjoining markets in the popular Broad Street, Lagos are still complaining of low sales even with the just concluded Ramadan celebration.

When Broad Street Diary visited the market yesterday, traders lamented that shoppers are not coming to the market to shop even as Ramadan ends.

A trader, Mrs. Shadia Olayiwola told BSD that she is surprised that despite the celebration people still did not come to the market to shop as before.

“I am really surprised because before the celebration I stocked my shop with new goods, but I could only sell few of the items.”

Olayiwola who trade in Guinea brocade materials, revealed to BSD that the material was always preferred by people especially Muslims during Ramadan celebration, but it was different this year.

She attributed the low turn out to lack of money, “many people are finding it very difficult to

feed well because our economy is still not as good as in the past, government needs to do something before we traders start closing shops due to poor sales.”

Another trader, Alhaja Simbiat Salami, who sells Muslims accessories like Jalamia and others, told BSD that the low sales also affected them too as people did not even come to buy Hijab which is as low as N400.

She, like Olayiwola attributed it to the poor state of the economy which she said is not stable.

But, however, Salami said she believe everything will be normal very soon as the government of the day is doing everything to correct things.

Mr. Idowu Johnson, a cab driver also said the same thing; he told BSD that the low turnout also affected them.

“There is no two ways about it, if the traders are not selling that means we will not see passengers or goods to carry, but we hope the situation will change soon.”

Also, a porter who wants to be identified as Iya Kafaya told

BSD that the low sales affected them too.

Iya Kafaya, who spoke to BSD in Yoruba language, was not very happy because according

A trader in Broad Street

to her, she could not travel to her hometown for the Ramadan celebration because she could not make enough sales for her to travel.

“I could not travel since I could not buy the things I used to take home every year,” she said bitterly.

–Saidat Alausa

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

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Leadership tussle: Court restrains YMCA from appointing chairman Wale Igbintade

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Lagos High Court judge, Wasiu Animahun, has granted an interim injunction restraining Registered Trustees of the Young Men Christian Association, YMCA, of Lagos from presenting one Mr Mike Oniludeor or any other person as chairman, Board of Management of the association.

Justice Animahun gave the order in a suit filed by a lawyer, Mrs. Clara Adetuyi, against the Registered Trustees of YMCA Lagos, Lanre Awosan and Mike Onilude.

The claimant had in a Motion ex-parte filed by her lawyer, Olumide Oyewole, brought pursuant to Rule 1,2 and 3 of the High Court of Lagos (Civil Procedure) Rule, 2012, prayed the court to stop the purported election pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the claimant.

The claimant is also praying the court to declare her as winner in the election for the post of chairman, Board of Management for the 2014/2016 year/tenure.

The claimant had in her statement of claim also prayed the court to nullify all steps taken by the defendants to deprive her of her mandate as allegedly given on October 28, 2014 at the Nomination Committee meeting.

She is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from presenting or parading the 3rd defendant or any other person as the Chairman, Board of Management of YMCA Lagos, either for 2014/2016 or any other year/tenure in order to deprive the claimant of the mandate given to her

by members of YMCA. Besides, the claimant urged the court for a declaration that the election and voting process of the three members at the Nomination Committee meeting of YMCA Lagos on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 are valid and conclusive of all matters relating to the election into the position of chairman, Board of Management of Lagos YMCA for 2014/2016.

However, when the matter came up, the court could not hear the motion on notice as the defendants informed the court that they were exploring amicable settlement options.

Hearing was consequently adjourned to September 29.

In a 23-paragraph affidavit of urgency, the claimant stated that she was validly elected chairman of the YMCA Board of Management at the election conducted on October 28, 2014.

The claimant alleged that the 2nd defendant has been using the apparatus of YMCA to try and impose the 3rd defendant as the elected chairman of YMCA Board of Management, by clandestinely presenting him (3rd defendant) to members of YMCA as the winner of the elections.

The claimant stated that she was validly elected by the nomination committee of YMCA, and about being cheated by the defendants for his dislike in having a woman as his leader and because she is Igbo.

The claimant alleged that the defendants have already perfected a plan to present the 3rd defendant as chairman, Board of Management at the next Annual General Meeting of the YMCA for its ratification and approval.

A

A total of 173 students graduated from the school in 1983 with some of them currently leaders of various organisations within and outside the country.

Thanks to technology and various social media such as Facebook, BBM, Instagram and so on, the young students who are now fathers and mothers,

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‘No plan to cut Osun workers salary’ Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

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sun State government yesterday urged its workers to heed resumption order of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Osun chapter, and return to their duty posts, even as it dismissed insinuation that Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration had decided to be paying half salary to its workforce.

Former Commissioner

for Information and Strategy, Sunday Akere, further told newsmen in Osogbo that at no time was such a decision taken.

Akere explained that the relief package from the Federal Government for states to enable them pay salaries would be done in three phases.

According to him, the first being the $2.1billion paid as tax by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, and Shell, which was shared between the three tiers of

federal, state and local governments.

The other phases, he said: “Is the N300 billion being made available by the CBN for states that owe their workers to access as loan, while the third is rescheduling of the debt owed by states by the Debt Management Office so that repayment will become easier and spread to longer years.”

Akere said Osun’s share from the NLNG money was N2.2billion, stressing that the Central Bank of Nigeria

grant was yet to be received.

He stated that on receipt of the N2.2billion NLNG lifeline, the governor instructed that N100 million be added to ensure payment to all categories of workers.

The junior staff on levels 01-07 and pensioners earning between N5,000 and N20,000 were accommodated in full, he said while the rest of the funds were shared to all other categories of workers to ensure that nobody embarked on Eid-el-Fitr holiday without being paid.

Parents of candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities protesting over what they considered ‘harsh’ condition for university admission, in Lagos, yesterday.

Matthew Irinoye

T

he alleged killer of a Lagos-based lawyer, Kunle Fadipe, was yesterday arraigned before the State High Court in Ikeja.

The accused, Seun Oladapo, who was arraigned on five-count charge bordering on robbery and murder before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The charge sheet stated

Compro 783 chapter reunites in Lagos fter 32 years of founding the school, old students of America-founded Comprehensive High School Ayetoro, Ogun State, will this weekend reunite in Lagos.

The epoch-making event has been scheduled for Saturday, July 25, at Rodizzio Lounge, 29 Isaac John St, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, by 1pm.

South West

Thursday, July 23, 2015

are returning to renew their bonds of friendship with the development of the school uppermost in their minds.

The group will also be inaugurating their Set 783 chapter of the National Alumni, as they call on other Compronians to be part of the event.

According to Tope Ajayi,

Lawyer’s alleged killer arraigned that Oluwaseun Oladapo on July 4, 2014, around 0300hours at No. 1, Harmony Estate, Ifako-Ijaiye, Iju, Lagos, within the Ikeja judicial division, armed with an offensive weapon robbed one Kunle Fadipe of a large sum of money and murdered him by stabbing him severally on parts of his body.

While addressing the court, counsel to the accused person, Worer

who serves as the Protem Secretary, “It is going to be a wonderful experience meeting some of the students that have passed through the school.

“It will also be an opportunity for some of the younger generations to meet somebody who graduated from the school 32 years ago.”

Obuagbaka, informed the court that he only just got the file and appealed for time to go through it.

The prosecution counsel led by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mrs Idowu Alakija, told the court that the offense is contrary to Section 221, 295 (2)(a) and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 respectively.

Alikija also told the court of their readiness, adding that two of their witnesses were in court.

The judge after listening to both counsels said defense should be given sufficient time and adjourned the case till August 17 and 18 for commencement of trial.

It would be recalled that Fadipe was stabbed to death in his residence at Harmony Estate in Ifako Ijaye on July 4, 2014.

It was reported that at about 11:30 p.m. when the

estate was plunged into darkness following power outage, the lawyer sent his son to switch on the generating set, whereby an assailant armed with a knife seized the boy and ordered him to take him to his father.

Reaching Fadipe, the man stabbed him in the neck and back before his daughter ran out of the apartment crying for help.

Soon, two guards (one from the estate) came into the house and shot the assailant in the leg. He was eventually overpowered and arrested but not before he had also stabbed Fadipe’s mother-in-law, son and daughter.

The alleged assailant was apprehended by the community vigilante group and charged before Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos before the matter was transferred to the State High Court.

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South East

Thursday, July 23, 2015

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Election tribunal strikes out Ihedioha’s petition against Okorocha …petitioner heads for Appeal Court

Chris Njoku OWERRI

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lection Petitions Tribunal sitting in Owerri, Imo State, yesterday struck out the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in the April 2015 governorship election in the state, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, on the ground that the application notice was a jurisdictional matter.

Counsel to the petitioner, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN) had earlier addressed the tribunal on the need to go on with the pre-hearing session, having had parties put on notice through the pre-hearing questionnaire, which they had duly answered.

He observed that the ‘antics’ or delay tactics employed by the respondents in the matter does not promote “nobility and honour” on

the part of the counsel to the respondents, and therefore urged the tribunal to “proceed to case hearing.”

Ahamba cited Supreme Court authorities on the issue of whether the application for pre-hearing was a jurisdictional matter. It was based on this that the tribunal headed by Justice David Wyom opted to hear the application to dismiss the petition for abandonment because it was a jurisdictional matter.

Justice Wyon agreed with the contention of the lead counsel to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), that the petitioner abandoned the petition, having failed to do all he was expected to do after filing, including payment of approved fee within the time-frame.

Chief Akintola had filed a motion to that effect, asking the tribunal to strike out

Hon. Ihedioha’s petition on ground of flaws in the whole exercise and quoted extensively both the electoral law and the constitution vis-àvis certain legal authorities to back up the motion.

Addressing journalists at the end of the verdict, the lead counsel to Chief Ihedioha expressed surprise at the judgment, having cited three Supreme Court authorities to backup his argument that it was not a jurisdictional matter.

Said Chief Ahamba: “For the Court Appeal to have been used to override a Supreme Court decision as recent as 2013 and 2014 is a surprise to me.

“What happened in court was that there were three motions to be decided; one had to do with filing prehearing application; the

other had to do with striking out the reply filed by the governor and the All Progressive Congress as being incompetent process before the court; and another one was an effort to amend that process which we said was a void process as they were conceding that all was not well with the process. But the court decided to rule on the pre-hearing notice application on the ground that the application notice was a jurisdictional matter.

“For the tribunal to have overruled Supreme Court authorities on the issue of whether application for prehearing was jurisdictional is surprising to me because the word ‘abandonment’ has lost its meaning if a petition that has gone through prehearing session in which all parties participated can now

be said to have been abandoned. It then means that I don’t know the meaning of ‘abandonment’ again; maybe at the Court of Appeal we will get a proper definition of the word. This is our position.

“The thing they were complaining about is paragraph 18:1 of the rule guiding election petition proceedings and the Supreme Court has said that it does not raise a jurisdiction question; but the tribunal in Owerri said it does. The Supreme Court said it can even be done orally, but they overruled the Supreme Court, saying it cannot be done orally. There is nothing I can do but to go and complain at the Court of Appeal.”

Reacting also, Chief Akintola said the petition was clear and was dismissed

for running short of the provisions of the Electoral Act, adding that the petition at the tribunal had come to an end, although he said the petitioner has the right to appeal.

According to Chief Akintola the “petitioner filed on June 23, and later went on July 3, 2015 to pay, which was clearly outside the seven days prescribed by paragraph 18 of first schedule of the Electoral Act; then we latched on that, and then the question was whether the letter for pre-hearing notice without payment was valid and whether the payment made on July 3 could validate the pre-notice that was submitted. No valid prehearing notice was filed.”

Akintola said the petition was dismissed on points of law.

Jubilation in Ebonyi as workers receive salary Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

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here was jubilation on Wednesday in Ebonyi State as workers received their salaries following the intervention of Special Salary Reconciliation Committee set up by Governor Dave Umahi.

The release of the salaries followed a five-point recommendation: that the June salary should be paid to all state civil servants as was the case in the March through May 2015, but to be considered as both salary and bonus.

The committee, headed

by Senator Sam Egwu, stated that civil servants and the government of Ebonyi State should accept and abide by the final decision of the committee on the payable salary - based on the economic reality from July 2015.

It added that local government workers represented by the state NUP and NULGE agreed to step down on the payment of salaries and the issue of salary increment until the whole rot in the local government system is cleaned; and that the salary of local government workers be deferred because of the rot in the system as discovered by government.

Governor Umahi had,

while accepting the report of the committee, thanked its chairman and members for the speed with which they arrived at the resolution.

The governor also praised labour for its cooperation, and the role it played in his electoral victory.

Earlier, Senator Egwu had, while presenting the report, thanked Governor Umahi for the urgency he attached to labour issues in the state by setting up the committee to resolve the impasse.

Charles Okeke AWKA

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move to successfully market the second term bid of Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, yesterday took off with the inauguration of a state executive committee for Willie Obiano Support Group, led by Jude Emecheta as chairman.

Formal inauguration of the committee took place at a ceremony held in Awka.

The committee, an initiative for good governance, which has ‘a secured Anambra which will be investors’ haven, a tourist Eldorado’ as its key vision, said its primary objective was to sup-

Members of Ndiagu Uwani Akpugo community of Enugu State, protesting alleged imposition of an Igwe on the community, in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Group to market Obiano for second tenure takes off port the initiative of Chief Obiano on the four pillars of his administration, which aims at pushing for good governance and development of Anambra State.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by key chieftains of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, including its new national chairman, Dr. Victor Oye, and top officials of the state government, like the Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke.

Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Oye urged party members to close ranks, reconcile their differences and work for the success of the group in 2017 when it is ex-

pected that a governorship election would be conducted in Anambra State.

Oye stated that as part of move to reposition APGA, they should begin the distribution of new membership cards.

He urged members of the support group to mobilise the people at the grassroots in ensuring that the governor is returned for a second tenure.

He predicted that by the time they are through with repositioning and restructuring APGA, the party would win in about five states in future elections.

Oye who expressed joy

that for now internal democracy has been restored in APGA, assured that the era of people being denied tickets after winning the primary is over for good.

Dr. Okeke, in his speech, said the group has a vital role to play in ensuring that the developmental policies and programmes of the Obiano administration are sold to the people successfully.

Okeke who stated that Obiano has elevated governance to a very high level in Anambra State, urged party members to eschew rancour and work together in the interest of everybody.

The deputy governor stat-

ed that government needs eight years to fully achieve its programmes and that it needs people who would go into the fields to spread the gospel of the good Obiano has been doing to boost the welfare of the people.

Obiano

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Party supremacy, personal ambitions threaten APC stability

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he moment President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the United States of America, USA, was made public, the question most Nigerians asked was what are the benefits the country will derive from such a visit?

And readily available was the answer to that question when the President declared that his top priorities for the visit were security and economy.

While some Nigerians are still in doubt of US readiness to really help Nigeria in the area of security and economy, especially when they recall the role it played in Nigeria’s arms deal during the days of immediate past administration of Goodluck Jonathan, many others see the visit as an impressive one, if both sides will walk the talk.

There is the believe by many that the US could not help the past administration on credibility reasons, a virtue President Barrack Obama has seen and acknowledged in President Buhari, showing there could be an unfolding new Nigeria which the world is beginning to take seriously.

One vital point President Buhari must have pocketed, which also will be of immense benefit to the country will be President Obama’s advice that he should work extremely hard in uniting the ever-divided Nigerian nation, because, as he hinted, a divided nation can never expect serious development. As the father of the nation, Buhari now has to do everything humanly possible to unite Nigerians by carrying every ethnic group along whether they voted for him or not.

There are other benefits Nigeria will be expecting from this visit and they include:

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Politics

Buhari’s US visit and its potential gains EBERE NDUKWU looks at President Muhammadu Buhari’s visits to the United States of America, USA and what benefits the country may be deriving from it.

End to Boko Haram Looking at some successes recorded in the fight against Boko Haram since the neighbouring countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon joined, there is no gain saying that America coming in with her years of experience in war, technical knowhow, sophisticated weaponry and equipments that the end of insurgency in the North-East is near.

US relations with Nigeria soured over failures by the government and military to deal decisively with the Boko Haram insurgency, and the inability to locate more than 200 schoolgirls, most of them Christians, who were kidnapped by Boko Haram from the Northern town of Chibok in April 2014. The abduction led to international condemnation and a campaign to “Bring Back Our Girls” that reached as far as the White House.

Then-President Jonathan was angered by the US’ refusal to sell his government helicopter gunships and retaliated by halting a US military training program. With the meeting, there is indeed high hope that Boko Haram will soon be defeated with US support.

Buhari

Obama

in late May, could be a pointer to the importance the US places on her relations with Nigeria.

According to the White House, Obama extended the invitation immediately after Buhari was declared the winner of the March 28 presidential election.

“This feels to us like Nigeria is at an important moment in which there can be real reforms across the board,” Grant Harris, senior director for African affairs at the National Security Council, told reporters.

He added: “We are looking forward to what we can do with a President who has staked out an agenda that we think is the right agenda at the right time.”

The White House said the visit emphasises US’ “commitment to strengthening and expanding our partnership with Nigeria’s new government” and supporting its people.

It will, to be precise, make Buhari’s efforts to recover Nigeria’s stolen hundreds of billions of dollars kept overseas by past government officials, easy to find and repatriate.

Economic boost:

Help in recovering stolen money

Obama’s meeting with Buhari is expected to also cover Nigeria’s economy, which has suffered under the decline in oil prices, additional security issues and government corruption.

Economically, there is the possibility that the US may reassess buying the country’s oil which it did stopped buying because of Shale Oil but as a punitive measure for the Petroleum Industry Bill. After all, the US still buys Saudi Arabia’s oil which being heavy and with more sulphur, not only that Nigeria’s oil is better than it but in fact, costs far more to transport to the US. There is also the likeliness that the US investing in Nigeria’s critical sectors of the economy will become inevitable and exceptional.

Although the US’ expectations are not made fully public, but there is a strong believe among analysts that the visit is going to be very beneficial to both sides.

One thing many commentators think is that the new friendship will definitely make Nigeria now navigate the global economic and trade diplomacy with less difficulty.

Relations expected to improve Nigeria’s relation with the US is also expected to improve under Buhari who appears to address US concerns.

At least, his arrival in Washington soon after taking office

While Buhari’s visit has stirred up a lot of expectations of better things coming from the

US, only time will tell if these expectations will

materialise into reality.

Addressing power issue There is the hope in some quarters that the visit may see Nigeria’s quest to build nuclear reactors for electricity generation no longer blocked. According to analysts, this is because even if for any reasons, the US seems not eager to invest in power sector areas, it may certainly not stand on the way of countries like France and Russia, who may readily assist to build nuclear power plants for the country.

Other benefits may include: helping Nigeria to strengthen surveillance of the Gulf of Guinea, which should without doubt severely reduce the present intolerable level of stealing of the country’s oil by international gangsters, and also help to put the thieves completely out of business.

The new relationship might mean that even if the US for any reason does not invest in Nigeria, she may now well-market Nigeria to the rest of the world as the visit will confirm Nigeria as a serious investment destination for serious-minded global investors.

Interestingly, Obama’s public confirmation of Buhari’s impeccable integrity and honest leadership is a big deal for Nigeria, a country whose leaders have always been seen by the whole world to have inclination for corruption.

One message Obama’s approval of President Buhari will send to foreign investors and governments wanting to deal with Nigeria is that finally, the corruption zerotolerant Nigeria is now welcoming them with the full assurance that no longer should they be afraid of the safety of their investments in the country because of its past corrupt and weak system, lacking credibility and the rule of law.

While Buhari’s visit has stirred up a lot of expectations of better things coming from the US, only time will tell if these expectations will materialise into reality.

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Politics

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ince inauguration of the 8th National Assembly, NASS, on June 9, things have continued to fall apart and the centre difficult to hold in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. The two chambers of the NASS have been enmeshed in leadership crisis following the inability of the ruling party to resolve the lingering crisis bedevilling it on issues analysts believe to be a battle of interest - party supremacy and individual ambitions.

While some political watchers are of the opinion that the party on which platform an individual gets to political office is greater, supreme and must be respected, some however, submit that the individual’s interest if constitutionally right, can be pursued even at the expense of the party’s directives.

To the first school of thought, which hinges its belief on party supremacy, any party member who contravenes the party’s injunctions to achieve his own goal is disloyal and treacherous, hence, deserves sanction for breach of conduct and blatant disregard of the party’s order.

On the other hand, the latter school of thought, which advocates personal and majority interests, backed by law, maintained that the constitution of the country and the interest of the majority representing Nigerians should be considered first above that of the party in any decision making.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Party supremacy, personal ambitions threaten APC stability ROBERT AWOKUSE examines the threat posed by party supremacy and personal ambitions to the stability of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The genesis The APC had on Saturday, June 6 conducted a straw poll with its members-elect, the result which saw the nomination of Senator Ahmad Lawan and Hon Femi Gbajabiamila as Senate President and Speaker, House of Representatives respectively. But Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon Yakubu Dogara with their groups had rejected the outcome of the mock elections, insisting on participating in the elections that would be conducted and determined only on the floor of the NASS in which all elected members will take part irrespective of party affiliation, stressing that only the outcome of such election would be respected and upheld.

Against the wish of the APC, Saraki and Dogara on June 9, contested and edged their opponents and party’s anointed candidates, Lawan and Gbajabiamila in the race to Senate President and the Speakership respectively.

Dogara emerged Speaker, having defeated Gbajabiamila by 182 to 174 votes, while Saraki emerged Senate President unopposed following the absence of Lawan and his group from the election conducted by the Clerk of NASS, Alhaji Salihu Maikasuwa.

The APC had on that same day and at about the same hour of the inauguration of the 8th NASS, summoned all its members to converge on the International Conference Centre, ICC, for a meeting allegedly convened by the President.

The process that saw Saraki emerged has thus since generated a lot of controversies with some senators believed to be party loyalists condemning the process.

They had argued that Maikasuwa did not follow due process by not waiting for the absent senators to be present before proceeding with the election.

Saraki’s emergence with all its heartache on the APC, having defied its choice was further compounded with the emergence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as Deputy Senate President, DSP. This development has not gone down well with APC and its loyalists. According to them, the PDP during their 16-year rule never at any time gave opposition the DSP spot hence, perceived Saraki’s ceding of the DSP to opposition as gross rebellion.

But Saraki has consistently denied trading the DSP for his ambition, saying that he was even more pained

by Ekweremadu’s emergence than the APC. Despite the fact that the party has decided to bury the hatchet and forge ahead regardless of the insult it suffered, the atmosphere pervading the party shows that all is still not well.

There are still fears that individual ambitions of strong members of the APC are still threatening to tear the party apart, as bickering and rancour amongst party members seem to have continued unabated.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oyegun

Principal offices dispute APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, after wide consultations, had in separate letters to Saraki and Dogara asked them to nominate the party’s approved candidates for the principal officers’ positions. It had picked Senators Lawan, North-East, as Majority Leader and George Akume, North-Central, as Deputy Majority Leader; Sola Adeyeye, South-West, Chief Whip and Abu Ibrahim, North-West, as Deputy Chief Whip.

In the lower chamber the party nominated Gbajabiamila, South-West, as House Leader; Alhassan Ado Doguwa, North-West, Deputy House Leader; Mohammed Monguno, North-East, as Chief Whip while Pally Iriase, South-South, was nominated Deputy Chief Whip.

However both recipients did not comply with the party’s directives. Saraki had asked the zonal caucuses in the Senate to nominate principal officers of their choice from the zones rather than those ‘imposed upon him by the party’.

This attracted more mixed reactions as some analysts believe that he is taking the bull by the horn in a bid to break the jinx of godfatherism as some alleged that the party’s activities are not truly determined by its Board of Trustees, BoT and its National Working Committee, NWC, but by an individual who seeks to hold the party and the country by the jugular.

inordinate ambitions

of party members, who see themselves and their ambitions greater than the party is not acceptable and must be totally condemned

But some commentators also opined that Saraki is going too far, to have for the second time turned down the party’s order, disrespecting the party on which he rose to power, a scenario tantamount to biting the finger that fed him.

They believe his moves might be detrimental to his future political ambition, as his defiance and disloyalty may sooner than he thinks come back to haunt him, adding that what goes around always comes around.

Saraki had at plenary announced the nominated senators for the principal posts having failed to read the letter from the party. Contrary to the party’s choice, Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume, North-East, emerged Majority Leader; Bala Ibn Na’allah, North-West, became Deputy Leader and Francis Alimikhena, SouthSouth, was Senate Deputy Chief Whip. The nomination for Chief Whip was not available.

The same was to be replicated at the green chamber, but it ended in fisticuffs, as members engaged in free for all.

While Gbajabiamila and his group, which called itself loyal APC group, depended heavily on party machinery and supremacy, Dogara on the other hand, seemed to have got it right by looking the way of the people’s machinery and supremacy. Since the defeat of Gbajabiamila by Dogara in the speakership race, it appears that the battle line had been drawn. While Gbajabiamila rejected the position of Deputy Speaker he was offered, it was clear that he was being motivated by the party for the position of House Leader, which is more advantageous to him, his group and the party.

On the other hand, Dogara and his group have their own agenda and would not be enthralled by the idea of party supremacy in an issue they felt is the prerogative of House members.

Reacting to the brawl on ther House floor, Gbajabiamila said the Speaker should be held responsible for failing to honour the party’s letter by not reading the contents and acting on it.

But Dogara, asked why he did not read the letter, said although he had wanted to act on the party’s letter nominating some persons as principal officers of the House, but as a law abiding citizen, he was compelled to do otherwise as a result of a pending court case instituted by about 36 APC lawmakers from the North-Central zone.

The aggrieved APC lawmakers had alleged that the party had schemed them out in violation of constitutional provision on Federal Character principle.

He said that the tradition has been that the six principal positions are shared evenly among the six geopolitical zones of the country in accordance with the Federal Character principle. The question on the lips of many Nigerians is, party supremacy or constitution which is greater?

Constitution and party supremacy Political analysts who support party supremacy said the inordinate ambitions of party members, who see themselves and their ambitions greater than the party is not acceptable and must be totally condemned; stressing that such members should be sanctioned.

They believe party supremacy presupposes that party members must be subordinated to it. The party, they said, makes the rules or policies and that any member elected on its platform is duty-bound to implement same within his/her own sphere of authority. This, they argue, is because a political party is a body organised for the purpose of influencing or controlling the policies and conduct of government through the nomination and election of candidate to offices.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Give national interest priority–Kogi Speaker Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

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ogi State House of Assemply Speaker, Rt Hon MomohJimoh Lawal, has called on legislators to place national and state interests above personal or group interests.

Lawal made the call yesterday in his welcome address to members of the House on resumption from the recess which commenced shortly after their inauguration on June 4.

He urged the members not to allow themselves to be distracted by trivial and petty issues, but be focused on cogent and important national and state matters with the aim of attaining good governance.

He said: “As patriotic citizens, we must ensure that our personal or group interests do not override the larger interest of the state.

Politics

Thursday, July 23, 2015

“As trustees and representatives of the people, we owe them the best in terms of legislation to ensure peace, order and good governance.

“The tasks before us are enormous while the expectations of our people are very high. We must be united and work as a team to succeed.

“I wish to appeal that we settle down as quickly as possible to collaborate with the executive in moving the state to the next level.”

Lawal revealed that efforts were currently on to update facilities in the Assembly chamber and legislators’ offices, urging the ad-hoc committee in charge of the facelift to hasten up the job.

He also congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of the Ramadan fasting and celebration of Eid-elfitri.

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Bayelsa 2016: Group presents publisher as APGA aspirant Osahon Julius YENAGOA

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socio-political group, Grace Movement Initiative, GMI, has announced its decision to present Comrade Francis Dufuagha, publisher of Niger Delta’s most influential local tabloid, the Niger Delta Herald, for the 2016 gubernatorial race under the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA. Dufugha, who was presented to APGA leadership yesterday in Yenagoa, is from Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government

Area of the state and a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ. GMI leadership, led by its secretary, Evangelist Elliot Zamide, during a call on APGA state chairman, Engr. John Sokari in Yenagoa, said though APGA time-table for the 2016 gubernatorial race was not out yet, it had decided to start early and present Comrade Dufuagha as its choice due to his service of integrity in journalism and commitment to liberate the people of the state.

Zamide said: “GMI has decided to liaise with the APGA in the bid to take

over the seat of governance in the state due to the belief in its manifestos. GMI is grassroots oriented and poised to ensure that good governance, which should benefit the majority of the people and not just a few, prevails in the state.

“The massive spread of GMI in all nooks and crannies of the state will be deployed to actualise the dream of the suffering masses of the state.

We want to enthrone an APGA-led administration in Creek Haven come February 14,2016.”

In his remark, Comrade Dufuagha said his decision to run on the platform

of APGA for the governorship position of the state was based on need for progressive minded people in the state to secure the future of the state.

He said: “The only way the insensitive, very despicable and unpopular government of Hon. Seriake Dickson can continue to hold sway over Bayelsa beyond February 14, 2016 is when good people like us remain indifferent to the conspicuous suffering of Bayelsans.”

Earlier, APGA state chairman, Engr. Sokari, commended GMI for its decision to partner with the party towards the 2016 gubernatorial race, adding that the visit was timely.

UPP to Buhari: Constitute agency to recover illegal acquisitions abroad Adeola Tukuru ABUJA

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nited Progressive Party, UPP, has called on President Muhammadu Bahari, to speedily constitute as well as strengthen relevant agencies of government that will embark without delay on the process of recovering all illegal or illegitimate acquisitions by Nigerians in foreign countries.

UPP National Chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, in a press statement, further requested the American government on behalf of the longsuffering people of Nigeria to assist the country in tracking and repatriating these monies back to Nigeria.

He said it boggled the mind but not surprising that President Buhari on the basis of information available to him had estimated that Nigeria’s public funds in private hands laundered abroad directly or through surrogates and phony companies in the past decades amounted to about US$150 billion.

Okorie said: “We believe that an equivalent of that amount of money in cash and other assets can also be tracked within Nigeria and recovered for the benefit of Nigerian people. There should be no sacred cows in the pursuit of the recovering of our stolen wealth.

“We wish to recall that when the leadership of our great party, UPP, paid a courtesy visit to the President Muhammadu Buhari, we stated inter alia: ‘…that your government should among other things spare no effort to recover all recoverable of our common patrimony in private hands, whether in Nigeria or abroad which has been illegally or illegitimately acquired.’

“We further stated in that same address to him that we are convinced that recovering as little as 25 per cent of our commonwealth in private hands will go a long way in assisting him to fulfil most of his campaign promises.”

L-R: Chief of Staff, Kwara State Government House, Alhaji Yusuf Abdulwahab; Board Chairman, International Aviation College, Ilorin, Captain Edward Boyo; Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Rector of the college, Captain Mumini Abdulkarim, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Ilorin, yesterday.

APC candidate accuses INEC of frustrating inspection of materials Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI

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ll Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Sapele state constituency

of Delta State, Hon. Felix Anirah, has accused officials of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the state of attempts to frustrate his case at the tribunal sitting

in Asaba.

Anirah specifically alleged that INEC officials were frustrating him and his team of lawyers from inspecting election materials used in the April 11

We’re sure of achieving victory at tribunal –PDP Richard Ndoma CALABAR

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ross River State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chairman, Ntufam John Okon, has expressed confidence that candidates of his party who were dragged to the Election Petition Tribunal by aggrieved politicians are likely going to achieve victory at the ongoing tribunal sitting in Calabar.

Okon made the remark while fielding questions from journalists in Calabar,

stressing that the reason why PDP candidates won the 2015 National and State House of Assembly election was because its candidates had embarked on very aggressive campaign showcasing their manifestoes which resulted in the electorate voting for PDP He said: “Cross River is a traditional PDP state. We worked tirelessly during the elections and I don’t think anybody will say that the election was rigged.

“We are aware of the cases at the tribunal. It is normal in every society.

But PDP in Cross River is confident that none of its

candidates would lose at the tribunal or have his or her election nullified.

“I am happy that we have cleared the gubernatorial petitions of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Labour Party, LP, against Governor Ben Ayade and I am confident that we will clear anything that comes.

“As the chairman of the party in the state, I know we contested a good election and our lawyers are there to present the facts at the tribunal.”

Okon stated that there was no rigging at the election between Prince Otu of the Labour Party and the

PDP senatorial candidate which INEC declared Gershom Bassey as winner of the contest adding that the issues on that matter were very straight.

He pointed out that the issue had now become a legal battle and stressed that it was only the court that could decide the matter, adding that there was genuine campaign and voting by Cross Riverians.

He added: “Those who took our candidates to court are living on hope.

We are not entertaining any fear whether there is a forensic auditing or whatever.”

state Asembly election in the state, where Hon. Monday Igbuya of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was declared winner.

It would be recalled that Anirah has dragged Igbuya, who is now the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, to the State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba.

Tribunal chairman, Justice A A I Banjoko had on July 8 granted an order for a joint inspection of the ballot boxes and ballot papers, used in all the ward/ polling units that make up the entire constituency.

The court also made an order directing a recount with particular reference to votes of the 1st Petitioner/Applicant and the 1st Respondent, following a motion on notice filed by the counsel to the petitioner Barr. Ikhide Ehighelua, dated July 6.

Politics

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ICPC after 9 Ogun council chairmen as tenure expires today Femi Oyeweso ABEOKUTA

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t least 9 out of the 20 local government executive chairmen whose tenure expires today have been pencilled down to face interrogation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, over alleged corruption.

The affected chairmen are that of Ijebu North East; Odeda; Ogun Waterside; Ifo; Imeko/Afon; Ijebu North; Odogbolu; Ijebu-Ode as well as Ipokia local governments.

National Mirror reliably gathered that the offences committed by the affected council chairmen bothered on allegations of corruptly enriching themselves under the guise of generating additional revenue for their local governments, as well as inflating costs of vehicles bought for some functional council officials in their respective councils.

Sources within ICPC confided in National Mirror that some of the council bosses printed personal revenue receipts whose proceeds were not remitted into the treasuries of their respective councils.

The source further stated that the council chairmen have earlier been summoned by ICPC Abuja headquarters to appear and defend themselves over the corrupt practices allegedly perpetrated

Thursday, July 23, 2015 through some agents but failed to show up.

It was further gathered that ICPC have resolved to forcefully go after the affected council chairmen following their refusal to honour its invitation as their tenure expired today.

In what appeared as a valedictory, Governor Ibikunle Amosun however, held a closed-door meeting with all the 20 outgoing council chairmen yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tribunal hears case against ex-Senate President, Mark July 27 Henry Iyorkase MAKURDI

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day to the July 28 reconvened sitting of the Senate, the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, would commence hearing

in a petition by the All Progressives Congress, APC’s Daniel Onje, challenging the return of former Senate President, David Mark, as winner of the Mach 28 National Assembly election for Benue South West senatorial district.

Onje has approached the tribunal to void the return

of Mark for alleged irregularities in the exercise and a declaration that he, Onje, scored majority of the lawful votes cast at the poll and be declared winner.

Issues raised included the determination of whether or not Mark was elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the polls; whether or

Youths protesting at the Plateau House of Assembly over the dissolution of all councils in Jos, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Lawyer asks court to sack acting INEC chairman Wale Igbintade

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uman rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has instituted a suit before a Federal High Court, in Lagos, asking for the declaration of the appointment of acting chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mrs Amina Bala Zakari, illegal and unconstitutional.

Respondents in the suit are; President Muham-

madu Buhari, AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, AGF, INEC and Mrs Zakari respectively.

In suit number FHC/L/ CS/1114/2015, Adegboruwa is seeking for an order of court compelling the INEC boss to vacate office immediately and restrain her from presiding over the conduct of any election in Nigeria, including the gubernatorial elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

He is also asking the court for a perpetual in-

junction restraining Zakari from proceeding with the organization, conduct or supervision of any election in Nigeria.

Arguing that Zakari’s appointment as INEC acting chairman is a flagrant violation of the constitution, he urged the court to declare that the President is not entitled to appoint the 4th respondent as INEC acting chairman, hence her appointment is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

Besides, he urged the

court to declare that effective July 21, Zakari ceased to be a national commissioner or a member of INEC and can no longer be appointed as INEC chairman or acting chairman.

He is asking the court to determine the following; whether the appointment of the 4th respondent as acting chairman of the 3rd respondent by the 1st respondent does not raise a likelihood of bias in favour of the 1st respondent.

not the election was characterised by irregularities and whether or not the petitioner has proved his case to be entitled to the reliefs sought.

Mark’s lawyer, Kenneth Ikone, was granted 25 minutes to cross examine the petitioner and the expert witness to be called by the petitioner, while Oso Adetunji, who is appearing for Onje, agreed that he would make use of similar time frame to cross examine the respondents’ witnesses.

Meanwhile, the petitioner said he has concluded inspection of election materials and is ready to tender before the tribunal for justice to be served, saying that he is confident that he has a “very strong case.”

Reacting to the issue of out of court settlement and threat to life, which has been making the rounds in Benue, Onje said: “Certainly, there is pressure on me to compromise. But as you know, it is the case with me, I don’t give up on any course I am pursuing. And to say that I should compromise in this matter is to betray the mandate of my people.

“With the overwhelming support I enjoyed at the poll, it is incumbent on me to press on. May I add that, people who enjoy the status quo would want to use all available means to hang on.

I think, with somebody like me, with the background of student unionism, I am prepared for the challenge.

“In the dark days of military era, we fought them to a standstill. Threats give me the strength to hang on and we are going to fight and ready to reclaim our mandate because we have a good case.”

Party supremacy, personal ambitions threaten APC stability CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 They said in the legislative practice, it is the party that forwards names of its members who should fill the positions of the Senate President or Speaker as the case maybe. And that is what APC is insisting on.

For the party to fulfill its campaign promises and also provide quality governance to the people, all its members must strictly abide by the tenet and ideals of the party.

In fact, under the 1999 Constitution, nobody can be elected into any public office without being sponsored by a political party. The supremacy of the party requires an undiluted loyalty of party members without any attempt to over-rule its injunctions. With this position, it would be of immense advantage for the party to achieve its manifestos upon which they earned their mandate.

The first and second republics

According to scholars, party supremacy was the order of the day during the First and Second Republics, because individual members of political parties were

subject to the decisions of their party leaders. This was why Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, preferred to remain the leader of the Northern Peoples Congress, NPC and Premier of Northern Region, instead of becoming the Prime Minister.

Under the parliamentary system then practised in the First Republic, the Sardauna automatically ought to have become the Prime Minister, as his party won the majority seats in the parliament. But Bello conceded it to Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, deputy leader of the party.

Similarly, during the Second Republic, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was both the leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN and the party’s presidential candidate in the 1979 general election. Awolowo justified such arrangement, saying that while he was the party chairman, he was “just an applicant” for the presidency.

The two frontline politicians stuck to party positions, while the parties dictated the momentum of political processes.

There was no struggle for supremacy between elected political office holders and party leaders because the

lines of duty were clearly defined and religiously followed.

Warning

The APC-led government is being signalled to heed and give room for due process, as majority of the lawmakers, who represent Nigerians irrespective of party affiliations have expressed satisfaction with the leadership of NASS. The APC should bear in mind that time is fast running out and if it failed to deliver as quickly as possible on the mandate given to it by the people on the grounds that some of its members are not disciplined, and hence stalls its progress in achieving the change mantra it advocated, its down fall may come sooner than it thinks.

For several analysts, the APC should as a matter of urgency put its house in order by harmonising interests among warring factions, noting that the expectation of Nigerians from the party is high and must be met.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Views

Thursday, July 23, 2015

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Still on Buhari’s bail for states EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

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NDUBUISI Professor Ndubuisi is of the Dept of Philosophy, UNILAG fryndubuisi@nationalmirroronline.net (08023016709 SMS only)

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here seems to be some merit and logic in the assistance recently extended to the state governments by the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to clear arrears of salary owed their public servants. It was a very difficult and pathetic situation seeing some states owing workers up to eight months salary. Some states governors like Ogbeni Rauf Aregbosola of Osun State confessed the situation was beyond their control. It was so bad that some of the affected workers were being assisted by public spirited organizations and churches to feed their families. Labour unions in some of the states embarked on strikes to protest the development, while rumours of planned cut of salaries by some state governments hit the nation’s airwaves.

There is at least relief now for some of the states, thanks to federal might. The situation is yet another knock on the kind of federalism we are operating. It has shown and continued to show the almost suffocating role that the Federal Government has

continued to play in the affairs of the nation. This is a system that gives little room for the states to grow and be able to survive on their own with minimal intervention from the central government. Questions have been asked why so many states have to run into trouble over the payment of the salaries of workers for months.

President Muhammadu Buhari rightly described the situation as shameful.

The succour from the centre is an act of benevolence. Though some see it as timely and morally justifiable, others see it as not only hasty and uncalled for, but illegal. It is wondered how the President, without recourse to the National Assembly, can expend such amount of money that was not appropriated. A member of the House of Representatives has already gone to court to challenge the legality of Mr. President’s action. However, Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, berated the critics of the bailout, staying that they were callous.

Pursuing his argument further, he insisted those opposed to the moves were not cognizance of the injunction of the holy Bible that a labourer deserves his wages.

Questions arising from this situation are numerous. Why should about 23 states owe workers for such length of time? Civil servants are known to depend on their salaries for sustenance. Bills for feeding, schools fees, healthcare, rents, and movement all depend on monthly salaries.

When nothing is forthcoming it means pushing them into danger. It is curious how quite a number of these civil ser-

STATE GOVERNORS MUST EITHER BE READY TO GOVERN OR GO INTO OTHER VOCATION OTHER POLITICS vants were able to weather the storm.

It is even more unfortunate that in the face of this crisis the nation’s labour leaders, especially at the federal level, were passive.

The interest of the NLC leaders has been only on the issue of quest for power with the welfare of workers consigned to the background. This trend renders the civil service unreliable. The fallout from this unsavoury development includes low productivity and corruption, apart from human degradation and psychological trauma the workers might have gone through. A hungry man is an angry man; it is unethical and callous to deny a labourer his wages.

To this extent, the intervention is justified on ethical ground. How this fund is expended is important, given the experience of the past. It will not surprise anyone that some states governors may divert this fund to purposes they are not intended for, while workers’ suffering continues. With the constitutional immunity our governors enjoy, the past acts of impuni-

ty will have no let.

On a proper exegesis, the antagonists of the intervention have their strong points. Some of our governors are known to have been prodigal and reckless in the management of the resources that avail their states. As was revealed by the former minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, there was constant sharing of all the funds that accrued to the Federation Account on monthly basis. How did they spend the funds?

More fundamentally, while they squandered the funds, they made no effort to source for alternative revenues, relying only on the handouts from the Federal Government. Only few states in the federation can boast of developmental projects. In most states public schools and hospitals have ceased to exist in the real sense of it. Roads are equally in terrible shape as most communities are forced to make use of direct labour to repair their access roads.

The local government funds are under governors’ control and they deploy them the way they like. Mundane things such as birthdays, weddings and acquiring beauty queen as wives, take priority over serious states matters.

When even oil producing states seek external loans and bailout, it speaks volumes about our sense of priority.

State governors must either be ready to govern or go into other vocation other politics.

Succour for masses via socioeconomic rights

L

ast week I took up the case of the Kaduna beggars, who faced being dislodged from the streets by the state government. My postulation in pleading the beggars’ cause is that the government has pre-existing bounden responsibility to support the cause of the underprivileged.

So, if the government is not taking any proactive steps towards ameliorating the conditions of the destitute, it certainly should desist from waging economic war against them by outlawing street beggary.

This week, I want to expand the theme a little further by focusing on the constitutional economic rights of the citizens, which are incumbent on our governments at all levels. These rights as enshrined in Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution have been trampled upon by the successive governments, whose policies have consistently been apathetic, if not outright antithetical to these guaranteed socio-economic rights.

My theme of discourse is very apt considering that today is the United Nations Public Service Day, a day set apart to celebrate achievements and contributions of public service institutions in countries around the world.

Under the said Chapter Two, the Constitution provides that every Nigerian should have access to good and qualitative education, adequate means of livelihood, infinite opportunities for suitable employment, where conditions of work are just and humane, where facilities for leisure, social, religious and cultural life are taken for granted. Governments at all levels are also charged with the responsibility of providing adequate medical and health facilities for all persons. It is provided that there should be

IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED THAT NO LESS THAN 25 MILLION NIGERIANS ARE UNDER THE PANGS OF HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION

equal pay for equal work for all regardless of sex or any other grounds whatsoever. The Constitution advocates provisions of conditions where children, young persons and the aged are protected against any form of exploitation and neglect.

The conditions above are amply provided for under sections 16 to 18, which are just a part of the section tagged ‘Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy’ in Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution. Section 14 2 (b) further provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

Despite these provisions, however, it has been estimated that no less than 25 million Nigerians are under the pangs of hunger and malnutrition. If present and past presidents and governors had sworn to uphold our Constitution, why then has successive governments deprived Nigerians of all these blessings? The answer to the above question lies in Section 6 subsection 6 (c) of the Constitution.

It renders Chapter Two non-justiciable, meaning no Nigerian has the right to go to court to enforce them! Some stakeholders, over the year, have been advocating that this section be expunged from the constitution

to ensure that Chapter Two of the Constitution become enforceable just like other parts of the constitution. However, the argument of the anti-enforcement proponents has always been that making such socio-economic rights enforceable could lead to deluge of cases, and this could weigh down the administration of justice machinery.

But this argument could be countered by the proposition that a special fast-track procedure could be fashioned out to make cases under the chapter expeditiously disposable. Furthermore, the proponents of “enforceability theory” would scoff at the idea that the conditions painted in the constitution cannot be created. They would readily point to billions of naira that had been siphoned from the national treasury by corrupt politicians as money that could have been deployed towards the ends of Chapter Two of the Constitution.

Well, there may be some truth in the argument that wealth can only be created and cannot be legislated into existence, and therefore, Nigerians could not start to enjoy all those wonderful provisions of Chapter Two simply because they were inserted into the constitution; that there must be underlying economic realities that would make the dream feasible. Yes, but the pertinent questions are “Has the government really been doing enough? Should the government say because it cannot make provisions on everything provided in that chapter, it should just ignore them altogether?”

If governments over the years have at least conceived the provisions of Chap-

CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

ter Two as the benchmarks towards which it strives and mainstreamed its policy towards actualisation of the basic tenets of the provisions of the chapter, the masses would not be in the conditions they are in at present.

The recommendation to President Buhari government is that it should it should channel its energies to procurement of better life for Nigerians through liberal promotion of socioeconomic rights regime. The government is already committed to fighting corruption as evinced in the ongoing probe of past administration, but these would have little meaning if the standards of living of Nigerians are not positively impacted upon. For it, comprehensive implementation of socio-economic rights for Nigerians has become imperative.

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.

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Editorial

Thursday July 23, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

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

Burgeoning number of IDPs and their predicaments

T

he Geneva, Switzerlandbased intergovernmental organisation, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), about January this year, disclosed that close to a million Nigerians had been displaced by the festering insurgency levied on the country by the Boko Haram violent Islamist sect. Director of Operations and Emergencies of IOM, Mr. Mohammed Abdiker, had stated: “We now have irrefutable data on the impact of this crisis on Nigerians and are advocating for more effective humanitarian measures…” In 2014, Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) put the total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from January to the end of July that year at 360,462. But early this month, IOM and NEMA said Boko Haram insurgency and incessant communal clashes among various ethnic groups up North had displaced roughly 1,385,298 persons in five states in the region.

Such reports are indicative of the growing number of IDPs. Those of them accommodated at designated camps have access to such necessities as food, water, healthcare, shelter and education on being duly registered. But the figures do not include scores of IDPs who never made it to the overcrowded camps located mostly in the North East and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

One report indicated, for example, that many IDPs end up in some remote villages, many of them sleeping under trees, in abandoned churches and school buildings or empty fields. Indeed, reports say of the over one million IDPs in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, 89.9 per cent live with host communities, while only 10.1 percent live in camps, with no sure access to food, water, healthcare, shelter and education, in other words.

Even duly registered IDPs are said to be having hectic times. Reports say a lot of them are neither well-nourished nor given proper medical attention. They also do not have access to basic social amenities, notwithstanding claims to the contrary. The camps were said to be mostly school facilities and empty public buildings, with little or no basic amenities, some without running water and electricity.

Worse, still the government is accused of arbitrarily shutting down some of the camps without providing requisite alternatives.

Early this year, in addition, reports went viral on cases of rape and child trafficking in IDPs camps. Aid workers in the camps, notably NEMA officials, the police and state government officials were accused of conspiratorially perpetrating the crimes. Women and children, it was claimed, were being sold for between N20, 000 to N50, 000; while one in every five

BEING IDPS DOES NOT IMPLY THE VICTIMS HAVE HIT THE END OF THE

ROAD.

WITH LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT,

MANY OF THEM COULD STILL BOUNCE BACK women had allegedly been raped.

The Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi, said a couple of days ago, however, that no such thing happened. He said findings by an Inter-Ministerial Committee set up by the Federal Government to investigate the allegations revealed that the accusations were false.

Sani-Sidi, who spoke through NEMA’s Director of Disaster Risk Reduction, Alhassan Nuhu, in Abuja, said: “There was a phantom allegation of child trafficking and sexual assault in camps; and when we received this report, we set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee comprising ministries, departments and agencies. Journalists and other stakeholders were also members of the committee.

They went and found out that the allegations were not true. What the report misconstrued as child trafficking is the transfer of students to key colleges; when they see

ON THIS DAY

July 23, 1984

July 23, 1999

Vanessa Williams became the first Miss America to resign when she surrendered her crown after nude photos of hers appeared in the ‘Penthouse’ magazine. Vanessa (born March 18, 1963) is an American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model and actress. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America, but was disgraced her nude photographs scandal.

An All Nippon Airways (ANA) Flight 61 was hijacked in Tokyo, Japan by Yuji Nishizawa. The ANA Boeing 747481D with 503 passengers, including 14 children and 14 crew members on board, took off from Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) in Ota, Tokyo, Japan and was en route to New Chitose Airport in Chitose, Japan, near Sapporo, when it was hijacked by Yuji Nishizawa, who used a kitchen knife to force himself into the cockpit.

students moving they thought they are being taken to another area for commercial purposes. On the issue of rape, the committee could not identify any…”

The founder and president of Body Enhancement Foundation (BEF), a Nigerian nonprofit-making organization that has been devoting time to assist IDPs, Modupe Ozolua, says from her experience so far, “they (Nigerian authorities) don’t really care where these people (IDPs) end up”. Other critics also say IDPs lack resources to survive outside the camps and have nowhere to go when the camps are closed down. There are also no plans of rehabilitation for them or their insurgency-ravaged communities. The most probable defence the government would come up with in the circumstance is that it lacked funds to cope with the enormity of the problem. But if this is the case, the least the government can do is to assist in rehabilitating the communities and possibly the homes of IDPs; and make them safe from insurgents’ penetration, since reports indicate that most if not all IDPs are fed of their hopeless camp lives. Being IDPs does not imply the victims have hit the end of the road. With little encouragement, many of them could still bounce back to reckoning to the benefit of themselves, their families, communities and the entire nation.

July 23, 2012 At least 116 people were killed and more than 299 others wounded in a string of bombings and attacks in Iraq. The attacks involved series of simultaneous, coordinated bombings and shootings that struck the Iraqi security force and Shi’ite Muslim communities. The incidents were described as the deadliest in the country since May 2010. The Islamic State of Iraq claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

19

Education Today

All is not well with JAMB’S CBT 23

Fraudsters hijack FG’s scholarship scheme We’ll arrest and prosecute them soon –Govt Applicants finger scholarship staff over fraud

Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA

T

he Federal Government has raised the alarm over activities of fraudsters in its scholarship programmes for Nigerian students within and outside the country.

Government said the impostors present themselves to the public as staff of its Scholarship Board and rake in illicit money from the act.

This is even as National Mirror met with two victims of the impersonators in Ondo and Osun states at the weekend. They gave accounts of their transactions with the fraudsters; but blamed staff of the Scholarship Board and entire staff of the Federal Ministry of Education for the crime.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, MacJohn Nwaobiala, said the impostors deceive their victims asking them to pay some thousands of naira to enable their applications receive prompt processing and approval.

The victims, he said, are either candidates, or their relatives who seek admissions into Unity Colleges, Federal Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education through government scholarships.

Nwaobiala said government introduced the scholarships to make education more accessible to Nigerians, and to make government more committed to education in the country.According to him, three forms of scholarship are made available to the public by the Federal Government. They are the Nigerian awards (tenable in Nigerian Tertiary institutions), the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) (received from countries with which the country has bilateral education agreements) and the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan awards (made to Nigeria and reciprocal awards by Nigeria for postgraduate studies tenable in Commonwealth countries.

All the categories, he informed, are ongoing. He explained that the impostors contact applicants/scholars via telephone calls and text messages demanding payment of some money to help approve the processing and approval of their scholarships.

The victims, he further disclosed, pay at least N20, 000 in the first phase of the transaction; followed by other payments which could stretch to three or more by the dupe.

no money is collected for processing and awarding of scholarship and for admission into

the Unity Colleges or any Federal

Institution.

Nwaobiala “The Ministry does not charge money to offer admission at any level. If a candidate is not selected under national merit, state equity or other criteria, there are no agents that would be paid to make the admission possible. Please be mindful of admission racketeers. .“The general public is hereby informed that these fraudulent persons have no relationship with Federal Ministry of Education and Federal Scholarship Board and that no money is collected for processing and awarding of scholarship and for admission into the Unity Colleges or any Federal Institution. Candidates are advised to disregard these calls and messages. Whosoever does

Admission seekers still consider NCE programmes as last option —Provost 20

any transactions of such does so at his or her own risk. Please, note that these fraudulent acts have been reported to the law enforcement agents for further investigation with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book,” he added.

He maintained that the official channels for dealing with the Federal Scholarship Board or Federal Ministry of Education are through their websites - www.fsb.gov.ng, and www.fme.gov.ng - as well as their official telephone numbers and personal visits.

Nwaobiala stressed that the procedures for obtaining the scholarship awards are via online application, followed by nationwide nomination interviews, “after which the In-

FG denies plan to hand over unity colleges to states 21

ter-Ministerial Committee meeting, made up of Federal Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Federal Character Commission and National Planning Commission, ratifies the results.

“The process above provides the Data Bank for the Board’s nomination and selection as the case may be. It should however be emphasized that no payment of money is required throughout the entire process and the awards are usually advertised in national media…

“Once again, parents, guardians, applicants and the general public are advised to be wary of fraudsters and racketeers and to conduct their business through official, approved channels,” he stated.

He however informed that security agencies in the countries had been briefed and that they had begun a manhunt for the masterminds of the act. He told National Mirror at the briefing that no one had been apprehended but that security officials had pledged they would make arrests for prosecution.

Speaking with our correspondents in separate telephone interviews at the weekend, two victims, Eniola Makinde and Peter Orimolusi said they had received messages from the tricksters over their applications.

Makinde said he got two different messages on his phone on second day of July this year, informing him that the sender was working on his application for the Nigerian Award scholarship.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

NAUS condemns continued closure of OAU, others 25

20

Education Today

Kogi teachers demand wage parity with other civil servants Wale Ibrahim LOKOJA

T

he Nigeria Union of Teachers, Kogi State chapter has asked the state government to structure the salaries and other entitlements of teachers in primary and junior secondary schools as applicable to other civil servants in the state.

The union, who decried the routine screening exercises members are subjected to over time, said it was high time the state government came up with actual number of teachers and their monthly wage bill for transparency and accountability.

Speaking in a chat with newsmen in Lokoja, the state’s chairman of the union, Mr. Suleman Abdullahi said doing so would help in addressing the perennial salary problem facing teachers in basic school and education at large.

He however advised government to saddle the various local government education secretaries with the statutory responsibility of payment of salaries and other entitlement to teachers in basic schools with an improved template.

He said this would be made easier if government start implementing N18, 000 minimum wage for basic education teachers without further delay if truly government sees education as its first priority.

He however worried that despite the recent Federal Government intervention, the state still owes its teachers their November and December 2014 salaries, noting that all attempts to get attention of Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs on the issue were to no success.

Institute to commence PGD in film studies

Saidat Alausa

C

hairman, National Film Institute Jos, Plateau State, Dr. Danjuma Dadu has disclosed that the institute will soon commence postgraduate diploma in film studies.

He made the disclosure recently during the 2015 edition of the annual interactive forum of institute themed, “Opportunity in Film Training and Capacity Building.”

According to him, the expansion of the academic programmes of the institute which include the introduction of postgraduate course were intended to bridge the gap between Film and other Media Arts courses.

Dadu who is also the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation said that the provision of the critical infrastructure and physical development which is to commence soon is intended to add up to existing training and film production facilities to cater for envisaged increase in the number of candidates seeking admission into the Institute.

Twenty years down the line, Dadu said that the institute has remained the cradle of film training in Nigeria with its graduates competing favourably with their counterparts from around the world.

On the essence of the interactive forum, Rector of the institute, Prof. Christiana Best said it was aimed at sustaining the awareness campaign of film education in Nigeria.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Admission seekers still consider NCE programmes as last option —Provost

Mr. Olawale Bashorun, Provost, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto\Ijanikin, Lagos State assumed office four years ago. Before then, he had been the head of Department of Agricultural/Education where he started as a Senior Lecturer in 1998. He is also a former Dean of the School of Vocational and Technical Education of the college. In this interview with TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE, Bashorun, an alumnus of Virginia State University, USA where he obtained both his first and masters’ degrees in the mid 80s bares his mind about the recent upgrading of four colleges of education into degree-awarding institutions and his journey so far as the helmsman of the college. Excerpts: It has been observed by many that the majority of students consider colleges of education as their last option after failure to secure admission into the university. How do you react to this?

The observation is correct and there are many factors for it.

However, I will blame the situation on the society. Gone are the days when teachers were held in high esteem in the society. To have a teacher in a family then was a proud to such a family. It is not that teachers are no more respected again but not like those days. Another issue is that of fallen standards of performance of students in examinations. Many of them are just too lazy to study and when they don’t have opportunity of cheating in exam, they end up obtaining low marks.

And when they can’t meet up with cut off marks for degree courses after several attempts, they consider coming to colleges of education as last option. So that is the issue. But then, those who start their teaching training programmes at colleges of education and have strong passion for teaching are usually very good on the job.

rewarded. All these will greatly help in addressing social degradation and deprivation associated with teaching when compared to other professions.

So, as a whole, the subsector needs effective regulations.

Quacks should not be allowed to teach. Quacks are those who are not trained as teachers but find teaching as last option for them when they could not secure job elsewhere.

Jonathan’s administration towards end of the regime upgraded four colleges of education into university status, what is the implications of the development on the NCE programmes in future?

This is an interesting question. We all know that college of education serves as the third leg which tertiary education stands in the production of manpower needs anywhere around the world. To narrow it down to Nigeria, the unit is charged with the responsibility of producing qualitative middle-level manpower (teachers) who should be capable of laying and sustaining solid foundation for the country’s education development. We should not forget the fact that Then, how can it be ad- whatever the kind of education dressed? the children are exposed to at the It is simple. Government primary school level will largely should make teaching an attrac- determine their performance as tive profession. The issue of pro- they move up the ladder. fessionalism, proper regulation So, one striking implication of of the profession by the Teachers the upgrading is that the developRegulation Council of Nigeria ment can lead to gradual extinc(TRCN) must be brought to bear. tion of colleges of education and Regulation of school population consequently inability to proby the supervisory agencies and duce middle-level manpower for sustainability of training and the country in the long run. What re-training of teachers are also I am saying is that many more important. people may not want to come Apart from paying teachers to college of education again to prompt and competitive sala- study. And you know what that ries and allowances, those who means on the primary education distinguish themselves at work and junior secondary schools. should equally be adequately But then, the development is not

Bashorun

totally unnecessary because, it will help boosting enrolment for education courses in the universities.

It is almost four years you have been on this seat; how would you assess your administration so far.?

This is a hard thing for me to do. I would have preferred somebody else to do the assessment.

But then, this will only be difficult if there is nothing to point to as the achievements and challenges of my administration.

And I will first of all say that whatever achievements I mention is not for me alone but for the entire college community-the governing council, management and entire staff, the students and other AOCOED stakeholders. We all do the work together with the support of God. It is only that I am on the driver’s seat.

Those who are familiar to AOCOED will agree with me that the environment was not like this before I assumed office.

By the grace of God AOCOED is now wearing the look of a standard higher institution. We have been able to secure full accreditation of all our NCE and degree programmes by relevant bodies. Our graduates are being inducted into the teaching profession just after graduation. This is done in collaboration with the Teacher Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

We have been able to complete our e-library 50-seater facility with members of staff and students now accessing useful materials online. The institution’s School of Languages has been connected to internet and this is boosting students’ oral communication skills in both local and

foreign languages. Similarly, everything about admission, course registration and fees payment is now carried out online. Collection of results and certificates are equally now processed online.

These are plus to the college. AOCOED is now carrying out its services in conformity with the world best practices.

Staff welfare has also been improved tremendously. Their salaries are being paid as due and those who are due for promotion are being promoted. We equally organise, from time to time, capacity building for our staff most especially those in academic and in the registry.

We have also been able to boost our internally generated revenue base. Now, the college produces its own table water for sale, and so and so forth.

Does it mean all is well with the college.?

That is by the grace of God. But even at that, we still face some challenges like every other institution. An inadequate fund has prevented us from having fresh recruitment of lecturers for the departments where we have shortage. We are also unable to equip our new health centre fully and that is why the centre cannot operate maximally.

Inability to integrate adhoc staff who have served the college meritoriously into full employment as promised by the state government as well as reclaiming of some portion of land from intruders are part of our challenges. Another one is that of staff pension, particularly of the retirees, which the college cannot still meet up with. Some of our road networks are also not motorable.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Be well-behaved, YABATECH rector cautions freshers Saidat Alausa

T

he Rector of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, Dr. Margaret Ladipo has urged the newly admitted students to aim at academic and professional excellence in their various disciplines.

To achieve this, she said they should dedicate themselves to consistent study, regular class attendance during normal lectures, practical and tutorials and also make optimum use of the library and other facilities on campus.

She said this during the college matriculation ceremony for new students for the 2014/2015 session last week.

The rector also told them to obey all the college rules and regulations, dress properly and demonstrate exemplary behaviour at all times.

“The oath of allegiance which you have sworn to commits you to be exemplary behaviour throughout your stay in this college, shunning all forms of antisocial behaviour such as examination misconduct, cult activities and other unruly behaviour,” she emphasized.

Ladipo however disclosed that the institution could only admit 2,416, National Diploma and 3,035, Higher National Diploma respectively from about 110,000 candidates who applied to the college.

“We are able to admit this lot this year because, we have made concerted efforts to improve our carrying capacity through construction of more structures that will provide additional sitting space for our students.”

In considering candidates for admission into the current session, she said management ensured strict compliance with the 70:30 ratio for technology and management based programmes.

Congratulating parents and guardians of the new students, Ladipo urged the students to remain focused and make success of their stay in the college so that in two years time at their graduation ceremony, they will be able to remember their matriculation day with nostalgia.

Tunbosun Ogundare

C

ontrary to speculation that the Federal Government is planning to handover the Federal Government colleges otherwise known as unity schools to the state governments, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Macjohn Nwaobiala has cleared the air on the issue, saying there was no such plan either now or in near future.

He said the motive for establishing unity colleges, which according to him was to foster national unity among young Nigerian students of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds through secondary education is perfectly working.

Nwaobiala, who made the declaration in an interview in Lagos recently, asked rhetorically that how many state governments were able to run their schools effectively despite their claims to have made education their first priority.

Most times, he noted, it is still the Federal Government that bails them out, especially concerning the basic education through the Universal Basic Education Commission sponsoring some of their major developmental projects and programmes.

“Aside that,” he added, “We even need to also ask ourselves about how is their respective model colleges are being fared?

We all know the answer. So, the Federal Government colleges

FG denies plan to hand over unity colleges to states

will remain a symbol of national unity by the grace of God.” However, the perm sec acknowledged the fact that the FG does not also fund education well as a result of what he termed scarce resources and used the medium to call on parents, groups, philanthropists and corporate bodies to join hands with the government to move the sector forward.

For 456 graduating students of King’s College, the purpose of who he was in Lagos, Nwaobiala congratulated them on the achievement and urged them

I

n its contribution to ward-off the harmful effects of global warming, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has joined the Lagos State government to plant trees in the polytechnic community.

The exercise, which was the eighth edition in the series, took place last week simultaneously with other tertiary institutions of learning in the state.

The state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode during the exercise said climate change and its effects on human lives were for real so also the vulnerability of the state.

Represented by his Director of Press, Mrs. Toro Oladapo, the governor said tree planting remained the cheapest and sim-

to make excellence their watch word so as to be able to fulfill their dreams and contribute meaningfully to the national development.

Speaking earlier, the director and principal of the college, Otunba Oladele Olapeju asked the new graduands to match on no matter the challenges before them, saying nothing good comes easy in life.

He reminded them that the knowledge and skills the college had imparted on them would greatly help them in their next and subsequent engagements and they should therefore make good

use of them.

To would-be his successor, Olapeju who is due for retirement in November after putting in 33 years of service wants King’s College to maintain its first position among the 104 unity colleges nationwide.

The Vice-Chancellor of National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Vincent Tenebe; the Director of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. D. C. Uwaezuoke and Chairman of the college’s parents’ forum, Mr. Emmanuel Oriakhi, among others graced the occasion.

Director, Centre for International and Advanced Professional Studies, Lagos, Prof. Anthony Kila (2nd left) with some of the students of the centre shortly after a roundtable on fuel subsidy organised by the centre, recently

FEDPOFFA promises retirees of prompt payment of pension Quadri Babatunde

T

he authority of Federal Polytechnic, Offa (FEDPOFFA), Kwara State has promised the retired workers of the institution of receiving their pensions at when due.

The Rector of the institution, Dr. Mu-

...As college partners Lagos govt on tree planting Tunbosun Ogundare

21

plest strategy to tackle effects of climate change.

He however charged people of Lagos to desist from indiscriminate felling of trees and make tree planting a way of life in order to restore the dignity of the earth.

He disclosed that no fewer than 5.9 million trees had been planted so far in the state through the scheme.

Earlier in her remark, the Rector of the college, Dr. Margaret Ladipo said YABATECH shared the passion of the State government on the tree planting project, noting that the institution not only plant but also nurture all the trees planted to maturity.

She recalled that the effort had earned the college first prize in the tree nurturing among tertiary institutions in the state, noting that the college is proud of the recognition.

futau Olatinwo gave the promise at the opening session of the verification exercise conducted for the retirees recently.

The verification exercise is an aspect of the instant rules that governed the operation of retirement under the Unified Pension and Gratuity Scheme for retirees to update their records.

While thanking them for their strong contributions to the institution while there, the rector said their welfare was of much concern to the management.

Speaking through his deputy in charge of administration, Dr. Ayodele Olaosebikan, he noted that the polytechnic holds Board of Trustee (BOT) meetings where management staff, government and pensioner representatives and other stakeholders discuss and resolve their related matters to prevent crisis.

In his remark, Chairman of the Polytechnic Pensioners Association of Nigeria, Mr. James Fabule who retired in 1999, thanked the school leadership, especially for paying them up to date including backlog of arrears.

Kwara college teachers decry non-payment of salaries Wole Adedeji ILORIN

W

orkers of the College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies, CAILS in Ilorin, Kwara State who are under the umbrella of the Committee of the Unions of Tertiary Institutions, CUTI and joint members of Academic Staff Union, ASU; Senior Staff Union, SSU and the Non Academic Staff Union, NASU on Tuesday cried out over nonpayment of their salaries by government.

The workers, who painted a pathetic picture of their situation while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin said aside owing them three months backlog of salaries, they were also being owed another seven months half salaries in 2014 which they said had put them in miserable conditions.

The workers, whose leaders; Mohammed

Farouq, Shina Agboola and disclosed to newsmen that the staff of the institution had not been able to go to work anymore due to the hardships they encountered because of their situation even at the dangerous end of the academic year activities.

They expressed more worries that when the categories of workers of tertiary schools that had not been paid were mentioned by government last week, their case was not included which they claimed sent wrong signals out that government had become insensitive to their plight.

Listing some other problems they encounter, the workers said government through the Governing Council had shut the academic staff out of the conventional conferences and seminars while those of them, including the non academic staff who had cause to attend do so on their personal accopunts.

22

Education Today

Thursday, July 23, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Group urges EFCC to probe Adamawa University’s finances Livinus Menedi YOLA

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group called “Mubi Patriotic Front” has joined others to call on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged financial misappropriation of the Adamawa State University (ADSU) Mubi from 2006 to date with a view to knowing the true position of the school expenses.

The spokesman for the group, Alhaji Yusuf Buba Maiwanki, said the probe became necessary to safe the institution from a cabal that was milking the school and were bent on frustrating anyone from putting a stop from their nefarious activities.

It would be recalled that a faceless group had earlier claimed to have petitioned the Adamawa State Governor and the EFCC through a write-up in one of the dailies (not National Mirror) to investigate the finance of the university.

Maiwanki said the faceless group were disturbed by the recent emergence of Professor David Shall as the new ViceChancellor of the university and were bent on frustrating him by all means including frivolous petitions.

N3m for 2015 maths Olympiad winner Quadri Babatunde

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hree million naira has been put aside as star prize for the overall winner of this year’s national mathematics competition which will be held at University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu Campus between August 30 and September, 2015.

The winner will also go home with many other gifts while the first and second runners-up at the event will also be rewarded with a lap top each, among other gifts.

The Chairman, Mathematical Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun State chapter, Mr. Emmanuel Adesina disclosed during the state’s organised 52nd Unified Olympiad exam and quiz competition in Abeokuta where 12 students from primary to junior and senior secondary schools emerged to represent the state at the national level.

The 12 include Master Owoade Abdulmalik from Oxford Children School, Ota (for the primary school category) while Master Abdulsalam Aminu and Master Fagunyinbo David of the Ambassadors College, Ota and Polytechnic Staff College, Ilaro will represent the junior and senior secondary categories respectively.

Adesina said the aim of the competition was to arouse interest of students at those levels in the study of maths.

He noted that oftentimes, a majority of students who sit for terminal exams every year fail mathematics despite the fact that it is one of the must pass subjects to secure admission into tertiary schools for many courses.

“So in a way, the maths Olympiad will help in addressing mss failure in the subject,” he stressed.

Adesina however called on governments at all levels and other stakeholders to contribute significantly in the bid to reverse the trend.

He noted that maths is a veritable tool for research and technology as well as leadership and service to mankind.

L-R: Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Administration), National Open University of Nigeria(NOUN), Prof. Victor Adedipe; Deputy Governor, Kaduna State, Mr. Barnabas Bantex; Governor, Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; Vice-Chancellor, NOUN, Prof. Vincent Tenebe; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Patrick Eya and Dr. Usman Adamu during the NOUN’s courtesy visit to the governor in Kaduna, recently.

Private schools want 6 years primary education policy enforced Tunbosun Ogundare

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he private school owners have called on both the Federal and state governments to start enforcing the policy fixing six years duration for primary school children.

They said that was necessary in view of the fact that many parents are no longer allow their children to complete primary six before securing admission for them in secondary schools.

They also asked governments to stop forcing multiple taxes on them, saying such action is draining their finances.

Speaking under the aegis of League of Muslim School Proprietors (LEAMSP), Lagos State chapter at their 10th summit in Lagos recently, the group said their operations were being badly affected by the two issues raised.

They however expressed surprise about the way parents manipulate the system and get their children sit-

A cross section of graduates of the Kings College, Lagos during their graduation and valecditory ceremony recently.

ting for common entrance exams and secure admission into public schools, especially unity and model colleges without them completing primary school.

They said such was always the case yearly when primary four or five pupils who instead of returning after long vacations to continue with their studies would have gained admission into unity or model colleges, leaving their classes almost empty and incomes dwindle.

“That has been our experience every year whereas we would still have to pay salaries and meet other financial commitments for that academic year,” the group stressed.

On the summit with the theme: “Striving for excel-

lence,” both group’s leadership at the national and Lagos State level, Alhaji Taiwo Tijani and Abdulwahid Obalakun respectively asked members on their part to put make their schools teaching and learning friendly by providing all that required to make it so.

They said sound education was key to development hence the need to always strive for quality to enable them producing globally competitive students.

In her contribution, the guest speaker, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, who spoke on “Achieving first class output in our private schools,” said functional and qualitative education could be achieved but only when

every proprietor provide, among others comfortable classrooms, well-equipped laboratories and libraries, competent and dedicated workers and ICT system in their schools.

Soyombo, who is the director-general, Office of Quality Assurance, Lagos State, listed other areas for proprietors to achieve first class output to include but not limited to adequate funding, good planning, relevant curriculum, effective communication, rewarding excellence, garner external support and cooperation from all stakeholders and good leadership style.

She said that was why they would all need to comply with government guidelines for their operations.

Proprietor tasks graduates on good morals Robert Awokuse

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anaging proprietor, Victory group of schools, Lagos, Dr. Christian Olaniyan has charged the newly graduated students to be good ambassadors of the school by imbibing and exhibiting the lessons and morals they had acquired during their studentship.

He gave the advice at the 42nd valedictory and graduation ceremony of the school recently.

According to him, the Victory group of schools has groomed several successful men and women who today occupy various key sectors not only in Nigeria but outside the

country.

While urging the graduands to continuously embrace virtues of perseverance, hard work and punctuality which they had been exposed to in the school, he also asked them to follow good footsteps of those who left before them and have recorded successes in their endeavours.

Olaniyan noted that since the inception of the school in 1969, he had never had a cause to regret its establishment.

In his speech, the principal, Mr. Jolayemi Odedele thanked God for a successful academic session despite the social, economic and political challenges confronting

the country.

He urged the graduates to muster courage to be able to arrive at an enviable goal in future, adding that they need to be steadfast and prayerful.

A special guest and former student of the school, Mrs. Omodunni Yusuf, who was admitted into the school in 1973, recalled the legacy and morals the school has left in her, which has moulded her into a better person.

In their remarks, the head boy and the head girl appreciated the school for giving them laudable legacy which birthed in them intellectual excellence, morals, hard work, discipline, among others.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Education Today

Thursday, July 23, 2015

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he 2015/2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted on the Computer Based Test (CBT) platform has come and gone but the ripples created have refused to go away. Those who conducted the examination have been thumping their chest at their success, others have been lamenting the misfortune of been caught in the CBT web. While some congratulated JAMB for a job well-done, others have vilified the organization for putting them through such a harrowing experience.

While admitting hitches in the exercise, Mr. Peter Eze, the JAMB board Chairman has claimed a 90 percent success in the conduct of the computer based test.

The media consultant to the ICPC Mr. Folu Olamiti also had a similar opinion, but the then minister of education Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau assessed the success more moderately at about 80 percent.

But looking at the various reports, it is obvious that all is not well with the computer based test conducted by JAMB. The problems which are many and very fundamental have been glossed over by those claiming success. These may be divided into three principal categories namely; insufficient number and lopsided distribution of centres, poor infrastructure and equipment, and lack of prior preparation of candidates for the computer based test.

There were insufficient examination centres for the examination. For example, there is not a single computer based test centre in three contiguous local government areas in Delta State including Warri North, Ethiope West, and Sapele local Governments Areas of Delta State. The nearest test centres in Warri and Abraka, already oversubscribed were between 45 to 60 kilometres away.

Unfortunately, there was no guarantee that a candidate would write the examination in the nearest centre. Hear an aggrieved student who arrived late for the CBT; “Imagine, I live at Ajah, Lekki, Lagos State and went to Igboho Oyo State to write my exam which is about 12 hours drive”. There were allegations of candidates who were registered in Lagos but posted to neighbouring states of Osun, Ogun and Kwara to write the CBT examination. The financial and safety implications arenot difficult to imagine; the transport fares for candi-

All is not well with JAMB’S CBT how can you ameliorate the pains and trauma of a candidate who reported to a CBT centre at 6 a.m. and did not get home until the next day because of equipment failure. dates, parents or guardians, as well as hotel accommodation could easily add tens of thousands of Naira to the examination cost. This was the experience of many who had to cross many state borders in search of the Golden Fleece.

The next problem is the quality of the equipment in the various examination centres including the computer hardwares, the servers and the local area network that link the servers to the computer terminals. A very common result of hardware malfunction reported during the CBT is “network getting hooked” and or automatic submission of the examination by the system. The candidate most likely fails the examination since he cannot write again! Or how can you ameliorate the pains and trauma of a candidate who reported to a CBT centre at 6 a.m. on one day, and did not get home until the next day because of equipment failure? No amount of

Tunbosun Ogundare

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Proprietress, Gemsville International School, Lagos Mrs. Liz Emmanuel (middle) with parents and the graduating pupils of the school during graduation ceremony, recently.

Educationist wants frequent review of curriculum Saidat Alausa

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he Proprietress, Gemsville International Schools, Ifako, Lagos, Mrs. Liz Emmanuel has urged government to ensure that school’s curriculum is reviewed regularly to accommodate new innovations.

This, according to her, will improve the standard of education and make schools 21st Century inclined.

She stated this during the 3rd graduation and prize- giving day ceremony of the schools held recently.

Emmanuel explained that the world which has become a global village is now into critical thinking and creativity and if the curriculum of Nigerian schools is not reviewed at the appropriate time to accommodate these changes, the students will lag behind.

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The educationist disclosed that her schools make use of both British and Nigerian Curricula which enable their pupils to be exposed to critical thinking and creativity.

She noted that British curriculum which her schools apply is always being reviewed to make it relevant to international level and this according to her helps their children to put theory into practice and also gives them the ability to compete at international level.

The proprietress also stated that the school was established to raise God fearing future leaders who will attain greater heights and also become nation builders.

The chairman of the school board, Rev. Adeola Emmanuel said that the school is being rebranded in order to take their pupils to the next level.

In her remark, the head of school, Mrs. Olufolake Bisiriyu reiterated that the British curriculum the schools use exposes the pupils to better knowledge acquisition.

he Chairman of Board of Governors of Lead Forte Gate Schools, Ogudu GRA, Lagos, Rev. Tunde Lemo has reemphasised the commitment of the school to always produce graduates that would become world class leaders in future.

He made the promise recently while addressing the gathering at the school’s 14th graduation ceremony, saying the school’s vision has always been to produce world competitive students.

Noting that the school since inception is known for excellence in academic, moral values and other aspects of life, Lemo said all these were as a result of conducive environment the school operates.

He listed, among others comfortable classrooms, well-equipped library and laboratories as well as functional ICT facilities and God’s benevolence as some of the driven forces behind the school success.

Lemo, who is a former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria equally pointed out that the school does not

“looking into the complaints” will reduce the agony of such victims of equipment failures and malfunctions.

According to an opinion in “The Nation” on March 19, 2015, computer illiteracy is a major obstacle to success in the JAMB’s CBT. According to the findings of The Nation’s correspondents, the majority of candidates who wrote the CBT in Kano were not computer literate! I dare say that the most likely victims of the hurriedly introduced CBT are those already regarded as educationally disadvantaged, who never had the opportunity to acquire computer literacy, and live far from potential CBT centres in the North East or the North West geopolitical zones, or other rural communities elsewhere in Nigeria. Any testing platform that denies a single qualified candidate an opportunity for admission into a higher institution ought to be reviewed without delay.

By the way it is currently implemented, JAMB’s CBT potentially denies hundreds of thousands of otherwise qualified Nigerians the opportunity to gain admission into a higher institution. Time is of essence in the natural development of institutions and facilities that could facilitate the execution of the computer based test nationwide. First, the tertiary institutions need to be systematically equipped with functional Information and Communication Technology facilities to improve the output of their staff and students alike. Such facilities could be routinely used by JAMB for the yearly exercise.

The introduction of computer education facilities into secondary schools along with other instruments of science education would adequately furnish the senior secondary school graduates the basic skill they may require for the CBT thereafter. This must precede the full implementation of the CBT. Meanwhile, the paper and pencil test must be allowed to run side by side with the CBT until the nation is ready! We cannot run away from the devastating reality of examination malpractice in Nigeria; we must tackle it headlong by implementing measures to reduce it to the barest minimum at every level of our educational system.

Lead Forte schools won’t compromise standard —Lemo also joke with extra-curricular activities which he said the school was using to help students in creativity, confidence, social interaction that will in turn help them in their academic.

He however congratulated the outgoing students on the completion of their studies in the school and

advised them to remain good boys and girls as they move up in life.

Also speaking, the principal of the secondary arm, Mr. Ben Greyling while reechoing Lemo’s promise to sustain the standard of the school urged the Federal Government to give more priority to education.

Fraudsters hijack FG’s scholarship scheme

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 “The text read that I should call the number so that they could talk on how to hasten the processing and approval of the scholarship. It said there were very limited offers and that I should act fast. I told my daddy who promised to contact his friend at the Federal Ministry of Education. When he spoke with the friend, the friend told him that the person was an impostor; that nobody is required to pay for the application.

That was how I stopped speaking with the person and I eventually deleted the messages from my phone. Until few days later that I abused him, he kept disturbing me.”

Also, Orimolusi who claimed he got similar messages from the fraudsters said he immediately knew the message was to dupe him. “We have them all over the country and government is not doing much to stop them. I have received many of such text messages, telling me that I have won millions of naira from lotteries I never knew anything about. So, when such messages come into my phone, I don’t hesitate to delete them immediately. But, my concern is that I applied for the scholarship online, who should have access to my phone number and other information if not the staff of the Scholarship Board?

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

FUNAAB staff wins commonwealth scholarship

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Junior Research Fellow in the Department of Computer Science of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Mr. Oluwatimilehin Salako, has won a Commonwealth Scholarship, tenable in the United Kingdom during the 2015/2016 academic session.

Mr. Salako was one of the 387 applicants that were offered the scholarships, funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DfID).

The Executive Secretary, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, John Kirkland, commended the university for producing such an excellent candidate.

Mr. Oluwatimilehin Salako holds a B.Sc degree in Computer Science (First Class Honours) from FUNAAB. He teaches practical classes as well as undergraduate students’ tutorials in courses like Organisation of Programming Languages, Introduction to Computer Programming, Data Structures and Algorithm since joining the services of the university, four years ago.

59 bag First Class at Landmark University

UNIBEN VC commends National Mirror Edigberhi Emmanuel

300L, MED AND SURG, UNIBEN

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he Vice-Chancellor of University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City, Edo State, Prof. Faraday Orumwense has commended National Mirror Newspaper for providing a platform for students of higher institutions in the country to practice journalism while they are still in school.

He gave the commendation while receiving students of the institution who are contributors to Campus News of the newspaper, to his office recently.

The campus journalists were on a courtesy visit to the VC to congratulate him on his appointment into office as well as intimating him of their activities.

They are Eddy Uwoghiren, who is in 300-level studying Medicine and Surgery as well as Ezekiel Efeobhokhan, who is in 400-level Pharmacy.

The VC, who was very happy to receive them, said the opportunity created by the newspaper for the students to channel their

L-R: Public Relation Officer, UNIBEN, Mr. Michael Osasuyi; Campus News reporter, Ezekiel Efeobhokhan, Vice-Chancellor, UNIBEN, Prof. Faraday Orumwense and another Campus News reporter, Eddy Uwoghiren during the courtesy visit to the VC. energy into productive venture was highly commendable.

He noted that the effort was already yielding positive results for the university, adding that it would equally be of immense benefit to the students now and in future.

“Your various reports on events and activities in this great university have been able to an-

nounce the university’s strong contributions to education development in the country to the outside world,” he said.

The vice-chancellor however expressed surprise that the students were able to combine journalism work with their studies most especially for the fact that the two of them are studying courses that are so demanded.

EKSU signs MOU with private college

Quadri Babatunde KWASU MALETE

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andmark University, OmuAran, Kwara produced 59 first class graduates out of the total 570 who graduated last from the university.

This was revealed by the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Afolayan at the university’s second convocation ceremony held last Friday.

While congratulating all the graduands, he asked them to remain focused and dedicated to whatever assignments they may engage in next.

He said the university would not relent in providing environment that will enhance teaching and learning as well as promoting cordial relationship with people of the host community and its environs.

The vice-chancellor however advised the community to key into new innovation and modern techniques in agriculture so as to boost their work, describing agriculture as a strong means to economic prosperity.

Speaking in the same vein, the institution’s Chancellor, Bishop David Oyedepo said both the government and the governed had solutions to the country’s present food security problem.

“I love your spirit. Although, there may not be financial reward for the effort for now, you will be surprised later on how far this practice will take you.

Please, keep it up,” he admonished them.

To round-off the visit, the students presented some of the past editions of the newspaper to their host.

Some members of the Association of Ekiti State Local Government Students’ Union (AELOGSUP) shortly after their meeting recently.

Ekiti students want LGs to handle bursary payment Temitope Yakubu FEDPOLY, ADO EKITI

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he President of Association of Ekiti State Local Government Students’ Union (AELOGSUP) has called on the Ekiti State Government to reverse the payment of bursary to local government councils in the state.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the association, Dada Adebowale David and Secretary, Oluwayomi Tunde shortly after their meeting at the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, the students’ body called on the state government to pay attention to issues affecting students of the state.

They said they encountered problems at the

state Bursary Board such as lack of transparency, unnecessary protocol to scare away larger percentage of eligible students, inaccessibility of the forms at the state level, misappropriation of the bursary fund, among others.

They therefore called on the government of the state to look critically at the matter and act fast.

Condemning the past administration in the state for introducing the bad policy, they urged Governor Ayodele Fayose to prevent commotion between the government and the students.

The union also disclosed in the statement that all is now set for the inauguration of the association’s Board of Trustee before the end of the year which will be made up of members from the 16 local government and presidents of the association in each towns in Ekiti state from 2010 upwards.

he Ekiti State University, (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with College of Education, Ilemona, Kwara State, a private institution to run some approved bachelors degree programmes in education.

The MOU makes it mandatory that the qualifications of staff to be involved in the teaching of the degree programme shall be in accordance with National Universities Commission (NUC) Minimum Academic Standard (MAS) and that the college should have the necessary and adequate physical facilities as required for conducive learning, among others. EKSU, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oladipo Aina at the occasion thanked the management of the college for recognising that the university was one of the best in the country.

He added that colleges of education and several tertiary institutions had been making requests to partner with the university but EKSU would only partner with those that could key into its vision.

He further stated that the university would closely monitor the activities of the institution in running the programmes.

The Proprietor of the college, Dr. Oyewale expressed gratitude to EKSU management for considering his institution worthy of the partnership, assuring of transparency in all its dealings with the university.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Thursday, July 23, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

Ambode reappoints Akeusola as MOCPED’s provost Tunbosun Ogundare

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he Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has re-appointed Prof. Olu Akeusola as Provost of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Noforija-Epe. His reappointment, which is for another four year of second term, will take effect from 2nd of August, 2015.

This was contained in a letter from the governor to Mr. Bola Shittu, the Registrar of the institution.

The letter with Ref.LGS/ HOS/204/VOL.1/62 and dated 13th July, 2015 was signed by the Head of Service, Lagos State, Mrs. Shade Jaji.

Akeusola, a Professor of Comparative Grammar of French and Yoruba started his teaching career at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto\Ijanikin, Lagos.

He has published over 15 books, over 60 articles in national and international learned journals, three completed research works, presented over 20 seminar

papers and has edited several academic publications/textbooks.

He is a former member of AOCOED’s Governing Council and Lagos State representative in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Committee between 1999 and 2008. He is a visiting Professor of French and Comparative Grammar to Europa University, Frankfurt-Oder, Germany and University of Stellenbosch, South Africa; external moderator to Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo; Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu Ode. Akeusola, who is an alumnus of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka where he had his first, second and PhD degrees is also a former Acting Dean of School of Arts and Social Sciences, NOUN from April 2010 to March 2011 as well as National Secretary General of Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Education in Nigeria.

Reacting to his reappointment, the college’s registrar, Mr. Bola Shittu said it was a well-deserved appointment on the premises that the provost had performed credibly well.

TETFUND’s intervention lauded Emeka Chukwuemeka FCT, UMUNZE

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rovost, Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Anambra state, Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu has commended Federal Government and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its various intervention efforts in developing the education sector and sustaining the funding of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

He gave the commendation while interacting with newsmen in his office, recently.

Disclosing that his College had benefited so much from TETFund, he noted with joy that the fund has gone a long way in creating an enabling environment that has helped move the education sector forward.

The provost also disclosed that his college is one of the beneficiaries of the fund

and assured that he will not leave any stone unturned to ensure judicious use of the fund in order to achieve the desired objectives.

According to Ogbuagu, the office of the Provost and some administrative offices of the college will soon be relocated to the permanent site of the institution for effective management of the temporary and permanent sites of the college.

However, he promised to continue to work assiduously to sustain the cordial relationship between the host community and the institution.

He commended the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano for his untiring efforts to move the state forward especially in the areas of education and security.

He however added that the college is ready to partner with relevant agencies in the state to move the education sector forward.

FISU President, Mr. Yomi Ayeleso (4th left) and patron of the association, Mr. Benson Akindeju (4th right) during the inauguration of new officers of the group in Akure, last Saturday.

Yomi Ayeleso

300L, BUS ADM, AAU

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he newly inaugurated President of the Federation of Igbotako Students’ Union(FISU), ‘Yomi Ayeleso has assured the entire members of the union that he would not disappoint them in his responsibilities to the association.

He gave the assurance while delivering his inaugural speech shortly after being sworn-in alongside his team in Akure, Ondo State capital last Saturday. FISU, now 11-year-old, is the umbrella body of all students in institutions of higher learning nationwide who are indigenes of Ikaleland.

Ayeleso appreciated the students for the confidence reposed in him and other executive members promising never to let them down.

Ayeleso, a 300-level student of Business Administration at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko however solicited the support and co-

FISU president to members: I won’t disappoint you operation of all members of the union in the new assignment.

Although he was elected unopposed, he urged all defeated contestants to team up with him team so as to jointly move the union to the next level.

He promised that his administration would from time to time organise career talks, extra moral-lessons, quiz and debate competitions among other life imparting events for members and students of secondary schools in Igbokuta area.

While seeking moral and financial supports from various kind-hearted individuals and groups as well as philanthropists and corporate bodies within and outside the community to come to the aid of the union towards the speedy completion of its ongoing public library and resource centre projects, Ayeleso said putting those facilities in use would

boost reading culture and education in the area and by extension the state.

Also speaking, his predecessor, Jimoh Adebayo thanked members for allowing his team to serve them, he advised the new executives never to betray the trust members reposed in them Addressing the students, a patron of the union and CEO AK Media concepts, Benson Akindeju, commended the last administration for their achievements while urging the new executives to surpass them.

Other executive members include Olowokanga Aanu(vice president),Fayemiro Olawale(Gen-Secrerary),Akinbinu Bosede(AGS),Ogunmakin Segun(Fin. secretary)and Adeyekun Bayo(Social Director).

NAUS condemns continued closure of OAU, others

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he National Association of University Students (NAUS) has condemned the closure of universities by the school authorities as well as government.

The affected universities include, Benue State University Makurdi, Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomosho.

This was contained in a press release signed by its National President and made available to Campus News.

According to the release the student body also condemn in entirety states’ negligence to the condition of the students and the welfare

of the workers which led to the closure of the schools.

“We demand that the salaries of the workers should be paid within two weeks by the Governor of Benue State, Governor of Oyo State and Gover-

nor of Osun State.

“Also, Governor Olusegun Mimiko should order the management of Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa to reopen the institution immedi-

ately.”

They also demand that the sixty four months hazard allowances of worker should be paid by the management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife within two weeks.

L-R: Chairman, Tree Planting Committee, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Oto/ Ijanikin, Lagos, Mr. Anthony Hontonyon; college Chief Internal Auditor, Mr. Eluwande Nathaniel and other members of the staff during the 8th Tree Planting exercise in the college, last week.

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Thursday, July 23, 2015

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ruck crushes okada rider to death” (The PUNCH metro headline, July 8) I have always wondered how when a truck or any other articulated vehicle crushes a man he still survives. For me, except there are some extraordinary or supernatural powers shielding the fellow the chances of survival are remote, if non-existent. This is just my own take—what do you think? Please note that most dictionaries and reference books approve the application as excerpted, but I strongly disagree!

We continue with the front and inside pages of The Guardian of July 7, which did not nurture truth: “A debt relief (debtrelief) programme proposed by the Debt Management Office (DMO) will also help states….”

“UI is Nigeria’s best varsity, eight (eighth) in Africa” What next: when shall we be the best on the continent?

“Editors guild (Editors’ Guild) donates N1m to NIJ” The next grammatical crises are from The Guardian Editorial and Opinion Page of the edition under focus: “… an order from the President that all revenue generating (revenue-generating) agencies must pay into the Consolidated Federation Account….”

“These include Baga, Gwoza, Bama, Monguno, Dikwa, Michika, Mubi and Baga amongst (sic) others.” Nigerian Army at 52: the fact of inclusion implies that there are other cities. Most people misuse words like ‘include’ and ‘some’. In other words, the extract should have ended at ‘Baga’.

“With UnionCare, our automated customer center, our customers enjoy round the clock (round-the-clock) access to a full range of banking support (banking-support) services, with multi-language assistance.” (Full-page advertisement

by UNION BANK) “Lagos Court of Arbitration pledges committment (sic) to its mandate” Commitment is basic in the circumstance and so does not require any pledge!

Contrary to Mr. Bayo Oguntunase’s assertions last week, “practice makes perfect” is very correct! In addition, both “all hands on deck” and “all hands to the pumps” (British English) are right. Similarly, “the likes of somebody/something”

Nigeria’s best varsity…what next? (a) which means ‘used to talk about someone you do not like or do not approve of: I do not want you spending time with the likes of him. (b) Used to talk about people of a particular type: Information is collected through the likes of FBI, CIA and Scotland Yard. I think the mix-up originated from Mr. Oloko (below) and was inadvertently publicised (Mind Your Grammar, DAILY SUN, every Thursday) by Mr. Oguntunase. I take secondary responsibility/blame for my unusual lack of interrogation of this particular contribution. Mr. Charles Iyoha’s advice on this is appreciated and noted.

The like of somebody/something (also somebody’s/something’s like) (formal) something similar to someone or a particular person or thing, or of equal importance or value: This will be a show the like of which has never been seen before.

The man was a genius. We shall not see his like again. (Credit: Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English New Edition for Advanced Learners, among other references) Wrong: “Let me repeat again….” Right: Let me repeat….

“Commission supports move to draw from ECA to bailout (bail out) states”

FEEDBACK

A regular contributor to Wordsworth asserted on May 3, Page 66, that “practice makes perfect” could not be changed to “practice makes perfection”. In a surprising twist, the contributor, however, stated on July 5, Page 66 that “practice makes perfect” was wrong and “practice makes perfection” right from his “language laboratory”. Why is this confusion?

To the best of my knowledge, the dictionaries approve only of “practice makes perfect” as an idiom, an unchangeable, fixed English expression. KOLA DANISA/07068074257 PLEASE take note that certain words, phrases and terms that are of American English origin or Stateside English are preferred in British English (BE). They include “wastebasket” (Americanism) is preferred to “waste-paper basket”

Pay more attention to standard, school owners told

Saidat Alausa

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roprietress, Botsun Private School, Ajegunle, Lagos, Mrs. Iyabo Onibokun has urged school owners to pay more attention to improving education standard in the country.

She said this is important because some school owners are only after the financial gains rather than standard.

The proprietress disclosed this during the school graduation ceremony held last week.

According to her, school owners should make sure they are doing well in one arm of education before delving into another.

“It is better you have a standard Nursery and Primary than having all the arms and yet you cannot boast of your products after graduation.”

Onibokun who only operate Nursery and Primary School said since the school was established nine years

ago, its products can be found in secondary schools all over the country most especially in Federal Secondary schools, Air force Secondary schools and Lagos State Model Colleges.

Congratulating the graduates, she told them to keep the flag flying adding that they have got good foundation which they must continue to work upon to excel in future.

Head of Primary section

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and teacher of the graduating class, Mr. Tope Alabi told National Mirror at the ceremony that the students are well prepared to face the future as they proceed into various secondary schools in the country.

He urged parents to continue to build on the foundation the students got from the school by providing necessary materials they need to excel in their various schools.

He enjoined the graduates to take their studies more seriously as secondary education will demand more commitment to their studies.

In her speech, the outgoing head girl and one of the graduating students, Tunmise Olasehinde said the school had groomed them well for the future adding that with what they got from the school they can excel where ever they choose to continue their education.

Proprietress, Botsun Private School, Lagos, Mrs. Iyabo Onibokun with the graduating students of the school during the end of session party and graduation ceremony.

(Briticism/Anglicism); “industrial action” (Americanism) is preferred to “strike action”, e.g. The train drivers have voted to take strike action.-(Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (NEW 8TH EDITION) page 1479; “Study” (American English) is preferred to “study room” (British English)—OALD page 1484; “driver’s licence” (Americanism) is preferred to “driving licence” (Briticism). Another note: Driver’s licence/ driver’s licences, British English; spelt “driver’s “license” in American English (see BBC English Dictionary, page 346).

“Insurance coverage” (American English) is preferred to “insurance cover” (British English). Please see the Economist’s STYLE GUIDE: the best-selling Guide in English Usage, Page77; insurance coverage (not “insurance cover”)!

Wrong: Practice makes perfect. Right: practice makes perfection—from a handout written by M.J. Oloko, ENGLISH MASTER, IKOSI High School, Ketu, (Nos 81a & 81b). Note on usage: As Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the Afrobeat legend would say, “Teacher, don’t teach me nonsense”! Don’t teach our children rubbish!

“Practice makes perfect”, means “only by doing a thing again and again can you attain skill or efficiency”, is an English proverb. Nobody has any licence—poetic, pedagogical or literary—to change or alter a formal proverb or idiom, Thanks. BAYO OGUNTUNASE (08056180046) ARE the priests of usages becoming errant? How do we rationalize the curious shift from the form that has helped to sustain gender equity? One is talking about sentences starting with the indefinite pronoun “one” where the word and its possessive form “one’s” is retained all through in such sentences. One is here responding inter alia to Papa Oguntunase’s in The Sun. On this one, the priests of usage have goofed abysmally. Replacing the possessive form with the masculine, “his”, will again draw the ire of feminists. Reverting to the staus quo ante is urgently advocated. (FOLORUNSO B. F., Ilesa/08169500840

Ogun tasks principals on effectiveness Tunbosun Ogundare

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rincipals in public secondary schools in Ogun State have been charged to come up with corrective measures that could ensure effective teachings in schools across the state.

The Full – Time Commissioner 1, Teaching Service Commission, Otunba Timothy Adebowale, gave the charge after he visited some public secondary schools in the state.

In a statement signed by TESCOM’s Press Officer, Mr. Tolulope Ogunjimi, Adebowale said the only way to ensure effective teaching and sustain academic excellence in schools was to put in place templates that would improve students’ performance.

He noted that the measure would go a long way at improving students’ moral and academic performance, saying that it would have significant improvement on their

output in schools.

“You will agree with me that the present administration under the leadership of Senator Ibikunle Amosun since inception has come up with various programmes aimed at rebuilding the education sector and guarantee the future of the youth in the state”, Adebowale noted.

The commissioner, however, urged the state chapter of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), to be more proactive, dedicated to duties and emulate good ideals.

Speaking earlier, the President, ANCOPSS, Chief Ebenezer Ogundele, commended the state governor for the laudable strides in the sector, saying that “more could still be done to further improve education by promoting the relationship between the confederation and various educational agencies to see one another as partners in achieving the best for students in the state.

Business Thursday, July 23, 2015

Fundamentals of Capital Gains Tax

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New ITU policy may influence NCC’s telecoms regulatory regime

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Naira Devaluation: Implications for consumers’ purchasing power, real sector 35

Foreign carriers’ multiple entries hurting Nigerian airlines –Stakeholders OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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takeholders and professionals in the Nigerian aviation industry have kicked against the issuance of multiple designations to foreign carriers operating into Nigeria, saying that this singular policy is harmful to the nation’s aviation business.

They also blamed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, for the various challenges bedeviling the entire country’s aviation industry, stressing that policy implementation by the agency was weak.

Speaking at one day forum organised by the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, NAAPE, with the theme ‘Aviation Stakeholders Forum’ at the NCAA annex, stakeholders pointed out that the granting of multiple points to foreign carriers in the country by the government was as a result of poor policy formation.

Delivering his paper ‘Issues in Nigerian Flight Safety Environment – An Overview,’ an aviation consultant and a former manager of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, Mr. Sam Akerele, insisted that multiple designations had virtually killed domestic operations in

Nigeria.

He pointed out that allowing several foreign Airlines to land in five Airports as entry points into Nigeria had denied local operators of passengers to distribute within Nigeria, adding that it also added to the capital flights outside the country.

Akerele described such as parts of the poor policy formation by the government, noting that a responsible government ought to protect its carriers especially when such had limited opportunity for growth.

He explained that Brazil for in-

stance only allowed single entry point for all foreign airlines into its country while its domestic carriers airlift them to other cities with the country.

The industry expert advised the new administration to reverse the policy in order for the indigenous carriers to operate profitably.

He said: “There is need for the government to reverse this policy of multiple designations to foreign carriers as this is killing our industry and the entire airlines.

The ministry of aviation has done more arms to the sector than

good. The government should scrap it and allow NCAA to oversee the civil aviation activities in Nigeria.

“Also, all the stakeholders should organize a workshop to evaluate the industry and forward recommendations to the President for consideration. The airlines need low interest loans to acquire new equipment and re-fleet and there is a need to upgrade the Air Traffic Controllers’ ATC, equipment and facilities to match 21Century technology”, Akerele added.

GOMBE

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overnor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has assured the people of Gombe State that the sale of fertiliser would not be based on political party affiliations.

He gave the assurance at the launch of the 2015 sales of fertilizer/Improved seeds on Tuesday, warning that diversion of the input in any form would not be tolerated by the government.

The State Government provided 12, 000 metric tonnes of assorted fertilizers and 35.5 metric

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES 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. Abuja-Yola: 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: Personal Assistant to FAAN’s Managing Director, Ma’azu Dahir; Director of Operations Capt. Henry Omeogu,; Managing Director, Engr. Saleh Dunoma; Chief Executive Officer, Mczoll, B. Odege; and Benin Airport Manager, Sunday Ayodele, during the FAAN Team’s tour of Benin Airport facility.

Political interest won’t influence fertilizer sale to farmers –Dankwambo WILLIAMS ATTAH

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tonnes of improved maize seeds for sale to farmers in the State for the 2015 planting season at 46 per cent subsidized rate.

The price of fertilizer this year is N3, 800 per bag while improved maize seed is N750 per 10kg bag.

While warning against discrimination in the sale of the fertilizer on political basis, the Governor tasked the procurement and distribution committee to ensure that no bag is diverted from the entire fertilizer.

According to him, the commodity belongs to the people of Gombe State and not a group or political party and therefore the

sale should be without any discrimination.

The Governor also charged the committee to ensure that fertilizer reaches out to geniune farmers and under an effective monitoring. He enjoined farmers to wisely utilize the imputs provided

by Government so as to boost food production in the State.

The Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Jani Bello, said the ministry had designed a modified system for allocation and distribution which will capture large scale farmers and agro-based groups.

He explained: “We have iden-

tified 355 large scale and 1,140 medium scale farmers from our records at the Gombe State Agricultural Development Programme (GSADP) and through the traditional rulers in the State.

“We have also identified 56 women groups, 27 National Programme for Food Security (NPFS) groups and 15 commodity value chain clusters. Others are 36 Fadama groups and 24 Agro-based cooperative groups”, Bello added.

He expressed optimism that this distribution method will capture most farmers in the state under the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES).

Abuja-Lagos 9am, 1pm, 5.28pm daily Lagos-Abuja 7am, 11am, 1.23pm,3.30pm daily Lagos-PH: 7.20AM, Ph-Abuja9.54am, Abuja-ph: 3.30pm and Ph-Lagos: 5.28pm daily Lagos-Uyo: 9.20am, Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am, Abuja-Uyo 1.05pm, Uyo-Lagos: 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

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Business News

Thursday, July 23, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APM Terminals Apapa sets new cargo handling record FRANCIS EZEM

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PM Terminals Apapa Limited, concessionaire in charge of former Container Terminal, Apapa has set a new productivity record with the recently handling of Safmarine’s vessel, MV Safmarine Chambai of 62,557 Dead Weight with 4,500 Twenty Equivalent Units TEUs. This translates to the handling 868 container moves in 11 hours, 30 minutes operation.

The company had at the end of 2014 recorded an all time high of 699,000 TEUs container throughput, which marks it as the leading container terminal in Nigeria going by market share.

Managing Director of the company, Mr. Andrew Dawes, hinted that with this performance, the company has set a new productivity milestone for container terminals in Nigeria. ``While handling Safmarine’s vessel, the 62,557 DWT, 4,500 TEU MV Safmarine Chambal, APM Terminals handled 868 container moves during an 11 hour, 30 minutes operation”, Dawes added.

Other operational statistics released by the company show that gross crane productivity was 19 container moves per crane per hour, resulting in berth productivity of 75.63 moves per hour.

He said: ``This is the first time APM Terminals has crossed this important benchmark of 75 berth moves per hour and we believe we

...handles 4,500 TEU-vessel in 11 hours are the first container terminal in Nigeria to have done so.

“Achieving the levels of productivity delivered by APM Terminals on the MV Safmarine Chambai with a mobile harbour crane operation is quite remarkable. `We are delighted and offer our congratulations to the operational team at APM Terminals’’, he also said.”.

Dawes insisted that this sets a new benchmark for container terminals in Nigeria.

Managing Director, Maersk

Line, Nigeria, Mr. Jan Thorhauge, who commented on this new record of operational efficiency, attributed it to the consistent high terminal berth productivity, which he argued, is a critical cost driver for every shipping line.

He argued that this translates directly into significant bunker cost savings for the industry and thereby lower overall supply chain costs for the Nigerian importers.

Country Manager of APMT, Mr. David Skov had said recently

that the company has invested in excess of $350 million (N80.5 billion) in its terminal, especially yard expansion since 2006 the terminal was handed over to it following the conclusion of the port reform.

According to him, the firm has also increased the berth depth from 10.5 metres to 13.5 metres; purchased container handling equipment and linked the rail tracks with the national rail network, in addition to establishing a world-class training centre.

L-R: The Citizenship Manager of Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Olusola Amusan; a guest speaker at the Edge Series Student Summit, Gina London; the Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility of First City Monument Bank, Mrs. Temitayo Ade-Peters; the Director of Information Resource Centre, Mr. Samuel Eyitayo and the Public Diplomacy Officer at US Consulate in Lagos, Rhonda Watson, during the summit held in Lagos.

NAHCO commences cargo operations at Akanu Ibiam airport OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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he Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO, Plc, has announced the full commencement of cargo operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

The ground handling company stated that the opening of two warehouses; one at the airport and the other a few metres away from the airport said that would further enhance the de-

velopment of air cargo business in the South East and the entire country.

The company’s spokesman, Mr. Tayo Ajakaye, quoted the Managing Director, Mr. Norbert Bielderman, as saying that the company would continue to contribute its quota to the growth of the nation’s aviation industry.

Bielderman was represented at the opening by the Chief Financial Officer, NAHCO Mrs. Chinwe Chiji – Nnorom.

Ajakaye recalled that Bielder-

man, had recently inspected the warehouses where he directed that it must start full operations soon, adding that the latter also used the visit to meet with the Customs hierarchy at the Enugu Area Command where the modalities for effective cargo operations were agreed upon.

He stated that the opening of the Enugu warehouses was a major milestone for the Company in its determination to ensure that the economy of Nigeria was

further developed through the development of other airports in the country outside of Lagos Airport.

While assuring that the company would continue to offer excellent services in the airport, just like in other airports its rendered ground handling services, Bielderman said that the company would not rest on its oars in its continued efforts at providing excellent services at the airports nationwide.

CFOs’ awards maiden edition to hold in Sept JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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n recognition of the immense contribution of finance experts to the nation’s financial sector, InstinctBusiness, Africa’s business and financial magazine, is hosting maiden edition of the Nigeria’s Chief Financial Officers’, CFOs’, Awards.

The Publisher of the magazine, Mr. Akin Naphtal, who said the award was scheduled to hold in September, noted that recognition of financial officers would improve corporate governance of companies.

Naphtal explained that the CFO Awards was borne out of the need to recognise the achievements of financial executives who have been outstanding in their profession and have contributed in no small measure to the growth of their organisations and the economy at large.

He said: “The award will not only improve corporate governance, but kick start full disclosure and performance in all sectors of investments.

“The award will honour top financial executives whose outstanding leadership practices have raised the standards of accountability within the profession, showcased brilliancy in managing their organisations wealth and supported the economic growth of the nation,” he added.

Naphtal stressed that the award ceremony would also provide a platform for top CFOs, heads of finance, high-level executive, analysts, academics and pundits in the business and financial sector to participate in conversations that will highlight shortfalls in the sector and shape future policy decisions.

According to him, apart from celebrating the achievements of financial leaders, the occasion will also serve as an avenue for networking among chief financial officers and finance executives at the highest levels.

Obi takes over NIMASA as Akpobolokemi ends tenure

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r. Calistus NwabuezeObi, a legal practitioner and Executive Director in charge of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, yesterday took over as the Acting Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA).

This was sequel to last Thursday’s termination of the appointment of the Director General, Dr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, by the Federal Government.

A statement by the Deputy Director in charge of Public Relations, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi indicated that the Acting Director

General was assuming the new position with over two decades of experience in the public sector, law practice and the maritime industry, which will bear on his new job as the helms man of the agency.

Born on May 1, 1964 Barrister Obi who hails from Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra

State studied Law at the University of Nigeria Nsukka and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1991 after duly completing the mandatory studies at the Law School.

He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

The Acting DG is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), member of the International Bar Association IBA, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators amongst membership of several other professional associations.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Thursday, July 23, 2015

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Why power sector challenges subsist –NERC boss UDEME AKPAN

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he Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi has linked inadequate gas, pipeline vandalism and lack of funds to the lingering challenges in the electricity sector.

He explained that it had been impossible for the country to generate up to 6,000MW due to a

lack of a coherent gas to power policy and corruption as well as incompetence in project management.

Making these submissions in his presentation at the just concluded Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, NAPE, Amadi indicated that at less than 6,000mw the electricity market in Nigeria was unstable and supply will remain poor.

Speicifically on the gas supply constraints, the industry

regulator listed the problems as ranging from incoherence in gas-to-power policy, low commerciality in gas supply to power and very poor gas to power infrastructure.

He explained: “The lack of gas supply necessary to fire available generating plants is the main reason we don’t have at least 5,500MW of daily generation. We know from experience that with constant daily generation of 5,000MW, Nigerians will

experience a major relief from irregular power until the major improvements are delivered.

The problem of gas supply has manifested in two main forms vandalism of gas pipelines and poor project management of gas facilities.

“If the problem of gas vandalism is solved now and there is a modest increase in gas supply, the country’s power supply will improve by about 50%. Recently we have seen modest im-

NACCIMA seeks govt’s policy support for local exporters DAVID AUDU

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irector-General, Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Emmanuel Cobham, has called on government to revisit the plight of indigenous exporters and initiate policies that would make incentives available for them.

He decried the existence of

multiple agencies at the ports, saying they are responsible for the slow export business in Nigeria.

He, however, commended the government for its efforts on port reforms, urging that it should be fast tracked to boost its benefit in the economy.

Cobham said: “Indiscriminate influx of foreign good weakens the local currency, adversely affects the growth of the local economy, creates trade imbal-

ance, reduce foreign exchange earnings, increases the inflationary rates and results in job cuts.

“Every government all over the world is interested in protecting her own industry and market as it has consequence on the Gross National Products (GNP) and Gross Domestic Products (GDP). Consequently, the Federal Government needs to put in place policies that will protect home industries. This is to prevent unemployment which

will in turn increasee poverty rate, protect our industries and secure the needed foreign exchange”, he added.

On the effects of the Common External Tariff (CET), for West African countries, on businesses in the sub-region, the NACCIMA boss said it has the capacity to increase trade among the Economic Community of west African States (ECOWAS) nations that are involved in the regime.

provement in gas supply. This has resulted in improvement in power supply. We have moved from around 2,500mw we got during the week of inauguration to about 4,300mw today.”

“We believe that with more improvement in gas supply arising from containment of vandalism of gas infrastructure on Trans Forcados and ELPS gas pipelines, generation may grow to about 5,500mw in a couple of months,” the NERC boss added.

He also disclosed that available information at the disposal of the Commission showed that some of the reasons for increased vandalism in the last months before the elections and immediately after the elections had to do with rival militancy and nefarious actions of some contractors who are allegedly damaging the pipelines in order to get fresh contracts.

He maintained that due to incessant repairs of the pipelines, there was now an issue of technical integrity of these pipelines, further constraining supply of gas to power plants.

Maritime workers give July 30 ultimatum to NPA

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he Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Tuesday set July 30 deadline for management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to meet its demands without which its members would commence industrial action.

The President of the unio, Mr Tony Nted told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the He explained: “We met with the NPA today (Tuesday) and we discussed on the way forward which is meeting our demands.

We, however, told them that the demands should be met on or before July 30 or we will resort to strike. We want to remain optimistic that the NPA will take the necessary steps as discussed.

“Our demands still remain the issue of salary arrears being owed the workers and the need for the port access roads to be fixed. Other issues like that of the job definition of the cargo surveyors and the Tally Clerks have been discussed too”, Nted added.

When contacted, an Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs of the Authority, Mr. Musa Iliya, said that details of the meeting would be made known in a communiqué.

It would be recalled that the union had threatened to embark on strike by July 20 if the NPA did not meet its demands.

It issued a 14-day ultimatum to the NPA management within which their eight months’ salary arrears should be settled or face the port being shut to operations.

Members of the union had embarked on strike late 2014 over the lingering issues of Cargo Surveyors taking over their jobs and non-payment of salary.

Commercial activities resume after the eid el-fitr holidays at Idumota Market in Lagos.

NUPENG supports petroleum products’ haulage by railways

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he National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Tuesday said that it had no objection to the use of railways to haulage petroleum products across the country.

The South-West Chairman of the union, Mr Tokunbo Korodo, made this known during a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Korodo pointed out using railway transportation to haul the products was a good development as long as Nigerians would not be deprived the right to get the prod-

ucts at the approved prices.

He said: “We do not have any objection to any mode of distribution so far it will get to the masses at a reasonable price.

Whether they use train or they use helicopter to distribute the products, we cannot kick against it because we know that there is no way a train can get to all the filling stations.

“They will still park somewhere and use our trucks to get the products to any retail outlets.

Even, the locomotive driver that drive any train loaded with petroleum products to any destina-

tion will, automatically, become my member.

“We will create another branch that will be added to the existing one. There is no cause for alarm; we are losing nothing, so, it is a welcome development if that will be the best way,” he added.

According to him, the best and fastest way to distribute petroleum products is through pipeline, but our government is running away from it due to the activities of vandals, adding that it is sad that security agencies cannot protect the pipelines.

He argued that if the security agencies cannot protect our pipelines, then the fate of the ordinary Nigerian would be at risk, expressing the hope that the new administration’s determination to make changes at all facets of national life will be beneficial to Nigerians.

The NUPENG had, in a statement signed by its President, Mr Igwe Achese, on June 1 asked the Federal Government to rehabilitate railways for petroleum haulage to reduce the burden of traffic on the highways.

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Taxation

Thursday, July 23, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fundamentals of Capital Gains Tax A

Capital Gain may be defined as profit arising from increases in the market value of capital assets to a person or corporate body, who does not habitually offer them for sale and in whose hands they do not constitute stock–in– Trade. It is gain from sales of any capital asset where the sale price exceeds the purchase price of the investment. Therefore, it is a tax chargeable at the rate of 10% on the capital gains arising from the disposal of capital assets.

A Capital Asset These are investments such as stocks, mutual funds, real estate, precious metals, Art works and other collectibles. The increase or decrease in the value of such capital assets is taxed when sold. Income produced by investments is taxed as the income is generated.

Treatment of Capital Gains Tax The CGT is under the management of the Board of The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and it is administered by the FIRS in respect of corporate bodies and individuals resident in the Federal Capital Territory including members of armed forces, police and foreign serving officers.

The tax is also administered by the State Internal Revenue Service in respect of individuals based on the rules of residence.

Under the provisions of the Act, tax liability will arise on Actual Year Basis (AYB) when a chargeable asset is disposed. An aggrieved taxpayer or the respective tax authority can appeal against the decision of the tax authority to a conventional court or to the Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT) as the case may be.

Some Highlights of some of the provision of CGT Act • CGT is chargeable at 10% on capital gains from the sale of capital assets.

• Capital loss on disposal of any asset is not deductible from capital gains on disposal of any other asset even if both are of the same type.

• Where consideration is payable by instalments over18 months, the chargeable gain shall be apportioned to the affected assessment years in proportion to the amount of the instalments payable in each of the years.

• Chargeable gains are assessed on current year basis, • Roll-over relief is available to any company acquiring a new asset to be used for the purposes of the trade in replacement of an old one.

• Gains arising from disposal of shares and stocks are currently exempted from CGT Chargeable Persons and Chargeable Assets A chargeable person is one who deals in a chargeable asset. A chargeable person may be: • A limited liability company, • An individual A limited liability company will remit its tax liability to FIRS while an individual

Ogungbesan

Fowler

will remit to the SIRS, with the exception of individuals resident in the FCT. Chargeable assets include are all forms of property for the purpose of the Act whether situated in Nigeria or not. Including: • Options, debts and incorporeal properties. Incorporeal properties are assets that have values but are not tangible, e.g. goodwill, copyrights and patent rights.

• Disposal of currencies other than Nigerian currency.

• All qualifying capital expenditure under CITA, PITA, PPTA or any form of property created by the taxpayer • Chattels sold for more than N1, 000 in any tax year Gains chargeable by tax Disposal of assets Disposal of assets by a person where any capital sum is derived from sale, lease, transfer, assignment, compulsory acquisition or any other disposition of assets

5.

Where a person entitled to an asset by way of security deals with the asset for the purpose of enforcing or giving effect to the security shall be treated for the purpose of the Act as if it were done through him as a nominee 6.

An asset shall be treated as having been acquired free of any interest by way of security subsisting at the time of any acquisition of it, and as being disposed of free of any such interest or right subsisting at the time of the disposal 7.

Where an asset is acquired by a creditor in satisfaction of his debt or part thereof, the asset shall not be treated as disposed by the debtor or acquired by the creditor for a consideration greater than its market value at the time of the creditor’s acquisition of it, and if a chargeable gain accrues to the creditor on a disposal by him, the amount of the chargeable gain shall be reduced so as not to exceed the chargeable gain which would have accrued if he had acquired the property 8.

Death: On the death of an individual, any asset of which he was competent to dispose of shall for the purpose of the Act be deemed to be disposed by him at the date of his death and acquired by the personal representative(s) or other person on whom the asset devolve 9.

Compulsory acquisition of land – a person shall not be chargeable to tax under this Act in respect of any acquisition and the disposal of land by reference to a disposal to an authority exercising or having compulsory powers 10.

Any asset acquired or disposed of by any person chargeable to capital gains tax shall be deemed to have been so acquired or a binding duty to dispose of the asset or any right or interest Exclusion of losses In the computation of chargeable gains under this Act, the amount of any loss which accrues to a person on a disposal of any asset shall not be deductible from gains accruing to any person on a disposal

Disposal of assets: provisions as to considerations: 1.

Subject to the provision of this Act, a person’s acquisition of an asset and the disposal of it to him shall be deemed to be for a consideration equal to the market value of the asset 2.

Where a person disposes by way of gift of an asset acquired by him by way of gift or otherwise, the person acquiring the asset on the disposal shall be deemed to have acquired the asset.

3.

In relation to any asset held by a person as nominee for another person or as trustee, this Act shall apply as if the property were vested in , and the acts of the nominee in relation to the asset were the acts of the person or persons for whom he is the nominee or trustee 4.

The conveyance or transfer by way of security of an asset shall not be treated for the purposes of the Act as involving any acquisition or disposal of the asset

of such asset.

Computation The computation of any chargeable gains shall be the difference between the consideration accruing to any person on a disposal of assets and any sum to be excluded from that consideration, and there shall be added to that sum the amount of the value of any expenditure allowable to such person on such disposal.

The basic steps are: • Identify the sales proceeds on the disposal of the chargeable asset • Deduct allowable expenses from the sales proceed to obtain Net Sales Proceed.

• Deduct cost of acquisition and other capital costs from the Net Sales Proceed to obtain the Capital Gains • Compute the capital gains tax liability by applying the applicable rate of 10% on the Capital Gains obtained above.

The above steps can be placed in a better format as follows: N

N Sales Proceeds xx Less: Allowable Expenses (xx) Net Sales Proceed xx Deduct: Cost of Acquisition (xx) Capital Gains/(Losses) xx Capital Gains Tax @ 10% ROLL OVER RELIEF • This arises where a sole trader, partnership or limited liability company carrying on a trade, dispose of one eligible business asset and replaces it with a new asset of the same class as that sold. The seller will be entitled to deduct the capital gain arising on disposal from the cost of the new asset thereby postponing the payment of CGT on such a gain.

• Roll over relief can be full, partial or no roll over relief.

• The effect of this roll-over relief is to reduce the cost of acquisition of a new asset with resultant increase in the capital gain arising on eventual disposal.

Classes of assets eligible for roll-over relief: Class I: • Any building or part of a building and any permanent and semi-permanent structure in the nature of a building, occupied and used only for trading; • Any land occupied and used only for trading.

• Fixed plant and machinery which does not form part of the building Class II - ships Class III - Aircraft Class IV - Goodwill.

However, the consideration arising on the disposal must be re-invested within Twelve months before or after the disposal before the rollover relief can be granted.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Info Tech

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

New ITU policy may influence NCC’s telecoms regulatory regime The last two years have been trying for telecommunication operators in the country due to sundry sanctions and fines imposed on them by the industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, over poor quality service and disregard for industry regulation infractions. However, a new report by the global regulator, International Telecommunications Union, ITU, suggests that the NCC may review its regulatory policies in order to improve the operating environment for operators. Writes ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN.

T

he International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which recommends “light-touch regulation” may usher in a new regulatory regime in the nation’s telecommunication sector as analysts believe that the new ITU stance will invariably affect the way the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, oversees the industry.

The ITU, the global body regulating the industry worldwide, had in the latest edition of its report on global ICT regulatory developments, titled “Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2015”, called for light tough regulation of the industry globally.

The report recommends flexible, light-touch regulation, and recognition of the rights of both businesses and consumers in defining new frameworks for an emerging global digital environment.

For countries like Nigeria, regulation has been on the hardliner side due partly to the barrage of complaints from subscribers over poor services and rights abuses which the NCC has, over the past years, been battling to prevent through market regulatory policies.

As a result, the NCC has not spared the telecoms operators as it has severally imposed fines and sanctions on the various operators based on the justifiability of such decisions.

For instance, in 2013 the Commission sanctioned four operators for contravening a ban on promotions and lotteries on their respective networks.

The operators: MTN, Globacom Limited, Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Ltd (Etisalat) and Airtel were made to pay N22 million fine.

The four top telecoms firms were in the previous fined a total N1.17 billion by the industry regulator for not meeting stipulated quality of service benchmarks called key performance indicators, KPI. While MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd, paid N10,000,000 on account of five promotions at N2,000,000 for each promotion, Etisalat paid N6,000,000 for three promotions in its network.

Similarly, Airtel paid N4, 000,000 for running two promotions against the ban while Globacom will pay N2, 000,000 for one promotion and that is beside the payment of N1, 000,000 for each day that the contravention persists.

In 2014, the regular slammed the operators a whopping sum of N1.17 billion for failure to meet Key Performance Indica-

Wilshere

Ogunsanya

tors on quality of services (QoS) set by it.

A breakdown of the fines showed that MTN Communications Limited and Emerging Market Telecoms Services Limited (Etisalat Nigeria) which were fined the sums of N360 million each; while Airtel Networks Limited and Globacom Limited were fined N270 million and N180 million respectively.

Reactions that trailed the sanction then suggestion that the new policy direction of the ITU on regulations indicated that the global regulator may have finally felt the pulse of operators across the world as far as regulation is concerned.

A telecoms expert, Julius Ademiluyi while recalling the last few years of progress in the industry noted that he is amazed that sanctions in the industry has reduced saying that the year 2013

and 2014 was a tough one for the operators considering the volume of sanctions from the regulator.

According to him, there appears to be some respite for the operators as sanctions from the NCC has reduced even quality of services has not improved considerably.

Ademiluyi who had no knowledge of the proposed policy of the ITU at the time of filing this report said that those years of heavy fines on the operators were really excruciating, saying that since 2014, it does seems that the NCC has relaxed its sanctions on operators.

At the heat of the sanction last April year, MTN had to publish a full page announcement in the dailies, informing the public of the growing incidence of criminal damage to its infrastructure across

REACTIONS THAT TRAILED THE SANCTION THEN SUGGESTION THAT THE NEW POLICY DIRECTION OF THE ITU ON REGULATIONS INDICATED THAT THE

GLOBAL REGULATOR MAY HAVE FINALLY FELT THE PULSE OF OPERATORS ACROSS THE WORLD AS FAR AS REGULATION IS CONCERNED

the country and its impact on quality of service.

Unfortunately, the sanctions came at a time when the operators proposed a $6.95 billion investment on their networks.

While Airtel Nigeria said it planned to invest $1.5 billion in network upgrade; Globacom, MTN Nigeria, and Etisalat pledged $1.25 billion, $3 billion, and $1.2 billion investment respectively.

The release of the ITU report, which seeks the right regulatory environment as absolutely vital for emerging technological trends came on the heels of a statement issued by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Eugene Juwah, last week that the commission will henceforth fine any telecommunication operator the sum of N10 million for publishing advertisements or promotion without taking approval from it.

Despite the justifiability of the Commission’s stance, key stakeholders in the industry have not agreed with it on the issue of imposition of fines on operators.

While the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo described that several sanctions as a shy away act by the regulator from its responsibility.

The President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Engr. Lanre Ajayi said those actions were unjustifiable even as the President, National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), Deolu Ogunbanjo considered it as putting more money in the hands of government.

According to ITU the need for regulators global to soft pedal on regulation is due to the fast-evolving ICT landscape this year saying that the Internet of everything (Internet of things, IOT), social media apps and big data are the key trends that will shape the world.

The ITU said that the future network traffic will increasingly be driven by machine-to-machine (M2M) traffic generated by billions of connected devices, products and sensors, with M2M communications over mobile cellular networks already emerging as the fastest-growing ICT service in terms of traffic noting that “In a digital world, creating the conditions for a data-driven economy to flourish is a must.”

32

Info Tech

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Tech Box Intex iRist first impressions

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NCC sets 14-day advert approval notice for telcos STORIES: ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

H

enceforth all telecommunications companies operating in the country are required to submit their advertisement copies for approval 14 days before publication or roll out in the media.

The new directive, which was handover to the telcos at the 2015 public inquiries on the draft enforcement process, regulations and SIM replacement guidelines in Abuja, by the Executive Vice of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah, stipulates a fine of N10 million for operators that flout the rule.

According to him, the growth of the industry in Nigeria has re-

sult to non-compliance from the players saying that the new directive has become part of NCC’s regulations and guidelines for all telecom operators.

When finalised, the regulations will provide a more robust framework for effective and efficient processes and procedures for carrying out enforcement in the industry.

He said the draft enforcement regulation is an amendment of the previous regulations issued to the industry in 2005 adding that “These regulations have been amended to reflect best practice which is tandem with global benchmark.”

Juwah stressed that the fine of N10 million is not on the higher side noting that it was an increase from the previous fine of

N5 million.

Giving reasons for the imposition of the directive on the telecos, he explained that “what has happened in the industry is that there has been a rapid growth and we have noticed that the incidence of non-compliance to our regulations has been increasing and because of the progress and success of the industry we see that the fines of 10 years ago are small and they can pay it.”

While urging the operators to embrace the regulations, the NCC boss observed that fines are no longer a deterrent to them stating, “What we have done is to increase the fines and make it more painful for them if they do not comply with our regulations.”

L-R: Regional Operations Director, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Femi Oshinlaja; Deputy executive secretary, Lagos Island Local Government, Hon. Eletu Iyabosola; Director, Manas, Gautam Chatlani, and Head, Retail Shops and Franchise, Airtel Nigeria, Tope Awofeko, at the Manas-Airtel Shop opening in Lagos recently.

Slot mulls investment in mobile phones plant

I

ntex unveiled its smartphone on a wrist aka iRist last week. Unlike most smartwatches we’ve seen recently, the iRist isn’t tethered to your smartphone and does not run Android Wear.

Instead, the iRist is a standalone device that comes with Android 4.4 KitKat, a Micro-SIM slot as well as Wi-Fi and GPS. Of course Intex is not the first Indian manufacturer to experiment with such a device.

Spice had released something similar around the same time last year, though it ran a custom OS with limited applications and was rather modest in terms of specifications as compared to Intex’s offering.

The market is also flooded with several no-name offerings that claim to offer a ‘complete’

device at an affordable price.

But do people really want to get rid of their smartphone and depend solely on a watch to stay connected, all practicalities be damned?

Intex doesn’t think so.

Though the iRist is fully capable of functioning as a standalone device, the company doesn’t think people will - or should give up their smartphone and use only the iRist to stay connected.

Intex hopes the watch will help you, say, see incoming emails even when your smartphone is not around, and quickly dictate a response if needed; or use maps on your wrist to navigate without the watch having to be tethered to your smartphone.

S

lot Systems Limited, a mobile phone retail and wholesale dealer, may in the near future establish its own mobile phone manufacturing plant in the country.

Group Managing Director, of the company, Engr. Nnamdi Ezeigbo told National Mirror that there was the possibility that the company has the capacity to set up its own in the country considering the growth of the company in the last few years.

He said that Slot as a brand had a large share of the mobile phones and devices market due to its customer centric nature as well as the high level partnership that it has with other Original Equipment Manufacturers, OEMs, and telecos, that could naturally make the planned investment a worthwhile venture.

He however said that the envi-

ronment in the nation’s economy makes that impossible for now starting that until issues like electricity power supply is conceivably addressed that may not happen.

Ezeigbo, who gave the hint in Lagos shortly after unveiling the Slot.ng and Slot App for online shopping for mobile device and Personal Computer together with their accessories, said that the company was no longer a mobile phone selling company.

According to him, it is now an enabler for the OEMs and the mobile telephone operators in Nigeria stating that Slot now creates value for the mobile phone market in country.

He said that Slot understands what the mobile phone users in the country wants adding that that was it introduced the phone trade in and the screen insurance

for users in the nation.

The industry player attributed the success of the Tecno mobile phone in Nigeria to the effort of the company in recommending the introduction of the dual SIM device into the market.

He stated that Slot launched the ‘Slot Trade-In’ in partnership with Matrix Certified Pre-Owned Nigeria Limited, a leading name in pre-owned devices to enable customers’ trade-in their old phones for brand new ones.

He said that the ‘Slot Trade-In’ the value of a phone can be used in exchange for another, thereby making the value of customers money work more for them.

Ezeigbo said that to benefit from this service, customers can walk into any SLOT store, hand in their old phone, pay the price difference and walk out with a brand new phone.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, July 23, 2015

33

Government Technology

Twitter rated best politicking social media in Nigeria ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

T

he Twitter has been rated as the best social media politicking tool channel in the country, drawing inference from how it was used during the last general election.

In a document made available to the National Mirror during week, Twitter, the social media channel was linked to the rise of political engagement in the country saying it has become a vital trend of recent on social media.

The document stated that the number of Nigerians interacting with each other on important issues through Twitter has continually swelled over the years.

The exciting branch of this new interconnectivity through social media is that Nigerians now have direct access to their leaders adding that they can question, lobby, and debate with the men and women in charge of the leading institutions in the country.

Twitter recalled that it all began with former President Goodluck Jonathan, who became the first Commander in Chief to use

social media to communicate with Nigerian citizens saying that politicians across Nigeria, use Twitter to make their views known.

Twitter said that there is phenomenal activities on President@ MBuhari whose every decision has been followed and reported via the social media site.

It said that prior to President Muhammadu Buhari’s election, the @APCNigeria, now the ruling party, used a heightened social media campaign mainly based on Twitter to communicate their key messaging and ideas to the general public.

It was also gathered that Twitter remains their number one communications tool as Nigerians all across the globe use Twitter to follow, contribute and discuss political news, in real time.

Twitter listed some interesting Twitter handles to keep up to date with Nigerian politics to include , @APCNigeria is the political party of current President, Muhammadu Buhari and @GovNigeria is the official Twitter page of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Gives updates on the happenings of Nigeria and its dealings in the

international market and the country’s relations to others.

The @SECNigeria is a government agency mandated to regulate and develop the Nigerian Capital market, and @EiENige-

ria is a coalition of young Nigerians promoting good governance and citizen engagement.

Gives a voice to young Nigerians by retweeting their opinions on matters in the country. Gives

updates on current political situations.

Others are the @NOA_Nigeria was created to enlighten Nigerians on Government policies, programs and activities.

Guest Speaker/CEO, Ethics Institute of South Africa, Professor Deon Rossouw (right) with other participants at the Institute of Directors Nigeria Business Forum in Lagos, recently.

Financial Technology

New mobile remittance firm debuts STORIES: ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

G

lobal peer-to-peer (P2P) payments solutions provider, Transfast has extended its online money transfer service to Nigeria.

Claiming to be the most extensive roll out of this type of service on the continent, Trans-

fast’s proprietary bank network enables people in the US and Canada - with the U.K. and Europe to be added to the network soon, to send money online or via mobile, directly into recipients’ bank accounts at nearly 600 banks, MPESA wallets, or to 6,000 cash pick-up locations inside banks in Africa.

The company said its online

remittance service will cover 90 per cent of adult bank account holders in the 23 African countries it is rolling out to.

The service also provides for cash pick-ups within the African countries, allowing recipients with no bank account or M-Pesa wallet to redeem cash at the 600 bank branches signed up to the network.

Chief Executive Officer of Transfast, Mr. Samish Kumar said that Transfast’s direct to bank initiatives further the financial inclusion goals of governments in Africa saying that the as banking penetration grows in Africa, “our bank product capability is the most efficient and costeffective way to receive funds.”

He noted that for unbanked

IBM drops after revenue dips for 13th Quarter

I

BM fell after reporting second-quarter sales declines across all of its major business units, missing analysts’ estimates and marking the 13th straight period of falling revenue.

Profit excluding some items was $3.84 a share, International Business Machines Corp. said in a statement Monday, beating the $3.78 average projection from analysts as reduced administrative and research costs offset declines in its services and software businesses. That average had already been cut 4.7 percent from three months ago.

Chief Executive Officer Ginni

Rometty has struggled to overhaul the business to be a seller of cloud-computing technology and data analytics. With a 35 percent decline in revenue to BRIC countries in the second quarter and the software business not selling as well as expected, investors are still missing the proof that the company can grow organically.

“Investors are losing patience given the revenue miss,” said Bill Kreher, an analyst at Edward Jones & Co. “It’s a show-me stock.”

IBM, based in Armonk, New York, fell 4.2 percent to $165.89 at 9:41 a.m. in New York, after sliding as much as 5.3 percent. That’s

the biggest intraday decline since October, when CEO Rometty scrapped a five-year earnings goal instated by her predecessor.

Revenue from BRIC countries -- Brazil, Russia, India and China -- was dragged down by a 40 percent decline in China, where IBM suffered from signing fewer large transactions, Chief Financial Officer Martin Schroeter said in a conference call. Excluding currency impact and divested businesses, the Chinese market declined 25 percent. Meanwhile, the company saw “volatility” in its results in Russia, he said.

As demand has tumbled for products across all of IBM’s ma-

jor segments -- services, software and hardware -- Rometty has divested unprofitable businesses and invested in creating new units around cloud computing and the Watson data-analytics tool. Still, the new isn’t growing fast enough to offset the declines of the old.

“The falloff in IBM’s traditional businesses is dwarfing the company’s ability to capture new revenue opportunities as the market shifts,” Toni Sacconaghi, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. wrote in a note Monday before the results were announced.

recipients, the ability to pick up cash at a bank provides a positive experience in a bank environment and is a first step toward becoming banked.

The Transfast service is already live in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Ethiopia and Mali, while a further 17 countries will be deployed over the coming months, including Benin, Bissau, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Egypt, Guinea, Guinea Mauritania, Morocco Niger, Sierra Leone and Togo.

According to the company, it views its direct-to-bank network as a smart way to build financial inclusion in Africa noting that there is evidence that direct bank deposits play an important role in building financial inclusion by further engaging account holders in the banking system.

The statement by the company indicated that for the unbanked, the company believes “that having positive experiences over time as they pick up cash at a bank will raise their comfort level with banks. Over time, we believe this will bring more people into the financial system.”

34

Global News

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Greece looks to seal bailout deal in weeks G reece should wrap up bailout talks with international lenders by August 20, once parliament approves the second package of measures demanded by creditors on Wednesday, the government’s spokeswoman said.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has faced a revolt in the ruling Syriza party over the mix of tax hikes and spending cuts demanded by lenders but is expected to get the package through parliament with the support of pro-European opposition parties.

But he said last week he aimed to seal the bailout accord, which could offer Greece up to 86 billion euros ($93 billion) in new loans to bolster its tottering finances and ward off the threat of being forced out of the

Tsipras

euro.

“Immediately after the vote of the prior actions, negotiations with the lenders will start, with August 20th being the final date,” government spokeswoman Olga Gerovasili said in a statement.

Officials from the creditor institutions, the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund are due in Athens on Friday for meetings with the government, Deputy Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas said.

Wednesday’s vote in parliament follows a first vote last week on the so-called “prior actions” demanded of Greece as a pre-condition before the start of full bailout talks.

The bill was passed but a revolt by 39 Syriza lawmakers who refused to back the measures raised questions over the stability of the government, which came to power in January on an explicit anti-austerity platform.

The heads of the centrist To Potami party and the Socialist Pasok party both said they would back the Tsipras government over the bailout accord but demanded a clear “road map” from Tsipras about what would happen after.

Last week’s rebellion left the government dependent on opposition parties. The government has a

majority of 162 seats in the 300-seat parliament but the revolt left it with only 123 votes and any further defections may be seen as undermining prospects for reform.

Some government officials have suggested that if support dropped below 120 - the minimum level required to win a confidence vote if parliament voted with the lowest allowable quorum of 240 lawmakers - Tsipras would be obliged to resign.

However it is unclear whether he would step down as if a confidence vote were actually held, he would almost certainly win with the backing of the pro-European opposition parties.

Earlier on Tuesday, the government tabled the second bailout bill, which will focus on justice reform and banking issues.

However it will not include pension reforms curbing early retirement or increasing tax rates paid by farmers from 13 per cent to a range of 26-33 per cent - an issue strongly opposed by the conservative New Democracy party.

Instead they will be dealt with in coming weeks under a full bailout deal with European partners.

The fact that the measures were not included in the bill aroused some media speculation that Athens was backtracking on reform commitments.

Eurostar carries record passengers despite Calais strike

C

hannel Tunnel rail operator Eurostar has reported record quarterly passenger numbers despite the disruption caused by strikes in Calais.

It carried 2.8 million passengers from April to June, which it said was the highest in any three-month period.

More business travellers and a boost from its new service to the south of France lifted sales.

Last month, striking ferry workers in Calais closed the port and blocked services using the Channel Tunnel.

Eurostar chief executive Nicolas Petrovic told the BBC’s Today programme: “We can see that the leisure market is doing very well, especially out of the UK because the sterling is stronger.”

The new service to the south of France was proving popular in the summer and the service to Lyon in winter was connecting skiers to the Alps, he said.

Regarding the disruption to passengers around the strike and the company’s communication to passengers, he said: “It’s been very difficult for passengers because of the closure of the tunnel.

“We need to do better, but we are investing constantly to improve our systems to make thing better for the customers.”

MyFerryLink workers walked out last month over the sale of the company’s ferries to the rival firm DFDS Seaways.

The strike closed the Port of Calais and resulted in large stretches of the M20, which leads to Folkestone and Dover, being used as a lorry park.

Both Eurostar and car-carrying Shuttle services were suspended due to fire on the tracks.

Despite this, Eurostar said second quarter sales rose by 1.5 per cent to

Channel Tunnel rail link

£232m and passenger numbers rose three per cent.

Trading in the first quarter of the year had been affected by terrorist attacks in Paris and a lorry fire which closed the tunnel.

Sales across the first half of the year were down two per cent, but much of this was down to movements in currency rates because when foreign exchange effects are removed, half year revenues rose four per cent.

Eurostar is owned by the French and Belgian state-owned rail operators, Canada’s Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec (CDPQ) and the UK’s Hermes Infrastructure.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

German carmakers win Nokia HERE auction: Manager Magazin

A

group consisting of Daimler (DAIGn.DE), BMW BWMG.DE and Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) unit Audi has clinched a deal to buy Nokia’s (NOK1V.HE) maps business HERE for about 2.5 billion euros ($2.72 billion), Germany’s Manager Magazin reported.

All other bidders have withdrawn from the process, which is likely to be finalised by the end of the month, the magazine said on Tuesday, citing sources close to the negotiations.

Daimler, BMW, Audi and Nokia declined comment.

Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters there

was no agreement yet.

Sources familiar with the process told Reuters earlier this month that talks between Nokia and the carmakers were ongoing but had reached a difficult stage, while rival offers appeared to be unravelling.

Shares in Nokia, which is divesting the maps business as it focuses on integrating its 15.6 billion-euro acquisition of Alcatel Lucent (ALUA.PA), fell 1.2 per cent to 6.26 euros.

High-definition maps with real-time traffic information are a prerequisite for self-driving cars, which are in testing and are expected to become mainstream over the next decade.

Nokia product

Wall Street lower after weak results from IBM, United Tech

W

all Street was lower in late morning trading on Tuesday as weak revenue at IBM and United Technologies weighed on the Dow and the S&P 500 and investors awaited results from tech giants including Apple and Microsoft.

IBM’s shares fell as much as 5.5 per cent to $163.69, a day after the company’s revenue fell for the 13th consecutive quarter.

United Technologies fell as much as 7.9 per cent to $101.78 and was the biggest loser on the Dow, after the company cut its full-year profit outlook.

“We remain cautious regarding earnings because there is a lack of revenue growth,” said John Toohey, head of equities at USAA Investments in San Antonio, Texas.

“For the bull market to be sustainable, we need to transition from financial engineering to organic revenue growth.”

On Monday, the Nasdaq composite touched a new intra-day high for the third straight day while the S&P 500 was just shy of its all-time high.

The S&P 500 trades at 16.9 times forward 12 months earnings, above the 10-year median of 14.7 times.

While markets are at record highs, June-quarter earnings of S&P 500 companies are expected

to dip 1.9 per cent, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Of the companies that have reported earnings so far, 70 per cent have reported earnings above analyst expectations, above the 63 per cent average beat rate since 1994.

However, 53 per cent have topped revenue forecasts, below the 61 per cent average beat rate since 2002. U.S. companies were expected to post their worst sales decline in nearly six years in the second quarter, in part due to the strong dollar that reduces the value of U.S. companies’ overseas income.

The dollar index was down 0.7 per cent at $97.36, and had earlier traded at its highest level since April on firming expectation of a U.S. interest rate hike later in the year.

Obama

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Brands & Marketing

35

Naira devaluation: Implications for consumers’ purchasing power, real sector As the Naira continues its downward slide against major currencies, cost of living continues to rise in Nigeria, especially, among the low income earners. DAVID AUDU reports on this ugly trend and its impact on consumers’ purchasing power.

A

de Uwaje works with a construction company in Abuja, earning a little over N40, 000 per month.

His wife combines housekeeping, taking their two children to school and managing a small retail kiosk in from of their self contain room apartment.

On this particular weekend, the family yearns to eat Turkey with Egwusi soup, and as usual, the wife went out to buy one kilogram of turkey, which normally goes for about N850.00 in the local market around her. But to her surprise, this amount could no longer pay for the item. A kilo of turkey now sells between 1,000 and 1,150. The choice was made for her .She had to settle for half a kilo or go for fish, which is relatively cheaper.

In Lagos, Gloria and her husband Okon operate a small retail shop located on a busy street opposite a popular hotel, which relatively gets busy with customers most of the times. This correspondent was there to get a few provisions for the family, and heard the following conversation.

Customer: Madam, I bought this item at N150.00 last week. When has it suddenly become N200.00?

Shop Owner: Customer, it is not our fault. It is as we buy that we are selling it. After all, there is no profit on it. We just want to keep our customers. Customer: So, everything has gone up in the market. Only Gods knows where inflation is taking us to, she lamented.

Her response seems to have ignited a chord in the minds of those around as they began to speak to one another on the cost of living in Nigeria as if on cue.

The vociferousness and tinge of anger underlining their reaction indicated a seething revulsion on the growing discontent about the rising cost of living, especially among the low income earners in Nigeria.

With the Naira exchanging for about N144 to N150, the erosion of Nigerians living standard may well continue. Investigation in major markets in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt reveals that many Nigerians are feeling the pang of inflation, cost of food items, household products have gone by almost 30 per cent, according to an online market research.

It is a known fact that continuous rise in prices of food and other essential items, especially, when wages remain low and stagnant, according to experts, could lead to r social unrest, especially against a backdrop of weak institutions

People patronising shopping mall

WHILE MANY NIGERIANS ARE YEARNING FOR CHANGES IN THEIR LIVING CONDITION, THAT CHANGE MAY NOT BE AS QUICKLY AS EXPECTED and widespread frustration about government efficiency, poor quality of public services and corruption.

While Many Nigerians are yearning for changes in their living condition, that change may not be as quickly as expected. Taming the monster of exchange rate, analysts say, may not be achieved by fiat legislation. In other word, it takes time to implement economic policies that will bring about stability in the economy.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo just last month says over 100 million Nigerians live below the poverty line.

A report by the National Bureau of Statistics earlier had stated that about 112.519 million Nigerians live in relative poverty conditions.

This, the report described as staggering when compared with the country’s estimated 163 million population then. Nigeria conducted last census in 2006. Relative poverty is the comparison of the living standards of people living in a given society within a specified period of time, and it is the most acceptable poverty measurement which has been adopted by the NBS for many years.

While costs of consumable items

have shot up in the last one month, according to a Lagos based economist, Mr. Julius Akangwa, it will not be long before this increase is transferred to billing systems in the services sector, and that is when the real economic indicators will begin to flag off and capture the real effect of the sliding exchange rate of the Nigerian currency, the naira, against major international currencies, such as the dollar, pound sterling, Euro among others.

“As it is now, it is only within the banking system that the Naira exchanges for around N197 to a dollar, but for who sell imported items such as turkey, frozen food, who buy from the black market at about N145 to a dollar, the deal is different, and they feel it on a daily basis. You will notice that because fruit such as Apple is not grown in Nigeria, its price has continued to fluctuate according to the strength of the naira against the dollars, especially”.

Another market analyst who wish to remain anonymous because of his position in government, bluntly put the current predicament of the Nigerian currency on the door steps of politicians, who in the quest to capture power, went about spraying dollars

during the last election campaign to influence voters.

“You noticed that in Lagos during the last general elections the two major political parties were guilty of it as they went about spending dollars on would be voters. Do they do that in developed economies? No! You don’t do that and not expect a rebound on the economy. Was there a production output to counter such reckless spending? No! Billions of dollars were pumped into the economy that were not planned for by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, but will the CBN ever come clean to admit that? No! This is because their principle then was a major culprit. Now the Naira is sliding down fast and they have no answer to it. Who suffers, the common man who is paid just a survival wage, and who goes to the same market as the rich in the society do.

“Again, you will notice that the rich in the society now spend dollars as against the local currency, the naira, and that puts pressure on your currency. There is no magic here. Until, the CBN put its feet down and begin to regulate properly the Naira will continue to fall.”

However, Dr. Sunny Ikeagwu, a public relations consultant, attributed the sudden rise in the price of commodities to the ban of importation of certain items by the federal government.

“When there is a ban like that and there are no measures to ensure corresponding increase in local production, certainly the prices of available ones, whether smuggled or not, will rise.

The effect of sliding naira against leading world currencies for those engaged in supplementary drug products which most of them are imported are over bearing.

A dealer in one of these beauty and wellness product, Ms Ijeoma Stella, confirmed to National Mirror that while the cost of the product itself is not high, the cost of shipping and the increasing high exchange rate of dollar to Naira have made customers think twice before buying. Certainly now, we market to the affluent that have the wherewithal to buy. But, essentially, it is meant for the low income earners to supplement their health need. The economy is now short changing the whole system, she lament.

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Brands & Marketing

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Eastern Hill Academy adopts Etisalat Cliqlite as official e-Learning tool DAVID AUDU

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astern Hill Academy School, Enugu, has adopted the use of Cliqlite, Etisalat’s child educational product, as an e-learning tool to boost teaching and learning in the school.

The school’s administrator, Chineye Ikenma, said the school adopted the use of Etisalat Cliqlite device as an e-learning tool in order to give its students a opportunity to easily access educational materials online and address problems that are associated with examination failure.

“We kicked off the use of this device in September 2014 and currently, we have over 73 students in our school using it. Cliqlite device has made it easy for us to access edu-

cational programs such as Nigerian education curriculum, exam materials and educative games. Another unique thing for us and the parents is the security function that enables parents and guardians protect children from harmful content on the internet.” , Head, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Daniel expressed gladness that the school appreciates the value in Cliqlite and adopted it as an educational learning resource to promote its educational programs.

“At Etisalat, we are driven by a sustained commitment to revolutionize learning in the country and we are happy that Eastern Hill Academy is part of this dream.

Cliqlite is a learning tool that every

child should own in this age to keep up with trends and learn in an enjoyable and safe manner. Keeping children in class alone has become boring these days, so rather than giving your child a mobile phone or tablet without any restrictions, Etisalat Cliqlite is a better option.”

Cliqlite supports learning and development for children and teenagers between the ages of 8 to 15 years. Users enjoy the benefits of preloaded educational apps and approved textbooks on the Cliqlite tab.

The educational content include approved primary, junior and senior secondary school textbooks, Wikipedia app, Okada books, dictionary, sounds (pronunciation app), Typing Tutor and ‘Spell Me Right’, amongst others.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Top brands raise YouTube adspend by 60%

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he average spend on YouTube from the top 100 brands, such as Apple, Coca-Cola and IBM, has increased by 60 per cent year on year, according to Google.

Google looked at the top 100 brands, as defined by the Interbrand 2014 Best Global Brands ranking. It lists the top five brands as Apple, Google, CocaCola, IBM and Microsoft.

The number of the top 100 advertisers investing in video has risen by 40 per cent year on year.

In a blog post, Cenk Bulbul, the head of strategy and insights for YouTube Ads Marketing, said: “By investing in YouTube, these advertisers aren’t just building their brand, they’re also contributing to the YouTube ecosystem

Google found that views of branded content of the top 100 brands have almost doubled in the past 12 months.

The 100 brands have racked up more than 40 billion views in total, and more than 18 billion of those views were recorded in the past year.

“Subscriptions for brand channels have also increased by 47 per cent year on year.

Google’s research said that advertisers are creating content particularly for YouTube. Last year 10 per cent of the videos posted by the top 100 brands are more than ten minutes long.

Bulbul said: “They’re actively managing their YouTube channels, and publishing new content on a regular basis to engage viewers and keep them coming back.

BEN AUTO entertainment hub springs opens in Lagos

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L-R: Expert Lead, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Ms. Chinyere Chima, Marketing Manager Wellness, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Mr. Ogbemi Kesiena, President Nigeria Paediatric Association, Prof. Adebiyi Olowu, President African Paediatric Association & Societies, Dr. Dorothy Esang bedo and Marketing Director, West Africa, GSK Consumer Health, Ms. Kerry Alexander at the launch of GSK’s Panadol Children and Scott’s Emulsion.

Government tells parents to cut soft drinks from diets of under-11s

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he soft drinks industry has responded to a report by Government scientific advisors calling for greater limits to the recommended daily amounts of sugar, while DoH body Health England has told parents to ban sugary drinks from their children’s diets.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN)’s report on carbohydrates and health has been published today (17 July) and recommends that the amount of sugar consumed a day should be cut from the current recommended 10% of daily calories consumed to 5%.

But on the back of the report’s findinds, the Department of Health’s agency Public Health England has gone a step further and suggested that parents and families entirely cut sugary drinks from their children’s diets.

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), which represents the industry, said that the SACN report “should leave people in no doubt

that sugars can be enjoyed safely as part of a varied and balanced diet”, while the Advertising Association called on brands and agencies to use the power of advertising to work with government, and ISBA said that for many years the ad industry has “sought co-operation, not opposition, from medical campaigners to work constructively with government and business”.

But the FDF warned that “demonising any one ingredient in the obesity debate isn’t helpful”.

The SACN report is the result of the UK’s most wide-ranging study into sugar consumption and its impact on health.

Data used in the SACN report found that sugary drinks are the highest contributor of sugars to four to 10 year-olds, with 30% from soft drinks and fruit juice, 29% from biscuits, cakes and breakfast cereals, 22% from sweets, chocolate, table sugar, jams and other sweet spreads, and 12% from yoghurts,

fromage frais, ice-cream and other dairy desserts.

Duncan Selbie, PHE’s chief executive, said: “One-fifth of 10 to 11 year olds are obese and almost twothirds of adults are overweight or obese and sugary drinks are a major contributor.

“There is nothing good about a sugary drink, particularly if you are under the age of 11, and we must work together to find ways to wean ourselves from the sugar habit.”

Ian Twinn, ISBA’s director of public affairs, said that a broader debate was needed and a campaigns that did not just focus on sugar but on “how much we eat, in what proportion and how we can live our lives in a healthy way”.

He added: “There are no short cuts and no golden tickets. This is going to be a long and difficult journey, we look forward to playing a constructive part based on sound science, clear evidence and long term commitment.”

new entertainment hub has sprungs up in Alimosho, a suburb of Lagos, promising to bring local and international stars to the area.

The 1,500seater BEN AUTO events place and guest house promises the state of the art equipment and lightings. Located near Akowonjo round about, BEN AUTO entertainment is scheduled to presents an evening with the stars. , described as the first of its kind in the history of Alimosho Local Government Area.

According to the promoters, the decision to create the hub was informed from the facts that Alimosho L.G area is the most populated local government in the country but unfortunately has not much to show for it.

“Most of the entertainment events are done in places like

Ikeja, Victoria island, Lekki etc., outside Alimosho, and that means our youths and families have to transit to those areas to have fun.

“BEN AUTO Entertainments has been envisioned to correct this anomaly and that informed the choice of Alimosho. We have chosen the best in the entertainment industry to kick start this event, especially, going by the category of entertainers involved.

The events ie scheduled to feature popular artist like Olamide (Badoo), Kiss Daniel, Korede Bello, A.Y of A.Y Live, funny bone, Bash, Still ringing, Kridency, Acapella, Godwin strings and many more.

“It is our belief that a lot of attention will be drawn to Alimosho Local Government and its attendants benefits’.

EBay purchases apparel consignment e-retailer Twice

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Bay has announced the purchase of second-hand clothing e-retailer, Twice. The deal to acquire the company’s core technology comes at the same time that eBay began separately trading from its former PayPal unit.

Twice’s co-founders and 10 technical staff members will join the eBay team, CNet reported. Its separate business operations and website will shut down at the end of July when the acquisition is set to close.

Twice, founded in 2012, is a resale website for amateur online sellers.

Like an online consignment store, it lets people send the company clothing, and in return, the seller gets payment upfront. Twice is then in charge of photos and resale.

EBay will use the technology to

power Valet, its new service that allows users to send collectibles, electronics and more to eBay for the company to put up for sale. And as of last month, Valet got into the apparel division.

“With billions of dollars worth of unwanted and unused items in people’s possession, eBay is focused on unlocking the value of that inventory,” eBay’s VP of seller experience, Jordan Sweetnam, said in a statement.

A busy month for eBay, the company announced last week that it would sell its Enterprise business for $925 million. The Enterprise unit, which develops online shopping sites for physical stores, retains clients such as Sports Authority, L Brands, Ascena Retail Group, PetSmart and Ikeja.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Orange may buy Airtel’s business operations SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

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elecom operator, Bharti Airtel may once again, sell-off its four business operations in Africa.

One of India’s largest firms, Orange said it has entered into an exclusive agreement with Airtel to explore the possibility of acquiring Airtel’s subsidiaries in Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

However, Airtel said, ‘there is no

certainty of any binding agreement as a result of these discussions.’

Airtel has completed sales transactions in five countries while agreements elapsed in two countries.

It is expected that the proposed transactions in those countries would be finalized in the next few months, subject to availability of all approvals.

The total proceeds from the transactions already concluded, according to the company are running over $1.3 billion, which would be utilized

for reducing the debt of the company.

The France-based Orange has about 247 million customers globally and employs about 1, 70,000 people.

Airtel’s Africa business has been making losses since its entry in 2010.

Recently, the Sunil Mittal led company sold off the tower business of five of its African subsidiaries and raised $1.3 billion.

During the process, the proposed sale of two more of its tower business in two African countries lapsed.

L-R: Assistant Brand Manager Harpic, Longe Ebunoluwa, Marketing Director Reckitt Benckiser West Africa, Oguzhan Silivrili, Harpic Brand Ambassador, Helen Paul and the Marketing Manager Reckitt Benckiser West Africa, Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi Omotola at the unveiling of the new Harpic TVC and Brand Ambassador in Lagos.

Brands face bleeding edge of digital marketing: Lessons from China

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have just spent a couple of weeks in China meeting with marketers and consumer insight teams from a variety of companies. I am left with the overall impression of a huge market, but one facing massive change and of brands struggling to make the transition to the digital domain.

It is difficult to understand just how all-pervasive the use of digital media has become in China compared to North America or Europe.

As a result of leapfrogging, the challenges of city living and government control of the Internet, Chinese consumers in cities like Shanghai and Beijing spend a huge amount of time accessing content on their smartphones. In response the digital ecosystem has developed rapidly and there is little you cannot do using only your smartphone.

Is that really different from the West, you might ask. Well let’s just have a look at a few key facts: Last year’s AdReaction Study found Chinese consumers spend far more time using digital screens than the global average: over 28%

more time on digital devices and 20% less time watching TV. This situation is not limited to China.

At a Millward Brown client event in Hong Kong, Anita Lam, Head of FMCG & Retail at Facebook Greater China, shared stats from Global WebIndex that showed consumers in many emerging economies are far more likely to spend time online than watching TV than those in developed economies.

Last Chinese New Year’s Eve, 1 billion Red Envelopes gifts were sent via WeChat. Tencent only introduced the Red Envelope app at the beginning of 2014 as a virtual version of the traditional red envelope that was filled with money and given as a gift to family and friends.

However, familiarity and utility have combined to make the Red Envelope a popular way to send money and a widespread way to engage consumers with brands.

E-Commerce is huge in China.

A chart in Mary Meeker’s State of the Internet report shows how Alibaba’s gross merchandise volume has accelerated exponentially since 2004, blowing past sales on

eBay in 2010, and reaching three times the amount in 2014. Many established brands sold through bricks and mortar stores are now struggling to compete with madefor-internet brands that are sold far more cheaply and only online.

Many of the online brands and companies are following the ‘users first, revenues second’ model pioneered in the West. The problem is that this ‘Internet thinking’ is spreading well beyond the digital ecosystem as younger people assume that the model works well for offline businesses as well, forgetting that with traditional business models margins do not necessarily increase with scale; if you sell more you still incur the costs of producing more. Setting that aside, a far bigger problem is the assumption that everything must be done at internet speed; something which I believe is undermining the effectiveness of many marketing campaigns. Just like the thousands of start-ups that never make the big time, all too many campaigns result in superficial buzz and little benefit to the brand.

37

BRAND talk with Michael Umogun

Tel: 08023117969/08031100462 Email: michael.umogun@millwardbrown.com

Brand’s challenge of staying in touch with the market: The role of tracking

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he competitive environment facing brand marketers today is complex and fast paced. Tracking surveys provide a 360° view of brand health and a continuous flow of what is working for a brand and what could be working better. The approach now used for continuous tracking is almost universally based on that introduced by Millward Brown in the ‘70s to address specific client questions. Clients commission these studies because they need insight and actionable advice about marketplace events, such as the launch of new competitors or the start of new advertising campaigns, and continuous tracking enables them to make informed marketing decisions in a timely manner that help grow their brands.

The role of a continuous tracking study provides insight based on what people think, and to do so in a consistent manner over time in order to highlight the changes and the drivers of change. Brands are assets that derive their value from what

people think of them, so how can we make sensible brand and marketing investments without tracking? This longitudinal data also proves its value by revealing the underlying dynamics of how marketing works. It’s clear, for instance, that the majority of ads do not wear out in the way marketers anticipated (for example the Wise Man and Women Bank Advert by United Bank Africa, Mama Do Good Advert by Indomie Noodles, Macleans Toothpaste Advert Be Successful and Be Important shows), and that the most important attributes in a category are often the most difficult to change. Learnings from these measures are used to predict the sales impact of marketing activity and enables marketers to monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on an ongoing basis.

How do you stay in touch in your market and the competition? Kindly share your thoughts at michael.umogun@millwardbrown.com / 08023117969

Virtual reality star Oculus buys hand-tracking startup

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irtual reality star Oculus last week announced a deal to buy an Israel-based startup specialising in technology that can track hand movements.

Oculus expects the purchase of Pebbles Interfaces to add momentum to its development of virtual reality (VR) technologies and boost its Rift VR head gear.

Pebbles has spent five years developing technology that uses optics, sensors, and software to detect and track hand movements, according to Oculus.

“At Pebbles Interfaces, we’ve been focused on pushing the limits of digital sensing technology to accelerate the future of human-computer interaction,” Pebbles chief technology officer Nadav Grossinger said in an Oculus blog post.

“Through micro-optics and

computer vision, we hope to improve the information that can be extracted from optical sensors, which will help take virtual reality to the next level.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Oculus, which is owned by Facebook, said that over time, technology breakthroughs “will unlock new human interaction methods in VR and revolutionize the way people communicate in virtual worlds.”

Oculus has aimed squarely at video game lovers with Rift headsets that it will begin selling early next year.

Last month at the world’s premier video game trade show it also showed its prototype Touch Half Moon controllers that gave virtualworld hands to people wearing Rift head gear.

38

Insight

Thursday, July 23, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Telecoms: Subscribers, operators

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igerian telecommunications industry will still undergo another round of revolution for the country to start feeling the full impact of emerging technology sweeping across the globe.

The reason is that after the first 10 years of what is termed the sporadic growth that made the telecoms market in Nigeria to be regarded as the fastest growing in Africa, minor issues that inhibit the growth of a true success story are still far from being resolved.

National Mirror investigation revealed that the industry is still grappling with such irritants as unsolicited text messages and calls, drop calls, conscientious regulation, unfair competition and lack of protection for telecoms infrastructure among others.

It was gathered that these issues, as well as others are responsible for the challenges that have made quality services far from been experienced by the subscribers.

The implication is that subscribers will have to wait for another round of revolution to experience the best of telecoms services in the country, just like the one that brought the telecoms services to Nigeria initially.

Before 2000, the year telecoms revolution was said to have begun in Nigeria telephone was the exclusive right of a privileged few. It was the year, when the now moribund state owned and run Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) held sway in the industry, and decided who got which telephone lines.

Reflecting on the days before the collapse of NITEL, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Teledom Group Limited, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, described the introduction of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) as one of the most unimaginable in the history of telephony in the country.

Ekuwem told the National Mirror that then it took almost a year, between applying for a telephone from NITEL and getting the handset delivered to either in one’s home or office, adding that only the very rich and well connected Nigerians ever got to have telephone lines within a short period.

He added that in the days when NITEL held the industry to ransom, and later introduced the phone booth, the story still did not change as long queues were the norm at most phone booths due to poor network connection.

According to him, when the GSM took root in Nigeria, the story changed and Nigerians irrespective of their social status were able to own a telephone lines without delay.

He said that although it was expensive initially to buy a GSM SIM pack, which cost about N50,000, however, market forces have within the last few years brought it to as low as N150 with free packs taking over soonest.

There was excitement in the industry because Nigerians had never had it so real as been able to make calls. Subscribers were glued to their mobile phones, spending long hours of talk on networks with limited capacity, while the large

The Nigeria telecommunications industry has been classified as the fastest growing in Africa, but ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN reports that daunting challenges have continued to truncate its growth, thereby denying consumers quality services.

Telecoms mast

SUBSCRIBERS WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF REVOLUTION TO EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF TELECOMS SERVICES IN THE COUNTRY, JUST LIKE THE ONE THAT BROUGHT THE TELECOMS SERVICES TO

NIGERIA INITIALLY

population created a market that made it easy for the operators to sell their SIM cards; the result was congestion across the network.

But the new development in the telecoms sector came with its own bundle of challenges that is taking the industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), as well as the operators too long to address. In the early days of the GSM revolution, the former Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Engr.

Ernest Ndukwe, had advocated that one of the fundamental priorities for the regulator was to seek to meet the requirements of the consumer for modern, good quality, widely available and affordable services.

However, nine years into the era of

the GSM, operators began to have issues with the quality of services and other related telecoms challenges, resulting into the NCC organising a public hearing to address the problems.

The inquiry was one of the requirements of the rule making process of the NCC, where the industry and stakeholders gather and consult for the purpose of issuing regulations and guidelines in accordance with Section 71 of the NCC Act, and enforcement of the said Act. The inquiry, which was held in 2009, and the first in the industry was meant to administer and monitor closely a Performance Management Programme to ensure that operating companies maintained minimum performance levels jointly agreed between them, consumers

representatives and the NCC, and, consistent with world class standards.

The hearing was also as a result of media reports in 2008 chronicling public outcries over the state of the telecoms industry.

Ndukwe who is now into private practice, said then that the extremely high market demands resulted in the networks being in a constant mode of expansion and barely able to keep up with the demands.

“Congestion is further worsened because since Nigeria is a huge market still in its emerging phases, and extremely competitive with each of the operators investing heavily to continue to build out their networks, the operators are likewise motivated to quickly earn high returns on their investments by introducing new services and promotions to secure the most subscribers and call minutes or revenue on their network,” he said.

President of the Association Licensed Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Engr. Lanre Ajayi, told our correspondent that subscribers desire much from the operators, and that one of such expectation is that whenever they make calls, the calls should go through, but unfortunately that is not the present situation in the sector.

According to him, there are several complaints from subscribers ranging from drop calls to poor network connection, and sometimes a complete network failure, adding however, that bulk of the blame do not necessarily fall on the shoulders of the mobile operators.

He stated that one big problem in the industry which needs to be urgently addressed is the vandalism of telecoms infrastructure, saying that any damage done to a base station has a sporadic effect on other operators since it takes more than just one base station for calls to be connected successfully.

Ajayi said that telecoms operators are losing millions of naira to the activities of the vandals, acts that not only affect the quality of services, but send lots of funds meant for other investments down the drain.

Statistics from industry experts revealed that it costs about N24,750,000 to install a single base station together with its tower, special antennas and two generators to power the station.

Regrettably, a source in MTN revealed that 180 cuts were experienced on its fibre optic cable that transmits voice and data across the country whenever local, states and the federal government engaged in road construction works.

Last year a major damage was done to MTN fibre optic cable in Akute, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State by a Chinese company that was working on the 35kms Ogun State suburb road that stretches from Sango through Ijoko, Ag-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Insight

39

groan even in the face of profits prove the quality of services.

Chairman of the Association Licensed Telecommunications Operators (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, lamented that the Critical Infrastructure Bill is still not passed by the National Assembly even in the face of rising vandalism.

According to Adebayo, the harsh operating environment replete with multiple taxations, inadequate power, thefts and dearth of supporting infrastructure, among other issues are making quality services seem to be out of reach of the subscribers.

He stated that due to the rising incidences of security issues, operators have now had to go through a learning curve to build and develop robust security networks, stressing that these investments are in addition to efforts operators have taken to address the daily challenges earlier highlighted.

Although government did not respond swiftly as expected by the stakeholders, it however setup the Universal Access A vandalised mast in Maiduguri Provision Fund (USPF), to facilitate the achievement of the national policy goals for universal access and universal service to information and communication HE NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE TELECOMS technologies (ICTs) in rural, un-served and under-served areas in Nigeria.

SECTOR CAME WITH ITS OWN BUNDLE OF Following the establishment of the CHALLENGES THAT IS TAKING THE INDUSTRY USPF was the establishment of the Infrastructure Companies by the NCC, which REGULATOR IGERIAN OMMUNICATIONS although was received with mixed feelings by a cross section of stakeholders OMMISSION AS WELL AS THE has seemed to have settled down for effecOPERATORS TOO LONG TO ADDRESS tive take-off.

Already, two companies, MainOne Cable and IHS, have been licensed to provide telecoms infrastructure for Lagos area and the North Central respectively.

Both are major players in the provision of infrastructure in the nation’s telecom industry.

The Licensing of Infracos is a major precursor to the soon-to-evolve broadband revolution in the country.

Yet, stakeholders think that government has not done enough to protect the existing infrastructure in the country, and that the operating environment is still bedevilled with teething problems that seem to have no solution.

Despite the challenges, it did not stop the NCC from lashing the three leading telecoms operators, MTN Nigeria, Globacom Limited and Airtel Nigeria Limited with several sanctions.

Ex-Minister of Communications Technology, Engr Ernest Ndukwe Mrs Omobolaji Johnson One of such sanctions was the imposition of N647.5million fines for failbado, Oke-Aro, Lambe, Akute and some ment, appealed to members of the public ing to provide service quality on their to report any suspicious activity around networks. The fines imposed on them in parts of Ojodu in Lagos State.

The Statistics also showed that on the installations, which it said were Critical February 24, 2014 showed that Airtel and average the operator suffers a monthly 70 National Infrastructure (CNI).

MTN were fined N185m each, while GloIn its December 2013 financial report, bacom was fined N277.5m. fibre optic cable cuts due to the activities the South African company revealed of construction works across Nigeria.

The operators have also gotten knocks According to MTN Nigeria it has lost that it recorded N793.614billion as rev- from subscribers over what they denetwork availability in over 1,000 base enue, representing 5.31% increase from scribed as outright invasion of their pristations cumulatively across the country N753.578b in 2012. But due to the challeng- vacy, and that is the unsolicited text mesafter damage to its fibre infrastructure es of the operating environment, it in- sages and calls, most of which are from adding that this has disrupted services in curred a total of N260.572bn as operating the Value Added Services (VAS) providthe South East, particularly in Onitsha, expenditure, out of which 12% or N31.2bn ers, who ride on the infrastructure of the Port Harcourt, Kano, Abuja, Kaduna and represented the cost of diesel. The huge mobile networks to transmit messages of amount would have built 5,200 90-square- their clients to their targets.

Ibadan recently.

Recently, the company, in a press state- metres base stations that will help imThe ATCON president, Ajayi, de-

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(NCC),

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scribed them as a big menace saying, “I noticed the increase in the sms spam, and the voice spam is becoming a big menace,” adding, “it is something that needs to be dealt with.”

Although Ajayi said he is not sure how to overcome the menace of these unsolicited texts and calls, he however suggested, “if all the stakeholders put heads together we will be able to address it. I learnt that some operators have put some spam filters in place, but even with that we still get the spam but there must be a way out, and I think it requires further engagement.”

In an apparent move to curb the growing menace of unsolicited texts the NCC visited two radio stations, Metro FM 103.5 and UNILAG FM 103.1 and used the media to inform subscribers on what it has done so far to stem the tide of unsolicited text messages.

Director, Public Affairs of the NCC, Tony Ojobo, who was on air at both station at different times said the Commission had issued several directives to mobile network operators to minimise the rate of unsolicited text messages sent to subscribers through their networks, stressing that the NCC has begun to fine them for that.

The NCC is also said to be warming up to come hard on mobile operators who are integrating VAS providers into their systems, thereby aiding and abating illegality.

Some Nigerians residing abroad describe the present state of telecoms services as very unsatisfactory, saying the trend globally is quality services for every customers.

Robert Omonoseh who lives in Minnesota, in the United States of America in an interview online told National Mirror that drop calls are alien to him, saying the service providers in the USA have only one objective of satisfying their customers.

He said the service providers are aware of the importance of the right of the consumers, and their interest is on how to make the consumers happy and not to create lines of complain.

Craig Agbonyeme who relocated home from Malaysia described the current trend of quality service as annoying, saying beside the fact that the operators took chances to reap off the subscribers, the unsolicited text messages from the operators have become unbearable.

“If for any reason your phone did not work due to technical issues you get compensated. Here in the UK, you have what we term Contract Pay as you go. They have different advantage and disadvantages,” Jolly Iguodala, who relocated to London long before the telecoms revolution began in Nigeria, said.

Head, Lagos office of the Consumer Protection Council, Tam Tamunokonbia, said the operators are obviously aware that the consumers are the key factors if service delivery must be efficiently done.

He said the relevant bodies concerned with the issues that subscribers have over the years complained about are being addressed by the agencies concerned.

40

Cocktail

Thursday, July 23, 2015

xxxx

Oddities

Man posed as officer, set up fake station in apartment

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hinese police said a disgruntled girlfriend led to the arrest of a man accused of posing as an officer and converting his home into a fake police station.

Police in Wuhan City said the man’s girlfriend went to police when he threatened to post a sexually explicit video of the couple online, and investigators discovered the man had been posing as an officer named “Inspector Lei” for at least two years.

Investigators said the fake inspector had sirens on his car and his apartment was converted into a fake police station, complete with an interrogation room featuring a Chinese flag and a bust of Mao Zedong.

Police said the man was posing as on officer for a moneymaking scheme that involved selling falsified Public Security Bureau documents and warrants to members of the public.

Daredevil climber hangs from crane high over Dubai

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British daredevil released a point-ofview video of himself climbing a tower in the Dubai Marina and hanging from a crane nearly 500 feet up in the air.

James Kingston, who posted the “Hanging out in Dubai... literally” video to YouTube, said he shot the footage during a five-day climbing tour of Dubai last year and there is more footage yet to be released.

The video shows Kingston

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

free climbing the Marina tower and swinging with one hand from the crane with no rope or harness to catch him if he falls.

“This [particular video] was filmed last year on my first ever trip to Dubai. I filmed a lot and have so much more content to release,” Kingston told Emirates 24/7.

Kingston, who was detained by police last year while climbing the Princess Tower, said he still has some climbing goals for Dubai.

Hackers take control of Jeep driving on highway A

pair of security experts showed the dangers of a Fiat Chrysler Automobiles security flaw by taking control of a Jeep on the highway.

Security experts Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek said they used a laptop computer and a cellphone on the Sprint network to exploit a security hole in Fiat Chrysler’s Uconnect Internet-enabled software to disable the engine and brakes on a Jeep Cherokee while Wired reporter Andy Greenberg was driving on a stretch of highway in St. Louis.

Greenberg was Miller and Valasek were able to remotely wrest control of the radio, air conditioning, steering wheel and brakes while having a photo of themselves projected on the car’s digital display.

The hackers said the demonstration was different from their previous vehicle hacking attempts on a Ford Escape

and a Toyota Prius because the Fiat Chrysler security flaw was exploited remotely and did not require them to directly wire into the car.

“From an attacker’s perspective, it’s a super nice vulnerability,” Miller said.

Miller and Valasek said they informed Fiat Chrysler of the security flaw about nine months ago, and a secu-

rity update to close the hole was released July 16.

“This update might not sound particularly important, but trust me, if you can, you really should install this one,” Miller tweeted.

Computer security expert Graham Cluley agreed the update is crucial.

“Note that the researchers believe that, although

they’ve only tested it out on Jeeps, the attacks could be tweaked to work on any Chrysler car with a vulnerable Uconnect head unit,” he wrote on his website.

“You should consider installing a security update that Jeep has issued for cars fitted with a model RA3 or model RA4 radio/ navigation system.”

Andy Greenberg takes his hands off the wheel as it is turned remotely by hackers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, July 23, 2015

41

Flour Mills pre-tax profit drops 6%

… Equities shed 0.2% Johnson Okanlawon

F

lour Mills yesterday reported a profit before tax of N7.72 billion for the half year ended June 30, 2015, a decline of six per cent when compared to N8.22 billion recorded in the same period of 2014.

The company’s gross earnings fell to N308.75 billion in the review period compared to N 325.79 billion recorded in the corresponding period of

2014.

Trading in equities closed on a negative note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday as some investors sold their holdings.

The All Share Index depreciated 0.21 per cent to close at 31, 267.25 points, in contrast to the increase of 0.9 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 31,332.39 points.

Market capitalization shed N22 billion to close at N10.70 trillion, as against the rise of N98 billion re-

corded the preceding day to close at N10.73 trillion.

Neimeth Plc led the gainers’ table with 12 kobo or 9.02 per cent to close at N1.45 per share, followed

by Honeywell Flour Mills Plc with 24 kobo or 8.57 per cent to close at N3.04 per share.

PZ Cussons Plc gained N2.12 or 7.60 per cent to close at N30.00 per share, Beta Glass Plc appreciated N1.79 or 4.98 per cent to close at N37.70 per share.

Dangote Sugar Plc rose 28 kobo or 4.90 per cent to close at N5.99 per share.

On the flip side, Cement Company of Northern

Nigeria Plc lost 70 kobo or 7.29 per cent to close at N8.90 per share, while FCMB Plc dropped 19 kobo or 6.33 per cent to close at N2.81 per share.

Transnational Express Plc dipped six kobo or 5.94 per cent to close at 95 kobo per share, while NASCON Plc depreciated 35 kobo or five per cent to close at N6.65 per share.

Unity Bank Plc was down 12 kobo or five per cent to close at N2.28 per share.

A total of 329.2 million shares valued at N2.58 billion were traded in 4,454 deals.

Afrinvest unveils tech to track unclaimed investments Johnson Okanlawon

A

frinvest Securities Limited has announced the launch of AfriTrack, a service designed to unlock the value of outstanding and unclaimed entitlements of investments in Nigerian quoted securities (equities and bonds) on behalf of her clients.

A statement from the firm yesterday said the product targets high networth individuals and corporates, cooperative societies, estate account clients and busy executives.

The statement described

AfriTrack as a combination of ancillary services bundled into a single service, for ease and convenience.

According to the firm’s Managing Director, Mr. Charles Egbunonwo, the services involves reconciliation of client’s shareholding and investments, recovery of all outstanding certificates, bonuses and dividend warrants, recovery of return moneys on unallotted public offer shares and dematerialization of recovered share certificates.

Others, he said, are revalidation of expired dividend warrants; and consolida-

tion of multiple shareholding accounts and Central Securities Clearing System accounts in multiple houses.

On how to avail AfriTrack services, he said, “simply open a brokerage account with Afrinvest Securities Limited, fill out the AfriTrack application form, supply basic information on your investment portfolio and provide us with a mandate or authorization letter.

“We would then leverage on our cordial relationship with various company registrars to promptly reconcile actual shareholding against benefits and entitlements re-

E

tumbled 5.2 per cent.

“Apple is a really big company, and having disappointed a little bit on the sales side of things, does tend to reverberate around the world in technology stocks,” said Wouter Sturkenboom, a senior investment strategist at Russell Investments.

However, he said that in the broader context of receding Greek fears, stock moves remained within the bounds of expected volatility.

Another badly hit sector was mining and natural resources, with the sector down 3.3 per cent and Anglo American hitting its lowest level since 2002, as weak metals prices, worries over Chinese demand and discouraging company updates soured sentiment.

Credit Suisse shares were among the worst performers

on the Swiss stock market after the Financial Times reported the bank’s new chief was sounding out investors for support on a potential deal to bolster asset management.

French utility EDF fell 1.5 per cent after the European Commission ordered France to recover 1.37 billion euros ($1.5 billion) from the company because of a tax exemption granted in 1997.

The company said it would proceed with the repayment but may appeal the decision.

UK telecoms company TalkTalk slumped 8.9 per cent after warning that competition was increasing in the broadband market.

Europe’s second-biggest budget carrier, easyJet, also gained, jumping 4.9 per cent on guidance for annual profit growth of up to 14 per cent.

“With all the concerns

US Dollar

$1

N197 Market indicators All-Share Index 31,267.25 points Market capitalisation 10.70trn

GAINERS

ceived.”

He added that AfriTrack services would normally be concluded within a period of one to three months depending on the complexity of the portfolio and peculiar circumstances.

Afrinvest Securities Limited is a broker dealer and dealing member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. It is a fully-owned subsidiary of Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited, a wealth advisory firm involved in investment banking, securities trading, asset management and investment research with a focus on West Africa.

that the market has had about excess capacity in the market and the likely impact on yields, we believe that these results will be well received,” Numis analysts wrote in a note.

Rate (%) Inflation

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

Stock Updates

European stocks hit by Apple’s revenue shortfall

uropean shares dropped yesterday, dragged down by tech stocks after Apple Inc’s revenue forecast fell short of estimates, as the quarterly earnings season gathered pace in Europe and on Wall Street.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top pan-European shares closed down 0.6 percent at 1,586.46 points. It fell 1.1 per cent in the previous session.

The STOXX Europe 600 Technology index shed 1.7 per cent, with chip designer ARM Holdings among those falling the most. ARM fell 6.6 per cent after the results from Apple, a major customer, despite posting a 32 per cent rise in second-quarter profit.

German chipmaker Dialog Semiconductor, another company with ties to Apple,

Source: NSE

8.2

MPR

13

Crude oil price

$58.96

COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

NEIMETH

1.33

1.45

0.12

9.02

HONYFLOUR

2.80

3.04

0.24

8.57

PZ

27.88

30.00

2.12

7.60

BETAGLAS

35.91

37.70

1.79

4.98

DANGSUGAR

5.71

5.99

0.28

4.90

CAVERTON

3.51

3.68

0.17

4.84

COSTAIN

0.64

0.67

0.03

4.69

FLOURMILL

29.20

30.00

0.80

2.74

STERLNBANK

2.05

2.10

0.05

2.44

CHAMPION

5.39

5.52

0.13

2.41

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CCNN

9.60

8.90

-0.70

-7.29

FCMB

3.00

2.81

-0.19

-6.33

TRANSEXPR

1.01

0.95

-0.06

-5.94

NASCON

7.00

6.65

-0.35

-5.00

UNITYBNK

2.40

2.28

-0.12

-5.00

ETI

22.00

19.60

-1.03

-4.99

UNHOMES

5.78

5.50

-0.28

-4.84

CWG

3.10

2.95

-0.15

-4.84

REDSTAREX

4.75

4.53

-0.22

-4.63

CONTINSURE

0.89

0.85

-0.04

-4.49

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.07

98.26

14.85

98.41

14.69

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.77

100.43

14.77

100.58

14.67

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.94

103.19

14.89

103.49

14.79

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.56

102.87

14.65

103.17

14.56

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.52

106.08

14.90

106.38

14.83

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.64

96.75

14.87

97.05

14.81

Closing Market Prices of July 22, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

15-Oct-15

13.64

14.09

WAUA

270

USD

197

21-Jan-16

12.73

13.59

EURO

214

02-Jun-16

12.64

14.19

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

21.1250

POUNDS STERLING

293

1M

15.3835

3M

16.5886

SDR

273

6M

17.1964

NIBOR

The Fixings of July 22, 2015

42

National News

Thursday, July 23, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Boko Haram razes Buratai’s home town, kill 2 INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

B

oko Haram terrorists have invaded Biu Local Government Area in Borno State, home town of Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, leaving two people dead, while several houses were burnt, including the resi-

dence of former Borno State Commissioner for Education, Barrister Isa Buratai and that of the General.

A resident of Buratai, who fled to Biu town, told our correspondent on phone that the insurgents invaded the village at about 3:30am on Tuesday and started shooting sporadically, killing two

people before burning down houses that were still standing after their first attack on the town last year.

A native of the town, who resides in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, Mohammed Garba, also told our correspondent on phone that he was called by his brother who fled Buratai and informed him

that the terrorists, who were fully armed, attacked Buratai in the early hours of Tuesday, killing two persons and burning the whole village, including houses of the Chief of Army Staff and that of former commissioner.

Confirming the incident, a security source from Biu, who does not want his name in print because he is not

authorised to speak to the press, and one of the traditional rulers in the area (name withheld), said “yes, they attacked Buratai early this morning, killing two people and setting ablaze several houses, including the houses of prominent sons of the town.

In another development, a female suicide bomber only succeeded in killing herself at a nearby military checkpoint in Biu Local Government Area of the state.

Biu is south and about 185kms drive from Maiduguri, which has suffered

series of deadly attacks masterminded by suicide bombers in recent time.

Sources said the female bomber was suspected to be among those who attacked Buratai town, but she was assigned to head into Biu to cause serious havoc by diverting the attention of the military not to respond to Buratai attack.

The source added that the female suicide bomber who was suspected to be 15 years old only killed herself without any other casualty due to tight security mounted at all the entrance of the town.

Lagos arraigns Ibirogba, two others SAIDAT ALAUSA

L L-R: Chairman of Organising Committee, Federal Government College (FGC), Kano, Dr. Seinde Eletu; Mogaji Nkano, Alhaji Sehu Mohammed; National President, FGC Kano, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu; Vice President, Lagos chapter, Mr. Fidelis Duker and President, Lagos chapter, Mr. Shoyinka Shodunke, during the national dialogue on Role of Unity Schools in Nation Building, in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Two killed, others injured in Ogun fuel tank accidents FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

A

t least, one person died on the spot, while two others sustained severe burns when a fuel-dump tank exploded in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, yesterday.

This is coming just as another fuel-laden truck, which ran off the road and crashed into a Nissan Space bus at Mobalufon junction in Ijebu-Ode axis of the state killed one person on the spot.

The fire incident in which a young man simply identified as Yemi died, occurred at the new government petroleum dump site at the old work-yard of the state’s Ogun Road Mainte-

nance Agency, OGROMA, located opposite Agbeloba building along Quarry road in Abeokuta.

The victims were said to be working on the three underground petroleum tanks being relocated from the government fuel dumps at the old secretariat when the explosion occurred.

Other bricklayers who were also working around the scene of the explosion told journalists that the massive explosion was caused by the electric spark from the welding works of the contractor handling the three underground tanks.

Officials of the state Fire Service also had hectic time before they could

put off the flames from the explosion to enable them retrieve the corpse of the victim from the underground pit.

The explosion which caused panic in the neighbourhood, also attracted the Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Kayode Ademolake, former state Commissioner for Works, Architect Lekan Adegbite as well as other government functionaries to the scene before policemen could evacuate the remains of the victim with the assistance of the fire service men.

Meanwhile, the accident which occurred at Mobalufon junction in

the early hours of yesterday in Ijebu-Ode involved a Mack truck tanker marked (LAGOS) APP 81 XL which crashed by the road side.

The Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the state’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, TRACE, Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the accident, said that the fuel laden truck fell on a commuter simply identified as Ahmed.

The late Ahmed was trapped in the tragic incident while waiting to catch a public bus to his destination before the truck crashed on him and the Nissan space bus marked (LAGOS) KJA 901 BX.

Former SGF, Saleh, dies at 87 EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

A

one-time Secretary to the Federal Government of the Federation and elder statesman, Aminu Saleh, has died at the age of 87 after a protracted illness.

He died at the Federal Medical Centre, Azare, in

Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Wednesay morning.

According to family source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Aminu Saleh was buried yesterday evening according to Islamic rites.

Aminu Saleh until his death was the traditional title holder of Wamban Katagum, he was born in

1933 in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

He attended elementary school in Azare between 1941 and 1944, Bauchi Middle School 1944-49, Clerical Training College, Zaria, 1950-51 and the Institute of Administration, Zaria for Diploma in accounting 1956-57. He did an evening university degree course

in University of Lagos 1963-67, and later got a post graduate course in management at the University of Wisconsin in USA. He is survived by one wife, 13 children and grand children. Among the children are Engineer Kabiru Aminu Saleh, eldest son and the immediate past deputy governor of Bauchi State, Sagir Aminu Saleh

agos State government has arraigned Mr. Olugbenga Ibirogba and two others before a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Akintoye on an eight-count charge bothering on provocation, breach of peace by offensive publication and threat to life.

Ibirogba, a former Bursar of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), was the arrowhead of a campaign against the college and its Governing Council in the press, and in top government offices, including the Presidency, EFCC and ICPC, among others, aimed at portraying the college’s management and council in bad light.

In an eight-count charge filed before Justice Adedayo A. Akintoye, Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs E. I. Alakija, who stood in for the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, in charge number LD/1490/2015 averred that Ibirogba with one Charles Akharayi and Samuel Erhunwunse committed an offence, contrary to Section 57 (1) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

The trio was also charged with disclosure of Official Secrets on the internet, (Sahara Reporters and Premium Times) as well as mainstream media contrary to Section 59 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 201, Public Servant Removing Document to bring false accusation, which they knew to be contrary to Section 60 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2011 They were also accused of making false statements to a public officer to media houses with the intention of causing injury or annoyance, contrary to Section 96

(a) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Ibirogba and the other defendants were also charged with conspiracy to cause injury to the person, or reputation of the Rector, Dr. Margaret Ladipo, cause fear and alarm to the public, knowing the reports were false, contrary to Section 39 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2011.

Ibirogba was also accused of impersonating other public officers, contrary to Section (78) (a) and (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011 by presenting himself to the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission in Abuja on February 25, 2014 as Honourable A.E.O Akins, thereby impersonating a public officer.

When the case came up for hearing on Tuesday, the prosecution was in court, but neither the defendants nor their counsel was in court consequent upon which the court adjourned the arraignment of the defendants till September 29, 2015.

Justice Adedayo A. Akintoye further ordered that should the defendants be absent in court on the next adjourned date, the court would issue a Bench Warrant against them in spite of the administrative bail they currently enjoy.

It would be recalled that police investigators had as part of their recommendations called for the prosecution of Ibirogba for giving false information to the police.

Meanwhile, an Abuja Hight Court has granted an interim injunction restraining Ibirogba and the news media from further publishing, writing and distribution of defamatory publications of any nature about or concerning Yabatech Rector or the Governing Council.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, July 23, 2015

43

500, 000 corps members have become entrepreneurs through SAED –NYSC Director Mrs. Mary Danabia is Director of NYSC’s Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED. In this interview with JOEL AJAYI, she speaks about the programme introduced in 2012, to empower young graduates in the country, among others. Excerpts:

W

hy was NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development created?

Initially, the NYSC focused on unity and integration. But as time went on, it became imperative we needed to address other objectives of establishing the scheme and one of them is the 7th that seeks to inculcate the spirit of self- reliance in our young graduates. When we started, it was very rosy. I recall that before you are through with the NYSC, you already had two to three job offers.

But along the line, it was not so with the trend of things in the country. Lots of corps members came out without any job. The issue of unemployment became more glaring. As a dynamic institution, the NYSC became worried with the ugly trend and decided to address the issue.

Since our mandate is to inculcate the spirit of self-reliance in our young people, we started up with what we call cooperative ventures where we got some grants for some corps members and it paid off for those who did it successfully.

We also started collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN training our corps members in developing feasibility studies and business plans. Even with the NDE, we worked with them to see how they can start up business of their own. But starting a business is not a tea party.

We needed some rudiments. We also brought in some people that introduced certain vocational skills.

We then created a department of Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurial Development (SAED).

Just before the establishment, there was an attempt to change the concept of our orientation course.

In an attempt to review the programme, we realised we needed to bring in the SAED into the camp.

But with the establishment of the department, getting the corps members to acquire skills and become entrepreneurs became very important and a driving force. That was how we came about in a bid to address the unemployment issue.

How has the NYSC been able to train corps members on entrepreneurship development?

We looked at it this way that the young ones are just coming out of the university. As we all know, when you are graduating, your focus is on getting a job but because getting those jobs are not easy as such, we, during the orientation

programme in camp first of all try to sensitize them and change their mindset from looking for jobs to creating jobs. It takes us time to do that.

During their orientation programme, we bring out about 30 hours, three hours of 10 days to get them through this and we start with the sensitization. We get people to talk to them on the need to change their minds from looking for jobs and the needs to become entrepreneurs. We also expose them to entrepreneurship development.

We get resource persons who would talk with them in three days and introduce them to entrepreneurship.

They will take them through the course content during which they learn how to start business on their own, how to manage it and go through it and how to also develop business proposals. We also introduce them to different skills and we expect them to choose one of their choices and then they have five days hands-on training. It is then expected that as they finish, they leave and then during their primary assignment, for those who couldn’t complete the training, it is expected that they would go through the training at their primary assignment.

Can you mention some of the achievements, challenges and lessons learnt during implementation?

In November 2011, we got an approval from the head of service to establish more departments for the NYSC, one of which was the skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development department,. Then on the 29th of March, 2012, this department was inaugurated with the appointment of a director. Since then, the department had taken off.

Brand new as it was, we came out with our vision and mission statements, objectives and goals as well.

By the end of 2013, we had been able to train over 410, 000 corps members on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship. If I add the 2015 batch A, we will be looking at over 500, 000 corps members who have been exposed to the message of acquiring skills and becoming entrepreneurs. We went into broad collaboration with international and national organizations to assist us to set up the department and get it running as it is.

The partnership and collaboration has yielded tremendous results. It is through them that we develop the curriculum that we use in the camps for training. At

Danabia

the commencement of the entrepreneurship development training programme in the camp, every corps member is given a work book so that as the training is going on, they are completing it and it is expected that by the end of that course and by the end if their completion, they would have attempted to develop a business proposal which is also marked by the resource person to try to show them their gaps and difficulties and work through them.

We have been able to collaborate to a large extent with a lot of organizations. In fact, it is those organizations that send their resource persons to the camp to train the corps members because the NYSC does not have trainers so we rely on the trainers from those organizations.

International Labor Organization has been very good and very supportive of the NYSC in this collaboration as well as the voluntary organization, the CBN who helps train some of them on the development of business plans and eventually give a few of them some funds to start up their businesses between 150 and 250 thousand naira, and we were able to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Bank of Industry in 2014 and that’s for funding option for the corps members because after training them and they develop business plans, the next thing is to source for funds to start and we needed to link them up with financial institutions and we also have a collaboration with Bank of Agriculture.

We have been able to acquire some equipment for the training during the orientation, in fact the first donation of the public address system for the different skill groups was by the former special adviser to the president for youths and student matters because we had problems with large classes and one person talking to a class of 500 to 2000 without a public address system. They are usually broken I

to groups such as the ICT, cosmetology etc. We have been able also to acquire some training equipments for hair making, baking, sewing machines, hair dryers and so on.

For us to have been able to train the corps members and come out with entrepreneurs, I can tell you that we now have 1,600 corps members who have become entrepreneurs till date. That’s part of our achievement. Now, we have to an extent removed the fear of finishing service and waiting for a job.

Now while they are waiting for a job, they could use their hands and skills acquired to earn some little money.

How does the NYSC support corps members who desire to establish their own businesses?

You know NYSC has no money so if it is to give them money, we don’t have to give them. But what we try to do is train and get them to do good business proposals and we link them up to the funding institutions like the CBN who is actually doing something. Bank of Industry is also there, Bank of Agriculture is also there and there are some other organizations that are willing to sponsor them. So once they are done with their business proposal, they send it. Most times, what we do to encourage them is that right from camp during the introduction/training programme, we have a business plan writing competition and that usually spurs them up.

From their training, they begin

to develop their business proposal.

Like here now, we have some that we have sent to the bank of industry while we hope that they will respond. In Bank of industry, they realize that most people who submit proposals to them don’t meet their standards, so they have now commissioned about 120 business development service providers nationwide.

So what we do now is that when they submit, we take the proposals to those service providers to look at them and try to make those proposals get to standard before we submit to Bank of Industry.

For Bank of Industry, I might not tell you the exact number but they have been sponsoring some of them. Some of the micro finance institutions have also been able to sponsor. But the interest rates in the commercial banks have been quite high so we have not been able to get our corps members to benefit from those ones.

We also went to sure-p and YouWin where we have introduced them and that was towards the end of last year. Early this year, we had two or three of them who won from YouWin, the sum of 10 million naira each to start their business and there are quite a number of them who get these little monies in different states all over. There are micro finance banks that assist these corps members to get funds but it has not been easy for them either.

Our focus now is to get them to develop good business plans.

44

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, July 23, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Diabetes: Paediatrician urges good diet for children iour.

He advised adults to set good example of healthy nutrition and encourage children to eat fruits, vegetables, protein, whole grains and low- or non-fat dairy.

Otuneye said high blood sugar levels could lead to kidney disease, heart disease and blindness.

“Excess sugar in the bloodstream can damage the tiny blood vessels in the eyes and kidneys and can harden or narrow the arteries,’’ he said.

He said that routine examination by ophthalmologist would reveal if

one is diabetic or not.

“Diabetes also affects blood circulation to the feet and the tiny blood vessels in the eyes. If the ophthalmologist or podiatrist (foot doctor) suspects you have diabetes, they will recommend that you see your regular physician for blood sugar level test,’’ he said.

Otuneye said the most common test for diabetes was fasting blood glucose test, taken after not eating for at least eight hours, usually overnight through blood sample

Nigerian Children

Stories by LEONARD OKACHIE

A

paediatrician, Dr. Kunle Otuneye, has advised parents who are diabetic to be mindful of the type of diet they give their children as the disease could be hereditary.

Otuneye, a staff of the National Hospital, Abuja, said that diabetes among children was often caused by bad diet from a young age.

He said that diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin, adding “If there is family history of diabetes, the child or children have the tendency of being diabetic.

Catholic priest warns against indecent dressing

W

orried about the rising cases of defilement, the Episcopal Vicar/Dean, Lekki Region of the Catholic Arch Diocese of Lagos, Msgr. Francis Ogunmodede has advised parents to ensure that their female children dress decently to avoid being victimised.

The cleric, who spoke of the need for collective efforts toward putting an end to defilement, warned parents to be alert as even the male child could be defiled.

Ogunmodede , while giving the advice in Lagos said: “The problem has always been there though, because I remember as a child there were usually one or two men or so that were being accused with that kind of thing.

“Parents! If a mother dresses her daughter in a sexy manner, well it’s only cutting trouble for the child and herself, that is one good cause. ``The way girls are dressed, they should be dressed simply and not in the manner that would be attracting men, but of course, I think such men that defile children are sick, they are not alright.”

He said that those who defile infants are mentally sick, adding, “And of course too, parents too should be careful, you find the case of a nanny or people even within the family who would defile a child, so the best nanny is the mother.”

“Some of the symptoms of the disease in children are extreme thirst, unusual weight loss, frequent urination and when the child is eating well and not growing properly.

“Parents should be careful in the way they give their children junk food. They should encourage their children to live active lifestyle and exercise regularly’’.

The paediatrician explained that type one diabetes is a condition when the pancreas does not produce insulin.

He said that type two diabetes occur when the body does not produce enough insulin or when the cells are unable to use insulin properly.

“Toddlers and preschool children should be encouraged to be physically active throughout the day.

They should have outdoor playtime, access to playground or open grass and adequate indoor play environment at child-care centres,’’ he said.

Otuneye said denial of food, physical activity and watching television should not be used to punish children, adding that there are other ways to discourage bad behav-

A skill acquisition centre in Lagos.

Govt charged to encourage youths on skills acquisition

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don, Dr Bright Eregha, has urged the Federal Government to organise more skill acquisition programmes for youths to unlock their entrepreneurial potential so as to achieve rapid development.

Eregha, a lecturer in the Department of Economics, University of Lagos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that exposing more youths to vo-

Science for Kids

Why is water colourless?

M

ilk is white. Lemonade is cloudy. Orange juice is orange. Pretty much everything you drink or eat has some colour. Then why is that you can see through a glass full of water? Why is water colourless Have you ever wondered?

Here is why. You must already know that white light is made up of several colours. Now anything solid or liquid is made up of tiny particles.

Now when light falls on these particles, they absorb some colours from the light and while some other colour doesn’t get absorbed.

This colour gets reflected back from the particles and is the one that reaches our eyes. The thing therefore appears to be of the colour that is

reflected back and reaches our eyes.

For example when you look at orange juice, all colours from the light are absorbed except orange colour. Orange colour is reflected back and reaches our eyes and therefore the juice looks orange.

Water is colourless and transparent because ALL except a tiny bit of blue (for pure water) are reflected back.

Since water reflects all colours together it looks colourless.

Source : kinooze

cational skills would liberate them economically.

“It is only when entrepreneurship is entrenched amongst youths of this country that their God-given potential will be realised,’’ he said.

According to him, any prediction about Nigeria’s economic boom will be unrealistic unless many youths of the country are involved in entrepreneurship.

“The ambition of Nigeria to attain the prestigious 20 largest economies in the globe in the next decade will be tenable if the majority of our youths are engaged in enterprise. The demography of young people of this country is a plus to any economy if they are properly exploited, “he said.

The lecturer said that it was much easier nowadays to become entrepreneurs with the advent of the social media and the opportunities the medium offered for business.

“Many entrepreneurs are quickly attaining success and breaking even faster than before because they are leveraging on the opportunities of the new media as it is the future of business in the world.

“However, our local entrepreneurs need to reposition themselves to exploit the current opportunities that the social media avails and this can be better facilitated through government support,” Eregha said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, July 23, 2015

45

Positive media key to nation-building –Niboro Stories by LEONARD OKACHIE

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isturbed by the negative publicity of Nigeria to the international community, the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Ima Niboro has challenged the local media to rise to its role by contributing positively to nation-building.

Niboro regretted that the Nigerian media had led the world to believe that the country was a corrupt society, through their reportage.

He disagreed on the view that Nigeria is today regarded as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, adding: “We must learn to build our nation; we do not have any other country to call our own; we must remain here and serve it.

“If we ridicule our leaders and ridicule our country, which country are we going to call our own? Here, there is nothing that is sacred; anything can be written; anything can be published no matter what happens.

“Even if it sets the country ablaze nobody cares; yet we come back and say Nigeria is unstable, Nigeria is not growing.”

Niboro, who said this when a delegation from the University of Abuja, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Micheal Adikwu, paid him a courtesy call in Abuja, emphasised that positive media is vital to nation-building.

He said: “It is clear that in the function of nation-building you must have positive media. Since 1999 we have achieved democracy and this is the longest stretch of democracy that we have experienced in this country and because of this I tell my colleagues all the time that the war is over. The military is gone.

“This is democracy; you cannot win all the time; power must shift from one place to the other and how do we assist every government (that comes) in building the country of our dream.

“The kind of things our leaders go through here is sometimes unbelievable. If you Google (for) the most abused President in the world, the thing that will come up will be Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria.

“They have transported it to the present and even the present administration is being attacked less than two months in office.

“What can a government achieve in two months? What is two months in the life of a nation? Now the new President is already being called all kind of names. We keep our country perpetually unstable because of all these things.”

He pledged the agency’s support to the university in the setting up of its radio station and in the area of training for its students.

“I look forward to working closely with you and the university authorities.

I am happy to hear that you have a radio station. We will work with you and in the area of training. We are fully on ground, ” the managing director said.

The vice chancellor, earlier in his speech, solicited NAN’s support in the setting up of the university’s radio station as well as sought the agency’s cooperation in the area of training for the university’s mass communication students on industrial attachment.

Adikwu said: “We have so many things we can do together - the News Agency of Nigeria and the university.

“There is a little radio station we are trying to set up. The project has been on for a while; we want to make it functional. We want to solicit your help.

“We have paid the license for two years now and the various process of activating it is already on. So that is one of the reasons we are here.

Journalists at a training workshop.

“The other issue is as a university we do media arts, we do not have a de-

partment of mass communication yet, although we are working on that.”

VON, Radio Deutsche Welle pledge better cooperation

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igeria’s international radio broadcast organisation, the Voice of Nigeria (VON) and its German equivalent, Radio Deutsche Welle (DW), have agreed to strengthen their existing bilateral relationship with the objective of promoting socio- economic advancement of Nigeria and Germany.

This followed a high-level meeting between the two Corporations which took place recently at the Broadcasting House, Ikoyi Lagos station of VON. In his remark, the Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Sam Worlu said the meeting became necessary in order to review existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two international radio networks which was signed 16 years ago and reviewed last in 2006.

Such a review, he said, would ensure that all elements of the MoU are made effective, so as to engender maximum benefits to the two organisations.

While praising Radio Deutsche Welle for its effective service delivery as well as rich news and programmes content, Worlu said VON is looking forward to acquiring technical assistance and training of its staff, to enhance its online service, among other needs. He announced that VON would soon re-start its German programme which was closed down when Germany was divided into two different countries.

Responding, the Director General of Radio Deutsche Welle, Mr. Peter Limbourg applauded the improvement of VON service especially its recent compliance with the demands of the new media, saying that reaching young people in Germany is being made easier by the

online services of VON. According to Limbourg, Nigeria is a country with huge potentials and a destination for investment and tourism and therefore described the partnership with VON as being of immense benefit to his organisation, agreeing that there was the need to review the MoU in order to activate areas that are yet to be exploited for mutual benefits of the two organisations.

Among those in Limbourg’s delegation are Director International Relations, Klaus Bergmann; Head of Africa Programs, Claus Stäcker; Head of Dis-

Worlu

tribution Africa, Sevan Ibrahim-Sauer and Head of Hausa Service, Thom as Mösch, while Mr. Sam Worlu was joined

by Executive Director Programmes, Yusuf A. Yusuf; Executive Director News Suleiman Ahazia and other top management officers of VON in receiving the German visitors.

Highlights of the meeting was the exchange of gifts by the two Directors General, with Worlu presenting Talking Drum to Limbourg, saying it was a historical but still relevant information and entertainment medium used in many Nigerian communities and across Africa.

46

Thursday, July 23, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NUJ election: Lamidi promises to weed quacks Stories by LEONARD OKACHIE

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spiring President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the forthcoming elections, Mustapha Lamidi has promised to champion the improvement of the welfare of journalists in the country.

Lamidi gave the assurance when he addressed members of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Chapel of the union in Lagos.

He said that even though journalists were seen as pests by some, they played very vital roles in the stability, peace, and economic development of the nation.

He also said that if elected president of the union, he would weed out quacks from the profession and promote revenue generation, amongst other things.

Lamidi boasted: “If given the mandate we are going to shout, we are going to agitate, we are going to struggle, we are going to fight for the interest of journalists in this country.

“I am not kidding about it; it is something that we are determined to do. The issue of welfare is very critical to us because we know that journalists in Nigeria are not earning their pay. We say this because journalists in Nigeria work round the clock,” he said.

Lamidi, who explained that it was not enough to refer to journalists as essential service providers, said: ``the question is, are we earning essential pay? What we are earning is not commensurate with the effort that we are putting into the job.”

Speaking on behalf of the agency, the Executive Director/Head of Lagos, NAN, Mr. Jide Adebayo, expressed confidence in the ability of Lamidi to pilot the affairs of the union.

He said: “I want to express my total support for your aspiration for the leadership of our great union (NUJ).

“My knowledge of you transcends union or professional issues. I have known you as a man of impeccable char-

acter; a man of great experience and integrity.

“Recalling your period as Chairman of NUJ, Kwara State, and National Ex-

ecutive Council of the NUJ, I want to say without any fear of contradiction that you have proven capacity for quality leadership.”

Star Radler tours media houses

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fter thrilling crowds at several events around the country, Star Radler, the delicious combination of orange juice and Star Lager produced by Nigerian Breweries recently undertook a tour of 30 media houses across the city of Lagos.

The tour gave OAPs, journalists and staff members of Hip TV, Naij, NET, Beat FM, Nigeria Info and others the chance to taste the delicious drink as part of an exciting after-work experience. Noteworthy faces in attendance included radio anchor Yaw and fellow radio voice The Big Tyme and Tuale.

The media tour also went to Black-

House Media, Cool FM, Wazobia FM, Beat FM, STV/Rhythm FM, IMS and SoundCity. Other media houses swept up in the Star Radler blitz included Sabinews, TVC, City FM, Generation E, Vanguard, Guardian, Business Day, MTV Base, National Mirror, Newswatch, Byte Size and Starcom Media.

Speaking on the tour, Corporate Media And Brand PR Manager, NB PLC, Edem Vindah remarked, “Star Radler is the revelation of the year. Everyone who has had the chance to try it has loved it.

The double refreshment of Star Lager mixed with citrus juice is just irresistible.”

Media Abroad

Twitter removes background images from timeline

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witter users are no longer able to set their own background pictures as they browse the site, after the company quietly turned off the muchloved feature and replaced backgrounds with a uniform light grey.

User-set backgrounds will still be visible when a specific user’s feed, or individual tweet, is visited. But when browsing the home timeline, users are now faced with a plain background, rather than one of their own choice.

The change was initially made without an announcement, prompting many users to wonder if the site had broken, but a Twitter spokesperson confirmed that the update was deliberate.

“We’re removing background images from the home and notifications timelines on web for all users,” the company

Charlie Hebdo cartoon on Prophet Mohammed

told Engadget. “Now, background images are only available where logged-in users will see them publicly [Tweet pages, list pages and collections pages].”

Some users have speculated that the changes are to pave the way for adverts which take over the whole background.

The change has upset some users, who appreciated the ability to personalise their Twitter experience, and one has created a chrome plugin to undo the change.

Mika, a coder based in Leipzig, Germany, released the Twitter Background Restorer onGithub on Tuesday morning.

“I bet there’s gonna be paid-for background ads now,” Mika said. “People are defending it in the comments with ‘good, people were myspacing it up anyway’ – you can still see the background on individual tweets!”

L-R: Yaw (2nd ) with his colleagues at Wazobia FM, Lagos, during Star Radler’s visit.

No more Mohammed cartoons, says Charlie Hebdo editor

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he editor of Charlie Hebdo has said that cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed will no longer be published by the French satirical magazine, six months after 12 people were killed in an attack on its Paris offices by Islamist gunmen.

The magazine has frequently provoked outrage among Muslims by publishing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, whose image is considered bl a s p h e m o u s by many followers of Islam. Its “survi-

vors’ issue”, the first to be published after January’s attack, featured a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed on the front page.

But Charlie Hebdo editor Laurent Sourisseau, also known by his pen name “Riss”, told German magazine Stern that the Prophet Mohammed would no longer appear in the magazine’s pages.

“We have drawn Mohammed to defend the principle that one can draw whatever they want. We’ve done our job. We have defended the right to caricature,” Sourisseau said.

“We still believe that we have the right to criticise all religions,” he added.

Riss took over as Charlie Hebdo’s editor in the wake of January attack – which he survived by playing dead – taking over the role from Stéphane “Charb” Charbonnier, who was killed in the massacre.

Riss’s announcement comes after one of the magazine’s most prominent cartoonists Rénald “Luz” Luzier said in April he would no longer draw the Prophet Mohammed as it “no longer interests me”.

Luz, who drew the front cover of the “survivors’ issue”, quit the magazine altogether a month later.

Source: France 24

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

B Shoppers’ S

D

Guide

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he Nigerian Stock Exchange is located on broad street, Lagos, but not many people know, including those selling or buying goods and services in Broad Street.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange hasn’t exactly sizzled of late. A domestic banking crisis and political turmoil slashed the index 60 per cent from its record 2008 highs.

A stock is a unit of a share of a company that is traded on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (It is also often referred to as a share.

But the potential of investing in stocks is enormous. “A 60 per cent drop tells me that it’s an opportune time to invest,“ Mrs Sadiat Kazeem, an insurance broker told National Mirror on the opportunities in the Nigerian capital market.

Though she was one of the investors that lost money in the capital market during the downturn, there is still hope of getting better return on investments. “I still have about N.5 million investments in the market.

“If I keep the money in the bank, how much would it generate in one year? But I still believe in the capital market because I have gained double of my investments before the crash,” she said.

But not many people are aware of the opportunities in the capital market. Mrs. Florence David, a clothes dealer at Broad Street, said she does not know that Nigerian Stock Exchange is located close to her shop.

“I don’t think I can keep my money somewhere because whatever I get I use it to buy more goods,” she retorted when this reporter explains opportunities in investing in stocks to her.

Where do stocks come from?

Every company has shares which the owners lay claim to. When you go to register a company at the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, you typically say your authorized share capital is N1m made up of 1m ordinary shares of N1 each. This means your initial capital

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, July 23, 2015

47

Making money through stock on Broad Street at the start of your company is N1million represented by those shares.

Whilst the value of your capital may increase over time, your shares remain the same till you decide to increase it again and register same with the CAC. When the shares are listed on the floor of the NSE they are tradable as stocks meaning people can buy or sell them.

So what is the NSE and what companies trade their shares on it?

The NSE is a market for buyers and sellers of stocks (shares) to transact officially. In Nigeria, like in most exchanges all over the world, a company needs to fulfil certain laid out criteria to be able to have its shares traded on the NSE. Some of the criteria are that the company must be a public company and must have more than 50 shareholders (owners). Whenever a company decided to sell shares for the first time on the NSE, they perform what is called an Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Subsequent offering of shares by the company can come as a Public Offer (PO) or a Rights Issue.

I will come to these later Are these the only ways people can buy shares on the NSE? As mentioned, the NSE is a market place for people to buy and sell shares.

Therefore, those who buy shares during an IPO or during a Public Offer can also sell those shares to willing buyers whenever they want. As such, once a company’s shares are listed on the NSE, their outstanding shares can be bought or sold provided there is a willing seller and a willing buyer with or without a Public Offer.

Stocks are traded every working day of the week.

Can I buy any number of shares I want?

Just like in any market, the stock market is also limited to the forces of demand and supply.

For example, whilst a company may have 10million shares outstanding (available on the stock exchange) only a portion of it may be offered for

Stock Exchange market in session sale by its owners. Therefore if only 5million of those shares are regularly traded then the maximum you and any other willing

buyer can buy is 5million.

Is that why I hear a lot about banking stocks?

Exactly! An average bank has billions of out-

standing shares (stocks) that are traded regularly on the NSE. Therefore people can buy and sell them more frequently

unlike a small firm that probably has just millions.

–Johnson Okanlawon

Govt should reduce long sanitation hours, says traders

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raders in Lagos Island have expressed displeasure on the business hours they lose every week during the Thursday’s market sanitation exercise in the state.

Speaking to Broad Street Diary in separate interviews in Lagos recently, traders said the weekly exercise during which they had to lock their shops, was a huge loss of man power.

The weekly market sanitation lasts between 7:00 am and 10:00 am.

Speaking to BSD on the exercise, Mr. Edward Osin, a dealer in cosmetics, said

that locking shops for sanitation was a waste of time and should be discontinued.

He argued that the purpose of the weekly sanitation was to keep the market environment clean.

Mr. Bartholomew Eze, a businessman on his pert, called on the government to review the policy to ensure standard environmental sanitation.

According to him, “It is a loss of manpower in terms of productivity. I believe markets can be opened while the environment is still being cleaned, rather

Trader selling wine on Broad Street

than make people lose substantial time of the day.

“Government should make the time flexible for businessmen, in three hours, businesses are lost and this is not good for the economy,” he said.

Eze said that rather than locking down businesses during the period, the environmental sanitation personnel like the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, should be strengthened to enforce the law and sanction erring traders appropriately.

But Mr. Taye Alani, a commercial bus driver,

supported the three-hour sanitation, saying that the roads are free within the three hours, making him to achieve his half day delivery target early.

He stressed the need for strong enforcement of the law to improve conditions in the markets and the environment as a whole.

The driver appealed to traders to comply with the sanitation law so that businesses can be transacted under clean and hygienic environment.

–Dare Akogun

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News

Thursday, July 23, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos raises alarm over new criminal antics FRANCIS SUBERU

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agos State Government on Wednesday alerted residents on a new antics being adopted by men of the underworld to perpe-

trate criminal activities in the state.

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Habib Aruna, the state government said that unscrupulous persons render their prospective victims unconscious through

rubbing perfumed handkerchief on their face.

The statement added that the bandits usually targets unsuspecting victims either in a lonely commuter bus, taxi or a quiet corner.

It added that by the time the effect of the drugged

perfume wears off, the criminals would have fled after robbing thier victim.

The statement listed the Igando axis in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State as one of the areas where this new dimension of crime has become very pronounced

in recent times.

“It is not yet known how harmful the drug being used on the handkerchief is. While that

Lagos CP audits SARS, other police cells

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After Sallah holliday, Broad street market activities pick up

CCECC workers protest mass sack, working condition FRANCIS SUBERU

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undreds of casual workers with the China Construction and Engineering Company; CCECC, yesterday stormed the Lagos State House, Alausa Ikeja, to protest against alleged inhumane treatment being meted on them by the management of the company.

They said that in the past few weeks, hundreds of their colleagues have been sacked by CCECC management without any

benefit, not minding the number of years the individuals have put into working with the company.

The protesters lead by Mark Okila and three others; Muyideen Ola, Benjamin Terlumun and one Friday; carried placards with varied inscriptions including; “CCECC compensate us and let us go in peace,” “We will not succumb to slavish labour” “Government must attend to our plights.”

Speaking on behalf of the protesting workers, Okila said the company

is in the habit of laying workers off without any benefit, just as they hardly care for those who got injured in line of duty.

They described as hellish, the working condition in CCECC as a labourer is only paid N550 for a full day hard work while a workman is paid N850 per day without insurance cover or pension or any benefit whatsoever.

The aggrieved workers complained bitterly about their safety, saying safety matters are of little importance to the company. “You will be given appointment

without any safety instruction, safety induction or safety garget, leading to many injuries that has left many of our colleagues in permanent disabilities;” Akila said.

Addressing the protesting workers on behalf of the state government, the state’s Chief of Staff, Samuel Olukunle Ojo, assured the aggrieved workers that the state government would see to their plight and convey a joint meeting between the workers, the CCECC management and government officials.

is being investigated, it may be necessary to alert members of the public on this new dimension,” the statement said.

agos State Police Command has begun an audit of different cells at the Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, with a view to check human rights abuses.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the audit is not unconnected with the reports received by the InspectorGeneral of Police, IGP, on human rights abuses in some police stations across the country.

Some human rights groups had protested to the IG over the abuses.

Sources told NAN that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, following the report, began a tour of SARS cells before the Eid-el Fitr celebration.

The inspection which is continuing is for him to have a first-hand assessment of the cells and suspects detained.

“The IG got reports from human rights abuses against some police stations and SARS in particular. The officers in charge were therefore directed to get statistics of suspects in their cells. ‘’In Lagos State, the commissioner wants to know the number of suspects in all the cells. He wants to know when the suspects were arrested, why they were arrested and who are investigating the cases. ‘’The commissioner also wanted to know how far in-

vestigations have gone and how many cases have been concluded and ready to be charged to court,’’ a competent police source said.

Another source, however, noted that there was no big deal in auditing the cells, noting that as senior police officers in charge of stations, they must check the condition of suspects daily.

The source said that auditing the SARS cells was not a surprise, stressing that the IG was known as ‘’Mr Human Rights’’ while at the Lagos State CID, Panti.

“If there are complaints of human rights abuses against any station, be rest assured that the IG will clear up such a mess,’’ the police source said.

However, the state command’s spokesman, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, said the commissioner only toured the cells to see their state and those of suspects in them.

Nwosu said the CP was only carrying out a routine exercise, noting that there was nothing about audit of suspects in the cells.

It would be recalled that the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, had on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the Nigeria Police Force had paid over N1 billion to Nigerians whose rights were trampled upon by officers in the last three years.

LCCI advocates aggressive local poultry production

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agos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI on Wednesday said that the enforcement of the ban on imported poultry products without boosting local poultry production would affect the nation’s economy.

Mr Wale Oyekoya, Chairman, Agric and NonOil Group of the chamber, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that bridging the deficit gaps with supply from local poultry

products was the solution.

He commended the ban on imported poultry products that had been enforced, but criticised the timing based on local production deficit.

Oyekoya urged the Federal Government to encourage farmers through policies and incentives that would create an enabling environment for abundant production of poultry products.

He said that an increased

local poultry production would force down the prices of locally produced turkeys and chickens, and would render imported poultry products useless and loose its appeal.

“For government to enforce the ban on these products when they are not sufficient in the market will definitely encourage smugglers to intensify their efforts to smuggle the items into the country.

“More so, the country

has many porous borders which the smugglers can utilise in bringing in the items,” he said.

Oyekoya, who is also the Managing Director of Bama Farms, called for government’s subsidy in the agricultural sector.

“If the government can be providing subsidy for the oil and gas sector, I see no reason why there cannot be subsidy for the agricultural sector,” Oyekoya said.

He also urged government to dialogue with commercial banks to work out modalities that would make access to obtain loans and intervention funds easy for the agricultural sector.

“The banks in this country are not helping the economy; they are the number one problem of most entrepreneurs.

“It is only in Nigeria that our economy is challenged and the banks are

declaring profits quarterly.

Where will this lead us?”

“If the government can withdraw its money deposited in these commercial banks, banks will have time for entrepreneurs and relatively build up the economy,” Oyekoya said.

He advocated that government should ensure that stakeholders in the sector had inputs into government’s policy formulation before they would be released to the public.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Thursday, July 23, 2015

49

Bayelsa APC wants Jonathan, wife probed Osahon Julius YENAGOA

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ormer President Goodluck Jonathan’s kinsman and factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Perekeme Kpodo, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to probe Jonathan, his wife, Dame Patience, and any other person found culpable.

Kpodo, who made the call at a news conference in Yenagoa yesterday, said the former president, his wife and known associates should be prosecuted for alleged looting of resources of the country and other associated crimes.

The party also faulted former Bayelsa governor, Timipre Sylva’s reception at the weekend to receive scores of defectors from Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, saying the action was illegal and a desperate attempt to provide cover for corrupt politicians against possible prosecution by the administration of President Buhari.

He said APC’s stance against corrupt associates of the last administration of Jonathan was well-known and must be prosecuted.

Kpodo said, “As a decent state executive, we consider the attempt to make APC a dumping ground unacceptable and vexatious. APC in the state will not allow the party to become a dumping ground for desperate looters and thieves in need of protection from prosecution.

“We call on President Buhari to order a detailed investigation into the acts of fraud and embezzlement by these defectors and their associates.

“We support the moves

by Buhari for the prosecution of former President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife and his known associates for the looting and as-

E

do State House of Assembly has called on the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, to, as a matter of urgency, put all necessary road signs in place on the Benin-Lagos highway, to avert avoidable accidents.

This was contained in a resolution passed by the House on Tuesday in Benin.

The resolution was sequel to a Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised by Mr Sunday Osazemwinde,

sociated crimes committed against the state.”

The factional chairman asked every aspiring defectors to obtain clearance at the ward through to the state level of the party.

He said defectors must show clear record of performance from the parent party before official presentation to the loyalists and progressive supporters of APC. Kpodo said APC would soon release a timetable of events of the party to receive its teeming supporters, defectors as well as the processes for primary election of the party.

On the newly unveiled party secretariat, Kpodo dismissed it as a “show of illegality.”

He said: “How can a party with belief in anti-corruption posture as put forward

by President Buhari be involved in a secretariat in dispute at a competent court of law? The premise used by the sacked chairman and former executives was procured with monies withdrawn from the coffers of the Bayelsa State government by the former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva. By implication, the purported office of the party is the property of people of the state.”

Kpodo emerged as a factional chairman of the party after crises of confidence against the chairman, Tiwei Orunimigha, for alleged diversion of party funds and expulsion of some persons from the party.

Participants during a training on cassava processing by West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme in Uyo, Cross River State, on Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN

Ex-militants defend Buhari’s US trip …seek probe of Amnesty programme Omeiza Ajayi

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ational Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Militants, NCNDE-A, have faulted critics of President Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to the United States of America, saying the president deserves applause and not upbraiding.

According to the group, the trip was necessary to afford Buhari the opportunity to engage on an “integrity

ity and scanty entourage visit the USA as against the multitude of questionable businessmen and women paraded on such trip by the Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government on regular basis, compromising the integrity of Nigerian people and nation.

He warned the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to desist from politics of blackmail and propaganda, noting that Nigerians would resist any attempt by PDP

Theophilus Onojeghen

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cores of black marketers of illegallyrefined crude oil products yesterday met their waterloo when men of the Joint Task Force, JTF, codenamed ‘Operation Pulo Shield’ raided a location suspected to be a market for selling stolen crude products in Warri,

Delta State.

The market for sale of illegally-refined petroleum products especially locallyrefined Premium Motor Spirit, PMS (fuel) was said to be situated at Panaphina yard, near Warri Naval Base along Warri-Sapele road.

National Mirror gathered that men of the force stormed the venue around 10am and arrested over 20 persons suspected to be black marketers.

The arrested suspects, sources said, have been in the illegal business for long and became unrelenting following the recent fuel scarcity in Warri and environs.

Our sources said some drums and gallons filled with diesel were confiscated from the traders and taken away by JTF operatives.

It was learnt that most of those arrested were women and youths.

However, several stalls

Accidents: Edo Assembly tasks FRSC on road signs

member representing Ovia North East 1, on the accident that claimed the lives of two UNIBEN undergraduates on July 19. Moving the motion, Osazemwinde said the accident would have been averted if all road signs were put in place.

“Mr Speaker, the accident that occurred on the Benin-Lagos Expressway by the UNIBEN gate in Benin

to smear the good image of Buhari and the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC. He accused PDP of having brought “all evils to bear” on the citizenry for its eightyear misrule.

Urging the president to pursue those who plundered the wealth of the nation, the coalition said Buhari should unleash the anti-corruption agencies on the Amnesty office due to the alleged massive corruption in the programme.

JTF raids fuel black marketers, arrests 20 WARRI

Buhari

buy-back” for the nation, which had for decades been ravaged by unbridled corruption by the political elite.

President of the group, Israel Akpodoro, who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, said no president in the history of Nigeria has brought such glory to the nation. He added that the president had shown that he is the messiah Nigerians crave.

Akpodoro stated that for the first time Nigerians saw a president with qual-

would have been averted if the relevant authorities were alive to their responsibilities.

“In the past, there used to be a pedestrian bridge opposite the UNIBEN main gate, but as we speak, it is no longer there.

“The students have resorted to crossing the expressway and risk being knocked down by motorists,’’ he said.

Osazemwinde called on

the Federal Ministry of Works, the state Ministry of Transport and the Department of Works at the University of Benin, to put speed breakers, a pedestrian bridge and warning signs, among others, on the portion where UNIBEN is located, to avoid accidents.

Other lawmakers, who described the incident as pathetic, called on the National

Orientation Agency, NOA, to sensitise road users and the general public on the need to erect appropriate road signs on public roads.

The House also called on the Nigerian Army to take full responsibility of the accident victim, who is now in the hospital, in addition to taking care of the funeral costs of the deceased.

The speaker, Victor

where the products were sold, were vandalised by the rampaging military personnel who carried out the raiding.

Efforts by our correspondent to speak with JTF spokesperson, Lt. Col. Isa Ado to confirm the incident were unsuccessful as calls placed to his line were not picked or returned.

But a source at the JTF office in Warri confirmed the raid to our reporter.

Edoror, therefore directed that copies of the Assembly’s resolution should be sent to the Army, UNIBEN and Federal Ministry of Works, among others, for immediate action.

Also, a bill for a law to make provision for the establishment of a commission for persons with disabilities passed through the first reading on the floor of the House.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Police recover bombs in wrecked Jeep •Troops clear more roads of mines, insurgents in Borno UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

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obe State Police Command has recovered four bombs, two improvised explosive devices, six mortar bombs, machine gun and two AK-47 rifles from insurgents.

Police Commissioner, Mr Markus Danladi, made the announcement on Wednesday in Damaturu while displaying the arms.

He said the bombs and the explosive devices were discovered in the trunk of a Toyota High-

lander Jeep whose occupants died on Monday in an explosion from a device strapped on their bodies.

He said five suicide bombers were stopped for search on the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway on Monday by a police

patrol team, but they detonated the explosives, killing themselves and three policemen while two other policemen sustained injuries.

“On July 21, a team of police investigators searching the wreckage of the jeep discovered six

unexploded bombs neatly concealed in the trunk of the vehicle comprising four 81mm caliber and two improvised.

“Similarly, six mortar bombs were discovered in the handbag of a female member of the suicide bombers,’’ he said.

The commissioner, who said the bombs had a range of 1,000 meters radius, urged security operatives on the highway to be vigilant.

He said the police also recovered one general purpose machine gun, two AK-47 rifles and hundreds of ammunition from insurgents who were repelled in an attempted attack on Bara town.

Danladi called on motorists and the public to cooperate with security

agencies to ensure security of lives and properties.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army yesterday, said that more roads in Borno State have been cleared of terrorists and mines by troops for commuters to use.

A statement through the Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman, in Abuja, said already, the roads linking BiuSabon Gari-Damboa in Borno State are now cleared.

He said the operation followed the directive by the Chief of Army Staff, Maj-Gen. Tukur Buratai, to troops in the 3rd and 7th Divisions of the Nigerian Army, on the need to be more proactive in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.

NYSC to post first class graduates to tertiary institutions …varsities banned from offering PG admission to corps members Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi (front row 5th right); representative of Kaduna State Governor, Dr. Ibrahim Balarebe (front row 5th left) and participants, during the NYSC 2015 Batch ‘B’ pre-mobilisation workshop in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Plateau lawmakers reject caretaker committee for LGs JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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empers rose yesterday in Plateau State House of Assembly as some members opposed plans by Governor Sımon Lalong to constitute a caretaker committee for local government council, describing the move as illegal.

The governor had penultimate week dissolved the 17 Local Government Council Areas in the state, citing the powers conferred on him by the constitution.

The governor also wrote the leadership of the assembly, declaring his intention to replace the sacked council executives with caretaker committee members.

But during plenary yesterday, 13 members out of the 24-member legislature, who were elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, kicked against attempt by the governor to constitute a caretaker committee for the 17 local governments in the state.

Drama, however, started when the Speaker, Mr Peter Azi, was about to present the governor’s letter on the floor of the House for discussion, but majority of the lawmakers, including the Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Gagdi, and 12 others opposed the decision, forcing the Speaker to drop the matter.

The Speaker at the start of the sitting yesterday, had perceived trouble by the lawmakers directed all journalists covering the House of the Assembly to vacate the chambers, but some lawmakers insisted that journalists be allowed to cover the proceedings.

While briefing journalist at the Assembly Complex yesterday, Gagdi, Majority Leader, Daniel Dem and 11 other members of the PDP in the House described the attempt by the Speaker to bring the issue of the constitution of the caretaker committee or management committee on the deliberation of the house as illegal, saying they will not allowed

the Assembly to sanction illegality since the issue of dissolution of the 17 Local government Chairmen is still in the court of law.

Gagdi, who spoke on behalf of the lawmakers, said already the speaker had directed members not to discuss the issue of the dissolution, saying the matter is already in court and there was no reason for him to bring the issue of caretaker for discussion since the matter is

still in court.

Our correspondent reliably gathered that there was a serious tension at the chambers as some of the lawmakers were shouting on the issue which forced the speaker to adjourn sitting yesterday.

It would be recalled that the State Governor, Simon Lalong had on the July 6, dissolve the 17 elected local government councils which their tenure was to expire in 2017.

AZA MSUE KADUNA

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irector-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, yesterday declared that prospective corps members with First Class degree and their counterparts, who graduated with distinction from the polytechnics, would henceforth be posted to the universities for their primary assignment.

Speaking at the flag-off of the 2015 Batch ‘B’ PreOrientation Workshop held in Kaduna, Olawumi said that online certificate verification would be in-

8 killed in renewed Plateau violence JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

A

t least, eight people were killed yesterday in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State as youths in the communities engaged in violence.

In the ensuing attacks and reprisals, it was gathered that one person was killed, while two sustained injury Tuesday night when a group of youths alleged to be from Berom community stormed the house of a re-

nowned politician, Alhaji Auwal Tanko.

Tanko is said to have been nominated as a Supervisory Councilor by Governor Simon Lalong.

Some Hausa youths, irked by the attack allegedly laid ambush on some Berom youths, killing three of them. The bodies of the youths were later discovered in a nearby well.

Tanko Salisu Nasir, a member of Tanko’s family, who survived the attack, told our correspondent via telephone that they had just

finished eating when they heard gunshots. The gunmen killed my 10-year-old brother, Hassan Salisu.”

The victim said he found himself in Mainasara Hospital, where four bullets were removed from his body.

A community leader in Barkin Ladi, Alhaji Danjuma Abdullahi, said the matter had been reported to the Sector Commander in charge of the area, adding that the town was tensed for fear of reprisals.

troduced to simplify the procedures for certificate verification and enquiries.

He said the decision to post graduates with First Class degrees and distinction was aimed at ensuring they explore their potentials in the academia and urged vice chancellors of universities and polytechnics to retain such corps members after the service year.

He said far-reaching reforms aimed at improving service delivery and efficiency by the NYSC were being introduced to ensure that the NYSC programme would go through a seamless process and add value to young Nigerian graduates.

He said further that Nigerian universities have been banned from offering post-graduate admission to serving corps members as doing so violates the NYSC Act and a distraction to service programme.

Olawumi promised to introduce further innovative ideas into the NYSC operations, adding that the gains arising from the 2015 Batch ‘A’ Pre-Mobilisation Workshop led to the full implementation of the use of ICT in registration of prospective corps members.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Thursday, July 23, 2015

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Police parade suspected rapist, armed robbers, fake currency dealers I NUSA N DAHI MAIDUGURI

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Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo (middle); Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase (3rd right); Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kudu Nma (left) and others, during Arase’s visit to Gombe State Police Command, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Nasarawa restricts sale of Hajj forms IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

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asarawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board yesterday said it has restricted its staff from selling forms to intending pilgrims for Hajj operations in Saudi Arabia.

Public relations officer, PRO, of the board, Abdulrazak Mohammed, disclosed this to journalists in Lafia, the state capital, during a press

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he controversy over relocation of an agency of Kwara State government to the temporary site of the University of Ilorin has been resolved by the state government and the university authorities.

At a meeting with management of the university, led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, and Kwara State government’s delegation led

by Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Ishola Gold, the government explained that relocation of the state’s Internal Revenue Service to the university’s temporary site was a temporary measure expected to last not more than three months.

Gold, who regretted the inconveniences and controversies generated by the relocation, assured the university authorities that the state government holds the university and other federal agencies in the state

briefing, insisting that the action of the board was to safeguard its staff from fraudulent activities.

Consequently, Mohammed said the board has engaged the services of stakeholders, who include traditional rulers and local government chairmen to carry out sale of the forms to intending pilgrims.

He, however, debunked allegations of fraud in the board to the effect

that some intending pilgrims, who paid for last year’s pilgrimage but could not afford to go, were not refunded their money.

According to the PRO, “spill-over pilgrims are the top most priority of the board, as anybody who did not participate in last year’s pilgrimage would be given preferential treatment to either decide to go to the holy land this year or withdraw his money.

He therefore, urged those with such problems to come to the board’s headquarters for amicable resolution of the matter.

Mohammed concluded that the welfare board has succeeded in retaining the accommodation provided for pilgrims from the state in the holy land last year as tents and other accommodation meant for Nasarawa pilgrims in Saudi Arabia are all in good shape.

KWSG, Unilorin resolve feud in high esteem and would not work to strain the relationship.

Responding on behalf of the university, the vice chancellor, who acknowledged the age-long robust relationship between the institution and the state government, expressed optimism that the status

quo subsists, pending expiration of the 90 days request by the government.

Prof. Ambali thanked the government for the speed with which it handled the matter and invited it to the university’s upcoming 40th anniversary.

It would be recalled that when the university

was to take off in 1975, the premises of the then Government Technical College, Ilorin, was allocated to it, pending the completion of its permanent site.

The university has since moved major part of its activities to its vast permanent site outside the state capital.

orno State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected armed robbers, fake currency dealers and a rapist in Maiduguri metropolis and Kwaya/Kusar Local Government Area of the state after recovering N4.59 million fake N1,000 notes, two AK-47 rifles and four magazines with rounds of live ammunition.

Parading the suspects yesterday at the Maiduguri police headquarters, the state’s Police Commissioner, Mr. Aderemi Opadokun, said police patrol and intelligence gathering in the state led to the arrest of Adam Ajid of Fulatari ward in Maiduguri, who has been defrauding unsuspecting members of the public with fake naira currencies.

He said the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, personnel, following a tip-off, arrested the suspect on July 14 with bundles of N1,000 notes amounting to N4.515 million in three different serial numbers, adding that the notes are suspected to be fake.

“The suspect’s supplier, who is alleged to be from Cameroon, is being trailed,” said Opadokun, adding that the case would be charged to court after conclusion of investigation.

Another suspect of currency faking, Ba’ana Musa, was arrested on Thursday, July 16, 2015

Kogi, China partner on infrastructure development WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

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ogi State government said it will continue to deepen relationship with the Peoples Republic of China in its efforts to sustain the pace of development in infrastructure and socioeconomic transformation.

Governor Idris Wada made this known when he received Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gu Xiaojie, who was in Lokoja on a courtesy visit to

the governor.

The governor stated that the state government remains committed to building a relationship with China for development in science and technology, engineering, physical infrastructure and other strategic sectors where he said Chinese nationals and corporations have demonstrated remarkable expertise and achieved global relevance.

Governor Wada, who noted that China and Nigeria have enjoyed strategic

partnership in the last 10 years, described the visit of the Chinese ambassador as an opportunity to further cement the existing relationship between the state government and the Chinese government.

While commending the Chinese government and its nationals for their contribution to the development of Nigeria and Kogi State in particular, Governor Wada said the fact that Chinese companies are some of the major contractors to the state

government underscores the confidence reposed in China by the government and people of Kogi State.

In his remark, Mr. Xioajie said the Chinese government would continue to support development in Kogi State especially in areas such as agriculture, solid minerals and human development, adding that Kogi State is endowed with abundant natural resources which could be explored for the benefit of the people of the state and Nigeria in general.

after paying his transport fare with a N1,000 note to a tricycle operator in Maiduguri.

Said Opadokun: “This suspect, Musa, boarded a tricycle and offered the operator a piece of fake N1,000 note as if it were genuine and legal tender as his fare.

He was caught and searched; more 69 pieces of counterfeit N1,000 notes were recovered from him, making a total of N70,000 suspected fake money. Musa will be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigation.”

On the arrest of Bashir Goni Kwayam of Budum ward in Maiduguri, the police chief disclosed that the suspect used fake $300 to buy 75 yards of clothes at N43,000 from Umar Mustapha, a Maiduguri businessman.

“He collected the materials and sold them to one Sa’id Maniyu of Makera Ward in Maiduguri. During investigation, the clothes were recovered,” the police boss said, adding that the suspect would also be charged to court after forensic a report of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Speaking on the arrest of a rapist, he said Bakura Njidda, 20, allegedly raped Habiba Yahaya, 9, at the Maiduguri NYSC IDPs camp on July 9, 2015.

“The victim was taken to hospital for treatment; and the case, now under investigation, would be charged to court as soon as a doctor’s report is obtained for prosecution,” said Opadukun.

Five armed robbery suspects, according to him, attacked and robbed Alhaji Umar Manu of N50,000 at his house in Kwaya/Kusar, before threatening him to source N5 million or be killed by the gang.

He said two AK-47 rifles and four magazines with some rounds of ammunition were recovered from the suspects named Mohammed Alhaji Tella, Ishaku Abdu, Ahmadu Buba, Dahiru Adamu and Ishaku Lavvali.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News

It is somewhat irritating that Germany’s vice chancellor and economics minister waited only five days before flying to Tehran with a delegation of German business leaders.

–PRESIDENT, WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS, RONALD LAUDER

Rights group condemns Gambian president for abuses Paul Arhewe,

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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ambia’s leader on Wednesday marked the 21st anniversary of the military takeover that catapulted him into power amid a rising climate of fear, a rights group and the opposition said.

Yahya Jammeh’s rule since 1994 in this West African country has been marred by accusations of rights violations.

“For those who believe in human rights, democracy, there is nothing to celebrate,” opposition leader Omar Amadou Jallow said.

In a new report, Amnesty International said Wednesday the human rights situation has deteriorated sharply this past year.

“The climate of fear which has blighted the lives of Gambians for more than two decades worsened over the last 12 months with journalists, people perceived to be gay or lesbian, and those con-

Jammeh

sidered to be opponents of the regime and their families increasingly targeted,” said Amnesty’s West Africa researcher Sabrina Mahtani.

Amnesty noted a spike in arrests, detentions and enforced disappearances since a failed coup attempt in December.

“Those detained include women,

ram militants from neighbouring Nigeria.

The first explosion hit a market and the second a densely populated neighbourhood, both in the capital of Cameroon’s Far North

region, Maroua, a military source told Reuters.

No one claimed responsibility, but Boko Haram has stepped up attacks on the countries bordering its northeast Nigerian stronghold - Chad, Niger as well as Cameroun.

All three have contributed troops to a regional offensive against the Islamist militants who have allied themselves to Islamic State and pose one of the biggest security threats in the combustible region.

elderly people, and a child, and many are believed to be unwell,” it said.

Journalists and human rights defenders have also been targeted, it said.

Gambian authorities re-abducted radio journalist Alhagie Abdoulie Ceesay on July 17, the Committee to Protect Journalists said. Ceesay was released last week, after two weeks in custody without explanation, and was then seen being forced into a car on Friday. He wasn’t heard from until Tuesday, the group said.

Jammeh last week also indicated that executions will be resumed, announcing plans to broaden the scope of the death penalty.

The group said the international community and West African bloc “have a duty to address Gambia’s declining human rights record in order to protect people in the country and to avoid instability in the region.”

Two suicide bombers kill 13 in Cameroun

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wo suicide bomb attacks killed at least 13 people in northern Cameroun yesterday, the president’s office said, in what appeared to be the deepest incursion by Boko Ha-

Kurd militants kill two Turkish police to avenge ISIS bombing

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urdish militants claimed responsibility for the assassination yesterday of two Turkish police officers in what they said was retaliation for a suspected Islamic State suicide bombing which killed 32 mostly young students.

The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) said in a statement on one of its websites that the two police officers were killed at around 6 a.m. in the south-eastern town of Ceylanpinar for “collaboration with the Daesh (Islamic State) gangs”.

Security sources earlier told Reuters the officers were found dead with bullet wounds to the head in the house they shared in Ceylanpinar, on the border with Syria some 160 km (100 miles) east of Suruc, the site of Monday’s suicide bombing.

Many of Turkey’s Kurds and opposition supporters suspect President Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling AK Party of covertly backing Islamic State against Kurdish fighters in Syria, something the government has repeatedly denied.

Anti-government protests after Monday’s bombing in Suruc erupted in several cities for a second night on Tuesday, with some of the demonstrators chanting “Murderer Islamic State, collaborator Erdogan and AKP”.

“Although Islamic State has been held responsible for this attack, Turkey’s AKP government, by resisting the taking of effective measures to prevent Islamic State and other reactionary forces, bears the real responsibility,” the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), whose support base is mostly Kurdish, said.

“People were running in all directions,” said Celestin, a teacher, who said he had just arrived at the city’s central market when the first bomb went off.

A statement from the office of President Paul Biya said 13 people were killed in the attack. Cameroon state television channel CRTV quoted the region’s governor saying 17 people died.

The blasts came 10 days after two suicide attacks killed 13 people in Fotokol, about 300 km (200 miles) north of Maroua.

Cameroonian soldiers patrolling an area where the attack occurred, yesterday.

WORLD BULLETIN

Burundian opposition leader calls for unity govt to avert new conflict Burundi’s leading opposition politician called on President Pierre Nkurunziza to hold talks with rivals and form a national unity government after this week’s election, saying it could help avert a new conflict in the poor African nation.

Agathon Rwasa, a former rebel leader like Nkurunziza in Burundi’s civil war, told Reuters action was needed to prevent generals behind a failed coup in May taking up arms in the crisis sparked by Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in office.

“Some have already been waving the threat of armed struggle,” he said. “For the sake of Burundi, the idea of a government of national unity can be accepted,” he said, adding his demands also included new elections, possibly in a year.

Greek bailout vote puts Syriza party rebellion to the test Greece’s leftist government tried yesterday to contain a rebellion in Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ Syriza party ahead of a vote in the evening on reforms required to start talks on a rescue deal.

A first set of reforms that focused largely on tax hikes and budget discipline triggered a rebellion in Syriza last week and passed only thanks to votes from pro-EU opposition parties.

The bill lawmakers will vote on late on Wednesday covers rules for dealing with failed banks and speeding up the justice system two more conditions set by the euro zone and IMF to open negotiations on an 86 billion euro rescue loan.

The legislation is all but certain to pass, despite planned protests, after opposition parties said they would back it.

But with divisions in Tsipras’ leftist Syriza party laid bare by last week’s rebellion by 39 deputies, Wednesday’s vote will be closely monitored to see if he loses even more support.

“We are making an effort to have fewer dissenters,” Health Minister Panagiotis Kouroumplis told Greek TV, while Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said it was crucial that parliament backed the deal so bailout talks could start on Friday.

But hardline Left Platform lawmakers from the Syriza party, who opposed last week’s bill, said they rejected this week’s law as well.

“A fast-track parliamentary debate and voting process of a bill which exceeds 900 pages has the taste of the most anti-democratic practices,” they said in a statement, published on their website Iskra.gr.

Tsipras himself, who is associated with the moderate wing of his party, has publicly said he disagrees with measures demanded by Greece’s euro zone peers.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Thursday September 4, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Omeruo aims ‘new Turkish dawn’

I have not changed my view on the fact that I would rather be loved by fans than win lots of trophies

Battle of Pointe-Noire:

Siasia calls Sokari, four others Afolabi Gambari

WITH AGENCY REPORT

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oach of the national U-23 team, Samson Siasia, has invited Esperance midfielder, Kingsley Sokari, and four other players ahead of the return leg of the African U-23 Championship final qualifying fixture against Congo.

The others are Aminu Umar, Abdullahi Shehu, Semiu Liadi and Ndifreke Effiong.

Home-based duo of Liadi and Effiong are expected to report to camp immediately while Europe-based duo of Umar and Shehu, as well as Sokari, are expected in camp by this weekend.

Nigeria edged the Congolese 2-1 in Port Harcourt last Sunday in the first leg in what observers believed was a tricky result going into the second leg.

Siasia said yesterday that his decision to invite the fresh players was aimed at adding vigour to the squad, although it remains to be seen how the gaffer intends to weave the quintet into the main squad to hold the host in PointeNoire next weekend.

The coach reportedly handed a deadline of late evening yesterday to players permitted to leave camp after Sunday’s first leg or forfeit their places in the team.

A source in the team’s camp, however, told National Mirror that the measure had nothing to do with tension that reportedly enveloped the team after the slim win over the Central Africans.

“There is calm in the camp and I can assure that there is no tension whatsoever,” the source said.

Fed Cup: Heartland, Dolphins crash

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he list of eminent casualties in this year’s Federation Cup competition swelled yesterday after Glo Premier League side, Heartland FC, bit the dust in an entertaining Round of 16 match against newcomers BJ Foundation at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.

Abia Warriors and Dolphins FC were also bundled out.

BJ Foundation overcame Heartland 3-2 while Niger Tornadoes Feeders edged Dolphins 4-3 on penalties after regulation time ended 1-1.

Ifeanyi Ubah defeated Taraba 4-2 and Abia Warriors fell 1-2 to Nasarawa United.

In the quarter finals scheduled for August 12-13, Lobi Stars will square up against BJ Foundation, while Ifeanyi Ubah confront Nasarawa United. Akwa United will battle Niger Tornadoes Feed-

ers and El-Kanemi Warriors will await the winner of the Kwara United versus Enugu Rangers billed for today.

NFF Boss, Pinnick

Sport

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–Bayern Munich Coach, Pep Guardiola

Siasia

Fed Cup Result Ifeanyi Ubah

4

2

Taraba

Heartland

2

3

BJ Foundation

Prime

0

1

Akwa

Tornadoes

1

1

Dolphins (3-4 Penalties)

Remo

1

1

Lobi (3-5 Penalties)

Nasarawa

2

1

Abia

Plateau

0

1

El-Kanemi

Today’s Matches Kwara

vs

Rangers

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Eagles’ job: NFF right on Oiseh–Sule

Chievo

Afolabi Gambari

banks on Eaglets’ prospect

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ormer Super Eagles defender, Abdul Sule, has commended the Nigeria Football Federation on its decision to appoint Sunday Oliseh as coach of the senior nation team.

Sule told National Mirror yesterday that Oliseh’s choice indicated NFF’s resolve to return the Eagles to the glorious past.

The Chairman of Kogi United and Confluence Queens, who played alongside Oliseh in the Eagles between 1992 and 1994, expressed optimism that the new Eagles gaffer would excel on the job.

“He’s exactly what Super Eagles need this time if we really want total discipline in the team,” the former Stationery Stores FC of Lagos star said.

Sule, however, enjoined the NFF and Nigerians to give Oliseh what he called total support to perform his duty.

“With additional support from the media and other stakeholders, I am confident he will succeed,” Sule concluded.

Uhuamure I

talian Serie A side Chievo Verona eagerly seeks to cash in on its 15-year-old Nigerian-born prodigy, James Uhuamure, when the talented striker comes of age, according to a report.

Uhuamure, born in Reggio Emilio to Benin, Edo State parents, has been in devastating form since he joined the Nazionale (U-15 Youth League) ranks, hitting the target in admirable fashion, and winning the top scorer awards for two seasons running.

He scored 35 goals two seasons ago to win the top scorer’s award and scored 25 this past season to send the top spenders gunning for his signature.

Chievo virtually broke the law to acquire the lanky striker from Reggianna, his home town side, despite being below the statutory age of 14 for the Nazionale league and has been reaping from the dividends.

The report said Chievo would wait for the youngster to mark his 16th birthday next year before promoting him to the senior team while fending off interests Inter Milan, AC Milan and Roma.

James’ father, Sunday Uhuamure, ex-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

clusively revealed that Italy is also making enquiries on his ward but says he would prefer the lad to represent Nigeria.

“Chievo are not letting him go for less because they invested so much on the boy when clubs refused to sign him for the Nazionale league because he wasn’t 14 yet,” the elderly Uhuamure.

“I feel so proud of my son because he Uhuamure has brought so much joy for the family and I’d really love him to don the colours of Nigeria.

“The city of Verona where Chievo is based also can’t wait to have him in the first team.”

The Chievo starlet, however, expressed his ambition to play in the Golden Eaglets’ squad preparing for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile in October.

“Italy have shown interest in me to play for them but I would rather make my parent happy by playing for Nigeria,” he said.

Uhuamure started out with his first club Progetto Aurrora Calcio at the age of five before playing briefly for Mantove, upon which he proceeded to Reggianna before Chievo snapped him.

Sule

FA tests refs on fitness Abdulgafar Oladimeji

Omeruo aims ‘new Turkish dawn’ C KANO

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Omeruo

uper Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo, yesterday said he is looking forward to a regular firstteam action with his new Turkish club Kasimpasa.

The 21-year-old Chelsea defender is on loan to the Super League side.

The AFCON 2013 winner said he is now looking forward to a great time with the Istanbul club when the season starts on August 15 as Kasimpasa faces opening day fixture away to Gaziantepspor.

“I am really excited with the deal,” Omeruo said.

“I am hoping to get a lot of game time with the club and also help the club achieve success when the season starts.”

Kasimpasa could make Omeruo’s move permanent should he impress during his loan spell.

He stands a better chance of remaining in the Eagles set up after Coach Sunday Oliseh insisted his players “must feature regularly in the top leagues in Europe.”

hairman of Kano State Football Association, Sharu Rabiu Ahlan, says the association has introduced a fitness test for officials of its league matches.

Ahlan, who made the disclosure yesterday in Kano when executives of the state’s Referees Council visited him in his office, said the FA was determined to sanitise match officiating in the state.

“Only those that pass the test would be allowed to officiate in organised football competitions in Kano State,” he said.

Ahlan, who is also a member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), commended fans of Pillars FC of Kano for their orderly conduct during Glo League matches.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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: s r io

n e S is

n n e /t

Sports

Thursday, July 23, 2015

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ive-time Olympian, Olufunke Oshonaike, yesterday secured a place in the semi final of the women’s singles at the 2015 ITTF Africa Senior Cup holding in Yaounde, Cameroon after playing two matches and getting a walkover against Congo Brazzaville’s Han Xing.

From the final group matches played, Oshonaike defeated Algeria’s Islem Laid 3-0 and repeated same feat against Cameroon’s Beatrice Enjema and got a walk-over against Congo Brazzaville’s Han Xing to top the group.

The Nigerian got a bye to the semifinal for leading the group, alongside Egypt’s Dina Meshref .

In today’s semis, Oshonaike will battle the winner between Egypt’s Nadeen El-Dawlatly and Cameroon’s Sarah Hanffou, while Egypt’s Meshref will tackle the winner between Algeria’s Islem Laid and Lynda Loghraibi.

“I hope I can be in my best form so that I can make it to the final where anything can happen,” Oshonaike said.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri and Kazeem Makanjuola also made it to quarter finals where they will meet Egypt’s El-Sayed Lashin and Algeria’s Idir Khourta for places in the semi finals.

e k ai is

n m e o s h o s t

O ases in e

Funke Oshonaike

Afrobasket: NBBF names Oyedeji, 25 others for Tunisia

Zenith B’ball:

Controversy trails All Stars’ team list

Paul Erewuba

T

Paul Erewuba

T

he team list of the Zenith Bank-sponsored Women’s Basketball All Stars is smeared by controversy following the organisers’ failure to make concrete name compilation from the teams featuring in the week-long event holding at the National Stadium, Lagos.

NBBF’s League Director, Agboola Pinheiro, however denied knowledge of the players’ list, saying it was entrusted to a committee.

Chairman of the Selection Committee, Olumide Oyedeji, also failed to solve the riddle when contacted.

Meanwhile, Benue Princess out-dunked Delta Force of Asaba 52-44 in one of the classification games played yesterday while Nigerian Customs defeated Sunshine Angels of Akure 73-48.

Delta Force of Asaba and Sunshine Angels will clash today in the loser’s classification game to determine the 7th and 8th placed teams while Benue Princess and Nigerian Customs will contest in another classification match that will decide the 5th and 6th placed teams.

55

Oyedeji

he Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) yesterday named a 26-man D’Tigers squad that will tinker the country’s 2015 Afrobasket championship holding in Tunisia from August 19-30.

Veteran Olumide Oyedeji leads the pack that include NBA stars Al Farouq Aminu, Ekpe Udoh, Alfarouq’s elder brother, Alade, Ike Diogu, Benjamin Uzoh, Stanley Okoye, Andy Ogide, Jamal Olasewere and Stanley Gumut.

Others are Chamberlain Oguchi, Derrick Obasohan, Abubakar Usman, Yahaya Abdul, Deji Akindele, Micheal Umeh, Eric

Oluwaseun, Obekpa Chris and Ofoegbu Ikechukwu.

Edo Karachi, Akinlolu Akingbala, Ebie Jason, Elonu Chinemelu, Gbinije Micheal,Olaseni Lawal and Talib Zanna complete the list.

D’Tigers will hope to put off the tag of underdog and rule Africa for the first time in Tunisia under new American coach William Voigt.

NBBF Media Officer, Patrick Omorodion, said the team has departed for Paris, France to participate in an invitational tournament which dunked-off yesterday and would end on July 27.

“They will depart Paris for Tunis on August 15 for the Afrobasket which holds from August 19 to 30,” Omorodion said.

AAG: Go for glory, NSA charges Team Nigeria

A

s the 2015 All African Games gathers momentum with participating African countries intensifying training in preparation for the Games, organisers of the Nigerian Sports Award (NSA) has urged the Nigerian contingent to the Games to endeavour to win medals in the respective events.

Executive Director, Unmissable Incentives, promoters of the Nigerian Sports Award, Mr. Kayode Idowu, enjoined

the Nigerian athletes to stay focused on the medals chase to the country’s sports fans on the lackluster performance of the Flying Eagles and Super Falcons in recent tournaments.

“We expect so much from Team Nigeria at the African Games,” Idowu said.

On the U-23 team’s tricky group that comprises Ghana, Senegal and Egypt, Idowu also said: “It is tough but I expect the team to do everything possible to qualify

from the group stage.”

The executive director also charged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to ensure that the country parades its best athletes for the Games.

Team Nigeria would participate in 21 of the total 32 events in Congo, covering track and field, football, basketball and lawn tennis.

Nigeria has participated in 10 editions of the games, winning a total of 934 medals, comprising 334 gold, 305 silver and 295 bronze.

Okagbare

WORLD RECORD

Shortest useable pogo stick The shortest usable pogo stick measures 46.15 cm (18.16 in) in height and was created by Udar Robinson (Canada) and Homagni Baptista (Australia).

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1162 Thursday, July 23, 2015

Eavesdropping at Aso Woods Y esterday was one of my idle days and, to while away my idleness, I decided to walk round the woods bordering the corridors of power in Abuja. For those who don’t know that woods abound around Aso Rock and the National Assembly, sorry about your ignorance and serious loss. My knowledge of these woods and penchant for idle walks through them have continued to avail me the opportunity to eavesdrop on the often exciting tweets and cackle of the birds of Aso Rock. And if you happen to be one gifted to understand the language of birds like me, you’d not hesitate to take up this pastime of woodwalking.

I have been entertained by many evenings of exciting bird chats but the one I eavesdropped on yesterday was mind blowing. Chai, I didn’t know that when birds fly over such hallowed places like

H

ouse of Representatives member representing Iwo Federal Constituency, Hon. Gafar Akintayo Amere, has raised a five-man delegation to visit ailing former Nigeria international, Femi Opabunmi, who has endured sight challenges since 2008.

Opabunmi is a native of Olupana

Guest Columnist

Sola S l

Ojewusi

Rock of Power, and the green and red chambers of the Citadel of National Jaw Jaw, they don’t just pass by; their infra red eyes pierce the hard roofs and the walls to see our leaders more often than not make fools of us and themselves in the name of representing us. These birds, with remarkable homing instincts return to the woods in the evening to gossip about their experiences among the humans and what they tweet about on those high trees would simply blow your mind. I have come, by this experience, to see the truism in the ancient Yoruba saying: “Oro leye n gbo. Eye o deede ba lorule. Oro leye n gbo (They are eavesdropping. Birds don’t just perch on the roof idly. They are eavesdropping).

And what were the birds gossiping about yesterday? Plenty. With thousands of birds around the woods of Aso Rock, there were hundreds of issues to tweet about but I will rather dramatize the one that best caught the attention of my wandering ears. It happened between two sparrows, Swift Wings and Comely Plumes.

SPARROW 1: Pekelepekele! Swift Wings, you’d not believe what I witnessed the other day in that gathering place of those well-fed humans.

SPARROW 2: You mean those brawlers and boxers in the skin of people’s leaders, Comely Plumes? Please don’t tell me they’ve started their petty bickering so soon. Thought that they went away with the last crop of jesters. I still can’t stop laughing at the way those ones behaved the other time, scaling the gates

WITH THOUSANDS OF BIRDS AROUND THE WOODS OF

ASO

ROCK, THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF ISSUES TO TWEET ABOUT…

and fence of their jaw jaw house like the silly monkeys sharing the trees with us.

I didn’t know those powerful, rich adarihunrun could imitate monkeys.

SPARROW 1: Well, their leopards have not been able to change their spots. That day, even the rowdies of Oshodi, a notorious place in their other town will envy what these humans put up. It was a boxing brawl without equal, a huge dust raising free-for-all of flying fists and head butts.

SPARROW 2: Seriously? What was their Cassus belli? I can bet that this time around, their fight is pro bono publico, for the good of their people. Since the majority of them cruised into that house in a vehicle named change, they must surely have turned a new, pro bono leaf.

SPARROW 1: Sorry to disappoint you, Swift Wings. It was the change from six to half dozen. There was nothing pro bono in what I witnessed that day. Well, may be the comic relief it offered their fellow hapless humans suffering and smiling in the great outdoors could be termed pro bono. But on a serious note,

these humans fell my hand, to borrow one of their crazy sayings. You only need to be there to see the roforofo duel. It was like Armageddon has finally descended.

SPARROW 2: But what were they bickering about, Comely Plumes? It surely must be about how their magical night lamps would now begin to glow ceaselessly, chasing away the regular darkness they’ve been familiar with since childhood. It must also be about turning their country to the true eagle they’ve always abused as their symbol when their mindset has always been that of snails. Or, better still, they must have been made mad by the drunken stealing and looting of the past dispensation and are angry that the special jail houses or dungeons are not completed in time to cage those rabid thieves who coveted their commonwealth.

SPARROW 1: As one of their national jesters would say, fa fa fa foul! You missed it, Swift Wings. Their bickering was not about brightening up their nights like the amazing ones in those other climes we’ve seen during our wanderings. Nor are their fisticuffs about turning their eagles to true soaring birds et cetera, et cetera. They were bickering over the buttocks that would always sit on the highest chairs in their two houses, those funny pot bellies who always pummel the table with some sledgehammer every time their fellows make noise!

SPARROW 2: Really?!

SPARROW 1: Well that’s our world, Swift Wings. In our world, the elders know their limits in the order of things and we the followers know ours.

SPARROW 2: Really?! My beak is short of tweets!

Next week, dear compatriots, I will return with the second part of this hilarious banter of Swift Wings and Comely Plumes, ever gossiping birds in the woods surrounding the Rock of Power, Apata Agbara.

Ojewusi wrote via solaojewusi@yahoo.com

Sport Extra

Ailing ex-Eagles player, Opabunmi, gets lifeline in Iwoland.

The lawmaker, who said he received information on the player’s plight the Iwoland Development Coalition (IDC), expressed shock at the latter’s condition.

“The matter shall be reported to the appropriate authority soon and

action taken,” Amere said yesterday.

The five-man team raised by Emere comprised his Personal Assistant, Adesola Adedotun, as well as Akintayo Banji, Adegbile Hadhirullahi, Oyetunji Ismail Akanmu and Prince MSA Adedimeji of the IDC. At the residence of Opabunmi in

Ibadan where the delegation visited him, the personal assistant urged him to remain steadfast in the belief that more help would come his way in due course.

“You will have more reasons to smile soon,” Adedotun said, as he donated N100, 000 and food items to the ex-Eagle.

Opabunmi

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