Thursday, June 11, 2015

Insurgency: 3 female bombers die in failed mission in Borno ROTIMI FADEYI AND UBONG UKPONG

Shettima

Vol. 5 3 N0. 1132 657

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hree suspected female suicide bombers were yesterday

confirmed dead in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, when their Improvised Explosive Devises, IEDs, detonated on their way to Maiduguri.

State Commissioner of

Police, Mr. Aderemi Opadokun, confirmed the incident in Maiduguri.

Opadokun said the bombers died on Tuesday on their way to Maiduguri to cause CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

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Thursday, June 11,

2015

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Shoppers com plain of hike in prices

Making mon through Stoc Exchange on ey Broad Street k

Touting, lawlessness on Broad Street P.10

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Cracks in the House

...as Lawan heads for court SUF stages walkout, Tinubu snubs Saraki

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU, GEORGE OJI AND WALE IGBINTADE

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igns of palpable crack in the National Assembly, especially the red chamber, emerged yesterday over emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as President of the Senate.

It would be recalled that 57 of the 108 senators on Tuesday nominated and endorsed Saraki and Senator Ike Ekweremadu, representing Enugu West, as President and Deputy President of the Senate.

Senators under the aegis of Senators Unity Forum,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

LEFT: Senate President Bukola Saraki going in for his first plenary session at the Senate Chamber in Abuja, yesterday. RIGHT: Speaker, House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara also going in for his first plenary session in the House of Representatives, Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTOS: NAN

RMAFC to review political office holders’ salaries

Economy generates 469,070 jobs in Q1 Nigeria scores 90% in ICAO security audit P.2,7 2015 P.4 P.6 Ebola scam: Police, workers clash over arrest of Perm Sec

Stop imposing candidates on legislature, ex-Speakers tell parties P..6 INSIGHT

WAEC WAEC: C How H students used ICT to cheat in WASSC .3 exams P.38

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RMAFC to review political office holders’ salaries TOLA AKINMUTIMI

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evenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, yesterday disclosed that it has initiated processes for the review of the existing Remuneration Act of 2008, which prescribes salaries and allowances for political, public and judicial office holders in the country.

Chairman of the commission, Elias Mbam, gave the hint in Abuja while inaugurating members of the Remuneration Committee charged with the execution of the review.

Mbam urged the committee to be conscious of the prevailing economic situation and the need to reduce cost of governance so as to free more funds for development.

He also urged them to undertake wide consultations with all critical stakeholders, including all tiers of government, the national and state assemblies, professional economic bodies, organised labour, the academia, and the media, among others to enrich the processes of carrying out the exercise.

He explained that the commission was constitutionally empowered to undertake the review of the remuneration packages as may be required from time to time, so as to reflect current economic realities; advise Federal and state governments on monetisation policies; and generate

cost of living indices for revision of allowances among others.

Mbam also advised the members on the need to ensure that the review effectively minimises wastage and abuses as well as ensures prudent management of resources.

The committee is expected to holistically review the existing Remuneration Act; identify areas of wastages and abuses, examine the implementation of the Monetisation Policy by MDAs and advise on appropriate remuneration for political, public and judicial officers, commensurate with the work they do.

The RMAFC boss stressed that the exercise, which is expected to reduce cost of governance in line with the current realities where the economy is characterised by inflation and down turn in international oil prices among others, was expected to be completed before the end of September this year.

In his remarks after the inauguration, Abdullahi Lawal Inde, RMAFC Federal Commissioner and chairman of the Remuneration Committee, assured that members would do a thorough job of the task assigned them and called for prayers and support from Nigerians.

It would be recalled that the last two years have witnessed public outcry against the whopping sums paid to political office holders

after completing their tenures, with most analysts describing the fiscal policy as undesirable to national development in the face of dwindling revenues.

For instance, only yesterday, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, asked the state lawmakers and other political office holders to emulate him and his deputy by cutting their salaries and allowances to enable the state generate enough money for its development.

El-Rufai lamented that 80 per cent of the state’s resources was being spent monthly on salaries and allowances of civil servants and political office holders, while only the 20 per cent balance is usually left for development.

The governor, who made the appeal to lawmakers during his maiden visit to the Legislature, pointed out that in meeting the electorate’s high expectations, elected political leaders must be at the vanguard of change and lead by letting their conduct manifest hard work, sacrifice and humility.

“The deputy governor and I have signaled our intentions in this area by announcing that we are taking a pay cut of 50 per cent of our salary and allowances until the fiscal situation of the state improves. We appeal to all political office holders to embrace this example and attitude of sacrifice,” he said.

Jolted by the huge severance packages to be paid to

the outgoing political office holders at federal, state and local government levels and billions of naira that would be paid the incoming elected officers nationwide, political and economic analysts have over the past few months revved up their clamour against such bogus payments.

Reacting to the fiscal issue recently, Prof. Pat Utomi, a political economist and development strategist, spoke on the need for governments at all levels to cut cost of governance by making public life very simple.

He said: “In most parts of the world, politicians do not go around with the long motorcade and number of aides they go around with in Nigeria. It is in Nigeria

that you will see a minister having so many aides, and wherever he goes, they go with him.’’

Utomi urged the President Muhammadu Buhariled government to ensure that public life is made very simple so that it would be easy to touch the people, feel and know about them, adding that “governance should not be about moving in motorcades, living in mansions and not stopping at traffic lights.”

Among the perks of political officers considered by most Nigerians as outrageous are housing allowance which is 200 per cent of lawmakers’ annual salaries; furniture 300 per cent and motor vehicle loan, 400 per cent.

L-R: Former speakers, Ghali Na’abba; Agunwa Anaekwe; new Speaker, Yakubu Dogara; former speakers, Patricia Etteh and Aminu Tambuwal, during a courtesy visit to the new Speaker at the National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Cracks in the House as Lawan heads for court CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

SUF, rooting for the emergence of Ahmad Lawan as Senate President stormed out of the red chambers, with Lawan hinting of going to court to challenge Saraki’s emergence.

The new Senate president performed his first official function of presiding over the plenary yesterday as well as presided over the swearing-in of 28 other senators, including Lawan, who were absent on Tuesday.

Other senators sworn-in yesterday include Oluremi Tinubu, George Akume, Barnabas Gemade, Sheu Sani and Abdullahi Adamu, among others.

The senators were sworn in after the votes and proceedings of the previous legislative day were adopted under the full supervision

of Saraki.

Led by Lawan, the senators arrived the Senate as early as 8:30am for the purpose of the exercise.

According to protocol, each of the newly sworn in senators was expected after taking his oath, to present a copy of his certificate to the Senate psresident and in turn, shake hands with him.

The protocol was duly followed by others except Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who refused to shake hands with Saraki, but merely showed him her certificate and grudgingly walked out on the Senate president amid murmuring.

But the aggrieved All Progressive Congress, APC, senators used the opportunity of yesterday’s sitting to protested the emergence of Saraki and Ekweremmadu.

The senators raised objections on the election at Senate’s plenary session.

Senator Kabir Marafa, representing Zamfara Central on the platform of the APC, raised a ‘point of order’ over the election at the plenary.

He explained that 51 senators, including him were waiting to attend a meeting supposedly called by President Muhammadu Buhari, when Saraki was returned as Senate President and Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President.

Citing Order 43 of the Senate, Marafa said that as a member of the 7th Assembly, he had no recollection that Senate’s stance on the order had been amended.

Corroborating, Senator Bernabas Gemade, (APC Benue North-East), said the

conduct of the election in the absence of the senators breached their constitutional privilege.

He said the elections, if not revisited, would cause disunity in the Senate, which had enjoyed unity in the past.

“It behooves you to ensure that equal participation is given to all concerned.

“For this reason, may I conclude that your ruling by the wave of hand on the issue of privilege raised earlier was too casual,” Gemade said.

The Senate president, however, ruled that the senators were out of order.

Also speaking, Senator Danjuma Goje, (PDP Gombe Central), said the senators were constitutionally supposed to be at the National Assembly for the inaugura-

tion.

“I want to put it on record that anybody who decided to go for whatever meeting is on his own,” he said.

The aggrieved senators, thereafter, walked out of the hallowed chambers in protest.

The Senate thereafter adjourned till June 23, following a motion by Ekweremadu and seconded by Goje, after adopting the motion moved by Ekweremadu, for the Senate to officially write President Buhari, intimating him that the Senate has new presiding officers in persons of Saraki as the Senate President and Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President of the of the 8th Senate.

The lawmakers also adopted the resolution to write and congratulate the new

Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as write the Inter Parliamentary Union, IPU, and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CPA, to inform the two global bodies that there is a new leadership in the Senate.

Addressing newsmen after their walk-out, the 33 pro-Lawan senators, led by Gemade, accused the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, of carrying out illegality with the election of Saraki, when only 57 senators-elect across party divides were around and vowed to contest it in court.

Gemade added that the conduct of the election in the absence of other senators breached their constiCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, June 11, 2015

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Photo

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Thursday, June 11, 2015

NEWS

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L-R: Company Secretary, Total Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Olubunmi Popoola-Mordi; Chairman, Mr. Momar Nguer and Managing Director, Mr. Alexis Vovk, during the company’s annual general meeting in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

L-R: Member, Association of Resident Doctors, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Renner Ayodele; President, Dr. Ramon Moronkola and General Secretary, Dr. Sekumade Adebayo, during a news conference in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Managing Partner, Softcom Ltd., Mr. Yomi Adedeji; MD/CEO, Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. Uzoma Dozie; Education Secretary, Living Faith Church Worldwide, Prof. Bridget Sokan; Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Prof. Charles Ayo and MD, Samsung Electronics, West Africa, Mr. Bravo Kim, during the Future Ready University Conference hosted by Covenant University in Ota, Ogun State, yesterday. PHOTO: ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

L-R: Member, board of trustees, Christian Care for Widows, Widowers, the Aged and Orphans, Mr. Danladi Verheijen; President, Prof. Deborah Ajakaiye and Legal Adviser, Barr. Tina Abakpa, during a press briefing on activities of the NGO in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

National News

Ebola scam: Police, workers clash over arrest of Perm Sec, others MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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orkers at the Federal Ministry of Health yesterday clashed with a team of policemen, who stormed the ministry to arrest its top officials over corruption allegations bordering on N1.9bn fund released by former President Goodluck Jonathan to fight Ebola virus disease in the country.

The security officers, dressed in plain clothes, targeted the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Linus Awute, Chief Executive Officer/National Coordinator of the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Prof. Abdulsalam Nasidi; Director, Emergency Health Response, Mr. John Akintunde Kehinde, and one Dr. Joshua Obasanya, team leader of the Nigerian volunteers and Deputy Head of the ASEOWA mission.

The team led by one Inspector Adamu from the

Analytical Tracking and Interception unit under the Inspector General of Police, IGP, monitoring team said the officials shunned earlier invitation to come to their station to provide answers to some allegations against them on handling of the Ebola fund.

The policemen arrived the Federal Secretariat around 1p.m. Mr. Awute, who serves as accounting officer in the ministry, currently heads the ministry; and serves as Permanent Secretary for the second time.

Former Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, had told newsmen at a briefing in Abuja that the N1.9bn reportedly released for the Ebola scourge, was not specially for the disease, but for general upgrade of the nation’s health system.

He said part of the funds had been used to procure vehicles among other health equipment.

While Awute was said not to be around when the officers came, Mr. Kehinde was arrested and led to the third floor with the hope of getting Awute. Similarly, Nasidi and Obasanya were said to be out of town.

Since he was not that lucky like others, Kehinde refused to go with the police, and the staff of the ministry stood by his decision.

He said he would not follow the police until he gets instruction from his boss (Awute).

While the argument was going on, the staff of the ministry said it was not polite for the police to walk into the ministry and walk away with one of them. As Kehinde was being dragged away by the officers and was about being whisked away, the staff directed private security guards in the ministry to lock both gates at the parking lot.

Heated arguments

later ensued. They shouted that a Director in the ministry could not just be whisked away by policemen without a prior notice.

As the drama continued, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, attached to the Federal Secretariat Mr. John Eleke, joined the policemen, who were from the Police Headquarters.

He cautioned against chaos and pleaded that the workers should allow the men do their work.

He eventually suggested that Mr. Kehinde be taken to police post within the secretariat. The workers agreed.

National Mirror gathered that the police team was acting on a 15-page petition filed against the officers by one Dr. Davidson George, in which he gave a complete breakdown of how the amount was spent.

The document revealed that an expenditure payment voucher dated

11/8/2014, being personal advance granted to a Musa A.A, was initiated by Mr. Kehinde John Akintunde, Director, Environmental Health, Head of Health Emergency Response and Disaster for the release of N28,220,000 for the decontamination of First Consultant hospital, Obalende, Lagos.

It also includes expenditure for the procurement of isolation tents, to the tune of N900m.

The document insisted that the decontamination was done by Lagos State government and not the Federal Ministry of Health as claimed.

It further claimed that the N28, 220,000, which was released for that purpose remained unaccounted for, neither was it returned to the government coffer.

The document informed that Nasidi withdrew N63,581,250, claiming it was meant for pre-departure training of Nigerian volunteers who

left the country on December 5th, 2014 for Liberia and Sierra Leone.

However, the document claimed that the African Union Commission paid for all the expenses.

The document also claimed that on 23/12/2014, N30,769,000 was withdrawn from the Ebola account.

The payment was made to Musa A Musa in Abuja and was claimed to be for a treatment research group on Ebola.

There was also an expenditure of N14,415,000 on a meeting for 15 people in the document.

A breakdown of the expense according to the document revealed that Prof. Nasidi whose office is in Asokoro and lives in Abuja collected N250,000 as local running per kilometer.

He also collected N216,000 for airfare for a meeting which held within Nigeria and N375,000 as sitting allowance.

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Thursday, June 11, 2015

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Insurgency: 3 female bombers die in failed mission in Borno CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

more havoc.

“Three suspected female suicide bombers died in Konduga Local Government Area, about 18 kilometres to Maiduguri on Tuesday when the IEDs strapped to their bodies detonated on their way to the Borno State capital.

“All the three suicide bombers were killed and no other casualty was recorded,” he said.

He also confirmed another blast at the Tungushe Dogonwaya area, along Baga/ Monguno highway.

“At about 15.30 hours on Tuesday, explosions occurred at Tungushe Dogonwaya area, along Baga/ Monguno highway,” Opadokun said, but could not to give more details.

In another development, the Lake Chad Basin Commission, LCBC, yesterday, said it would require about N13bn for emergency development programme in areas affected by the ongoing war against Boko Haram.

Executive secretary of the LCBC, Sanusi Abdulahi, said at a meeting of Minis-

ters of Defence and Chiefs of Defence Staff of member countries in Abuja, that the initiative for the emergency development programme was directed by Heads of States and Governments of the Commission, to complement the ongoing war on Boko Haram.

“We have therefore articulated an emergency development programme for 38.5bn francs or about N13bn,” he said.

The money, he said, would be spent in the Region of Lac and Hadjar Lamis in Chad Republic, Far North Region of Cameroon, Regions of Diffa and Zinder in Niger Republic.

Other areas for the development, he said, were Borno, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Jigawa and Kano states in Nigeria.

Abdulahi said the overall objective of the programme which would last for 18 months in the first phase, is the reduction of poverty through the implementation of development activities in the areas.

The programme, he said, intends to combat the

causes and conditions that favour the development of insecurity specifically and undertake actions that generate revenues through agro-pastoral, business enterprises; strengthen the capacity of youth, women and vulnerable groups by financing social and professional integration skill acquisition.

It will also raise awareness in the Lake Chad region on security in order

to create a climate of trust, conducive to the improvement of their living environment and illiteracy eradication.

Nigeria, Cameroun, Niger and Chad Republics are member countries of the LCBC, with Benin Republic as an honorary member.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari again yesterday met with the security chiefs.

Chief of Defence Staff,

Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin; National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ismail Aliyu attended the meeting.

Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Aliyu said issues relating to the operationalisation of the Multinational Joint Task Force,

MNJTF, and the contributions of each member state were discussed.

According to him, they came to brief the President on the meeting of the LCBC, which the Heads of States are attending today.

Aliyu added that the decision to cite the headquarters of MNJTF in N’Djamena, Chad as well as the contributions of various states were also discussed.

Participants at the meeting of ministers of defence of the Lake Chad Basin Commission’s Member countries and Benin, in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Cracks in the House as Lawan heads for court CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

tutional privilege, maintaining that if the elections were not revisited, it could cause disunity in the Senate.

He said: “In our effort to meet up with the time for the inauguration, we rushed to honour the invitation of Mr. President and while at the International Conference Centre, news filtered to us that the Clerk of the National Assembly has started the process of election of the Senate President in our absence.

“This process, which remains unconstitutional, cannot confer legitimacy on the elected Senate President.

“Our right to participate in the election of the Senate President is a constitutional right, which cannot be taken by any person or group of persons.

“The insinuation in some quarters that we boycotted the election is totally unfounded.

“As loyal party members, we would take all necessary political and legal means to strengthen our democracy and democratic process in line with the change that we

promised our teaming supporters during the election campaigns.”

But Like Mind Senators, LMS, made up of largely supporters of Saraki, debunked SUF’s claims that quorum was not formed when the election took place.

LMS’ spokesman, Senator Dino Melaye, said 76 senators were in attendance when Saraki was nominated.

He described as a “ridiculous lie of the century,” the claim by the “absentee senators,” that their absence at the inauguration was as a result of their meeting with President Buhari.

He said President Buhari, noted for his forthrightness over the years, will not issue a proclamation for the inauguration of the National Assembly, with a stated time of 10am and call a meeting for the same time, with the same people to be inaugurated.

According to him, what is happening is not polarisation of the APC but expression of interest by different people within the party.

Meanwhile, senior lawyers are divided over the

emergence of Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

While former Dean, Faculty of Law University of Benin, Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN, described the election as fraudulent, senior lawyers, such as former President, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN; Malam Yusuf Ali, SAN and Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN, argued that the election was conducted in compliance with the Constitution.

Sagay opined that the election that produced Saraki and Dogara was a major setback for democracy and decent political culture, adding that the election was not only a question of constitution but also a question of morality and political practice and conduct.

He said: “What Saraki did in the Senate was a major setback on democracy and decent political culture.

“Looking at the moral aspect, I hold that the election or purported election was fraudulently conducted in the absence of key opponents.

“I think it is an act of gross indiscipline. We all have a stake in who becomes the Senate President; so what happened on Tuesday was an embarrassment to all of us. It is the height of not only illegality but also immorality.”

When reminded that a time was fixed for the election, he said: “Yes, a time was fixed but an invitation was sent to all APC senatorselect, including Saraki and others, but they purposely did not honour that invitation.

“They now conspired with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the opposing party to bring Saraki as President of the Senate and sold the right of APC as regard the position of Deputy Senate President.

“To me, it is a fraudulent election and the illegality is total lack of confidence in our democracy. It is a victory to impunity and indiscipline.”

But, Agbakoba differed, saying Nigerians should not be concerned about party politics but on whether the election was in line with the constitution and rules and

guidelines of the National Assembly.

He said: “There are two views on this issue. If I am an APC member, I will be very angry that we did not appoint the choice of the party as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“But, I am a Nigerian; I am not interested in APC’s decision. I am interested in getting the best representation by the members of the National Assembly, unless I can be told that the National Assembly did not elect their members out of their own choice.

“To me, it is a democratic process and my view is that Saraki is the President of the Senate. That the APC was played out is a political game that does not concern us. So, what the APC and the PDP does is not our concern.

“The question is, is there a valid president? Is there a valid speaker? I say there are. So, what we should look for is a robust National Assembly that makes good laws.

“What the Constitution says is that they should elect leaders among themselves.

The constitution did not say they should elect leaders from the APC. There is no rule that requires the Senate President or the Speaker of the House to be elected from the APC. So, the National Assembly may decide to elect a member of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, as the President of the Senate or Speaker of the House.”

Ali aligned with President Buhari’s position, adding that the election was valid and constitutional, saying, “I do not see the issue of morality about election at the National Assembly.

“Constitutionally, I agree with the President of Nigeria, when he said the election at the National Assembly was constitutional.

“Although some may have wished that party supremacy prevails, what happened was constitutional and the President has congratulated the winners. The President is the first custodian of our constitution.

“For me, I don’t see any big deal there, because I believe there should be independence of the legislature.”

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Thursday, June 11, 2015

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Stop imposing candidates on legislature, former Speakers tell parties Wole Oladimeji ABUJA

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or the nation’s democracy to grow, political parties should stop imposing candidates on the National Assembly, former Speaker Agunwa Anakwe has advised.

Past presiding and principal officers of the House of Representatives during their visit to the new Speaker in his office yesterday, stated that there was need for the legislative arm to enjoy independence.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, which was led by a former Speaker of the House, Agunwa Anakwe, another former Speaker, Umar Ghali Na’aba, urged the All Progressives Congress, APC, to see Tuesday’s event, which produced the new Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara and Yussuf Lasun from the perspective of legislative independence and effectiveness of the House.

Former Speakers in attendance were: Agunwa Anakwe; Ghali Umar Na’aba; Patricia Olubunmi Etteh and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

The deputies that were also in attendance were: Babangida Nguruje and Emeka Ihedioha.

Other former Principal officers in attendance include: immediate past Leader of the House, Mulikat Akande-Adeola and her deputy, Leo Okuweh Ogor, immediate past Chief Whip, Mohammed Ishaka Bawa, his deputy, Muhammed Mukhtar, immediate past deputy minority leader, Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu among others.

The group said the emergence of Dogara must be seen from the context of a larger picture that legislature all over the world perform effectively when they are independent.

Na’aba, a member of

the APC Board of Trustees, stated that: “lawmakers yesterday (Tuesday) achieved another democratic revolution against a conventional wisdom of imposition of leaders by political parties”.

According to him: “This has happened not to spite our party, but that the legislature under a democratic setting must be independent.

“What happened yesterday was an effort by lawmakers of both the APC and the PDP to ensure their independence as lawmakers”.

“Whatever must have happened, the new leadership must not be castigated and scorned, but should be seen as a means of charting a new legislative course for the benefit of all Nigerians”, he added.

The former speakers however, called on the new leadership of the House to make efforts at mending walls of grievances

occasioned by the contest, adding that the issue of amending the constitution must be revisited by the 8th assembly.

They noted, “We believe that the constitution needs to be amended, and this was done by the last assembly, but never saw the light of the day. This assembly must take up that responsibility to revisit the issue of constitution amendment”.

He urged the Speaker to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, consideration and acceptance as his watch words.

“What we need now is reconciliation, because the House as it is now is divided. And I believe the process should not be difficult,” Na’aba stressed.

Dogara in his response, expressed appreciation to the delegation, saying that he felt humbled and honoured to receive them.

He assured them of

his commitment toward the peace and stability of the House with a view to attaining set legislative agenda that will compliment the efforts of the executive in trying the bring about the change Nigerians voted for.

“I want to say that the victory of yesterday was a miracle which couldn’t have come about without your prayers and supports,I want to assure you that this leadership will not disappoint. The advices given will be taken. I also assure you that we will always run to you for counsel whenever we need it,” he added.

“History will be most kind to you for your courage, wisdom and patriotism. As part of those who have inherited this legacy of courage from you, we will not let u down,” Dogara assured.

On the issue of mend-

Reconciliation ongoing on unremitted $11.6bn NLNG dividend —NNPC Chidi Ugwu ABUJA

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L-R: President, Trade Union Congress, Mr. Boboi Kaigama; President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Ayuba Wabba; Project Director, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, Mrs. Helen Jemerigbe and leader of Nigeria’s Delegation, Dr. Clement Illoh, during the 104th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

ing walls with aggrieved lawmakers, Dogara reiterated his commitment to the peace and stability of the House as the contest did not produce a victor or a vanquished.

“Talk about healing the wounds and division that has been caused by yesterdays (Tuesday) event, I assure you that we have been together and we know ourselves.

“We will come together and mend walls because some people may feel that they have lost. I want to tell them that they have not lost anything, as this remains a leadership that is for all.

“Electoral victory was delivered to the APC because Nigerians were tired of excuses. They can’t wait any longer. And that is why we must as responsible leaders compliment the efforts of government,” he added.

igerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has clarified the circumstances surrounding the reported non-remittance of the $11.6bn LNG dividends as alleged by the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI. A statement by the corporation disclosed that contrary to the impression created by NEITI that nothing was being done to get the money remitted; the matter has since been referred to the Inter-Ministerial Task Team, IMTT, for reconciliation and reso-

lution.

“At the last meeting of the IMTT, it was resolved that the Minister of Petroleum, Chairman of NEITI, Executive Secretary of NEITI, and the Group Managing Director of NNPC, should meet on the issue of NLNG dividends and report back to the IMTT. “Unfortunately, that meeting has not held.

However, another meeting of the IMTT is coming up next week and the issue will be taken up from there.

“NEITI as a member of the IMTT is aware of the ongoing efforts to reconcile and resolve the issue of NLNG dividend remittance”.

Economy generated 469,070 new jobs in Q1, 2015 —NBS Tola Akinmutimi

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ational Bureau of Statistics, NBS, yesterday reported that jobs created in the economy rose by 469,070 in the first quarter of this year, representing an increase of 26.95 per cent over the number of jobs created in the preceding quarter.

The Bureau, in its latest quarterly jobs survey findings, indicated that out of the total jobs, the formal sec-

tor generated 130,941 “white collar” jobs, accounting for about 27.9 per cent of the total.

The sector’s share however decreased when analysed on quarter-by-quarter basis by 7,085 or 5.13 per cent to the Q4, 2014 figures and showed a consistent drop for the third consecutive quarter in the sector.

Comparatively, under informal jobs sector, which typically consists of low skilled and often low paying jobs generated by individu-

als or micro businesses employing less than 10 or those businesses operating with little or no structures, the Bureau reported 332,403 new jobs in the sector in the first quarter this year compared to the 227,072 new jobs in the preceding quarter.

This difference of the created jobs in the informal sector represents a 46.39 per cent increase between the Q4, 2014 and first quarter of this year or 71 per cent of total jobs created in Q1 2015.

The NBS stated that the

increase in the informal jobs was anticipated, given the various informal economic activities that came on during election periods while noting that the declining availability of formal sector jobs relative to demand for them is resulting in unsuccessful job seekers establishing micro businesses and engaging in more informal, lower skilled and often lower paying economic activities in order to survive.

Expatiating further on the jobs trend, the NBS stated

that there was a 30.5 per cent (or 1,339 jobs) increase in the number of jobs created in the public sector of the economy, making the total jobs created in the public sector in the reviewed quarter 5,726, representing 1.2 per cent of the total jobs generated in Q1, 2015.

The objective of the quarterly survey, which is a nationwide survey, covering all 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory, is to track the number of jobs being cre-

ated in the economy within a given period of time, provide multi-sectoral and policy relevant data on the employment-generating sectors, seasonality in employment and the labour market.

The findings of the survey in which sample of 5000 establishments was taken across the country and which achieved 82.1percent response from the establishments selected in the sample, are categorized into Formal sector jobs, Informal sector and Public sector jobs.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Thursday, June 11, 2015

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Nigeria scores 90% in ICAO security audit OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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igerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has said the country scored over 90 per cent in the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, security audit

concluded 24 hours earlier in the country.

The audit, which commenced with four ICAO experts on June 1, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja, Lagos, came to an end on Tuesday.

An online media state-

NMA hopeful of improved health care MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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igerian Medical Association, NMA, yesterday said it was confident the leadership of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, will boost health care across the country.

The NMA stated this in a congratulatory message signed by its president, Kayode Obembe, and conveyed to the Senate President.

The doctors spoke glowingly of Saraki’s passion for quality, accessible and affordable health care in the statement made available to National Mirror.

The association expressed optimism that the tenure of Saraki would witness passage of pending health-related bills in the Senate.

Part of the statement reads: “As head of the

legislative arm of government, I assure you of the confidence and support from our professional body (NMA) for your exalted office.

“Going down memory lane, I recollect the good works of your most highly distinguished and respected father, Oloye Olusola Saraki of blessed memory. He stood stoically for this profession when he was majority leader of Senate.

“He interfaced between doctors and President Shehu Shagari. He got the final solution to call duty allowance. May his name remain blessed forever in NMA. “We are sure the gene of Good Clinical Governance is coded in the DNA of Saraki family and this will phenotypically manifest in uplift of health for all Nigerians, particularly in our quest for Universal Health Coverage, UHC.

I was fed bread for 15 days –Freed Rev Sister OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

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reverend sister and three students of Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Mary Okoli, has narrated how her abductors blindfolded her for 15 days and fed her only bread and butter during her ordeal.

Abducted on May 21 along Amassoma-Yenagoa Road, Okoli said her experience in the hands of her captors was not only gory but horrifying before she was rescued after 15 days in an uncompleted building on Itu Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, by operatives of the Department of State Security Services, Bayelsa Command, on

June 6.

The Reverend Sister said she fell into the trap of the kidnappers while waiting for vehicle to board to Yenagoa from Amassoma, adding that scarcity of commercial vehicles on the fateful day made her accept a lift from the three men in a private car.

She said she was happy she found help, not knowing they were kidnappers.

She said: “On the fateful day, there was scarcity of commercial vehicles.

I was waiting for a bus to board. I had been stranded at the bus stop for hours.

Suddenly, I saw three guys who offered to help me.

I gladly entered. When I entered into the vehicle, I lost my senses. I did not

ment by General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, stated that the team of ICAO auditors told the agency that Nigeria performed excellently in the nine-day audit conducted on the nation’s aviation security system.

He said the ICAO auditors led by the team leader, Mr. Steven Neu, was impressed with the National Security Programme as there were very minimal open items to be closed.

The statement added, “Mr Neu said Nigeria surpassed our expectations.

We reviewed the 2008 audit before we commenced this exercise, but we discovered there have been massive improvements in the secu-

rity systems at the airports.

“To Nigeria’s credit all the minimal open items were closed immediately.

The audit was focused on the eight critical elements.”

Ndubuoke stated that the team leader said Nigeria was one of the first countries in the world to go through the USAP Continuous Monitoring Assessment, CMA, Audit and commended all the security agencies at the airports; the Aviation Security, AVSEC, Nigerian police airport command, Department of State Security, DSS, Port Health Services, Air Force, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and Quarantine services for their professionalism.

He said now that USAP CMA activity has been completed, draft findings and recommendations would be provided to the regulatory authority, NCAA. He emphasised that after 60 days, ICAO would forward the USAP CMA audit report to the country while in 30 days, Nigeria would submit its comments on the audit report if any.

Within another 30 days, the country he said would submit to ICAO its Corrective Action Plan, CAP. Commenting on the success, the Director-General, NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman commended the ICAO auditors for a very thorough and transparent au-

dit.

Usman expressed joy that Nigeria’s performance was higher than the preceding audit in 2008 and assured ICAO that Nigeria would not rest on its oars, but continue to ensure that its air transport operation was secure and safe.

He added, “NCAA will soon commence preparation for ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, USOAP, coming up in November.

“While USAP takes cognisance of states’ security at the airports, the ultimate goal of USOAP is promoting global aviation safety through regular audits of safety oversight systems in all ICAO member states.”

Flooded Ede-Olorisha road in Badagry, Lagos, after a downpour, yesterday.

Again, court threatens to strike out suit against Ndume ISE-OLUWA IGE

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Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has again threatened to throw out terrorism charge filed by the Federal Government against Senator Ali Ndume for want of diligent prosecution.

In the charge, Ndume was accused of concealing information and sponsoring activities of the dreaded Islamic sect.

At several adjournments in the past, the prosecution had failed to call its witnesses, which the trial judge found frustrating.

Yesterday, the trial was again stalled as the prosecution failed to produce its witness in court.

The prosecution was expected to call its last wit-

ness yesterday in continuation of trial in the case after the matter was adjourned on April 29.

The prosecution witness was to give evidence based on the call data and other inputs on mobile phones tendered as exhibits before the court.

However, the prosecution counsel, Mrs. G. N. Okafor informed the court that its “expert witness” had taken ill and was unable to be in court.

As a result, she sought an adjournment to enable her produce the witness at the next adjourned date.

Reacting to the prosecution’s application for an adjournment, the defence’s counsel, Chief Rickey Tarfa, SAN expressed displeasure at the request and

left the application at the court’s discretion.

Delivering a bench ruling on their submissions, the trial judge, Justice Kolawole agreed with Tarfa’s position.

He said: “The opportunity for today’s (yesterday) proceedings was dashed because the prosecution suddenly took ill and is unable to come to court.

“Because there is no medical report produced to support the claim, I found the excuse of ill-health almost improbable.

“But I have already indicated that I will oblige the prosecution the adjournment sought,” he said.

Justice Kolawole, however, warned that in the event that the prosecution would be constrained to make another application

for adjournment, it should be prepared to persuade the court to grant such request.

He noted further that he was mindful of exercising his judicial discretion in the matter owing to the political status of the accused person who is a serving senator.

The judge described the Nigerian society as “incredulous”, as it would read meanings into the (court’s) decision if the matter were to be struck out or the defence closed, assuring that the court would not be deterred by such permutations to indicate a proper exercise of a judicial discretion which it has.

The matter was adjourned till July 2 for continuation of trial.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Scrutinise your economic agenda before release, LCCI urges Buhari

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agos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, yesterday advised the Federal Government to critically scrutinise its new economic agenda before making it public.

President of the chamber, Mr. Remi Bello, gave the advice during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos.

He said the delay in releasing the new economic agenda was expected and urged critics to be patient.

Bello advised the new administration to consult with stakeholders regularly on issues concerning all sectors of the economy.

“Policies, whether to

build on existing ones or formulate new ones, should be built around the growth of SMEs and large-scale investments.

“There is obviously an urgent need for the revival of the oil and gas as well as power sectors because the poor state of the sectors could retard the growth of the economy.

“For instance, we have been trying to engage the presidency in a roundtable discussion and we hope that when the economic agenda is released, we will hear positive news.

“The organised private sector is eagerly awaiting the agenda as the President gently takes his time to settle down,” he said.

L-R: President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode and Permanent Secretary, Lagos Ministry of Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, during Dangote’s courtesy visit to the governor in Lagos, yesterday.

One feared dead as youths, Dangote promises N400m to BEDC officials clash in Osun empower Lagos women Francis Suberu

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resident of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has promised to empower 40,000 women in 20 local government areas of the state with N400 million.

Dangote who made the disclosure during a courtesy call on the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, said the money would be provided via the Dangote Foundation.

According to him, each of the women would receive N10,000 to start a small business of her own, adding that 2,000 women would be empowered in each of the local governments.

Dangote, who said he visited to congratulate Governor Ambode on his victory at the poll, as well as his swearing-in as the 14th chief executive officer of the state, explained that the visit also afforded him the opportunity to assure the governor of his commitment to finishing ongoing projects embarked on by his company as well as his continued support for initiatives geared towards securing lives and properties.

He said: “I’ve assured him that we really love doing business here; it’s a friendly state for doing business; I also assured him on all projects we are doing that we are on course; that

is, building the largest ever single refinery of 650,000 barrels per day, which is by far more than the consumption of Nigeria and that would satisfy our consumption, at least, for the next seven to ten years by the time we finish.”

Governor Ambode had earlier reiterated the commitment of his administration to give investors a comfortable business run in the state.

The governor called on other investors to invest more in the state, saying his government would assist in whatever capacity necessary to help their business.

The governor who described Dangote’s visit as very significant, promised that his administration would open up the state for greater business; even as he said his administration is determined to attract more foreign investors through its creation of an Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment.

Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

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ne person was feared dead yesterday, while many others were injured when some youths clashed with officials of Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, in Ifetedo, headquarters of Ife South Local Government Area of Osun State.

Although, there were different versions of the story on the remote and immediate causes of the crisis, a source in the town told National Mirror that some staff of BEDC were raiding

the community for debtor customers after they had already disconnected electricity from some buildings.

Trouble, however, started when some yet-to-be identified youths resisted the move to disconnect their houses and openly lamented non-supply of electricity to the town.

The situation later became rowdy and the officials of the company called for police and soldiers protection.

The crisis however degenerated further when soldiers and policemen arrived the scene and a shot fired

allegedly hit one of the protesting youths in the neck.

A resident of Ifetedo, who simply identified himself as Olalere Adepoju, during a telephone chat with our correspondent said: “No one could tell who fired the shot but someone was hit in the neck and the youths responded and attacked the security men at the scene.”

Another resident of the town, Koyejo Rasak, said the community had been in darkness for several days, a development said to have angered the residents.

He added: “At the peak of the crisis, some soldiers

Retirees beg Aregbesola over unpaid pension …say 236 members have died

Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

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igeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Osun State chapter, yesterday urged the government to pay eight months’ pension owed its members, just as it claimed that 236

retired civil servants have passed on without government paying them their dues.

The pensioners, who stormed the premises of Osun State House of Assembly with various placards displaying different inscriptions such as, “pen-

sioners are suffering” and “pay our pensions,” among others, said surviving has been tough for them because of non-payment of their entitlements.

Secretary of NUP in the state, Elder Gabriel Adesoji, who spoke with newsmen, said the mass protest

LUTH resident doctors give strike notice over non-payment of allowance

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ssociation of Resident Doctors, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTHARD chapter, yesterday said it has given the hospital’s management a seven-day ultimatum to pay skipping allowance to its members.

LUTH-ARD President, Dr. Ramon Moronkola, at a news conference in Lagos, urged the management to pay the allowance to avert

called to restore normalcy were coming in and blowing siren and some residents blocked the road. Some were eventually shot in the leg among the protestant youths.”

When contacted, the public relation officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi, confirmed that there was crisis in Ifetedo involving some youths, but claimed that no one died.

He added: “Preliminary reports at our disposal indicate that someone was shot in the leg during the clash but no one was killed.”

an avoidable crisis.

According to him, the skipping of non-doctors dates back to some years, and it is a system where workers enjoy what is apparently a double promotion compared with doctors.

He said the association, at its last emergency general meeting on June 8, had made some observations on the matter.

According to him, failure to implement the skip-

ping allowance amounts to unilateral breach of agreements reached with the government on December 16, 2013 and January 4, 2014.

He appealed to wellmeaning Nigerians to prevail on the management of the hospital to avert an avoidable crisis in the interest of the common man.

Also, Dr. Sekumade Adebayo, the general secretary of LUTH-ARD, said tension could be avoided in the

health sector through peaceful dialogue and honourable implementation of agreements.

“We need to get the health sector in the right shape, especially in terms of infrastructure and personnel’s welfare.

“In LUTH, we are yet to be paid our May salary and we are still working because we know the vocation and profession we have chosen,’’ he said.

became necessary to press for their demands.

The protesters later moved to the popular Olaiya Junction and prevented vehicular movement for more than two hours.

Further, Adedire said: “Pensioners in the state are yet to be paid seven months’ pension. All promises made

by Governor Rauf Aregbesola when the pensioners met with him on July 23, 2013 were empty and his insensitivity to the plight of the pensioners has led to the untimely death of many of us.

“About 30 per cent of the pensioners’ due on the 142 per cent pension arrears is yet to collect the initial 15 per cent of the arrears which payment started in October 2012.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Thursday, June 11, 2015

INSIDE

Shoppers complain of hike in prices >47

Making money through Stock Exchange on Broad Street

>48

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Broad Street Diary

Thursday, June 11, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Touting, lawlessness on Broad Street

Traders selling on Broard Street

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road Street, Lagos, is popular for its uniqueness, large population of bubbling men and fashionable women that traverse its soil, day and night.

Its length and breadth are full of unrivalled daily commercial activities. It may simply be defined as a street where three out of five souls walking in it are traders with the motive of winning customers’ patronage, sell and make gains. But this important area of Lagos Island, also play host to some imposing multi-storey corporate organisations, impressively planned and exquisitely painted offices, vehicles of different colours and makes, fashionable ladies and well-spruced men, who ‘fight’ for right of way with hundreds of street traders on their way to their workplaces.

Other places in the world that share the same nature and character with Broad Street, Lagos, are Broadway, a thoroughfare in New York City, United States of America, a centre of commercial activities, which also provides entertainment to ardent supporters of music, plays, opera and orchestra in speciallydesigned buildings. In London, there exist other Broad Streets in Birmingham, Bristol, Oxford and Reading, all in Britain.

Reports have it that the Broad Street in Philadelphia serves as a major arterial street and yearly enhances the tourism strength of the United States, where, despite having been in existence for many decades, it still serves as the home of several Philadelphia cultural land-

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN marks, and it is hence called the Avenue of Arts and home of art gallery in the United States.

According to information, Broad Streets in these countries have largely held on to their originality, and hence, they are believed to still be in the same shape they were decades ago.

Sadly, however, the same cannot be said of Broad Street, Lagos, because as with the case with many communities in Nigeria, Broad Street, Lagos seems to have changed dramatically from what it used to be decades ago particularly in aesthetics.

According to reports, the street once known for peace, quiet and tranquillity, has over the years, evolved into a land of hustling and bustling with little room for organisation and control.

Aside street trading, which has become the order of the day on Broad Street, car parks full of the ubiquitous 18-passenger buses have also sprung up, a development that can be said to have also aggravated the rowdy nature of the once serene environment.

Broad Street in Lagos, the economic capital of Nigeria, like the ones in other major cities of the world, also boasts of important architectural landmarks that represent the Federal Government despite the movement of the seat government to Abuja.

Some of such structures include; the Federal Government Press, Federal Dental Clinic, Lagos General Hospital, Odan; Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, General

Post Office, the Western House among others.

Also, comfortably seated in the area are structures like the Freedom Park, Sterling Towers, AP House, 25-storey United Bank for Africa (UBA) Corporate Headquarters, 17-storey Elephant House, 14-storey Energy House, Premier Bookstore, CSS Bookshops, sundry shops and several stalls, all private business concerns and a sizeable residential buildings, now occupied by men and women and their large population of children.

However, Broad Street, Lagos has transformed into a shadow of its pristine self, degenerating to an environment some degrees a bit better than most traditional markets in Nigeria and important historical cities. Indeed, except urgent steps are taken to reverse the trend, the business district may soon turn into such places as Jankara, Oshodi, Ajegunle, Idumota, Mile 12 and Alaba markets in Lagos, which all grew naturally to heights but now manifest in various ways, environment of filth and squalor.

Although in an effort to bring sanity to this business district, which was once a toast of companies throughout Nigeria, the Lagos State government has established the Lagos Central Business District Task Force to oversee the day- to- day activities of traders and motorists, thereby creating an enabling business environment for the citizenry.

The intention of the Lagos State Government in establishing the task force to maintain law and order in this densely

populated business environment, however, seems to have turned sour, as officials of the task force has turned themselves into demigods demanding sacrifices, as they daily terrorize traders and motorists.

Speaking with Broad Street dairy recently in an interview, a trader, who declined to disclose her identify for fear of being singled out for victimisation by the officials, narrated an incidence she said she personally witnessed.

The trader alleged that officials of the task force were greedy and behaved sometimes irrationally.

“One day, a driver illegally packed his vehicle, obstructing other motorists and this attracted the attention of this officer, and in order to arrest the driver, the officer immediately moved to the driver’s side of the bus and started deflating the tires of the bus.

“I was surprised at this because I don’t know the way he was going to move the vehicle after deflating its tires. In fact, the traffic was already building up at that very moment.

“To cut a long story short, after about an hour, the driver ended up parting with N3, 000 before they could let him off the hook. I was so surprised because I never expected that an official of government who was expected to maintain law and order would behave in such a way.’’

For Segun Tella, a Danfo driver who plies the CMS- Orile route, he said without greasing the palms of the CBD task force officials, drivers plying the axis

would end up being arrested for various offences and their vehicles towed to their task force office, adding, to settle them is better than being arrested and taken to their office.

“When you settle them, you save yourself much trouble and you will be free to do your business.”

Tella’s claims of bribe could easily be noticed as drivers who openly violate the keep moving order, parked at the middle road to pick passengers and gave complimentary slang to the officials like ‘baba agbalgba tuale’ which the officials nodded in response and looked the other way.

A wristwatch repairer Ajani Wasiu, who has his small stall (a table and chair) directly under the Apongbon Bridge said most of the CBD officials are former street boys who he has known for the past 20 years, he said they were part of the boys employed by the government to fulfil their campaign promises to provide jobs for them during the election.

He said: “Most of those boys you see in that uniform are street boys that don’t have anything to do prior to been given this job by the government, that’s why you see them behaving like ‘agberos’ why carrying out their duties.

They always harass and collect money from those bus drivers and market women.

“They don’t disturb me at all as they always hang around my spot to escape from the sun or take a rest after hours of standing by the road side,” he added.

-Dare Akogun

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Dana Air crash: Bureau explains report’s delay Olusegun Koiki

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ommissioner for Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Dr. Felix Abali, has given reason for delay of the final report on Dana Air crash of June 3, 2012.

Abali, however, insisted that since the unfortunate accident, which claimed over 160 souls on board and on ground, safety had been enhanced in the country’s aviation industry as recommendations of the agency were complied with.

Briefing journalists in Lagos, Abali said the Dana Air accident had both local and international inputs, which unfortunately slowed down investigation by the bureau.

He explained that on the local scene, the flight recorders were sent abroad for downloading and analysis, stressing as at the time of the accident, AIB had no laboratory where it could analyse accident data.

He noted further that on analysis, one of the recorders was found to be damaged by over exposure to fire, adding that the bureau also had challenge with getting pathology reports like

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Thursday, June 11, 2015

the Deoxyribonucleic Acid, DNA, and toxicology, which had to be done abroad.

He added, “There is no DNA laboratory in Nigeria and there was a need to sign Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with some organisations.”

At the international level, Abali declared that the agency had to get the manufacturers of airframe and the engine involved in its investigation, noting that it had to do engine teardown while the National Transport Safety Board, NTSB, of the United States was actively involved.

He said the bureau had to depend on the other parties for certain things to be done, stressing that travel logistics for accredited stakeholders were necessary and carried out.

He added, “Simulation was carried out overseas with various organisations in attendance. Reports were needed from these parties. Statutory 60-day required for comments as demanded by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, had to be complied with. All these contributed to the delay in the releasing of the final report by us.”

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Flee flood-prone areas, Lagos warns residents Francis Suberu

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mid frequent and increasing rainfall in Lagos metropolis; the state government has advised residents in floodprone areas to relocate for safety sake.

Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Ayodeji Adenekan, who gave the advise on behalf of state government yesterday, explained that it had been raining since March, resulting in increased water level of the lagoon and rivers as well as backflow into adjoining low-line areas.

According to Adenekan, Lagos as a coastal state is susceptible to flash flood anytime it rains with high intensity, with residents of low-line areas especially prone to the backflow effect.

“People living in low-line areas are vulnerable to flooding because the low-line areas are natural flood plains, which ought not to be converted to residential abodes.

However, we expect the water to recede with time,” he said.

He further advised those residing along flood plains, low-line areas and other coast lines, like Ajegunle, Owode-Onirin axis, Owode-

Elelede, Kuramo beach, Alpha beach, Okun-mapo, Okun Ajah, Mende-Maryland, Ijora-Badia, Iwaya and other low-line areas to be extremely careful. He said they may need to vacate their homes temporarily and move to higher grounds once they notice gradual accumulation of rising water.

He stressed that this advice must be re-echoed before the rains begin in earnest, so that people can always be on the alert.

He also stressed that primary and secondary channels in the state were being maintained and dredged to contain flood related chal-

lenges that may occur in the state.

Adenekan advised Lagosians to be safety conscious during this period, and also advised on safety measures such as staying indoor during the rains except when it is absolutely necessary. “Be conscious when driving and avoid driving through flooded areas,” he said.

He, however, assured that the state government would continue to intensify its mid rain cleaning and maintenance programme and promised not to relent until the zero tolerance target to flooding is attained in the state.

‘Military command’s relocation’ll end insurgency’ Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

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eneral Overseer, Hour of Mercy Prayer Ministry, Prophet Muyideen Kasali, has applauded the relocation of the military high command to the troubled North-eastern Nigeria, saying it is a positive step that will root out insurgency.

Kasali praised President Muhammadu Buhari for the initiative to deal with Boko Haram.

The cleric, who spoke at the monthly vigil service of the church, said the step would help stem the tide of killing and displacement of Nigerians from their homes in North-eastern part of the country.

He said: “The relocation of operational services of the Nigeria Army will fasttrack action on how to rout Boko Haram because it has become a problem to our na-

tion.

“No President will treat insurgency that had led to the killing of over 30,000 Nigerians and rendered about three million homeless with levity; and the President has really shown that he is sincere with his campaign to make Nigeria safe for all citizens.

“Apart from the wanton killings and destruction, Boko Haram has destroyed property worth several billions of naira in Nigeria across ethnic and religious lines.

“Enough of these senseless killings and this relocation will make Nigeria Army to be aware that the fight is a full war and should not be taken as a part-time struggle,” the cleric said.

He also advised Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, not to relax in prayer and supplication yet as there were still challenges ahead for him and his deputy, Dr Kolapo Olusola.

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (left) and Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 11, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, during a courtesy visit to the governor, in Osogbo.

Kidnappers of Ekiti priest demand N20m …youths protest, barricade roads Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

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idnappers of a Catholic priest in Ekiti Diocese, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade, are demanding N20 million for his release.

Akingbade, parish priest of St Benedict’s Catholic Church, Ido-Ekiti, was kidnapped by a three-man armed gang about 7:30pm at Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Tuesday.

Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, said the abductors also went away with the priest’s laptop computer, undisclosed amount of money and phones.

Arase, Police boss

The abducted priest, a lawyer, doubles as the Assistant Director, Justice, Development and Peace Initiative, JDPI, of the church in the diocese.

In protest against the incessant kidnappings in the

area, youths of Ido Ekiti and Usi Ekiti in Ido/Osi council area yesterday blocked the roads leading to the two communities.

The youths, who said they wanted an end to the criminal act, appealed to Governor Ayodele Fayose to urgently ensure the release of the cleric and stamp out kidnapping in the state.

The Catholic Bishop, however, said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Etop John James, had been informed about the development.

Ajakaye said one of the abductors pointed a gun at the head of one of the occupants at the priest’s residence and ordered him to

lead them to Fr. Akingbade’s room, where they abducted and took him to an unknown destination.

The bishop, who described the incident as “very sad and devastating,” added: “They told the priest that some amount of money had been paid on his life except he could pay them N20 million. They asked him to put on any clothe he liked and drove him away. Since then, we have not been able to establish contact with him.”

Police Public Relations Officer for Ekiti State Command, Mr Alberto Adeyemi, said the command was working hard to get the priest released.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Detained pro-Biafra activists accuse judge of bias, seek transfer of case Dennis Agbo ENUGU

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Trainer, Brewery Department, Life Continental Beer, Mr. Emeka Osuji (right) addressing winners of the company’s Booster Radio Competition, at Nigerian Breweries, Ama, Enugu, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Imo Poly expels 389 students over exam, admission malpractices Chris Njoku OWERRI

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ore than 389 students of Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo in Ohaji/ Egbema Local Government Area, have been expelled over alleged involvement in examination and admission malpractices.

Speaking with newsmen in his office yesterday in Owerri, the Rector, Rev. Fr. Wence Madu, explained that the students were ex-

pelled because most of them gained admission into the polytechnic without following due process.

The rector disclosed that measures have been put in place to fish out those who secured admission into the institution through the back door, stressing that any student caught would be shown the way out.

Fr. Madu who reaffirmed the institution’s zero tolerance for examination malpractice, campus cultism and other vices remarked

that the management was poised to reposition the polytechnic so that its graduates could effectively compete in the global labour market.

He declared that the era of ‘sorting,’ bribery for admission purposes and related illegal practices has ended in the polytechnic.

He charged existing and incoming students to concentrate on their studies so that they could earn their scores by merit rather than hook and crook.

The cleric who emphasised that only genuine students would merit admission into the institution, cautioned those involved in admission racketeering to keep away from the school or be ready to face the wrath of the law when caught.

He also advised parents to resist the temptation of paying money to secure admission for their children and wards, enjoining them to encourage their children to study hard and pass their exams to avoid regrets.

Umahi sacks 11 general managers, heads of agencies Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

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o fewer than 11 general managers and heads of agencies of various commissions and boards in Ebonyi State were yesterday sacked by Governor Dave Umahi.

The disengagement of the general managers and heads of agencies in the state followed the agitation of stakeholders and founding fathers of the state, who alleged that the sacked officers have served for too long and ought to have handed over to other persons.

The boards involved include the state’s broadcasting corporation (EBBC), Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board, EBUBEB; Secondary Education Board, SEB; Capital Territory Development Board and Ebonyi State Water Corporation, EBSWC. Others are the Ebonyi

State Environmental Protection Agency, EBSEPA; Ebonyi State Road Maintenance Agency, BROMA; Community and Social Development Board, Christians and Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, Land Allocation Committee, Housing Development Corporation Board and the Local Government Service Commission, LGSC, among others.

The sack was communicated in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof. Benard Odoh, and made available to journalists.

According to it, government directed the general managers and heads of agencies to hand over to the most senior staff in the offices and vacate immediately.

The statement which commended the sacked officers for their service to the state, said the dissolu-

tion was in line with the resolutions of the state House of Assembly which recommended the action.

Recall that most of

the affected officers have stayed for 16 years in service before their disengagement by the present government.

leven members of pro-Biafra activists standing trial at the Enugu Federal High Court have accused the presiding judge, Justice Dorothy Agishi, of bias, urging her to disqualify herself from handling the matter.

Leader of the group, Biafra Zionist Federation, BZF, Mr. Benjamin Onwuka, and 10 others have been standing trial before the court over treason charges.

The prosecution had at the last adjourned date prayed the court to discontinue public trial of the suspects in order to protect its witnesses.

His motion was, however, opposed by the defense counsel, Olu Omotayo, who argued that secret trial of the suspects would lead to miscarriage of justice.

In its ruling on the matter yesterday, the court granted the prayers of the prosecution counsel, though it held that accredited members of the press would be allowed at the trial sessions.

Angered by the ruling, one of the suspects, Onwuka, who sought the attention of the court, accused Justice Agishi of bias, noting that all the rulings of the court, including the ruling on their bail application, showed that the judge was not ready to dispense justice.

The defense counsel who was also not satisfied with the ruling announced his intention to withdraw from the matter.

The court, however, insisted that he should file

a written application announcing his formal withdrawal from the matter.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the court session, enraged Omotayo described the ruling of the court as a miscarriage of justice.

He added: “We cannot be party to a secret trial of these people; the court said accredited members of the press would be allowed during the trial, but our question is, who will have the responsibility of accrediting them? So, you can see that the entire thing boils down to secret trial.

“We are going to comply with the ruling; so before the next adjourned date, we shall file a written application indicating our intention to withdraw from the matter.

“Before that time also, the accused persons will also write formally to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, praying him to transfer the matter to another judge.”

Similarly, the national president of BZF, Comrade Onyia Cyril, described the court’s decision as “a further infringement on the fundamental rights of nonviolent activists.”

Onyia added that “it is exactly one year since these freedom fighters have been in detention over treason charges, even when they did nothing wrong except that they are fighting for the liberation of Ndigbo.

“I call on our people across the world as well as all rights organisations to come to the rescue of these men who are being incarcerated unjustly.”

Groups jostle for headship of Anambra internal revenue service Charles Okeke AWKA

T

he battle for headship of Anambra State Internal Revenue Service has deepened as two key contending groups, each of which is rooting for its own man to take over the post that was recently relinquished by new Commissioner for Finance, has intensified its lobby for the post.

The two contending groups are drawn from those lobbying for a career civil servant to lead the Internal Revenue Service and those rooting for the next head of service to be selected from among politicians.

Already, it has been gathered that the key lobby group comprising some interested staff members and their front men are now using their proxies to campaign for the post as well as mount pressure on the governor to select a career a civil servant to head the Internal Revenue Service in line with the enabling law.

This development comes against the backdrop that the Internal Revenue Service, an arm of the Board of Internal Revenue Board, an agency under the Ministry of Finance, has successively been led by both political appointees and career officers like B.S.O. Okeke, E.N. Nwafor and Charles Onyeagba.

Indication that the issue has now become subject for intense lobby emerged recently when the new chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Anambra State, Comrade Jerry Nnubia and his team had during their courtesy call on the governor at the Governor’s Lodge, Awka, pointed out that there was need to resolve the issue of posting at the state Internal Revenue Service in such a way to stop the alleged appointment of politicians to head body.

An interested party who spoke on the issue, said it is now time for a person well versed in taxation to head both the state Board of Internal Revenue and the state

Internal Revenue Service, the operational arm of the Board of Internal Revenue.

He stated that it was unacceptable that since 2010, politicians have been posted to occupy the post of the chairman of the board even when they were neither career civil servants nor politicians.

It is expected that by the time the issue is resolved one of the top three senior officers in the service would take up the head of the Internal Revenue Service.

The move for a career civil servant to occupy the position came as a result of the appointment of a politician, Sir Okey Moka, the erstwhile chairman/CEO of the Board of Internal Revenue.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

T

here is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria’s democratic experience on May 29 passed an unprecedented litmus test. Obviously, when the true wish of a people is reflected, the people rejoice and when the mandate of a vast majority is not being manipulated happiness and celebration is guaranteed.

The processes and ceremonies leading to the peaceful transfer of power from former President Goodluck Jonathan to President Muhammadu Buhari apparently has set a paradigm for other African states to emulate. The mood of most Nigerians was lighted up with hopes as history was made. For the first time in the country’s history, a hitch-free handover of power between two political parties was made. Since 1999, when the then military government of Nigeria allowed new political parties to form, Nigeria has been governed by one party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. On March 28, President Buhari, the candidate of the opposing coalition party, All Progressives Congress, APC, succeeded in winning the presidential election, marking a critical juncture in the democratic transition timeline of Nigeria.

Both former President Jonathan and President Buhari have been committed in their management of the transition process, charting unfamiliar territory in the Nigerian political landscape and setting a solid precedent for their African neighbours on how opposing political parties can peacefully transfer power. Nigerians have shown to the world that such a transition is possible on a continent that is more familiar with ‘president for life’ syndrom.

Consequently, Nigeria has made a giant stride and set an exemplary model for most African countries to take a cue from.

And not only the recent Nigerian elections, but peaceful transfers of powers in places like Zambia and Ghana should inspire others to follow suit.

Some two dozen countries have presidential elections in Africa between now and 2017. The temptation to stay in power can be great, but when incumbent presidents try to change the rules of the game in their favour by changing term limits or restricting political space, the consequences can be deadly. The world saw that last year in Burkina Faso and a few years back in Ivory Coast, when an incumbent wanted to stubbornly hold on to power.

Young people in particular are increasingly going to the streets protesting, demanding change of government of undue maintenance of power by totalitarians, tyrannical leaders, and more often than not, these protests turn violent, leaving many dead and lots of properties destroyed.

Today in the history of Nigeria however, the narrative is different. The story on the lips of many after President Buhari took the mantle of leadership on May 29 was melodious narratives, being a true

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Lessons for African nations in Nigeria’s 2015 transition

Following the peaceful 2015 transition in Nigeria, which received wide commendations from Nigerians and the world, ROBERT AWOKUSE, reflects on the lessons derived from the occasion.

Buhari

Jonathan

Jega

reflection of their choice in the March 28 polls.

support and cooperation he has given to the transition process, he has made it possible for us to show the world that despite the perceived tension in the land, we can be a united people capable of doing what is right for our nation.

“Together we co-operated to surprise the world that had come to expect only the worst from Nigeria. I hope this act of graciously accepting defeat by the outgoing president will become the standard of political conduct in the country.”

Recall that Nigeria could have been thrown into turmoil following criticism from a former Minister of Niger-Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, whom he accused of taking side with the APC, during the collation of the results of the presidential election at the International Conference Centre, ICC, in Abuja.

Many have described Jonathan as a

true hero of democracy, who by conceding defeat, forestalled potential post-election crisis. In the same vein, Ghana President and Chairman of Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, John Mahama lauded Jonathan for conceding defeat in the presidential elections in a peaceful manner, saying he showed great maturity, adding that through his actions, he earned the respect of all Nigerians and the international community.

A move in right direction By this development, Nigeria witnessed a kind of transition that is very rare in this part of the world, a kind that is experienced in developed countries such as the United States. The former president said he never regretted conceding defeat, action which received applause from both African leaders and international community.

With that singular act, Jonathan carved his name in gold in the history of Nigeria.

Buhari further extolled Jonathan for saving Nigeria from anarchy by not clinging to power at all cost.

He said: “I would like to thank President Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting a precedent for us that has now made our people proud to be Nigerians wherever they are. With the

The processes and ceremonies leading to the peaceful transfer of power from former President Goodluck Jonathan to President Muhammadu Buhari apparently has set a paradigm for other African states to emulate.

Sign of positive things to come The sign of positive things and change coming to the country was further affirmed in Buharis’s inaugural speech, where he said: “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.”

By implication this remark had effect on the antagonists of Buhari, who on several occasions during electioneering condemned the President of dull brains, ill-health, senility, forgery and perjury.

But today the song is different on the lips of his critics. Even Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State governor, noted for his campaign against the President during the 2015 electioneering campaigns, hailed Buhari’s speech following the theme of liberalism which it x-rayed.

Jonathan and other stakeholders in Bayelsa State have applauded President Buhari, for pledging allegiance to all in his inaugural speech. Reacting to the speech in the wake of his arrival at his capital city, Yenagoa, Jonathan said that he was gladdened by the posture of the President, CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Politics

Thursday, June 11, 2015

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Lessons for African nations in Nigeria’s 2015 transition CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

saying: “Buhari said that he does not belong to any clique, and I congratulate him for that statement. It shows that we should all rally around him to work towards the development of the country and make Nigerians happy”.

Other opinion leaders in Bayelsa also commended Buhari for the speech, describing it as ‘a roadmap’ to move the country forward. Similarly, the Bayelsa chairman of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUCN, Mr Tari Dounana, said that the speech indicated that Buhari was ready to bring change to the country, urging the President to fulfil his promises to Nigerians irrespective of party, religion and tribal affiliations.

He said: “The President said that he belonged to everyone and to nobody. That is the kind of words we want from a leader.

Thank God Nigeria’s democracy is advancing and we have gotten a leader that will take the issues of workers very seriously”.

Hope rekindled “The speech raises a lot of hope and for the new President to even mention the Niger Delta issue shows that he cares,” said a fisherman, Priye Dakolo.

Speaking on oil spill challenge, Samuel Ayadi said: “We expect the President to address pending oil spill compensations, especially the Bonga Spill incident and assist the traditional fishing sector to enable us contribute towards food security.”

Mr Namso Ekpo, the Leader of Onna Industrial Youth Cooperative, a Niger Delta based group, urged Buhari to industrialise the Niger Delta region, saying: “The President mentioning the Niger Delta region in his inaugural speech means that he has done research on the problems facing the country and we await his actions to address the issues. We are ready to work with him to meaningfully engage the youths in productive ventures and be self reliant.”

Defining moment Buhari’s inauguration was predicated on his pivotal victory in the country’s March 2015 general election. His electoral success represented a defining moment in Nigerian political history since, for the first time, an opposition party candidate transitioned to power through peaceful election. In advance of his inauguration, Buhari established a set of commitments

His electoral success represented a defining moment in

Nigerian

political history... an opposition party candidate transitioned to power through peaceful election.

Orubebe

Mahama

for his first 100 days in office, which include: boosting economic growth and employment, tackling rampant government fraud, and strengthening the country’s security institutions to contend with Boko Haram and other destabilising threats.

However, as Buhari and his government come into power, several factors such as a growing fiscal crisis, opaque governance systems, and persistent, dynamic security risks, have the potential to undermine his ability to deliver on these promises.

During President Buhari’s first coming in December 1983, circumstances were way different. It was a different type of transition, a military coup heralded by martial music on our radios. For those who grew up in the 80s through the early 90s, that was the type of transition we became accustomed to, as the country experienced coups and failed coup attempts.

Another factor that made this transition an interesting one is that it was peaceful. Asides the long stretches of

military interventions in governance, our country’s history has also been pockmarked by mindless violence associated with political transitions.

According to Mr. Akin Rotimi, a strategic communication, diplomacy and public policy professional, the number of lives lost due to military coups since our independence in 1960, is nothing compared to the number of those lost during the buildup-to and immediate aftermath of elections.

Nigerians, especially those in the South-West, understand the volatility of transitions. The country has been familiar with the spirit of totalitarianism, intolerance and poor sportsmanship, which has characterised Nigerian politics in previous eras, such as the crisis of 1965, preceded by the violence in 1962 which led to the declaration of a six month state of emergency.

In fact, at the time of President Buhari’s first coming in 1983, the country was still reeling from the violence that

marred the very contentious general election, which featured in some places, the rehash of the style of politicians inciting mobs to douse their opponents with gasoline and brazenly set them on fire.

Similarly, all the elections since 1999 were characterised by varying degrees of violence.

The foregoing provides a context within which to view the apprehension of Nigerians and the international community towards the 2015 election and its subsequent inauguration, with widespread predictions that at worst, it would provoke uprising in the country. However, this premonition became illusive as our dear country received thumb-ups from all the nations of the world. The sight of former President Jonathan and President Buhari, sitting together, smiling and sharing banters during the historic moments that ushered in this era that is widely applauded in the most populous black nation in the world, was a sight rooted in the memory of many Nigerians forever.

The day was a major step in the deepening of our democracy. Since the end of military rule in Nigeria and the commencement of fourth republic in 1999, Nigeria has gone on to witness the peaceful civilian to civilian transition of power in 2007 and now in 2015, the first alternation of power from one political party to the other.

As the country savour the arrival of seeming nation’s finest moment, it is pertinent that all supports and pray that God will grant President Buhari the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to pilot the affairs of the nation to the admiration of all.

There is also need to celebrate tomorrow with a clear understanding of the urgency of the task ahead as a people, knowing full well that the task of bringing about national rebirth is not one for those in government alone.

Speakership: Okorocha shifts inauguration, shops for loyalist Chris Njoku OWERRI

I

mo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday for the second time shifted the inauguration of the new state House of Assembly from Tuesday to today, June 11, when a consensus could not be reached on his choice of Speaker for the state Assembly for the next four years.

It was gathered that majority of members-elects are kicking against any imposition as they have vowed to resist such attempt.

National Mirror learnt that the governor had wanted his close aide and former Deputy Chief of Staff, DCoS, Mr. Chinedu Offor from Onuimo state constituency in Okigwe senatorial zone to emerge Speaker, but majority of the members-elect feared that Offor’s emergence would deny them a lot of benefits and possibly make them appear as rubber stamp to the governor.

Members-elect were said to be favourably disposed to the candidacy of Dr. Acho

Ihim from Okigwe state constituency, who is equally a ranking member of the house.

One of the members-elect said the postponement of the inauguration was to enable Okorocha secure the loyalty of the majority of the members of the House to enable him get a Speaker he could truly trust and work with without fear.

However, there were fears that the incoming members of state House of Assembly may be rubber stamps to Governor Okorocha, following All progressives Congress, APC, victory in 21 out of 27 state constituencies.

The source said: “So we decided to go for someone who would have independent mind and as well protect the interest of all members while working for robust development of the state.”

He expressed doubts about the inability of the governor’s choice to work without being teleguided, specifically pointing at what happened at the state secretariat of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Owerri, where the governor allegedly stopped Hon. Ihim from giving vote of thanks on behalf of elected

members, during the presentation of certificate of return to the governor and the 27 members-elect of the state Assembly.

It was reported that Ihim had stood up to give vote of thanks on behalf of his colleagues after the governor had spoken, but he was stopped by Okorocha, who instead, ordered Offor to do so on behalf of the 27 incoming members of the state Assembly.

The source said members-elect resolved after the INEC event to come together to checkmate any imposition on them, a development National Mirror learnt did not down well with the governor, who had reportedly shifted the inauguration of the house “to gain more ground” to ensure Offor becomes the Speaker.

Ihim is the only ranking member from Okigwe zone, where the speakership has been zoned to, while the rest of the five members-elect, including Offor are debutants in the state legislative business.

However, those supporting Offor are banking on the fact that ranking, was not used in 2011, when the immediate past Speaker, Chief Ben Uwajumogu, a debutant was elected as the speaker.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How Azi, Gagdi emerged Plateau Speaker, deputy James Abraham JOS

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he battle over which party produce the Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly between members-elect on the platforms of All Progressives Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday ended in favour of the former, with the emergence of Hon. Peter Azi as Speaker.

However, Hon. Adamu Gagdi of the PDP, a first term member representing Kantana state constituency, was elected Deputy Speaker.

The 24-member Assembly, which has 13 PDP and 11 APC members had on Tuesday held an election to produce the principal officers of the House, but the exercise ended in a deadlock, as the APC and PDP candidates for the Speakership position, Hons Azi and Istıfanus Mwansat, respectively both polled 12 votes each.

The development caused

Politics

Thursday, June 11, 2015

the postponement of the election after the Clerk of the House read a communication from the state governor to that effect.

But in a move that surprised many, the lawmakers reconvened yesterday and the APC candidate, Azi, eventually emerged the Speaker of the state House of Assembly National Mirror gathered that the APC candidate who represents Jos North West state constituency was elected Speaker after the PDP candidate, Mwansat, representing Pankshin South state constituency, stepped down for him.

Azi, widely believed to be the choice of the state governor was member of the Assembly between 2007 and 2011, but failed to be re-elected in 2011. He however contested again in the 2015 elections and won.

The new Speaker was immediately sworn-in and other members of the House inaugurated by the clerk of the House.

15

NASS: Bauchi PDP lauds Saraki, Dogara’s election Ezekiel Titus BAUCHI

B

auchi State Peoples Democratic Party has described the election of Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively as big success and victory for democracy in Nigeria.

Bauchi State PDP Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam, stated this yesterday while briefing newsmen in Bauchi, adding that the duo’s elections respect the wishes of the majority

lawmakers in the country, which is democracy where the decision of majority of members was respected.

Commending President Muhammadu Buhari for his neutrality which will help in bringing respect and mutual understanding between the legislature and the executive, Zayam advised them to keep working in the best interest of Nigeria.

He said the two leaders have the capacity and capability to lead the two chambers of the National Assembly creditably in order to bring the desired

changes needed for the development of the country.

Meanwhile, Bauchi Concerned Youths Forum, BCYF, has also applauded the emergence of Saraki and Dogara and leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives.

BCYF President, Hon. Moses Hankali, said this at a press conference in Bauchi, saying that their emergence demonstrated internal democracy and will hasten independence of the National Assembly.

BCYF said the elected principal officers deserve the plumb jobs because of their credibility, urg-

ing their detractors not to support them, but to queue behind them It described the mock election by the All Progressives Congress, APC, as a coup against Nigerians, charging the party leadership to tow the path of honour and give the new National Assembly leadership maximum support to move the country forward instead of promoting vested interest Hankalis had also urged Dogara to embrace all and sundry irrespective of party differences and in line with democracy norms and values

C&S Church greets Ambode, assures of collaboration Deborah Didi

L

agos State chapter of the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria has congratulated the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, for his successful takeover of the mantle of leadership of the Centre of Excellence.

Comprises of all Cherubim and Seraphim churches in Lagos State, the organisation also congratulated former Governor Babatunde Fashola for a successful completion of his tenure and eventual handover to a “worthy successor”.

In a release issued by Cherubim and seraphim Church General Secretary, Most Senior Apostle Nathaniel Lawal, the chapter expressed confidence in the new governor, saying with Ambode as successor to Fashola, the state can only move from glory to glory.

The statement read in part: “The Lagos State chapter of our great Church wishes to congratulate and

also identify with His Excellency, Governor Ambode of Lagos State for his success at the last polls in the state and for the smooth transfer of power from his predecessor in office, Barr Fashola.

“The body of Christ is not in any doubt as to the competence and dynamism that you are poised to bring to the state as you start you journey to govern the state.”

The Church also said it was ready to collaborate with the governor in prayers and other areas with a view to ensuring that during his administration, peace, harmony and oneness reigned supreme, urging the governor to continue the massive infrastructural development of his predecessor in office so that the people of the state can live truly peaceful and prosperous lives.

Ambode was also urged to look into areas where necessary to lighten the seeming yoke on Lagosians, especially in the area of education and affordable housing and transportation.

L-R: Senators Ahmed Yerima; Mohammed Lafiagi and Danjuma Goje, discussing after the first plenary session of the 8th National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

APGA: Umeh hands over to Oye, lauds Obiano George Oji ABUJA

F

ormer National chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, yesterday handed over the instruments of office to his successor, Ikechukwu Oye, at the party’s national headquarters, Abuja.

Speaking at the occasion, which also saw the National Secretary of the party, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, handing over to his successor, Labaran Maku, Umeh expressed confidence that the new leaders has both the qualifications and capacity to advance the ideology of the party.

APGA elected a new 29-member executive committee last Saturday at its national convention,

which held at the Women Development Center, Awka, Anambra State.

Umeh at the occasion commended APGA’s National Leader and governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, for the support he had offered for the growth of the party, even as he expressed satisfaction that the governor’s conduct over the time has portrayed him as an APGA member in body and soul.

Pointing out that the party would be handed over to the new leaders without any legal challenges; Umeh however admonished the new leaders to work towards strengthening the cohesion of the party, urging them not to allow APGA to disintegrate.

He said the new leaders have both the contacts and intellect to make positive

things happen in the party, adding that even though he has handed over to the new leadership, he will remain available for consultations from the new leadership.

He also commended members of his executive who are leaving office with him for their cooperation and loyalty, adding that he would not have achieved much without their support.

Speaking shortly after taking over from Umeh, the new APGA National Chairman, Oye, said the party would remain ever grateful to Umeh for the sacrifices and fights he fought to uphold the party.

He reminded the former chairman that there is no way APGA can move forward and develop without his support, just as he vowed that the party’s new

leadership will work hard to make APGA one of the most united party in Nigeria.

Oye also said the mission of the new leadership would be to make APGA an indestructible political platform, where loyalty and responsibility would be the watchword.

He therefore urged APGA members to imbibe the attitude of discipline and obedience to the rules guiding the party, adding that his leadership will uphold the constitution of the party at all times.

He also pledged to appease and accommodate aggrieved members of the party, adding that APGA remains a movement given the way it was formed and the ideological values on which it was founded.

16

Politics

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Sylva vs Murray-Bruce: Bayelsa Tribunal begins pre-trial Osahon Julius YENOGOA

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ayelsa State Election Petition Tribunal has begun pre-trial hearing of the petition filed by former governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the March 28 National Assembly election, Chief Timipre Sylva, against the declaration of Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce as senator-elect.

Chief Sylva had approached the Election Petition Tribunal headed by Justice C.A. Ononoeze Madu, asking it to declare the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator MurrayBruce, not qualified to contest the March 28 National Assembly election due to his dual citizenship and the refusal to relinquish such before the election.

The former governor’s prayer before the tribunal was that due to the irregularities and manipulations allegedly carried out by the PDP and its agents during the elections in Brass and other parts of the senatorial district, he should be upheld and declared valid winner of the National Assembly election.

At the pre-trial hearing yesterday, Barr

Abang Odok Ogar, counsel to Chief Timipre Sylva, engaged in legal arguments with counsel to Senator Murray-Bruce, Chief (Barr.) Duro Adeleye, and counsel to Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Barr Samuel Brisibe, over the legality of the motion for extension of time to respond to the objection raised by defendants to Sylva’s petition.

Ogar, in his argument for an order of the court to grant the motion for an extension of time to respond to the objections raised by the duo of Olaleye and Brisibe, argued that the motion for extension of time was based on mandatory position of law, adding that according the Court of Appel in Egbese and co versus PDP in 2015, the motion can be granted and cannot be stopped due to rule of the court.

Adeleye argued that the authority cited by Ogar is not applicable to the argument before the tribunal, adding: “It is not a question of rule but it is a matter of statute.”

The presiding judge, Justice Madu, however fixed June 12 for ruling on the application

by Ogar on the motion for extension of time.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Group urges tribunal to shun financial inducement Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

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roup under the axis of Christian Community Initiative for Peace and Development, CCIPD, yesterday called on Election Petition Tribunals holding in different parts of the country to shun all forms of financial inducements by politicians, corruption among other practices in the course of carrying out its assignment.

The Executive Director of CCIPAD, Rev. Odigbo Ikechukwu made this known

while addressing journalists in Abakaliki shortly after the organization’s Roundtable Discussion with the theme “Mitigation of Violence in Election” charged the judiciary to discharge its responsibilities within the framework of the law without compromising legal standards.

Ikechukwu further noted that the judiciary has an inalienable role of strengthening the electoral system and people’s confidence in the judiciary system as any wrong action taken by it could lead to electoral violence and dent

on the judiciary.

He said: “Corruption is one of the biggest problems in Nigeria; it is essentially trying to pervert justice for the benefit of a few. I encourage the judiciary to be strong and on the bases of evidence declare those victorious, so that people can have confidence in the electoral system”.

The NGO which is being supported by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, IFES and funded by the European Union, EU is also carrying out other projects including Advocacy visit to stakehold-

Clerk of Oyo State House of Assembly, Deacon Adegbola Akinyanju (left), administering oath of office on Speaker, Mr. Michael Adeyemo (right), during inauguration of the 8th Assembly in Ibadan, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Lawmakers with EFCC cases mustn’t hold key office –CNPP Henry Iyorkase MAKURDI

C

hairman of Benue State Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Engr.

Baba Agan, has warned that any member of both chambers of the National

Assembly with pending cases before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is not worthy to hold any key position in the hallowed chambers.

Engr. Agan spoke yesterday with National Mirror in Makurdi on the outcome

of both the Senate and the House of Representatives elections into key offices, which went against the supremacy of the governing party, All progressives Congress, APC. He asserted that the 8th National Assembly is taking off on a sad note, stress-

Aggrieved APC aspirant kicks against choice of Oyo Assembly Speaker Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

P

olitical crisis may be in the offing in Oyo State as the winner of the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary for Ibarapa East state constituency Mr. Mark Akinyode, yesterday condemned the election of Hon. Michael Adeyemo, as the new Speaker of the Assembly.

In a press statement signed on his behalf

by the coordinator of his Bibire 2015 Group, Oluntunde Olatunde, and made available to journalists, Akinyode reminded members of the newly inaugurated eighth Oyo Assembly that there is a pending court case against Adeyemo.

He said it is unfortunate that members of Oyo Assembly decided to elect somebody with a stolen mandate as their Speaker, know-

ers, town Hall meetings and mediation forum.

The roundtable discussion which examined the gains and challenges of the last election with respect to the contributions of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security personnel, political parties among others was attended by representatives of the INEC, Hajiyah Haruna Ajah, the police, National Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, the university community, political parties among others.

ing fully that there is a pending court case against the Speaker.

It will be recalled that Akinyode had gone to court after the APC leadership in Oyo state upturned the result of the party primary conducted in December, 2014 in which Akinyode emerged the party’s candidate for Ibarapa East state constituency for the 2015 election.

Akinyode had polled

137 votes to defeat both Adeyemo, who polled 134 votes, and Olusola Fadairo, who had only 15 votes in the primary monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the Directorate of State Security, DSS and the police.

The aggrieved politician, said it is high time the APC as a political party allowed true democracy to thrive, saying the current

practice in the party is intended to favour a few who see themselves as the power brokers within the party.

Lamenting that it was unfortunate that party’s delegates were stripped of their right to select the candidate of their choice, he said: “This is not only injustice and oppression, but a clear disregard for the constitution of Nigeria and Electoral Act Section 87.”

ing that the action of the lawmakers demonstrated that they are even bigger that the party that brought them to the parliament.

The CNPP chieftain further observed that there is nowhere a party will take a stand on an issue and its followers will deviate and do the opposite, adding that the action connotes disrespect and flagrant disobedience of rule of law.

Reasoning that with the attitude exhibited by the members, it has shown clearly that the people had ulterior motive aside from their responsibilities of carrying out legislation towards improvement and enhancing the well being of Nigerians, he said: “Frankly I am disappointed at the behavior of some of the legislators because the manner in which both elections were conducted, particularly of the Senate was more of a movie being displayed on screen.”

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Thursday, June 11, 2015

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CBN’s N8bn scandal and issue of corperate governance CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

N

igeria suffered some kind of seismic shocks recently, when an alleged N8 billion scam involving six staff of the Ibadan branch of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and 16 staff of commercial banks made headline news. The alleged (CBN) were later arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a Federal High Court in Ibadan on Monday June 1, 2015, for the fraud.

The accused were alleged to have been involved in defaced and mutilated currency recycling swapping scam, thus compromising the CBN’s Briquetting exercise meant to mop up mutilated and defaced higher denomination currencies from circulation. The anti-graft agency alleged that the scam, which had been going on for year, was partly to blame for the failure of the monetary policy of government to address the problem of inflation in the country. The EFCC had disclosed that the scam was exposed on November 3 last year through a petition alleging that over N6.6 billion had been diverted and recycled by some top executives

of the Ibadan branch of the apex bank.

Let say nothing in this analysis suggests any inference of guilt or otherwise of the accused persons. The prerogative to determine that inheres in a court of competent jurisdiction. Rather, the fulcrum of this analysis rests on the fact that EFCC has found a prima facie case that there is a mega scam in the CBN. That fact alone suggesting breach of CBN’s internal control, raises issues on governance.

According to CBN Act of 2007, the bank is charged with the overall control and administration of the monetary and financial sector policies of the Federal Government. The objects of the CBN are as follows: ensure monetary and price stability; issue legal tender currency in Nigeria; maintain external reserves to safeguard the international value of the legal tender currency; promote a sound financial system in Nigeria; and act as Banker of and provide economic and financial advice to the Federal Government.

Now, as Nigeria’s apex financial regulatory institution, there is no gainsaying the fact that the CBN should have sustainable and highly effective system of internal control.

It also ought to have in place a complex and highly effective system of checks and balances as an integral part of its internal control.

The kind of operations EFCC alleged the accused persons had perpetrated, if it is true, is capable of ruining an economy.

Pertinent questions that naturally arise include: Does the CBN have the entrenched culture of regularly identifying and analysing the risks facing it as an institution? What is the quality of containment and risk manage-

THE KIND OF OPERATIONS EFCC ALLEGED THE ACCUSED PERSONS

HAD PERPETRATED… IS CAPABLE OF RUINING AN ECONOMY ment measures the organisation has been deploying over the years to deal with the vagaries of risk facing it? Are the control measures in place adequate and effective for an institution of CBN stature and in tandem with the 21st century’s degree of sophistication? Are there some potentates capable of disapplying the fraud preventive mechanisms at the bank?

One may also need to look at the scope of duties and how they are delegated within the bank’s structure. Important also are the concept of transparency and disclosure - are these concepts welldeveloped and woven into the fabric of operational policies at the bank? If the instant allegation is true, Nigeria is definitely in trouble as no nation, no matter how prosperous, can withstand this kind of economic sabotage.

For one, it would mean there would not be reliable information as to the amount of money in circulation for purpose of planning and implementation of other monetary measures. The system will be palpably distressed; there will

be allocative inefficiency, poor projection and largely ineffectual implementation of monetary and fiscal policies. There will be inflation and loss of power of national currency relative to other standard foreign currencies that are not subject to similar abuse and sabotage.

Now, one may ask one apparently recondite question: How many seasoned governance professionals are occupying positions in the CBN? This question is pertinent because the world has moved beyond the traditional conservative system of just putting skilled and unskilled workers in positions to drive corporate objectives. In contemporary times, many forward-looking companies now deliberately steer their outfits towards effective corporate governance by recruiting chartered secretaries and other governance professionals to man strategic positions in their organisations.

To this end, chartered secretaries and administrators, as well as other governance professionals, have come in high demand, especially since post 2008 global meltdown era. The CBN and other important institutions certainly need such professionals.

In conclusion, Nigerian authorities must henceforth ensure that all security and risk issues facing the CBN are appropriately addressed, and all loopholes breaches and potential breaches plugged.

No avenues should be left to be exploited for diabolical purposes.

KETEFE MAY BE FOLLOWED ON TWITTER @ KETESCO

Ortom’s China tour in perspective ALEX OHEMU

S

hortly before his inauguration, the new Benue State governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, led a high-powered delegation to the People’s Republic of China. The visit was on the invitation of two global business players from that Asian country, Hongye International Limited and CGC. The governor was accompanied on the visit by some All Progressives Congress (APC) members, including a member of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Audu Ogbeh.

Ortom, immediate past minister superintending over trade and investment and Audu Ogbeh, a foremost expert on agro business, are a good pair to synergize on foreign investment imperatives for the state. The visit was in keeping with the governor’s promise to partner with the private sector for the rapid socio-economic development of the state. It is noteworthy that the delegation’s focus included agriculture, coal, water, road construction, airport, dredging and irrigation. The team embarked on the journey to determine if facilities of the two companies are suited for the development of these sub sectors of the state economy.

The visit is the right step for a government determined to rescue a state under the shackles of underdevelopment and transform it into a vibrant and buoyant economy. It is an agenda-setting outing for an administration that has shown clearly that it is conversant with the challenges, yearnings and aspirations of the people

THE DREDGING OF RIVER BENUE IS LONG OVERDUE. THE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE OF DREDGING THE RIVER CAN HARDLY BE OVER EMPHASIZED and is poised to addressing them.

The Ortom’s China tour is significant in some vital respects. It sends a clear and positive signal to the electorate that after May 29, the new administration is going to hit the ground running as far as governance in Benue State is concerned. The trip is a clear indication of the nature, trajectory and tempo of the incoming leadership and the likelihood that the government will be action-packed, eventful and result-oriented. The cumulative effect of this initiative, if sustained and expanded to other emerging economies like India, Singapore, Indonesia, Korea etc, will in no distant future put Benue State on the map as Nigeria’s number one destination for foreign investment.

This is one foreign investment trip that will no doubt add value to the state economy. This is so because we already have comparative advantage in some of the areas under focus. Take agriculture, coal and the dredging of River Benue for instance.

Agriculture happens to be the mainstay of the state economy. About 80 percent of the population is engaged in it. The land is available and fertile; the climate favorable,

while labor is cheap. This is by no means a favorable outlook to attract a prospective investor to develop the sector. Cassava, rice, yam, assorted fruits are likely to come under serious consideration by the Chinese because of their industrial potentials.

It would be recalled that one of the key policies of the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration, when Chief Ogbeh was the adviser to the president on agriculture, was the encouragement of massive cultivation of cassava across the country, particularly for export. As a matter of fact, that administration pioneered cassava bread in the country and it is our fervent hope that the OrtomOgbeh initiative will introduce other cassava food series like noodles, buns, pizza and cake, while rice milling and yam flour production would be given added boost.

Also, there is a sprawling deposit of coal in Owukpa, in Ogbadibo Local Government Area waiting to be exploited as source of energy. Statistics show that the quantum of coal underneath Owukpa has the capacity to produce several thousand kilowatts of electricity to swell the national grid. For a state that has been suffering from perennial epileptic supply of electricity, the current initiative for foreign direct investment in the sector should come as a welcome relief.

One of the few positive legacies of the outgoing administration is the durable water infrastructure it has put in place.

What is lacking is the supply of water to

users where the facility is available. What is required is the reticulation of the project, a process that requires huge financial outlay that government can ill afford. A probable area of intervention by foreign investors, therefore, should be the reticulation, perhaps, under a build, operate and transfer (BOT) status.

The dredging of River Benue is long overdue. The economic advantage of dredging the river can hardly be over emphasized. It means that Makurdi would become a seaport. It will provide attractive, cheaper and safer means of haulage of goods within and outside the country. It will also promote trading activities among communities living along the banks of the river. Above all, Makurdi would become a hub of marine transport, a terminus for ships laden with goods to and from various countries of the world. Waiting indefinitely for the Federal Government to honor its obligation on the dredging of the river may soon prove counterproductive if care is not taken. The state government could invite foreign investment partners to fund the project and later get reimbursement from the Federal Government. The Ortom trip to China is indeed, a worthwhile tour.

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

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

18

Editorial

Thursday June 11, 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

N8bn currency fraud by CBN staff, others

T

heir cases are currently pending before a Federal High in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, presided over by Justice Adeyinka Faaj. Therefore, the six Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) officials and 16 others from some of the nation’s commercial banks accused of N8 billion fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are for now presumed innocent (in the eyes of the law) until formally prosecuted and their alleged offences proven beyond any reasonable doubt. That being so, however, the mere exposure of the alleged mind boggling heist to the Nigerian public is dumbfounding. It reminded the nation of the monumental pilfering, in the not too distant past, of billions of naira in pension funds by no less a group of officials than those in whose custody the public servants’ retirement funds were kept.

CBN’s Director, Corporate Communications, Ibrahim Mu’azu, was reported as saying early in the month that CBN dug up the fraud during a routine internal audit of the bank’s cash destruction activities in September 2014.

He said the CBN Briquetting Panel comprising senior bank staff from various branches, noticed some anomalies at the Ibadan branch of the apex bank, and immediately reported same

to management. Further investigations ordered by the CBN Governor, according to Mu’azu, discovered that a systematic scheme, which had been on for several years, and in which mutilated higher denomination notes originally meant for destruction, were swapped with lower denomination ones, a practice known as interleafing. He said as soon as the bank’s internal investigations concluded beyond reasonable doubt that some wrongdoing had been committed by the affected CBN staff, they were either summarily dismissed or immediately placed on indefinite suspension on October 21, 2014, depending on the gravity of their involvement.

A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, also indicated that the suspects, “instead of carrying out the statutory instruction to destroy the (mutilated) currencies, substituted them with newspapers neatly cut to naira sizes and proceeded to recycle the defaced notes. “The fraud is partly to blame for the failure of government monetary policy over the years, as currency mop-up exercises by the apex bank failed to check the inflationary pressure on the economy”, Uwujaren added.

It does seem Nigerians have, in recent years, grown used to such shocking news. But in spite of acclaimed entrenched lawless-

EFCC SHOULD ENSURE, THROUGH MORE PENETRATING INVESTIGATIONS,

THAT NO CULPRIT OR

ACCOMPLICE, WHETHER IN THE

CBN OR

COMMERCIAL BANKS, IS LEFT OFF THE HOOK ness and moral degeneracy in the country, the N8 billion fraud allegedly perpetrated by CBN staff and their complicit colleagues in commercial banks took not just a few citizens by surprise.

Reports indicated, for example, that many bankers were themselves shocked by the scam, which itself is a grim manifestation of the extreme depth most Nigerians have sunk in their quest for material possessions and vanity.

It would, therefore, amount to sheer hypocrisy shrugging off the significance of the CBN fraud and the subsequent arrests. For they provide no little proof that the Nigerian society has lost its moral bearings, has for long been adrift and, perhaps even rudderless to a significant extent. They decay is quite visible. What has been more or less latent is the looming anarchy.

The administrative measures,

ON THIS DAY

June 11, 1963

June 11, 2002

United States President John F. Kennedy proposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that would later revolutionize the American society. It centred on equal access to public facilities, end to segregation in education and guarantee of federal protection for voting rights. The Act enacted July 2, 1964 is a landmark piece of civil rights legislation in the US that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Antonio Meucci was acknowledged as the first inventor of the telephone by the United States of America’s Congress. Antonio Santi Giuseppe Meucci (1808–1889) was an Italian inventor. He was also a friend and associate of the Italian nationalist Giuseppe Garibaldi. Meucci is best known for developing a voice-communication apparatus which several sources credit as the first telephone.

which Mu’azu said the CBN management took against the suspects, like summary dismissal and indefinite suspension, are steps in the right direction. But more important is making sure that all the suspects and their alleged accomplices are speedily arraigned, diligently and rigorously prosecuted; and if eventually found guilty, that they be given punishment commensurate to the crimes they committed; and all the investments they made with the ill-gotten funds confiscated by the state. It is the height of economic sabotage against the nation that while the CBN toils to mop up excess liquidity to control inflation, some reckless members of staff struck by exceptional greed busy themselves with fuelling same through monstrous frauds.

The EFCC should ensure, through more penetrating investigations, that no culprit or accomplice, whether in the CBN or commercial banks, is left off the hook. As providence now has it, a new administration is in place at the federal level that loathes corruption like a plague. And reading the body language of the Federal Government and its fight against corruption, Nigerians expect more positive action from the courts in fighting the menace.

Public expectation is that justice will prevail in the end, and visibly so.

June 11, 2008 Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, made a historic official apology to Canada’s ‘First Nations’ in regard to a residential school abuse in which children were isolated from their homes, families and cultures for a century. The residential schools for Native Canadians (First Nations or ‘Indians’) was funded by the Canadian government’s Indian Affairs and Northern Department and administered by Christian churches.

Thursday, JUNE 11, 2015

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

19

Education Today

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD)

No Engineering College in any Institutin in Nigeria come close to what obtains in ABUAD —NSE BOSS

SAIDAT ALAUSA

O

guchi Ajaegbu, 29, is married just last month and graduated last Sunday with a doctoral degree in Mass Communication from Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, where she also had her first and second degrees in the same discipline.

To her, it was a double celebration indeed. But that is not all. She also emerged as the overall best graduating student of her set. She scored Cumulative Gradient Point Average (CGPA) of 4.74 from 5.0 points obtainable. And interestingly, her husband, Mr. Chigozrim Ajaegbu, who is older by three years, is among the 49 others she defeated to clinch the position.

Oguchi stood tall at the combined 13th undergraduate and 4th postgraduate convocation ceremonies of the university where her outstanding academic performance was revealed. She walked majestically from her seat to the podium in front of the audience to receive her prize for her excellent performance.

Surprisingly, she learnt about the news just like every other person at the event, where a total of 1,416 also graduated for their first degree.

“Nobody told me anything,” Oguchi told National Mirror in a chat shortly after the ceremony.

This is despite the fact that she is a lecturer in the same department while her husband lectures in the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology where he also had his first and second degree. Both were retained at different times by the university because they graduated with First Class honours in their respective discipline. Oguchi, who is from Abia State like her husband graduated in 2009 while Chigozrim graduated two years earlier.

But despite their long stay on campus, they didn’t know each other until they were classmates as PhD students.

“Our coming together is by divine connection,” her husband, who is a bit taller, cut in, adding: “We started dating sometime in

How we met —Babcock PhD couple ...wife emerges overall best

I WILL CONFESS THAT OUR RELATIONSHIP GREATLY HELPED US TO SUSTAIN OUR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

Mr. & Mrs. Ajaegbu 2012 and the courtship lasted about three years.”

He is but grateful to God that he married somebody he loves to live the rest of his life with.

“I will confess that our relationship greatly helped us to sustain our academic excellence,” Oguchi continued.

According to her, “we both share things in common. I am a lecturer so also my husband and both of

Standard schools not in names, infrastructures, says OAU ex-registrar 20

us did our PhD programme at the same time and all these were really helpful to us. We were focused and committed to our studies during the programme.

“Even though we studied different courses, we had enough time to study together.”

On her PhD exemplary performance, Oguchi said she lives by “I can do it spirit.”

“I don’t give up on my vision. I

pursue any vision I have to a logical conclusion. Even at that, I must still say that I do my things in the way I know best.

“On my PhD programme, I never envisaged I could become a PhD holder at my age let alone come out the best in my set. That is why I won’t say I am brilliant than my husband. I give it to him in his own field. He is a genius in computer and ICT stuff. And I thank God for

Power supply, major problem of technical schools — FSTC Principal 21

supporting both on us not only in our studies but also in other areas of life. He is the one that crowned our efforts with success.”

When she was asked about her next plan, she told National Mirror that for now she would continue with her lecturing job and would also engage in more research activities.

“I am happy and contended to be a lecturer. It enables me to broaden my knowledge on daily basis. This is because you have to prepare yourself very well as a lecturer to be able to teach effectively in class more so the university makes things easier for both the lecturers and the students. There are internet facilities and environment conducive for teaching as well as learning in Babcock University,” she stressed.

Oguchi however advised students of the university to always put in their best in their studies for them to be able to achieve their aspirations for life.

Congratulating Oguchi and other graduating students earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Kayode Makinde told them to always stand for truth wherever they find themselves.

He also told them to be good ambassadors of the school and their families.

In his remark, the guest speaker and Senior Vice-President, Florida Hospital, USA, Gen. Mark Hertling urged the new graduates to continue learning and believe in themselves.

Buhari assured corps members of safety 20

20

Education Today

Thursday, June 11, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari assured corps members of safety

L-R: Pioneer Registrar, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Princess Adebisi Soboyejo; Pioneer Librarian, Dr. Taofiq Salisu and Pioneer ViceChancellor, Prof. Nimbe Adedipe during the 49th Inaugural Lecture of the university, recently.

EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has reinstated his administration’s commitment to end Boko Haram insurgency and all forms of terrorism in the country and restore permanent peace in all affected places.

He gave the assurance recently during the swearing-in of the 2015 “A” (Stream II) corps members at NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Mangu in Plateau State.

Represented by Governor Mohammed Abduallahi Abubakar of Bauchi State, Buhari said: “Our commitment is to quickly restore peace in the affected areas and guarantee the security of lives and properties of every Nigerian, including corps members.”

He lamented that for long the quest for peace and progress was disrupted and frustrated by social ills mainly perpetrated by youths but the true change that Nigerians desire must start with them by embracing attitudinal change.

On his part, Governor Abubakar disclosed that Batch “A” stream II would be the last of Corps posted to the state that would be camp outside the state as peace has returned to the state.

Abubakar however, assured the corps members of their safety, saying adequate security has been put in place for that purpose.

The state Coordinator of the scheme, Alhaji Musa Abubakar gave the total number of the serving corps members to be 2,410 comprising of 1,386 males and 1,024 females.

...As corps members donate blood KEMI BUSARI

CORPS MEMBER

A

s part of their community development service, the outgoing Batch B corps members of Igabi Local Government area of Kaduna State have organised a blood donation exercise.

The exercise which took place at the federal secretariat of the state on Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd June 2014 experienced a large turn-out from both corps members and members of the community.

Speaking on the importance of the exercise, Suleiman Mubarak, the Corps Liaison Officer (CLO) of the local government said the choice of blood donation was hinged on the need to help the sick in the society.

He noted that many more people are nowadays need blood transfusion due to one incident or another without having money to procure it at the right time hence the decision of the corps members to help in that regard.

He said he was impressed that many people came out to be part of the exercise despite the short notice given.

In her reaction, the representative of National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), Mrs. Oladele Patience lauded the corps members for the exercise, saying the gesture would definitely boost blood bank in the hospitals.

While noting that only healthy people between 18 and 65 years old are encouraged for voluntarily blood donation, she stressed that such blood are used to save lives of patients, especially in emergency situations like accident and baby delivery.

Standard schools not in names, infrastructures, says OAU ex-registrar TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

T

he immediate past Registrar of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Mr. Ayo Ogunruku has condemned schools using their names, buildings and fleet of cars as yardsticks to measure the quality of education they are being offered.

He made this assertion while delivering the 2nd edition of the Registry Lecture series of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos recently.

He spoke on “Effective and administration of tertiary educational institutions in the 21st Century” and the event was to honour the immediate past registrar of the college, Mr. Bola Disu.

Ogunruku said it was erroneous and misleading for school managers to equate standard of their schools with their names

and available infrastructures rather than the quality of their personnel, libraries, laboratories, researches and graduates produced.

He said that was the major reason tertiary institutions in the country are among the badly ranked globally, noting that until they change their attitude and perceptions in that direction, they would remain in that poor condition .

He therefore urged school administrators and other personnel to be innovative in their approach and operations to enable them effectively use their challenges in line with realities of the 21st Century to bring about the desired results.

“This is because it is senseless to keep increasing the number of buildings and vehicles when lab and libraries lack every basic thing required for teaching and learning,” he stressed.

The guest lecturer also urged school administrators not only to be innovative in

revenue generation but also in needs and spending as well as be more professionals in their activities and move away from conservatism to embrace ICT which is now best world practices.

In his remark, the Provost of AOCOED, Mr. Olalekan Bashorun said the essence of the annual registry lecture was to enable participants to cross fertilise ideas to make them more effective at work and in other endeavours.

The initiative, he stressed, would also raise standard of our performance and by extension impacting positively on the quality of our products.

Appreciating the college for sustaining the lecture series which he initiated two years ago, the immediate past registrar of the college and honoree, Mr. Bola Disu who is now on sabbatical at Federal College of Education, Abeokuta said he would never forget AOCOED’s strong contribution to whom he is today.

Be patriotic, Caleb VC tells political leaders SAIDAT ALAUSA

V

ice-Chancellor, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju, has admonished Nigerian leaders to imbibe the overriding factor of economic nationalism which stipulates the ‘country first.’

He stated that this would L-R : Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem; Human Resources Director, Mr. Victor Famuyibo and Acting Deputy GeneralSecretary, Nigerian Union of Teachers, Chief Wole Oyeniyi at a press conference to announce the call for entries for the Maltina Teacher of the Year Award by Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund for the public secondary school teachers nationwide in Lagos, recently.

drive development on the platform of a Democratic Developmental State.

Olukoju stated this while delivering a lecture at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, titled, “Leadership, Economic Nationalism and Development: Nigeria and the Challenge from the Global South.”

He added that the country

needs a Nigerian Dream driven by patriotic and visionary leadership, focused on catapulting the country into the ranks of its former peers that cast off the chains of underdevelopment. The professor, who is also a Fellow of Nigerian Academy of Letters also stated that leadership is not a divine right, but is attained or earned through fair means, credible

track records, sound character and commonly agreed parameters.

According to him, “leaders must be daring, constantly challenge the status quo and think outside the box.

They are responsible for generating the vision to meet a desire for change; raising awareness, communicating the vision and intention as well as taking personal responsibility through exemplary leadership.”

Earlier in his speech, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, said the lecture was part of the social responsibilities of FUNAAB to its immediate and external communities in setting agenda, sharing quality opinions and proffering solutions on germane national and global issues.

He noted that such lectures in FUNAAB, had always formed the basis for building a virile nation, particularly in the strive for global relevance by 2020.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Soyinka, bank chief seek private sector funding of education UDO ONYEKA

N

obel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Yemi Adeola have called on the organised private sector in the country to complement government’s efforts in the repositioning of the nation’s education sector.

The duo who spoke at the third Convocation ceremony of the Kwara State University, Ilorin which coincided with the presentation of awards to winners of the Business Plan Competition sponsored by Sterling Bank Plc. They noted that with the rising challenges facing governments at all levels, the growth of the sector relies mainly on private sector participation through appropriate funding and provision of content.

Soyinka who delivered the Convocation Lecture advised on the need for private sector to take more interest in the education sector and noted that the need to fully develop the sector cannot be overemphasised as it remains the bedrock of any nation.

Adeola who was represented at the event

by Regional Business Executive, South West, Sterling Bank, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, expressed optimism that the foray into the sector by the Bank would encourage other financial institutions to see the need to also contribute their quota to the growth of the sector for the benefit of students at all levels.

“The challenges in the education sector are three folds – funding, capacity building and content. These have continued to hamper the development of the sector in the country leading to the outflow of foreign exchange as many Nigerians seek better and quality education abroad.

“This informed our decision to set up the One Education Desk to constantly seek out and execute ideas that would champion the advancement of the education sector in Nigeria through strategic partnerships, service provision for students, parents, teachers/lecturers, vendors, school administrators and the non-academic staff as well as the provision of world-class ICT solutions and other services with the ultimate aim of reducing unemployment in Nigeria” Adeola said.

School support seminar, exhibition hold in Lagos

T

Education Today

Thursday, June 11, 2015

he annual Total School Support Seminar and Exhibition, TOSSE, holds today and tomorrow in La-

gos.

The programme is organised by an education consulting firm, Edumark Consult.

Speaking with National Mirror, the Managing Director, Edumark Consult, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde said the programme was organised to help education community in Africa keep up with global trends in the field of education.

“There must be continuous improvement of our teachers and all those who have the task of managing our educational system and this cut across both the public and private sector. This is what TOSSE represents an education show for educators to learn, see and network.”

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Power supply, major problem of technical schools — FSTC Principal TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

T

he Principal of Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Lagos, Rev. Chris Ugorji has declared that the incessant power outage in the country had equally taken huge toll on technical schools.

He made the observation during the handing over and inauguration of some equipment donated by Vodacom Business Africa to the college last week.

According to him, training activities in 18 functional areas of trades that the college is currently running had been facing some setbacks, especially in the recent years due to epileptic power supply to the college.

“This condition to some extent has not only slowed down practical works but also the expected outputs from both the students and teachers because some of the machines and equipment have not been putting into optimum use,” he explained. “And this may likely be the general situation in all technical colleges in the country. “ Appreciating Vodacom on behalf of the 67- year-old college for donating 220KVA generator, signage and ICT equipment, Ugorji said the facilities which he promised to be put into good use would greatly enhance both the

L-R: Honoree and former Principal, Federal Science and Technical College (FSCT), Yaba, Lagos, Mr. Michael Ofor; representative of Director of Basic and Secondary Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Thomas Oluseyi and Principal, FSCT, Rev. Chris Ugorji during the send forth ceremony in honour of Ofor and the immediate past acting principal of the college, Mr. O.U. Ogory on Tuesday.

teaching and learning in the college and by extension technical education in the country.

He said FSTC with current population of about 4,000 students which he termed as the highest among the federal government colleges nationwide was known for quality and would not in any way relent in producing graduates that would be competitive with their peers globally.

He however urged other corporate bodies, institutions and spirited individuals and groups

to also donate facilities in form of classrooms, laboratory equipment, among other facilities to the college so as to further boost its activities, saying sound education was the best route to economic prosperity for any nation.

Explaining rationale for donating the facilities, Managing Director, Vodacom, Mr. Guy Clarke said the gesture was to boost science and technical education in the country because of its importance to employment generation and economic development.

He promised that the company would extend similar gesture to some other public schools, especially technical colleges in the country.

In her remark, the Head and Coordinating Inspector, Inspectorate Unit, Federal Ministry of Education, Lagos Office, Mrs. Ada Ibrahim-Alfa also thanked the donor and called for more public and private collaboration to promote public institutions in the country, noting that government could not all alone provide quality education to its citizenry.

My plan for Bogoro NOUN’s study centre —Coordinator Dr James Landi, an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Jos, Plateau State is currently the Coordinator of National Open University of Nigeria, Bogoro, Bauchi State Study Centre. He is a former Zonal Officer, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Lagos Office.

He speaks to some newsmen in Bauchi on many issues concerning his new portfolio and the university. EZEKIEL TITUS brings the excerpt.

Sir, how do you see your new responsibility?

Well, I see it as a big challenge because piloting a study centre of this nature may not be that easy. But all the same, I believe with the help of God and support of other workers as well as students, I will succeed.

What are your plans for the centre?

It is simple. As we are creating awareness for the centre, we will also create an enabling environment for both the students and members of staff. This is university education at the doorstep of community people as a way of boosting learning and skills at the grassroots.

Education in NOUN has no age, gender or location barrier. It is flexible and time-saving as our

Landi courses are run online and not like lecturers facing students in classroom format in a conventional university. But mind you, it is not an institution for correspondence courses. NOUN is also a full-fledged university. It is only its module course system that makes it different from conventional universities. So, I will

work as a team with other workers for all of us to achieve results of being given the mandate.

Now, we have an 80- year-old among our students. Our plans are to end the admission crisis facing youths who are qualified but could not gain admission due to lack of space in conventional universities or work demand including teachers without necessary academic qualifications.

What are the courses to be run by the centre?

The courses are not different from those running by other study centres. We have degree, postgraduate and PhD programmes in arts and science related courses.

We have education, agriculture, Biology, chemistry, Physics, accounting, law and many others.

And interestingly, all our courses have been approved by the Nation-

al Universities Commission.

What are you plans on infrastructure, facilities and recruitment?

Some of the few pioneer staffers we have were seconded from the headquarters from Lagos and plan is on the way to recruit more hands including from the host community.

About the structure, we will make do with what we have for now and increasing it as resources permit.

What is your advice to the people of the host community?

I know they are very happy about the establishment of the centre in their community and they have also promised to cooperate and support the centre with all the resources possible at their disposal. So, I will only implore them to see the centre and NOUN as a whole as their own property. Once they have that at the back of their minds, they will guide our property jealously and mobilize those qualified among them to em-

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Education Today

Thursday, June 11, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fun as Falomo Junior Secondary School celebrates ‘One- Day Principal’

Falomo Junior Secondary School, Ikoyi, Lagos last Wednesday celebrated its first ever student’s ‘One-Day Principal’. She is Miss Stella Vodunu of JSS 2B. She clinched the seat because she emerged as the overall best student in the school’s promotional examination from JSS1 to JSS2. National Mirror’s photojournalist, YINKA ADEPARUSI captured the event.

One-Day Principal (left) attending to students in her pseudo office.

L-R: Chairman, Parents’ Forum, Mr. Joseph Adenaiya; Secretary, Alhaji Saheed Bakare presenting gift to Vodunu

Principal Chief Warder, Ikoyi Prisons, Lagos, Mr. Christopher Anene (left) congratulating the One-Day Principal

Iman of Selewu Mosque in Ikorodu

The ‘One-Day Principal’ (sitting) with school prefects.

L-R: Vice Principal of the school, Mr. G. Omole.; Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Eti-Osa Local Government chapter, Mr. Atanbo Julius and his Lagos Island counterpart, Mr. Rabiu Adisa Kazeem at the event.

Mr. Godwin Anyanwu (left) in conversation with Stella Vodunu.

L-R: Principal, Dolphin Junior High School, Mr. Isaac Adelowo; mother of the One- Day Principal, Mrs. Maria Vodunu; One-Day Principal, Miss Stella Vodunu; Principal, Falomo Senior High School, Ikoyi, Mrs. Catherine Adeboye; Vice Principal, Falomo Junior High School, Mr. G. Omole and a parent, Mrs. Veronica Bessou.

The ‘One- Day Principal’ (middle) with her classmates.

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Education Today

Thursday, June 11, 2015

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Professors in Nigerian universities

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he title “professor” is the most exalted in the University system worldwide. Within and outside the university circle, the bearers of such titles are regarded as the embodiment of wisdom and understanding comparable only to those of the gods! He is the ideal personification of nobility only found in the kings of old. But recently, this exalted image has been crumbling. With the rampant cases of graduates who cannot read and write, the unending tales of massive corruption in the degree awarding process, institutionalize corruption in the admissions process, nepotism in the employment process, and more recently, the production of substandard doctoral degree theses and by inference substandard doctoral degree holders, the role of the university professors have come to the fore.

It is very surprising that the nation did foresee this downturn earlier despite the overwhelming telltale signs pointing in this direction. Without contradiction I dare say that the quality of the products of the Nigerian university system where the Nigerian professors hold sway have been declining rapidly over the years, triggering the alarm bells in the industries, the teaching profession and the National Youth Service Corps. Apparently, the product of the Nigerian universities cannot be better than the system that produced them.

What has befallen the wise professors of the Nigerian university system? What has happened to our professors who studied in some of the best institutions in the West and came tops in their classes? Many have retired or at the verge of retiring. Many locally bred professors seem not to appreciate what academic excellence is all about. They have neither character nor learning, an important requirement for graduation in Nigerian universities; how can they enforce this requirement on their products? Others lack the required strength of character expected of lecturers, and motivated principally by economic considerations, simply succumb to the temptations of cheaply enriching themselves by extorting from the students who they are supposed to mentor.

THE POOR QUALITY OF THE EMPLOYEES, ESPECIALLY IN ACADEMICS BECOMES APPARENT WHEN THEY CANNOT ENROLL FOR THE TERMINAL DEGREE IN THE INSTITUTION IN WHICH THEY ARE EMPLOYED Or what would you say of a professor who awards 20% of the total available score for a course to a student for buying a text book even though he or she never attended the lectures at any time? Or of another professor who tells his students in a third year class to buy a copy of his inaugural lecture monograph for N500, on the pretext that the entire course content is contained therein? If indeed it is true that the entire course content is contained in such a monograph, then it speaks volumes of the quality of materials packaged for the inaugural lectures nowadays!

What about the political professors who climbed into the professorial chair while shirking their most basic responsibilities of teaching and research most of their sojourn in the ivory tower? Officially, they are allocated courses to teach and students to supervise, but these are passed on to their surrogates who make the best out of the opportunity.

The same is true about the religious freaks who parade the ivory tower as “pious pastors” but are absent from their full time academic deployment most of the time. In many cases they attend to their assigned courses a week or two to the examinations and only be seen by their project students in the church premises. They thus put the students under serious strains, but compensate them by awarding outrageously high scores at the end of the day.

Unfortunately, these lousy professors are extremely close to the administration and often influence the course of events negatively. In addition to occupying juicy and comfortable positions in the administration, they often influence the employment of unqualified academic and non academic staff without formal interviews. The poor quality of the employees, especially in academics becomes apparent when they cannot enroll for the terminal degree in the institution in which they are employed because they do not possess the requisite qualification.

But then, there are the handfuls of conscientious professors, who are full time employees in words and deed, dedicated to teach, admonish, counsel, and guide the students into the path of excellence, notwithstanding the overwhelming decay around them.

Consequently, an institution may be endowed with a large number of professors among the teaching staff without adding value to the quality of its products. When a professor becomes the chief advocate of students caught in the act of examination malpractice, what do you expect the younger lecturers to do?

The time tested process whereby the tutored contribute to the assessment of the teacher has been sacrificed many decades ago on the altar of incompetence. The younger lecturers, bewildered by the activity of their supposed mentors are often left to chart their own path without the benefit of a reliable guide. With little or no regulation of the activities of lecturers in the university system, the greatest asset of the ivory tower, namely the professor ultimately becomes its greatest liability; what an irony!

Gombe community jubilates over first tertiary school WILLIAMS ATTAH GOMBE

T Cross section of pupils of God’s Grace School, Somolu, Lagos with their common entrance examination forms to Igbobi College, Yaba donated to them during the 2015 Open House of the college, last week.

Igbobi College alumni urge synergy of stakeholders

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takeholders in the education sector have been advised to form a synergy with a view to effectively using the sector to drive the nation’s economy.

This advice was given by the National President of Igbobi College Old Boys Association, (ICOBA), Yaba, Lagos, Mr. Murphy Ipaye, Chairman, Board of Governors, Dr Olufemi Ogunsanya; school’s head teacher, Rev. Oludare Adeboyejo and former Chairman of the school’s Parents/Teachers Association, Mr. Lanre

Thorpe at the institution’s 2015 open house held recently. The forum was to showcase activities and achievements of the college as well as interaction of parents and guardians and other members of the society.

The quadruple also urged governments at all levels to ensure that school children are not distracted unnecessarily from their studies and other useful engagements that could prepare them well for the future.

Speaking on the open day, they lamented what they termed as forceful takeover of schools by the government nationwide, saying the development had bad affected those schools.

While commending the Lagos State government for returning some of the missionary schools back to the owners, they noted that such gesture had boosted private participation in the sector.

They however urged all members of Igbo College community, especially

PTA, non-teaching staff and students to all work with determination and commitment to sustain the enviable standard the college is known for over the years.

Highpoints of the programme include facility tour of the college, the presentation of free 2015 entrance examination forms donated by some alumni to eight pupils of God’s Grace School, Somolu, musical entertainment, drama, raffle draws and gifts presentation.

he joy of people of Tangale community in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State was beyond measure when contractor handling the over N2 billion first phase of the state-owned College of Education, Billiri, Messers Cops Limited, handed over the facility to the Gombe State Government, recently.

They were joyful largely because they had yearned for the opportunity for many years with no luck.

Expressing the happiness on behalf of the community during the handover ceremony, the Care-taker Committee Chairman of the council, Hon. Iliya Samya, said the college was the first tertiary institution to be established in the area in spite of the fact that the people there had come in contact with European Christian missionaries and embraced western education for a long time.

He promised that the college would be well nurtured and patronised by people from within and outside the state.

While taking over the project from the contractor, the immediate past Commissioner for Higher Education in the state, Dr Isa Wade noted that first set of students would be admitted soon to commence academic activities in the college.

According to him, the first phase of the college building, comprising administrative block and 27 classrooms gulped about N2 billion, while furnishing is a separate contract.

The commissioner said education was critical in the development of any society, hence the decision by Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo to establish the college.

He said the state government was confident that the college would provide the needed manpower for the development of the state, apart from research activities.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

Prioritise education, NANS urges FG

Pol. Sc. students on excursion to mountain

TEMITOPE YAKUBU, FEDPOLY, ADO EKITI

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ational President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Tijani Usman, has called on the government to prioritise education from primary to tertiary level.

In a release by NANS and made available to Campus News, the new president should reduce exorbitant fees being charged in some federal universities like Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Calabar, so that tertiary education can be affordable for the children of the poor.

NANS also appealed to the President to help renovate existing classrooms and also build more, “Our laboratories should also be equipped so as to produce graduates that are internationally recognised,” it stated.

Congratulating the new president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari Usman, prayed to Almighty God to grant the new President and his vice the wisdom to pilot the affairs of the country.

Akwa Ibom COE begins degree programmes

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he Akwa Ibom College of Education (COE) will commence degree programmes in Science Education in September, its Provost, Dr Patrick Uko, said on Monday.

He disclosed this while interacting with newsmen on the progress made by the institution in the last five years.

Uko said the college, which is affiliated to the University of Uyo, would run degree programmes in Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Science, Mathematics and Physical Education.

Other programmes include: Technical Education, Agricultural Education, Business Education, Early Childhood/ Primary Education, English Education and Social Studies Education.

Uko said that in addition to students’ areas of specialty, they were expected to undertake courses in entrepreneurial education before graduating from the institution.

He explained that his administration decided to establish the Department of Entrepreneurial Education to prepare students for self-employment ahead of graduation.

Some of the students during the excursion.

AFEES LASISI

300L. POL. SC., OAU

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tudents of the Department Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, last Saturday went on excursion to a mountain as part of their activities to welcome both the new and returning students to campus.

They gathered as early as 7.00am at the Anglo-Moz Car Park to begin their journey to the mountain, which is about two kilometers away from the Social Sciences Car Park within the university.

Interestingly, Disc Jockey (DJ) who accompanied them brought more life to the exercise as he supplied them good music. The journey was covered in phases with different events featured at each stage. For instance, they stopped halfway and refreshed with snacks and soft drinks while music reeling out from DJ. The participants expressed happiness for being part of the programme. One of them, Miftau Adebowale, who is in 300-level said “I was happy to be among participants as the trip enabled us to familiarise with one another.

“I really enjoyed the exercise and I should use this medium to commend the efforts of the executive members who organised it,” Miftau added.

Another participant, Awodeyi Alaba, a first

year student said that the trip was highly educative and interesting and would never forget it.

“I love the way we new students were welcome to this great university by our seniors. It was glamorous,” he stressed.

To make the trip livelier, dance competition was organised for all the new students who were part of the programme. Adebayo Lizzy was adjudged the best dancer. She said she never danced so excitedly like she danced during the exercise.

“So, this is a good beginning for me. I thank the organisers and I will encourage them to sustain the exercise,” she said.

Similarly, Elusope Oluwatobiloba, another 100 level student was excited about the trip, saying it would be better if the association makes the exercise a yearly affair for all the students of the department.

“I will also use this opportunity to appeal to the university’s authority to beautify the mountain and its surrounding to attract more tourists even outside the campus,” she said.

UNIBEN student wins inter-university moot court competition EMEKA CHUKWUEMEKA ULI

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n undergraduate, Mmaduka Chibueze from the University of Benin, Edo State, has emerged winner of the annual Sir B.E.I Nwofor (SAN) annual International Inter-University Moot Court Competition.

The competition which was the third edition was held at the Faculty of Law, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state.

The competition had in attendance 9 universities across the nation and was themed,

Students of University of Benin and winner of Sir B.E.I Nwofor Annual International InterUniversity Moot Court competition with their trophy.

“In the Footsteps of Learned Silk and Sire.”

For emerging the winner, Mmaduka Chibueze got N100,000, Gabriel Nwodo, represented Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, UNIZIK who emerge second got N70,000 while the representative of Enugu state University of Science and Technology, ESUT, got N50,000.

During the programme, students’ leaders from various universities were excited that their representatives presented responses that thrilled the hosts and guests alike.

Speaking at the programme, the sponsor of the competition, Sir Beluolisa Nwofor rather than praise the law students across the nation, charged them to work harder and to exhibit at all times good behavior and discipline which according to him will enable them to attain to any level in their various endeavours.

Sir Nwofor reminded the students of the great challenges in their choosing profession and disclosed his aims and objectives of championing the cause of the competition.

Schools that participated in this year’s edition included, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Enugu state University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (UNIZIK), Abia state University (ABSU), Imo state University (IMSU), Ebonyi State University (EBSU), University of Benin (UNIBEN), Lagos state University (LASU) and University of Lagos whom were absent in the competition due to some unavoidable circumstances.

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Thursday, June 11, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

UNILAG muslim students hold camp meeting

My dream for NAU —VC

MIFTAUDEEN RAJI,

EMEKA CHUKWUEMEKA

MASS COMM. UNILAG, AKOKA

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he 2015 edition of annual camping exercise of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), University of Lagos, Akoka, has come and gone but the memories of the epoch events will continue to linger on the minds of participants. It was 48th edition in the series.

One of the major activities that climaxed the event was the essay competition where delegates were asked to write on “Austerity and fear of Allah, a recipe for a change in Nigeria.”

Speaking after the prize presentation, the Editor, MSSN UNILAG, Yusuf Ayodele said the essay was organised to engage students in intellectual research and help them develop their writ-

ing skills.

Winners of the essay received much attention at the presentation ceremony. The first prize went to Dawud Abdul Salaam from Physiotherapy, Ibrahim Anifowose from Law got the second while Ibrahim Olalere from Bio-Chemistry won the third prize.

On Quran competition, Aisha Akinola emerged first; Ghufranah Abdul Wahab came second while Asmau Adebari got the third position.

On the Arabic Language Speaking Competition, Sadiq Onituju emerged first; Sulayman Ahmad came second while Abdul Lateef Muhammad emerged third.

The programme which was tagged “48th Dawah Camp 1436AH,” had “The Melting Ice” as its theme.

The event attracted about 400 delegates.

ULI

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he Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Joseph Ahaneku has said that he was working towards making the university the best in Nigeria.

He also expressed optimism that his dream would be fulfilled, following the strategies he has put in place.

He disclosed this during an interaction with journalists in his office to mark his one year in office.

Ahaneku, a Professor of Chemical Pathology said his one year in office had recorded a tremendous progress borne out of hardwork to lift the uni-

versity.

He said in one year, his administration had addressed the problem of impersonation and examination malpractice, and had also upgraded its admission processes to a digital method that has proven to be very reliable, and used only by a few institutions in the country.

He stated that in the last post- UTME, over 440 candidates for the exams abandoned it and ran away after seeing the thoroughness of the screening process, while about 80 other impersonators who insisted on taking the exams were arrested and handed over to the management for prosecution.

“Since I assumed office, I can tell you that several lecturers here have

buckled up. We insisted on doing the right thing, and any forms of extortion by lecturers have been abolished, today, students graduate on record time.”

Ahaneku also stated that as a result of the establishment of a research exhibition in the university, several departments have gone into researches and also come up with findings and products that can compete anywhere in the world.

He said this was the reason the institution’s engineering department was able to produce a fast car, which they called Auto Zik, which was the cynosure of all eyes in a recent exhibition in Abuja.

These improvements in the university he said are the reasons why the university has remained the second most preferred university in the country for several years.

VC tasks government on poverty reduction YOMI AYELESO

300L, BUS ADMIN,AAUA

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ice-Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin, University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun has said that agriculture will continue to be the mainstay of Nigerian economy.

He disclosed this while delivering the 69th inaugural lecture series of Federal University of Technology Akure, (FUTA) with the topic “Nigeria’s Agricultural Policy, Productivity and Poverty: the critical nexus.”

The Professor of Agricultural Economics opined that for Nigeria to attain food security at both household and National level and poverty reduction, government across all level should support local farmers.

He said government should ensure guaranteed and unhindered access of smallholder farmers to productivity-enhancing inputs, particularly fertilizers, high-yielding, diseases resistant crop varieties.

He further advised that there must be promotion of irrigation in agriculture and drainage infrastructures which he said would be cru-

cial for climatic change adaptation.

Ajibefun also said that the success in agricultural growth will rest solely on improved agricultural technology.

He said as long as farmers can gain access to these technologies as well as markets for their produce, prospects seem bright for continued growth in Nigerian agricultural productivity.

Professor Ajibefun advised that to sustain the development of smallholder farming, government should make deliberate efforts to enhance rural finance and micro-enterprise development and environmental management and marketing.

He further opined that strategy should be put in place to promote pro poor innovative solutions to rural poverty.

He said, “A more systematic approach must be taken to finding and piloting innovations.”

In his remark, the ViceChancellor of FUTA, Prof.

Adebiyi Daramola said this year edition of the inaugural lecture makes a significant part in the history of the institution.

Cross section of graduating students of Babcock University, illishan-Remo during their convocation, last Sunday.

Firm donates uniforms to pharmacy students EZEKIEL EFEOBHOKHAN 400L, PHARM. UNIBEN

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aculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin last week received 800 laboratory coats from a foam making companyVitafoam.

Receiving the Laboratory coats, the Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. John Akerele stated that the faculty appreciated their kind deed and would always be grateful to the company.

“Pharmacy in UNIBEN is a professional course requiring six years to complete and we the staffs and students say a big thank you for your kind gesture, we hope to continue to foster this healthy relationship between the faculty and your company”.

The regional sales manager, Vitafoam, Ayodele Olibamoyo gave reasons why the Faculty of Pharmacy was chosen and why the Labora-

tory coats were coming now.

“We at Vitafoam help to create a comfort zone for humanity hence we decided to reward a profession that also help optimize the comfort of humanity, hence Pharmacy was chosen.

“The profession has helped many lead a better healthy life, not to talk of the additional benefit of the Doctor of Pharmacy pro-

gram here in UNIBEN”.

The immediately past president of Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Student, PANS, Samuel Ugwumba thanked the company for keeping their promise as this has made him not only reliable but efficient in service delivery.

The students with happiness all over expressed gratitude to Vitafoam for their

profound benevolence to the faculty.

Commenting on the gesture, a 400 level student of the faculty, Augustine Aiyebor, thanked the company and hailed the past president for fulfilling its promises to pharmacy students. This, he said would enable the students achieve their academic apex in their pursuit of the PHARM D certificate.

Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Prof. John Akerele (middle) with other lecturers and students of the department after the donation of laboratory coat by Vitafoam, recently.

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Thursday, June 11, 2015

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ET me declare from the outset that querulous Theodore Ahamefula Orji of Abia State is the worst governor the country has ever produced and will never experience again for multitudinous reasons that border on incompetency, incapacity, surrogacy and power drunkenness. A vainglorious bloke that calls himself “Ochendo” who allowed his boyish son to run the state for him while he watched sleepily and sheepishly in holistic submission and haplessness!

And to compound issues, former President Goodluck Jonathan protected this disastrous governor through pedestrian policies and patronages that misled the public into thinking that this man was doing creditably when in reality and from all indications he was unarguably the worst governor this country has ever had. There can never be another T. A. Orji in human history of public governance. Why on earth would ex-President Jonathan embark on foreign trips with a non-performer like this fellow? The worst aspect of the presidential shield was the conferment of a national award on T. A. Orji. Why would he not be emboldened to go for the senate? Nigeria is indeed a circus show if the like of T. A. Orji will end up in the upper legislative chamber. This is the summit of mediocrity.

As this man flies away, different categories of workers are being owed between nine and 18 months’ salaries. All through his worthless tenure the judiciary was on intermittent strikes due to non-payment of emoluments. On Monday, May 25, 2015, they embarked on another round of industrial action. Staff oftertiary institutions of learning have adjusted to a life of irregular salary payment or nonpayment at all. This civil service irresponsibility never happened before in the history of the state.

T. A. Orji’s government was founded and rooted in mass deception, lies and unparalleled propaganda. When guests visited Abia State recently, Ochendo took them to Bende road within the precincts of the Abia Tower, off Aba road and, typically, lied to them that his fatalistic administration transformed the major road from single to doubl carriageway up to Arochukwu, whereas the dual carriage access stopped at Isieke Ibeku Primary School— and not Arochukwu as Orji parroted—approximately a 10-kilometre distance from the tower. Another deceit is the interminable and viral placement of Secretariat road in multimedia channels as if that was the only road in the state.

Just as most of the roads in the state are unmotorable at

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Oppositional press (1) any speed, public schools are decrepit, appalling and hallmarks of Orji’s systemic ruination of God’s Own State.

Scholastic pursuit here has taken a back seat, almost irredeemably with backlogs of unpaid salaries (including leave allowances) to various faculties and infrastructural decomposition! Anyone who thinks these are brainwaves from an oppositional press should visit Abia State today and see the state of rot. Such fact-finding trips and authentification exercises should start from Aba which signposts the worst dilapidation in human history. Whoever cares should visit Government College, Umuahia, Girls’ High School, Aba, and Ndume Otuka Secondary School, Umuahia, as benchmarks for any investigation.

Ever heard of the hoax called “Legacy Projects”? These are fraudulent manipulations and re-engineering of existing facilities that are whitewashed, rebranded and launched as novel structures in shambolic measures. The dubiosity covers all sectors of the state. Hardly can you see entirely new infrastructures. Most people have been hoodwinked overtime that they have come to believe the tissues of lies well packaged by Orji and his charlatanistic boys who held the state by the jugular for eight uneventful, locust years. Wherever you see any trace of “Legacy Project”, be cautious before the wool is pulled over your eyes.

Lest I forget, what has become of “Ochendo Vanguard”?

Yet another brainless, unproductive and combative creation of this man targetted at “oppositional renegades”.

T. A. Orji’s despotism is unequalled in this vanishing dispensation. Arbitrariness characterised his wasted eight years as the governor of this unfortunate, nay cursed, state. All manner of oppositions were roundly subdued in the past eight inglorious years in the state amid allegations of killer-gangs who go after recalcitrant antagonists of the Orji government. The gross insentivity is usch that those who should have spoken up have either been cowed or compromised that they have turned a blind eye to Orji’s unprecedented misrule. A group of famished and nondescript Abians tagged “elders” go about endorsing the illegalities, ruination and desecration of Abia by Orji because of the handouts he gives them monthly. It will never be well with poverty which has mortgaged the conscience of this

category of my people. When persons who are supposed to challenge the governor are on his miserly pay-roll, the man can get away with murder! Official thuggery and intimidation were celebrated here in government circles. Dissenters and opponents are routinely threatened and in some cases subjected to gruesome doses of inhumanities.

As Orji has vamoosed, it should be instructive to know the identities of the owners of buildings on Aguiyi Ironsi Layout, owners of Benac Hotels (formerly Empire Hotels), luxury structures at Ochendo Estate, among other copious acquisitions here and choice homes abroad.

Yet, the state was left to decompose on account of squandermania by its outgone manager. Can all those who were forced to sell/forefeit their houses and land to Orji come up now and let the public know why our comatose state could not advance beyond its prevaiing paralysis?

How can a man with acquisitive tendencies that smack of kleptomania have resources and the time to run the state creditably and enthrone good governance?

There is every indication in this twilight that roads in the state will remain the way they had been in the past eight years. This is no airport fiction. Just visit Ikot Ekpene, Omuma, School, Clifford, Eziukwu, Kaduna, Saint Michael’s (close to the Central Police Station), Osusu, Urata, Obohia, Force, Nkwo Ngwa Market, Port Harcourt, Asa by Pound, Ngwa by Ohanku roads are mostly impassable as they have all been taken over by weeds and other eyesores. If there is superfluous money to buy posh and elitist houses in parts of the state, Abuja, Lagos and overseas, there should also be funds to fix these roads just as former Governors Godswill Akpabio, Ibrahim Sehu Shema, Sule Lamido and Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan of Akwa Ibom, Katsina, Jigawa and Delta states, respectively, had done for their environments.

Good governance is essentially the provision of basic amenities—and not crass insensitivity, wantonness, political sleaze and outright banditry that pigeon-holes integrity, character and reputation and throws up insurmountable and irredeemable perceptional problems that will trail Orji and his immediate and extended clan till eternity. And so shall it be!

ABIODUN NEJO

Group laments poor funding of entrepreneurship

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neurship (SAGE), has lamented the poor funding of the newly introduced compulsory entrepreneurial course at the secondary

ADO EKITI

voluntary youth group, the Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepre-

school cadre in the country.

It said the development had hampered the innovation from having any meaningful impact on skills ac-

L-R: New Media Artist, Chuks Ogene; Corporate Affairs Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Ore Famurewa; 3rd Prize Winner of Vision Nigeria Art Challenge and Pupil of Wellspring College, Omole, Miss Tanitoluwa Wusu, and Marketing Manager, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Dolapo Otegbayi, during the presentation of prizes to winners during the programme organised by Peak Milk to mark the 2015 World Milk Day, last week.

quisition by graduates of higher institutions, thereby causing increasing unemployment index among the youths.

The youth group said the new curriculum targeted at empowering students with skills that could make them be employers of labour, rather than being job seekers needed adequate support and funding.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti, the coordinator of the group, Community Grammar School, Kota Ekiti, Ekiti State, Mr. Oluwafemi Julius, lauded the Federal Government for introducing the programme, describing it as an indication of the Federal Government’s sincerity in tackling the menace of youth unemployment.

The coordinator said the

new innovation brought about by the National Curriculum of Education of the Federal Ministry of Education must be supported to turn around the country’s educational curriculum and make it a model in Africa.

Oluwafemi, however, called on stakeholders in the education sector to fully embrace the scheme and play active roles in facilitating the success of the programme.

The coordinator said government making students to compulsorily offer an entrepreneurship course in the West African Examinations Council or National Examinations Council, have driven home the culture of awareness in the students on the need to brace up for the new challenge.

FSTC honours retired worker, others

T

he Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC),Yaba, Lagos on Tuesday honoured its former Principal, Mr. Michael Ofor and the immediate past principal on acting capacity, Mr. O.U. Ogorry on Tuesday.

The colourful event took place inside the school hall and featured, among others cultural display; short poem, titled: Mr. Ogorry in our eyes;” song ministration and music by school choir and band respectively with teachers in aso ebi (uniform) while everyone in attendance has lots to eat and drink.

The incumbent principal and director, Rev. Chris Ugorji who assumed duty last year was also officially welcome at the event.

Business

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, June 11, 2015

DR Congo pioneers capital relief for African banks

Facts behind MHz spectrum sale saga

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Election campaign advertising, learning phase for Practitioners

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FG seals up 200 fuel stations over sharp practices UDEME AKPAN

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he Federal Government has shut over 200 filling stations over sharp practices ranging from over-pricing, manipulation of meters and adulteration of petrol nationwide.

The spokesperson of the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, Mrs. Dorothy Bassey who confirmed this during a telephone chat with National Mirror, said the affected stations were penalised for violating with the laws and regulations of the downstream sector.

“We are mindful of inflicting further hardship but the laws of the land have to be obeyed,” she maintained.

Bassey explained that the DPR had a special team dedicated to tackling the various issues in different parts of the country and reiterated the Department’s determination to curtail abuses in the products marketing sub sector.

Investigations showed that the whereas most major marketers were selling at N87 per litre, many of the independent marketers were selling at prices above the approved pump price.

A survey showed that because of the huge gap, many consumers

prefer to join long queues at the filling stations of major marketers.

It would be recalled that last week, a stakeholders’ meeting was held between the Federal Government and the oil marketers and other stakeholders in oil and gas sector to find lasting solution to the persistent queues in filling stations across the country.

In a communique issued at the meeting and signed by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Petroleum Resources Mr. Taiye Haruna, the marketers agreed to begin to move products nationwide.

For instance, the meeting also directed marketers to move 700 trucks of petrol to Abuja with immediate effect.

The communiqué partly stated:

“We have agreed to work with Lagos state government Petrol Tankers Driver and NARTO to clear the long jam at Apapa; currently we have over 2000 trucks on that road waiting to take fuel at the depot. Trucks are at papa to load products but could not get product but we fashioned out modality to clear the long jam in conjunction with other stakeholders.”

T

he Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has commenced comprehensive study of airport facilities in the region in order to ensure safety standards and harmonise aviation infrastructure among its 15 member-states.

Parts of the focus of ECOWAS are safety standards, technical capacity, funding and maintenance of equipment among others.

An online media statement by the Acting General Manager,

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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: Managing-Director, AVS/ARTEC Nigeria, Malam Abdulrazaq Emeje; Coordinator, Kogi State, 2015 Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr. Aisha Audu-Emeje and Director-General, National Automotive Council, Mr. Aminu Jalal, during the signing of contracts for the procurement, installation and training on equipment and tools for automotive testing laboratories in Abuja, recently.

PHOTO: NAN

ECOWAS commences airport infrastructure study to enhance safety OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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Public Affairs, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, Mrs. Olajumoke Adetona, indicated that ECOWAS wanted to benchmark aviation infrastructure within the region in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, standards, which each member states would be required to attain.

She stated that the technical team, as parts of its assignment, had already visited the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

The Managing Director, NAMA, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, was reported to have commended the ECOWAS for the study

and expressed confidence that the report of the would provide ways to build a uniform aviation structure across the region.

Abdulsalam however advised the team to “make a good distinction between airport and airspace infrastructure in the course of their study.”

She added that the team during its inspection ranked the country’s radar infrastructure among the best within the region.

Leader of the team, Mr. Olumuyiwa Shokunbi said that Nigeria was far ahead of other countries the team had visited in terms of navigational and surveillance

infrastructure as well as technical capacity of personnel that run these equipment.

Meanwhile, NAMA said that it had trained 24 technical staff on Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication, CPDLC. The agency emphasised that the first batch of 12 staff comprising six Air Traffic Controllers, ATC, and six Air Traffic Engineers, ATE, last weekend travelled to Paris, Germany for a 10-day operational and technical training on the facility while others, comprising six ATCs and six engineers, are to join them this week.

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, June 11, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

DR Congo pioneers capital relief for African banks TOLA AKINMUTIMI

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emocratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced that banks in the country would receive up to 50 per cent capital relief on any transaction that is secured with a credit risk guarantee supplied by African Trade Insurance Agency, (ATI).

Unveiling the monetary policy at a press conference held in Kinshasa, the Vice Governor of the country’s Central Bank, Mr. Jules Bondombe Assango, explained that the policy measure adopted in partnership with the ATI, would bring a competitive advantage to their banking industry.

According to a report sourced

by National Mirror from an online medium, African Press Organisation, APO, on Tuesday, the announcement also places ATI in the unique position of being the first multilateral of its kind to be granted this standing based largely on the strength of its credit rating.

The announcement puts the DRC in line with Central Banks in developed markets, which are governed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision.

The Basel Framework established reforms to improve the sector’s risk management, gover-

nance, transparency and ability to absorb shocks from financial and economic stress just as it also recognises certain risk mitigation tools against which lower risk weightings may be applied to give banks some capital relief.

These include, guarantees by corporates, sovereigns, central banks and other official entities.

The Framework also recognises claims against certain Multilateral Development Financial institutions, which are recognized for their strong financial standing as well as the strength of their shareholders, as qualifying

for zero risk weighting.

The institutions include, African Development Bank – AfDB; Asian Development Bank – ADB; Caribbean Development Bank – CDB; Council of Europe Development Bank – CEDB; European Investment Bank – EIB; European Investment Fund – EIF; and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – EBRD Others are, Inter-American Development Bank – IADB; International Bank for Reconstruction and Development – IBRD; International Finance Corporation – IFC; Islamic Development

FirstBank supports HR Leaders Africa 2015 conference UDO ONYEKA

Bank – IDB; and Nordic Investment Bank – NDB The World Bank’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), despite not being a development bank, is now included in Basel’s list of multilateral development banks.

ATI has been in discussions with the COMESA Central Banks, including the DRC, for several years and this is the first significant outcome of those discussions. ATI is hopeful that the move by the DRC’s Central Bank will pave the way for others in the region to follow.

Suspects in the N8.3bn Central Bank of Nigeria scam at the Federal High Court in Ibadan, on Monday.

PHOTO: NAN

Glo improves market share in corporate’s services segment TOLA AKINMUTIMI

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lobacom, Nigeria’s total telecommunications solutions provider has inched ahead in the race for the largest share of the corporate enterprise segment of the market in the country.

Information made available by the Head of Corporate Sales of Globacom, Mr. Kamaldeen Shonibare, showed that many corporate organizations had pitched their tent with Glo for their voice and data needs.

The organizations are key players across international agencies, Oil and Gas, Manufacturing, Banking, Food and Beverage, Insurance and Religion, amongst others.

Some of the organizations include, the United Nations in the international agencies segment, Dangote Plc in Manufacturing, Chevron, Seplat, Halliburton Energy, Addax, NIPCO, Sterling Oil and Septa in the Oil and Gas sector and Sterling Bank, Stanbic IBTC and FCMB in the banking category. Others are Deeper Life Bible Church, Mansard Insurance as

well as Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) and 7-Up Bottling Company in the Food and Beverage sector.

Shonibare disclosed that Glo was also popular in the public sector, with the Presidency, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Ministries of Internal Affairs and Aviation, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy being some of the government establishments whose telecom requirements are provided by the network.

He said Globacom’s wide net-

work coverage and the massive network upgrade embarked upon by the company in 2014 to enhance service delivery have given it the edge over other operators.

Other factors listed as endearing the telco to different industry players were its proactive and responsive sales team, highly flexible packages and reliable connectivity for voice and data services. ‘‘We have a very dynamic team as well as a huge capital base, and we are able to design very flexible packages to suit the specific needs of our customers. These stand us out in the market,’’ he added.

F

irst Bank of Nigeria Plc has sponsored and also participated in the Human Resource Leaders Africa 2015 Conference which was kicked off on Tuesday and is to be concluded today in Lagos.

The event with the theme ‘Unlocking the Power of Human Capital to tap Africa’s Growth Potential’ attracted participants among top Human Resource professionals across the continent who shared insight on strategic human capital management as well as providing sustainable solutions to attendant challenges.

The Head, FirstAcademy, First Bank’s Learning and Development Division, Mr. Irumhekha Oshiomha, was among top-notch HR professionals that spoke at the panel session on ‘Talent Development in Africa: Unlocking the value of learning & development to drive growth’ in Lagos yesterday.

According to FirstBank’s spokesperson, Mrs. Folake AniMumuney, the Bank’s participation at the event was to drive growth and global best practices in Human Capital Management and Development.

She said that the Bank was committed to driving world class development interventions in human capital management, adding that “through FirstAcademy, we also provide the platform to hone the skills, knowledge and capabilities of our workforce for competitive advantage.”

The Bank’s First Academy is the first corporate academy of its kind in Nigeria and it is affiliated to the Global Association of Corporate Universities and Academies and the World Institute of Action Learning. It was established to provide strategic platform for competence development, knowledge management, culture change, and overall organisational transformation.

FG donates 24 engines, others inputs to Niger-Delta fishermen ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

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he Federal Government has donated 24 Yahama outboard Marine boat engines, 50 bundles of fishing nets, 10,000 pieces of SH-20 floats and 100 Units of Marine ropes to Itsekiri fishermen cooperatives in the Niger Delta.

The move was part of the government’s initiatives aimed at job creation and improving the country’s capacity on production of fishes with an additional 200,000 metric tons.

A statement signed by the Director Information in the Ministry, Tony Ohaeri, indicated that artisanal fishing had contributed up to 80 per cent of

fishes produced locally.

According to him, the Federal Government has designed a programme that is targeted at 27 selected states that are engaged in artisanal fishing with focus on 200 fishermen per state.

He noted that such fishermen were expected to benefit from the empowerment drive

in form of fishing inputs like boats and canoes as a way of support and not subsidy from government.

Receiving the fishing inputs from the Deputy Director, Artisanal Fisheries in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olusegun Babatunde, on behalf of the Itsekiri Fishermen Coop-

eratives, Mrs. Ritalori Ogbebor, said the gesture would reduce restiveness in the Niger- Delta area.

She however pleaded for more assistance in swamp rice production and piggery.

According to her, such assistance could be in the area of equipment for rice processing, harvesting and polishing.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Thursday, June 11, 2015

29

Panoro Energy signs contract with Saipem for Aje oil drilling UDEME AKPAN

A

anoro Energy has signed a rig contract with Saipem for the drilling and completion of Aje field Cenomanian oil development.

PennEnergy indicated in its report that the operator of the OML113 license has, on behalf of the joint venture partners, entered into a rig contract with Saipem for

the Scarabeo three drilling rig to carry out the drilling and completion programme for the Aje Field Cenomanian oil development.

It maintained that Aje is an offshore field located in the western part of Nigeria in the Dahomey Basin at the border with Benin, with first oil targeted for December 2015.

The field is situated in water depths ranging from 100 to 1,000 meters about 24 km from

the coast. Panoro Energy holds a 6.502per cent participating interest in OML113.

The Aje Field contains hydrocarbon resources in sandstone reservoirs in three main levels - a Turonian gas condensate reservoir, a Cenomanian oil reservoir and an Albian gas condensate reservoir.

“The Scarabeo 3 rig is a semisubmersible rig currently stationed offshore Lagos. The rig will

be moved 18 nautical miles to the Aje drilling location and will be used to carry out well operations for the first phase of the Aje Cenomanian Oil field development that includes two subsea production wells.”

“The well operations will comprise the completion of the existing Aje-4 well as a production well, and the drilling and completion of a new well, Aje-5, which will be drilled to the Aje-2 subsurface

Bosch opens Nigeria’s office to boost sales in Africa OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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erman company, Bosch, has unveiled plans to use its newly opened office in Nigeria to improve its products’ share in the country’s market and by extension, the African market.

A member of the company’s Board, Mr. Uwe Raschke, disclosed this to journalists on Monday in Lagos during the opening of its regional subsidiary in Nigeria.

He said that Bosch, as an international company, sought to expand its market share in the Nigeria but more particular in

the continent with the opening of the regional subsidiary in the country.

Raschke said that so far, Bosch had presence in 10 African countries, including South Africa, Ghana, Angola, Mozambique and Tunisia among others.

He said, “Bosch sees Africa in general and Nigeria in particular as an important longterm growth market. We see high potential for our business in Africa. Thanks to the rapidly growing population, low median age, increasing middle class and optimistic economic forecast we expect a significant demand for Bosch products.

“With about 170 million in-

habitants, Nigeria is the most populous country as well as the largest economy in Africa. By opening a location in Nigeria, we are taking a decisive step forward in expanding our presence in West Africa.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the President Bosch, Markus Thill, said that the company decided to open its first office in Nigeria and in Lagos as a result of the location of the state in the country.

He however decried the absence of consistent power supply, insecurity and obsolete infrastructure as some of the factors militating against growth in the country, but hoped that with the

establishment of the company in Nigeria and the provision of facilities by the company, some of the challenges would be resolved.

He noted that the company would employed skilled Nigerians in all areas in its new offices in the country, stressing that it has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the National Automotive Council, NAC, on how it could contribute to the development of the nation’s economy.

The company generated about €350 million of sales from Africa in 2014,out of which 10 per cent or €35 million of the total sales was generated from Nigeria.

location. The Aje-2 well demonstrated high reservoir productivity in a Cenomanian production test conducted in 1997, flowing approximately 3,700 bopd of 41˚API oil under suboptimal well conditions,” it maintained.

It indicated that well operations are expected to commence in early Q3-2015 and are likely to take approximately 90 days to complete.

The company maintained that once well operations have been completed, subsea equipment will be installed and the wells will be tied back to the Front Puffin FPSO, currently undergoing refurbishment in Singapore.

John Hamilton, Panoro Energy CEO, said, “Panoro is very pleased to be entering into the rig contract for the drilling and completion of the Aje development wells. We have been able to achieve a lower rig rate than was expected when the Final Investment Decision was made in October 2014. “ “With well operations expected to commence in the next few weeks, we will continue moving towards our incremental growth strategy of converting Panoro’s discovered resource base into commercial production and generating positive cash flow in 2016,” he remarked.

Climate change: GEF unveils $35m support for Africa SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

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lobal Environmental Facility, GEF, has approved the sum of $35 million to strengthen resilience to climate change in Africa.

According to GEF, the fund will be managed by the African Development Bank, AfDB. Manager for Environment and Climate Change, AfDB, Mr Kurt Lonsway, said the grant would help decrease degradation on 10,000 hectares of land in Chad and also reduce emissions from vehicles in Côte d’Ivoire by 20 percent.

Besides, he said, it would contribute to the sustainable management of 10,000 hectares of land in Zambia, stressing that with Moringa Agro-forestry fund efforts, about 200,000 hectares of land are expected to be managed while 9.5 million tons of CO2 will be avoided during the period.

GEF said approved projects will enhance food security, nutrition and urban mobility in those African countries, thus preparing the continent for negative consequences of climate change while paving way for sustainable

development.

The fund, he added, is in addition to $12 million under GEF-6 Non-Grant Instrument Pilot programme, authorized for projects in Africa through Moringa Agroforestry fund.

About 100 million will be invested in profitable large-scale and agro-forestry projects that integrate environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainable developments.

Moringa projects focus on restoring degraded lands in Africa as well as managing natural forests contributing to positive outcomes, in line with Bonn Challenge, a global commitment to restoring 150 million hectares of land around the global by the year 2020.

Since 2007, the growing partnership between the GEF and the AfDB has been working to generate environmentally smart and transformational change in Africa.

As at last month, the overall portfolio of projects managed by the AfDB amounted to $257 million, leveraging more than $1.5 billion in co-financing allocated to 34 projects and programmes on the continent.

Children at an Heritage Bank organized fun-filled Children’s Day celebration in Lagos recently.

Fuel scarcity may worsen in Lagos, other South West states TOLA AKINMUTIMI

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ith the bursting of Ije-Ododo pipeline in Lagos state by vandals Monday night, products distribution to Lagos and other states in the South West, may be hampered and thereby worsen lingering fuel crisis in Lagos and the adjoining states in the days ahead.

Ije Ododo line is directly from Atlas Cove which supplies products to Mosimi while Atlas Cove is a key supply facility to Mosimi,

that distributes products to other parts of south west zone.

Some suspected oil thieves reportedly cut off a part of the Ije-Ododo pipeline in Lagos state, prompting the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), to shut down the facility.

National Mirror reliably gathered that Officials Ije Ododo and Arepo axis in Ogun State, have been very volatile and fraught to criminal attacks in recent times.

The Group Manager Public Affairs of the Corporation, Ohi Alegbe, said that plans were being made to investigate the incident.

Updating the public on the incident, the National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA’s) spokesperson in the South West zone, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said that in order to avert spilling of products and worsening of the fire outbreak in the affected area, the flows had been shut down and the valves also locked.

He confirmed that fire service and other emergency services had arrived the scene to put off the raging fire, adding that the terrain however remained difficult access due to its swampy topography.

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Taxation

Thursday, June 11, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Presumptive Tax: Equalizing the distribution of Tax burden (2) end of year net worth. As one can imagine, it is difficult to determine the amount at the beginning and end of the year with any precision, much less account for expenditures during year. Tax authorities in developing nations such as Argentina, Chile, and Colombia employ this method as a basis for presuming income during audits. However, they are faced with various technical problems when doing so. For example, since it is easy to identify owners of some assets versus others (agricultural land vs. foreign currency) equity issues arise. Moreover, valuation of assets is a problem and presumptions based on net wealth often encourage taxpayers to increase liabilities.

EMBUKA ANNA

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resumptive taxation offers two additional benefits to both governments and taxpayers: it allows the government to tax its citizens in a more equitable fashion while rewarding efficient businesses with financial incentives. It is generally accepted that wages and salaries paid by corporations and governments are taxed more effectively than income earned by the self-employed due to the introduction of withholding taxes at source. Simplified presumptive taxation schemes increase the probability that the self-employed are also taxed effectively.

At the same time, many presumptive taxation regimes entice SMEs into the tax net by discarding high tax rates and providing incentives rewarding efficiency. For example, methods such as taxing based on average ratios (profits to sales) and average income allow businesses to retain some profits without being taxed. Moreover, many developmental economists advocate a presumptive tax on the potential use of land (assuming it has been used as productively as possible) to encourage landowners to utilize land productively.

Various methods of estimating income and assessing tax liability have been developed by countries that have employed the presumptive income taxation. Some of these methods include standard assessment, estimated assessment, value of land, net wealth and asset value, visible signs of wealth, and minimum taxes amongst others.

Standard Assessment Standard assessments assign lump-sum taxes to taxpayers on the basis of occupation or business activity. Standard assessments have been shown to broaden the tax base with limited disincentives. Although this method is viewed as less equitable than estimated assessments, it is also less open to corruption.

In the early 1960s, Ghana introduced a simple standard assessment system that fixed lump-sum payments for different economic activities. The payments were established by determining the average taxable income of a few taxpayers selected at random from each class of self-employed taxpayers.

It is important to understand that standard assessments can be a poor revenuemobilizing method of taxation unless the fixed payments are indexed to inflation (or increased regularly) and taxpayers are moved to categories as their taxable incomes increase over time. Furthermore, standard assessments do not take taxpayerspecific conditions, such as family size or losses in a particular year into account. As a result, it can be regressive by imposing equal tax on individuals in the same category even when they earn different incomes.

Visible Signs of Wealth

Ogungbesan

Estimated Assessment In this assessment method, each taxpayer’s income is individually estimated based on indicators or proxies of wealth specific to a given profession or economic activity.

Key indicators can range from location of property to numbers of skilled employees to seating capacity. France’s Forfait and Israel’s Tahshiv methods both utilized estimated assessments and are recognized as among the most highly developed presumptive tax regimes of their time.

Israel’s Tahshiv method employed objective factors to estimate the income of taxpayers unable to keep records. The Tahshiv for each sector was prepared, often over several years, after extensive research and many visits to a sample of businesses. The average profitability of a particular sector and its relationship to specific factors and indexes were discussed with representatives of the sector before the official Tahshiv was issued. Examples of indicators employed included number of employees, location, seating capacity (for restaurants, cafes, barber shops, etc.), skill level of workers (for carpenter’s workshop or garages), nature of equipment used (for truck and taxi drivers), and water consumption (for ice-producing companies).

The estimated assessment method of presumptive taxation employs a variety of techniques to derive taxpayer income, both simple and complex. Simple methods are based on single factors such as a taxpayer’s total assets, net wealth or value of business assets, gross receipts of business, and visible signs of wealth. Complex methods use factors and indices of profitability, which vary by economic activity.

Net Wealth and Asset Value Factors such as net wealth and value of assets enable income estimation through the comparison of beginning of year with

Taxes on visible signs of wealth serve as an equity issue. It serves to ensure that wealthy citizens pay an appropriate amount of tax, even if they report all actual income. The taxes apply only to individuals and usually include main and secondary residences, the number of domestic servants, cars, yachts, private planes and race horses. In European countries such as France, Italy, and Spain (until 1978) signs of wealth qualified and how much income to attach was detailed in income tax ordinances. In practice, this method has proven to be difficult to apply. If the applicable tax law is general, it is hard to know which signs of wealth to choose, and what amount to assign. If the opposite is true, the laws are often inflexible and unfair. As a result, taxes on signs of wealth are applied cautiously and when there are no other means to assess income. They are often helpful in determining income on illegal activity such as racketeering or drug trafficking.

Minimum Taxes Alternative minimum taxes come in many forms. Some schemes specify a tax burden or minimum tax irrespective of the taxpayer’s level of income or economic activity. Others levy the tax as a relatively low percentage of turnover or assets. Francophone Africa pioneered the establishment of minimum corporate income taxes by introducing fixed lump-sum amounts that were uniform for all corporations regardless of size or volume. Due to its regressive nature, this minimum tax was replaced in many countries by a tax based on a percentage of gross receipts. In countries with both types of minimum taxes, corporations pay the larger of the two. In others, the minimum tax is also applied to individuals. The practice of minimum taxes has spread beyond Africa to become the prevalent form of presumptive taxation in Latin America.

CHALLENGES OF PRESUMPTIVE TAXATION Presumptive Tax Regime is no doubt gaining popularity, especially in developing nations. However, there are challenges and obstacles that tend to compromise its effectiveness. Governments that recognize the limitations of presumptive taxation often times include provisions in their tax codes

that allow taxpayers the opportunity for a redress. Listed below are some of the challenges that affect the smooth administration of presumptive taxation.

Crude Implementation Despite its streamlined requirements, presumptive taxation is not always effective because governments do not have sound tax administration systems in place at the federal, state or local levels to implement schemes as envisioned by policymakers. Countries in early stages of economic development tend to employ crude methods of estimating income because they lack sufficiently qualified resources to analyze the profitability of various economic activities and to define the indexes for effectively calculating presumptive incomes. As a result, small businesses in particular are routinely taxed unfairly and inefficiently.

Systemic Corruption Arguably, presumptive taxation can help reduce corruption in tax administration.

However, the success of presumptive taxation in reducing corruption will depend both on the structure of the scheme and the overall administrative environment and capacity of the tax administration institution. A presumptive taxation scheme can increase the discretionary power of tax officials and in a worst case scenario increase corrupt practices. A carefully designed presumptive taxation scheme can help reduce corruption, but can never be a substitute for the much needed capacity building and administrative reforms within the tax administration.

Undermines Tax Base The primary goal of most governments that introduce presumptive taxation is to broaden the country’s tax base by preparing citizens and businesses in the informal sector to enter the formal tax net. However, presumptive taxation has proven to undermine this goal as taxpayers remain in presumptive taxation regimes indefinitely or regress from formal taxation programs to presumptive taxation schemes. This phenomenon tends to occur when sophisticated taxpayers earn above average income and recognize that standard assessments levy a lower tax burden. The result is that they either under report income or simply pretend not to keep accurate records of income, as is prevalent in Israel, in order to remain in the presumptive regime and enjoy its benefits.

Overall, presumptive taxation is a form of assessing tax liabilities using indirect methods such as income reconstruction or by applying base-line taxation across the entire tax base. Presumptive methods of taxation are thought to be effective in reducing tax avoidance as well as equalizing the distribution of the tax burden. It is safe to say then, that the essence of Presumptive Tax as adopted by the FIRS is to suppress the burden of VAT on the informal sector especially micro and small businesses.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Info Tech

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

Facts behind MHz spectrum sale saga While it seems there is total calm now over the controversial sale of the 900MHz spectrum and 700MHz to some industry chieftains by the Nigerian Communications Commission following rumoured directive by former President Goodluck Jonathan, fresh investigations have unravelled the behind the scene deals of the exercise, writes ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN.

F

ew weeks after the dust raised by the alleged sale of the 900MHz spectrum and 700MHz to two industry chieftains, Jim Ovia and Mike Adenuga, by the Federal Government, emerging facts have indicated that the supervising Ministry of Communications Technology and the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC may not have played serious roles in the exercise.

Investigations by National Mirror revealed that, contrary to speculations that the ministry and the Commission were privy to the deals and possibly supervised the sale based on the laid down procedures, they were more like helpless stakeholders who watched as superior authorities performed a charade of licence issuance.

A source close to the Presidency disclosed that although it was for government to have allowed due process to be followed in the sale of spectrum as had been the case in the past but that former President Goodluck Jonathan merely exercised his prerogative, which the constitution allowed, to offer the spectrum.

While commenting on the return of Ovia’s spectrum, the source said that what transpired between the NCC and Cyberspace following the directive of the former president had no element of fraud.

According him, it was a transaction, and money was paid into government account stressing that when Cyberspace decided to return the spectrum, when it discovered it had no need of it, it did not get a full refund.

The source stated that details of the financial transactions between the NCC as the custodian of the spectrum and Cyberspace were with the relevant government agencies for anyone to verify.

It was recently reported by an online media that former President Goodluck Jonathan “secretly” awarded the highly lucrative “digital dividend” frequency spectrum to Mike Adenuga’s Globacom and Jim Ovia’s Cyberspace without allowing the NCC to carry out its function as custodian of the spectrum on behalf of government.

It is traditional in the NCC to often engage stakeholders in the industry when-

Base station

ever there is a spectrum for sale as was the case of the frequency licensing for the 70/80GHz spectrum bands.

And in March 2015, the NCC in Lagos held a consultative forum with industry stakeholders on the viability of the auction where discussions on modalities for the auctioning was unveiled and stakeholders were able to make their input.

Also the NCC had in the first few months of the year engaged stakeholders on the modalities for the auction of the 2.6GHz, which had suffered three postponements.

Although there was no official explanation for the postponement, it was however gathered that the regulator wants to avoid the mistake of the past as was the case in 2001 after the Digital Mobile Licence, DML, auction, Communication Investment Ltd,

CIL, wherein one of the winners did not pay for the licence because the frequency allocated to CIL was believed to be encumbered and it lost the licence and the deposit for same.

A telecom expert, who pleaded not to be quoted, stated that the NCC may not have erred in selling the frequency spectrum without going through the traditional procedure, which had followed in the past saying that the NCC is just a custodian of the spectrum for government who is actually the owner.

According to him, the transaction that resulted in Adenuga and Ovia parting with money to take possession of the spectrum was out even an outright sale but a least stressing that government can take it back whenever it desire.

IF THE ILLEGALITY COMMITTED BY THE COMPANIES THAT BOUGHT THE FREQUENCY SPECTRUM IS TOO GLARING THEY SHOULD BE SHUT-DOWN BY THE APPROPRIATE BODY

Goodluck

Ovia

However, President of the Nigerian Internet Group, NIG, Engr. Bayo Banjo told the National Mirror that there is no law that gives the president the power to bypass due that has already been established by another.

According to him, what the former president did was part of the overbearing influence of government in the management of the NCC, which has resulted to several illegalities at the NCC. Asked if the board of the NCC was in position to decline the directive of the former president, Banjo said that when a former commissioner at the NCC queried some of such illegalities, government found it uncomfortable, and therefore sacked him.

He disclosed since there is a president, the regulation could request that the sale of the spectrum frequency be reversed and allowed to followed due process as required by law.

“The NCC could just ask the new president, I hope there would not be any objection if we go ahead to revoke the sale of the frequency spectrum, just to satisfy political concern because sometimes actions are not solely base on law. There are also political concerns”, he said.

He said: “If the illegality committed by the companies that bought the frequency spectrum is too glaring they should be shut-down by the appropriate body. That is the real truth. The NCC will tell them that it is illegally obtained and that they are withdrawing the license and then maybe allowed the same companies to bid for the same spectrum frequency by following the due process.”

Banjo explained further that it is the new president that will give the directive on the reversal of the sale of the frequency spectrum and that the due process is followed saying “there is no law that says that the president has the right to sell out the frequency spectrum without the NCC following the due process as stated by law.”

On the return of the spectrum bought

by Jim Ovia, it was gathered that it was not base on public outcry over the illegal sale of the spectrum to his company, Cyberspace.

Head, Corporate Affairs, Visafone, Mr. Joseph Ushighiale confirmed that before the purchase of the spectrum by Cyberspace, Jim Ovia had been in discussion with some Chinese businessmen to float a broadband internet service business.

He said that when he finally broke the news of the purchased spectrum to his Chinese business partners and upon careful study of the capacity of the spectrum concluded that it did not meet the requirement of their business plan.

A source, who had knowledge of Ovia’s business relationship with the Chinese businessmen confirmed that the proposed broadband internet service provider was actually intended to put the present internet service providers whose services was below expectations on their toes.

32

Info Tech

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Tech Box Lumia 430, the affordable device

Lenovo smartphone shipment hits 76m STORIES: ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

L

enovo one of the global PC leader said that its smartphone business is now a major revenue earner for the company, which recently opened its corporate headquarter in Lagos.

The company in a statement made available to the National Mirror said that it now depends less on revenue from its PC division, even as this part of its business continues to record massive growth.

According to the company, its revenue channels have broadened significantly, with its PC division being responsible for only 65 per cent revenue today, down from 82 per cent six months ago, as smartphones and tablets, alongside other products and services continue to generate more income.

Lenovo disclosed that in the smartphone space, Lenovo shipped a record 76 million smartphones globally in 2014, seeing the company sell more smartphones

M

icrosoft as promised has launched its most affordable Lumia handset, the Lumia 430 Dual SIM. Initially announced in March, Microsoft touts the Lumia 430 Dual SIM as its “most affordable Lumia to-date”.

One of the biggest highlights of the Lumia 430 Dual SIM is it can be upgraded toWindows 10 when it becomes available later this year.

Microsoft has been continuously pushing affordable Lumia handsets in various markets. The company in January launched the new affordable Lumia 400-series smartphones, the Lumia 435 and Lumia 435 Dual SIM, alongside the Lumia 532 andLumia 532 Dual SIM. The Microsoft Lumia 430 Dual SIM runs Windows Phone 8.1 with the Lumia Denim update. It features a 4-inch WVGA (480x800 pixels) LCD display offering a pixel density of 235ppi. The smart-

phone is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor coupled with 1GB of RAM. It comes with 8GB of built-in storage expandable further via microSD card (up to 128GB). Much like other Lumia handsets, the Lumia 430 Dual SIM also comes with 30GB of free OneDrive cloud storage. The smartphone supports dual Micro-SIM cards.

It sports a 2-megapixel fixedfocus rear camera while also housing a 0.3-megapixel front camera. The handset is backed by a 1500mAh replaceable battery, measures 120.5x63.19x10.63mm, and weighs 127.9 grams.

The Lumia 430 Dual SIM features a suite of Microsoft services including Microsoft’s Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote), Outlook, Skype, OneDrive, and users can download more apps from the Windows Phone Store. The Lumia 430 Dual SIM comes in Bright Orange and Black colours.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

than PCs during this period.

The company also announced the world’s first smartphone with built-in laser projector that allows users to create a virtual touchscreen or keyboard on any surface.

Dubbed Smart Cast, the innovative smartphone, the device was unveiled in Beijing, China at Lenovo’s first exclusive global technology event, the Lenovo Global Tech World Conference.

While there have been a few smartphones on the market with built-in projectors, these have focused on replicating the features of a standalone projector.

According to Lenovo, Smart Cast is designed to make smartphones as usable as PCs through virtual technology saying that the virtual keyboard can be projected onto a table or other surfaces, giving smartphone users a standard keyboard on which to type.

The projector can beam the content from the smartphone onto a wall or large screen, making it ideal for making presentations, watching videos and much

more.

Executive Director, Mobile Business Group at Lenovo, Middle East and Africa, MEA, Shashank Sharma, described the new devices as breakthrough product concepts that will change the way people interact with technology.

According to him, Lenovo occupies a unique position in the technology industry, deliver the devices, smart connectivity and infrastructure required to create a great user experience and satisfy real user needs saying that Lenovo communicate with its consumers everyday regarding how it can innovate together.

“They are our partners in defining the future of technology.

We will continue to deliver innovation to solve problems and address customer pain points.

We will bring together hardware software and services to transform the user experience. This is our vision, and these new products present glimpses of the next wave of Lenovo innovation,” he said.

L-R: General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho; Public Relations Manager, Caroline Oghuma and General Manager, SuperSport West Africa, Felix Awogu, during a media parley with the sports writers in Lagos, yesterday.

IXPN empowers subscribers on network performance

A

new digital tool that empowers subscribers of data services to monitor the network performance of mobile operators has been unveiled by the Internet eXchange Point of Nigeria, IXPN. Known as the Measurement Lab Network Diagnostic Tool, MLab, the tool, which is the result of several weeks of preparation is being hosted by IXPN at its centre in Lagos.

IXPN began the process of obtaining and hosting the M-Lab network in 2014 in recognition of the critical role of independent quality service measurements towards achieving policy and regulatory needs.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of IXPN, Muhammed Rudman, during the media launch disclosed that the M-Lab was made possible through the combine sponsorship of Google Nigeria and Globacom stated that the M-Lab Network is a Diagnostic Tool which employs a combination of variables to analyse the performance of Internet Service Providers, ISPs. Rudman disclosed that that there are plans to build the necessary capacity and sensitise key stakeholders on M-Labs, saying that a one-day training had already done on the Measurement Lab (M-Lab) for stakeholders in the industry.

He stated that provision has been made to fund some research in some tertiary institutions in the country in the area of broadband.

According to him, all the parties involved in the installation of the M-Lab independent Quality of Service Measurements are rendering a social service to the community.

“Although the motive is not profit-driven, it is expected that consumers and the ICT public will be better served by it,” he added.

Rudman revealed that mobile internet penetration in Nigeria is between 28 per cent and 38 per cent, noting that its impact is expressed in the countries 7.8 per cent of GDP of 2013.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, June 11, 2015

33

Government Technology

Technology trends to enhance governance in 2015 ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

T

echnologies will enable new service models for digital government in 2015, a new study from Gartner Incorporate, saying that government organisations will prioritise technology investments.

Gartner in the study identified the 10 most important technology trends for government in 2015 in order to help Chief Information Officers and IT leaders assess critical strategic technologies and plan their enterprises’ or agencies’ IT roadmaps.

According to Gartner, spending by national, federal and local governments worldwide on technology products and services is forecast to decline 1.8 percent from $439 billion to $431 billion in 2015, growing to $475.5 billion by 2019.

Gartner Research Director, Rick Howard while commenting on the report said organisational culture, legacy IT systems and business processes, stretched IT budgets, and the lack of critical IT skills are among the inhibitors for government CIOs when evaluating and selecting new technology or sourcing options.

Howard stated that public sector CIOs can gain support for digital innovation from public officials and administrators by explaining digital innovation in terms of business priorities and presenting relevant examples of what the consumer service indus-

try or other digitally savvy government agencies have done, how they have done it, and what the results have been.

According to him, these strategic technology trends have substantial disruptive potential that is just beginning to materialise and will reach an inflection point within the next three to five years, noting that public sector CIOs can capitalise on the value of these trends by first determining how they will impact government program operations or service delivery models, and then by building the organisational capabilities and capacity needed to support them.

He said that the government workforce of the future will be populated with digitally literate employees, from frontline workers to top-level executives.

The digital workplace is open, flat and democratic. It is the organizational manifestation of open government adding that CIOs and IT leaders must take a leadership role in building a more social, mobile, accessible and informationdriven work environment.

The report, which also gave multichannel citizen engagement as one of the trend said that government jurisdictions with multiple channels (municipal offices, physical mail correspondence, contact centers, e-government websites and mobile apps) are struggling to provide their citizens with one coherent view of the enterprise.

It said further that a multichannel strategy, in the context of digital government, means more than delivering a seamless experience to stakeholders stressing that It also is about delivering interactions that are connected, consistent, convenient, collaborative, customised, clear and transparent.

To produce those outcomes, the report said policymakers and CIOs must radically redesign service models by combining traditional marketing tools such as focus groups, user experience labs, surveys and stakeholder analysis with new approaches of citizen

co-creation initiatives, agile development and design thinking.

The report highlighted the impact of citizen electronic identification (e-ID), which refers to an orchestrated set of processes and technologies managed by governments to provide a trusted domain for how public services will be accessed by citizens on any device or through any online channel (Web, mobile devices or applications) and, in some cases, using smart card readers attached to PCs or kiosks.

Gartner added that it has been a long-standing yet elusive goal of many government planners to

provide citizens with integrated and seamless access to all government services.

It said that to be successful, citizen e-ID programs require a trusted relationship between government and commercial vendors, with a focus on business value, interoperability and user experience noting that regardless of whether a government agency serves as the primary citizen e-ID identity broker or contracts with a commercial identity and access management as a service (IDaaS) provider, CIOs must ensure that personal privacy and data confidentiality requirements are met.

L-R: Principal, Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Chris Ugorji; Chairman, Governing Board, Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Akintuyosi Akinwole and Managing Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Guy Clarke, at the Handing-Over and Commissioning Ceremony of Internet Access and 220KVA Standby Generator donated by Vodacom Business Nigeria to Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba in Lagos.

Financial Technology

MOBOfree unveils safety tips for online trading STORIES: ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

W

ith Africa experiencing e-Commerce revolution, African consumers have been called upon to adopt some key habits in order to avoid fraudsters.

Chief Executive Officer, Cristobal Alonso MOBOfree.com said that consumers are should be looking for ways to protect themselves against scammers.

He said that tips that consumers need to consider include meeting the seller in person, checking the item and making sure he is satisfied with it before making payment.

He said that buyers don’t need to make any payments before receiving an item and sellers don’t need to send an item before receiving payment saying that before meeting, “try to collect as much

information as possible about the individual you are going to meet.”

He also advised against giving out bank account details, eBay/ PayPal information, and any other information that could be misused adding that consumers should avoid those that have no content monitoring or clearly outlined security measures.

Alonso said If the deal looks too good to be true it is most likely a scam saying that nobody sells new cars for half the price or new iPhones for N200.

According to him, most of the local classified players have the standard safety measures in place such as the possibility to report a scam or rate a user, safety tips visible for all visitors noting that reality shows that such measures are far from enough.

“At MOBOfree, we have a wide range of unique measures, which makes MOBOfree the safest and

most trusted marketplace in Nigeria, Uganda and other African countries. We protect our users by ensuring that only honest, real people are buying and selling on our platform,’’ said Alonso.

The CEO of MOBOfree said: “Our priority is to eliminate scam BEFORE it becomes visible to buyers; before someone gets

scammed, before they lose money or report suspicious behaviour. At MOBOfree, we don’t just play the “you inform us, we react” game.

Such a basic security measure as the possibility to report ads is not enough to guarantee the security of the African consumer.”

He revealed that MOBOfree has a special automated algorithm

identifying scam behaviour adding that ‘’You might be surprised but 90 per cent of scammers have the same specific behaviour patterns on our platform and in many cases we can say a person is carrying out or going to carry out some form of illegal activity even before seeing the content of his or her classifieds.’’

CWG effects strategic changes

C

omputer Warehouse Group Plc has made some strategic appointments have been made. The changes, which is part of its strategy to strengthen its structures towards achieving its short and long term goals, resulted to its current Chief Executive Officer, Austin Okere becoming the vice chairman.

An ardent entrepreneur with

over two decades of experience in Information Technology Industry and an Entrepreneur-inResidence at the Columbia Business School (CBS), New York, as well as a member of the World Economic Forum Business Council on Global Growth Companies, Board of National Competiveness Council of Nigeria, ICT Advisory Board to the Minister of Communication Technology,

and the Initiative for Global Development (IGD), a Washington based non-profit organisation that drives poverty reduction by catalysing business growth and investment in the developing world.

His wealth of knowledge in IT and entrepreneurial development will contribute enormously to the continuous growth of the Company.

34

Global News

Thursday, June 11, 2015

EU officials dismiss Greek reform offer E uropean Union officials on Tuesday swiftly dismissed new Greek promises of economic reform, saying the proposals were not enough to unlock funds that Athens urgently needs to avoid defaulting on its debts.

Despite signs that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is adopting a more conciliatory line as time runs short for a deal, the officials in Brussels were quick to declare that Greece’s international lenders would not accept the latest proposals on tax, debt and the budget.

The chief spokesman for the European Commission said the EU executive was still studying the suggestions and stressed that other officials do not speak for the Commission.

But the EU officials passed judgment only hours after Athens announced it had sent the plan to Brussels. “What has been submitted is not sufficient to move the process forward,” said one EU official. Another said it was “not sufficient and not acceptable to member states”.

A source then said Greece was working to revise the proposals.

Athens would talk with creditors on Tuesday with the aim of narrowing differences so Tsipras can final-

ize a deal at a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, the source close to the talks said.

Frustration is growing among Greece’s fellow euro zone members who have footed a large part of the 240 billion euro bill for bailing out Athens since it sank into a debt crisis in 2010.

“We will do everything to keep Greece in the euro zone ... but our patience is running out,” Finnish Finance Minister Alexander Stubb said.

The proposals sent to Brussels had marked a further attempt by Tsipras to compromise with EU and IMF lenders as time runs out to reach a deal to prevent his country going bankrupt.

European leaders led by Merkel have stressed the urgent need for a settlement. The bailout program with the EU and International Monetary Fund expires at the end of this month, and Athens must make big debt repayments to the IMF by then that will probably be impossible without funds from its creditors.

Default would endanger Greece’s future in the euro zone, but Tsipras has to win over not only the lenders but also members of his Syriza party who are resolutely opposed to

Merkel

the punishing austerity terms that the EU and IMF have insisted on in return for bailout funds.

Tsipras is due meet Syriza’s political secretariat later on Tuesday.

This committee has members from the wide range of factions within the party, ranging from pro-Europeans to hardline communists.

Only last week, Tsipras dismissed as absurd the creditors’ most recent cash-for-reform offer, but on Tuesday he offered hope that his counter-proposal would seal a deal, and warned the cost of failure would be enormous.

Barra says Chrysler chief sends merger proposal email

G

eneral Motors Co (GM.N) Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra said on Tuesday that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCHA.MI) CEO Sergio Marchionne sent an email proposing a potential merger, and that GM’s board gave “strong support” to her strategy of going it alone.

Marchionne has been conducting a campaign to persuade rivals and investors that the auto industry needs another round of consolidation.

Marchionne’s proposal was “very much vetted with management and our board, and after we reviewed that we are committed to our plan…

Fiat Iveco truck

and we have strong support,” Barra said during a briefing for media ahead of the automaker’s annual meeting.

In comments late last month, Marchionne and FCA Chairman John Elkann said they had reached out to rivals, particularly GM. Marchionne is reaching out to hedge funds and activist investors to help persuade General Motors Co to agree to a merger, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Marchionne has said automakers should collaborate to achieve greater economies of scale as they develop new vehicles and technologies re-

quired to comply with tougher emissions mandates in the major global vehicle markets.

Elkann, responding to a question about whether FCA would consider a hostile bid for GM, said the company would “act with determination if there are the prerequisites to do something that makes sense”, without giving any details.

Barra, in her remarks, didn’t respond directly to the overtures from FCA, but made it clear she’s not interested in a combination.

“We are merging with ourselves,” Barra said, a reference to years of effort by GM executives to consolidate overlapping, duplicative engines, transmissions and vehicles in the company’s global model lineup.

“We’re focused on our plan,” Barra said. “We have scale. We have leveraged the appropriate opportunities.”

On a separate issue, Barra said GM has “cooperated fully” with a U.S. Department of Justice investigation of the company’s more than decade of delay in recalling vehicles equipped with defective ignition switches. The switches could slip out of the run position inadvertently, cutting power to airbags, steering and other systems. A compensation fund set up by GM has made payments in connection with 111 deaths linked to the defects.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

HSBC to shed 50,000 jobs in quest for higher payouts

H

SBC (HSBA.L) pledged a new era of higher dividends on Tuesday, laying out plans to slash nearly one in five jobs and shrink its investment bank by a third to combat sluggish growth across its sprawling empire.

Chief Executive Stuart Gulliver has made it his mission to boost profits since taking the helm of Europe’s largest bank by assets in 2011 but his efforts have so far been foiled by high compliance costs, fines and low interest rates.

In the bank’s second big overhaul since the financial crisis, it will speed up a cull of unprofitable units and countries by cutting almost 50,000 jobs - half of them from selling businesses in Brazil and Turkey.

The bank also planned to increase its business in Asia, particularly in China.

HSBC will cut its assets by a quarter, or $290 billion on a risk adjusted basis (RWA), by 2017, and slice $140 billion from its invest-

Gulliver

ment bank, which will subsequently make up less than a third of HSBC’s balance sheet from 40 per cent now.

Gulliver also pledged higher payouts for investors. “I believe that we are in the foothills of another prolonged period of dividend growth for the firm,” he said. The bank’s dividend had grown for 17 years from 1991 to 2008.

U.S. job openings at record high

U

.S. job openings surged to a record high in April and small business confidence increased in May, signs that the economy was regaining momentum after stumbling at the start of the year.

The second-quarter economic outlook also got a boost from other data on Tuesday showing a solid rise in wholesale inventories in April, as stabilizing oil prices helped lift sales by the most in more than a year.

The Labor Department said job openings increased to 5.4 million in April, the highest since the series began in December 2000, from 5.1 million in March.

The economy contracted in the first quarter and growth got off to a slow start in the second quarter, in part because of the lingering effects of a strong dollar and spending cuts in the energy sector.

But a surge in job growth and automobile sales as well as gains in May factory activity suggest the economy is strengthening.

In a separate report, the National Federation of Independent Business said its Small Business Optimism Index rose 1.4 points to 98.3 in May, the highest reading since December.

Prices for U.S. government debt were trading lower, while U.S. stock indexes were largely unchanged.

The dollar rose against a basket of currencies.

In another report, the Commerce Department said wholesale inventories increased 0.4 per cent after rising 0.2 per cent in March.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast wholesale inventories rising 0.2 per cent in April.

Inventories are a key component of gross domestic product changes.

The component of wholesale inventories that goes into the calculation of GDP - wholesale stocks excluding autos - rose 0.2 per cent, suggesting inventories will probably be a modest boost to growth in the second quarter.

Sales at wholesalers surged 1.6 per cent in April, the largest rise since March of last year. Sales had been weak since last August, in part due to the negative impact of lower oil prices on the value of petroleum goods sales.

That had led to an accumulation of inventory, leaving wholesalers with little appetite to buy more merchandise.

At April’s sales pace it would take 1.29 months to clear shelves, down from 1.30 months in March.

An inventory-to-sales ratio that high usually means an unwanted inventory build-up, which would require businesses to liquidate stocks.

That would weigh on manufacturing and economic growth.

Obama

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Brands & Marketing

35

Election campaign advertising, learning phase for Practitioners Mrs. Yinka Ogunde is a player in the nation’s advertising industry who pioneered education marketing in Nigeria. Currently, she is the Head Consultant at Edumark, an agency with focus on education promotion and branding. In this interview with DAVID AUDU, she speaks on advertising standards and other industry issues. Excerpts. ward there is the need for professionals to key into the rules. If you observe during the last election there were cases of flouting the rules, including failure to submit advert copies for vetting as required by law, amongst other abuses. What are the effects of such illegality and will the industry grow under such conditions?

Certainly not! However, you know the country passed through a phase at that time that was peculiar. They were very unusual circumstances. Some of those advertising materials, I believed, were not passed through the proper channels of the vetting process, and again, a lot of rules were not observed by all parties. But, we saw the effects of not obeying those rules on the public.

It was interesting because we witnessed the way advertising was shaping public opinion; it was interesting because we witnessed the way advertising was affecting the way speak, the way people think, the way people react. We could see that advertising was actually shaping the Nigerian society right before our eyes. It was practical and it was immediate.

It was then we began to ask ourselves why was this permitted and should it be permitted again? I believe those are some of the things APCON will certainly look into and address in order to ensure that we do not pass through that process again. Like I said we didn’t have the experience; we didn’t know and we didn’t understand that things could be played out that way. Those are things I believe it is a learning curve. As the industry is growing and maturing we are not going to look at advertising only as product advertising, service advertising and branding, but we are going to look seriously at political advertising and the effect it can have on the populace. We are going to take that very seriously as an industry because we have seen what it can do.

Could you give an overview of Nigerian advertising industry in the past few years?

The advertising industry has recorded tremendous growth over the years, especially, in the areas of creatives, considering the short history of advertising in Nigeria. Certainly we have more practitioners now than before. We have more people setting up advertising agencies now than before but there is room for growth and competition. it also means that people have identified the sector as one having a lot of potential for growth.

However, the growth also comes with a lot of challenges, such as having to maintain standards. Without doubts there are basic rules for effective advertising to actually take place. Again, there is the need for us as practitioners to be able to observe such rules. When I say rules, I mean for, example, there are some advertisement you will look at and ask yourself who are the target market the ad is really speaking to. Sometimes you cannot make it out. Sometimes it is the quality of the creative, and it will be so obvious that the ad has not really passed through the various processes or stages of quality control we normally insists on in advertising. This is in terms of concepts, the big idea behind it, who do you want to speak to and all those otherthings that must be brought to bear on a good copy. Sometimes these are not observed in some of the things we serve today. But, I still believe some of the structured agencies are still trying to keep their standard. If you see the works coming from the structured agencies or agencies that have passed through the old school you will know, because you must have a concept behind anything you are doing; any idea that you are pushing.

You must have a big idea for a successful ad copy.

Can we say the proliferation has led to lower standards, if yes, who do we blame?

It is actually very difficult to blame anyone at the moment. If we start doing that it will be like going back to the fundamentals and basics. We are actually asking ourselves if we should go back to school and start teaching the basics rules of grammar. I remember that there were times we will argue on where you place your coma and your hyphen, and we can argue and argue over it. This is because every punctuation has a meaning; every word says something; and everything is designed to elicit a form of reaction in the target markets’ mind. When you see that sometimes those things are not there, even the basic rules of punctuation, which everybody is supposed to know, then you begin to ask yourself, is it the agency head or the organization that is supposed to teach them or it is something they are supposed to have learnt from school.

But, I would like to talk more about the various steps that have been taken to redress this. I know as you said that the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, runs series of programme that if individual wants to improve on the job there are whole lots of opportunities to learn the basic rules of the trade. The same thing goes with the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN. If you are a professional

Ogunde

WE DIDN’T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE; WE DIDN’T KNOW, AND WE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THAT THINGS COULD BE PLAYED OUT THAT WAY that wants to grow in the profession all you need do is to ask questions about the king of programmes that run within the association and you key yourself into those programmes. As you learn more you will be able to understand what they do in this business of advertising because without a thorough understanding of what they do you may not be able to effectively deliver value as a professional. And I think that is key. If you are able to deliver value to your client or meet your client’s expectation, then you must be a sound professional.

Earlier you said that if the industry had to move for-

As a practitioner if some of your clients should ask you what the volume of advertising in Nigeria is, what figure are you likely to give in terms of ad spend?

Certainly I know it runs into several billions of naira but I will not be able to put a figure on that because it is combination of several agencies that will be able to put that kind of figure together. Right now we are just getting to the level where we operate on statistics and data. It is a gradual process, and very soon we will get to where we can confidently say we have spent this and that amount on advertising at a specific period.

APCON has been carrying out reforms in the last three years, have there been fundamental results of these initiatives by your own estimation?

As I will always say, everything goes through a learning process. I will not speak for the chairman of APCON, but it is important that we see the reform through because it adds a lot of value to the industry. There is nowhere that you want to drive a change that you will not have those who are for it or against. Reforms hurts but it re4deems. But somehow you have to find a middle course and everybody is able to go on. I think the reform too has passed through its ups and down, but I believe it will certainly go well for everybody if it continues.

36

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Skye Bank unveils ‘Skye Is Big Enough’ campaign DAVID AUDU

I

n line with its commitment to advance customer experience, Skye Bank has unveiled its ‘Skye is Big Enough’ campaign aimed at promoting the bank’s new “Smart” unique selling proposition.

Speaking at a press conference to unveil the campaign in Lagos, Executive Director, Corporate Services, Abimbola Izu, said the campaign became necessary to align with evolving market trends as well as draw attention to the bank’s capacity to ensure customers convenience and maximum comfort at all times.

“The entire world is under very serious economic stress and pressure, but in the midst of the pressure, we find opportunities to shine. Skye Bank is seizing the moment to reposition itself for the challenges and the opportunities that abound in the mar-

ket place as we evolve’’, she said.

According to her, the essence of the campaign was to tell the customers that Skye is big enough to handle all forms of business transaction, as well as have smart, intelligent and innovative technologies that support the businesses of its customers.

To further push the campaign, she disclosed that Skye Bank was adopting all its platforms to convey its message, disclosing that the bank would soon commence an advertising campaign that highlights the new realities and capabilities of the bank, using the success stories of individuals just to ‘drive home our point that the Skye is Big Enough for anyone that is determined to succeed’.

Izu highlighted the bank’s acquisition of Mainstreet Bank last year, as a proof of Skye bank’s determination to leapfrog into the league of bigger and stronger institutions that are major players in the evolving global

economy.

“This year, we are quickly accelerating the concluding process of integration. The merger gives us 469 branches, a quantum leap from the 260 branches that Skye Bank had, more importantly, it has given us a very significant footholds in some areas where Skye bank is not well represented. For instance in the SouthEast alone, Skye Bank will have an addition 54 branches right away, and in the North we will be having about 52 branches right away.” She stressed.

She noted that the acquisition also gives Skye Bank the leap in the electronic channel business, with a total ATM network of 849 for their customer convenience. “Our Skye Mobile channel is also going to be relaunched as we have revamped it. All these we have reworked just for customer’s convenience and comfort,” she said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Etisalat expands Easycliq with two new data services

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tisalat Nigeria has expanded its Easycliq bundle with the addition of two new data services, ‘Social Me on Cliq’ and ‘Music & Video Night Download’.

According to Etisalat, the two new services will ensure that youths stay connected always with peers and family members through social media, in line with the Telco’s commitment to continually improve on its products and services and enhance customer experience.

Speaking on the additional services, Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Francesco Angelone, assured that the company would always develop innovative products that deliver utmost value to their customers.

She said: “In today’s world, social

media provides a powerful platform for youths to connect with loved ones through instant messaging, picture sharing, video and music downloads. Social Me on Cliq and Music & Video Night download were developed to enrich our subscribers’ social media experiences and ensure they stay longer with their peers and family at very affordable prices.’’

Angelone explained that the Social Me on Cliq gives subscribers on Easycliq unlimited access to BBM, Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at an affordable price.

In addition, she hinted that with Music & Video Night Download, the subscribers can download trending music, exciting TV shows and the latest movies in mp3, mp4 and mpeg files.

Coca-Cola’s ‘Choose Choice’ ad facing Diesel ‘copycat’ claims

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oca Cola Company is currently facing ad backlash as the pubic have taken to Twitter to point out similarities between its new ‘Choose Choice’ campaign and a fiveyear-old ad by fashion brand Diesel.

According to some industry people, there is a resemblance between Coke’s ad, created

by Ogilvy Amsterdam, which launched last week, and Diesel’s ‘Official Be Stupid’ campaign from 2010.

Both ads use the same track, ‘Honeytrap’ by We Have Band and use a bold, text heavy cre-

ative.

The latest campaign for the soft drinks giant is the first time all four variants have been brought under one creative, marking a “significant step change” in its approach to marketing.

In March, it announced a major strategy shake-up that will see all future campaigns featuring each of the four distinct Coca-Cola brands.

Do you think there is more than a passing resemblance between the campaigns? View the ads below and vote in our poll to have your say.

Facebook earns 51% of ad revenue overseas – executives

L-R: President, Region Africa, Robert Bosch, Dr Markus Thill; member of the board of management, Robert Bosch GmbH, Uwe Raschke and General Manager, Robert Bosch Nigeria, Ghislain Noumbessy, during the opening ceremony of the Bosch Nigeria office in Lagos.

TisoBlackstar renames, acquires TMG DAVID AUDU

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isoBlackstar Group has announced the acquisition of Times Media Group Limited, leaving it with full ownership of one of the largest media company in subSaharan Africa.

TisoBlackstar has also acquired a 22.9 per cent equity interest in KagisoTiso Holdings, one of South Africa’s black-controlled investment companies.

TisoBlackstar, listed on London’s AIM and Johannesburg’s Altx market with a market capitalisation of just under £200m, looks forward to investing in the company’s assets and using its expertise and relationships to explore and develop further opportunities across sub-Saharan Africa.

The acquisitions will substantially increase Blackstar’s scale and

Intrinsic Net Asset Value to approximately R4.5bn (£251.8m) without materially adding to the head office costs of the Group, up from R1.6bn (£89m) at the year ended 31 December 2014.

TisoBlackstar’s newspaper assets include Sunday Times of South Africa, Sowetan, The Times, and Business Day. TisoBlackstar has further assets in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana, which include businesses focused on magazines, websites, television and radio businesses, music publishing and film distribution.

TisoBlackstar’s leadership has a record of investment in Africa, and includes:AndrewBonamour, CEO of TisoBlackstar Group; David Adomakoh, TisoBlackstar Group SE Chairman; NkunkuSowazi, TisoBlackstar Group South Africa Chairman.

Bonamour said: “TisoBlackstar

brings together many of sub-Saharan Africa’s most exciting media businesses into one group. The digital and mobile opportunities in these markets are only just beginning, and we have the talented people, relationships and experience to make the most of them. We are also pleased that the outlook and composition of our businesses is closely in touch with the Africa of today. TisoBlackstar looks forward to creating further value for, and together with, its shareholders.”

Adomakoh said: “TisoBlackstar presents an exciting opportunity for investors to access largely untapped African markets. The recent transactions provide a firm foundation for TisoBlackstar’s future growth by further enabling access to a multitude of opportunities across the continent.”

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verseas markets bring in more advertising revenue than the United States for Facebook Inc, amounting to 51 per cent of global ad sales in the first quarter, with growth in Asia the fastest in the world at 57 per cent, company executives told Reuters.

While Facebook has reported regional growth in percentage terms, this is the first time it has detailed ad sales outside the United States and Canada as a percent of worldwide sales.

Like the advertisers it courts, the world’s largest social media platform looks at international markets for growth.

“The next 1 billion consumers are going to come from these countries,” said Carolyn Everson, vice president, global marketing solutions at Facebook.

Total advertising revenue for the quarter increased 46 percent to $3.3 billion, the vast majority of Facebook’s $3.5 billion in quarterly revenue. Fifty-one percent of total ad revenue would be about $1.7 billion for international markets. International

advertising revenue rose 36 per cent from a year earlier, Facebook said.

While Europe is growing slower than the United States, the Asia Pacific region is ahead and a focus for Facebook.

By comparison, Google said that 57 per cent of its revenue was from international markets in the first quarter, although it did not break out ad revenue specifically.

Mobile advertising represents more than 70 per cent of Facebook’s total ad revenue, and mobile is particularly strong and attractive to advertisers in emerging markets, Everson said.

Facebook is benefiting from exporters in China trying to reach people outside its country and from an influx of venture capital funding into India, giving start-ups funds for advertising.

Chinese businesses are getting more sophisticated about promoting their brands, said Dan Neary, vice president of Facebook’s Asia Pacific region. “Increasingly manufactures are becoming savvy marketers in their own right,” he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Global luxury brands value declines by $7bn in 2015 DAVID AUDU

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aker of luxury bags, clothes and jewellery, Louis Vuitton, has continued to dominate the top spot in the luxury ranking for 10 years with its brand valued at more than $27.4bn in the recently released top 100 brands report

by Millward Brown.

However, this is in spite of concerns that luxury brands has continued to struggle with declining fortune as total brand value of the category fell by $7.1 billion, representing minus six per cent, to $104.6bn.

The global annual report showed that only two of the BrandZ Top 10 Luxury Brands showed growth, Chanel, up 15 per cent to nearly $9bn and

the top brand Louis Vuitton.

Global BrandZ Valuation Director at Millward Brown, Elspeth Cheung observed that the impact of a dip in spending from China and Russia is taking its toll on the luxury sector.

The report underlined the facts that Chinese shoppers are under pressure from the anti-corruption campaigns and have trimmed luxury gift giving, while Russia’s spenders are suffering from a depreciation of their currency, the Ruble, and the depressed economy as a result of the sanctions imposed by the western countries.

“Both Chanel and Louis Vuitton are masters at doing things differently. Chanel’s iconic, self-aware and less serious marketing, supported by edgy models like Cara Delevingne

and Diane Kruger, provides a different view of femininity. Louis Vuitton has successfully revitalised its brand by going back to its original LV monogram in a new way, while other brands were leaving the classic canvas for more luxurious leather and fabrics to justify their premium position.

Cheung adds: “They have also harmonized their prices across regions – raising prices in Europe and lowering them in China. Although this will impact their financial performance in the short-term, they are protecting the brand by encouraging more in-store consumption and slowing the grey market of goods purchased in Europe to sell in China at a profit.”

L-R: Manager, Devices & Terminals, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Clement Nwankwo; Country Manager, Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Yang Fufu; Management & Communications Director, Mr. Olanipekun Okinowo and Chief Executive Officer, Konga.com, Mr. Sim Shagaya, during the launch of the Huawei Y3 Smartphone in Lagos, recently

Team Galatica emerges CIMA business competition champions

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eam Galactic from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has emerged winner of the maiden edition of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) 2015 Global Business Challenge (GBC) in Lagos at the weekend.

The winner emerged after two rounds of the competition judged

by CIMA assessors and some of Nigeria’s business leaders.

The GBC is an international competition designed to test teamwork, business analysis and presentation skills in potential young business leaders as they compete against the best and brightest from universities around the world.

Team Galactic comprised of Miss Bolanle Oduntan, Miss Bamigboye Grace, Mr. Samuel Anjorin and Mr. Agbelese Mayowa.

Business Team from Federal University of Owerri came second and Team N-Ergy from OAU was third. Dream Team from the University of Ilorin rounded off the

teams that participated in the national final. The teams were shortlisted by CIMA Assessors from a pool of 95 teams from 17 universities that submitted entries for the competition.

For emerging tops in Nigeria, Team Galactic got an all-expenses paid trip to participate at the global final, cash prize of N300,000 management books for their university and full membership of the CIMA undergraduate club. All the competing teams went home with cash prizes.

Announcing the competition results on behalf of the panel of judges, Sir Demola Aladekomo, commended CIMA for creating the Global Business Challenge as a platform for future leaders to showcase their talents, and for extending the competition to Nigerian undergraduates. He lauded the solutions presented by the various teams, describing the four teams that made it to the national final as winners in their own right for

being the best of the 95 teams that submitted entries for the competition.

According to Sir Aladekomo, “The national final was very competitive with the different teams demonstrating good understanding of the case study as reflected in the solutions they proffered to the Oil and Gas business case study provided by CIMA. The panel of judges was impressed with the team work, in-depth analysis, appreciation of strategic issues and the business savvy showcased by the undergraduate students that make up the teams during their presentations.

“I would like to commend Team Galactic from the Obafemi Awolowo University on their outstanding performance and on becoming Nigeria’s first CIMA GBC national champions. Team Galactic really stood out for the judges because of their consistent outstanding performance across all points of evaluation.

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Fayrouz L’Original 2 rounds off audition DAVID AUDU

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he second edition of Fayrouz L’Original has concluded the audition phase of the competition following the outing at the University of Lagos recently.

The event played host to hundreds of participants who came out with a rare kind of determination to impress the jury with their artistic talents hoping to secure a spot at the semi final stage of the competition.

The 2-day event according to one of the judges, Mai Atafo, was anl experience for both the jury and the participants. He described it as both entertaining and educative, ‘I am glad we have come to the end of the audition phase but what gives me more joy is the amount of talents I was exposed to while it lasted. I saw the good, the fair and the not so good but I’m glad all of these guys could express themselves’, he said.

Other judges, including designer Kunbi Oyelese, ace photographer Mai Atafo, and make up expert, Rhema Akabuogu expressed similar opinions stating their delight at the opportunity to be a part of the competition, ‘I feel very privileged to be a part of this noble project.

It was all fun while it lasted and

I’m grateful for the opportunity to have met and added a thing or two to better these young guys, especially the photographers among them’ Amadi-Obi said.

The auditions, which kicked off at the University of Ibadan continued at University of Nigeria, Nnsuka and University of Port Harcourt had the participants take on different creative tasks.

The Lagos leg of the auditions had participants create a ‘Pop of Colour’ look with an African inspiration, the Port Harcourt edition had contestants showcase the Blanc look inspired by Solange Knowles and Alan Ferguson Wedding, the Enugu leg however had the contestants portray the Monochromatic look which was a bit more adventurous while participants at the Ibadan leg took turns to showcase their versions of the Black Swan look from the award winning psychological thriller.

The jury will be screening online entries for online auditions soon, after which the 21 semifinalists will emerge. The Semi final stage billed to hold in Obudu cattle ranch in Calabar later this month will be closely followed by the finale next month.

Tesco deploys tag reading robot in stores

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lobal retailer Tesco Stores Ltd. is trialing an indoor mapping and analytics robotic system using radio frequency identification at its fashion departments in five U.K. stores, tracking its F&F brand garments to determine whether the technology can improve efficiency and inventory visibility.

The deployment involves robotic machines that roam through a store’s clothing department, so that onboard RFID readers can perform inventory counts by reading each garment’s passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) EPC Gen 2RFID tag. The robotic system and service is being provided by Silicon Valley technology company RFspot, which reports that a half-dozen other retailers, globally, are carrying out similar pilots.

More than a year ago, F&F began looking into ways to identify the locations of goods in stores using an automated system, and came across the technology offered by RFspot, according to Danielle Dawson, F&F’s RFID project manager.

F&F is already RFID-tagging

all of its merchandise sold at Tesco’s network of 525 stores throughout the United Kingdom It’s exciting to be pioneering this technology with RFspot,” says Richard Collins, the CEO of F&F Tesco, “to see how we can use it within F&F to enhance our customer shopping experience, and also to clearly understand where we can use this within the rest of the store.”

Tesco store personnel can read those tags via reader portals or handheld units, but with the RFspot solution, the same data can be collected more efficiently and more often, with little human intervention.

The technology is designed to eliminate the mundane task of using a handheld to conduct inventory counts, explains Andrew Gold, RFspot’s founder and CEO, and to instead capture reliable inventory data automatically. He says the robot reduces the time required for reading tags for inventorytracking purposes, from seven hours using a handheld reader down to about one hour with the robot.

38

Insight

Thursday, June 11, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

WAEC: How students adopt ICT to

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igerian students are becoming more sophisticated in their mode of cheating in public examinations, especially in the final examinations of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) in which they adopt internet innovations to perpetrate their nefarious acts.

National Mirror can authoritatively report that the council’s just-concluded May/June West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC) examination was riddled with mass cheating as many students, aided by operators of dubious websites, wrote the exams with fully prepared answers they smuggled into the examination halls.

Our investigations have revealed the existence of several websites in the country to which secondary school students now subscribe for ready-made answers to various subjects in the WAEC exams.

Notably among them are www.naijalight.com, www.hackersfamily.com and www.goenswap.com whose activities were most daring and prominent during the tests.

National Mirror successfully logged into the sites and like the students, was prodded on each occasion to make necessary payments to gain access to prepared answers for relevant subjects in the examination. All transactions concerning registration, payment, securing special code number and answers to questions on the day of the exam are done online.

All that is required from the student, irrespective of his location, is payment of the prescribed fee and the ability to smuggle his cell phone, computer wristwatch or eye glasses into the examination hall.

In the case of naijalight for example, National Mirror’s investigations revealed that a subscriber is expected to pay the sum of N10, 000 into a UBA account number 2069074130 in favour of Abdulgafar Shuaib. Abdulgafar is described on the Facebook page connected to the website as the “manager.”

The N10, 000 according to investigations covers all the nine subjects for each candidate, notwithstanding the subjects involved. Candidates with fewer number of subjects who may also want quick service are charged per subject payable mostly with recharge cards to be sent to a given cell phone number.

Other personal details of the naijalight’s “manager” on the website include his city of residence which is Zaria, Kaduna State. It was also stated that Abdulgafar studied Economics at Ahmadu Bello University.

Other channels of communication displayed on the website include a Tweeter handle and blackberry pin. Investigation further revealed that the blackberry device is to enable the “customers” receive their prepared answers through their WhatsApp application.

The procedure is similar in other websites visited by National Mirror and was confirmed by the students.

A private secondary school student in Osogbo, Osun State described the procedure in another website more vividly to

As the leadership of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is devising methods to prevent examination malpractices, TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE and BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA report that during the last school certificate examinations the candidates adopted Information Communication Technology (ICT) innovations in their various cheatings.

Students writing public examination

THE PHONEY WEBSITES ARE ALSO GAINING POPULARITY AMONG PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND EXTRAMURAL CLASSES DESPERATE TO SHOW OFF GOOD RESULTS PURPORTEDLY RECORDED BY THEIR STUDENTS

our correspondent.

“All one needs to do is to log on to the website and register a phone number and other personal details like name and address. After a successful registration, account number of a commercial bank will be sent with a code to effect payment.

“After payment of N10, 000, the transaction is confirmed and the applicant will be notified that the registration is completed. He or she will then be directed to check his or her status on the database of the website and this can only be accessed with the code that was sent earlier.

“After confirmation of the status on the database, what the applicant will need to do is to smuggle into the examination hall his or her mobile phone and await the answers to both objective and theory questions which will be sent through short messaging service (SMS) and this will be done within 10 to 15 minutes after the commencement of each paper.”

This is clearly in line with Niger Light’s advert on Monday, April 20 for the just-concluded WASSC exam: “HOW TO SUBSCRIBE FOR OUR 2015/16 WAEC EXPO ANSWERS?

(I) ALL SUBJECTS + VIP Treat: N15, 500 (This is for those that wants (sic) both Science & Arts i.e Wapmasters, those that have candidates). (ii) 9 Subjects: 3,000 (All your exam date questions and answers will be sent direct to your mobile phone as SMS 30 mins before the exam Or After Starting Exam) HOW TO MAKE YOUR WAEC RUNS PAYMENT Just Input Your Phone Number In the box below and Select the Name Of The Bank you would like to Pay into and Click On ‘Send To Me’ button to receive Our Bank Account. Details for the Selected Bank Name as SMS.” In one of the earlier posts on the website on April 1, the deadline for subscription for answers to the SSCE was given as April 3 but in another post later in the month, the registration deadline was shifted to one hour before the commencement of any paper.

This package was confirmed by National Mirror on Tuesday April 21 for the Financial Accounting paper. A recharge number for N1,000 was sent to the adver-

tised phone number few minutes to 8:00 am and at exactly 15 minutes after the commencement of the paper in most centres across Osogbo, prepared answers to the paper were sent as an SMS to the mobile line used to send the recharge by our correspondent.

By the evening of Tuesday, April 21, when Financial Accounting paper was written, checks showed that solutions to paper (1) comprising 50 objective questions and correct answers to 4 out of 5 theory questions were still being displayed on the website, while subscriptions for “expo” in papers not yet written such as Chemistry, Computer Science and CRS/ IRS, were being solicited.

Also, solutions to some papers already written were conspicuously displayed on the website, obviously to convince customers and obtain more registrations.

National Mirror, however, discovered that the answers being sent by the operators were correct!

A verification of nigerlight answers revealed that the 50 objective answers sent in five batches of 10 answers were mostly correct just like the theory where answers were provided for questions 1, 2, 5 and 7.

Confirming the authenticity of the Financial Accounting solutions, a secondary school financial accounting teacher contacted by National Mirror, said nearly all answers provided for paper 2 (objective) were correct. The teacher revealed that any student that shaded all the answers provided by the website for the 50 objective questions would not score anything less than 40 marks.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insight

Thursday, June 11, 2015

39

cheat in WASSC exams

Some fruaudelent adverts displayed on the websites

ALL THAT IS REQUIRED FROM THE STUDENT, IRRESPECTIVE OF HIS LOCATION, IS PAYMENT OF THE PRESCRIBED FEE AND THE ABILITY TO SMUGGLE HIS CELL PHONE, COMPUTER WRISTWATCH OR EYE GLASSES INTO THE EXAMINATION HALL

Head of National Office, WAEC, Eguridu

The teacher explained that the solutions provided by the website operators for the four theory questions out of the five questions to choose from, including calculations, were all correct. According to the teacher, one could tell from the language and presentations of the answers, that they were prepared either by some gifted secondary school students, undergraduates studying a related course or a financial accounting teacher.

National Mirror’s interaction with students in Osun and Lagos State revealed that the websites are quite popular among secondary students and subscriptions for their dubious services seem to be growing widely. The exact number of the subscribers could however not be

ascertained as only people with valid registration and with special code from the websites are allowed into the website.

But apart from the direct subscribers, National Mirror discovered that several students who registered with the websites also forward the texts to their mates offering the same subject. Indeed it is also discovered that a candidate could register on behalf of a group and get the answers across to them in different centres.

The phoney websites are also gaining popularity among private schools and extramural classes desperate to show off good results purportedly recorded by their students. Such operators now register the websites and circulate prepared answers to their students in different centres.

Sometimes when the answers are obtained early before the exams, students are made to memorise such answers or copy them on their computerised wrist watches or eyes glasses before going into the examination halls.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) when contacted, confirmed the existence of the websites and their dubious activities.

The council’s spokesman, Mr. Demianus Ojijeogu, said that he actually played along as a candidate and logged on to www.goenswap.com and actually paid some money into a given bank account as well as sending some recharge cards to the operator on different occasions.

He explained that even though he expected to receive prepared answers at least a day or some hours before commencement of a paper so as to be sure where the

question papers emanated from, he did not get the answers until some minutes after the commencement of the papers.

While claiming that the examination body had put in place strict measures to guide against questions leakage, he expressed doubt that the banks in whose custody the exam papers are kept before distribution to various centres or even WAEC officials or security agents taking the papers to the centres would connive with the website operators to have access to the exam papers before the commencement of the exams. But when asked of the possibility of members of staff of the organisation, particularly in the ICT unit to conniving with operators of those websites, he replied that while he was not out to defend anybody, it was doubtful if any WAEC staff would willingly cooperate with anyone to perpetrate such malpractices.

According to him, apart from the fact that WAEC officials are well remunerated and enjoy better conditions of service, when compared with many other public servants in the country, every worker is aware of the grave consequences awaiting anyone found culpable of fraud or examination malpractice.

He however disclosed that WAEC, as its practice every year, would also investigate the conduct of this year’s examination to detect candidates that were involved in malpractices.

Ojijeogu noted that fraudulent candidates who are able to scale through, one way or the other during the examinations may not be so lucky during the marking of the scripts or when the committee is reviewing the results before releasing them.

“So, depending on the magnitude of malpractice, the council has the right to cancel a candidate’s results in part or in full or that of an entire centre,” he stressed.

The punishment for such act, he added, is that such candidate or centre or school could be barred from writing or presenting candidates in future exams for some years or for life while WAEC officials as

well as supervisors and invigilators in those centres may also be dismissed and prosecuted in a law court for their ignoble behaviour.

He, however, vowed that no one found culpable of malpractice in the council’s exam would go scot free, adding that the organisation has a zero tolerance for cheating.

Most students who confessed to have patronised the websites are however sure the examinations body would find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to detect their nefarious activities. Some are so bold that they narrate their “success” stories in the social media.

Indeed, National Mirror learnt that the websites have been operating for some time before now. For instance, a student at the Testing Ground area of Osogbo disclosed that he got introduced to Naija Light website by a friend who graduated from Ikeja Boys High School, Lagos, last year.

The 16-year-old student added that he later got to know that many students in both public and private schools in Lagos and other cities and towns in the country, especially those that are hosting higher institutions of learning had explored the ‘opportunity’ to score high grades in their SSCE in the past.

“But I was dazed when I also learnt that many students here in Osogbo including my school had equally benefitted from the website.”

Another male student in one of the federal government colleges in Lagos and his counterpart in a high profile private secondary school, also in the city equally confided in National Mirror that many of their peers are actually beneficiaries of the act in the ongoing WASSC exams.

“It is not a new thing both in the public and private schools. Most of our teachers are aware and encourage us to patronise them. The situation is worse in the private schools because they want to prove they do better academically than their public school counterparts,” one of the candidates said.

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Cocktail

Thursday, June 11, 2015

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Coast Guards looking for drugs find tangled turtles

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he U.S. Coast Guard shared video of California-based members investigating a suspicious package in a drug transit zone and discovering tangled sea turtles.

The video, posted to the Coast Guard’s official YouTube account, shows the team from the Cutter Stratton in Alameda investigating a reported suspicious object floating in a known

drug transit zone off the coast of Central America May 9.

The Coast Guard members in the video spot what appears to be a buoy, but closer inspection reveals the object is composed of two sea turtles tangled in fishing line and debris.

The team was able to untangle the sea turtles and they were released back into the ocean.

Firefighters turn hoses on rubbernecking drone

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n upstate New York man using his aerial drone to take video of a house fire said firefighters intentionally turned their hose on his $2,200 device.

John Thompson, who posted his footage to YouTube, said he was using his drone to capture video of the fire in Montgomery, part of the Coldenham fire district, when firefighters took notice of his device.

Thompson’s video shows the firefighters turn their

hoses on the drone at the 12-minute mark and again at about 12:50.

Thompson said in a Facebook post the drone was damaged by the water spray and he intends to bill the fire department, which he accused of misconduct.

“They need to take on more responsibility and worry about their job instead of worrying about what’s out there around them because there’s cameras all over the world,” Thompson told News12.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

Hitler wife’s purported panties for sale

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rnie Scarango, owner of Mantiques in Elmore, said Eva Braun’s alleged silk panties are “first rate” quality.

A pair of French silk panties being listed for $7,500 at an Ohio antique store purportedly once belonged to Eva Braun, Adolf Hitler’s wife.

The high-waisted undergarments, which bear the monogrammed initials “E.B.” and come with a certificate of authenticity, were spotted by a Twitter user for sale at a store called Mantiques in Elmore.

Ernie Scarango, owner of the antiques shop, said he bought Mrs. Furher’s underwear from retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Charles Snyder, 84, who in turn said they were part of a $3 million trove of Nazi memorabilia he bought in the 1990s from a man who claimed to have been present at the 1945 liberation of Hitler’s Berchtesgaden facility in the Alps.

“I thought it’d be a good

conversation piece to have Eva Braun’s underwear and make the store a destination of sorts,” Scarango told The Daily Beast.

He said Braun had impeccable taste in underthings.

“They’re first rate: the fabric, embroidery and monogramming, the sewing of the button,” he said.

Eva Braun’s underwear

Snyder identified the man who originally sold him the panties as 1st Lt. D.C. Watts, but he said he never learned the man’s full name. He said Watts, who died 15 years ago, sold him numerous items, including 20 to 30 pairs of Braun’s underwear.

Snyder, who sells numerous other Hitler and Braun-

related items in an online store called Snyder’s Treasures, said he never sought outside authentication for the items Watts sold to him.

“I’m an expert, I don’t need to,” he said. “I write up a certificate of authenticity which satisfies the buyer.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, June 11, 2015

41

Shareholders laud Total Nigeria’s Board on N3.78bn dividend payment

….firm’s turnover rises to N240.6bn in 2014 TOLA AKINMUTIMI

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hareholders of Total Nigeria Plc yesterday at the company’s 37th Annual General Meeting lauded the Board and management on dividend payments and other strategic initiatives being undertaken to keep the company on the path of sustainable growth in the years ahead.

At the meeting, the shareholders also approved the Board’s recommended final dividend payment of N9.00 per share, thus making total dividend payment for the 2014 financial year N11.00 per share.

In the year, the total amount distributed as dividends to the shareholders stood at N3.779 billion.

In addition, the investors, who also ratified the appointment of Mr Jefferson Nnamani as Executive Director

into the Board and the retirement of Engr. Wole Adeyinka, having attained 70 years of age and the resignation of Engr.

Kanu Ukonne from the Board, lauded the Board for various initiatives being undertaken to sustain the company’s growth and profitability.

The National Coordinator of Independent Shareholders Association, Sir Sunny Nwosu, noted that based on the company’s financials and other operational fundamentals, the Board and management “had demonstrated clearly to shareholders that the future outlook of our company is very bright” He urged the Board to sustain the corporate governance principles that had helped them to improve the performance of the company as the number one player in products marketing business, adding however that in order to be ex-

posed to the increasing risks in the downstream market, appropriate strategies must be adopted, particularly to cope in the post-subsidy removal period.

In her remarks, another shareholder, Mrs. Sarat Ayodele Kudaisi, noted that with the Annual Report and Accounts for the financial year, the company’s performance indices reflected an entity “all shareholders must be proud of in terms of products and services delivery and returns on shareholders investments” While noting that the dividends to shareholders remain among the best paid by corporate entities in the financial year, she urged the Board to consider the option of bonus issues for the shareholders as a complementary benefit to shareholders in subsequent years.

Earlier in his remarks, the

Chairman Mr. Momar Nguer, assured the shareholders of the Board’s commitment to improving the performance of the company through proactive strategies, new product development and service delivery efficiency as desirable steps towards improving its shares in the downstream market of the oil and gas industry.

On the financials, Nguer announced that despite the inclement operating environment in the financial year, the company’s turnover increased from N238.2 billion in 2013 to N240.6 billion while Profit After Tax, PAT, reduced from N5.3 billion to N4.4 billion.

He attributed some of the reasons for the dip in profit to interest expense on borrowing occasioned by unpaid sums under the Petroleum Subsidy Fund and sundry taxes amongst other operational costs.

Vono boss explains growth potential, assures shareholders

V

ono Products Plc has embarked on a number of initiatives to reposition it as a leading brand in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.

Besides, the economy is in the process of integrating with Vitafoam Nigeria Plc. for enhanced shareholder value.

Speaking with the journalists yesterday after the company’s Annual General Meeting, the acting Managing Director, Mr. Olatunji Anjorin, explained that the company was not just a manufacturer of foams as it has series of other products in its portfolio.

According to him, the company would roll out many innovative products that appeal

to different segment of the society including children and youth.

Anjorin, noted that as a major brand, Vono Products would continue to live up to expectation of its diverse stakeholders.

“We are sensitive and innovation. We are taking advantage of social media space to ensure full inclusion of the young ones in our new approach to product development “We are looking at our payment system aesthetically to make our products affordable by different segment of the society.”

On the proposed integration of Vono Products with Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Anjo-

rin explained that professionals had commenced work and the outcome would be made public later.

He also lamented the high cost of infrastructure as part of the constraints to business growth and appealed to the Federal Government to create an enabling environment were manufacturers could operate at optimal level.

Addressing the company’s shareholders, the chairman, Mr Mohammed Yinusa, expressed joy that despite the inclement operating environment, the company achieved operating revenue of N889.7million, a modest growth of more than 5 per cent over the previous year.

He said: “Operating profit

improved significantly by 5% (N26.4 million, 2014 : N17.4million; 2013) . The growth in turnover, particularly reflected the marketing efforts of the growing customers’ satisfaction with our products. The business continues to gain momentum, recording another modest improvement on out profit before tax” While thanking the shareholders for their unalloyed support for the company and assured them of the investment returns prospect ahead, Yinusa also emphasized the need for quality products, saying that government policy should discourage high influx of inferior products in the real sector.

World Bank predicts harder times for developing economies …projects 4.4% growth rate in 2015 TOLA AKINMUTIMI

W

orld Bank yesterday predicted hard times ahead for developing countries over looming prospect of higher borrowing costs, as they adapt to a new era of low prices for oil and other key commodities, could result in a fourth consecutive year of disappointing economic growth this year The World Bank Group’s latest Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report, released

yesterday set developing countries’ projected growth by 4.4 percent this year, with a likely rise to 5.2 percent in 2016, and 5.4 percent in 2017.

World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said: “Developing countries were an engine of global growth following the financial crisis, but now they face a more difficult economic environment. We’ll do all we can to help low- and middle-income countries become more resilient so that they can manage this transition as securely as possible.

“We believe that countries that invest in people’s education and health, improve the business environment, and create jobs through upgrades in infrastructure will emerge much stronger in the years ahead. These kinds of investments will help hundreds of millions of people lift themselves out of poverty.”, Kim added.

According to the GEP, with an expected liftoff in U.S. interest rates, borrowing will become more expensive for emerging and developing economies over the coming months.

Rate (%) Inflation

8.2

MPR

13

Crude oil price

$58.96

Source: NSE

Inter-Bank Rate Naira

US Dollar

$1

N197.00 Market indicators All-Share Index 33,462.34 points Market capitalisation 11.42trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

FO

158.60

173.23

14.63

9.22

PZ

30.66

32.19

1.53

4.99

LIVESTOCK

2.26

2.37

0.11

4.87

MAYBAKER

1.53

1.60

0.07

4.58

RTBRISCOE

0.70

0.73

0.03

4.29

MANSARD

2.80

2.91

0.11

3.93

NPFMCRFBK

1.10

1.14

0.04

3.64

UBCAP

1.44

1.48

0.04

2.78

HONYFLOUR

3.81

3.90

0.09

2.36

GLAXOSMITH

44.11

44.99

0.88

2.00

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

BETAGLAS

7.79

CLOSING 39.90

-2.10

-5.00

NAHCO

163.00

5.52

-0.29

-4.99

STERLNBANK

0.82

2.00

-0.10

-4.76

WEMABANK

1.92

1.00

-0.05

-4.76

COSTAIN

2.70

1.01

-0.05

-4.72

JOSBREW

1.14

1.66

-0.08

-4.60

MCNICHOLS

0.98

1.50

-0.07

-4.46

STANBIC

33.35

27.00

-1.00

-3.57

ABCTRANS

2.86

0.56

-0.02

-3.45

ZENITHBANK

2.39

19.20

-0.64

-3.23

FGN Bonds

Offer

Bid

Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

13.05 16-AUG-2016

1.20

99.16

13.78

99.31

13.64

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.90

102.08

13.79

102.23

13.70

16.00 29-JUN-2019

4.07

106.52

13.84

106.82

13.75

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.65

111.05

13.79

111.35

13.72

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.78

102.42

13.71

102.72

13.65

10.00 23-JUL-2030

15.14 68.00

15.54

68.30

15.47

Closing Market Prices of June 3, 2015

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

Exchange

Rates (N)

03-Sep-15

10.77

11.07

WAUA

270

USD

197

03-Dec-15

12.52

13.36

EURO

214

05-May-16

12.96

14.72

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

10.6917

POUNDS STERLING

293

1M

14.9230

3M

16.2258

SDR

273

6M

17.2145

NIBOR

The Fixings of June 3, 2015

42

Capital Market

Thursday, June 11, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at June 10, 2015 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, June 11, 2015

43

NYSC, NOA to launch campaign on value re-orientation Stories By Leonard Okachie

N

ational Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is set to launch a national campaign on value re-orientation and societal rejuvenation reminiscent of the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) of 1984.

The programme, aimed at promoting core values and patriotism among citizens, would be jointly anchored by the NYSC, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and supported by other collaborating partners.

The Director-General, NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, disclosed this when his NOA counterpart, Mr. Mike Omeri, visited him at the Headquarters of the NYSC in Abuja on Tuesday.

Olawumi said the campaign would be geared towards supporting the Buhari administration’s change agenda which would be anchored on discipline and order in all facets of societal endeavour.

He said the NYSC and NOA would leverage on its national spread and network within and outside Nigeria to carry the message of `doing the right thing’ to all parts of the country.

He said: “This campaign is

aimed at re-enacting the key agenda that the Buhari regime was identified with in 1984.

“All the things that administration did using soldiers would now be executed using corps members and NOA officers across the country.

“I have no doubt in my mind that this campaign will be a success given the spread of the NYSC and NOA, we feel we are in the best position to carry out this campaign.’’

Olawumi said the organisers would employ robust public sensitisation drive and an attractive reward system to actualise the new government’s agenda through the campaign.

He said the government would not be required to use its funds to support the campaign as key private sector players would be encouraged to fund the campaign.

He said the campaign would soon be given the right nomenclature but that the areas of interest would include good public and private conduct as well as patriotism, among other values.

Earlier, Omeri said the planned national campaign would help restore Nigeria’s values and the fast fading sense of patriotism among Nigerians.

Parents advised to desist from early marriage Joel Ajayi ABUJA

A

gainst the backdrop of increase in the practice of child and forced marriage in Nigeria, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with West Africa Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) has assured of the readiness to play a major role as the country grapples with practice of early marriage It describes the act as impediment to national growth and gross violation of child rights law.

The Director-General of the NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri said this at a one-day policy dialogue organised by WACSOF with support from Ford Foundation. It has as theme: “Curbing Early Marriage and Protecting the Children’s Right in Nigeria.”

Omeri, who was represented by the Director of Mass Mobilisation, Hajia Tani Umar, added that agency would provide a unique leverage for this cause and would be happy to partner any organisation to achieve desired outcome.

Earlier, the Acting General

Secretary of WACSOF, Ibrahim Musa said national and international communities were increasingly recognising child marriage as a serious problem, adding that violation of girls’ human rights was a hindrance to key development outcomes.

Musa lamented that Nigeria was lagging behind and singled out northern Nigeria as having greater proportions of girls that married at early ages.

Representative of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mr. Arinze Orakwue, who described the early marriage practice as ‘act of wickedness’, said the act was responsible for ‘irreversible psychological problems for victims.’

Orakwue called on all stakeholders to rise to the occasion to protect the rights of children in the country.

Musa Aliyu represented Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and blamed ‘age-long’ practice for ‘continued’ early marriage practice, adding that economic situation was also responsible.

Aliyu tasked civil societies to help eliminate child abuse in the country.

Corps members

He said the planned national campaign might not be the exact replica of the War Against Indiscipline of 1984.

Omeri explained the campaign would focus on promoting the study of civic education in schools using corps members and NOA community brigades, among other targets.

While commending the NYSC for its support for the successful conduct of the 2015 general elections, Omeri urged the scheme to exhibit the same vigour in

the planned value reorientation campaign.

He solicited the support of all Nigerians in helping to revive the culture of order, discipline and patriotism among Nigeri-

ans.

It could be recalled that a committee was set up to harmonise the submissions by the NYSC and NOA on the proposed campaign.

Council celebrates Children’s Day in style

C

hildren’s Day celebration in Alimosho area of Lagos State took another dimension as schools within the local government area converged to commemorate the 2015 edition of the annual event.

The event which took place at Center Point College, Egbeda Idimu Road in Ikotun area of Lagos on May 27, 2015 was organised

by Exclusiv Media Promotion, one of the leading entertainment outfits within the environment.

Indian Princess at Children’s Day party

Some dignitaries that graced the occasion the Oganla of Isolo Kingdom, Chief Rasheed Opebiyi as the Father of the Day, Evangelist Olubunkola Ayodeji of Christ the King Glorious Church as the Mother of the Day. The Children’s Day funfair party featured some artistes such as Tolufeel, T Damz, Rapdevil, Heyteen, Dj Fimo, MC Aparawa, MC Sherikoko and Amala the Maltina dance all winner 2008, as the schools were engaged in dif-

ferent competitions.

Highlight of the event was award presentation to CDC Chairman Igando Ikotun, Ademola Osibeluwo (Outstanding Father of the Year) for supporting children in the community; award of Outstanding Mother of the Year 2015 was presented to Chief Mrs. Felicia Ajayi, the CEO of Elite Crop School in Ijegun, while the award of Pacesetter was presented to Mr. Patrick Nwoko, the CEO of Nnayere Ugo Nig Ltd. According to the CEO of Exclusiv Media Promotion, Adeyanju Adegboyega, the children in Alimosho are creative and need to be encouraged and celebrated.

He added that his organisation gives awards based on credibility and integrity with no other attachments to deserving personalities in their community and by celebrating these people it will encourage them to do more for their communities.

The chaperone of the event and guest artiste, Indian Princess expressed fulfilment in hosting various kids from many schools within the local government area.

“I give God the glory for the success of the second edition of my annual Children’s Day funfair party and award day and I thank all the sponsors,” she added.

44

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, June 11, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Talent show rounds off audition phase Stories by LEONARD OKACHIE

S

econd edition of Fayrouz L’Original has concluded the audition phase of the competition following the successful outing at the prestigious University of Lagos last weekend.

The event played host to hundreds of talented participants who came out brewing with a rare kind of determination to impress the jury with their artistic talents hoping to secure a spot at the semi final stage of the competition.

The 2-day event according to one of the judges, Mai Atafo, was a wonderful experience for both the jury and the participants. He described it as both entertaining and educative, “I am glad we have come to the end of the audition phase but what gives me more joy is the amount of talents I was exposed to while it lasted. I saw the good, the fair and the not so good but I’m glad all of these guys could express themselves”, he said.

Other judges, top designer Kunbi Oyelese, ace photographer Mai Atafo, and make up expert, Rhema Akabuogu expressed similar opinions stating their delight at the opportunity to be a part of the competition.

“I feel very privileged to be a part of this noble project. It was all fun while it lasted and I’m grateful for the oppor-

Science for Kids

M

ost people feel colder at night — and need to pile on extra blankets. That isn’t just because the world around you is colder. Your body temperature actually drops when you sleep Your core temperature, typically at around 98.6°F, drops by a degree or two as you’re getting sleepy and as the night goes on. And a few hours before you wake up again, it starts to rise.

(As a side note, many people experience a similar drop in body temperature in the afternoon, which may be why many of us feel like taking a nap then.)

The main driver here is light, which regulates your circadian rhythms, aka your sleep/wake cycle. Exposure to light, and blue light in particular, hits specialized receptors in your eyes, which then

A baby girl sleeping

tunity to have met and added a thing or two to better these young guys, especially the photographers among them,” AmadiObi said.

The auditions, which kicked off at the University of Ibadan on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16, 2015 continued at University of Nigeria, Enugu and University of Port Harcourt on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, 2015 respectively, had the participants take on different creative tasks.

The Lagos leg of the auditions had participants create a ‘Pop of Colour’ look with an African inspiration; the Port Harcourt edition had contestants showcase the Blanc look inspired by the famous Solange Knowles and Alan Ferguson Wedding; the Enugu leg however had the contestants portray the Monochromatic look which was a bit more adventurous while participants at the Ibadan leg took turns to showcase their versions of the Black Swan look

Team Grey

from the award winning psychological thriller.

The jury will be screening online entries for online auditions tday after which the 21 semi finalists will emerge. The semi final stage billed to hold in Obudu cattle ranch in Calabar later this month will be closely fol-

lowed by the finale next month.

Fayrouz L’Original, since it began last year has risen to become one of the most followed youth competitions, because of its efforts at rewarding the passion of youths with interest in fashion, modelling, photography and make up.

Haters like talking about size of my head –Banky W Banky W has reminded fans of his ability as a rapper with a stunningly effortless freestyle performance on the MTV Base Official Naija Top Ten. Famous for his silky R&B songs and smooth ballads, he hosts the latest edition of the weekly countdown show where he reminds his fans of his hip hop

credentials and takes aim at critics and naysayers during the course of a spellbinding 40-second freestyle:”Haters like to talk about my head being way too big/I brush it off because my flow is just way too sick/And plus I’m on my way to being way too rich/Came in the building solo, tonight I might slay two chicks.”

Why you get cold when you sleep at night send this signal to the brain’s hypothalamus. The signal then reaches a tiny structure called the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

This structure essentially functions as your body’s master clock. And among other things, it controls the release of the hormone melatonin, which makes people sleepy. And it also controls your body temperature.

So why did we evolve to be colder at night? Even people who use metric get colder at night.

This is still largely mysterious, but there are a few possible ideas out there that scientists are exploring.

Metabolism can drop 10% when you sleep — and that may have been a long-

ago adaptation There has been some evidence that this daily cycle of body temperature helps control other daily cycles in the body, such as in the liver and kidneys.

“There are a few studies that suggest that even the small 1°–1.5°F change in core body temperature is sufficient to be the cue that synchronizes these cell populations throughout the body,” says Christopher Colwell, a professor of psychiatry at UCLA who studies circadian rhythms. “But it’s not definitive at this point.”

Another possibility is that decreased metabolism (which would also be reflected by the body creating less heat) is actually one of the reasons for sleeping to begin with. Metabolism can drop 10 percent in sleeping people.

Regulating your temperature can help you sleep better It’s still not entirely clear how much body temperature affects sleepiness itself, but having a naturally elevated body temperature has been associated with insomnia. And trying to sleep when you’re too cold or too hot can interfere with your internal body temperature, making it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep.

“If your environment is causing you to either be too cold or too hot, then your internal thermostat is going to have to basically work harder to get it to where its ideal temperature needs to be,” says Rachel Salas, a neurologist who researchers sleep disorders at Johns Hopkins.

Source: Vox

After the freestyle, the superstar announces a giveaway contest with the prize being his signature ‘W’ hat which he has worn in several music videos. This week, his collaboration with DJ Xclusive and Niyola “Tonight”, falls three places to number nine on a countdown that sees a lot of movement in the lower half.

Elsewhere on the chart, “Collabo” by P-Square featuring Don Jazzy drops off the chart again after making a surprising re-entry last week. Replacing it at number ten this week is this week’s only debutant “Come And Do” by Cynthia Morgan which has been tipped to become a monster hit. The top four tracks remain unchanged from last week as Patoranking again keeps hold of top spot with his international hit “Daniella Whine”.

“Looku Looku” by the Mavins, “Jangilova” by Sheyi Shay and “Oringo” by Phyno remain at number two, three and four respectively.Burna Boy’s “Soke” surges four spots to the number six spot this week and Sean Tizzle’s “Bottles” rises three places to number five.”Monkey”

by MI featuring Chigurl falls three places to number eight this week to complete this week’s line-up.

Banky W

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, June 11, 2015

45

Media tasked on fight against hunger in Nigeria Stories by LEONARD OKACHIE

J

ournalists and bloggers have been urged to use their various media platforms to direct the attention of leaders towards attacking the terrible hunger situation in Nigeria.

The charge was given recently at a dinner organised by leading online food delivery service, Hellofood, for Nigerian bloggers and media practitioners, to raise awareness of the horrible hunger issue in the country.

The event, which was in commemoration of World Hunger Day 2015, took place at Jevinik Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The guests, drawn from print, electronic and online media, deliberated on the topic: “How can we all do our part to scare hunger away from Nigeria?” as individual, company and business.

Deliberating on the issue, the guest speaker and On-Air-Personality, Mannie Dynamic, from Cool FM called on the need for everybody to join hands in the fight against hunger, which is the common enemy of man.

“Some of you don’t know what this is all about, but if you have been to the villages and seen how children suffer from kwashiorkor and how they groan in pain, you would understand. I think we should all thank our parents for ensuring that we had food to eat while growing up. There are many children right now who desperately need to be helped from the shackles of starvation,” he said.

Similarly, another guest speaker and representative of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Mrs. Ogochukwu Mainasara described the situation as pathetic one that demands urgent attention.

She emphasised that it is not enough providing food to those in need, but consideration should also be paid to the nutritional aspect of what is given to them.

“It is not enough to just give a hungry child food, what matters is what kind of food you are giving him. In the end you may be harming the child if you give him food that does not contribute to nourishing him nutritionally,” she said.

Hellofood’s Head of Business Development, Oluwaseyi Adepoju called for serious actions to re-establish the dignity of the Nigerian particularly, children. He stressed that when people are not well fed, the economy cannot develop.

He said: “The nation is the way it is because the people are not well fed. Poverty is looming in the land and the people will soon begin to steal to survive.

So what do you call that?”

Other participants acknowledged that the mainstream media as well so-

Journalists and bloggers at an intercative forum organised by Hellofood in Lagos, recently.

cial media is a veritable tool in the fight against hunger and urged practitioners to use their various platforms to bring about the desired change.

Hellofood recognises that more than 800 million people in the world are currently suffering from hunger and poverty. Sub-Saharan Africa is the region with the highest prevalence of hunger.

Hellofood.com Africa, is a mobile platform where people can order food from restaurants in their cities. It was founded by Africa Internet Holding (AIH) with an investment from telecommunications company MTN in 2012. It operates in over 45 countries around the world and 11 countries across Africa, attracting hundreds of independent

restaurants and international chains for customers to order from.

Over the past couple of weeks, Hellofood has challenged its community and has held campaigns to help raise awareness and #ScareHunger away by going around areas in Lagos that have a high level of poor helpless children were people are not assured of their next meal.

Expert urges SMEs to explore social media platforms

M

iss Tosin Ajibade, a social media expert, and Chief Executive Officer, Olorisupergal Ltd, has urged small and upcoming business owners to utilise social media platforms to grow their businesses.

Ajibade said in Lagos that platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and blogs were ready opportunities for small businesses to leverage on, to thrive.

She stressed that the social media had gone beyond a place where relationships are made, but where businesses could get customers.

The entrepreneur added that many businesses have been dying, partly due to lack of funds and marketing innovations.

She said: “There’s a lot of competition in the business world that only the smart can survive. ``No matter the venture you go into, you already have those who are doing the same business, be it make-up artistry, fashion designing and catering,

for instance. ``So one of the ways by which they can stand out amidst competitors is to advertise on blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others. ``The platforms give you an opportunity to post the pictures of your events, goods and services.There are even blogs where people compare prices of similar businesses, so one can get enlisted there.”

Ajibade also emphasised the need to employ registered and experienced social media marketing companies, to take up the job of digital marketing for their businesses.

She said that experienced digital marketers could help promote their businesses by opening them up to grants, because banks or international organisations could locate them easily to give them loans.

Ajibade also told NAN that her company recently held the New Media Conference, to enlighten companies and individuals on the need to embrace the new media, to promote

their businesses and how to go about it.

She said that social media could spur SMEs to improve on their packaging and branding, to encourage the growth of corporate social responsibility and corporate governance with healthy business practices.

Ajibade

46

Thursday, June 11, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Odusile pledges special salary structure for journalists

C

ontestant for the post of National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Abdulwahid Odusile, has pledged to ensure special salary structure for journalists in the country, if elected.

Odusile gave the pledge in Birnin Kebbi when he addressed member of the union in continuation of his campaign tour of the country.

He decried the poor salary earned

by professional journalists and pledged to sponsor a bill to compel government and private media proprietors to pay adequate remunerations to them.

“The founding fathers of our independence from colonial rule were renowned journalists and I would ensure that the dignity of the journalists was restored and for journalists to be in the forefront of national development,” he said.

He pledged to establish a radio sta-

Reporter burnt alive over Facebook posts

I

ndian journalist was allegedly doused with gasoline and set alight by police officers after posting allegations of corruption against a local politician, according to IBN Live.

Shahjahanpur-based journalist Jagendra Singh had posted on Facebook and written about Samajwadi Party MLA Ram Murti Verma, whom Singh said was ordering illegal mining operations and was backing forced land occupations.

“The inspector and others barged into the room and poured petrol on him and set him ablaze,” his wife said, claiming that he had been attacked after making previous allegations and police did not act on his assault complaint.

Verma, who is a cabinet minister on Uttar Pradesh’s legislative assembly, was arrested along with five others in connection with the death of Singh, who succumbed to his injuries in a nearby hospital Monday.

However, IBN Live reports that police officers in Shahjahanpur allege Singh set himself alight.

“There was a case against Jagendra Singh. We tried to arrest him but he committed suicide,” a spokesperson told IBN Live without specifying what the case was.

According to The Independent,

Singh ran a local online newspaper and also published short reports on his two Facebook account. One account was in his name while one was entitled “Shahjahanpur Samachar,” which is Hindu for ”Shahjahanpur News.”

Strongly condemning the murder of a journalist who was allegedly burnt alive at Shahjehanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Press Council of India Chairman C K Prasad on Wednesday said it was an attack on freedom of press and demanded an SIT probe into the incident.

“The murder of a journalist at Shahjehanpur in UP is certainly an attack on the freedom of the press and as such it should be treated seriously. The state government should appoint a Special Investigative Team consisting of officers of impeccable character and track record to get to the truth of the matter as it allegedly involves a minister of the state Cabinet,” the PCI Chairman said at a press conference here.

Prasad also announced that the Press Council of India (PCI) would appoint a fact-finding committee which would visit the place of the incident and submit its report on the basis of which the Council would take appropriate action.

tion to be run by the union, ``sanitise’’ the social media and eradicate quacks from the profession.

Meanwhile, a contestant for the post of National Financial Secretary, Adeleye Ajayi, appealed to NUJ members in Kebbi to elect him to enhance accountability in the running of the union and financial uplift of members.

Ajayi, an Assistant Editor-in-Chief with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) pledged to establish linkages with financial institutions to draw up a financial-support programme for members.

The NUJ triennial national delegates’ conference has been scheduled for July 24 to July 26 this year, in Abuja.

NUJ President, Mallam Mohammed Garba

Media Abroad

London NUJ plans to down tool

M

embers of the National Union of Journalists in south London are planning to go on strike for 12 days from next Monday (15 June) followed by a work to rule.

NUJ leaders have called the industrial action at titles published by Newsquest/ Gannett following the company’s decision to cut staff. The journalists are also protesting about staffing levels and low pay.

Last month, Newsquest announced restructure plans that involve an unspecified number of redundancies. It is one of the Britain’s largest regional newspaper publishers, with more than 200 titles, and is ultimately owned by the US company, Gannett.

A spokesman for the NUJ chapel said: “We have a very strong mandate for action from our members. We would prefer not to have to take strike action, but the management’s decision has given us no option. We care about our readers and the communities we serve.

Further cuts to staff will have an effect on the quality of the newspapers we produce and will add to the already-low morale among poorly-paid staff. The union remains willing to seek a resolution to the dispute with management”.

According to a statement on the NUJ website, staff are said to be “particularly aggrieved” because Gannett pays its chief executive, Gracia Martore, £7.5m but is “reluctant” to award its UK staff “the most modest of pay increases”.

The newspapers affected by the proposed cuts include the Guardian titles in Croydon, Sutton, Epsom, Wimbledon, Wandsworth, Balham & Tooting, Mitcham & Morden and Kingston plus the Surrey Comet and the Richmond & Twickenham Times.

The company’s plan is to merge the south west and south east London editorial departments, with some reporters being required to work remotely.

Michelle Stanistreet, the NUJ general secretary, has written to culture secretary John Whittingdale to draw his attention to threats of redundancies at several regional groups, including Newsquest and Trinity Mirror.

The union’s national organiser, Laura Davison, spoke earlier this week about “the attrition of cuts upon cuts” at Newsquest and protested at “the lack of investment in the newspapers and websites which have led to high workloads and stress”.

Source: theguardian

No TV black out after 17 June deadline –South Africa

Faith Muthambi

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ommunications Minister Faith Muthambi has assured the country that there will be no television “black out” beyond the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) deadline of 17 June 2015 to switch from ana-

logue to digital broadcasting.

“While we are not going to meet the ITU deadline, we need to assure the nation that there will never be a black out after the 17 June deadline. However, we will no longer be protected from radio frequency spectrum interference,” said the Minister.

Over 156 countries signed an ITU agreement in 2006, to switch from analogue to digital transmission. The agreement set up a frequency plan for Europe, Africa and parts of Asia. All signatories committed to switch off analogue transmission by 2015.

The consequence for country’s who do not switch from analogue to digital signal is that they will not be protected against interference after the June deadline.

The Minister said government was not folding its arms regarding the process.

“We have already initiated a process of signing bilateral engagements with our neighbouring countries... we have already

signed agreements of cooperation in mitigating cross border radio frequency spectrum interference,” she said.

Minister Muthambi, who was speaking at a New Age business briefing in Fourways, Johannesburg, said government has prioritised communities along the borders of the country for the distribution of set-top-boxes in order to mitigate any potential frequency spectrum interferences.

“We anticipate to expedite the rollout of set-top-boxes to be completed in the coming 18-24 months so that we can switch off analogue signal and begin to realise the benefits of digital dividend to allow for the rollout of wireless broadband services,” she said.

Responding to a question regarding allegations that she unlawfully removed some members of the board of the South African Broadcasting Corpora-

tion (SABC), the Minister said the claims were “mischievous”.

“I want to state it upfront that I did not remove anyone on the SABC board. I also want to inform the nation that there is no crisis with the SABC board.”

She said as the Minister, she was the sole shareholder as prescribed by the Broadcasting Act No. 4 of 1999 as amended.

“I do not and will not interfere with SABC board operations and it is imperative to indicate that I do not micro-manage the SABC, but I only ratify lawful decisions taken by the board.

“The removal of members by the SABC board was in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act No. 71 of 2008, which is the governing legislation applied in conjunction with the Memorandum of Incorporation,” she said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, June 11, 2015

B Shoppers’ S

Shoppers complain of hike in prices

S

... As fuel scarcity persists

D

Guide

hoppers in Lagos and its neighbouring states that usually thronged the popular Balogun and other markets around Broad Street, Lagos, for the purpose of getting quality products at moderate prices from the markets are currently being disappointed by what they are seeing at the market.

A survey by BSD gathered that things have changed in the markets as shoppers now lament high prices of goods, which they attributed to the current scarcity and increase in the pump price of fuel.

Mrs. Ronke Odumodu, a hairdresser, who was cornered by our reporter at the market, told BSD that prices of goods especially hair accessories have gone up. “The hair attachment that I used to buy for N300 is now N450 and by the time I add transportation cost, the price would have gone further up.

She said the hike might be due to fuel scarcity and the hike in pump price of petrol around the country.

Odumodu called on the government to act fast, so that Nigerians will not continue to be lacking in what is available in the country. “I prefer coming to shop for my wares

Buying and selling at Balogun market

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

here whenever I want to stock my shop because as a retailer I can get the best price in this market, but with the situation of things, I will have to look for an alternative,’’ she said.

For Madam Mojisola Aluko, the hike in the price of petrol has really make things difficult for traders. She said prices had gone up to the extent that the money she used to bring to the market cannot get the amount of goods she used to buy before whenever she comes to the

market.

“But I cannot blame them, the price has gone up from where they get their goods from and by the time it got to us, it would have doubled. Also when it gets to our shops, the price would have gone up too.”

While noting that she understood that many factors led to price hike, she appealed to traders to sell at reasonable and moderate prices considering middle traders and the end users.

However, some traders

that spoke with BSD also confirmed that price of goods had really gone up.

They said it was due to the fuel scarcity in the country for some time now.

Mr. John Ekene, a trader at Mandilas said apart from the exchange rate that fluctuates, fuel price hike and scarcity contributed to increase in price of goods.

Ekene who trade in shirts, ties and trousers told BSD that due to price hike, sales has dropped because customers that comes to the market has

reduced drastically.

He appealed to the new government to look into the issue of fuel and electricity urgently because no business can do without the two, “for example my shop need to be well illuminated for customers to see my goods and when there is no electricity, I have to use generator, but with the scarcity of petrol and hike in price, it has not been easy.

Another trader, Bisi Olaniyi, the exchange rate of the naira to other currencies has been very

fusing for most buyers, but this will depend on a lot of things.

At Broad Street, Marina Lagos, a fashion expert and CEO of Lencarl

Fashion, Caroline Chiji, told BSD that choosing the right clothe depend on the occasion the dress is meant for.

If the clothe you want

to buy is a gown, she said there are those meant for office and those for dinner.

“You cannot wear what is meant for dinner to office because you will look stu-

pid in it. If you are considering a dinner gown, it should either be a short gown or a very long gown.

But for office, you need something corporate, not sexy or casual”, she said.

Again you have to consider the colors, explained Caroline, adding that the colours have to rhyme with the season, the occasion and your entire outfit. “Colours also depend on your skin tone and your personality. The summer season colours now are; ethereal Aquamarine, can be paired with Glacier Gray; Scuba Blue, can be paired with Classic Blue and Lucite Green; Lucite Green, can be paired with Classic Blue and Scuba Blue; Toasted Almond, white, green and white, yellow.

Black has always been there,” she added.

For ladies that wants

Making the right choice of clothes M aking the right choice from the varieties of beautiful female clothes displayed in shops and on the street can be very con-

Ladies skirts

47

high, adding that this led to high prices of goods especially imported goods.

Although, he attributed price increase to many other factors which include cost of transportation due to fuel price hike.

Olaniyi appealed to customers and retailers to bear with the situation for some time as according to her, ‘’things will change soon as the new government has promised to tackle the problems of electricity and fuel.

- Saidat Alausa

to know what’s in vogue, Caroline says that fashion has gone back to the sixties. She said it’s now gowns that have balloon hands that are in vogue, block heel shoes, wedges, and pencil heels with pick toes are also in vogue.

For those who keep wearing suits even in very hot weather, Caroline explained that there is now a better alternative.

“People don’t wear suits nowadays; they wear Jackets in place of suits. Jackets are lighter, and you can wear it with a whole lot of things unlike suits that you have to wear with its own skirt or trouser. All of these are available at Lencarl Fashion, be it London, Turkey or America”, Caroline added.

-Franka Osakwe

48

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, June 11, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NSE building

Making money through Stock Exchange on Broad Street

T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is located on Broad Street, Lagos, but not many people know, including those selling or buying goods and services in Broad Street.

The NSE hasn’t exactly sizzled of late.

A domestic banking crisis slashed the index by 60 per cent from its record high in 2008.

A stock is a unit of a share of a company that is traded on the floor of the NSE (It is also often referred to as a share).

The potential of investment in stocks is enormous. “A 60 per cent drop is an indication that it’s an opportunity to invest, “Mrs Sadiat Kazeem, an insurance broker recently analysed the opportunities in the Nigerian capital market.

Though she was one of the investors that lost money in the capital market during the downturn, she said there is 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 yield in one year? But I believe in the capital market because I have gained double of my investments before the crash,” she said.

Not many are aware of the opportunities in the capital market. Mrs. Florence David, a clothes dealer at Broad Street said.

She added that she does not know that

IF I KEEP THE MONEY IN TTHE BANK, HOW MUCH WOULD IT YIEL YIELD IN ONE

YEAR?

BUT I BELIEVE IN TH THE CAPITAL MARKET BECAUSE I HAVE GAINED

DOUBLE OF MY INVESTMEN INVESTMENTS BEFORE THE CRASH 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 the 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 Registrar of a company at the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, you typically say your authorised share capital is N1million made up of one million ordinary shares of N1 each. This means your initial capital 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 Nigeria Stock Exchange, 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.

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 sale by its owners. Therefore if only five million of those shares are regularly traded, then the maximum you and any other willing buyer can buy is five million.

-Johnson Okanlawon

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Thursday, June 11, 2015

49

Okowa accused of plot to make DESOPADEC a ministry

...Isoko wants agency restructured Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI

I

tsekiris in Delta State have accused the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa of plotting to transform the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, into a ministry in the state, saying such move would negate the purpose of the interventionist agency for oil bearing communities in the state.

This is even as communities under Isoko Oil and Gas Producing Communities Development Forum, ISOGAF, urged the just inaugurated 6th Delta State House of Assembly, DTHA, to commence public hearing on the bill seeking to reshape the Delta State Oil Producing Development Commission, DESOPADEC, into five ethnic nationalities agencies.

The Itsekiris spoke through Association for the Promotion of Peace and Development in Itsekiri Oil and Gas Communities, APPDIOGCOM. In statement signed by its chairman, Princess Grace Fregene and made available to National Mirror in Warri, Wednesday, APPDIOGCOM said:

“We strongly believe from reliable government contacts that Governor Okowa has vowed to turn DESOPADEC into a ministry in the state.

“We don’t want DESOPADEC as a ministry. All that is needed is for government to ensure that the money accrued to the commission finds meaningful expression in the lives of the poverty stricken people in the grassroots of the oil communities.”

There were speculations in the state that Okowa was not in support of the bill proposed by former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to restructure the organisation which has already undergone second reading in the floor of the 5th assembly.

However, ISOGAF in a statement signed by Chief Godday Ogagarojor, appealed to the new assembly to expedite action on the bill stressing that DESOPADEC genuinely needs restructuring to meet the yearnings of oil producing communities in the state.

It observed that the widespread condemnation that trailed the bill was as a result of lack of awareness by stakeholders before it passed through first and second readings on the floor of the state assembly.

I’ll end multiple taxation in Rivers, says Wike Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

R

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that his administration will end the problem of multiple taxation in the state.

He said such a move would help jump-start the state’s economy for the benefit of the people.

Addressing the Rivers State business community at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Wike said that his administration will create the right environment for businesses to thrive in order to create employment.

He said: “Multiple taxation will no longer exist when this administration settles down. We will work with the local government councils to streamline taxes, so that businesses will not pay a tax in the one local gov-

ernment and replicate same in another local government area.”

The governor said he will set in motion the required legal and administrative framework to ensure the speedy issuance of Certificates of Occupancy to create avenues for the private sector to have easier access to funds from financial institutions.

“We will create avenues for businesses to access finances for increased investment in the state. My administration will cooperate with the organised private sector to reduce unemployment.

“As such, we shall interface on a quarterly basis with the business community to improve the economy of the state,” Wike added.

The governor further said he will fight crime in all parts of the state to ensure that all communities are safe for businesses to invest.

L-R: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; Speaker, House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Edoror and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Bright Osayande, during a visit to the governor after proclamation of the 7th House of Assembly in Benin City, recently.

Cross River, Ebonyi to end land disputes Richard Ndoma CALABAR

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ross River State Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu and his Ebony State counterpart, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, have resolved to put an end to the boundary dispute between Adadama and Amagwu communities both in Cross River and Ebony States which had in the past claimed several lives.

The resolution was reached at the maiden meeting of the two state governments presided over by the two deputy governors on Tuesady in Calabar, Cross

A

n Abuja Federal High Court on Wednesday dismissed a 42-count-charge of N19.2 billion fraud brought against ex-Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The anti-graft agency had joined Sylva, Francis Okokuro, Gbenga Balogun, Samuel Ogbuku, Marlyn Maritime Limited, Eat catering Services Limited and Haloween Blue Construction and Logistics Limited as co-defendants in the suit.

Delivering ruling on the matter, the trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, dismissed the suit on the ground that the prosecution breached court process in its case against Sylva and the co-accused.

River State.

Welcoming his Ebonyi State counterpart, whom he described as energetic and vibrant, Esu stated that the meeting is for them to be properly briefed on the lingering skirmishes by all the parties involved with a view to permanently resolve them.

Esu remarked that the administration of Senator Ben Ayade, is poised to reduce if not completely eradicate poverty and sufferings in the rural areas, hence, there is need to ensure that the people live in peace and harmony, even with their neighbours at all times.

Esu who is a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, maintained that no meaningful development can take place in a turbulent environment devoid of peace. He pledged the administration’s commitment to do everything possible to engender the necessary peace.

Esu commended his Ebonyi State counterpart for prompt response to the meeting which he noted, shows how committed he is to speedily bring the matter to a logical conclusion for the benefits of the two states.

Responding, Ebonyi State

Deputy Governor, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, said they were in hurry to fast -track the resolution process of the crisis between the affected communities of Adadama and Amagwu in Cross River and Ebonyi States.

Igwe disclosed that apart been briefed by the parties concerned, the meeting will also take far reaching decision that will bring about a lasting peace and social stability between the two states Igwe opined that a synergy between the two states will provide a harmonious roadmap for inter-regional development, enviable of other states.

Mohammed held that the prosecution had filed a similar suit against the accused before Justice Evoh Chukwu at the Federal High Court, Abuja, which breached court process.

He said that while the suit before him was ready for ruling and having heard the submission of parties’ counsel, the prosecution hurriedly went to withdraw the suit before Justice Chukwu.

The judge said that the prosecution again rushed to his court, in clear breach of court process, seeking to consolidate the two suits in his court.

According to him, it is the duty of the court to protect the judiciary from abuse of process as exemplified in the prosecution’s handling of the case.

“The charges against the accused persons are struck out and the suit is hereby dismissed accordingly,’’ he said.

Sylva and the co-accused were arraigned on offences bordering on money laundering, conspiracy and stealing of money belonging to the Bayelsa Government when Sylva was governor.

Sylva was also accused of fraudulently conniving with the co-accused to move

N19.2 billion from the treasury of Bayelsa State Government between 2009 and 2012, under false pretense of using the withdrawn money to augment salaries of the state government workers.

A fresh application filed

by EFCC, however, stalled ruling on Monday on two pending applications in the suit.

Justice Mohammed said EFCC’s lawyer’s letter stated that the DPP withdrew prosecution in Justice Chukwu’s court in order to consolidate the charge with the pending charge before him.

Alleged N19.2bn fraud: Court dismisses suit against Sylva

50

North

Thursday, June 11, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kwara, Lagos APC at loggerheads over Senate Presidency WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

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attle line may have been drawn between Kwara and Lagos chapters of All Progressives Congress, APC, over the outcome of leadership election in the National Assembly that produced Bukola Saraki as Senate President.

The Kwara chapter, ap-

parently reacting to the position of Lagos State, cautioned the latter thus: “Lagos State chapter of the party must (stop) making uninformed and unguarded comments on the emergence of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.”

Sulyman Buhari, Kwara Publicity Secre-

Clinton donates 70 tricycle ambulances to Kaduna A ZA MSUE KADUNA

K

aduna State government yesterday received 70 tricycle ambulances donated by former United States of America President, Bill Clinton, under the Clinton Health Access Initiative Foundation to the state.

Governor Nasir el-Rufai, while receiving the ambulances at Government House, Kaduna, said he was happy over the foundation’s intervention in the state’s health sector.

El-Rufai, while lamenting that the state was the third with highest health risk cases, appealed for more assistance from the former US President.

The governor solicited additional 300 of such tricycle ambulances from the former US President to be distributed to the various wards in the state.

According to him, the state is second with the highest incidence of HIV/ AIDS cases in the country.

El-Rufai attributed the alarming rate of the dreaded disease (HIV) to the 16 years misrule of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP administration in the state which neglected the sector.

He said the All Progressives Congress, APC administration in the state was determined to reverse the ugly trend, and urged the organisation to do more for the state, which he said was in dire need of finance.

Marwa, supporters return to APC

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arely a week after former military governor of Lagos State, Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the exNigerian envoy to South Africa yesterday rejoined the All Progressives Congress, APC, with thousands of his supporters in Adamawa State.

This is contained in a statement issued in Yola, Adamawa State, by Gen. Marwa’s media aide, Bello Zubairu, who said “the decision to return to APC was jointly reached at a well-attended meeting yesterday (June 10), between Gen. Marwa and his supporters under the aegis of The Marwa Organisation, TMO.” The former military governor of Borno and Lagos states reminded the gathering that they had no reason to leave APC before, but for the fact that thousands of TMO mem-

bers were denied registration into APC in Adamawa State when the party was newly formed.

It would be recalled that before the emergence of APC, Marwa was the governorship candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC in Adamawa, and after the merger of CPC and other opposition parties to form APC, thousands of his supporters from several local government areas in Adamawa State were technically denied the opportunity to register in the new party then.

He said: “All efforts to seek redress through the appropriate channels were to no avail, thus leaving thousands of you, TMO members without a party.”

He urged them to forgo their grievances and let bygones be bygones, stressing that “with President Muhammadu Buhari in the saddle, such impunity won’t happen again.”

tary of APC, in a statement yesterday evening said “the call by Lagos APC on the leadership of APC to punish the new Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives is uninformed and unfortunate.”

He added, “It is quite unfortunate that Lagos APC recommended disciplinary action against the Senate President and the Honourable Speaker without citing a provision of APC constitution that has been contravened by these distinguished Nigerians and committed

party leaders.

“We advise the spokesman of Lagos APC to allow his comments to be guided by the law and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria rather than by emotion and sentiment.

“And for the information of Nigerians, the spokesman of Lagos APC is on his own as we can authoritatively confirm that his sentiments and vituperation are not reflective of the position of Lagos APC on the inauguration of 8th National Assembly.

“The good news is that in Nigeria today, the Senate President and the Speaker of House of Representatives are members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.

“It is expected that all leaders and members of our party support the duo of Senate President Saraki and Speaker Dogara to foster cordial relationship between the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and National Assembly, rather than an inordinate attempt to cause

crises and instability.

“Meanwhile, it is a misrepresentation of fact and truth that the ascension of Senator Saraki as the Senate President was a PDP affair. The few Nigerians who have been portraying the emergence of the new Senate President as a PDP affair should be cautious. The actual fact, which nobody or propaganda can hide, is that Senator Saraki emerged Senate President with the support of Senators across political parties,”, the statement concluded.

Kogi State Governor Idris Wada i(with mic) naugurating the free distribution of two new maize varieties to farmers in Lokoja, yesterday. Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Zacheus Atte (left) and Chairman, board of State Agricultural Development Project, Mr. Simon Maha (right) and Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Ali Ajuh.

PHOTO: NAN

Lalong sacks Jang’s appointees JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

P

lateau State governor, Simon Lalong, has approved the immediate dissolution of all political appointments of the immediate past administration led by Jonah Jang.

A statement signed by Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr Emmanuel Nanle, yesterday quoted Secretary to the State Government, Rufus Bature, as stating that those affected by the dissolution include all chief executives, chairmen and members of com-

missions, boards and agencies, whose appointments are political in nature, except tenured statutory boards.

The statement further directed all affected appointees to hand over all affairs of their agencies, including government properties in

their possession immediately to the most senior officer.

The statement also said the governor thanked all the affected appointees for their contributions while in service and wished them success in their future endeavours.

B’Haram: We are committed to rules of engagement –Minimah

C

hief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Kenneth Minimah, has restated the army’s commitment to rules of engagement in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram insurgents.

Minimah spoke with newsmen yesterday at the setting up of Command and Control Centre as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari in Yola.

“We have always operated within the rules of engagement. We have our rules of engagement for Operation Zaman Lafiya, which every soldier has.

“And from time to time, we enforce it to ensure that the rules of engagement are executed within the confines of its provision,” he said.

Minimah said the military was operating in

synergy with its counterparts in neighbouring countries in the fight against Boko Haram.

“I am in Yola as part of process of establishing the military Command and Control Centre.

“We need to have two centres; one in Maiduguri for 7 Division and one in Yola for 3 Division,’’ Minimah said.

He assured Nigerians

of the armed forces’ commitment to containing the insurgency.

“I want to rekindle the hope and expectations of Nigerians in the Nigerian Army, and indeed, the armed forces of our capacity to dwindling the aspiration of the insurgency and make the war favourable to Federal Government of Nigeria.’’

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North 51

Thursday, June 11, 2015

I may probe Shema’s administration if…

JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

A

ll Progressives Congress, APC, government in Katsina State has said it may probe the immediate past administration of Governor Ibrahim Shema.

Shema, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governed the state between 2007 and May 29 this year.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari stated that his administration would probe the immediate past administration, if not satisfied with explanations contained in the handover notes available to it.

Masari, however, said the state government had no deliberate plan to probe, but would do so if not “fully satisfied with the explanations we are given.”

He was speaking yesterday when national leadership of the old boys association of his old school, Government College Funtua, FOBA, paid him a solidarity visit.

He said the people of the state had the right to know

how their commonwealth was appropriated in view of the controversial and opaque manner government business was conducted.

He lamented the level of rot that had affected all sectors of the state’s economy, and that the situation had made it necessary to go allout to seek solution to the problems and reverse the decay.

He reiterated his determination to make resuscitation of the education sector a priority, and that the state had no option other than to frontally attack causes of what had brought the sector to its present state.

Masari lamented that the state had in the last decade, consistently remained among the three worst performing states in WAEC and NECO examinations.

“We must not waste time on lamentation on the collapse of the education sector. Our focus should be geared towards addressing the problem.

“If it means spending all our resources to regain the lost glory of our state, we will do it because the cur-

Miners rue abuse of expatriate quota OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

N

igerian Union of Mine Workers, NUMW, yesterday lamented what they described as a clear abuse of expatriate quota by employers in the nation’s mining sector.

According to the union, foreigners have now taken over jobs, especially unskilled ones, which by law, should be the exclusive preserve of Nigerians, urging the Federal Government to scale up efforts at halting the trend.

Deputy President of the Union, Comrade Hamza Muhammed and General Secretary, Comrade Abubakar Sulaiman, stated this at the 5th National Delegates Conference of the union in Abuja.

The union specifically urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to accord more than a passing interest to happenings in the sector, saying mining has the capacity to stem Nigeria’s employment deficit.

They also urged the presi-

dent to involve the union in the development of policies for the nation’s mines and steel sector.

The workers however, regretted the uncooperative attitude of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development towards the activities of the union.

They specifically accused the immediate past leadership of the ministry of not extending the necessary cooperation and support to the union, especially with regards to drafting of policies.

The union also urged the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to stop other industrial unions from poaching her members.

“Since our jurisdictional scope as entrenched in the Trade Union Act has not been amended, despite several trade union amendment, we therefore, call the Registrar of Trade Union and the Nigeria Labour Congress to ask industrial unions that are covering workers in the quarries to stop forthwith because their action is illegal and a violation of the law,” the union asserted.

rent situation is so pathetic for a state that was home to the first middle school in the northern part of the country.”

He added that the state was “noted for its intellectual prowess which saw it producing presidents, In-

spectors General of Police, military generals, Chief Justice of Nigeria, President of the Court of Appeal, Speaker of the House of Representatives and captains of industry, among leading public and private office holders in the coun-

try.”

He called on the alumni association to team up with government to rescue the education sector, assuring that his administration would support any organisation that shares the same vision for moving the

state forward.

National chairman of the association, Col Abdulmumin Aminu (rtd), said Masari’s emergence as governor was a blessing to the state because of his sterling performance in places he had previously worked.

L-R: Acting Secretary to Gombe State Government, Mr. James Pisaghi; Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo and immediate past Speaker, House of Assembly, Alhaji Inuwa Garba, inaugurating the Inuwa Orphanage Foundation in Gombe, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

NEMA takes over feeding of Borno IDPs GLORIA USMAN ABUJA

F

ederal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has taken over full responsibility for provision of foodstuffs to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Maiduguri, Borno State.

This is part of its determination to improve the welfare of people displaced by insurgency, who are sheltered in 22 locations and those staying in host communities.

A statement by the agency’s Press Officer,

Manzo Ezekiel, stated that the decision was taken after a meeting between a delegation of NEMA top officials assigned by Director General, Muhammad Sani Sidi, to assess the situation in the camps in Maiduguri with Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Zanna Mustapha; Chairman of State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Grema Terab, and other stakeholders aimed at improving the welfare of IDPs. Before now, Borno State Government augmented the supply of foodstuffs

by NEMA, but the state government made an appeal to the Federal Government through NEMA to take full responsibility for the feeding of the IDPs. However, when NEMA team with Borno State officials visited the camps to assess the situation, it was discovered that the problem was not due to shortage of foodstuffs, but the management of the camp.

“It was therefore agreed that the responsibilities be shared between the Federal Government and the Borno State

Government,with NEMA taking full responsibility for the provision of the foodstuffs to relief the state government of the burden.

However, the state government would now provide the cooking utensils, condiments, fire woods, cooks and other facilities including the sanitation as well as avail more camp sites for the swelling population of those desperately in need of temporary shelters and care.

More toilet facilities will also be provided by the state government for the IDPs.

Ogogoro business booms in Benue despite ban -Investigation

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raders of locally brewed spirits (Ogogoro) are recording a boom in business in Makurdi in spite of ban by the Federal Government, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government banned the sale of local gin sequel to deaths recorded from its consumption in Rivers and Ondo states, respectively.

A check conducted by

NAN revealed that the product was being sold on the streets, bars and motorparks within Makurdi metropolis.

The increased demand for Ogogoro was attributed to the prevailing cold weather in the state.

A cross section of the traders said the embargo placed on the sale of the product was abrupt and calculated to drive them out of business.

Some of them said ending

the sale of the Ogogoro without plans to empower those in the business was unfair.

They also claimed the business was booming at the moment because of increased demand.

A producer of the gin at High-Level motor park, Mr John Paul, said he inherited the business from his mother and was lucrative.

“If I am asked to stop this business now, I will be jobless.

“I don’t want to kill people

with the drink, but government will have to find us something else to do,’’ he said.

Mrs Ngozi Okolue, another trader behind the New Modern Market, said she still had costumers coming for the drink in spite of the concerns raised about the product.

“If consumers stop coming and if government forced me out of the business, I will surely become jobless,’’ she said.

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Thursday, June 11, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News Ultimately, I think to deal with Putin you need to deal from strength - he’s a bully and ... you enable bad behaviour when you’re nuanced with a guy like that.

–Former Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush

African leaders sign 26-nation free trade deal Paul Arhewe

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

A

frican leaders signed yesterday a 26-nation free trade pact to create a common market that would span half the continent from Cairo to Cape Town.

The Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) deal, which must still be fine-tuned and ratified, caps five years of talks to set up a framework for preferential tariffs to ease the movement of goods in an area home to 625 million people.

Analysts say it could have an enormous impact on African economies, which account for only about two percent of global trade despite strong growth.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan were among those who signed the pact at a summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

But hurdles remain, with the timeline for bringing down trade barriers yet to be worked out and the deal needing ratification in national parliaments within two years.

“What we are doing today represents a very important step in

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

the history of the regional integration of Africa,” Sisi said as he opened the summit.

“We have told the word today... of our desire to adopt practices that are necessary to increase trade among ourselves... We will do whatever is possible to activate this agreement,” he later said, wrapping up the summit.

World Bank President Jim

Yong Kim said that with the launch of the TFTA “Africa has made it clear that it is open for business.”

The deal will integrate three existing trade blocs -- the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) -- whose countries

have a combined gross domestic product of more than $1 trillion (885 billion euros).

“The geographical area covers the Cape (of Good Hope) to Cairo... The agreement paves the way for a continental free trade area that will combine the three biggest regional communities,” Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said.

improve their ability to plan, lead, and conduct operations against ISIL in eastern Anbar under the command of the prime minister,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. The Islamic State extremists have seized sizeable areas of both Syria and Iraq.

The plan is not a change in U.S.

strategy, the administration says, but addresses a need to get Sunnis more involved in the fight, a much-cited weakness in the current mission.

Questions remain about the Shiite-led Iraqi government’s commitment to recruit fighters, especially among Sunni tribesmen, to oust the Islamic State from Rama-

di and Fallujah, a nearby city the militants have held for more than a year.

Up to now, Iraqi officials have chosen to deploy most U.S.-trained Iraqi troops in defensive formations around Baghdad, the capital.

The new training site will be at al-Taqqadum, a desert air base that was a U.S. military hub during the 2003-2011 war. The additional troops will include advisers, trainers, logisticians and security personnel.

There now are nearly 3,100 U.S. troops in Iraq involved in training, advising, security and other support roles. The U.S. also is flying bombing missions as well as aerial reconnaissance and intelligencegathering missions against the Islamic State’s forces, while counting on Iraqi ground troops to retake lost territory.

US to send 450 more troops to train Iraqis

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resident Barack Obama ordered the deployment of up to 450 more U.S. troops to Iraq yesterday to advise and assist local forces in an effort to reverse the recent gains of the Islamic State.

Under the plan, the United States will open a fifth training site in Iraq, with the goal of integrating Iraqi Security Forces and Sunni fighters. The immediate objective is to retake the city of Ramadi, seized by the Islamic State last month.

Obama made the decision at the request of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and based on advice from Pentagon leaders, the White House said. The U.S. troops will not be used in a combat role.

“These new advisers will work to build capacity of Iraqi forces, including local tribal fighters, to

Iraqi Federal Police and Shiite Hezbollah Brigade militiamen

WORLD BULLETIN

Poorest states urge action on climate damage in Paris deal The world’s poorest countries plan to push hard for a new global climate change deal, due in December, to address the losses and damage already being caused by worsening extreme weather and rising seas, which are hitting their people hard.

At U.N. climate talks, Giza Gaspar Martins, an Angolan government official who leads negotiations for the least developed countries, told journalists a science policy review published in Bonn had shown that an internationally agreed goal of limiting global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius “is too dangerous for too many of us”.

Calling for the goal to be revised down to 1.5 degrees, he said “loss and damage” caused by climate change should get its own section in a new agreement rather than being dealt with under a proposed goal on adapting to climate shifts, as some developed countries would prefer.

Armed Ivoriens occupy Liberian forest – Lawmaker Armed men have crossed into Liberia from Ivory Coast and occupied an area of forest, spreading alarm in the remote border region, a lawmaker said yesterday.

The alleged incursion -- which could not immediately be independently verified -- would mark a worrying development in a campaign of violence by militants crossing in the other direction that has displaced thousands and claimed dozens of lives in the border area.

“It is dangerous in the sense that it is about people from another country, Ivory Coast, coming to Liberia,” Marshall Dennis, a senator in the southeastern county of Grand Gedeh, said in parliament.

EU urges action as over 1,000 migrants reach Greece The European Union urged its 28 nations yesterday to swiftly endorse its plan to relocate 40,000 migrants as 1,000 more migrants arrived in Greece in just one day.

The plan to relocate the tens of thousands arriving in Italy and Greece with their EU partners is part of efforts to cope with the massive influx of migrants that has already seen more than 100,000 people cross the Mediterranean into Europe this year. Around 2,000 have died or are missing.

Thursday September 4, 2014

Thursday, June 11, 2015

I will always be available for my country. But it will still be up to the coach to decide

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

53

Sport

Oshoala others sing victory song

55

–Ghana captain, Asamoah Gyan

Joel Ajayi ABUJA

S Enyeama

AFCON qualifier:

uper Eagles’ captain and goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, says the national team will tackle Chad ruthlessly when both sides clash in their Africa Cup of Nations 2017 qualifier in Kaduna on Saturday.

Enyeama told National Mirror yesterday that although there were no minnows in African football anymore, the Eagles would not spare Chad in the encounter.

“For me, I don’t like to hear

Eagles vow to ‘hit Chad hard’

when people say Chad is a small team or small country because the name Super Eagles tend to bring the best out of any team around the world,” the Francebased player said.

“Therefore, we have no reason than to give the match 100 per cent to ensure victory,” he added.

“We have learnt from our mistakes in recent times and will do everything possible to get the maximum points on Saturday.”

Enyeama’s team mate and Germany-based Leon Balogun, concurred.

“I believe the Chadians will come out to play us with vigour and that is why we have to be more focused,” Balogun said.

“We are not going to take anything for granted as to leave anything to chance in this game being the first game in the qualifiers.

“Above all, we need victory in this game to re-assure Nigerians that they can begin to count on us again going forward. I just believe we will not fail because we are ready to go.”

Scandal latest: FIFA shifts 2026 W/Cup bidding R eports yesterday said FIFA has suspended the 2026 World Cup bidding process amid the widening corruption scandal implicating previous bid contests.

The US Department of Jus-

tice is continuing its investigation into worldwide FIFA corruption, while the Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 World Cup bids are both being investigated by Swiss authorities due to rigging allegations.

According to the reports, FIFA plans to write to its 209 member federations this week to explain the bidding timetable and rules for the 2026 World Cup. The 2026 host was expected

to be chosen by the 209 members at their May 2017 meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and potential bidders include the United States, Mexico, Canada, Colombia and countries from Europe.

The South African government has repeatedly insisted that the payment to Concacaf, which specifically instructed that former FIFA vice-president Warner should be the fiduciary, was an “aboveboard” payment for the Af-

rican Diaspora Legacy Programme.

Letters emerged in the media proving Valcke’s knowledge of the payment, despite FIFA’s denial that their secretary general was involved and that it was authorised by

the chairman of the finance committee, the late Julio Grondona.

“It was a request from official South African authorities and SAFA,” Valcke said yesterday, adding, “As long as it is in line with rules, we do it.”

But has confirmed: “Due to the situation at hand, I think it will be nonsense to start any bidding process,” FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, said.

…Defends SAFA’s $10million ‘bribe’

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IFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, has defended the payment of South Africa’s alleged $10million bribe to Jack Warner in exchange for votes towards 2010 World Cup hosting rights.

Blatter

Sports

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Thursday, June 11, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Messi faces court trial Tax evasion:

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rgentina and Barcelona star, Lionel Messi, has moved a step closer to being tried for tax evasion after a Spanish high court rejected his latest appeal yesterday.

Messi and his father Jorge are both accused of defrauding the authorities of more than 4m euros (£3.1m or $5m).

The court ruled that Messi should not be granted impunity for not knowing what was happening with his finances.

The pair, who deny the charges, are alleged to have withheld the money between 2007 and 2009.

The income related to Messi’s image rights, including contracts with Banco Sabadell, Danone, Adidas, Pepsi-Cola, Procter and Gamble, and the Kuwait Food Company.

The footballer and his father are suspected of avoiding paying Spanish tax by using companies in Belize and Uruguay to sell the rights to use Messi’s image.

The high court in Barcelona said yesterday that a decision over whether or not the accused was aware of the fraud scheme should be left for the court hearing.

Messi’s defence argued that the player had “never devoted a minute of his life to reading, studying or analysing” the contracts, according to reports.

It follows a similar ruling from a Spanish judge in October last year, when an appeal by the prosecutor to quash the charges against the star striker was thrown out. They had recommended charges be dropped on the grounds that Messi’s father was responsible for his finances.

Wolves deny Akpeyi’s SA move Paul Erewuba

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remier League side, Warri Wolves, have denied any knowledge of the reported move of its first choice goal goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, to South African ABSA League club Chippa United.

Reports in the local media said the 28-year- old goalkeeper, who was in Nigeria’s silver-winning squad at Holland 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup and Beijing 2008 Olympics, will travel to South Africa at the end of this month to formalise his switch to Chippa.

The Super Eagles reserve goalkeeper put himself on the market window with a penalty save and other daring feats in late March when Nigeria came from a goal down to hold Bafana Bafana to a 1-1 draw at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, South Africa.

But Warri Wolves told National Mirror yesterday that the

player’s move was fraught with irregularities.

“We have heard of the purported movement of Akpeyi to South Africa but we still consider it a rumour,” Team’s Media Officer, Moses Etu, said.

“We do not know anything about it and the said South African club has yet to approach us to that effect.

“If they are interested in Daniel, they know the international rules governing such transfers.

“Wolves will not hold back any player or players who want to move, but it has to be done within the law.”

Wolves Coach, Aigbogun

Messi

Old Lady

move delights

Khedira

N

Khedira

ew Juventus signing Sami Khedira has expressed excitement at joining the Serie A and Coppa Italia champion.

Juve yesterday announced the German midfielder has agreed to a four-year deal in Turin, with his contract at Real Madrid expiring at the end of the month.

“Today (yesterday) was a great day,” Khedira wrote on his Facebook page.

“I am happy and excited to say that I will be playing for Juventus for the next four years.

“Juventus is a wonderful club with a great history. With Juve everything seemed to fall in place.

“My discussions with Coach Massimiliano Allegri and the club were great.

“I’m very happy to play in a team full of champions and with unbelievable fans. It’s a great club with a one of a kind tradition in a very special city!

“I can’t wait to begin this splendid adventure as a player in this club!”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Thursday, June 11, 2015

55

Canada 2015:

Oshoala, others sing victory song Mercy Jacob

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BC Women World player of the year, Asisat Oshoala, and her teammates have promised to win maximum point against Australia when both sides clash in their second Group D game in the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Winnipeg, Canada tomorrow.

Media Officer of the Falcons, Gracious Akujobi, told National Mirror yesterday that the team had put the nail-biting draw against Sweden behind them are were focused for the coming game.

“Morale is high in camp at the moment and the girls believe they

Asisat Oshoala

can do much better when they meet the Aussies,” Akujobi said.

“They know that they need a win this time and the coaching crew have worked hard at achieving that objective.

“I think the most important thing is that is that they are not resting on their oars and are battle ready for Australia.”

The Super Falcons came from two goals down to draw level with the Swedes, only to fall behind once again before leveling up for the second time in the six-goal thriller.

Astonishingly, the Falcons pulled off the feat without any player being substituted in the encounter.

Zenith Bank B’ball: Top teams ride high

T Oginni

NTTF hails Nigerian Juniors

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igeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has expressed delight with the three bronze medals won by the Nigerian team so far at the ongoing Egypt Open.

NTTF President, Wahid Oshodi, said yesterday that the players acquitted themselves against top rated players, even as he blamed their semi final ouster to inexperience.

“They will surely improve as the tournament moves on,” Oshodi said.

“Tournaments like this are very important to enable us test our players against the best

in the world so we have a clear idea of what we need to be doing back home,” he added.

“We will go back home and listen to the coaches who have accompanied the team and continue to work on improving these youngsters.

“Of course, we need to attend more tournaments of this nature and expose our young players very quickly to the rigours of world class tournament play.

“We are on the right track.

I hope the players will sustain their good start and I believe we still have more opportunities to win laurels herein Egypt.”

radition remained unbroken after Day 1 of Phase 2 of the Zenith Bank Female Basketball league holding at the Ilorin Township Stadium.

The top scorer in the first phase in Abuja, Inspector General of Police Queens’ Christina Isaac, who averaged 26.7 points per game, continued from where she left off as she dropped 25 points in the IGP Queens 56-22 point victory against new comer Nasarawa

Amazons in the curtain raiser of the exciting female basketball fiesta.

Defending champion First Bank Basketball Club also had a light walk of Oluyole Babes of Ibadan by 67-23, thanks to 4 time MVP Nkechi Akashili’s 21 points and Lynette Atieno 10 points and 4 rebounds. Last season’s runner up Dolphins Basketball Club of Lagos also beat GT200 of Kaduna 65-26 to maintain its unbeaten streak in 2015.

In other results, former champion First Deepwater needed late 15-0 run in the 3rd quarter to come from behind to defeat Plateau Peaks 39-29 while the Sunshine Angels and AHIP Queens dominated from start to finish in their wins 56-42 and 42-17 over Taraba Hurricanes and Immigration respectively. The Nigerian Customs also beat Coal City Queens 70-7 while Delta Force defeated FCT Angels 72-23.

NOC greets Ogba over award

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resident of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engineer Habu Gumel, has congratulated President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Evangelist Solomon Ogba, on his Honorary Doctorate award by the University of Port Harcourt for his strides in sports development.

Gumel who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee, IOC, also hailed the University of Port Harcourt for its foresight in bestowing the honour on Ogba.

“Ogba is a young man driven by his passion and love for ath-

letics and other sports. He demonstrates it with his personal relationships with the athletes and commits his personal funds to ensure that Nigerian athletes stand on the podium of success,” Gumel remarked.

NOC’s Secretary General, Hon. Tunde Popoola, also described the AFN president as a man of many parts.

“He has an overall knowledge on many sports, including football,” Popoola said.

Ogba will be conferred with the honour at the 30th Convocation of the University of Port Harcourt on Saturday.

Ogba

WORLD RECORD

Largest trick roping loop by a male

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1132 Thursday, June 11, 2015

The largest trick roping male was achieved by Charlie Keyes (USA), who spun loop around him fed to 107 ft 2 in, at Will Rogers International Wild West Expo in Claremore, Oklahoma, USA; 22 April 2006.

War on terror: Amnesty International’s double standard

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n the past one week, national and international media have been awash with the rather curious tale of Amnesty International’s heavy descent on the top brass of our armed forces, accusing them of war crimes and gross violation of the rule of engagement. War crimes! That was a hard blow to a force that has in recent times apparently reversed the course of terror, curtailing its gains and taking the war to the very lair of the Boko Haram goons. Compared to the rather tactically deficient campaigns of the past, the current approach, reinvented, re-strategized and re-directed, has restored the groove to the nation’s armed forces, making even their most vociferous critics doff their hats.

The recent renewed attacks in Adamawa and Borno states notwithstanding, the devastating blows the

T

here are indications that Tiger Woods cannot contend at the US Open as pundits feel his career has reached an alltime low.

Woods carded an embarrassing 13-over round of 85 last weekend at Memorial and finished the tournament in last place on a 14-over-par

Guest Columnist

Sola S l

Ojewusi

Boko Haram brigands have suffered are glaring indeed. Even the international media that had in the recent past turned the Nigeria forces to the butt of jokes for the seeming tactlessness in the war on terror is now celebrating the gains of the Nigerian forces in this terrible insurgency. For AI to now come with what many consider to be a below-the-belt punch is to say the least a very daunting blow to the morale of the forces.

The question is, why this dampener in the season of victory? Does AI have an agenda beyond its statutes? My take on this issue is that while one must concede to the need to apply checks and balances in the highly volatile quest to cage terror, the apparent double standard in AI’s handling of developing world and the super powers leaves much to be desired.

Sometimes, AI’s overzealous approach to its conscience-of-the-world mantra has made it an unwitting promoter of the terrorists’ agenda even in its effort to draw the line between the administration of justice and the upholding of human rights. Consider the current terrorist scenario in Nigeria.

By making it look as if Boko Haram is the aggrieved rather than the aggressor, AI has inadvertently lent a voice to the cause of these goons. It is sad that AI has never really come out with equal passion and vigor to condemn the gross, dastardly murders being committed daily by the Boko Haram terrorists. To me, the thieves are being pampered, some

AI MUST UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMICS OF TERROR ENGAGEMENT.

SOMETIMES, THE BIG STICK IS NOT ENOUGH would say vindicated, and the landlord castigated, in the bizarre dialectics of AI’s humanitarian absurdity.

To me, AI has often overlooked the difficulty of the prosecution of the kind of battle the Nigerian armed forces are confronting. The egg heads at AI have probably forgotten or chosen to ignore the fact that this war is not the conventional, run-of-the-mill battles our soldiers are familiar with. In confronting a deadly, ready-to-die enemy, the armed forces are faced daily by gross dilemmas of choice and the balance of action.

How do you solve a problem like Boko Haram? Pamper them? Handle them with kid gloves? Or meet terror with terror in order to subdue and stamp out terror? How do you confront an enemy who is ready to die anyway and will never yield to any peace overtures because of rabid fanaticism? That is the tragic dilemma of our armed forces, who risk their lives daily to defend our freedom.

So when someone now comes up with crass insinuations that in fighting terror, the patriotic fighters went too far and committed crimes, the temptations

are immense indeed, the frustration legion.

Say what you will, the Boko Haram brigands are not true soldiers or warriors in the true sense of soldiering.

They are not soldiers who believe in the rule of engagement. They have no qualms about sending underage girls and boys, even children on suicide missions. They have no qualms about kidnapping schoolgirls, raping them and coveting them as wives against their will. These are fanatics whose mentality is destruction, maximum destruction for maximum effect.

AI must understand the dynamics of terror engagement. Sometimes, the big stick is not enough. You need the sledgehammer. This much America learnt after the harsh realities of 9/11 that hurt America to its very soul. This brazen act forced America back to the drawing board. It became a unique battle requiring unique, howbeit sometimes extreme measures. The many measures adopted by the Americans in dealing with this intractable foe including the infamous water boarding torture technique and the atrocious treatment of Guantanamo Bay terror detainees would make saints of the Nigerian Armed forces.

But one never heard AI calling for the prosecution of American generals. AI’s response was at best a whimper, a great departure from its often vociferous harangues when “third world countries” are concerned.

Why the double standard? Is it the case of some animals being more equal than the others, apology to Orwell? In a war that has destroyed thousands of innocent, promising lives; in this madness that has destroyed women and children, budding, full of life, and made widows and orphans of many, giving a curious voice and vindication to the perpetrators of evil is a crime in itself; it is intellectual terrorism pure and simple.

Ojewusi wrote via solaojewusi@yahoo.com

Sport Extra

Golf: ‘Woods’ career going down the drain’ total 302, eight shots adrift of the next worst finisher.

The former world number one now totters at 181st in the Official World Golf Ranking, and 196th in the 2015 FedEx Cup standings, and the pundits feel it is easily the low point of what has been a glittering

career.

Respected golf pundits, Rich Beem and Wayne Riley, believe Woods needs to sort issues affecting him away from the course to improve his game.

“Nothing is going right for Tiger and that’s a shame really,” Beem

said yesterday.

“I think his case has become more difficult because the world has changed since he has been away, with other players like Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and other youngsters blossoming,” Riley added.

Woods

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