Thursday, june 4, 2015 (new)

N8bn fraud: Multibillion naira assets traced to CBN, other banks’ officials KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan was yesterday told how three staff of the Central Bank

Emefiele

Vol. 5 3 N0. 1127 657

of Nigeria, CBN, and five staff of a commercial bank acquired assets worth several billions of naira through fraudulent means.

This was disclosed in the course of the N8bn fraud al-

legation against some staff of the CBN - now dismissed - and some deposit money banks’ staff.

The assets said to have been acquired by the accused bank workers both CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirro ronline.net

Thursday, June 4, 2015

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INSIDE

The changing fac es of Lagos Business Distric t

Gbara-Maiye beach adding aesthetics to gun Lagos

‘High cost of shops forced us into street trading’

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>47 >48

Thursday, June July 4, 4, 2015 2013

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Senate makes history, passes 46 bills in 10 mins

...okays Buhari’s request for 15 advisers

GEORGE OJI ABUJA

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he Senate made history yesterday. Less than 48 hours to expiration of their tenure, 46 bills were passed in about 10 minutes.

The 46 bills were passed through a simple majority voice vote.

Efforts by some senators to protest procedure for passage of the bills were rebuffed by Senate President, David Mark, who advised his protesting colleagues to do so through a motion today.

In passing the bills through a motion, the Sen-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Again, Customs beat 8 FAAN staff to coma at Lagos Airport P.8

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) with President Mahamadou Issoufuo of Niger Republic during arrival of President Buhari for bilateral meeting at Niamey International Airport, yesterday.

Nigerian Army capable of routing B’Haram –Buhari

Insurgency: Amnesty accuses top military officers of war crime ...Badeh, Minimah, Ihejirika, others indicted P.4

French couple killed in Ebonyi

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INSIGHT

W iti Waiting endlessly for speed, light rail transportation P.38

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

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Amnesty accuses top military officers of war crime UBONG UKPONG AND INUSA NDAHI,

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mnesty International has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to commence probes into alleged war crimes of the immediate past and present Chiefs of Defence Staff, CDS, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim and Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.

The probe, Amnesty said, should also be extended to the immediate past and present Chiefs of Army Staff, COAS, Lt-Gens. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), and Kenneth Minimah, among others, for possible trials.

The group in its reports accused these ranking military personnel alongside others, of war crimes in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the country.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Amnesty International described as ‘horrific war crimes,’ the alleged murder, starvation, suffocation and torture to death of 8,000 people by the military, superintended by these ranking military officials.

Amnesty International also called on the present administration to ensure the protection of civilians and bring to an end the culture of impunity within the Armed Forces.

The military, including senior military command-

ers, must be investigated for participating in, sanctioning or failing to prevent the deaths of more than 8,000 people murdered, starved, suffocated, and tortured to death, according to a comprehensive report by Amnesty International.

“Based on years of research and analysis of evidence – including leaked military reports and correspondence as well as interviews with more than 400 victims, eyewitnesses and senior members of the Nigerian security forces - the organisation outlines a range of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity committed by the Nigerian military in the course of the fight against Boko Haram in the North East of the country.

“The report, ‘Stars on their shoulders. Blood on their hands: War crimes committed by the Nigerian military,’ reveals that since March 2011, more than 7,000 young men and boys died in military detention and more than 1,200 people unlawfully killed since February 2012.

“Amnesty International provides compelling evidence of the need for an investigation into the individual and command responsibilities of soldiers, and mid-level and seniorlevel military commanders.

“The report outlines the roles and possible criminal responsibilities of those along the chain of com-

mand – up to the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff – and names nine senior Nigerian military figures who should be investigated for command and individual responsibility for the crimes committed.

“This sickening evidence exposes how thousands of young men and boys have been arbitrarily arrested and deliberately killed or left to die in detention in the most horrific conditions.

“It provides strong grounds for investigations into the possible criminal responsibility of members of the military, including those at the highest levels,” said Salil Shetty, Amnesty International’s Secretary

General.

“While an urgent and impartial investigation of these war crimes is vital, this report is not just about the criminal responsibility of individuals. It is also about the responsibility of Nigeria’s leadership to act decisively to end the pervasive culture of impunity within the armed forces.

“Amnesty International is calling on Nigeria to ensure prompt, independent and effective investigations of the following military officers for potential individual or command responsibility for the war crimes of murder, torture and enforced disappearance detailed in this report:

“Maj. Gen. John A.H. Ewansiha, Maj. Gen. Obida T Ethnan, Maj. Gen. Ahmadu Mohammed, Brig. Gen. Austin O. Edokpayi and Brig. Gen. Rufus O. Bamigboye.

“Amnesty International is further calling on Nigeria to ensure prompt, independent and effective investigations of the following highlevel military commanders over their potential command responsibility for crimes committed by their subordinates.

“They would be responsible if they knew or if they should have known about the commission of the war crimes and failed to take adequate action to

prevent them or to ensure the alleged perpetrators are brought to justice: “Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika - Chief of Army Staff (Sept 2010 – Jan 2014), Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim - Chief of Defence Staff (Oct 2012 – Jan 2014), Air Chief Marshal Badeh - Chief of Defence Staff (Jan. 2014 - time of writing), Gen. Ken. Minimah - Chief of Army Staff (Jan. 2014 - time of writing) for mass deaths in custody,” the group said.

Meanwhile, Defence Headquarters, DHQ, yesterday expressed deep anger over the accusation of war crimes against the military and its personnel, describCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

L-R: Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano; Chief Medical Director of Toronto Hospital, Dr. Emeka Eze and other officials, during the vice president’s visit to the scene of petrol tanker accident in Onitsha, yesterday.

Senate makes history, passes 46 bills in 10 mins CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ate suspended all its laws governing the three processes of first, second and third readings.

It is doubtful to what effect the bills would be put, given that there is a new President, who may not be disposed to assenting to them.

It all began when chairman of the Senate Committee on Business and Rules, Eta Inang, moved a motion titled, ‘Adoption of Special Procedure on Bills Transmitted to the Senate from the House of Representatives for Concurrence.’

The motion was co-sponsored by eight other senators.

Moving the motion, Inang noted that the time available for the Senate between then

and the end of the legislative term on or about June 3, 2015 was limited.

He explained that the passage of the bills was predicated on the fact that time and resources had already been expended in processing them and that there is need to pass and forward them for assent.

He stated that by mutual consent and legislative reciprocities, the House of Representatives is adopting same special procedure and passing such bills and transmitting them to her for concurrence.

He urged the Senate to invoke Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Order 2011 as amended to adopt a special procedure on the bills.

The lawmaker also called for the suspension of Order

79 (1) of the Senate Standing Orders and such other orders, and deem all the bills as having passed first, second and third readings on the floor of the Senate and concurred same.

Shortly before the motion was put to vote, some senators, including Senators George Thompson Sekibo and Domingo Obende had put up a strong opposition to the passage of the bills, but they were shouted down by their colleagues.

Sekibo in particular insisted that the passage of the bills was in complete defiance of Order 79 of the Senate Standing Orders of 2011, which specifies that all bills must follow through all the three stages of first, second and third readings.

Mark in reply to Sek-

ibo’s observation asked him to bring his opposition through a motion today, knowing that such a motion would not be entertained since the Senate ended formal sitting yesterday.

When the motion was put to vote, the ‘ayes’ had it.

Subsequently, Mark hit the gavel, signifying the passage of the bills.

Some of the 46 bills that received block passage were the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Establishment etc) Act (Amendment ) Bill, 2015 (HB. 269), Nigerians in Diaspora (Establishment) Commission, 2015 (HB 69), National Health Insurance Commission Bill 2015 (HB 204) and Whistle Blower Protection Bill 2015 (HB 82).

Others are the Family Support Trust Fund Act

(Repeal) Bill 2015 (HB 209), Treasury Management Bill 2015 (HB 120), Federal Capital Territory Water Board (Establishment, etc) 2015 (HB 12) etc.

The passage of the bills took place the same day the Senate approved the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint 15 special advisers.

There was no debating the President’s request before its authorisation as the Senate President merely put the matter to vote and it was approved through voice vote.

The Senate also yesterday passed another separate bill titled, “Sexual Offences Bill 2015,” through the normal processes.

The bill, which was co-sponsored by Senator

Helen Esuene (Akwa Ibom South) and Chris Anyanwu (Imo East) covers all issues relating to sexual offences against women.

Explaining some details of the bill, Esuene stated that the scope of the law when put in full operation, covers punishments for gang-raping, child prostitution, child sex tourism, prostitution of persons with mental disabilities, indecent exposure, false allegation against another person etc.

She said the passage of the bill was a great parting gift to her by the Senate and by extension, the 7th Assembly, noting that, “as a female parliamentarian, legislating a law against sexual offences was part of what I was sent here to do.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, June 4, 2015

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Photo

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

NEWS

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Daughter-in-law, Onyinye Ezeh; son, Azubuike Ezeh; daughter-in-law, Nkasi Ezeh; son, Christopher Ezeh; Chairman, Fidelity Bank Plc and husband, Chief Christopher Ezeh; daughter, Adaeze Nwagwu; son-in-law, Ejimofor Nwagwu; son, Chinedu Ezeh; daughter-in-law, Ezigbo Ezeh and grandson, Tochukwu Nwagwu, during service of songs in honour of the late Mrs. Lolo Rose Ijeoma Ezeh, in Lagos on Tuesday.

L-R: Senior Manager, South–South Region, MTN, Mr. Innocent Entonu; students of Model County Junior Secondary School, Ikwerre Etche, Rivers State, with MTN Staff during donation of digital library to the school as part of activities of 21 Days of Y’ello Care, the company’s annual staff volunteerism programme, yesterday.

L-R: Chairman, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr. Atedo Peterside; Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Sola David-Borha and Director, Dominic Bruynseels, during the 3rd annual general meeting of the company in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: Emeritus Professor Abiola Odejide; Coordinator, Gender Mainstreaming Office, University of Ibadan, Prof. Stella Odebode; wife of former Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, University of Ibadan, Prof. Emilolorun Aiyelari, during a national workshop on Post-2015 gender issues in tertiary institutions, in Ibadan, yesterday.

National News

Nigerian Army capable of routing Boko Haram –Buhari ...President to look into Amnesty International report on torture ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Niamey, Niger Republic, expressed confidence in the ability of the Nigerian military to overcome and eradicate Boko Haram.

Speaking at an interactive session with journalists after talks with President Issoufou Mahamadou, Buhari declared that the Nigerian Army, which has earned a good reputation across the world, remains a virile fighting force.

“I am four days in office today and we have already started the process of ending the insurgency,” the President said.

He disclosed that in the course of the over five hours meeting he held with heads of the country’s Armed Forces and Security Agencies yester-

day, on-going operations against Boko Haram were reviewed for better results.

Buhari said because of the peculiarities of terrorism, the movement of terrorists across borders and the unconventional nature of the war against terror, Nigeria would continue to seek the support of neighbouring countries in its bid to overcome Boko Haram.

The President stressed that his visit to Niger was to seek more support from the country in bringing a quick end to the atrocities of Boko Haram.

Buhari disclosed that he would hold similar meetings with the Chadian authorities after leaving Niamey today.

The President said Nigeria would also require the assistance of other nations and multi-lateral

institutions to rebuild areas that have been adversely affected by the insurgency and rehabilitate displaced persons.

In his remarks, the President of Niger commended Buhari for making his country, first country he will visit after his inauguration.

“Your decision to move the military command of Nigeria to the North East has further strengthened our conviction that the war against terrorism will soon come to an end,” he told Buhari, while assuring him that Niger would continue to support Nigeria in the fight against the insurgents.

At the opening of bilateral talks between Nigeria and Niger earlier, Buhari praised his hosts’ contributions to the multi-national effort against terrorism, insurgency and cross-border

crimes.

“Permit me also to acknowledge the consistency with which the government and people of Niger Republic have stood beside Nigeria under all circumstances. I would like to convey the appreciation of Nigeria for the sacrifices by Niger in the on-going efforts to counter the menace of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“Niger Republic has over the years, proven to be a reliable ally to Nigeria both at bilateral and multilateral levels. It is our hope and aspiration that this special relationship would be further consolidated during my administration.

“My administration will bring new impetus and a renewed commitment to the efforts to wipe out the menace of the Boko Haram insurgents.

“As a first step, we have directed the relocation

of the command post of the counter-insurgency operations to Maiduguri until such a time that the insurgency is completely defeated.

“Another issue of concern to us which is closely associated with the insurgency in the region is the influx of refugees and other displaced persons.

“We are aware that currently, there are over 150,000 displaced persons comprising refugees and returnees taking refuge in various parts of Niger.

“Our administration will work closely with governments of the affected States to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced persons and their host communities.

“The ultimate objective however, remains to end the insurgency and facilitate their return to their homes,” Buhari said.

Meanwhile, President Buhari has received the Amnesty International report on Nigeria titled “Ni-

geria: Stories of horror in their own words.”

A statement issued yesterday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said Buhari has received the report which he said contained many disturbing allegations.

According to Shehu, Buhari assured that his administration would study the document and act appropriately.

Shehu nited that the president said without prejudicing the outcome of any investigation, Nigerians needed to be reassured that “this administration will leave no stone unturned to promote the rule of law, and deal with all cases of human rights abuses.

“Respect for human rights and adherence to the rule of law are the life and soul of the democratic system. We will not tolerate or condone impunity and reckless disregard for human rights.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

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N8bn fraud: Multi billion naira assets traced to CBN, other banks’ officials CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

within Nigeria and in Pretoria, South Africa, were allegedly got by inducing the CBN and stealing N1.25bn supposed mutilated currencies meant to be destroyed and taken out of circulation.

According to the prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, the accused persons had instead of carrying out the statutory instruction to destroy the defaced currency notes as their duty demands, substituted them with newspapers neatly cut to naira sizes and proceeded to put the mutilated and defaced currency back into the economy.

The eight accused persons brought to the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, were Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Muniru Adeola, Toogun Kayode Phillip, Ayodeji Aleshe, Isiaq Akao, Ajiwe Sunday Adegoke, Oyebamiji Akeem and Ayodeji Festus Adeyemi.

The accused are all facing a total of 28-count charge, ranging from conspiracy, abuse of office and stealing to false declaration of actual amount, concealing of property and fraudulently acquiring assets in excess of their legitimate and provable income.

The offence, as contained in a charge sheet read out to the accused persons, is punishable under section 7(2) of the Bank Employees etc (Declaration of Assets) Act, CAP. B1, Laws of the Federal Republic, Nigeria 2004.

All the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

A mild drama however occurred during the court sitting, when one of the accused persons, Ayodeji Aleshe, a cashier in one of the commercial banks, said he was an illiterate and that he could not understand the English language used in reading out the charge sheet to him.

The trial judge, Justice Adeyinka Faaj, who described the suspect’s claim as false, said he had earlier communicated with him in English and that he was very fluent in the use of English language.

The accused, for about 15 minutes, however remained adamant, trying to make the court believe that he is illiterate.

There was confusion until the judge ordered that an interpreter be sought to

interpret the charge to him in Yoruba language in view of its importance.

Counsel to the accused persons urged the court to admit them on bail, but the judge however impressed on him the need to make a formal application in view of the weighty evidence against them.

Counsel to the fourth accused, Mr. Nathaniel Oke, SAN, had earlier reminded the court of his pending application for bail, but agreed with the submission of the judge on the bail application.

Counsel to the fifth and eighth accused persons, Mr. Michael Lana, in his own submission, drew the attention of the court to two applications served on the prosecution on Tuesday, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter.

Other defence counsels, Otunba Olayinka Bolanle, Olalekan Ojo, O. Uwawah and Oliver Okeke, also put up strong arguments to secure bail for their clients, but the trial judge objected, citing technical flaws in the procedure for the bail.

Justice Faaj, while vehemently objecting to oral application from the defence counsel, later adjourned the matter to June 8, 2015 to hear the bail applications.

He said: “I will suggest to all the counsels that you endeavor to file your written application for bail today (Wednesday), while the prosecution counsel should respond to them by Friday, June 5, 2015 and on Monday, June 8, 2015, when the hearing will be on the bail application.”

The judge also ordered the eight accused persons to be remanded in Agodi Prisons until the adjourned date, when bail application would be heard.

At the opening of the second case involving six commercial bank staff yesterday, counsel to the accused also laboured in vain to make the judge accept oral application for their bail.

The accused persons are, Oni Ademola Dolapo, Afolabi Esther Olunike, Ademola Ebenezer Adewale, Kolawole Muniru Adeola, Toogun Kayode Phillip and Omotoso Abimbola (now at large).

Mr. Jacobs, who is also the lead prosecution counsel, informed the court that

his team had filed a charge dated May 19 and urged the court to accept it and permit it to be read to the accused.

The six accused persons were all facing a total of 15-count charge, ranging from conspiracy, abuse of office, stealing to false declaration of actual amount, concealing of property and fraudulently acquiring assets in excess of their legitimate and provable income.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

After the plea was taken, the judge ordered that they

be remanded in Agodi Prisons and adjourned the case to June 8, 2015 for hearing of bail application.

In the third case, five of the accused persons were involved, including a nursing mother of nine-month-old baby.

The accused persons were Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Muniru Adeola, Toogun Kayode Phillip, Olukunle Sijuade, and Kehinde Fadokun, the nursing mother.

The charge sheet against the accused was read out to

them and they pleaded not guilty to the 15-count charge, ranging from stealing, fraud, conspiracy and acquiring for themselves supposed mutilated currencies and recycling same. Counsel to the nursing mother, Mr. Musibau Adetunbi, drew the attention of the court to the circumstances surrounding the accused person and requested the trial judge to grant an application before the court for bail for her but the judge declined.

The counsel further

pleaded with the court to allow the accused to be remanded at the state CID in view of her peculiar circumstances.

The judge then granted the oral application made by the defence counsel, and ordered that the accused be remanded at the state CID, Iyaganku, Ibadan to afford her access to her baby.

Justice Faaj then adjourned the matter to June 12, 2015 for the hearing of the bail application.

Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria security staff, Mr. Ebiloma Emmanuel, Mr. Ungbos Jude and Mr. Onoja Daniell on admission at FAAN Porthealth after they were beaten up by Custom men at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday.

Amnesty accuses top military officers of war crime CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

ing it as “gruesome allegations intended to blackmail the Nigerian military.”

In a statement through its Director of Defence Information, DDI, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, the DHQ said the report was concocted to suit a particular purpose, as the officers mentioned therein had no reasons whatsoever, to indulge in those allegations levelled against them.

It said it was unfortunate that allegations in the report were geared towards the continuation of blackmail against the military hierarchy, which Amnesty International had embarked upon as far back as the inception of the military’s action against terrorists in the North East.

“It is unfortunate that the organisation just went out to gather names of specified senior officers, in a calculated attempt to rubbish their reputation as well as the image of the military. The action, no doubt, depicts more of a premeditated indictment aimed

at discrediting the country for whatever purpose.

“Each of the previous allegations had been thoroughly responded to and cleared in the public and officially.

“The title, down to the body of the allegation, smacks of the extreme bias, which is disturbing coming from an otherwise reputable organisation that is expected to be just and fair to all. Unfortunately, in this case, it has taken a premeditated position, which is far from noble.

“It is curious that a body that has never been able to seriously condemn terror in Nigeria now claims to have done an extensive research with the aim of discrediting the nation’s effort at curtailing terror.

“It is clear that Amnesty International becomes more active in presenting distractive allegations whenever the terrorists are losing ground in the battle.

“It is very unfortunate that Amnesty International has used this report to fur-

ther confirm its questionable interest in the counterterrorism effort in Nigeria.

“It will be recalled that a Joint Investigation Team was set up by the Defence Headquarters as part and parcel of efforts to ensure that no detainee suffers unjustly.

“The detention facilities were thrown open for visits and inspections by independent bodies such as International Committee of the Red Cross and other reputable international organisations and personalities.

“Amnesty International is advised to stop playing the role of an irritant coming up loudly only when the terrorists are losing out and remaining silent or complacent whenever the terrorist heightens its atrocities.

“It is unfair to persist in effort to discredit the Nigerian military by seeking all avenues to stigmatise individual officers of the nation’s military purely to satisfy an agenda against the security agencies and the image of Nigeria before the

international community.

“The Nigerian Armed Forces is quite conscious of the fact that the operation has prompted the need to save citizens from abuse of their rights by mindless terrorists.

“Accordingly, the forces have continued to state and restate its commitment to the rights of Nigerians and all its citizens while prosecuting its anti-terrorism campaign.

“It is very unfortunate that Amnesty International has chosen to ignore all the responses and clarifications provided to its enquiries by the authorities.

“It is unfair to rely on records or reports provided by certain disgruntled elements or faceless collaborators who have axe to grind with the system as evidence against officers who have been conscientiously doing their duty to defend the nation and her citizens.

“The Nigerian military therefore rejects the biased and concocted report provided by Amnesty International,” the DHQ said.

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

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FG, labour parley on pay for ex-PHCN workers Udeme Akpan and Meshack Idehen

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ederal Government yesterday renewed moves to ensure the lingering disagreement between it and disengaged Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, workers over unpaid severance entitlements were finally resolved.

The government, through the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, and the labour unions in the electricity sector had been embroiled in a raging controversy in the last two years over actual entitlements of the disengaged workers and how much had been paid to them, with each party accusing the other of insincerity.

To resolve the disagree-

ment, the Federal Government organised a meeting between BPE and representatives of the electricity workers leaders at the Ministry of Power with a view to reconciling their claims and ultimately pay the several thousands of workers their severance salaries and other entitlements.

Confirming the meeting during an exclusive chat with National Mirror, a factional leader of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaegbo, hinted that the parley was intended to avail the parties opportunity to present their claims such that all former PHCN workers who either are yet to be paid or short-paid their entitlements could be paid their outstanding entitlements.

The Bureau of Public En-

terprise, BPE is yet to fully pay all the disengaged power sector workers almost two years after the privatisation of the sector was declared concluded by government, says the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE. He clarified: “Two weeks ago, we had to picket BPE and for a whole day there was no activity there. While there, some people started receiving their alerts. That is the dilemma of what happens in this country. You know I mentioned to you before that we decided to keep quiet but we took it to BPE. The money had been fixed apparently and each time we harass for the past two years, they will start payment and pay few people and relax again and then we will be

waiting for them to pay the rest.

“They will stop again and we will start going back. So, even as at today there is a meeting today at the Ministry of Power as a result of that action, there was a meeting last week and there will still be another meeting taking place today on the issue of implementation.

“So, a lot of people almost 2,000 plus of the verified number, they are people that are not yet verified, two years after and they have conducted about four or five verification exercises. And these four or five exercises cost money. The same people you verified yesterday, today you verify them again. Now, almost every staff in PHCN, everybody, they are owing them short-payment of 16

President Muhammadu Buhari (left) being received by governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Kashim Shettima (Borno) and Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), during his arrival at the airport for a bilateral meeting with President Mahamadou Issoufuo of Niger Republic in Niamey, yesterday

Charles Okeke and Francis Ekpone

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oncerned by rising cases of road traffic crashes involving petroleum tankers in parts of the country, Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, has ordered strict enforcement of safety standards on petroleum tankers, even as he urged operators to comply with the provisions of Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme, RTSSS. Reacting to reports of crashes in Onitsha, Anambra State, and Iyana-Ipaja in Lagos State, the Corps Marshal lamented that while the Onitsha crash that occurred on Sunday, May 31,

months both for pension and normal gratuities. I am talking of about 50,000 people and that one, there is no exception,” Ajaero said.

Ajaero, who is also the General Secretary of National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, spoke elaborately on why there had been discrepancies in the payment of entitlements to the disengaged workers, linking the reasons mainly to the poorly managed privatisation processes of the power sector.

For instance, he alleged that rather than carrying out a thorough assessment of the power sector’s manpower structure with a view to determining who should get what, the BPE disengaged the workforce without taking cognisance of the years the employees had out into service as both old and new employees were swept away from the system with devastating impact on the nation’s power sector.

The labour activist linked the challenges now associated with power generation and distribution in the country to the alleged mismanagement of the sector’s privatisation exercise by the government since over 75 per cent of the workforce’s skilled and capable hands were lost to what he called poorly coordinated exercise.

Ajaero lamented that it was unfortunate to now see that those that took over the power sector in the country have not added any value whatsoever to the nation’s quest for stable and affordable power, noting that many

of the “so called investors” came into the industry with a pre conceived mindset which is aimed alone at profit making.

He also accused the sector’s investors of not bringing any financial, technical or managerial investment into electricity generation and distribution, pointing out most of them only took huge loans from local banks in the country.

He pointed out further that electricity consumers in the country were now at the mercy of those that have taken over the sector, as consumers now have to contend with more arbitrary and estimated billings on a regular basis.

According to him, there is nowhere in the world where the government completely hands off the control of a service as essential as power supply and generation, saying even in developed nations like the United States of America and Britain, that the governments there still control a reasonably large percentage of the power generated and supplied, in order not to be at the mercy of private investors that are only interested in profit making.

He challenged the government to create an enabling environment that will allow for the building of small mini power stations that can effectively contribute towards the national grid, adding this move is important, considering that the gestation period associated with building and operating mega power plants is very long.

FRSC tasks petrol tankers on safety standards • Osinbajo visits Onitsha fire victims claimed 46 lives with five people sustaining injuries that of Iyana-Ipaja caused destruction of several vehicles, though there was no casualty.

He pointed out that the two incidents threw the nation into mourning mood with enormous economic loses, adding that with the combined efforts of other stakeholders, the wreckages caused as a result of the crashes have been cleared and normalcy has returned to the areas.

Oyeyemi further pointed out that FRSC in efforts to avert such fatal crashes

involving articulated vehicles, proactively launched the RTSSS in 2007, which made adequate provisions for regular training and retraining of tanker drivers as well as maintenance of vehicles by fleet operators, who must have safety managers that are professionals.

The Corps Marshal stressed that the scheme provided for regular safety checks by FRSC and other relevant agencies to ensure that vehicle standards are carefully observed by fleet operators and drivers. He however expressed concern that despite such measures,

some operators fall short of the standards which compromise the safety of other road users.

“This attitude must change henceforth, as we would no longer tolerate disobedience to safety rules and regulations and would promptly punish anyone that commits offences capable of compromising safety of other road users,” he warned.

While commiserating with families of the bereaved, the FRSC boss assured that all necessary measures were being taken to ensure avoidance of a

repeat experience, stating that he is in touch with relevant unions like NUPENG and NARTO and other stakeholders.

While noting the imperative of training tanker drivers, the Corps Marshal stressed that under the new licensing scheme, training and retraining of drivers, especially those that fall within the professional classes like articulated vehicles is compulsory. He added that the initiative led to the introduction of Safe-to Load Project which ensures that only roadworthy

tankers load petroleum products from depots in the country.

Meanwhile, Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo yesterday commiserated with the people and government of Anambra State over the tanker accident that claimed 69 lives at Upper Iweka Expressway in Onitsha.

The Vice-president also visited injured victims of the accident in Toronto Hospital and the scene of the incident, saying President MuhammaduBuhari was highly pained at the incident.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

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Six killed, two houses burnt in Igbokoda clash OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

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ix persons were feared dead on Tuesday in a renewed clash between loy-

alists of Olu of Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, and family of the late Titi Olalebi.

The late Olalebi was

Govt threatens to sanction striking health workers MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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ederal Government yesterday threatened to sanction health workers currently on strike at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owerri, Imo State.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr Linus Awute, stated this in Abuja while briefing newsmen. He said they would be penalised according to Public Service Rules.

He described the workers action as “inauspicious, in bad faith and unpatriotic as the timing is even suspicious.”

Awute said the workers were protesting the PublicPrivate-Partnership, PPP, being proposed by Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Angela Uwakwem, among other demands.

“The unsatisfactory conduct exhibited by the striking health professional union under the aegis of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP, has become very embarrassing, in the face of millions of other qualified Nigerian citizens looking for gainful employment out there,” he said.

He explained further: “At the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, the situation has degenerated into the disruption of services, hooliganism and a breakdown of law and order.

Right now, union members of NUAHP have put the Federal Medical Centre Owerri, under siege,

sacking the MD, Management of the hospital and patients in critical conditions under the care of the hospital.

“The problem in FMC Owerri started when a proposal by the Medical Director, Dr. Angela Uwakwem, to initiate a Private Public Partnership, PPP, arrangement in the institution met with resistance from the workers. The union also accused her of high handedness among other allegations and called for her sack.”

According to him, efforts by the Federal Ministry of Health to resolve the crisis through dialogue had been resisted by the union.

He listed other demands of the workers to include payment of allowances for skipping a salary grade level; non-promotion of other health professionals from salary CONHESS 14- 15 as Directors; and that their retirement age should be increased from 60 to 65 years.

Awute stated that all the demands were being handled by appropriate departments of government, and should not warrant the workers current attitudes.

He promised that the ministry is committed to finding a lasting solution to the grievances of the unions, as has been demonstrated by its leadership in the recent invitations to the various branches of the unions. These unions are hereby called to give peace a chance.

Total Nigeria holds AGM

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he 37th Annual General Meeting, AGM, of Total Nigeria Plc is scheduled for next Wednesday by 11am at the City Hall, Lagos.

A statement by the company said arrangements had been made to ensure full attendance of

shareholders at the meeting during which the annual report and accounts and other important issues would be considered.

Management of the company therefore, urges all shareholders to attend the meeting promptly.

gruesomely murdered two years ago by people alleged to be loyalists of Oba Odidiomo.

The monarch and 10 others are currently standing trial over death of the deceased.

Counsel to Olalebi’s family, Koboju Atima, said the renewed clash started at 11am, Tuesday, when some thugs invaded the house of one Tale Iwatan at Temitan community on allegation that Iwatan was a cousin to the late Olalebi.

Atima accused Oba Odidiomo of master minding the viol e n c e.

He said the hoodlums

arrived at Iwatan’s family house with guns and other dangerous weapons, shooting sporadically and consequently set two houses belonging to the Iwatan family ablaze, when they could not abduct him.

Atima further alleged that two vehicles belonging to Iwatan family members were burnt by the hoodlums.

The cause of trouble, according to the lawyer, was the resistance of Tale Iwatan to allow Oba Odidimo to forcefully take over a piece of land in the town.

The counsel said the attack was the second of its kind in the last six

months.

However, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo denied sponsoring the attack as alleged by the Iwatan’s family, saying the crisis erupted as a result of the abduction of one of his errand boys.

He said: “I am a man of peace. How can I mastermind violence in my domain? What actually happened was that I sent one of my boys on an errand and when we couldn’t find him. We reported the case to the police. His corpse was later found somewhere in the town.

“The search party later went with the police to recover the corpse,

but in the process, the unexpected happened, when some thugs suddenly opened fire on them, killing six people on the spot.”

The monarch added that several people sustained various degrees of injuries in the attack.

The state police command spokesman, Wole Ogodo, promised to give details of the incident as soon as investigation on the matter is completed.

Meanwhile, a team of Anti-riot policemen from Ondo Area Command has been deployed to the town to maintain law and order.

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Gunmen abduct Ondo monarch, three others Ojo Oyewamide AKURE

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egent of the university town of A k u n g b a - A ko ko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oluwatoyin Omosowon, and three other persons were on Tuesday night kidnapped by gunmen.

The victims were abducted on their way from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, where the regent had attended the inaugural lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun.

The hoodlums forced Omosowon and three other victims into their waiting vehicles and zoomed off towards Owo/Benin road.

The regent’s Toyota Avensis car was abandoned on the road while the occupants were whisked away. ‎ But two of the victims have regained freedom, as they escaped from their abductors and were seen yesterday morning around the place they were kidnapped.

The two escapees were said to have been taken to the Area Commander’s office in Owo. It was also learnt that the kidnappers have established contacts with the community.

Residents yesterday protested the abduction and demanded unconditional release of the regent and other victims.

The protesters marched round the town, calling on security agents to help se-

cure the regent without delay.

All shops, markets and motor parks in the town were closed during the protest, which also prevented commercial and social activities from taking place just as commercial vehicles and motorcyclists popularly called Okada, from neighbouring towns were prevented from entering the town.

Traditional chiefs in the town performed different rituals to secure the release of the regent.

The rituals, the traditional chiefs said, would continue until the release of the regent.

Commissioner of Police, Isaac Eke, and other top officials of the command moved into the town to assure residents that their regent would soon be rescued.

Eke, in company of men of other sister security agencies, met with the traditional chiefs at the palace of Alale of Akungba and said no efforts would be spared to rescue the regent.

President of Akungba Development Union, Bode Ekundayo, said the incident was regrettable and shocking to the people of the town, adding that it was the first time such an incident would happen in the town.

Ekundayo said: “It is regrettable and shocking that our regent could be kidnapped. We had a meeting with the Commissioner of Police. We have pleaded with the youths not to take the law into their hands.

We have abated the tension.

This is a national phenomenon.”

L-R: Commandant, 42 Div., Nigerian Army Engineering Corps, Brig.-Gen. Henry Ayamasaowei; GOC 2 Div., Brig.-Gen. Sanusi Muazu and Corps Commander, Education Corps, Maj.-Gen. Sunday Adebayo, during the 2015 second quarter conference of the Nigerian Army Education Corps in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Ambode reads riot act to LASTMA, KAI, VIO Francis Suberu

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agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has issued a stern warning to officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, and Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIO, to desist from impounding vehicles unnecessary on Lagos roads.

While addressing LASTMA , KAI and VIO officials at State House, Ikeja, Governor Ambode said the cardinal objective of his administration was to make life “simpler and residents happier” in accordance with his campaign promises.

Ambode said men of the agencies were the faces of Lagos and his administration, adding that the officers have to key into the execution of his promises

to people of the state.

Meanwhile, the governor has approved allocation of 200 branded porsche KIA Rio cars out of 400 cars the last administration commissioned for LASTMA and KAI, saying the remaining 200 would be released when the agencies impress him in their new tasks.

Ambode, who said the feeling among the populace was that traffic situation in Lagos has worsened, warned that all traffic black spots must be identified and dealt with within his 100 days in office.

While assuring of incentives to fast track the work to be done in the state, the governor said he wanted LASTMA officers to begin a 24-hour service in order to checkmate traffic gridlock in the state.

He added that places like the Third Mainland Bridge,

Again, Customs beat eight FAAN staff at Lagos Airport Olusegun Koiki

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arely two weeks after two personnel of the Nigeria Air Force, NAF, beat a staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, another set of the agency’s staff were yesterday beaten to a state of unconsciousness by men of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, at the Lagos Airport.

Five of eight officers of Aviation Security, AVSEC, of FAAN were mercilessly beaten by armed personnel of the Customs for denying them access to restricted areas of the Murtala Mohammed In-

ternational Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos, while uniforms of the other three female officers were torn for daring to record the ugly incident.

Names of the five officers are Ebiloma Emmanuel, Ungbos Habu Jude, Onoja Daniel, Isiguzo Valentine Nnamdi and Nwala David Nnamdi, while names of the three female staff could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

It took the intervention of other security agencies’ personnel to rescue the FAAN staff from the Customs personnel, who were determined to kill the AVSEC officers for not allowing them access into the airport.

The incident happened at 1am yesterday.

Chief Security Officer, Airport Command, Col. Carl Onalu (rtd), said FAAN was interested in the new development and would follow it up.

Onalu, during an interview with journalists at FAAN, clinic where the victims were immediately taken, described the incident as unfortunate, explaining that it ought not to have happened if all the parties were working in harmony.

He told journalists that the AVSEC personnel had prevented the Customs men from entering the airside because they were not wearing

reflective jackets and their On-Duty-Card, ODC, as required by law, a situation, which the officers perceived as insult and insisted they must be allowed into the restricted areas of the airport.

He explained that Comptroller General of Customs and Managing Director of FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, were already aware of the incident and had shown interest in the matter.

He emphasised that FAAN had already reported the matter to Commissioner of Police, Airports Command, and the issue would be discussed at aviation security meeting that would take place very soon.

Abule Egba and Dopemu, among others, which had constituted traffic black spots, must be decongested immediately to allow traffic flow.

The governor said he wants a situation where LASTMA could use modern technology to arrest traffic offenders instead of harassing them, just as he challenged KAI officers to go out and remove all forms of street trading without harassing the people.

He said their (KAI officials) activities on the streets would have serious

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Akinwande Adiat Agbeke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Idowu Adiat Agbeke. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

effects on the state government, adding that the time has come for a new Lagos to begin.

Ambode vowed to protect the interest of LASTMA and KAI, adding that half of the new vehicles provided for them would be released at the end of the meeting, while the remaining would be released later.

Earlier, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Tunji Bello, said it would not be business as usual, warning that there would be no more room for bribery and corruption.

CHANGE OF NAME

ODUNUGA: Formerly known and addressed as Odunuga Modupe, now wish to be known and address as Odunuga Basirat Modupe. All former document remains valid.

National Population Commission and General public take note.

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mr. Raphael Ademola Adefabi, Mrs. Adenike Oluwafunke Adefabi, Damilola Oluwatosin Adefabi and Eniola Omotoyosi Adefabi now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Ademola Raphael Olabanji, Mrs. Olabanji Adenike Oluwafunke, Damilola Oluwatosin Olabanji ı Eniola Omotoyosi Olabanji. All former documents remain valid. Kwara Polytechnic, WAEC and general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHRIST GATE BIBLE MINISTRY (Obawole, Ifako-Ijaye)

This is to inform the General public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration in accordance with the provision of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap C.20, 2004

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Solomon Rotimi - Chairman 2. Pastor Ojomo Oyedele - Member 3. Deac. Akindutire Oladapo - Member 4. Deac. Makinde Samson - Member AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: i. To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all ii. Explicit teaching of the Bible to members iii. Promotion of spiritual growth and physical well being of members.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

INSIDE

The changing faces of Lagos Business District >47

Gbara-Maiyegun beach adding aesthetics to Lagos

>48

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Broad Street Diary

Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Traders decry effect high tax on business

Traders at Apongbon

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raders on Broad Street, Lagos have condemned the various taxes and levies charged by both state and local governments on their businesses and their personal lives.

They said listed about six different levies they were charged by the government, which they described as tool of frustration and humiliation to their businesses.

In a chat with BSD, some of the traders along Broad street, Marina, Balogun, idumota and its environ said apart from the taxes and levies on their wares, which were normally charged by the State Government, some officials from local government also charged them on everything they used in the shop including their electronic, while a particular charge was also levied on their personality as traders.

A wine dealer, Tawa Hussein, told BSD that the various unwarranted taxes and charges levied on the traders have constituted hindrance to their progress, especially the small scale traders, as most of the profits went for taxes.

She alleged that despite their pleas to the government, the pressure of those people who paraded themselves as the local government officials was intensified instead, making them doubting whether they were even really from the local governments. But the traders were helpless since the government refused to check them and their activities.

She also complained that apart from what they were charged in their shops, they were also charged various levies

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI in their homes for those of them living within the vicinity of the market.

Also speaking, a beverages seller, simply identified as Iya Amirah lamented that government in Lagos was spoiling business for them with multiple taxes.

“We traders know the real affliction of the multiple taxes and other unnamed levies on our businesses and our personal lives.

The taxes without receipts are killing us.”

Balogun Street, who also attested to the unsolicited taxes charged the traders, said, “My brother, look around you and ask everyone here. The government has finished us with taxes.

We only want to appeal to the new government in Lagos state to revisit the issues of the tax so that the traders can be successful.”

Another small shop owner, who gave her as Hajia said even though she and a host of other traders did not have television sets in their shops, the Lagos State government through the Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) collects TV and radio taxes from them.

However, they pleaded with the new government to help them out as concerned the issue of tax especially among the traders in a way that would not affect their businesses. They also wanted the government to make sure that the right people collect the tax and that the tax is used for the development of the business environment.

Abolaji Adebayo

We are scared of rainy season –Street traders FRANKA OSAKWE

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he rain season is fast approaching, but traders at Balogun, Aponbon, and Broad Street, Lagos are worried that their businesses will as usual be negatively affected by the by the coming wet season.

This is because the rain season is always accompanied by flood which hampers movement in and out of the market as people always find it difficult to wade through the flooded streets and market.

The season is also accompanied by traffic jam on major roads within the state thereby restricting movement in and out of the market.

Street traders in particular said they were the most hit by the rainy season as to them ‘’it means no more sales until the rain is over.’’

Many of the street traders and

hawkers that spoke with Broad Street Diary BSD said they wish the rain season will not come.

Sanni, a street trader who deals in electronic items on Broad Street told BSD that any time it rains, street hawkers will have to cover or pack their wares until the rain stops. “Once it starts raining, we have to stop selling market until the rain stops. We have to cover our wares with nylon and wait for the rain to stop, if it doesn’t stop on time, then we pack up and go home,” Sanni said.wBut the street hawkers are not the only ones distaste the rain season, shops owners say business also gets dull when it rains.

A shop owner who sells clothes on Broad Street, Mr. John told BSD that rain prevents customers from coming into the market as much as they should. “If it rains, sales are dull, as movement is restricted, so customers do not come as they

Displayed goods for sale at Balogun market, Lagos.

should. But rain is a good thing and one cannot wish it away,” he said.

Another trader, Mrs. Kate who sells Fabrics says rain do not really affect her market except that it makes her shop crowded. “Some people who come in to shop will not leave after doing their shopping because it is raining. Others will come in to get shelter and pretended to be interested in the market,” she said.

But despite the challenges posed by the rain season, traders said they are happy to be doing business at Broad Street. “I have been selling wares at Broad Street for four years now and I have been able to make money to take care of my children. The business district is peaceful except for the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, Task Force with their occasional disturbances,” says Amaka, a street trader who who hawk foot wares.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Police torture 70-year-old man to death in Ondo Ojo Oyewamide AKURE

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70-year-old commercial driver, Gbenga Omolo, has been allegedly tortured to death by men of the Nigeria Police in Akure, Ondo State capital.

Three policemen, including an inspector have been arrested in connection with the death, while the deceased’s remains have been deposited at the morgue of state Specialist Hospital, Akure.

Omolo was said to have died in custody of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Oda Road, Akure, after being detained and tortured for four days.

An eyewitness told National Mirror that trouble started on Thursday last week when a vehicle obstructed the popular Arakale road, causing traffic jam.

The source said Omolo asked the driver of the vehicle to leave where he was parked so that there would be free-flow of traffic, not knowing that he was a policeman.

The policeman was said to have assaulted his victim, a development

Wale Igbintade

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agos State chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, has absolved its members of blame over the current hike in fuel prices in the country.

In a statement issued yesterday by IPMAN state chairman, Adebayo Ajayi, the association laid the blame on private tank farm owners, who sell fuel at a cost of N105 to N110 per litre, making it difficult for IPMAN members to sell the controlled price of N87 per litre.

Ajayi said his members had no option than to buy fuel at either N105 or N110 per litre and resell it so that economy of the nation would not be grounded. He added that this was because the NNPC depot, where the IPMAN members were registered, had no fuel to supply currently.

Ajayi said this explanation became necessary so that members of the public

South West

Thursday, June 4, 2015

which attracted sympathisers who came to rescue the deceased.

But the situation took another dimension on Friday when some policemen attached to SARS came to Amudipe Street and started arresting people in the area.

A source said that the victim was later arrested by the policemen numbering six and took him to their station.

The source added that on getting to the station, the men in charge demanded for N150,000 for his bail which they could not raised at that time.

On Tuesday morning, it was also gathered, the branch Chairman of his motor park identified as Mr. Muyiwa raised N100,000 for his bail, but on getting to the station, the man was already dead in police custody.

The family of the deceased declined to speak on the issue, saying the state commissioner of police had invited them to his office to discuss the matter.

It was learnt that the state chapter of NURTW and family of the victim were planning to take the matter to court.

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Inactive telephone lines now 51.4m —NCC

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igerian Communications Commission, NCC, says unused Subscriber Identity Module, SIM cards, on telecommunication operators’ networks increased from 50,615,202 in March to 51,464,766 as at April 2015.

This is contained in the commission’s ‘’monthly

subscriber data’’ obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Wednesday in Lagos.

The data showed that dormant numbers increased by 849,564 in the month under review.

It revealed that connected numbers on the telecom networks also increased from 194,549,410 recorded

in March to 196,941,125 in the month of April.

The data indicated that of the 51,464,766 dormant SIM cards in April, Global System for Mobile communication, GSM, operators shared 49,711,964.

It also showed that of unused 51,464,766 lines in April, the Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA,

Men of Lagos State Public Works Corporation filling potholes at Oshodi, Lagos, yesterday.

networks shared 1,565,647.

According to the data, Fixed Wired/Wireless networks shared 187,188 inactive lines of the dormant SIM cards in April.

The increase on inactive lines indicated that telecoms users purchase SIM cards, but dump them for a long period, hence making the lines go dormant.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Fuel price hike: IPMAN absolves members of blame would know the truth about the fuel crisis confronting the nation and who to blame.

“There is news all over the country, blaming the IPMAN for selling above the pump price. This is one of the issues concerning the fuel palaver that I want to put across to Nigerians.

“Nigerians should take note that members of IPMAN are not shylock and

greedy businessmen who have no feeling for their fellow countrymen and women.

“Currently, the landing cost from the private depots owners is between N105 or N110 per litre. There is no way we can sell thesame fuel at N87 per litre. It is IPMAN that is still keeping Lagos and Nigeria as a whole running.

“If you look at all the major marketers’ filling stations, most of them have no fuel to sell. The mega filling stations are also not selling because their source of is from NNPC depots. “Because we are independent oil marketers, we buy our fuel from many sources.

The point the IPMAN is making, is that the private depots are not selling fuel to

the IPMAN members at government- controlled price, but at higher prices,” Ajayi stated.

He said “The public should note that we are making sacrifices for the economy to move forward, because if not, Lagos State and indeed the entire country would have been shut down. Our members are playing significant role to

drive the economy of this nation. Therefore, our members should not be blamed for the high cost of fuel in the country.”

The IPMAN boss called on Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode to fasttrack the establishment of at least two oil refineries in Lagos State, stressing that there was ready market for the product.

Ogun Customs generates N2bn in 4 months

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gun State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, said on Wednesday it generated about N2.36 billion revenue within the first four months of the year.

Area Controller of the Command, Haruna Mamudu, said this at a news conference in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Mamudu said the amount, N2,356,937,173, was an improvement over

the sum of N1,985,420,606 generated at the same period in 2014.

He added that the command also made 361 seizures with Duty Paid Value, DPV, of N319,967,326 during the period under review.

The controller noted that the seizures were lower than that of the same period in 2014 which, he said was 485 with DPV of N508,942,136.

He, however, attributed the decrease in the seizures to the enhanced vigour with which the anti -smuggling campaign had been pursued since the beginning of the year.

The customs chief said the agency also seized a large consignment of Indian hemp, weighing 1, 259 kg from suspected traffickers last Sunday.

Mamudu said the seizures were made at

Imeko, in Imeko-Afon Council Area of the state and also, a border town between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin He added that the illicit substance, which was seized from the traffickers following a tip-off, had already been handed over to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. Mamudu, said there was a good working rela-

tionship among the various security agencies in their fight against crime.

“The command is not relenting in its antismuggling drive and we shall pursue it with more vigour and determination.

“This will help us to achieve our objective of reducing the incidence of smuggling to the barest minimum in Ogun State,” he said.

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

100 patients for open heart surgery at UNTH —CMD Dennis Agbo ENUGU

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Archbishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke (middle) leading other clerics in prayer during their visit to the scene of tanker accident in Onitsha, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

APGA kicks over suspension of Abia Assembly’s inauguration George Opara ABIA

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bia State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has rejected indefinite suspension of inauguration of the state’s House of Assembly by Clerk of the house, John Pedro Irokansi.

Irokansi had in a radio announcement said the indefinite suspension of inauguration of the state’s legislature was due to the

inability of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to give Certificate of Return to member-elect for Isiala Ngwa South state constituency.

Reacting to the announcement by the clerk, state chairman of APGA, Reverend Augustine Ehiemere, said it would be an aberration for Governor Okezie Ikpeazu not to inaugurate the legislative arm by Monday, like other states.

Speaking in Umuahia, Ehiemere said they were taken unawares by the announcement credited to Clerk of the House of Assembly, “as all state Houses of Assembly are to be inaugurated on Monday by their respective governors.”

Ehiemere said the indefinite suspension of the inauguration shows the level of impunity going on in the state, which is about to repeat itself, adding that they would not accept it this time around.

The Abia APGA chairman said if any arm of government operates without the House of Assembly, such government is illegal as stipulated in Sections 6, 7 and 8 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Ehiemere urged Ikpeazu to go ahead and inaugurate the assembly on Monday, “as the clerk has no right to suspend inauguration of the 6th assembly because of the inability of INEC to conclude election at Isiala Ngwa South.”

Ikeje Asogwa, and Mr. Victor Atuonwu, also visited Saint Vincent Secondary School, Agbogwugwu.

At Awgu Local Government Council, the governor and his entourage arrived at the headquarters about 9am only to discover that principal officers of the council, including the chairman, Mr. Nnanna Nze, were not in office to receive him.

Most offices of the council were locked with very few staff, mostly security men and cleaners, around.

The story was the same at Aninri Local Government Council headquarters, Ndiabo, where the governor and his team arrived at 9:50am.

Apart from the chairman’s office, where the governor met a security man on duty and two supporting staff, Nneka Ndubisi and Judith Nwafor, and some NYSC corps members, the

entire offices had not been opened.

On enquiry, staff of the council could not give satisfactory explanation on the whereabouts of the chairman, Mr. Nwabueze Nwobodo, and his principal officers.

At Saint Vincent Secondary School, Agbogwugwu, the story was different as the school’s principal, Mr. Silas Okafor, and his staffs were there to receive the governor and his entourage.

The school was in full session and both teachers and students were in their classes. The governor took special interest in one of the classes and decided to stand by the students and listen to the mathematics teacher deliver her lesson.

Addressing the students, Ugwuanyi told them the visit was to inspect the school, interact with the students and teachers with a view to identifying their problems.

He said his administration would give priority attention to education development and will do everything possible to ensure that students in the state were given the best education as future leaders of the state and Nigeria.

The governor took notice of three students who did not appear in their school uniforms, Master Okafor Chisom, Kenneth Chukwuka and Udowo Gideon, and promised to assist them and also address the problems of the school.

Principal of the school, Mr. Okafor, and some students drew the attention of the governor to some of their problems, which included poor office accommodation for staff, lack of classrooms, science laboratories, library, toilet facilities, furniture, and repair of their Corpers’ Lodge that was gutted by fire, among others.

hief Medical Director of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Enugu, Dr. Christian Amah, has said that 100 patients with different heart diseases would undergo open heart surgeries in the hospital before end of the year.

Briefing journalists at the hospital yesterday on the on-going open heart surgeries, which he said was the 8th session since the programme was revived in 2013, Amah said 15 patients would be operated on in the month of June.

“This is what we have been doing for some time now. Our hospital is a designated national centre of excellence in cardiothoracic surgery and a flagship programme for that designation is the open heart surgery. We have been doing this since 1974 when the first was done here and continued doing quite a lot of them until 2003 when we had a serious hitch.

“The programme came to a halt for so many reasons, particularly due to the fact that we relocated from the old site to the permanent site in Ituku Ozara, where we did not have pur-

pose built facility for the programme.

“But, as God would have it, this administration, which I head as CMD and chief servant, of course, we came on board in May 2011, and took it upon ourselves as one of the priority projects to revive the open heart surgery programme.

And by the grace of God, we are able to do this by March 2013. That is 10 years after the programme was shut down. So, we restarted the programme and between that time and now, we have done about eight such cases, including adult and children,” he said.

The CMD added that the hospital has been partnering with overseas organisations such as Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK, whose Chief Surgeon is a Nigerian, Dr Onyekwere Nzewi; and another group, Voom Foundation based in the United States.

He said the overseas partners, who operate on charity basis, brought in a lot of equipment, medical consumables and skill, which made it possible for the hospital to carry out open heart surgery at subsidized rate of between N1million and N1.5 million for adults, and N750, 000 and N1 million for children as against N2.5 million and N3 million.

Okorocha, Ugwuanyi visits LGs’ headquarters, meets empty offices SGF: Onu lobby Buhari

Dennis Agbo ENUGU

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overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State paid unscheduled visits to two local government councils of the state yesterday and met the councils’ chairmen offices empty.

The governor, accompanied by his deputy stormed Awgu and Aninri local government secretariats at 9am in an unscheduled visit and met the offices locked with no staff in sight.

The governor subsequently sent warning signals to government officials, local government council chairmen and their staff on the need to be punctual at their duty posts to discharge their duties creditably.

The governor, who was accompanied by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, state Chairman of PDP, Chief

Chris Njoku OWERRI

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erious power tussle is going on in the South East over the appointment of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, as Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, appears bent on stopping former Abia State Governor, Ogbonnaya Onu, from grabbing the slot proposed for the zone.

The South East zone lost out in other key positions such as Senate President and Speaker, House of Representatives due to inability of anybody qualifying for the posts from the zone.

It was gathered that Onu is contesting the position of SGF with former Anambra State Governor, Chris Ngige, and former Secretary to Imo State Government, Professor Anthony

Anwukah, who is backed by Okorocha.

A source told National Mirror yesterday that the tide appears to be in favour of Anwukah, who is riding on the back of the governor to reach out to some prominent northern emirs, who are making a case for him before the president.

However, it was gathered that Onu is not resting on his oars as he is also fighting back, using contacts of his political allies to lobby the Presidency.

This, according to unconfirmed source, was responsible for the sudden sack of Vice Chancellor of the Imo State University, IMSU, and erstwhile National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, by Okorocha on Monday for his alleged support for Onu.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Ajimobi’s works justify his second coming –Omotoso

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Osahon Julius YENAGOA

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ayelsa State House of Assembly yesterday inaugurated its fifth Assembly with Friday Konbowei Benson representing Southern Ijaw state constituency IV, re-elected by 20 lawmakers to continue in office as the speaker of the house.

Other principal officers announced by the Speaker, at the inaugural sitting of the fifth Assembly are Hon. Ingobere Abraham, who replaced Hon. Victor Sam Ateki, who lost his seat to Hon. Sunny Igoli, as Deputy Speaker, while Hon. Peter Peretubo Akpe retain his position as the Leader of the House.

Others are Hon. Mitema Obordor, who holds the office of Deputy Leader, Tonye Isenah was

Bayelsa inaugurates 5th Assembly ... Benson retains speakership

returned as Chief Whip, while Hon. Kemelayefa Omonibeke is to serve as Deputy Chief Whip of the House.

Speaking during the inaugural meeting, Benson said the fourth Assembly under his leadership passed 50 bills into law in the past four years.

The speaker said during the year under review, over sixty bills were received, two withdrawn, 49 executive bills and one private bill and a host of others Benson said in the past four years, 40 motions were passed and resolutions forwarded to the ex-

ecutive session.

He said: “Under a friendly atmosphere we set a legislative record that is yet to be broken by any state in the Nigeria federation. The fourth Assembly passed a minimum of 50 bills in four years, this feat is indeed unprecedented in our country’s legislative history.”

He spoke during the valedictory session held at the end of the fourth Assembly which was dissolved at about 1.20 pm by the directives of Governor Seriake Dickson according to the constitution Motion for the disso-

lution of the fourth Assembly was moved by the Leader of the House, Hon Akpe representing Sagbama constituency 1 and seconded by Mrs Agatha Goma, Ekeremor 1 an outgoing legislator.

Benson said the fourth Assembly has successfully ran its full course without any scandals because the House stood firmly on the path of accountability and probity as demonstrated by our policy of broadcasting all our sittings live.

He thanked all members of the fourth Assembly for their cooperation and contributions to

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (right), presenting an Eyo plaque to the President of Republic of Namibia, Dr. Hage Geingob (left), during his congratulatory courtesy call to the governor in Lagos recently.

Taraba gets new Speaker as 8th Assembly is inaugurated Justin Tyopuusu JALINGO

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araba State House of Assembly yesterday elected Mr. Abel Peter Diah from Mbamga state constituency as the new Speaker to preside over the eighth legislative Assembly in the state.

Abel was elected alongside Mohammed Danladi Gwampo as Deputy Speaker, while Joseph Albasu Kunini retain his position as Majority Leader of the

house.

Abel was nominated by the member representing Lau constituency, Joseph Albasu Kunini, and was seconded by member representing Takum I, Hosea Ibi and was unanimously endorsed by the entire House.

In his acceptance speech, the new Speaker, Diah assured members that the House under his watch will run a transparent, accountable and resulted orientated adminis-

tration.

He said: “We shall operate an open door policy that will welcome constructive criticisms and ensure that decisions are reached with the full consent of members.

“Our leadership will ensure that the House operates as a family in spite of the different political parties which was just a platform for our recruitment into the House.”

On the people’s expectation from the 8th Assembly

in the state, Abel said the people should expect a servant leadership as they are servants before their masters - the electorates.

He noted that they will do everything possible in spite of the economic challenges facing the country to ensure that their masters get good health care, roads, jobs, water and other infrastructure.

The Speaker pledged the House’s support to the executive arm to ensure that peace return to the state.

make the plenary robust, adding that the House enjoyed a robust relationship, mutual respect with the key principal officers and a sense of common purpose with all arms of government

He lauded Governor Dickson for his sterling leadership qualities and deep understanding of the legislative process which “facilitated our task as lawmakers, culminating in a huge success.”

Senate President: Group backs Saraki, roots for Dogara as Speaker Ezekiel Titus BAUCHI

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s the battle for who emerges the Senate President rages on in the incoming 8th National Assembly, a group under the auspices of Advocates for Justice and Good Governance, AJGG, has thrown its weight behind former governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, to emerge the President of the 8th Senate.

This was just as AJGG has also declared its support for the election of Hon. Yakubu Dogara as the next Speaker of the 8th House of Representatives, following his sterling qualities as astute lawmaker and lawyer with vibrant wealth of experience AJGG disclosed this in a statement jointly signed by its chairman and secretary, Yakubu Chiroma and Mohammed Auwal respectively and made available to National Mirror in Bauchi.

It said Saraki stands out to be the most eligible and competent person to occupy the position of the Senate President among the pack of contestants for the office.

Outlining the qualities that stand Saraki out from the others, AJGG said that it would be inconceivable and a great disservice to the nation if Senator Saraki is not elected the Senate President It said: “Saraki has all the required qualifications

and experience to lead the Senate to the pinnacle of success and greatness.

“We resolved to support Senator Saraki as a reward for his immense contribution to the democratic process and the development of the entire nation.”

Stressing that “in this era of change, we need a new generation of young and vibrant men with requisite educational background and experience to lead,”the group reiterated its determination to ensure that Hon Dogara is elected to succeed Aminu Tambuwal to pilot the affairs of the 8th House of Representatives.

AJGG said the selection of Saraki and Dogara to preside over the national Assembly would justify the power sharing formula to involve all the six geopolitical zones in the business of the APC government.

The statement explained that “Dogara possessed such noble, active and influential insider knowledge on the workings of the system, therefore leading the House and giving it the required and effective leadership will not pose any difficulty.”

AJGG therefore called on North-East leaders to give Hon Dogara all the necessary support, stressing that those responsible should not commit act of injustice by putting a round peg in a square hole, adding that Hon Dogara remains the best choice for the speakership.

Politics

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head of Kogi State gubernatorial election, no fewer than 20 aspirants are already jostling to contest for the number one seat on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC. This was just as the aspirants are already consulting with the people at grass roots level and recruiting foot soldiers for the herculean tasks ahead. .

National Mirror investigations revealed that a war posters has already begun, as the state is now a theatre of posters and banners of aspirants vying for the occupation of Lugard House on APC platform.

It was learnt that from Kogi East senatorial district alone, about 15 gubernatorial aspirants have emerged, while six aspirants have signified their intention to contest from the Western senatorial district and four from the Central senatorial district.

Those eyeing the governorship from the Eastern flank of the state where the incumbent governor comes from and hoping to pick the APC ticket are the former governor of the state, Prince Abubakar Audu, Air Vice Marshall Salihu Atawodi, Senator Alex Kadiri, Senator Nicholas Yahaya Ugbane, Alhaji Zakari Jiya, James Ocholi, SAN, Chief Tom Diche, Prince Shuaibu and Professor Yusuf Obaje.

From Kogi West senatorial district are Prince Yakubu Rotimi Obadofin, Engineer Olushola George Olumoroti, Alhaji Suleiman Baba Ali, Idris Hussein Kashim and Dr. Habeeb Abdullahi while former Managing Director of Daily Times of Nigeria, Chief Adnoyi Ojo Onukaba, Alhaji Bello Yahaya, popularly known as Fairplus, Alhaji Lamid Lawal Itopa and outgoing senator for the district, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi are the serious contenders from the Central district.

The APC, apart from winning the presidential election, is still basking in the euphoria of wining the state’s three senatorial seats, six House of Representatives’ and eleven House of Assembly seats in the just concluded general elections in the country.

Although the success at the polls in Kogi State is indeed a remarkable victory for a hard fighting opposition party, because no opposition party had been allowed to win even a councillorship seat or more than one House of Assembly seat since 2003, the PDP controlled the state. The APC need to work harder if it really want to dislodge the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from Lugard House.

Watchers of political events in the Confluence State are of opinion that APC has extremely done well during the just concluded general elections, however the party

personal interest is seemingly tearing the party apart when it is expected to cash on the gains of its victory in last general elections.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kogi guber: APC in crisis as over 20 jostle for ticket WALE IBRAHIM writes on the deepening crisis in the Kogi State All Progressives Congress, APC, over who flies the party’s banner among the over 20 aspirants battling for its ticket in the 2015 gubernatorial election scheduled for later in the year.

Audu

Abatemi-Usman

Olumoroti

Kadiri

Ocholi

Obadofin

must put its house in order, while the current internal wrangling within the rank and file of the party must come to an end now for the benefit of people of the state.

They posited that if APC work harder, it might clinch the governorship seat in the forthcoming gubernatorial election slated for later in the year only if the leaders, loyalists and other stakeholders close ranks and work for success of the party.

But the only albatross now is the internal wrangling rocking APC in the state, as the warring factions have adopted various strategies to fight each other to a standstill, while media war and propaganda have since begun.

It has been allegations and counter allegations galore and advertorials have also become the order of the day since the party achieved its greatest victory in history of the state.

Prior to this time, what appeared like child play has finally snowballed into full scale war, as factions are ganging up against the leadership of Prince Audu, despite the fact that the party constitution recognises him as the leader of the party in the state.

Initially, there were parallel state executives at the beginning of the APC crisis in Kogi State after the merger of its compo-

nent parties, but during the state congress of the party and the intervention of the national leadership of the party, there was harmonisation of the factions and the party was able to pick state executives at the state level.

As if this was not enough, another crisis rocked the APC to its roots during the primaries which led to the defection of many party members, particularly, aspirants who were seeking elective positions, who alleged that the state leaders of APC denied them the opportunity to contest the party primaries for Senate, House of Representative and House Assembly tickets.

However, when scores of supporters of the ruling PDP defected to the APC in the state, little did the party leadership envisaged that another crisis was in the offing.

Though their defections paid off as they worked for the party’s success, particularly, in Kogi East and Central senatorial districts, personal interest is seemingly tearing the party apart when it is expected to cash on the gains of its victory in last general elections.

Be this as it may, tongues have begun to wag as to who is qualified to aspire for the governorship seat in the party within the caucus of the APC in the state and unless the national hierarchy of the party acts on

time to resolve the crisis tearing the party apart, it may still be far from being in control of the Confluence State, despite all electoral success in last general elections.

Political pundits in the state argue that though the gubernatorial election will be a different ball game, stressing that character, experience, political antecedent, personality and other factors will definitely come to play in the process of choosing party candidate, who will fly the party’s flag later in the year.

However, feelers from the electorate in Kogi State indicated that if the APC fails to present a credible and acceptable candidate, the party should forget about winning the governorship seat for now The question agitating the minds of the electorate now is would the APC get it right with the array of emerging gubernatorial aspirants, couple with the internal wrangling that have characterised its existence in Kogi State up till now?

How well or otherwise the party leadership handles the deepening crisis of the party in Kogi State will go a long way to make or mar the party’s chance in the forthcoming gubernatorial election, even as all the gladiators continue the battle for the soul of the party in Kogi State.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Thursday, June 4, 2015

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here is report that Accord Party in Oyo State is about to merge with APC. What can you say about that?

It’s a welcome development. There is an adage in politics which says there are no permanent party, friend, and interest. Chief Rasheed Ladoja is an astute politician, if he wants to join APC, good for him, he would be adequately welcome. He is a formal governor of Oyo State, so our party would welcome him if only he decides to abide by the rules and regulations and the manifesto of the APC. Do you see PDP bouncing back in the state in 2019?

PDP has ruled this country for sixteen good years, in Oyo State, they have ruled for some years with Ladoja and Alao Akala and I don’t believe they would have offered beyond what they did in the past. And at present, they are in disarray at both the national and state levels, so I don’t see them getting their ass together again in the next 10 years. And if I can tell you, with resignation of Adamu Mua’zu as the party’s chairman, Tony Anenih as Bpard of Turstees, BoT, chairman, the party is dead forever. In fact, soon, you will see other strong members of the party that will also leave. PDP is a traumatised party with no focus and visions. Their members at government are looters, they have come to loot.

Right from inception, I have known that the party does not have anything good to offer this country. Because, if you see the calibre of people that surrounded Goodluck Jonathan, you will quickly decipher that his government will do no good for the people of this country.

Now you see them disintegrating, calling for the jugulars, both at the federal, and at the state levels. So, I don’t see them bouncing back in the nearest possible future.

PDP recently averred that they are open to merger, what is your view on this?

If PDP like, let them go and merge themselves with parties from outside Nigeria, they will be flogged severely. Even in the just concluded election, didn’t they merge with other parties in the country? Of course they did. Look at the number of parties in the country that adopted Jonathan as their presidential candidate.

Was that not merging? We knew their gimmicks and we worked assiduously to defeat them. So which other party do you think is formidable that they want to align with again in this country? May be APGA, and even if they merge with APGA, good for them, but if I’m to ask, where is the dominance of APGA in the political equation of Nigeria? So who else are they going to merge with? Which other party is formidable to help them resurrect? I don’t foresee them coming back to checkmate APC dominance.

Ajimobi is the first Oyo State governor to be re-elected for second term, how do you think this was made possible?

The other governors who had governed this state in the past would have been voted for the second term, but due to the fact that they didn’t justify themselves, voters opted for another option. In the case of Ajimobi, it was not that he bribed the people, but his work justified his second coming in the state. Oyo people recognise hard work, decency, improvement and others. The incumbent Governor Ajimobi has done well to break the record in this state. When you look at his antecedents and compare him to others who have governed this state in the past, you will understand why Oyo people decided to call him back for the job once again. If you look at his administration you will see that he did well, except if one wants to play a bitter politics. Look at a place called Ibadan and other cities during his administration, they have all wore new looks. There is relative peace during his term unlike in the past. The unrest that we usually see in the hand of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, armed robbers and others in Oyo State are now history because of Ajimobi’s leadership knowledge. There have been tremendous drop in criminal activities in the past four years in this state. All these and others are the reasons Oyo people decided to re-elect him.

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Ajimobi’s works justify his second coming –Omotoso Omotoso Olukayode Kingsley, the Senior Special Assistant to Oyo State governor on education, a two time All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial aspirant, in this interview with ADELEKE ADESANYA and DEBORAH DIDI shed light on how governor Abiola Ajimobi, against all odds, defiled his antagonists to return to office for the second term, Muhammadu Buhari’s second coming as Nigeria president and other issues.

Excerpts: It is a pity the man Tinubu, is now facing some opposition in the party despite his efforts to have brought the party this far. You know in life some people will not like you while some will like you, that is how it is in this our party and even in Yoruba race. There are some people who hate Tinubu despite his success in our political field. Meanwhile, Tinubu is a reputable politician; he is a man with high intellect. In recent election, we all saw a lot of things the opposition did to castigate him, even a broadcast media went to the extent of trying to tarnish his image, and labelled him with bad names of sorts. However, time will judge. This is a man that has brought Yoruba people to into limelight. He is an astute and God sent politician who delivered people.

Those people ganging against him will soon fade away, because he is too big for them to contest with. Imagine, where were these people during Abacha regime when Tinubu and others formed opposition against the army tyranny? Buhari must beware of people whose aims are to pitch him against Tinubu; he should remember where they are coming from before this victory.

Omotoso

What do you see as challenges in his second term in office?

The only thing I see as a challenge is the issue of general drop in revenue. If you scrutinise things well, you will discover that the drop in the national revenue has hindered most of the states performance and I believe that it may form a big challenge, because if a project is to be executed and money is not forthcoming, it will hinder progress. But be that as it may, people too must play their roles to ensure governance is smooth. They must pay their taxes; do their obligations so that the state can be well governed. You see, for dividends of democracy to be delivered, People must play their responsible part like tax payment. Once there is money in the state government’s accounts, governance will be easy and people will be delivered the dividends of democracy as expected.

There is a report that some bigwigs in APC are trying to split Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Buhari. What can you say about this?

The unrest that we usually see in the hand

National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, of

armed robbers and others in

Oyo State are

now history because of

Ajimobi’s leadership knowledge.

What can you say about Buhari’s promise to fight corruption?

Buhari is a man of integrity who will keep his words.

And moreover, he has all it takes to fight corruption in this country. If you look at his antecedents, you will see that he can stamp out corruption. All he has to do is to constitute serious bodies that will fight corruption.

He should rearrange Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, to a level they will be competent for the task. I am saying this because these bodies during Jonathan were nothing but nonsense. I think what is important is to make EFCC and ICPC functional to fight corruption.

How do you think Buhari’s government will handle the messy economy Jonathan handed over to him?

To be sincere with you, Nigeria is seriously broke.

But I know Buhari will make things work. If you recall when Buhari took over in 1983, things were bad in the country that big companies were selling properties and left for another country, but when he came in, he stabilised things. During his regime, he never borrowed.

Instead, he raked money from all the politicians that have looted the country. All the money he realised from the politicians was what he used in paying our debt.

I remember vividly that then Nigeria’s debt was N30billion but between a year and two months he spent, he was able to pay N7billion. By the time Ibrahim Babangida took over from him through coup, our debt has been reduced to N23billion.

Buhari succeeded without borrowing money from International Monetary Fund, IMF. And those are parts of his antecedents that people saw in voting him. They know if he could succeed then, he will do better now, because the money that has been looted by our politicians today is enough to survive the country. And to get the money from these politicians, Buhari should order EFCC to dust its file and bring out the case of past governors of the country and others who have looted the country. They should be prosecuted and if found guilty jailed, the money should be retrieved from them to serve as deterrent for others.

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Politics

Thursday, June 4, 2015

APC urges Osun lawmakers to be proactive Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

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embers of the newly inaugurated 6th Osun House of Assembly were yesterday told to be proactive in their legislative responsibilities.

They were also told to co-operation with the Rauf Aregbesola-led All Progressives Congress, APC, government to further raise the ante of development than it had been in the last four years.

APC, in a congratulatory statement issued by its Directorate of Publicity, Strategy and Research signed by its director, Barr Kunle Oyatomi, commended the 5th Assembly for working cohesively in partnership with the APC government to achieve result.

Oyatomi said: “It was this cohesive partnership that strengthen the government and helped the party to withstand the gruelling attacks and sabotage which the state Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and its Federal Government unsuccessfully launched against Osun in the attempt to snatch power.

“But this new parliament will all the same face daunting challenges that will test the integrity of their determination to serve the people.”

APC expressed confidence that members of the state Assembly will live up to the expectations of the party, government and people in contributing to a peaceful and agreeable resolution of all issues that will be addressed in the new parliament.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Speakership: Group raises alarm over intimidation of members •As Jubril withdraws for Dogara Wole Oladimeji ABUJA

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he 8th National Assembly Consolidation Group, 8NACG, yesterday raised an alarm over the action of some All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftains trying to intimidate and harass members of the House of Representatives to vote for a particular candidate running for the speakership This was just as Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin yesterday withdrew from the speakership race to support Hon Yakubu Dogara towards a peaceful and vibrant 8th National Assembly.

8NACG expressed worry

that such party chieftains “are forging ahead to manipulate our party to conduct an unconstitutional shadow election for speakership, which is alien to the Constitution and all conventional parliamentary practices. “ The group, which is campaigning for the emergence of Hon Dogara as the Speaker in the 8th National Assembly commended President Muhammadu Buhari for declaring that the party would not influence the National Assembly in the selection of its leaders In a release signed by Hon Ahman Aliyu Pategi, Hon Zakari Mohammed, Hon Babangida Ibrahim Mahuta, Hon Aishat Dukku, Hon Haliru Jika, Hon

Jagaba Adams Jagaba, on its behalf, 8NACG expressed concern over the action of some party members.

It said: “We wish to draw the attention of our great party, the APC and Nigerians to certain unethical and undemocratic moves by some desperate party leaders, who are bent on subverting the laid down procedure on the emergence of the Speaker of the 8th Assembly in accordance with the House Standing Orders and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“It is however, disturbing that certain individuals are poised on disregarding the presidential declaration and forging ahead to manip-

ulate our party to conduct an unconstitutional shadow election for speakership which is alien to the Constitution and all conventional parliamentary practices.

“The idea is to force a preferred candidate on the party hierarchy and members via intimidation and financial inducements by a certain party leader.

“For the avoidance of doubt, APC is a party built on the principle of change.

We cannot allow our young party to be short changed by selfish power mongers who would stop at nothing to throw the collective sweat of Nigerians invested in the APC to ruins and waste.

Nigerians deserve a better deal.”

Gov. Ortom nullifies appointments of first class chiefs in Benue Henry Iyorkase MAKURDI

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etermined to ensure due process in governance as earlier pledged. Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday nullified the appointment of six first class chiefs hurriedly elevated by his predecessor, Gabriel Suswam, in the state.

Governor Ortom consequently charged the chairman of Benue State Council of Chiefs, the Tor Tiv IV, HIs Royal Highness Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula, to henceforth retrieve and return to status quo.

The governor however stressed that the revocation of the appointment was done in accordance with the zeal and determination of the new administration towards ensuring that the tenets of rule of law is strictly applied.

He however observed that prior to the appointments, there was a litigation instituted by some concerned citizens who took the government to court, seeking restraining order against the appointment and Justice Iorhemen Hwande, the state Chief Judge restrained the government from carrying out further action on the matter.

The governor further implored that whoever is parading himself or themselves as first class chiefs

in Tiv speaking areas by this announcement should henceforth discontinue for his own interest and urged that the directive should be taken with every seriousness it deserves.

Similarly the 23 local government council caretaker committee chairmen were dissolved as the governor directed the Directors General Services and Administration to immediately takeover.

Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Barr Targema Takema, in a statement on behalf of the government stated that this action is one among several measures that will be taken in the meantime to right some wrongs that were deliberately committed.

L-R: Ogun State deputy governor, Chief Yetunde Onanuga; Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, during an inspection of offices at the State Secretariat in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, yesterday.

Governor Ikpeazu appoints 15 SSAs, SAs George Opara AWKA

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bia State Governor Victor Ikpeazu has made his first

appointment of 15 Senior Special Advisers, SSAs, and Special Assistants, SAs yesterday with immediate effect after working for some days with the aides of

former Governor Theodore Orji, his predecessor.

The list of the appointees made available to the press, showed that Dr. Eme Okoro emerged as Secretary to the

TUC rejects calls for fuel subsidy removal Justin Tyopuusu JALINGO

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resident General, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, has said the union has resolved to reject calls by some Nigerians for total removal of fuel subsidy in the interest of Nigerians.

Kaigama disclosed this yesterday while speaking to journalists in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

The TUC President noted that what was most important at the moment

was to tackle the pervasive corruption that characterised the subsidy regime over the years and not the removal of it, adding that Nigerians deserve subsidy on the oil they produce.

He said: “We at TUC again say no to fuel subsidy removal because Nigerians deserve some subsidy on the oil that is produced in their country.

“The most important thing to do at the moment is to identify the few cabals that hijacked the process of subsidy payment and punish them accord-

ingly for holding the nation to ransom over the years.”

Kaigama also said the union was in total support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to relocate the command centre to Maiduguri until the insurgents were subdued, saying there was no need to pretend that the nation was not at war.

He said: “We totally support Buhari’s decision to relocate the command centre to Maiduguri until the insurgents are subdued.

“The insurgents are at war with Nigeria and there is need to take the war to them wherever they are in the country.”

He called on President Buhari and state governors to cut the cost of governance by reducing the number of political appointees.

Kaigama, who said the economy of the nation was at it worse ever, urged the Federal and state governments to revamp agricultural and industrial sectors in order to boost the economy.

State Government, SSG; Chief Chijioke Nwakodo, Chief of Staff, CoS; Chief John Nwangborogwu, Deputy Chief of Staff, DCoS; and Mr. Ugochukwu Emezuo, former Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to Orji as Special Assistant, SA, Media.

Others are: Hon. Chinedum Elechi, SA, Legislative Matters; Chief Solomon Ogunji, SA, Aba Urban Renewal; Chief Agwu Ukpai, SA, Special Duties, Captain Awa U. Agwu, SA on Security; Mr. Ojo Maduekwe, Special Adviser on Media; Mr. Godwin Adindu, a former staff of Daily Independent newspaper, as CPS, Valentine Okpechi as Director of Protocol and Engr. Emma Nwabuko, SA on Project Monitoring, among others.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

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Rashidi Yekini: Three years after CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

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oday marks exactly three year one of Africa’s famous soccer legends, Rashidi Yekini, died. Rashidi, “Ye King” as he was affectionately nicknamed by the media, was born on 23 October 1963 and bade this world bye on May 4, 2012, in inauspicious circumstances.

Yekini scored a total of 37 goals for Nigeria in 58 appearances in five major tournaments, which included two world cups and multiple African Nations Cup championships. Apart from playing for the Super Eagles, Yekini had played professional football in seven other countries, including Cote Divoire, Tunisia, Greece, Spain and Portugal.

InNigeria, he played for UNTL Kaduna, (1982–1984); IICC Shooting Stars, Ibadan (1984–1987); and Abiola Babes, Abeokuta (1987–1990). His international forays included Africa Sports, Cote Divoire (1990–1994); Vitória Setúbal, Portugal (1994–1995); Olympiacos, Greece (1995–1996); Sporting Gijón, Spain (1997); Vitória Setúbal (1997–1998);

Fussballclub Zürich, Switzerland (1998– 1999); Bizerte, Tunisia (1999); Al-Shabab, Saudi Arabia (1999–2002); and then back to Africa Sports, Cote Divoire, (2002–2003). He ended his professional soccer career in Nigeria with stints with Julius Berger, Lagos (2005) and Gateway, Abeokuta (2005).

Surely, few professional players could have experienced as diverse and successful as Yekini in the course of their careers. Yekini had a number of firsts, which included first Nigerian to score a world cup goal at the USA ’94 while playing against Bulgaria; first Nigerian to score the highest number of goals for the country (37 goals in all) which is still the record. Yekini was also the first Nigerian to be named Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Footballer of the Year in 1993.

At his prime, Yekini had become literally a living legend - he liked to mesmerise us with his goal-scoring prowess - that people idolised him, the NFF (forget the latter day abandonment) treasured him; the press adored him, splashing lavishly on him superlative adjectives and fantastic appellations like “King of goals” “the Killer”, “ the legend” and that sobriquet spawned from a clever pun of compounding his name deservingly with the word ”king” to make “Yeking!”

Yekini’s era was a time you would open a newspaper and saw a banner headline “Massacre!” describing the Super Eagles’ exploits of ruthless whitewashing of opponents with Yekini being the chief architect of that feat.

In spite of his giant stature, (both meta-

IN SPITE OF HIS GIANT STATURE…YEKINI WAS AS GENTLE AS A DOVE AND AS MEEK AS A SHEEP phorically and literally), Yekini was as gentle as a dove and as meek as a sheep - he was humble to a fault. To illustrate his humility, let us recall what the present coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, said in an interview hosted by the DSTV Supersport in 2011. Keshi had said that during the USA 94 World Cup, a group of players in the then star-studded Eagles decided to frustrate Yekini, by not passing the ball to him. Yekini’s reaction to this conspiracy illustrated his uncanny humility.

I will take this from the revelation by another member of that team, Tijani Babangida, who disclosed in an interview with National Mirror after Yekini’s death that the gangling striker was so distraught by the petty and unpatriotic gang-up against him that he went on his kneels to beg his teammates for a change of heart! That was Yekini!

Yekini was highly patriotic; he would never put money before his country.

He had once declared: “Nothing gives me more pleasure than scoring for my country. I have had disagreements with my European Club (Vitoria Setubal)

because of my desire to play for Nigeria.

“Money is never my first Consideration.

It’s a great joy being back home so thinking about money is nothing. I value happiness more than money”, he had said.

Certainly, Yekini was never a man to hold the whole nation to ransom by refusing to play until his allowances were settled as members of the Super Eagles did just before the Confederation Cup in 2013.

They simply refused to lace their booths for their fatherland until all their allowances were settled!

Before he finally gave up the ghost, Yekini had taken ill for a long time and he was reportedly only catered for by his family. That being the reason why we don’t have official medical disclosure of the cause of his death, rather we have different unofficial reports pointing to a range of ailments like bipolar disorder, acute depression and even psychiatric affliction!

This development is a shame that underlined the culture of our sport administrators. One would have expected the Nigerian Football Federation and National Sports Commission to have collaborated to snatch him away from the jaw of untimely death by providing adequate medical support, but no, the health of this national hero was left for him and his family to manage or mismanage. Finally the man died at an unripe age of meager 49 years.

Ketefe may be followed on twitter @ Ketesco

Buhari’s tall task of fixing a disenchanted nation SUNDAY ONYEMAECHI EZE

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ith Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s president, a new dawn has come and the journey to repositioning our nation has begun. Expectedly, anxious Nigerians expect nothing short of speedy progress and quick manifestation of the change that was at the heart of the President’s campaign. However, we should be rest assured that rejuvenating a disenchanted nation and one deeply engulfed in political, economic, social, cultural, religious and security challenges must be a herculean task.

The first of such drastic measures concerns the remuneration of political office holders, financial profligacy, the size and cost of running the government. They are disturbing concerns in governance that should be frontally addressed. This government should sincerely evolve a cost effective and cost efficient administration built on prudent management of available resources. Ministerial positions and the number of aides to political office holders should be pruned beginning with the president and governors.

When one looks at the fleet of cars in the president’s, governors,’ ministers,’ senators and other elected officers convoys, one begins to wonder the huge cost of maintenance and fuelling of those vehicles. Will it diminish the office of the president, governor or any elected officer for that matter if they have lesser vehicles attached to their offices?

Beginning from the president himself, some perks of the office should be slashed or out rightly removed.

Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fis-

NIGERIANS EXPECT NOTHING SHORT OF SPEEDY PROGRESS AND QUICK MANIFESTATION OF THE CHANGE cal Commission which is charged with the responsibility of fixing the salaries of public office holders should begin a downward review of the total emolument of political office holders. Public office is designed fundamentally for service to humanity. It was recently reported that the new executive and legislative arms of government at the federal level are to benefit from a N9 billion in furniture, sitting, disturbance, car, newspapers and wardrobe allowances at the beginning and end of their tenure. Wisdom should prevail on the need not to expend such huge amount on a few elected individuals. The entire nation cannot be hungry while some are pampered and over fed at the expense of the majority.

Second, the incongruity in allowing the annual budgetary recurrent expenditure to constantly outweigh the capital expenditure should be addressed. It is paradoxical for a nation desirous of development to encourage this budgetary misnomer. For emphasis, recurrent expenditure cares for the over head cost and pays salaries of both civil servants and political office holders, while capital cost addresses the basic infrastructural and developmental needs of the nations.

Under the old order, it means the nation expends far more on payment of salaries than developmental projects. Steps taken by the

immediate past government to cut down the recurrent expenditure seem not to yield the desired result as the 2015 Appropriation Bill assented to by former president Jonathan has N2.6 trillion as recurrent, while N556 billion stands for capital expenditure.

Third, the nation can no longer afford to be an oil producing nation but ironically lacking same, and have no functional refineries. In the face of the nation’s dwindling economy occasioned by one monolithic product of crude oil, the Buhari administration has no option than to urgently move to reactivate other sectors of the economy beginning with power, manufacturing, agriculture, solid minerals etc.

Fourth, this administration should take a second cursory look at Steve Orosanye’s Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of ministries, parastatals and agencies to bring an end to the perceived duplication of responsibilities by ministries, departments and agencies of government.

Fifth, due diligence in award of contracts and procurement should be strictly adhered to. The usual impunity for contract inflation will die a natural death if rules are duly applied. Contractors handling government projects should be closely monitored too to ensure that public funds are judiciously utilised for the purpose which they were meant.

Sixth, it will be most economically suave for “security vote” to permanently feature as a sub-head of the Ministry of Defence’s annual budget, which must be accounted for and not to be handed over to

the governors, who cannot point at one important service the vote is expended on.

Seventh, various constituency projects captured in the budget within the fiscal year should also feature as sub-head under the budget of the Ministry of Works which should be executed by same and not by the legislators as it is obtainable today. But allowing them to handle projects on behalf of their constituencies has illegally conferred on them double roles of the executive and the legislature at the same time. In fact, the relics of these poorly executed constituency projects are evident in our constituencies.

Eighth, oversea trainings, workshops and medical treatment of both senior civil servants and political office holders should be minimised except where they are absolutely necessary. This measure will reduce the growing rate of capital flight and medical tourism from Nigeria to other nations. Continuous and purposeful investment in the nation’s primary and secondary health care will discourage the craving for oversea treatment.

Finally, government should provide an enabling environment for the production and manufacturing sectors of the economy to thrive. The power and energy sectors must be up and running.

Eze wrote from Kaduna via sunnyeze02@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.

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Editorial

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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

Jumbo severance pay for political office holders

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n investigative report published by a national daily (not National Mirror) last April, which revealed that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, non-returning federal lawmakers, ministers and presidential aides would coast home with N3.24 billion as severance allowances drew public ire. Many viewed the package as unduly bloated. Packaged by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Jonathan was entitled to 300 percent of his annual basic salary of N3, 514,705, which translated to a severance allowance of N10, 544,115; in addition to his other constitutional entitlements as a former head of government.

For Sambo on an annual basic salary of N3, 031,572.50, he would smile home with N9, 094,717.50.

Roughly 76 senators not returning to the National Assembly would earn N462,019,200 or N6, 079,200 each, while 290 House of Representatives’ members not returning would earn N5, 955,637.50 each, totalling N1, 727,134,875. The nation’s 42 ministers/ministers of state would collect a total of N253, 967,212.5 (N6, 079,200 each for senior ministers and N5, 872,740 each for ministers of state), while special advisers, senior special assistants and special assistants to the former president would share N775, 207,125 at the rate of N5,

828,625 each.

In response to the publication, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) described the terminal benefits as sacrilegious and “unacceptable in an economy where civil servants who served the country for 35 years or attained the age of 60 years are not paid any gratuity after service”. The group prayed the Muhammadu Buhari administration to ensure that the beneficiaries returned the money to the nation’s coffers. Indeed, virtually all Nigerians who commented on the subject condemned the basis for the rather obscene largesse, considering the nation’s present economic predicament and the fact that while in office, the beneficiaries earned salaries and allowances considered as unreasonable, to the point that the clamour for cutting the remunerations is still raging.

Critics have, however, traced the embarrassment to RMAFC’s imprudent discretion and recommendations since the nation returned to democratic rule in 1999.

One recent report, for instance, highlighted that about 2008, at a time when many professors who retired before the year 2000 were earning N1, 300 each as monthly pension, RMAFC recommended that Special Advisers should be paid N16 million each per annum.

It was about the time the com-

THE TREND IS AN UNSUSTAINABLE BAZAAR THE NEW

ADMINISTRATION… SHOULD QUICKLY PUT AN END TO mission allocated N14.4 billion (N200 million each) as severance pay to governors who served two complete terms. Vehicle loan for elected officers was 400 per cent of their basic annual salaries repayable in six years, despite the fact that they spend four years in office.

As far back as 1999, Senators and members of the House of Representatives reportedly pocketed N5 million and N4 million each rspectively as furniture allowance.

Following the caustic criticism the profligacy generated, one of RMAFC’s commissioners, Mr. Emmanuel Nnamani, was quoted as saying: “It is true that we have increased the salaries and remuneration packages in line with our mandate. But we did not increase (them) on the basis of percentage. The whole increase was done across the board for political officers, lawmakers and judicial officers. The increase has also taken effect because it has been approved accordingly…. what we have done is to review the remuneration packages of these officers in line

ON THIS DAY

June 4, 1979

June 4, 1989

Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings took over power in Ghana after a military coup in which General Fred Akuffo was overthrown. Jerry John Rawlings (born June 22, 1947) is a former air force officer. Rawlings initially came to power in Ghana following a coup d’état in 1979. He took back control of the country on December 31, 1981 as the Chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council.

The Tiananmen Square protests were violently ended in Beijing, China by the People’s Liberation Army.

The Tiananmen Square protests were student-led popular demonstrations in Beijing, which took place in the spring of 1989 and received broad support from city residents, exposing deep splits within China’s political leadership. The protests were forcibly suppressed by hardline leaders.

with the present realities…”

What a provocative and insulting response by the commission at the time, as it still is today, in a country where over half of the estimated 170 million population lives below the poverty line of less than $1 (N120 or less) a day; where many states cannot pay N18,000 as minimum wage and governments renege on agreements with workers; where pensioners who toiled for the nation throughout their productive years die in queues while waiting for handouts called pensions; where public infrastructure is decrepit, where electricity supply is most unstable – indeed, the list is endless?

RMFAC, an agency which former President Olusegun Obasanjo accused of showing more interest in revenue sharing than mobilization, has in no small measure contributed to the bloated cost of governance that is gradually sinking the nation, especially nonviable states. Its reckless patronage of the political class with unspeakable remunerations is also the root of do-or-die politics in the country.

The trend is an unsustainable bazaar the new administration of Muhammadu Buhari should quickly put an end to in the interest of the majority of Nigerian s.

The commission and its membership seem overly politicised to the detriment of Nigeria and her citizens.

June 4, 2012 The Diamond Jubilee Concert was held outside Buckingham Palace on The Mall, London. Organised

by Gary Barlow, the concert was part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The event was a multinational celebration throughout 2012 marking the 60th anniversary of the ascension of Queen Elizabeth II on February 6, 1952. She was as of April 27, 2014, queen regnant of 16 sovereign states.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Education Today Thursday, JUNE 4, 2015

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

Our expectations from Buhari —VCs, others Stakeholders in education sector have set their agenda for the new government led

by President Mohammadu Buhari. The stakeholders who include vicechancellors, lecturers and educationists, among others spoke with TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE and SAIDAT ALAUSA on how to solve the problems facing the sector and what to do to improve the nation’s education standard.

Bello

Osho

Abdulsalami

Ayo

Ogunde

Owo-Odusi

economy.

According to him, this is the only way, the sector and the university system in particular could become stable and maximally contribute to the nation’s economic development.

Speaking in the same vein, the Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Prof. Charles Ayo said for a true change to evolve in the education sector, in line with Buhari’s electoral campaign slogan, the administration must pay adequate attention to higher education, especially in the area of quality of graduates being produced by the tertiary institutions on yearly basis.

He also wants the administration to properly fund the sector, improve on quality assurance in schools and address the issues of

outdated curriculum, ineffective teaching methods, corruption which have characterised most tertiary institutions in the country.

In her own contribution, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Prof. Sidi Osho said education should be one of the sectors that the administration should give topmost priority.

While describing the sector as a veritable means to socio-economic development, the scholar, who is currently on sabbatical in the National Open University of Nigeria, advised the government to address the issues affecting all levels of education as well as various stakeholders in the system.

“Government should fix problems related to basic infrastructure, quality of delivery system, workers’ agitations, welfare and re-

muneration, among others,” she suggested.

The goal of being literate, she noted, is to set oneself free from poverty hence the need for government to provide enabling environment for graduates to excel either as employees or employers of labour.

“It should also provide enabling environment for the private sector to do well, knowing full-well that it cannot do everything all alone, while replicating areas where past government recorded some achievements,” she added.

For Proprietress, Amville School, Lagos, Mrs. Mosun Owo-odusi, governments both at state and federal levels should look into quality assurance and standardise the sec-

E

xpectedly, while many of them expressed frustrations encountered in the sector in the last 16 years, some still believe that what the new government needs to do is just to consolidate on the legacy of the immediate past administration on the sector.

For example, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Prof. Rahamon Bello, who desires significant improvement at all levels of education however placed emphasis on higher education, saying Buhari should consolidate on the gains recorded by his predecessor.

He pointed out that the implementation of the Needs Assessment’s recommendations which suggested a holistic approach in addressing the devastating state of the nation’s tertiary education should be adopted with all seriousness.

The recommendations addressed issues relating to the country’s decaying infrastructure, poor welfare of workers, poor libraries and laboratory equipment, shortage of competent lecturers and overstaffing of non academic staff, among others in virtually all public universities nationwide.

“It will be better for the nation’s tertiary education system if Buhari’s government could address most of these challenges,” he stressed.

Bello, a Professor of Chemical Engineering, also believes that there is need for improved and steady funding of higher education to stabilise the nation’s fluctuating

Most university researches not policy-driven —EDOREN 26

NANS urges Buhari to include youths in governance 24

CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

‘Govs should return missionary schools to owners’ 21

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Education Today

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Wole Adedeji ILORIN

T

Mustapha

Northwest University gets new VC, Registrar Tunbosun Ogundare

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he Governing Council of Northwest University, Kano has approved the appointment of Prof. Mustapha Ahmad Isah and that of Malam Muhammad Sani Aminu as the substantive Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of the university, respectively. They will both serve for a period of five years with effect from May and April in that order.

The council approved their appointments at its meeting held on Thursday, March 19, with the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the council, Malam Sule Yahaya Hamma presided. A press release by the university’s spokesman, Mr. Abdullahi Abba Hassan also stated that the chairman of governing council signed both letters of appointment.

The VC’s letter according to him was dated May 4, 2015 while that of the registrar dated March 20, 2015.

Until VC’s appointment, he was the Director of Academic Planning of the university.

He had his doctoral degree in Theoretical Linguistics in 1994 from Indiana University, Bloomington, United States where he also had his masters’ degree in the same discipline four years earlier.

Prof. Isah studied Hausa Language for his first degree from Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria and had his Grade II Teachers’ Certificate from the School for Arabic Studies, Kano.

His areas of interest include Lexicology, Morphosyntax, Semantics and Media English.

He began his career after his one year’s mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme as Graduate Assistant at the Department of Languages and Linguistics, University of Maiduguri in 1988. The following year, he left for Indiana University, Bloomington, USA where he became an Associate Instructor till 1994 when he returned to Nigeria.

In Nigeria, Prof. Isah took appointment as a lecturer with Bayero University, Kano where he teaches English and Literary Studies. He became a Senior Lecturer in 2000 and Associate Professor in 2005.

For the new registrar, he joined Bayero University in 1999 and serves in different capacities including as Director, Directorate of Establishment Matters from where he was elevated to his new position. He had also worked as Acting Director, Directorate of Personnel Affairs; Deputy Registrar ViceChancellor’s Office; Secretary of Postgraduate Studies; Deputy Registrar/Secretary, Students’ Affairs Division, among others.

he Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Kwara State, Alhaji Jubril Haruna has requested that colleges of health technology in the country be included in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) intervention activities.

He made this call in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin, the State capital, calling on the National Assembly to amend the law establishing TETFUND to accommodate other state-owned higher institutions that were not covered by the organisation.

He said in the alternative however, government could establish a separate body that would take care of tertiary institutions not previously covered by TETFUND and even those that are privately owned.

Such other institutions according to him included state schools of nursing and

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘TETFUND’s mandate should cover colleges of health technology’

midwifery as well as colleges of arabic, Islamic and legal studies.

Haruna argued that limiting TETFUND interventions to government-owned universities, polytechnics and colleges of education would put other tertiary institutions providing skilled manpower training for the country at a great disadvantage.

According him, one clear problem of the education sector and particularly those providing skilled manpower training in Nigeria was that these categories of institutions covered by TETFUND could only accommodate negligible percentage of those yearning for higher education.

He added that colleges of Arabic or Islamic studies established by some state

governments to provide advanced studies for products of ‘Almajiri’ schools and in dire need of fund should also be able to access TETFUND. Also, Haruna argued that schools of nursing and midwifery were also important tertiary institutions providing the needed manpower needs to the health sector, hence they should benefit from TETFUND intervention.

He further argued that products of these health institutions provided the essential personnel like nurses, midwives and immunization officers for primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare.

He said that like many states in the country, Kwara State had nine tertiary institutions out of which only five were captured by TETFUND.

Bi-Courtney’s CEO warns pupils against criminal activities Olusegun Koiki

T L-R: Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, UNILAG chapter, Dr. Laja Odukoya; Chairman, ASUU, University of Ibadan chapter and Zonal Coordinator, Ibadan Zone, Prof. Segun Ajiboye; Convener, Dr. Oladipo Fashina and Vice-President, ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi; at a press conference in preparation of the International Conference on the Decolonisation of Western Sahara organised by ASUU at the University of Lagos, Akoka, last week.

Bauchi: Group laments poor girl enrollment in school Ezekiel Titus BAUCHI

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not- for profit making organisation, Bauchi State Network for Civil Society (BASNEC) has expressed disappointment that about 70 per cent of female children of school age are out of school in the state.

The Chairman of the group, Mr. John Jinjiri Garba made this observation at a rally organized in Bauchi to sensitise the people of the state about the

danger of the development. The programme was supported by USAID and other NGOs. Stressing the need for parents to motivate and support girl child education by ensuring that their female children attend schools, Garba frowned at the situation, saying it was very low.

He explained that it was for this reason that the organisation embarked on the rally to meet parents and other stakeholders with a view to reversing the trend.

He therefore called on donor agencies to increase their support towards the promotion of girl-child education, recalling that UNICEF, FAHIMTA Women Association, NEI and others are doing fairly well in this regard.

Also speaking, the Programme Officer of the group, Mr. Kenneth Caleb called on traditional and religious leaders to support the course in order to bring development to the state and the nation at large, saying government cannot all alone lift the society.

L-R: Immediate past Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye: Chairperson, State Universal Basic Education, Mrs. Gbolahan Daodu and Director- General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Lagos State, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo at the stakeholsders’ forum on quality assurance at Alausa, Ikeja, recently.

he Chief Executive Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL, Mr. Christophe Penninck, has urged children to eschew criminal activities and shortcut in a bid to attain greatness.

Rather, he encouraged them to be hard working and focused in all their endeavours, stressing that whatever they do in early life often shapes their future.

Penninck gave this admonition over the weekend during the annual Children’s Day Extravaganza, held at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Two, MMA2, in Lagos.

Addressing the over 200 students and pupils, drawn from various schools across Lagos, he advised them to be committed to their studies, maintaining that it’s the basic tool they required to go far in life.

He said, “Even though you are all young, but you are already in charge of your future. The power to make or mar your future lies solely in your hand. I also do not want you to despise small beginnings. Those at the helms of affairs today in big organisations started from somewhere.

They did not get to where they are overnight.”

He described the event as BASL’s way of celebrating and identifying with the younger generation, adding that it was an annual event designed to broaden children’s knowledge of the aviation industry.

Guest speakers at the occasion, who spoke on the theme: “Aspiring to be a Pilot”, included Mrs. Violet Enahoro, a pilot with Aero Contractors and Engr. Daniel Erin, an aircraft engineer, also with the same airline.

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Education Today

Thursday, June 4, 2015

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Sociologist donates books to ABUAD Tunbosun Ogundare

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high profile academic, Professor Jacob Oni, has donated 417 volumes of books and 96 different newspapers worth several millions of Naira to Afe Babalola University, AdoEkiti (ABUAD) as part of his contributions to the progress of the institution, which commenced operations in 2010.

Oni, who is the first PhD candidate to be supervised by Prof. I.O. Orubuloye, at the then University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD), now Ekiti State University, donated 28 different books on Economics, 13 on Political Science, 26 on Medicine, four on Physics, four on International Relations, three on Marketing and four on Computer, five on Physiology and three on Mass Communication, among others.

Appreciating the donor, ABUAD’s Founder and Chancellor, Aare Afe Babalola, in a press release made available to National Mirror by the university’s spokesman, Mr. Tunde Olofintila thanked him greatly for what he termed as selfless donation.

He described Prof Oni as being a blessing not only to the academia, but also to Nigeria, a country he has demonstrated he loves so much.

Our expectations from Buhari —VCs, others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 tor.

The government should also monitor all the funds being injected into the sector, especially in the areas of infrastructural development and welfare of students and ensure they are well managed.

While acknowledging the fact that the process is a gradual thing, she however pointed out that it was only a high standard education that could produce quality graduates and services.

She pointed out that the nation had enough of committing so much money to the sector without getting commensurable results.

The President, Nigeria Library Association, Alhaji Ridwanu Abdulsalami also lent his voice. But unlike others, he is concerned about the publishing industry, advising the new government to look at the best way to move the industry forward.

“I want to see more publishing houses springing up for local production of books and other reading materials. That alone will create job opportunities for many youths and the country will save some foreign exchange instead of importation, which is the current practice today.

“It should also come up with proper regulatory framework for the sector, improve power supply and encourage local producers of raw materials for book publishing, all in a bid to boost the economy,” he counselled.

On her part, an educationist, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde wants government to improve Information and Communications Technology education, saying this was a major way to move the country along with the rest of the world in all spheres.

According to her, ICT is an in-thing and Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind if it must be relevant in the comity of nations.

L-R: Provost, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos, Mr. Wasiu Bashorun; Chairman, Governing Council and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye and guest lecturer and former Registrar, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Mr. Ayo Ogunruku during AOCOED’s Registry annual lecture series on “Effective administration of tertiary educational institutions in the 21st Century” recently.

PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

Govs should return missionary schools to owners —Archbishop

A za Msue KADUNA

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he Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna Archdiocese, Most Rev. Matthew Man- oso Ndagoso, has called on Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai and his colleagues in other state states nationwide to return missionary schools to their original owners. He said that was necessary for proper management and effective service.

Speaking with journalists during this year’s catholic archdiocese of Kaduna annual archdiocesan assembly in Kaduna,

Archbishop Ndagoso, also tasked the new government to sanitise the education sector for proper upbringing of children whom he referred to as future leaders.

He stressed that many missionary schools taken over by some state governments were mismanaged with low quality products.

Archbishop Ndagoso, who spoke on the theme:”The vocation and mission of the Nigerian catholic family” appealed to government at all levels to return missionary schools to the original owners for quality training of youths that will imbibe the fear of God.

He added that, education being the bedrock of national development and transformation needs serious attention by the government at all levels for better and productive nation.

The archbishop asked President Muhammadu Buhari to embark on agricultural revolution through mechanised farming and fix power sector for the nation’s rapid socio economic transformation.

He pleaded with government to pay salaries of workers who have not being paid for some months now to take care of their families, adding that leaders must fear God and should be transparent in their dealings.

Winner of Peak Milk ‘Vision Nigeria Art Challenge’ emerges Saidat Alausa

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rieslandCampina WAMCO, makers of Peak Milk on Monday, celebrated 2015 World Milk Day with children from both public and private schools in Lagos State.

The event which was also to celebrate peak 60th anniversary was themed: ‘Celebrating 60 years of Feeding Future Aspirations.’

To demonstrate the brand’s commitment to feeding aspirations, an art and craft challenge tagged “Vision Nigeria Art Challenge” was initiated across selected schools in Lagos state.

The competition focuses on the children showcasing their vision of Nigeria by using Peak cans, pouch and sachets to create a vision of the Nigeria they wish to live in, working together with their art teachers.

This was executed in phases starting with a briefing and sampling with Peak Choco across 273 schools, private and public owned reaching up to 270,000 children in Lagos.

The grand finale for winning schools was celebrated at this

year’s World Milk Day held at the University of Lagos with over sixty-five schools participating.

The entries were scrutinized by a panel of creative art professionals, teachers and representatives from the state ministry of education who later provide the shortlist of three best entries.

At the end of the competition, Head Start Private School, Isolo, emerged first with their artistic design of a space station for Nigeria in the nearest future and was presented with a cash prize of N250,000.

Deby Niky Nursery/Primary School, Egbeda came second while Wellspring College, Omole, came third and were presented with N150,000 and N100,000 naira respectively for the grand renovation of their schools’ art studio in order to provide an enabling environment for the children and teachers to further develop their artistic and creative skills.

The 10 art teachers who supported the children to bring to live, through arts, their artistic inspirations also received Samsung galaxy tabs while all the

sixty-five participating schools will receive fifty-thousand naira each for makeover of their art studio.

Speaking with National Mirror at the event, the elated art teacher of Head Start Private School, Mr. Solomon Amu commended the organiser of the competition adding that the initiative will help bring out creativity among the children.

He also said this has helped the children realised that materials around them can be useful as materials used for the project was sourced for by the students.

L-R: Representative of Lagos State Ministry of Education, Ibiyemi Jegede, Corporate Affairs Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc; Ore Famurewa, Pupil of Headstart Private School, Isolo (First Prize Winner), Miss Chika Mbewu and Marketing Manager, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc; Dolapo Otegbayi, during the presentation of prize to the winner of the ‘Vision Nigeria Art Challenge’ organised

by Peak Milk to mark the 2015 World Milk Day, on Monday.

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Education Today

Thursday, June 4, 2015

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Excitement as King Ado Senior High School showcases Yoruba culture It was excitement galore as King Ado Senior High School, Adeniji, Lagos Island held its Yoruba Day, an annual event to showcase the richness of Yoruba culture and tradition. National Mirror’s photojournalist, ABIOLA ABDULHAMMED captured the event

Students displaying Sango (god of thunder) character at the event

Account teacher, Mr. Sadiq Olayinka Dawodu(left) with the Vice Principal(Academic), Mr. Adekomu Isaac Aremu at the event.

Igunnuko masquerades on display.

Ibrahim Fatimah (left) with Raji Ramat showing how to christen a baby according to Yoruba tradition.

Another masquerade displaying.

Mr. Ganiu Adisa (left) with the Computer Science teacher, Mr. Balogun Hammed.

Time for cultural dance

Another session of cultural dance.

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Education Today

Thursday, June 4, 2015

23

Need to reposition colleges of education

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here have been subtle attempts by various ministers of education to phase out the Colleges of Education in Nigeria. But the first concrete indications, that an agenda to scrap the colleges of education in Nigeria was in the works only emerged about two years ago. The then minister of State for education Mr. Kenneth Gbagi let the cat out of the bag on Thursday 6th December 2012 while inaugurating an 11 man technical committee on the establishment of six new federal universities and the future of colleges of education, polytechnics and mono-discipline universities in Nigeria.

According to the minister, “we are on the verge of phasing out the Colleges of Education since they are no longer fashionable”. This appears to be the first step towards implementing the agenda to abolish the National Certificate of Education (NCE) and replace it with the bachelor’s degree as the minimum teaching qualification in the primary and secondary schools in Nigeria. I do not still understand what is meant by “not being fashionable” when most states in Nigeria still cannot produce enough NCE holders to fill huge vacancies created when the teachers grade II certificate became unfashionable in 1998.

The initial leakage of the plan sometime in 2010 had caused consternation among Nigerians and triggered protests from the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU). The administration was forced to refute the allegations through the then minister of education Professor Rukayyatu Ahmed Ruffa’i during the convocation ceremonies of the Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University Bauchi in December 2010. Notwithstanding, the administration had continued to pursue the idea covertly, culminating in the recent conversion of four more Colleges of Education to universities.

The dedication with which the efforts to phase out the Colleges of Education and the NCE have been prosecuted would suggest that they constitute a major stumbling block to the development of the Nigerian education system. To me this

The focus of our educational planners must revert to producing effective teachers. appears the greatest distraction from genuine efforts to salvage the sector from the years of decay that has overtaken it, and another step that will further complicate the current situation.

Some pertinent questions are still begging for answers.

Why was the Grade II teacher’s certificate phased out in 1998 in the first place? Why are there no sufficient replacement NCE holders 18 years after? Is the activity of the Grade II Teacher and holders of other lower qualifications the reason for the decay in the basic education system? Will replacement of these teaching staff with holders of the bachelor’s degree in education change the present equation? Can we produce the required number and quality of graduates to man the primary and secondary schools considering the current state of our tertiary education system?

According to the Minister of Education, all 21 federal colleges of Education have been awarding university degrees for the past three decades under affiliation to various universities. Obviously, they had diverted their attention to awarding the more fashionable university degrees rather than

Fanfare as Basil International School holds inter-house sport Wale Igbintade

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mid pomp and ceremony, Basil International School, Ilupeju, Lagos held its biannual inter -house sport competition at the Yaba College of Technology Sports complex, Lagos.

The event, chaired by Mr. Jide Bodede began at 10am with a match

past by the four different houses, namely: Clara Ngu (Green), Sir Darnley Alexander (Yellow), Sir Kashim Ibrahim (Blue) and Ayo Rosiji (Red). On the band stand was the Nigerian Army who also thrilled the spectators to classical tunes.

Thereafter, the track and event competitions also took place among the four houses. The partici-

pants contested for various prizes. Teachers and parents were also not left out in the competition.

Mrs. Abimbola Biobaku, head of schools said the schools, which was established in 1974 usually have biannual inter -house sport among the four houses which are named after people who are connected to the schools by their support

to the late proprietress, Mrs. Biobaku who was the wife to the former ViceChancellor of University of Lagos, Akoka.

She said they encouraged her to start the schools with their contributions in cash and kind so we recognised them by naming houses after them.

At the end of the events, Sir Darnley Alexander (Yellow) house came first beating Clara Ngu (Green) and Ayo Rosiji (Red) to second and third positions respectively.

Vice-Chancellor, Elizade University Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Prof. Valentine Aletor (right) with some of the management staff during a female novelty match to mark the 2015 Students’ Week in Ilara-Mokin, last week.

PHOTO SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

concentrating on producing middle level teachers for the universal basic education programme for which they were set up in the first place. This explains why Nigeria has not been able to produce enough high quality teachers to meet the ever expanding need of the universal basic education programme. Converting all the colleges of education to full degree awarding institutions will not improve the quality of our primary and secondary school graduates either.

With the power of hindsight, we can look back with nostalgia to the early and mid sixties, when many of our teachers in the secondary schools possessed just the NCE or the Higher School Certificate (HSC), yet we went on to do exploits in the West African School Certificate Examination. Most teachers now hold a minimum of the Bachelor’s degree, and the students cannot pass their WAEC examinations anymore. Something has changed obviously; the quality of the training programmes is very defective and so can produce only defective teachers!

The focus of our educational planners must revert to producing effective teachers. To this end, all existing Colleges of Education must be reprogrammed and reequipped, and new ones established, to train competent teachers for our basic education sector.

First, competent teachers must be recruited to teach at the Colleges of Education. Recruitment would be based on criteria such as dedication, knowledge of subject matter and teaching methodology respectively. Only candidates with a score of 200 and above in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) with a comparative performance in the screening exercise may be admitted to the institutions.

On the other hand, the government would guarantee one hundred percent scholarship to all candidates admitted, and automatic employment for its graduates. The icing on the cake would be a special teacher’s salary scale that would guarantee a continuous stream of high quality trainees into the institutions. With good supervision on the job, the troubled educational boat would navigate through the perilous storm at sea and arrive safely at the harbour

Foundation offers scholarship to120 students Charles Okeke AWKA

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enator Andy Uba Foundation has given scholarship award to 120 students of Anambra South indigenes who are studying at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka.

They included Okafor Chinelo, Tony Chimezie, Treasure Nwakaeze,Nduka Tobenna, Uzoezie Franklin, Umenna Chiamaka, Maduabum Chidima, Eze Frank and Buchi Peter, among others.

Announcing the scholarship last week at Agulu in Anaocha Local Government area of the state, where Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences is situated, the Director in charge of the scholarship scheme underthe foundation, Prof. Alex Asigbo said the beneficiaries were drawn from various departments in the university based on their cumulative grade point average that was four and above out of five

points.

Prof. Asigbo, who spoke during the disbursement of a sum of N50, 000 to each of the 18 benefitting students who are from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences pointed out that the money, was meant to cover their tuition.

He explained that only the brilliant students for now entitled to the scholarship with the hope to extend it to students from other senatorial zones of Anambra Central and Anambra South in future.

He noted that the beneficiaries must maintain high CGPA to be able to enjoy sustainability of the gesture till graduation time.

He urged all the beneficiaries to continue to work hard and justify their selection for the award.

In his own remark, the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Uzochukwu Ikemefuna thanked the foundation for the gesture and asked beneficiaries to live up to expectations.

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

OAU SUG ready to work with mgt, says president Afees Lasisi

300L POL SCI. OAU

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he newly elected President of Students Union, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Omotayo Akande has urged the school management to work with the union for the development of the institution.

He said this when the new executives were taking oath of office, recently.

The president also stated that the union would in turn support the school’s management and alumni in the development of the university.

Omotayo however, called on the school authority to renovate and buy necessary facilities on campus, rather than patching things up yearly.

He said since school fees had been increased, the management should make welfare of the students a priority.

He used the opportunity to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari on his swearing-in, urging him to probe all the past leaders including vice- chancellors, deans, heads of department of federal and states universities under the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party.

A 300- level student of the department of Political Science, Hamid Opeyemi who spoke with Campus News said Omotayo Akande so far has showed that his admimidtration will work towards the aspirations and yearnings of Great Ife students.

American University of Paris honours Ensign

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he American University of Nigeria President, Dr. Margee Ensign, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the American University of Paris.

At the ceremony in Paris, she shared the stage with Lisa Anderson, the President of the American University of Cairo, and Benjamin Millepied, Director, Paris Opera Ballet. The honorees, says AUP, are distinguished individuals whose accomplishments are consistent with the university’s mission and core values, to recognize the recipient’s contributions to a specific field or to society in general.

President Ensign was cited for her leadership role in using education to promote peace, community development, and empowerment through a local platform, the Adamawa Peace Initiative (API), which she chairs.

Members of Legal Aid Clinic, University of Ilorin, Kwara State with the guest lecturer, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu (7th left) during a lecture organised by the university’s Faculty of Law, recently.

NANS urges Buhari to include youths in governance Yakubu Temitope, FEDPOLY, ADO EKITI

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tudents from various institutions in the country have called on the new president to include youths in governance.

The students led by National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Vice President, External Affairs, Tosin Ogunkuade at a programme in Abuja recently, said Nigeria has over 45 million young people of which 90 per cent of the population are often excluded from national and international decision making structures that involve them.

They explained that for a country to develop students must not be left out of governance.

“Youth participation in governance entails mobilising young people to influence decision making process and creating positive change in the local communities,” they said.

Ogunkuade said that there were many jobs in the country, only that wrong people are placed at wrong places while right people are un-employed.

He also reiterated that students could influence decisions at all levels of governance, using social medium to monitor policy.

He therefore demands notable percentage of youth inclusion in the governance of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari including students’ interactive session with the President from time to time to in order to have their input in the transition process.

He said Nigeria students had suffered pains from the outgoing administration through incessant strikes and cold blood murder of Northeastern students by insurgents.

Ogunkuade also stated that

instability of educational sector was as a result of failure of government to live up to its responsibilities of delivering good governance to the people.

The students at the forum also demanded free and affordable education from secondary to tertiary institutions, reduction in

exorbitant school fees, solution to discrimination of certificate in employment between HND/ Bsc graduates, subverting seasonal industrial strikes and wellstructured and equipped laboratories, e-library, hostels and lecture rooms.

Others include palliative buses

for schools to solve the problem of transportation, compulsory ICT in secondary schools, proper security for schools and reviving education in Northeastern region, educational research and international upgrading, protecting Nigerian students in Diaspora and job creation.

UNILAG students demand 26% budget allocation to education Saidat Alausa

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niversity of Lagos Students’ Union, ULSU, has called on the President Mohammed Buhari to allocate a minimum of 26 per cent to education sector, saying that was the only way to revamp the sector to appreciable standard.

The union made this recommendation in a press release signed by its President, Abiodun Martins and made available to Campus News.

He said doing so would be a good start for his administration as according to him would help push the sector forward and rank among the best globally.

The union also urged the president to ensure the continuation of the N1.3 trillion Needs Assessment funding to public universities.

“It is important to consolidate on the gains of higher education from the outgoing regime and entrench the path to its revitalisation through the implementation of the Needs Assessment Funding programme,” he stated.

The union also urged President Buhari to fulfill his electoral promises to youth corps members on better remuneration because the youths are eagerly hopeful and he must not disappoint them.

On the appointment of those to head tertiary institutions in the country, the union appealed to the president to ensure that those that would be appointed should be students-friendly as it would help to reduce crisis on campuses.

Appointments according to them should not be made only on political and sundry relationships as experiences have shown that such appointments often led to chaos in the sector.

L-R: Secretary General, National Association of Nigerian Students, Dahiru Maishanu; President, Tijani Usman and Project Coordinator, Orteeyz Ltd, Mr. Tayo Oluwole during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations on NANS International Resource Centre in Abuja, recently.

PHOTO ROTIMI OSASONA

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

Edited by: Saidat Alausa saidat_alausa@yahoo.com 08027633686

Don advocates social justice in universities Ali Toyin Abdul 300L LAW, UNILORIN

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Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ernest Ojukwu has called on the University of Ilorin Legal Aid Clinic to pursue a social justice issues prevailing in the university community and work on them.

He made the call while delivering a lecture titled, “Clinical Legal EducationA Tool for Social Justice and Community Development” organised by the university’s Faculty of Law. The lecturer, who is also a former Deputy DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Law School said there are many prevalent issues that demand urgent attention from the council. He listed shelter, health, animal protection, victimisation, conflict, human rights marginalisation, poverty, gender discrimination and environmental degradation as some

of them.

He further charged the students to discuss among themselves some issues of social justice relevant to the university setting and its environs.

Prof. Ojukwu applauded the university’s law faculty and its formations for its set out goals which fully captured the essence of law as an instrument of social change.

According to him, the faculty’s mission and vision statements provided evidence that its students were well aware of the goal of studying law.

In his remark, the chairman of Kwara State Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Mobolaji Ojibara placed an important reminder as to the necessity and great rewards inherent in the full participation in extra-curricular affairs while at school, particularly those of the Legal Aid Clinic.

Uchechukwu Amanze and Favor Nnadi 100L, MED & SURG & 300L, LAB SC. ABSU

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bia State University Uturu honoured Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and three others at its third convocation ceremony held last Saturday.

Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, a chieftain of All Progressive Congress was conferred with the degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) while HRM Eze Nwachukwu Okere (Iyi ukwu Enyi 1 of Oheiyi –ukwu Autonomous community, Ahaba Isuikwuato) was awarded doctorate degree in Business Administration (Honoris Causa).

For Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, it was a home coming of sort to a state where he

ABSU honours ex-governor was the first civilian governor and university where he was also a visitor between 1991 and 1992 before the creation of Ebonyi State.

In his address, the Chancellor of the university, Sir Francis Orji recounted his relationship with the awardee saying he had a long standing relationship with him from his childhood till present date.

He appealed to other well-meaning Nigerians to support the government in ensuring quality education in the state and the country as a whole.

The state governor, Theodore Orji, who was represented by his deputy, Sir

L-R: ProChancellor, Abia State University, Sen. Ike Nwachukwu; award recipient, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and ViceChancellor, Prof. Chibuzo Ogbuagu during the conferment of honourary doctoral degree on Dr. Onu at the university’s convocation ceremony, recently.

LAUTECH campus My plan for FUPRE —VC journalists get new leaders T O Azeezat Busari, LAUTECH.

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he Union of Campus Journalists, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State, chapter, has elected new members of executives to steer the affairs of the association for the next two years.

In a free, fair, transparent and credible election, Zubair Alabi of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department was elected the President of the union having defeated his opponent in the race.

Other elected officers included, Ajiboye Adegoke (Vice President Admin), Fawole Israel (Vice President Editorial), Oniwinde Samuel (Gen. Sec.), Mikail Abdulhameed (Fin. Sec.) and Busari Azeezat (PRO).

In his congratulations speech, the Electoral Chairman, Oluwatomilola Boyinde, urged the incoming executives to walk in the footsteps of the outgoing executives and to try their best to promotes values of journalism and with their pen and bring sanity into the Students’ union.

Walden University to sensitise Nigerians

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alden University, USA, will be holding an information session about its graduate programmes in Lagos on Saturday.

According to the university’s interim president, Jonathan Kaplan, representatives will offer insight into Walden’s online learning model and extensive range of available programmes.

He also said that the

2-hour information session themed “Explore Walden University” would bring together representatives from the university to map out a path that would guide participants in expanding their education through online learning.

The session according to him will also provide attendees with the opportunity to meet other local working professionals.

Emeka Ananaba, reiterated government commitment in improving standard of education in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu thanked the school management for finding them worthy to be honoured.

He dedicated the award to the people he worked with while he was the governor of the state.

He explained how he resisted the urge to hand over ABSU to the Federal Government at a time when the state depended on sixty five million naira monthly allocation from the federation account.

heophilus WARRI

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nojeghen

he new Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, FUPRE, Delta State, Prof. Akaehomen Akii Ibhadode, has said his dream at the institution was to see that the institution is ranked among the first 500 universities globally.

He stated this on Tuesday during interactive session with newsmen in the campus, saying that the institution would take its pride of place as a specialised university among related institutions around the world.

According to him, teaching, research and citations are the key factors in the ranking process having a total of 90 per cent of the overall rating score, adding that “FUPRE as a specialized university and first of its kind in Africa and eight in the world, deserves to be in the top 500 world universities.”

Ibhadode who was appointed as the new vice chancellor recently hinted that to have a smooth run-

ning of the institution, he had consulted and sorts for the prayers of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1 and host communities to succeed.

“We will put structures in place to carry out the actions and any other actions that would promote learning, teaching, research, industryuniversity and community -relations to make FUPRE the international institutionof-first choice and be one of the top 500 universities in the world in the 21st Century”, the professor of manufacturing technology added.

FUNAAB appoints new Chancellor

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he Federal Government has approved the appointment of a new Chancellor for Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He is His Royal Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon, Abasi Otu V, the Obong of Calabar, Cross River State.

He was appointed alongside 37 prominent traditional rulers as chancellors for all the federal universities nationwide.

With the appointment, the 66-year-old monarch becomes the fourth chancellor for the university.

The new chancellor first

worked as an Assistant Technical Officer-in Training at the then Post and Telecommunications (P&T) Department, Federal Ministry of Communications.

Following the deregulation of the telecommunications sector in the country, he was employed at the Telnet Nigeria Limited, where he rose to the position of Divisional Manager, until he was called upon to serve as the Obong of Calabar.

He is married to Princess Ansa Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu and the union is blessed with children and grandchildren.

Cross section of students and participants at the Covenant University 2nd International conference on African Development Issues held in the university, recently.

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

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HREE weeks ago, May 12 precisely, I presented my third book entitled ‘Media Gaffes & Essays (plus other interventions)’ at the Bolaji Akinyemi Auditorium of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, 13/15, Kofo Abayomi Road, Victoria Island, Lagos. Actually, this review ought to have come out last Sunday, but fatigue constrained me!

The printer’s devil callously battered my voluminous book presented last week by repeating chapters, stories, headlines and generally muddling up the entire book. All the egregrious infelicities were attributed to time challenge and the sheer number of pages involved. The consequence of these schoolboy improprieties is that the N1.2m spent on printing it and other production costs have, sadly, gone down the drain as, perforce, I have to edit, proofread again, reprint and call back the 40 copies sold out on the launch day! Nevertheless, I thank God for everything.

But for the publisher of The Sun/New Telegraph and Chairman of Slok Group, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and the former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun, Mr. Femi Adesina, who was also the second-term president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and now presidential spokesperson the ceremony would have been nothing to write home about. My employer and the most liberal newspaper owner in the country), if not the world, Dr. Kalu, had to cut short his trip to Dubai to ensure he was present on my occasion. Even on the launch day proper he was supposed to be in Abuja for strategic meeetings with economic and political associates, but had to abort those appointments in order to honour me at all costs! The swagger when he arrived was simply presidential and eclipsed the feverishness that had engulfed the prelude to the event. You know a humble man by the way he treats his subordiantes. It is well with you sir for coming and equally staying till parting time. Your robust business empire will continue to flourish to the chargrin of your drunk, callous and amnesic ingrates in Umuahia who will be eclipsed in a few hours thence!

As for my immediate oga and friend, Otunba Adesina, I was not astonished at all because he lived up to his reputation. Despite the fact that he read about the launch before I informed him, he still took my belated invitation with cheerfulness. Other persons in his shoes would have dissociated themselves from the event. The Sun MD did not only come, he came very early and also gave the vote of thanks. This was sheer display of camaraderie and brotherliness at the highest

Marcus Fatunmole ABUJA

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ost researches carried out in Nigerian universities are not policy-driven,

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Media intellectualism

level. I must thank this fine gentleman for his rare candour. I remain appreciative especially when colleagues of ours disappointed inexplicably! May your days be long on earth.

It is amazing and embarrassing that, in spite of my usage of the official mailing list of the NGE in bulk short messaging service, no member of this professional body nationwide attended the book presentation! I am scandalised that such apathy/levity could be visited on a cerebral matter like this.

Knowledge-based journalism has given way to racketeering, media corruption of multifarious shades, mercantilism and blatancy of blackmail and extortion. If a governor had invited these same colleagues of mine, I am so certain that 95 per cent of them would have stormed the venue hours before the governor’s arrival. The assurance in such social/informal or political outings is that the host will “drop” something handsome! This utter nonchalance to developmental journalism is antithetical to the pursuit of professionalism. I am furious.

Apart from the bulk SMS channel, invitation cards were massively distributed to prospective guests. Unbelievably, most of the people that came were those I never invited! Apparently they must have responded to the newspaper advertisements. Of course, none of my colleagues was expected to buy the book because most of us do not read anyway, but their constituency presence alone would have enhanced my reputation in the eyes of the public. And the most annoying thing is that none of them called either before or after the event to explain absence! Let me use just two newspapers as test cases: THE NATION and THISDAY. In both organisations not less than 40 line, title editors and directors in each medium were issued invitation cards. Out of the 80 expected guests from just these two media outfits —colleagues all and some friends, too—only Waheed Odusile from THE NATION fully graced the occasion! It was quite appaling, embarrassing, unfortunate and on record for posterity and futuristic personal referential.

Not even the leaderships and secretariats of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists and the Newspapers’ Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria were represented or sent goodwill messages in solidarity with one of their own! What, then, is the essence of these professional bodies? I think the time has come for me

to review my membership of the NUJ and the NGE. When other professionals have such ennobling functions, their colleagues give moral support. That is the joy of such associational subscriptions.

Apart from Olise Egbunike, an Assistant Director in the News Agency of Nigeria and my classmate at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos (1985-1987 set), who reviewed the book, none of my classmates from Wilcox Memorial Grammar School (later Comprehensive Secondary School), Ogbor Hill, Aba, UNILAG, LASU and LBS (Pan-Atlantic University) attended the event. Also startling is the discovery that excluding Messrs Bode Opeseitan, Uzoma Ofong (Globacom big boys), Aaron Ukodie, Gabriel Dike, Nduka Uzuakpundu and Philip Nwosu, no other person came from my erstwhile places of employment: old Daily Times, The Post Express, New Age, The Sun, ETB and Sterling Bank PLC. In the same breath, no parishoner came from my church except my youthful vicar, the youngest venerable in the Anglican Communion nationwide, Engr. Jimmy Ebiesuwa and the president of the Guild of Stewards, Ben Onunwa. A big lesson for one aqnd all: in this world, you are on your own—do not depend or rely on anyone. Let God be your only hope, bulwark, intercessor, defender, protector, guardian and provider.

Man will always disappoint!

I thank the provost and registrar of NIJ, Messrs Gbemiga Ogunleye and Dotun Adenijo, respectively, for squeezing out time to honour me all the way from Ogba amid traffic bottlenecks and contrived fuel scarcity, Equaly appreciated are my pals and colleagues Ray Echebiri, Udeme Afia (all the way from Uyo by air), Ismail Omipidan (on flight from Kaduna), Deji Elumoye (Lagos NUJ Chairman); Dr. Rosemond Uche, Chief Ziggy Azike, Ebenezer Emeruem and Egesi Ulu, And for others who attended whose names are not mentioned here because of space constraint, I appreciate you all. I must reciprocate whenever (and wherever) your own event beckons.

What’s Adenuga’s real worth?

I have just understood that Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., GCON is worth an estimated $30 billion contrary to my grossly conservative assertion recently that the business octopus has a deep pocket of $10 billion value! The inadvertent gaffe was corrected by an unimpeachably reliable source.

Most university researches not policy-driven —EDOREN

but aim at fetching teachers of the schools promotion, Country-Director, Education Data, Research and Evaluation in Nigeria,

EDOREN, Mr Oladele Akogun, has said.

Oladele, who spoke with National Mirror in Abuja recently, said except focus

L-R: Tutor General and Perm Secretary, Education District 1, Mrs. Florence Ogunfidodo, Best Principal of the year Senior School category, Mr. Emmanuel Adebiyi of Lagos Baptist Senior College,Obanikoro and Father of the day, Olu of Agege, Oba Kamila Isiba during the presentation of prizes at the District Annual Education Merit Award, recently.

of research done in the institutions changed, most policies of government would not be impacted by quality research expected to drive them.

This is even as he said EDOREN had been working on review of basic education in the country; improving girl-child enrolment; and had created a website, www.nigeria-education.org, which according to him, would be repository where educationalists could access up-to-the-minute and reliable information.

EDOREN is a four year initiative funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development, DFID; and designed to generate new evidence and understand-

ing of how best to support equitable access and improved learning outcomes for all Nigerian children through innovation and the sustainable development of basic education systems.

Speaking on research in the universities, he said: “The evidence we have is that research as being done by the universities are not funded, they are self-funded. You use your salary to carry out a research, and with the aim of earning a promotion, not with the aim of changing a policy; two different types of research. The motive for doing research in the university is for promotion. Since it is tied to promotion, a lot research is being done. You cannot become a professor, unless you do research.

LAFROSA 19781983 set meets

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he 1983 set of the Lagos African Church Grammar School, Ifako, Agege, Lagos, held its quarterly meeting at the AB 10 Specialist Hospital, behind the school facility on 29th May, 2015.

Present were the executive members including Dr. Olukunle Akinoso, Mr. Wande Majekodunmi, Mrs. Kemi Ojomo-Bamidele and Mrs. Olanike Oladipupo.

Other members of the set at the event were Messrs Olaseni Bankole, Ogunsola Olayinka, Victor Bodunrin, Akinola Adekola-Omode.

Oladehinde Bakare and Kunle Alabi, as well as Mrs. Ganiyat Lawal and Mrs. Aderonke Adeola.

The next meeting is scheduled for October 1, 2015.

Business Thursday, June 4, 2015

Presumptive tax: Equalizing the distribution of tax burden (1)

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Experts to parley on e-payment’s potential for business growth

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Why African brands ranks low in global rating

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Power generation rises to 3,368.44mw UDEME AKPAN

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he nation’s power generation has shown a little improvement, rising from over 2,000mw to 3,368.44mw in the past few days as a result of improvement in gas supply.

Of the 3,368.44mw generated, 3,293.03mw was distributed for consumption while the balance was used to stabilise the system.

The Presidential Task Force on Power, PTFP which made this known in its latest report maintained that the figures remain below the nation’s over 12,000mw estimated peak demand.

A survey showed that many consumers, including individuals, households and organisations have not been having constant supplies.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC has noticed with concern the acute shortage in power supply and the attendant hardship Nigerians are passing through.

The Commission indicated in a statement that in the last couple of months, electricity supply has been generally poor on account of increase in vandalism in the run up to the April 2015 elections.

But this bad supply condition has worsened in the last few days.

“At present, 18 out of the 23 power plants in the country are unable to generate electricity due

shortage of gas supply to the thermal plants with one of the hydro stations faced with water management issue. This has led to loss of over 2,000megawatts in the national grid.”

“This situation is further compounded by the recent industrial actions embarked upon by workers in the oil and gas industry, a development which is taking toll on other sectors of the economy.

Gas supplies to the thermal plants have been further constrained by the industrial actions of workers in the oil and gas industry,” it maintained.

The Commission had proac-

tively engaged the gas supply companies and its licencees when two weeks ago discussion was held on how to firm up gas supply in order to increase power supply.

Unfortunately, not much progress was made through this meeting as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and its subsidiary Nigeria Gas Company, disclosed of high incidence of vandalism in some areas that were relatively peaceful along its pipeline networks.

That meeting was told of the damaged done to Trans-Forcados pipeline in the western axis and ELPS gas pipeline in the eastern

axis.

NNPC had explained at the meeting that repair works are being intensified even as it expressed worry on the integrity of the pipelines on account of incessant damage it has sustained.

In essence, what has brought about this development is the increased incidence of vandalism which is beyond the control of the regulator and the industry operators.

This situation is further compounded by the industrial actions declared by the oil and gas workers.

T

op global and African Chief Executive Officers on Tuesday launched a Continental Business Network (CBN) to fast-track high-level private sector investment into Africa’s regional infrastructure.

According to an online report by New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the launch of the CBN on the side-lines of the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, South Africa,was the mandated follow-up and implementation of recommendations emanating

35

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

Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (right) congratulating the President-elect of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, shortly before Atiku’s departure to South Africa on official visit, yesterday.

Global corporate chiefs rally to enhance Africa’s infrastructure TOLA AKINMUTIMI

27

from the Dakar Financing Summit (DFS), hosted by Senegal’s President Macky Sall.

The Chief Executive Officer of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency, Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, said that the CBN was endorsed by the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) in June 2014 and is a direct response to facilitate private sector advice and leadership in essential NEPAD and African infrastructure projects.

Mayaki urged the private sector to take ownership of the future of regional infrastructure development.

He said: “We are making a

transition from a public-centred to a combination of public and private sector approach for the implementation of Africa’s regional infrastructure. This new culture will be framed through the instruments that CBN will offer”.

The Dakar Finance Summit identified the lack of capacity and funds in project preparation combined with a weak involvement of the private sector as the main issues that constitute the bottlenecks to the implementation of African regional infrastructure.

Senegal’s Ambassador accredited to South Africa, Dr Momar Diop said that the CBN was the missing cornerstone to address

these issues,.

In his remarks, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Dr Elham Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim, noted further that “Africa will only succeed when all public and private sector stakeholders will join their efforts” The inaugural CBN event, hosted by the NEPAD Agency was convened and led by a crosssection of private sector leaders who have provided recommendations to African Heads of State on approaches and practical steps to improve Africa’s infrastructure investment climate for crossborder and other infrastructure investment projects in Africa.

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

28

Business News

Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Cabotage Act review long overdue, says group FRANCIS EZEM

T

he Nigerian Association of Master Mariners NAMM, which is umbrella body for all retired ship captains and chief engineers of Nigerian origin, has called for a comprehensive review of the Coastal and Inland Shipping Cabotage Act 2003.

President of the association, Captain Ade Olopoenia, observed that more than 10 years after the

enactment of the legislation, which seeks to empower indigenous operators, the core objectives were yet to be achieved.

According to him, the complete overhaul and review of the legislation as well as the implementation mechanism would strengthen the legislation and make it achieve the desired objectives.

He said: “The implementation of the Cabotage Act 2003 has been the subject of discussions among critical stakeholders who

have not really realised the benefits of the legislation. After over 10 years of the Cabotage regime in Nigeria without achieving the set objectives captured in the four cardinal principles,; build, ownership, registration and manning

by Nigerian, there is compelling need for the review of the Act” He argued that the amendment of the Cabotage Act will should seek to address such issues as granting of waivers to foreign ships and seafarers and transparent disbursement of the

Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund CVFF. The Federal Government had enacted the Cabotage Act, which provides that vessels to be deployed for coastal and inland shipping services must be built and registered in Nigeria, owned and manned by Nigerians, which is yet to be achieved more than 10 years after.

The Act however provides for a Waiver clause, which waives these provisions for foreign shipping companies in proven cases

where Nigerians lack the capacity to provide these services in order not to create a vacuum in the system.

Immediate past Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar had last year issued new guidelines for the granting of waiver to foreign shipping companies, which imposed stringent requirements as part of measures to check abuse, which is believed to be partly responsible for non realization of the objectives of the Cabotage regime.

Imo ADP launches liquid fertilizer for improved productivity CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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mo State Agricultural Development Programme, ADP has concluded arrangement to launch its wonder liquid fertilizer called Albit to boost sufficient food production in the state.

Imo State Agricultural Development Programme, ADP, will on launch a wonder liquid fertilizer, called Albit In line with its mandate of ensuring sufficient food production in the state, the This is even as the agency has signed a memorandum of understanding with International Food Research Institute (IFPRI) World Bank to establish a ranch called Imo Ranch and Allied Crops.

Introducing the bottled fertilizer to journalists in Owerri, the Executive Director of the ADP, Dr. Romanus Onye, disclosed that the liquid fertilizer which would be launched on Wednesday June 4, 2015 would help crops to increase in yields, quality and marketability.

He disclosed that the product could be applied on many hectares of land with just a millimeter of measurement as against carrying heavy bags of NPK to the farm.

Onye explained that the new fertilizer which research shows has more numerous advantages than the normal NPK fertilizer, had been tested by the University of Zaria and other institutions

and approved by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and NAFDAC. According to the ADP boss, it is environmentally friendly because it is harmless to plants, environment, humans and animals and does not cause inhalation, oral or skin irritation, adding that the aim of introducing the product into the state was to guarantee better harvest and improve socio-economic status of farmers in the state.

In expectation of the high yield of crops arising from the use of the liquid fertilizer, he disclosed that the Imo ADP in collaboration with Tai Agro Allied Services would be establishing international farmers’ market to support the State Government’s wealth and employment creation programme in the state.

The ADP boss who had made several inroads in the growth of the agricultural sector in Imo State, said the major impediments facing the ADP was inadequate funding.

He listed his achievements in the ADP to include, getting the agency away from the unit of consumption to the unit of production, particularly in ongoing hectares of cassava and tomato, water melon, etc which the agency was producing even without any funding, as well as recovering over 5000 hectares of ADP lands all over the state.

L-R: Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Roger Thompson Brown; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ojunekwu Augustine Avuru and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. William Stuart Connal, during the Second Annual General meeting of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

SON boss tasks FRSC on ‘tokunbo’ tyres CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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orried by the unregulated influx of fairly used tyres into the country, the Director-General of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu has urged the Federal Road Safety Corps to step up its operations to address this trend which has contributed to road traffic crashes in the country.

Making this disclosure during a courtesy visit to the Abuja national headquarters of the Corps, the Director-General of SON frowned at the rate at which motorists in the country operate with fairly used tyres even in the face of road safety challenges associated with the use of such tyres. The visit was

meant to serve as platform to review the Corps’ partnership with SON on vehicle safety standards in the country.

According to him, “It is worrisome that motorists patronize these products which have not only expired in some cases but also do not conform to minimum safety standards. It is also imperative to note that new tyres are not ruled out from expiration because some tyres may get close to expiry date before being purchased and used by motorists who are ignorant of this”.

He therefore urged the FRSC to expand its operational frontiers to tackle the influx of fairly used tyres into the country as part of measures towards further reduction in road traffic crashes.

Dr Odumodu also commended

the FRSC management for remaining committed to its data collation on road traffic crashes, analysis and knowledge sharing with other relevant agencies stressing that this initiative provides a definite guide for the federal government on national planning and other forms of decision making towards national growth.

Responding, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi recalled that the Corps has remained focused in its enforcement strides with emphasis on “tokumbo” tyres and other traffic-related matters which fall short of recommended safety standards, adding that through special intervention patrols, the FRSC does not compromise on its drive to deliver on set goals.

Glo opens customer care centre in Benin ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

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lobacom has opened a new customer care centre retail outlet at the Kada Entertainment Centre, Sapele Road, Benin City, bringing the telecoms customer care centres to three in the city.

National Sales Coordinator,

Mid-West Territory, Globacom, Mr. Offor Augustus-Ndu, said that the latest shop in Benin was part of Globacom’s efforts at ensuring that its esteemed customers, especially those in the G.R.A. axis of Benin City, do not have to go far before they can access our customer care services.

“Kada Entertainment Plaza is strategic as it is one of the busi-

est areas in Benin City where diverse segments of our customers congregate. Since it is open every day of the week, it will give our customers that visit the plaza the opportunity of experiencing our quality customer service even as they catch their fun. This is why the Gloworld shop in Kada Entertainment Plaza is a huge development for us in Benin City,” he

said.

According to Offor, the shop will extend its services into the late evening, daily, adding that “almost any time, our welltrained customer care staff will be on ground to attend to customers’ enquiries.”

Chairman of Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, Moris Ogunrobo-Ovia, who

commissioned the new Glo shop, commended the telco for always making “customers number one in all its activities.”

He said that Globacom had from inception in Edo State rendered quality services to his people, saying that the new shop is being opened at Kada Cinemas by Globacom shows how thoughtful the company is.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Thursday, June 4, 2015

29

Active CDMA lines up by 128,017 in April ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

C

ontrary to previous industry analysts’ prediction that the Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA, mobile wireless lines would soon fizzle out of the nation’s telecommunications market, the sub-sector appeared set for improved share in the market with its increased subscribers rising by 128,017 lines last April.

The latest report by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, the telecoms industry regulator, indicated that

the structure of the market was again showing improved interest by subscribers for wireless lines.

For instance, statistics by the Commission on the monthly subscriber figures showed that active CDMA subscribers in the mobile phone category increased by 128,017, bringing the total active CDMA mobile phone lines in the country to 2,234,302 in April, up from the 2,106,285 subscribers in the preceding month.

The only surviving CDMA operator in the country, Visafone, which was reported to be sold out to MTN, appeared to be gradually increasing its market share based

on the latest figures.

For instance, active lines for the sector had been changing since 2014 such that active lines in November 2014 dropped from 2,413,695 to 2,187,845 in December, a figure which dropped further in January 2015 to 2,108,960.

In February, the subscriber base also picked up, rising to 2,130,906 before it also increased in the following month to 2,106,285. Between March and April, 128, 017 subscribers also joined the network.

Investigations revealed that although Nigeria started the telecom revolution with CDMA op-

erators until the GSM operators arrived selling a SIM card for as high as between N30, 000 and N50, 000, their arrival however thrown the CDMA out of market when they could not muster the kind of fund needed to compete with GSM operators.

It was gathered that the GSM operators went on an aggressive marketing campaign due to the huge fund at their disposal, which of course the CDMA never had.

CDMA brands like Multi-links, VGC Communications, Intercellular, Mobitel, EMIS, Zoom Mobile and Starcomms Plc., which later went to the Nigerian Stock

Mortgage experts chart roadmap to affordable housing SYLVA EMEKA-OKEKEKE

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xperts having identified some of the problems facing the housing sector, urged the new government to try to remove all impediments to housing delivery, pointing out that the agenda of providing affordable housing units for the teeming population cannot be realized, unless government stems the tide.

Housing experts have also

noted that over 70 percent of Nigeria’s population is at the mercy of shylock landlords in the country, blaming the past and present leaders for reneging in their housing promises.

A housing expert Joseph Emefiele urged the present administration to shun the promise of the past, where they failed to keep to their promises.

According to him, the new government should ensure that every Nigerian worker lives in his own

house, adding that it is the only way; government can reduce the affordability gap while improving access to decent houses through various housing programmes.

Nigeria’s housing need has been on the increase due to population explosion, which has averaged 3.0 percent per annum amid rapid urbanization due to ruralurban migration.

This is in addition to the cost of building materials, ineffective and insincere housing policies as

well as inability of mortgage institutions to take their rightful place in the scheme of things.

The industry stakeholders noted further that until the monetary authorities reduced interest rates to single digit to enable low income earners obtain affordable mortgage financing, the nation’s mortgage industry will remain at its present dismal level, contributing below one per cent to gross domestic product.

Exchange in July 2008 in order to retain its enviable position in the sector has since closed shop.

A survey conducted in 2008,

by Mobile World revealed that there was a growing demand for CDMA despite the domination of the market by GSM technology as the affordability of CDMA phones and clarity of communication when compared with GSM. A respondent in the survey was quoted as saying that “with as little as N1,500, you can get a phone and a line on the CDMA network, while for a GSM line, a subscriber may need to pay at least twice that amount.”

Citing reasons for quitting the CDMA market in Nigeria, Acting Chief Executive Officer, MultiLinks Telkom Nigeria, Vincent Raseroka, said the decision to exit the market was purely based on business realities.

According to him, it was strategically, financially and commercially challenging for MultiLinks Telkom to continue to do business in the segment stating that with a current market share of 2.6 per cent in a market dominated by the GSM technology, it became imperative explore other options and chart a new path to growth and profitability for Multi-Links Telkom Nigeria.

Seplat shareholders approve $0.15 dividend JOHNSON OKANLAWON

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hareholders of Seplat Petroleum Development Company yesterday approved a dividend of $0.15 per share for the 2014 financial year, up from $0.10 in 2013.

Seplat, which is dual listed on the Nigeria and London Stock Exchanges also said its gas revenue grew by 51 per cent in the financial year ended December 31, 2014.

Speaking at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Austin Avuru said that gas commercialisation strategy is a key revenue driver for the company.

“We see the commercialisation and monetisation of Nigeria’s natural gas resource as an attractive long-term opportunity as we seek to go beyond our domestic supply obligations by selling to commercial ventures in Nigeria, such as power generation plants. “ Pursuant to the Nigerian Gas Master Plan 2008, Nigeria is currently undergoing significant changes in the domestic gas pricing environment which has resulted in increased gas demand

and improving pricing dynamics,” he said.

He noted that the company concluded a 10 day tie-in on its Oben plant to enable the company have a single homogenous plant consisting two by 45 Million Standard Cubic Feet of Gas Per Day (MMSCF/D) WAGP specification gas post-commissioning, from the Oben node.

Avuru disclosed that the facility expansion and upgrade will bring the company’s overall daily gas production capacity to slightly over 300 mmscf/d. “ We have materially grown our reserves base, delivered full year average daily production in line with guidance and exceeded peak rate objectives. Expansion plans for our gas business gathered pace and the new Oben gas processing plant will allow us to increase supply to the domestic market,” he added.

In the same vein, Chairman of Seplat also harped on the company’s gas commercialisation policy.

He said, “We have made successful efforts in our gas development strategy by the expansion of our gas processing facility in Oben.

Bank customers on queue at one of the commercial banks in Dutse to obtain their bank verification number, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

AfDB participates in WEF on Africa SYLVA EMEKA-OKEREKE

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frican Development Bank, AfDB is participating in this year’s threeday World Economic Forum, WEF on Africa which kicked off yesterday in Cape Town, South Africa.

Tagged, “Then and Now: Reimaging Africa’s Future”, the forum brings together world leaders from business, government, and civil society groups to evaluate Africa’s progress and share insights on current issues.

The forum also identifies innovative methodologies of accelerating inclusive growth that promotes sustainable development on the continent.

Outgoing President of AfDB, Donald Kaberuka is expected to participate in a session titled, “Africa Economic Outlook” alongside the World Bank VicePresident for Africa, Makhtar Diop and Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Claver Gatete.

The Bank’s Special Envoy on Gender, Geraldine FraserMoleketi, will launch a report on

women board directors in Africa during the forum.

The Africa Competitiveness Report 2015, published jointly by the AfDB, the WEF and World Bank and which highlights among other things, factors necessary to ensure the continent’s competitiveness in the global market, will be unveiled today at the forum AfDB new President, Mr Akinwumi Adesina would take over from Donald Kaberuka of Rwanda on September 1, 2015, as the eighth leader of the 50-yearold apex African bank.

30

Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Taxation

Presumptive tax: Equalizing the distribution of tax burden (1) EMBUKA ANNA

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axation of the informal sector, particularly persons and businesses that are not properly structured or are unable to keep proper and detailed records of their business transactions, is a topical and challenging issue not only in Nigeria, but also in most developing countries. Almost every country in the world has at one time or the other been faced with the challenge of how to bring such businesses into the tax net.

The Nigeria tax system consists of three taxing levels - the federal, state and local governments - each with a large pool of taxpayers and potential taxpayers operating in the informal sector but not captured in the tax net. There is therefore, a great need to widen the tax net i.e. bring in more taxpayers into the tax net, and the key to achieving this is the simplification of compliance and ensuring that taxpayers are treated fairly and equally.

In dealing with the peculiar tax challenges in the informal sector, some countries leveraged on the experiences of others, while others decided to fashion out specific strategies. The Nigerian Government through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has opted to adopt a hybrid by developing a workable tax regime customized to suit the local circumstances - The Presumptive Tax Regime. The regime will be fully operational when the Presumptive Tax regulation is gazetted.

The presumptive tax regulation is based on the provisions of Section 6 of the Personal Income Tax Act, 2011 (as amended). A new sub-section 6 was added to Section 36 of the law. Specifically, the new sub-section states that: ‘’where for all practical purposes the income of the taxpayer cannot be ascertained or records are not kept in such a manner as would enable proper assessment of income, then such a taxpayer shall be assessed on such terms and conditions as would be prescribed by the Minister (of Finance) in regulations by order of gazette under a presumptive tax regime’’.

The presumptive method of taxation is understood to be effective in reducing tax avoidance as well as equalizing the distribution of the tax burden. It will grow the tax base across the three tiers of government and improve tax collection from non-oil tax revenue. A successful implementation of a presumptive tax regime will create an improved and easy access to the large pool of taxpayers in the informal sector.

Already operational in some developing economies like Ghana, Zimbabwe and a few others, the proposed regime is administered based on presumed, not actual, income of the taxpayer in a structured way that ensures fairness. It seeks to remove the challenges confronting the revenue agen-

Buhari

Ogungbesan

cies in their efforts to achieve a more effective administration of taxes for individual and corporate entities in the sector.

The term presumptive taxation covers a number of procedures under which the ‘desired’ base for taxation (direct or indirect) is not itself measured but is inferred from some simple indicators which are more easily measured than the base itself.

Presumptive income taxation is employed primarily in economies where ‘hard-to-tax’ taxpayers comprise the majority of the population and administrative resources are scarce. In these countries, most taxpayers lack the financial transparency that allows for effective taxation by the government. The result is that governments estimate or presume the appropriate income on which taxes should be levied.

In developed countries, the transition from presumptive to actual income-based taxation paralleled the shift from agricultural to industrial economies. Economic advancements replaced self-employment in farming and small-scale trade with concentrated employment in fewer and larger entities such as governments and large corporations. Whereas tax liability was formerly derived from indices such as estimated crop yield of agricultural lands, it gradually became a factor of actual income received from salary and wages. Movements towards more ‘modern’ forms of tax administration emerged as businesses became more sophisticated and financial transparency increased. As accounting practices became more prevalent, self-assessment of tax liability and withholding tax at source inevitably followed.

However, in developing countries, presumptive taxation may still be the most appropriate method of tax administration for specific groups of taxpayers. The economic transition from agriculture to industry has not occurred to the same degree as in industrialized nations. Nonetheless, most tax laws are written as if they had, assum-

ing the tax is assessed on well-defined measures of income and well documented in transparent accounting records. The reality is that most taxpayers do not possess the administrative resources to maintain accurate books or navigate complex tax codes.

As a result, tax evasion is rampant and authorities exert considerable effort locating and taxing small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Presumptive taxation techniques may be employed for a variety of reasons. It could be for reasons of simplification, particularly in relation to the compliance burden on taxpayers with very low turnover (and the corresponding administrative burden of auditing such taxpayers). Another reason is to combat tax avoidance or evasion (which works only if the indicators on which the presumption is based are more difficult to hide than those forming the basis for accounting records). Third, by providing objective indicators for tax assessment, presumptive methods may lead to a more equitable distribution of the tax burden, when normal accounts-based methods are unreliable because of problems of taxpayer compliance or administrative corruption.

Presumptive methods can be rebuttable or irrefutable. Rebuttable methods include administrative approaches to reconstructing the taxpayer’s income, and may or may not be specifically described in the statute.

If the taxpayer disagrees with the result reached, the taxpayer can appeal by proving that his or her actual income, calculated under the normal tax accounting rules, was less than that calculated under the presumptive method.

Rebuttable presumptions can encourage taxpayers to keep proper accounts, because they subject taxpayers to a possibly higher tax burden in the absence of such accounts.

Also, presumptions that serve as minimum taxes may be justified by a combination of reasons (revenue need, fairness concerns, and political or technical difficulty in ad-

dressing certain problems directly as opposed to doing so through a minimum tax).

By contrast, irrefutable presumptive assessments are usually specified in the statute or in delegated legislation because they are legally binding. They must be defined precisely. Depending on the situation, irrefutable presumptions might be subject to legal challenge as unconstitutional. In some countries, the constitutional court (or Supreme Court) has been quite active in applying the principle of equality in taxation.

Whilst in some other countries, tax law provisions that are seen as denying equal access to justice are particularly vulnerable to constitutional challenge.

Presumptive taxation can be used for any tax that is normally based on accounting records—income tax, turnover tax, and value added tax (VAT) or sales tax—although it is most commonly used for the income tax. A number of different types of presumptive methods exist in different countries.

Presumptive taxation is undoubtedly a ‘win-win’ technique given that it is an optimal method of curbing widespread noncompliance without employing excessive government resources because it addresses the concerns of both the taxpayer and the tax authority. Presumptive taxation provides taxpayers with a simplified option for tax compliance without requiring full financial transparency.

Without a doubt, SMEs employ the majority of taxpayers in any developing country. Yet, many SMEs remain in the informal sector because they lack sufficient resources, administrative infrastructure and accounting sophistication to comply with government tax regulations. The result is that many employers are ineligible to receive the benefits the formal sector offers, which inescapably compromises their financial viability. Small businesses are aware of the advantages that legitimate enterprises enjoy, and most would be willing to pay taxes but for the complex bureaucracy involved.

Presumptive taxation addresses these concerns by offering a streamlined method for moving from the informal to formal sector. Income is no longer assessed from accounting records but from indicators such as the value of a farmer’s land, gross turnover of the SME, or signs of individual wealth. This approach to estimating income on which tax is levied removes the administrative burden of financial transparency traditionally required for compliance.

Tax administrations are quite mindful of the burden which tax compliance places on individuals and businesses. However, non-compliance amounts to a lack of funds for the public works and social service programs that are central to national development. As a result, authorities spend a disproportionate amount of time tracking down non-compliant SMEs.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Info Tech

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

Experts to parley on e-payment’s potential for business growth Globally for over a decade the telecoms revolution has continued to impact on global economic order through the value-adding benefits of its tools and solutions to all aspects of national development, particularly the economy. One of the sector’s innovative tools in recent times is the of card money technology which, based on its potentials, has been a recurring innovation agenda in various fora on business development. Another of such interactive session amongst telecom and financial experts on card payment system is slated for Nigeria this month. ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN writes on what would be the key issues for discussion at the proposed event.

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ard money technology in the Nigerian economy has finally taken root as most transaction are today conducted using card money from the key vendors that operate in the country, Verve, Mastercard and Visa Card.

However, what is left now is how to grow the industry is the consistently by introducing innovation that will further deepen customer satisfaction as it is currently had been done in other developed economy of the world.

In pursuit of that stakeholders in the industry have decided to converge in Lagos on under the auspices of the CARDEXPO AFRICA 2015 Conference and Exhibition, a special focus on Card, Mobile, Identification and Payment to address the topic: “Innovation: The Future of Epayment”.

The proposed conference is coming ahead of the plan to introduce new innovation into the National eID card, to be issued in conjunction with MasterCard in the eID pilot program.

According to the General Manager, Corporate Communications, NIMC, Abdulhamid Umar the MasterCard -branded identity cards with electronic payments functionality to 13 million Nigerians is the largest rollout of a biometric-based verification card with an electronic payment solution in the country and the broadest financial inclusion program in Africa.

He said that the eID card forms a key component of the Nigerian Identity Management System, deployed by National Identity Management Commission, NIMC as part of its mandate to create, maintain and operate the country’s first central National Identity Database and provide proof of identity to Nigerians 16 years and older.

He disclosed that with 13 applications, including MasterCard’s prepaid payment technology and Cryptovision’s biometric identification technology, the eID card will provide millions of Nigerians – the majority of whom have never had access to a banking product – with the security, convenience and reliability of electronic payments.

Another key innovation that experts maybe examining is cloud-based mobile payments introduced last year by Visa that offers clients new options to securely deploy mobile payment programs, including for the first time an option to host Visa payWaveenabled accounts in a secure, virtual cloud.

The move expands Visa’s support for mobile payments globally and will is expected to give financial institutions greater choice

in offering consumers secure ways to pay with smartphones.

According to Executive Vice President of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Visa Incorporated, Jim McCarthy, Visa’s support for cloud-based payments follows the introduction of a new feature in the Android mobile operating system called Host Card Emulation, HCE, which allows any NFC application on an Android device to emulate a smart card, letting users wave-topay with their smartphones, while permitting financial institutions to host payment accounts in a secure, virtual cloud.

Executive Vice President, Global Solutions, Visa Incorporated, Elizabeth Buse disclosed that its clients and partners around the globe are continuously looking for flexible, cost efficient and secure ways to enable mobile payments.

She added that the Android HCE feature provides us with a platform to evolve the Visa payWave standard, support the development of secure, cloud-based mobile applications, while at the same time offer greater choice to our clients.

The new innovation is said to have much impact on the card money technology in the country due to the high number of Android device in the country and the fact that Android is enjoying strong gains in markets in Nigeria and out the country.

Organisers of the event, Intermarc Consulting Limited said the the conference and exhibition will focus greatly on the future of e-payment, the assumption that underlines growth potentials and how innovation will drive the process as well as strategy that will deliver the future of payment.

Conference Director, Lilian Ekwedike noted that while the payment landscape has evolved rapidly over the past decade, due to a flurry of innovation and regulation, expansive growth in electronic payments and the inclusion of new market entrants, industry research indicate that the next decade will yield a period of even faster changes.

She said: “In the traditional electronic payment sector the weak national economies across Africa continues to drive cost efficiencies in both domestic and international payment systems.”

WHILE THE PAYMENT LANDSCAPE HAS EVOLVED RAPIDLY OVER THE PAST DECADE DUE TO A FLURRY OF

INNOVATION AND REGULATION, EXPANSIVE GROWTH IN ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS AND THE INCLUSION OF NEW MARKET ENTRANTS, INDUSTRY RESEARCH INDICATE THAT THE NEXT DECADE WILL YIELD A PERIOD OF EVEN FASTER CHANGES

According to Ekwedike international trade expansion and globalisation are growing the demands for cross border payment while the rapidly changing demands of corporate, non-banks and banks for lower, reduced fees and improved services will increase pressure on traditional payments models to rationalize.

She said that the retail payment sector is already undergoing major change primarily as a result of the disruptive impact of ecommerce mobile and tablets adding that there is a rapid development of new payment concepts and business structures which will displace traditional cash and other forms of payment.

Ekwedike stated that over the next five to seven years, retail and wholesale payments are expected to mature into highly automated and interactive eco-systems.

She said that of particular importance are new opportunities for banks saying that there will be the growth in the use of traditional electronic ACH payments in the retail sector.

“This is beginning to happen in Nigeria with the NIBBS instant payment platform.

Electronic and the newly emerging alternative payment have an increasingly important role to play in enabling banks to displace cash and cheque transactions over the next decade as e-commerce grows and payment accelerates rapidly. Innovation and new developments will be the key drivers for change over the next five to seven years”, she observed.

She disclosed that top card and e-payment experts will be sharing inside strategies on positioning and enhancing card business together with how to ensure rapidly evolving Card Ecosystem in Nigeria.

She added that merchants, issuers, financial institutions, and solution providers will hear first-hand, in insightful panel debates whole a holistic idea exchange around the industry’s and most pressing issues on Cards, Mobile payment, MPOS, NFC, BVN, Square Me, ATM, EFT, eGovernment payments at federal and state levels and utility payments future extensively.

She also said that the company will be rewarding bank customers that frequently use their cards on POS while merchants and sales persons who promote and encourage the use of card on POS will also be rewarded with various cash prizes under the CBN Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme, EPIS.

32

Info Tech

Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Infrastructure vandalism to Lenovo’s new laptops scan your attract 10 years imprisonment Tech Box

face in Windows 10

STORIES: ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

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L

enovo has announced a pair of new mid-range laptops that are remarkable apart from one detail. The Lenovo Z51, a 15-inch device with a mind blowing price tag offers Intel’s RealSense 3D camera as an optional extra.

RealSense uses a trio of lenses (a conventional camera, an infrared camera, and an infrared laser) to measure depth, allowing users to control their laptop using hand gestures, or even scan objects for 3D printing.

The camera costs an additional amount, but with a free upgrade to Windows 10 coming soon (the Z51 ships with Windows 8.1), users will be able to sign in using their face as a password.

The rest of the specs on the Z51 and Z41 (the 14-inch version, which doesn’t offer the option of RealSense) seem fairly standard.

Both notebooks come with up to 16GB of RAM and a 5th generation Intel i7 processor, a 1080p

resolution screen, and up to 1TB of storage either as a hard disk drive or a solid state hybrid.

Unfortunately, Lenovo has only published the highest specs for both devices and their lowest starting prices, making it difficult to get a full picture of what sort of value the two laptops offer.

However, it does state that with RealSense comes with 8GB of RAM and an i5 processor. Unusually, press shots also show that the Z51 has an optical drive.

The Chinese company also showed off the new ThinkPad 10 during its Lenovo Tech World event in Beijing recently. This is the next generation of Lenovo’s “business tablet” a 10-inch Windows 10 device that comes with up to 128GB of internal storage and a pair of keyboard accessories to get work done on the move.

There’s an Intel Atom quadcore processor powering the thing, and Lenovo is promising a hearty 10 hours of battery life.

Windows 10 arrives this month

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icrosoft’s latest operating system, Windows 10, will be available for download from 29 July, says operating systems executive VP Terry Myerson.

The software giant, which has been opening up its code to developers, has touted Windows as being the best operating system it has created, and offering greater ease of use and more security than any platform currently available.

The pending arrival of the OS has, however, held the PC market back, with the IDC noting end-users are more likely to buy a PC after the software becomes available. Locally, the launch of Windows 10 is seen as hampering PC sales in the channel, although it does provide an opportunity for distributors to reinvent themselves. PC sellers can also expect some respite in the decline in

tablet sales, a device that had previously been eating into the PC market.

Windows 10 will be the first OS to be unveiled under CEO Satya Nadella, and will arrive about three years after the debut of the current Windows 8 OS. Microsoft’s incumbent OS, Windows 8, largely underwhelmed and has been widely described as a failure.

Microsoft has now leapt from Windows 8 to 10 to signify the move to unify the way people work on tablets, phones and traditional computers. Windows first unveiled the OS last September, and followed that launch with a technical preview.

“Through the feedback and testing of over four million Windows Insiders, we’ve made great progress on Windows 10 and we’re nearly ready to deliver this free upgrade to all of our Windows customers,” says Myerson.

he Cybercrime Bill that was signed into law at the last few days of former President Goodluck Jonathan has prescribed a 10 years jail term for anyone tamper with Critical National Information Infrastructure, CNII. The Bill which went through the rigorous process of 60th Chambers of the National Assembly before it was passed into an Act Lists offences and penalties including unlawful access to computers, unlawful operation of cybercafes, system interference, intercepting electronic messages, emails, e-money transfer, tampering with critical infrastructure, Computer-related forgery are punishable under the Act. According to the Act, a person who, with intent commits any offence punishable under this Act

against any CNII designated under section 3 of the Act, is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years without option of fine.

However, where the offence committed results in grievous bodily harm to any person, the offender will be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than 15 years without option of fine and where such offense results to death the offender will be liable on conviction to life imprisonment.

The Act stated that Presidential Order may prescribe minimum standards, guidelines, rules or procedure in respect of the protection or preservation of CNII, general management of CNII and access to transfer and control of data in any CNII. “President may, on the recommendation of the National Security Adviser, by Order published in the Federal Gazette, designate certain computer systems or

networks, whether physical or virtual, the computer programs, computer data or traffic data vital to Nigeria that incapacity or destruction of or interference with such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national or economic security, national public health and safety or any combination of those matters as constituting CNII”, said that Act. Also Act states that the Presidential Order may require the Office of the National Security Adviser to audit and inspect any CNII at any time to ensure compliance with the Act. The Act, which shall apply throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ensure the protection of CNII as well as infrastructural or procedural rules and requirements for securing the integrity and authenticity of data or information contained in any designated CNII.

L-R: Deputy Chairman, Smile Telecoms Holdings, Sheikh Mohammed Sharbatly, Director, Smile Telecoms Holdings, Ms. Beth Mandel and Chairman, Smile Communications Nigeria, Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, during the Smile Telecoms board meeting in Lagos.

Africa can’t survive with fragmented internet, says expert

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he growing impact of the internet on global economy is engendering critical discussion among top executives of global blue chips conglomerate and as such Africa cannot survive with a fragmented internet, an expert, Chairman, Africa ICT Alliance, AfICTA, Dr. Jimson Olufuye has said.

Olufuye who made the remark while speaking the media on the plans of African business leaders to discuss future of internet governance said that a contemporary African business cannot survive a scenario of a failed Internet, adding that a broken or fragmented Internet cannot serve the interest of Africa.

He said that with more than 1.1

billion people and a growing economy engendered by the Internet, African commercial and business players particularly CEOs, must step up and make their voices heard and interests represented where it matters most nationally, regionally and globally.

He disclosed that at the AfICTA 2015 thirty Chief Executive Officers from Nigeria will gather in Abuja next week for the 2015 Chief Executive Officer’ s round table organised by AfICTA with the theme “Mobilising African Business Leaders for the Future of the Internet” He noted that there has been little or no voice by African business leaders in internet governance, adding that the forum would ac-

tivate wider African business voices and content on the global business discourse in the area of Internet Governance, Domain Name System industry, cyber and information security, Intellectual property rights, create access to venture capitals to enhance, sustainable business, and articulate and advise on strategic policy for business and governance.

He said that beginning from Nigeria, the exclusive business leaders’ forum will be conducted each year across member African economies giving consideration for national business leaders’ voice to be coalesced for active national, regional and global engagement in Internet public policy discourse.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Info Tech

Thursday, June 4, 2015

33

Government Technology

NIMCC boss mulls Locator Beacons use by Nigerians DARE AKOGUN

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igerians may soon begin to wear Personal Locator Beacons, PLB, to prevent falling victims of the persistent activities of kidnappers.

A PLB is a personal safety device designed to alert search and rescue services and allow them to quickly locate you in the event of an emergency, on land or sea.

When activated it transmits a coded message on the 406 MHz distress frequency which is monitored by the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system. The alert is then relayed via an earth station to the nearest Rescue Coordination Centre, RCC. As the satellites are in a polar orbit they offer true global coverage and with a PLB you can summon help wherever you are on the planet, no matter how remote.

The PLB uses an internal GPS receiver to pinpoint your location to within 62m. Once in the area, rescue services are then able to pinpoint your precise location using the inbuilt 121.5 Mhz homing transmitter.

Head of the Nigerian Mission

Control Center, NIMCC, Navy Captain Micheal Igwe, who is proposing the use of PLBs said that it has become necessary to wear one advising Nigerians to get the PLB as part of safetyprecautions in this time of insecurity and increasing cases of kidnapping and accidents in remote areas so they can be easily located.

Speaking with journalists at the sensitisation and awareness forum for COSPAS-SARSAT Beacon users organised by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA in Lagos, Igwe said the PLB will go a long way in solving kidnapping cases faster and easier.

He said that the number of PLBs in the country has increased from about 200 last year to over 300 as corporate companies and individuals subscribe to the locator beacons which cost around $500.

He said the annual sensitisation of beacon users have reduced the level of false alerts that the control center receives on an annual basis. The false alerts, he said had dropped significantly from 162 as at December 2013 to 61 as at December 2014.

Deputy Director, Search and

Rescue at NEMA, Vincent Onimode who represented the director general of NEMA, urged airline and vessel operators to ensure that they have functional 406MHZ beacons saying that it would ensure that search and rescue efforts

are more effective in the case of air crash or sinking vessels.

He urged operators in the maritime and aviation industries to ensure that they strictly comply with the international regulations regarding the use of 406MHZ bea-

cons.

Igwe had also earlier stated that the center is currently working on getting legislative approval in sanctioning companies that do not abide by the functional 406MHZ beacons with a fine of $5000.

L-R: Mr. Publicity Secretary, ATCON, Myke Ofili,; His Excellency Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US, Prof. Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye, President, ATCON Engr. Lanre Ajayi, and Executive Secretary, ATCON, Ajibola Olude at Nigeria Diaspora Information Communication Technology Conference, NiDICT 2015, in Washington DC US.

Financial Technology

Visa, Google form alliance to enhance e-payment ISAIAH ERHIAWARIEN

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new program that will connect financial institutions and technology companies to simplify and accelerate the roll-out of new payment and commerce services has been introduced by Visa Incorporated.

The Visa’s new Digital En-

ablement Program builds on the company’s secure token technology and adds a turn-key, toll-free commercial framework accessible to more than 14,500 Visa financial institution clients and leading technology partners around the world.

The program is Visa’s first international program partner with Google on its Android Pay payment solution.

The program is designed to simplify how partners access Visa’s secure token technology, Visa’s Digital Enablement Program which is fast and with easy integration.

According to Visa, financial institutions and technology companies can achieve scale quickly by connecting to one another through VDEP, with no need for a complex set of con-

tractual agreements and technology integrations.

With no-cost commercial framework it enable financial institutions, merchants and technology companies to drive growth through a simple, scalable commercial construct with no pass-through fees between technology partners and financial institutions.

Beyond that it also offers ro-

NIMC card facility scales certification

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he card personalisation bureau of the issuing authority for identity, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has again been recertified under the Global Vendors Certification Programme (GVCP) by MasterCard, following a recent security audit.

The security audit on the NIMC’s bureau facility was aimed at checking the commission’s compliance with the set down standard for operation.

The Information Security Auditor for NCC Group, Manchester

Technology Centre, Mr. Zach Anucha said while assessing the certification said that re-auditing the NIMC card bureau facilities was to ensure that the Commission is abides by the set standards for operations as recommended during the last audit exercise which was held in July 2014.

Anucha who said he saw visible progress on the NIMC facilities stated that it is safe to say that NIMC has made a significant improvement and has done better than in 2014. The Commission has clearly made a lot of visible

improvements on the set down standards and is operating at a better level.

According to him, it is a learning process and NIMC is doing very well adding however, that “NIMC is clearly determined to make improvements, I will advise that you do not slack and continue to live up to expectations. Basically, the audit shows that much work has been done, but NIMC has to improve on some of those things that were pointed out.”

Anucha who gave his findings at a meeting held at the NIMC

headquarters commended the staff of NIMC for their resilience noting, “No doubt, identity management is a serious business hence it is imperative for all hands to continually be on deck to ensure the credibility and safety of data that goes into the National Identity Database.”

The Director General/Chief Executive Officer, NIMC, Barr.

Chris Onyemenam thanked the NCC Group, and assured that NIMC is determined to ensure that the facility remains firstclass.

bust security and consumer data protection that brings together a powerful combination of secure token technology, risk and fraud management services and customer data protections.

Executive Vice President of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at Visa, Jim McCarthy said that with its international scale and reach, the programm makes available to Visa’s 14,500 global financial institution clients, banks and technology partners Visa’s first platform for delivering secure mobile and digital payment services on a truly international scale.

McCarthy said: “With so many people using Android devices and a passionate developer community, we couldn’t be more excited to have Google as a partner in our program launch.”

He added that through Visa’s new program, financial institutions can take advantage of its secure token technology to deliver the most popular mobile and digital payment services on the market today to their customers.

34

Global News

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Greece, creditors eye reform proposals to unlock aid

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reece’s creditors are close to finishing a draft agreement to put to the leftist government in Athens, a source close to the talks said on Tuesday, injecting new momentum into long-running negotiations to release aid for the cashstrapped country.

Hours earlier, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Athens had submitted its own proposal to lenders - an apparent effort to pre-empt a take-itor-leave-it offer by the creditors

Tsipras

and to show Greek voters that Athens made its move first.

The statements of proposal and counter-proposal came after leaders of Germany, France and the lending institutions held emergency talks on the Greek debt crisis in Berlin late on Monday in a sign of top-level concern about the impasse.

Starved of aid and access to bond markets, Athens is precipitously close to running out of money. It has threatened to default on an IMF payment this week without a deal, though it also says it will reject any ultimatums.

Failure to reach agreement this month could trigger a Greek default and lead to the imposition of capital controls and a potential exit from the euro zone, dealing a serious blow to Europe’s supposedly irreversible single currency.

“We have submitted a realistic plan for Greece to exit the crisis. A realistic plan, whose acceptance by the institutions, our lenders and our partners in Europe will mark the end of

the scenario of divisions in Europe,” Tsipras told reporters.

“It is now clear that the decision on whether they want to adjust to realism ... the decision rests with the political leadership of Europe.”

A source close to the talks said the lenders in the meantime were finalizing details of their offer to Athens.

“We are almost done,” the source said.

A European Commission spokeswoman said many documents were being exchanged among negotiators, which was “already a good sign”. Talks with Greece were continuing and “we are not there yet”, she said.

A euro zone source said the Greek document was insufficient and was not officially on the table. It made no significant concessions on the main outstanding issues of pension and labor market reform, fiscal targets and the size of the civil service that have dogged four months of tough negotiations.

(Source: Reuters)

US factory orders weak, auto sales brighten economic outlook

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ew orders for U.S. factory goods fell in April as demand for transportation equipment and other goods weakened, suggesting that manufacturing remained constrained by a strong dollar and spending cuts in the energy sector.

But the outlook for manufacturing and the broader economy got a lift from another report on Tuesday showing automobile sales in May on track for the quickest pace in more than nine years.

“The outlook for manufacturing is modestly positive. Demand from consumers and businesses is growing slowly. Households are gradually boosting their spending on manufactured goods,” said Gus Faucher, a senior economist at PNC Financial in Pittsburgh.

New orders for manufactured goods slipped 0.4 percent after increasing 2.2 percent in March. Factory orders have declined in eight of the last nine months. Economists had forecast orders to be unchanged in April. Excluding the volatile transport component, orders were flat for a second straight month.

Manufacturing, which accounts for about 12 percent of the U.S. economy, has been hit by the dollar and lower crude oil prices, which are pressuring the profits of multi-

national corporations and oil-field firms.

Orders for transportation equipment fell 2.4 percent in April. There also were declines in orders for information technology equipment, computers and related products, and consumer goods.

Separate reports showed solid gains in auto sales in May as households bought a range of motor vehicles.

General Motors Co (GM.N) forecast sales rising to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 17.6 million units in May, which would be the strongest since January 2006, up from a 16.5 million-unit pace in April.

GM said its sales had increased

Chevrolet Camaro

3 percent last month. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU.N) (FCHA.MI) reported a 4 percent rise. Ford Motor Co’s (F.N) sales, however, fell 1 percent as demand for its F-Series pickup trucks slackened.

Strong auto sales could boost May consumer spending, which was flat in April after households cut back on purchases of motor vehicles. A rebound in consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, is being eyed after slowing down sharply in the first quarter.

Consumer spending was sluggish even as households got a boost from cheaper gasoline and steadily rising wages.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Germany’s jobless rate falls to 24-year low

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ermany’s jobless rate has fallen by 6,000 to 2.78 million, as Europe’s biggest economy continues to recover.

The seasonally adjusted figure is at its lowest level since a year after German reunification in 1990.

The head of the Federal Labour Office, Frank-Juergen Weise, said strong consumer consumption was helping to drive the downward trend.

A recent survey showed Germans are feeling more optimistic than at any point since October 2001.

The chief economist at the government-owned KfW Development Bank, Joerg Zeuner, said demand for staff was rising in almost every sector, although it was weaker in manufacturing.

Private consumption has overtaken exports as the main impetus behind Germany’s

Merkel

growth.

The government is hoping household spending will help the economy to expand by 1.8% this year, but economists at Deutsche Bank have lowered their forecast to 1.6%, because of weaker-than-expected firstquarter growth. (Source: BBC News)

US economy shows rebound signs

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fter an initial quarter of negative growth in the United States, new economic data indicates a seasonal pickup began in spring.

From manufacturing activity to construction spending, and from personal income growth to purchasing power, the U.S. showed signs of rebounding strength, after posting a 0.7% GDP decline in the first quarter.

That fall stunned economists, many of whom predicted more than 1% annualized growth in the period, as port closures on the west coast and cold weather stifled activity throughout the country.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis announced that personal income rose by $59.4 billion, or 0.4%, in April, offering Americans greater purchasing power along with it. Inflation-adjusted personal consumption expenditures were nearly flat, falling less than 0.1% in April after rising in March.

On an unadjusted basis, PCE fell by $2.6 billion, indicating Americans are hesitating to spend more of the income that they are earning from strong job growth. The trend has stumped many economists, but clearly indicates that America’s total savings rate is rising, and Americans are growing more accustomed to saving rather than spending their discretionary income.

While some analysts fret that this is a headwind for an economy dependent on consumer spending for growth, others say this is a sign of more stable consumption habits in the country.

While individual Americans are earning more in aggregate, manufacturers are more productive, according to one indicator.

The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing PMI rose to 52.8 in May, up 1.3 points from April. Confirming the trend in personal income seen by the BEA, the ISM also saw employment rise; its employment index was up to 51.7 in May from 48.3 in April.

Manufacturing saw expansion in May, the 29th consecutive month.

The ISM emphasized that economic activity was strengthening in large part thanks to the “improving flow of goods through the West Coast ports” after labor disputes there have been settled.

There is also reason to believe manufacturers can see marginal profit expansion, as raw material prices fell for the seventh month in a row.

Similarly, the construction sector has seen strong gains, thanks in part to lower costs and seasonal favorability to building. (Source: Economy Watch)

Obama

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Brands & Marketing

35

Why African brands rank low in global rating Research institutions and agencies over the years have come up with rankings of businesses with a view of determining their brand equity, brand perception and brand trust among other ranking objectives. In this report, DAVID AUDU takes a look at the 2015 BrandZ Top 100 Brands.

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otable global brand ranking agencies include the Interbrand ranking, Nielsen rankings, Forbes brand ranking, and of cause, the Millward Brown’s Global BrandZ ranking. Each of these agencies applies one or a combination of criteria for rating brands.

According to ranking experts, consumer perception of a brand is a key input in determining brand value because, as they say, brands are a combination of business performance, product delivery, clarity of positioning, and leadership.

One brand ranking that has come to typify trust and respect such that when its ranking is released industry players listen and benchmark for future reference is the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands published yearly by Millward Brown and WPP. Millward Brown is a global research agency specializing in advertising, strategic communication, media and brand equity research. It operates in more than 55 countries and is part of Kantar, WPP’s data investment management division.

WPP is a communications services group with billings of US$76 billion and revenues of US$19 billion.

Currently, the 100 top global brand ranking is steering industry news. Beside the revelation that the worlds 100 top brands are worth over 3.3 trillion dollars, is also the facts that technology firms are leading the first four positions in the ranking racket.

Apple, with it cutting edge technology in the smart phone and smart watches is sitting in the first spot, with a brand value of $247 billion, a rise of 67 per cent year on year. Google, in number two position also grew, achieving a 9 per cent value increase to reach $173.7 billion, while Microsoft, now worth $115.5 billion, is the new number three global brand, rising one position with value growth of 28 per cent.

The 2015 global Brands ranking also shed light on why Africa brand are less competitive on the global stage. Commenting on the rankings and the poorperformance of African brands, Regional Managing Director, Millward Brown Africa & Middle East, Charles Foster, said, currency devaluation and the strengthening dollar makes it harder for African brands to maintain or grow their value relative to the global brands, but noted that with the largest growing middle class and continued foreign investment, it’s inevitable that African brands and companies will bounce back.”

Highlights and key findings from the report include the facts that technology is the fastest growing category, up by 24 per cent in the last year. Cumulatively, the tech brands in the top 100 are worth more than $1 trillion, nearly a third of the value of all

HIGH VALUE BRANDS PROVIDE FASTER BOTTOMLINE GROWTH AND SHAREHOLDER VALU brands in the ranking.

The report identified e-commerce sector to have boosted retail brand value as Alibaba entered this year’s ranking overtaking Amazon at $66.4 billion, helping to grow the retail category ranking by 24 per cent. The most valuable retail brands Alibaba and Amazon, which lack physical stores, are now worth more than Walmart, which has 11,000 stores worldwide.

The report also noted that Europe continues to dominate luxury sector. “While luxury suffered in 2015 with a total valuation for the Top 10 down 6 per cent at $104.6 billion, however, eight of the top 10 are based in Europe. It noted that the danger for Europe’s power in this sector is that both the two new entrants Michael Kors and Tiffany are from outside the region”.

With the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands now in its tenth year, analysis of the 10 year trajectory of the brands in the ranking revealed that Europe’s brand powerhouses stagnate as Chinese brands grow and US brands make a comeback.

“The number of Chinese brands continues to grow with 14 brands in the Top 100, up from one in 2006, and an increase of 1004 per cent in value. The value of US brands grew by 137 per cent in the last 10 years, up 15 per cent in the last year compared to just

31 per cent in Europe, down 9.3 per cent in the last year. There are now just 24 brands from Europe in the ranking, down from 35 in 2006. This represents a shift from West to East, indicating that most of the brands that have been ‘pushed out’ of the Top 100

by China were from Europe.

Explaining further the brands ranking, Millward Brown’s Global Head of BrandZ, Doreen Wang, noted that though the Apple Watch has proved extremely popular, it is the success of the iPhone 6 that has been the main driver of Apple’s brand value growth.

“Apple continues to ‘own’ its category by innovating and leading the curve in a way that generates real benefits for consumers. It meets their rational and emotional needs, and makes life easier in a fun and relevant way. Apple is clear on what it stands for, and never stops refreshing its message to sustain the difference that makes it so desirable.”

The fastest riser in the BrandZ Top 100 is Facebook, growing 99% to $71.1bn, achieved through its successful strategy of acquiring other social apps such as Instagram and WhatsApp, and an understanding of how to monetise and cross-sell its acquired platforms by selling optimal advertising solutions to businesses with a specific target audience.

The BrandZ analysis has also identified that the traditional dividing line between business to consumer brands and business to business services has disappeared, as technology tools that were once the sole preserve of businesses become critical to consumers too and vice versa. The transition to cloud computing in particular has dramatically changed business models and caused brands to cross the dividing line.

“Two tech titans that are making this journey are Google and Microsoft, with the former entering the telecoms market to become more valuable to business clients while the latter is now making tools and services such as Windows 10 available for free in order to add value to a consumer audience.

“The dividing line between what services we want to use as consumers and those that businesses need has been steadily whittled away and is now effectively meaningless. Whether we store our pictures or our spreadsheets in the cloud, the product benefit of always-on access is the same. Tech brands are the first sector to have to recognise that while we may be business decision makers we are also consumers,” said Global BrandZ Valuation Director at Millward Brown, Elspeth Cheung.

Someone might ask, what does brand ranking offers? According to the report footnote, “high value brands provide faster bottom-line growth and shareholder value. For instance, in the last 10 years, a measurement of the strongest brands from the Top 100 as a ‘stock portfolio’ show that their share prices have risen over three times more than the MSCI World Index and almost two thirds more than the S&P500”.

The BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands study is the only ranking in the world that uses the views of potential and current buyers of a brand, alongside financial data, to calculate brand value.

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Brands & Marketing

Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

E-commerce to overtake oil industry Chivita leverages partnership for youth development in 10 years – Jumia boss DAVID AUDU

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anaging Director, Jumia Ngeria, Mr. Jonathan Doer has predicted that with the current growth of e-commerce in Nigeria, it holds the possibility of growing more than the oil industry in the next ten years.

Doer who spoke to National Mittor recently said that the convenience and opportunities in the e-commerce industry would be explored more in the future as more smart mobile phone are at the disposable of Nigerians.

“In ten years’ time it will be bigger than the oil sector, because if look at e-commerce you will find that it is much more convenient that standing in traffic for three hours wasting man hours and resources to get your shopping done. E-commerce is going to much more successful every year”.

He said when Jumia started three

years ago nobody gave it a chance, but now the is that e-commerce has come to stay, besides, it is poised to displace traditional brick and mortar retail store outlets.

“When you look at jumia, we started three years ago, no one thought that e-commerce will be possible in Nigeria, but we have proved that wrong, that it is possible. We showed that with our growth, we showed that with the people we partner with. We show how Nigerian people are asking for this kind of service. We overcome the brick and mortar stores; we directly go to the consumers”.

On the omgoing mobile week, Doer said as an online e-commerce retail company, they rely much on mobile hence the need for to partner with relaible mobile phone provider and smart phone manufacturers to show case the possibility that the next market is e-commerce and mobile enable smart phone is the driver.

“When you look at our transactions traffic, over 55 per cent of our retail offers are done over the phone, which shows how important the mobile is to our business and for Nigerians as well. It also shows how important the mobile week is to us.

“With the mobile week showcasing the varieties of smart phones we are bringing the possibilities of Nigerians to have access to e-commerce, and with e-commerce we make it possible that they have a variety of products and choices of pricing as well, and we deliver them to the convenience of their homes and offices.

As time goes that changes the concept of retail marketing completely.

Comparing the growth of ecommerce to Europe, he said the difference is that here in Africa; it is just developing and therefore much faster than in Europe and America.

He said online is going to be the most important retail market in Africa.

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n its commitment to promote youth development and in furtherance of its partnership with the English premiership side, Manchester United, Chivita 100% fruit juice recently participated in the finals of the just concluded Lagos state principal’s cup.

Renowned to be one of the biggest grassroots football competitions in Nigeria, the Lagos state principal’s cup tournament comprises inter-secondary schools soccer in Lagos.

Thousands of students across the state who thronged the Teslim Balogun stadium in Lagos to witness the final match were entertained with football display and were refreshed with Chivita fruit juice by the brand ambassadors.

Some of the students also used the occasion to find out more about the Chivita and Manchester United partnership which they had seen and heard about. Staff of Chi Ltd were on hand to answer their questions in an engaging and exciting way.

For Nduka Nweze, a student of Community Grammar School, Su-

rulere Lagos, thought of his favourite juice drink and football club entering into a partnership is awesome.

He thanked the management of Chi Limited for also identifying with the Lagos State Principals’ Cup and the opportunity it brings. “By identifying with the Principals’ Cup Chivita 100% fruit juice encourages us to excel and not settle for less than the best” he added.

According to Chi Limited’s Head of Marketing, Probal Bhattacharya, “We would continue to promote tomorrow’s soccer stars through refreshment and nourishment that Chivita 100% fruit juice offers. The youth of Nigeria represent a large percentage of our consumers and their passion for soccer makes our partnership with Manchester United very meaningful”.

Chivita 100% which can be enjoyed by persons who desire natural pure and healthy refreshment is affordable and available in five variants of real pineapple, real apple, real orange, orange pine apple and orange mango.

Lingerie provokes with raunchy optical illusion ads

J

L-R: Deputy Head, Operation/Technical, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Ganiu Adesina; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa; Executive Director, SME, Mr. Waheed Olagunju and Deputy Head, SME, Mr. Muhammed Abdul Ganiu, during the launch of BoI Digital Product Offerings in Lagos, yesterday.

MAN lauds BATN, advocates diversified economy DAVID AUDU

B

ritish American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) has been lauded by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) for promoting high quality standards in its operating environment, consistent with international standards. This commendation was given by Dr Frank Udemba Jacobs, President of MAN, when he led a delegation from the association on a visit to British American Tobacco factory in Ibadan, last week.

Dr Jacobs observed that one of the major responsibilities of MAN is to provide its members with the means of formulating and communicating general policies with respect to industrial,

labour and technical matters.

“I commend BATN for operating in an environment that is consistent with global standards. As part of our processes, it is essential for us to ensure that our members’ operating systems are consistent with the provisions of MAN, one of which is the promotion of an enabling environment for industrial development, growth and prosperity of the society,” said Dr Jacobs.

He added: “We also have a responsibility to ensure that there is an appropriate operating environment for our members, and when issues arise, it becomes our duty to ensure that the government takes the appropriate action in resolving

them. As part of our responsibilities, we are duty-bound to visit our members periodically to learn first-hand some of the enormous challenges confronting them.”

While responding to the call for the suspension of the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) for manufacturing companies, Dr Jacobs said the EEG is a very important initiative that supports the government’s diversification of the economy. “The only way the manufacturing companies can be encouraged to drive the diversification of the economy is when they are provided with unique incentives, which in this case could be given in form of Export Expansion Grant,” he said.

ane Pain, an Argentine lingerie brand, has dressed up elbows and other innocent body parts to look like bums and busts as part of a new print campaign.

The work was created by Conill, the Saatchi & Saatchi-owned agency with offices in Los Angeles and Miami.

Javier Campopiano, Conill’s chief creative officer, said: “Great apparel is about making a woman look beautiful and feel sensual.

“Jane Pain makes such an in-

credible product that we wanted to show it in an unexpected way, addressing that their lingerie can make you look great even if you wear it on the ‘wrong’ body parts.

“Keeping with the playful style of the brand, we also injected a little humour into a category that usually lacks it. After all, there’s nothing sexier than a good sense of humour.”

The work was art directed by Hernan Pettinaroli and shot by Cris Welcomme through Rocket to the Moon.

McDonald’s to sponsor MTV live events

M

cDonald’s has agreed to sponsor MTV’s live music events this summer to promote the McFlurry.

The integrated campaign, called ‘Mixing Up Your Summer’, was brokered by Sky Media and will allow McDonald’s to promote its McFlurry range to MTV’s 16- to 24-year-old core audience.

McFlurry will be the headline sponsor of the MTV Crashes event in Plymouth in July, featuring Tinie Tempah and Jess Glynne.

The deal also includes on-air sponsorship when the event is broadcast in August and September on MTV Music and MTV Live HD, alongside on-air competition spots, a co-branded website and a social media strategy.

The partnership will also run across a range of MTV’s music playlists and other MTV-owned live music events, to be announced at a later date. McDonald’s will pro-

mote the campaign in its restaurants.

Mark Swift, the senior vice president, UK commercial and international ad sales at Viacom International Media Networks, said: “This is an excellent example of two global brands creating an exciting partnership across on air, digital and experiential media, to give 16- to 24-year-olds experiences throughout the summer that they won’t forget.

“By working together, MTV and McDonald’s can deliver a campaign that taps into our shared expertise in engaging with youth audiences.”

Steven Howells, the head of marketing at McDonald’s UK, said the campaign will, “deliver fresh, fun content that resonates with our customers and showcases McFlurry as the number one choice for that summer treat.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, June 4, 2015

AAAN tasks FG on Information Minister

37

BRAND talk with Michael Umogun

Tel: 08023117969/08031100462 Email: michael.umogun@millwardbrown.com

Innovations in Branding

T L-R: Director, Public Affairs, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Awwalu Salihu; Director-General, Emeka Mba and Director, Human Resources and Administration, Mr. Faruk Salah, during a news conference on the future of television in Nigeria, in Abuja, recently. PHOTO: NAN

DAVID AUDU

T

he Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN, has urged the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the appointment of a skilled and experienced marketing communication professional as the Minister of Information.

The association President, Mr. Kelechi Nwosu, in a statement made available to brand journalists noted that the new role of the Ministry of Information is far beyond the traditional role of acting as a catalyst in disseminating information and management of the information machinery of the government.

“In view of the strategic importance of the Information Ministry, the ideal Minister, AAAN believes, should have a track record of brand building and executing high impact communication strategies and frameworks in the interest of the nation”.

The statement, signed by the Publicity Secretary of the Association, Mr Ikechi Odigbo, said the Minister of Information of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at this stage in the history of the country, should be a thoroughbred professional with relevant experience in integrated marketing communication, information strategy & management and brand building in order to put in place and manage a national communication plan and rebranding process in line with best global practices.

“The country has been confronted with several image and brand positioning challenges of recent and critical in complicating the problems has been the absence of brand communication expertise as a strong consideration in the appointment

of the heads of the country’s Information Ministry. But we are happy that the new government rode to power, driven by the campaign slogan of Change. For us, this change should be extended to the appointments of professionals to manage relevant strategic offices,” He added that today’s information management has become very complicated and requires a professional with hands-on experience and proven track record in handling complex projects.

“In the global balance of relationships, perception is everything. But we have toyed with managing the complicated communication challenges of the country, using non-professionals that practically spend their tenure learning on the job and employing knee-jerk strategies on a job that demands deliberate strategic long term planning.

This has not worked and we be-

lieve our new President will extend the mantra of change that brought him into office to the area of working with professionals for the nation’s information management processes.”

Nwosu added that the challenge of rebuilding the confidence of other countries in the world and getting the buy-in of Nigerians in the task of rebuilding the country requires a lot work in the area of perception management and only a professional information manager would be capable of weaving the threads together to ensure that Nigeria regains its pride of place in the global community.

In addition, Nwosu noted that Nigeria as a high value brand needs a team of committed, qualified and retained Integrated Marketing Consultants to work for the Minister and the Government to effectively position and communicate vision and policies.

his is no time for ‘business as usual’branding – marketers need to not only think differently, but to act differently. Consumers have developed immunity to traditional marketing tactics—they fast-forward through TV commercials, block online ads, and overlook outdoor displays as they attend to their smartphones.A brand whose basic marketing strategy relies solely on conventional methods is unlikely to survive, let alone thrive, in today’s crowded and competitive categories.

We are observing a tectonic shift in marketing, as forwardthinking brands are opting to engage with consumers in new and unexpected ways. Instead of relying on traditional methods to tell people about themselves, these brands are finding ways to insert themselves directly into people’s daily lives. They are offering solutions to problems, even problems that are beyond the purview of their product categories.

By doing this—by participating in people’s lives without attempting to sell them products—brands can sidestep that naturally skeptical response: “So really—what’s

so special about yourbrand?”

Instead, they gain an opportunity to connect with consumers whose defenses have been lowered by the brands’ friendly and helpful overtures.

According to John Ajayi, the respected publisher of Marketing Edge in Lagos, continuous innovation is a vital and indispensable tonic for any brand that wants to remain relevant in the market where it is playing.

Ajayi cites the example of the ‘Share a Coke’ campaign

by Coca-Cola in Nigeria that transforms a global brand into a special and personal experience for the consumer, giving them the chance to share in ‘the happiness’ and create a unique and special relationship between the brand and the consumer.

Party organizers now spend hours searching the shelves of major malls for the personalized Cokefor people attending their parties and hand them the bottles as they arrive the venue - an action that is never lost on each recipient! Ajayi predicts a rush to copy this innovative idea by Coca-Cola.

What do you think? Share your point of view with me @ Michael.umogun@millwardbrown.com

BBC World Service commences advertising DAVID AUDU

T

he British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, has introduced advertising on its Housa Service website to ramp up revenue. The move is to service key Housa speaking listeners outside the United Kingdom including Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Ghana By introducing advertising to its language websites, BBC World Service aims to generate revenue that can be reinvested in high-quality journalism and innovative technology.

Commenting on the decision, BBC Hausa Editor, Mansur Liman says, “The BBC Hausa website is a destination of choice for

Hausa-speakers, wherever they are, with its offer of up-to-the minute news, features and analysis, bringing to life developments in Nigeria, Niger, Ghana and Cameroon and around the world.

As our website starts carrying adverts, its editorial content will continue to stand out for its truly independent and impartial news coverage presenting all sides of the story. This new development will provide the opportunity to invest further in the site for the benefit of audiences.”

Also speaking of the move, Isla Macleod, Digital Business Development Director for EMEA, concludes: “The BBC is one of the most trusted and established international public service broadcasters in Africa.

This new opportunity will allow advertisers to reach a Hausaspeaking online audience within the trusted environment of the BBC.” BBC Hausa is one of the most established and successful BBC services in Africa. BBC Hausa’s trusted radio and online content and strong engagement with mobile and social-media audiences has maintained its huge popularity among audiences in Nigeria and across West Africa. BBC Hausa radio reaches 17.7 million people every week.

The website bbchausa.com is ranked as the second most visited site in Nigeria, serving a massive 68.6 million page views per month (across mobile, tablet and PC) and engaging with

3.5 million unique visitors each month - a statistic which enjoys a solid 30 per cent growth yearon-year*. BBC Hausa also has a strong following on social media, with over 840,000 Facebook fans, 100,000 Twitter followers, 7,000 followers on Google+ and 6,600 subscribers of the BBC Hausa YouTube channel.

The website bbchausa.com is the fifth BBC World Service non-English-language website to offer commercial opportunities. Advertising around the BBC content is based on stringent rules which ensure that the experience for international users is not compromised and that the integrity and impartiality of the BBC’s journalism is protected at all times.

38

Insight

Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Waiting endlessly for speed, light rail

I

t is disheartening that one of Nigeria’s oldest means of transportation in pre-independence and post-colonial era, up to the 1980s, the railway, was abandoned and left to rot. Now, with the new realisation that it can move mass of the people and goods faster and cheaper, the railway is still gasping for revival.

Though billions of Naira have been sunk into the rail transport revival in recent years by successive governments, the locomotives and coaches running on the nation’s track are still a relic of modern railway transport.

Presently, the country’s rail system has about 3,557 kilometres of 1,067mm (3.6ft) narrow gauge tracks. It has two major rail lines: one connects Lagos on the Bight of Benin and Nguru in the northern state of Yobe; the other joins Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta and Maiduguri in the north-eastern state of Borno.

There are many who believe that in a country like Nigeria with its very high population, the rail transport has immense opportunities of daily business of moving over one million passengers within inter and intra city journeys, generating huge revenue, decongesting vehicular traffic as well as reducing road accidents.

Chief Operating Officer, Abdul Fleet and Haulage Company, Ibadan, Oyo State, Mr. Kenny Abdul, told National Mirror in an interview that railway is usually the most suitable mode of transportation for heavy traffic flows, as speed is also an advantage because of the lower cost per person per load as the train load increases.

But according to him, in Nigeria, rail transport accounts less than a half per cent of the gross domestic product of the transport sector.

“Although railway has always contributed a tiny proportion of value added in transportation, its share of value-added continues to decline because road transport (freight and passenger) has virtually taken over all the traffic previously conveyed by rail,” Abdul explained.

Remi Odunsi, who works with a private company at Apapa Port, said the contribution of an efficient rail system to the nation’s troubled economy could be enormous.

“Haulage of bulky goods across the country, which at present is done with articulated vehicles, could be better undertaken by rail. If one locomotive can pull 30 wagons, each of which is equivalent to the capacity of a trailer, then the menace constituted by oil tankers and other heavy vehicles would be reduced by an efficient rail system,” Odunsi added.

Due to dysfunctional freight rail services that would have assisted in the haulage of goods from Tin Can Island Port and the Lagos Port Complex (LPC), two of the nation’s busiest sea ports to various parts of the country, Nigeria is said to be losing about N500billion in revenue annually.

According to analysts, if freight rail services were functional, the gridlock in Apapa and environs, for instance, would have been drastically reduced or eliminated, freeing up the roads for other users. They explained that a freight loco-

Successive governments in Nigeria have made promises of revamping railway transportation.

But ADEJUWON OSUNNIYI reports that despite some efforts and billions of funds sunk into light rail projects, there has been little or nothing to show for it, as Nigerians are still left with obsolete locomotives and coaches that run on narrow gauge tracks.

Refurblished Nigeria Railway Corporation train

DUE TO DYSFUNCTIONAL FREIGHT RAIL SERVICES THAT WOULD HAVE ASSISTED IN THE HAULAGE OF

TIN CAN ISLAND PORT AND THE LAGOS PORT COMPLEX (LPC), TWO OF THE NATION’S BUSIEST SEA PORTS TO VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, NIGERIA IS SAID TO BE LOSING ABOUT N500BILLION IN REVENUE ANNUALLY GOODS FROM

motive has the capacity to carry about 40 containers on one trip.

Other major ports in the country not also linked by rail, depriving the economy of the much needed revenue, include those located in Calabar, Warri, Port Harcourt and Onne.

President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Remi Bello, says there is an urgent need to revive the rail system for the purpose of evacuating cargo from the Lagos ports, make the refineries functional to reduce importation of petroleum products, which will reduce the convergence of tankers at the various ports, improve the reliability and safety of pipelines nationwide as a means of moving petroleum products which is the most efficient and cost effective mode of transportation of the products.

Successive governments’ efforts to revive the sector have not been far-reaching. The military regime of late General Sani Abacha had awarded about $500million rail rehabilitation contract aimed at resuscitating the Lagos-Kano line.

The Chief Olusegun Obasanjo government had also awarded contract for the same Lagos-Kano line to the tune of $8.5billion.

A breakdown of the annual budgetary allocations in the past five years since the immediate past Goodluck Jonathan Administration picked interest in reviving the sector shows that in 2012, a total of N20.3billion was approved for the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), out of which N16.3bn was earmarked for capital expenditure. The sum was targeted at rehabilitating the Jebba-Kano, Port HarcourtMakurdi- Kaduna, Kuru-Maidugiri and Zaria-Kaura-Namoda rail tracks, as well as to procure and rehabilitate rail wagons, coaches and tanker wagons.

In 2011, a total sum of N29.6bn was budgeted for the construction and rehabilitation of most of the aforementioned rail tracks, out of which N5.5bn was set aside for the construction of AjaokutaWarri rail line.

Available data show that a total of N31bn ($207 million) was approved on a special request in the supplementary appropriation bill of 2010 for the construction of Lagos-Ibadan rail lines.

In 2009, the sum of N23.3bn was budgeted for rail transport, out of which N20.7bn was reserved for capital projects that included the rehabilitation of 120 coaches and wagons, rehabilitation of the Ajaokuta-Warri rail line, which was also

catered for in 2011 budget.

Though Jonathan had indentified the railway resuscitation as one of his transformation agenda, a lot of condemnation has trailed the refurbished locomotives that are currently in place in the country as many commuters describe them as ‘molue’ due to their poor state.

But the Acting Public Relations Manager of the NRC, Abdulrauf Akinwoye, told National Mirror that the corporation had made significant progress in its rehabilitation work and the resuscitation of the rail system in the country.

He said the train services that are currently operating across the country are just one of the many successes recorded by the NRC in recent times. These include the Lagos Urban Mass Transit Train Service (MTTS) that runs eight times daily from Ijoko in Ogun State to the Iddo Railway Terminus; Enugu Urban Mass Transit Train Service, Minna-Kaduna Mass Transit Service, Kaduna-Riga-Chikan Mass Transit, initiated and supported by immediate past Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, when he was governor of Kaduna State. There is also Kaduna- Kano Mass Transit Train Service, Kano- Challawa Mass Transit, as well as the KafanchanKaduna Train Service.

However, a transport analyst, Ibifuro George, said that one of the reasons for the low commuter patronage is the poor infrastructure with which the trains have continued to operate. According to him, the railway will remain unattractive and less patronised unless efforts are made to modernise its operations.

“How can one explain that in this age, you would spend not less than 18 hours to commute between Lagos to Kano, when you can make same distance in less than one hour by air and about eight hours by road? No businessman, marketer or busi-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insight

Thursday, June 4, 2015

39

transportation

CCECC workers laying rail tracks

Modern high speed train

A NEW RAILWAY BILL, WHICH IS ONE OF THE EIGHT REFORM BILLS RECENTLY APPROVED BY

NCP AND FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (FEC), IS CURRENTLY BEFORE THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR PASSAGE INTO LAW

THE

Lagos State Gov, Ambode

ness executive who value time would bear with such huge loss in man-hour. This is coupled with the fact that the trains are still running with old rickety coaches and wagons. Imagine what would happen if any of those old engines break down on a desolate part of the country. With the growing cases of insecurity, the trains will continue to record low patronage until it improves its operations,” George said.

That perhaps might have led to introduction of light rail by the Federal Government as well as other states such as Lagos, FCT, Rivers, Cross River, among others.

Determined to modernise the railway system, the FG had invested about N1.61trn into the project with about 15 different railway projects penciled down for completion between then and 2015.

According to stakeholders, as brilliant as the light rail remains, it is still far from clear whether the rebirth of the sector would be a success or just another fantasy in a country with a long history of broken promises.

Jonathan inspected ongoing works at the Abuja Light Rail project before handing over and said he would brief his successor, Muhammadu Buhari, on the need to continue with government’s efforts at reviving and expanding the nation’s railway network.

Former FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, disclosed that the entire stretch of the rail line conceived in 2007 and work started in 2009, would be completed in August, adding that state governments were being encouraged to construct intrarail systems in the major capitals to ease transportation.

Similarly, the Calabar monorail project received a major boost towards completion with the delivery of the passengers’ coaches. Past Cross River Governor, Liyel Imoke, said in matter of weeks the rail would link the Summit Hills and Tinapa, thus bringing the business and leisure resort closer to Calabar metropolis.

The Lagos light rail project is almost completed except for the red line, which has not been touched as a result of Federal Government’s non-approval of the state’s request to make use of the existing railway line along Agbado to Marina.

The Lagos Rail Mass Transit is envisioned to consist eventually of seven lines, including electric power, signalling, rolling stock, and fare collection equipment that will be provided by the private sector under a concession contract.

The first idea of developing rapid tran-

sit in Lagos dates back to the 1980s with the Lagos Metroline network conceived by the Alhaji Lateef Jakande government during the Second Republic. The initial Metroline project was scrapped in 1985 by the Major Gen. Buhari junta at a loss of over $78 million to the Lagos tax payers.

The idea of developing a light rail network for Lagos was revived by former Governor Bola Tinubu in the early 2000s with a formal announcement of its construction in December 2003. This initial $135 million proposal was part of the greater Lagos Urban Transportation Project.

However, it has become glaring to the state and federal governments that the railway projects are capital intensive, therefore, the need for outside investors.

As a result, the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) directed the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to commence collaboration with the Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NIAF) which has committed to fund the consultancy for the development of the roadmap and framework for the concession of the rail tracks of the NRC. The NCP gave the directive following the presentation by the Director General of the BPE, Mr. Benjamin Dikki, at its meeting on April 16 this year.

The Bureau’s Head, Public Communications, Alex Okoh, confirmed that the Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act, 1999 scheduled the NRC for privatization and the NCP in 2002 approved that the enterprise be concessioned to private operators to provide freight and passenger railway services using the vertical integration model.

He stated further that the decision to reform the railways was borne out of the government’s desire to avoid the collapse and eventual shut down of the railways, generally regarded as a loss making but socially and economically imperative to the nation.

The Bureau pointed out that in view of the funding challenges facing the future of rail in Nigeria, it seeks to depen-

dent on the efficiency and professionalism which the private sector can bring to improve railway operations.

The railway reform, restructuring and privatisation programme is specifically aimed at providing the framework for private sector led growth through expanded domestic and foreign investment; improving NRC’s ability to provide adequate, safe, reliable and efficient rail services; and reducing the corporation’s dependence on the federal budget by introducing private sector investment in the sector.

In line with this thinking, a new Railway Bill, which is one of the eight reform bills recently approved by the NCP and Federal Executive Council (FEC), is currently before the National Assembly for passage into law.

The new bill seeks to among others, repeal the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act, 1955, provide the appropriate market design and legal framework for the implementation of government’s reform programme, separate the roles of policy making, regulation and operation; provide a platform for the introduction of private sector concessionaires and promote competition in the provision of railway services nationwide.

The privatisation agency had in year 2005, through the World Bank funding, engaged the services of CPCS Transcom as Transaction Advisers to advise in the concession of the Rails.

The firm had completed about 80 per cent of the assignment including the concession of the Central Railways (ItakpeAjaokuta-Warri line which terminates at Ovu) and the due diligence on the entire rail network before its contract was suspended because of the proposed modernisation of the network which was to replace the existing network with wider gauge.

The BPE stated further that due to paucity of fund, the modernisation project was discontinued by the Federal Government which directed that the existing network should be rehabilitated and concessioned to private operators.

40

Cocktail

Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

British tank crushes student’s car

G

erman police said a student driver narrowly escaped being flattened by a British tank, but her Toyota wasn’t quite as lucky.

Lippe police said the 18-year-old student driver pulled out in front of a

British military procession Monday in the town of Augustdorf and the tank driver, a 24-year-old member of the British armed services, was unable to stop the military vehicle before it crushed the front end of the Toyota hatchback.

Police car records lightning near-miss

A

Mississippi police department shared dashcam footage of a lightning bolt that narrowly missed a patrol car driving on the interstate.

The YouTube video, recorded by the dashboard camera in Gautier Police Sgt. Mark Rodriguez’s patrol car, shows the lightning strike a Tchoutacabouffa River

bridge in front of the car Tuesday on Interstate 10.

Gautier Police Sgt. Mark Rodriguez said he later found a chunk of singed concrete where the lightning struck the bridge.

Rodriguez said he later returned to the site of the lightning strike and discovered a piece of singed concrete where the bridge was hit.

Egg-stealing snake slithers into couple’s kitchen

A

Charlotte couple captured video of a home-invading snake lowering itself from a spice cabinet and snatching e ggs from a basket.

Rober t Hildreth and Laura Nef f said they used an iPhone to film the snake about 6 p.m. Sunday when they heard a jar fall in their kitchen and followed the sound to find the ser pent feasting in their e gg basket.

Nef f, who posted the video to YouTube, said the re ptile measured at least four feet long.

“We ar med ourselves with brooms, Rober t opened the window, and it took us about 15 minutes to nudge/cajole/encourage it far enough out the window that we could get its bulk

under the brooms and heft it all the way

out,” Nef f told WBTV. “At the last second,

The snake stealing egg inside the couple’s kitchen

it g ripped my broom really tightly, trying not to fall the few feet to the g round,” she said. “I had ke pt my cool fairly well up until that point, but there was a minute there that I completely spazzed out and whacked the broom handle on the window sill really fast, finally g etting it to let go!”

The couple said they found a hole in their laundry room wall that might have been the snake’s entry point. They said the hole is now covered with a concrete block.

The video was also posted to Facebook, where it went viral with more than 7,000 shares and nearly 400,000 views as of Tuesday after noon.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, June 4, 2015

41

Index sheds 0.5% on banking stocks’ losses JOHNSON OKANLAWON

L

osses recorded mostly in the banking sector halted a day bullish trend in equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange despite higher returns in the oil and gas sector.

The Banking Index depreciated 1.58 per cent to close at 379.12 points, followed by the NSE 30-Index with 0.62 per cent to close at 1,545.18 points.

Other sectorial indices added value except the Alternative Securities Market, which closed flat at The Insurance Index appreciated 0.90 per cent to

close at 148.92 points, while the Consumer Goods Index gained 0.32 per cent to close at 848.21 points.

The Oil and Gas Index was up 2.46 per cent to close at 358.00 points, while the Industrial Index rose 0.74 per cent to close at 2,229.05 points.

Lotus Islamic Index increased to 2,230.72 points, up 0.13 per cent.

In all, the lead indicator dropped 0.54 per cent to close at 33,868.72 points, compared to the increase of 0.05 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 34,051.40 points.

Market capitalization lost N62 billion to close at N11.51

trillion, compared to the rise of N6 billion recorded the preceding day to close at N11.57trillion.

Beta Glass Plc led the gainers’ table with N1.99 or 4.98 per cent to close at N41.96 per share, followed by Portland Paints Plc with 17 kobo or 4.45 per cent to close at N3.99 per share.

CI Leasing Plc appreciated three kobo or 4.29 per cent to close at 73 kobo per share, while UAC-Properties Plc added 36 kobo or 3.56 per cent to close at N10.46 per share.

Nestle Plc was up N30.00 or 3.53 per cent to close at N880 per share.

Conversely, NASCON Plc shed 46 kobo or 5.91 per cent to close at N7.33 per share, while Forte Oil Plc dipped N8.14 or 4.99 per cent to close at N154.86 per share.

RT Briscoe Plc depreciated four kobo or 4.88 per cent to close at 78 kobo per share, while Jos Breweries Plc fell 12 kobo or 4.44 per cent to close at N1.83 per share.

Skye Bank Plc declined 12 kobo or 4,69 per cent to close at N2.58 per share.

A total of 252.3 million shares valued at N3.36 billion were exchanged in 4,051 deals.

Joint Forum releases report on credit risk management JOHNSON OKANLAWON

T

he Joint Forum has unveiled its report developments in credit risk management across sectors.

The report provides insight into the current supervisory framework around credit risk, the state of credit risk management at firms and implications for the supervisory and regulatory treatments of credit risk.

The Joint Forum was established in 1996 under the aegis of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS), the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) to deal with issues common to the banking, securities and insurance sectors, including the regulation of financial conglomerates.

According to a statement obtained from International Organisation of Securities Commission (IOSCO), the report is based on a survey that

the Joint Forum conducted with supervisors and firms in the banking, securities and insurance sectors globally in order to understand the current state of credit risk management given the significant market and regulatory changes since the 2008 financial crisis.

Fifteen supervisors and 23 firms from Europe, North America and Asia responded to the survey.

The report updates previous Joint Forum work on this topic, particularly the management of liquidity risk in financial groups (2006), and used the date of that report as the benchmark when analysing changes in the field of credit risk management.

Based on its analysis of the responses and subsequent discussions with firms, the Joint Forum puts forth the following recommendations for consideration by supervisors.

The report recommended among other things that supervisors should be cautious against over-reliance on internal models for credit risk

management and regulatory capital. Where appropriate, simple measures could be evaluated in conjunction with sophisticated modelling to provide a more complete picture.

Secondly, it noted that with the current low interest rate environment possibly generating a ‘search for yield’ through a variety of mechanisms, supervisors should be cognisant of the growth of such risk-taking behaviours and the resulting need for firms to have appropriate risk management processes.

Thirdly, it further noted that supervisors should be aware of the growing need for high-quality liquid collateral to meet margin requirements for OTC derivatives sectors, and if any issues arise in this regard they should respond appropriately. The Joint Forum’s Parent Committees (BCBS, IAIS and IOSCO) should consider taking appropriate steps to promote the monitoring and evaluation of the availability of such collateral in

European shares steady, Ahold and Delhaize rise sharply

E

uropean shares held steady on Wednesday, with supermarket groups Ahold and Delhaize advancing after media reports suggesting merger talks between the two could come to a successful conclusion as early as June.

Shares in Ahold and Delhaize rose 2.6 percent and 5.1 percent respectively. The two compa-

nies are in talks to create a top 20 global retailer with a major presence in the United States. A deal would see a combined retailer worth around 23 billion euros ($25.60 billion).

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index was little changed at 1,572.00 points by 0724 GMT after falling in the previous session.

Investors will also focus on Greece’s debt

talks and a policy meeting of the European Central Bank later in the day.

Greece’s creditors on Tuesday drafted the broad lines of an agreement to put to the leftist government in Athens in a bid to conclude four months of acrimonious negotiations and release aid before the cashstrapped country runs out of money. (source – Reuters)

their future work while also considering the objective of reducing systemic risk and promoting central clearing through collateralisation of counterparty credit risk exposures that stems from non-centrally cleared OTC derivatives.

It further noted that supervisors should consider whether firms are accurately capturing central counterparty exposures as part of their credit risk management.

Chairman of the Joint Forum and Executive Director, International Policy at the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), Mr. Thomas Schmitz-Lippert, said, “The challenges and the economic environment for credit risk management have evolved considerably in the last years. This report provides important new insights into the latest developments in credit risk management against the backdrop of a reformed regulatory framework and the emergence of new risks.”

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 33,879.21 points Market capitalisation 11.51trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

BETAGLAS

39.97

41.96

1.99

4.98

PORTPAINT

3.82

3.99

0.17

4.45

CILEASING

0.70

0.73

0.03

4.29

UAC-PROP

10.10

10.46

0.36

3.56

NESTLE

850.00

880.00

30.00

3.53

BERGER

10.00

10.30

0.30

3.00

CONTINSURE

1.02

1.05

0.03

2.94

MANSARD

2.92

3.00

0.08

2.74

CADBURY

39.00

39.90

0.90

2.31

UBN

9.80

9.99

0.19

1.94

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

NASCON

7.79

CLOSING 7.33

-0.46

-5.91

FO

163.00

154.86

-8.14

-4.99

RTBRISCOE

0.82

0.78

-0.04

-4.88

JOSBREW

1.92

1.83

-0.09

-4.69

SKYEBANK

2.70

2.58

-0.12

-4.44

NPFMCRFBK

1.14

1.09

-0.05

-4.39

WEMABANK

0.98

0.94

-0.04

-4.08

PRESCO

33.35

32.00

-1.35

-4.05

TRANSCORP

2.86

2.75

-0.11

-3.85

LIVESTOCK

2.39

2.30

-0.09

-3.77

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 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at June 3, 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 4, 2015

43

I want be to renowned saxophonist, says 14-yr-old Priceless ...Drops Dance Like David

Stories: Leonard Okachie

H

e walked majestically to the podium, with his saxophone hung to his neck the moment the master of ceremony announced his name. “Children, parents, we are privileged to have in our midst a very talented young singer, who came all the way from the UK. He is going to lead us in the recitation of the National Anthem” the MC had thundered.

But only very few knew that he was not actually from UK; it was mere eulogy by the MC. Looking calm and collected, Master Olaoluwa Fadiji blew his saxophone to the melodious tune of the National Anthem. He did it effortlessly to the delight of the audience who were glued to their feet, admiring such an amazing talent.

“You have not seen anything yet. This is just a tip on the iceberg. Don’t worry, you will feel him better when he comes back for the main performance today” the MC had boasted, as Olaoluwa was leaving the stage amidst rapturous clapping of hands and nodding of heads in approval.

The atmosphere in the vicinity was very friendly, while the children kitted in colourful attires were excited, dancing to the melodious tunes from the DJ. It was Children’s Day, May 27, a day declared by the government to celebrate children annually.

The occasion was also was the maiden edition of the mini-inter-house sport of Fruitful Field Montessori School, Isheri Olofin Mole, Ogun State.

Indeed, Olaoluwa whose stage name is Priceless did not disappoint as he entertained the guests. He performed his just released musical album produced by Ultrasound Production, which contains five songs. It was his first album but he performed wonderfully to the admiration of the audience who kept wondering if he had been singing for years.

His songs such as: Ire ni temi, Song for Mama, Dance Like David, Praise Medley and Oluwa Korode were very much appreciated by the audience as he performed along with his

younger brother.

Priceless is just 14 years old but his mastery of his trade beat everyone’s imagination. A JS 3 student of famous Kings’ College, Lagos, his incurable passion for music led him to release the album entitled ‘Dance Like David.’

“I love music. I started singing when I was in primary 4.

I was 9 years old then. Music is a calling. I’m not doing music because others are doing it.I’m not doing it because of money. No,” he told National Mirror.

But why gospel music, Priceless spoke with utmost conviction: “My father is a pastor. Gospel music is what I listen to almost everyday. So I wanted to make something meaningful that people will like to hear and feel it is okay.

I sing to spread the word of God. I want people to know that everything is not about social life; we should not abandon our culture. I feel gospel music is a better way of life because one cannot do anything without the grace of God.” “If you listen to my tracks you will know that it is everything God has done. They are

all prayer songs. I encourage people to come closer to God.” His hit track is ‘Dance Like David’ and when asked why the choice of the title, Priceless continued: “I used the story of King David. David in the Bible was a good dancer.

He loved God. He danced and people wondered why he did so even though he was a king.

In the song, I say you should worry about nothing because He knows tomorrow. No matter what, dance and praise God just like David did. He didn’t care about his exalted position and so on.”

Have been performing at various shows, Prieceless’ reputation has begun to soar especially among his peers. But it hasn’t made him to lose focus on his education.

“Music is like a hobby to me.

I don’t plan to leave my education. I face my studies during school time but do music during holidays. My dream is to study Chemistry in the university” said Priceless, who hinted that his parents have been his greatest support so far.

However, Priceless’ consummate enthusiasm is to be the best in his field, “I want to be a renowned saxophonist. I want to do something that nobody has ever done” he said.

David

UN ambassador urges youths to hold govts accountable

U

nited Nations Youth Ambassador in the Netherlands, Jilt Schayik, yesterday urged youths in different countries to begin to monitor and hold their governments accountable on sustainable development goals.

Schayik and Teun Meulepas, two Dutch cyclists, had arrived Lagos on Monday on their cycling trip of about 17,000 kilometres from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Cape Town, South Africa.

Schayik said at a news conference in Lagos that they embarked on the journey to sensitise young people on the importance the UN proposed 2030 Sustainable Development Goals to them.

According to him, young people globally have no voice in the policy making processes of their governments.

“We left Amsterdam on our bicycles to let young people in countries we are visiting know that the UN is planning to up with 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

“Experience has so far shown that young people are not included by their governments in policy making.

“We are, therefore, looking at building bridges between young people and their policy makers globally,’’ he said.

Schayik said that he was not impressed with the young people’s complaints of neglect and depriva-

tion by their governments.

The Ambassador said that they decided to make the sacrifice of spending long hours on the roads and sleeping in unknown villages and towns to sensitise young people globally.

He said that as soon as they completed their trip in Cape Town on Aug. 12 this year, he would present the outcome of their visits to the UN General Assembly in New York.

The Director of United Nation Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria, Mr. Ronald Kayanja, said that the UN would in September this year finalise deliberations on the goals.

Kayanja said that it was imperative for young Nigerians to

be aware of the 2030 Sustainable Goals as it had to do with post -2015 development plans.

A Togolese UN Youth Ambassador, Atti Tata, who joined the Dutch cyclist in Lome to Lagos, also said that “young people should be given voices in policy making.”

The Dutch cyclists with their Nigerian counterparts also visited the Lagos office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to intimate the organisation’s management of the purpose of their visit.

They thanked the management of NAN for the agency’s commitment to reporting issues of youth development and international cooperation.

44

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

KCCN celebrates Children’s Day in style Joel Ajayi ABUJA

K

orea Cultural Centre on Tuesday hosted over 50 school kids in commemoration of the 2015 Children’s Day and as part of bilateral agreement between Korea Republic and Nigeria to assist the two countries’ children in attaining their goals through meaningful cultural exchange.

However, Nigeria chose May 27 as the official date to mark Children’s Day in response to a call from the United Nations to member states to set aside a day to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children, initiate action to benefit, and promote world’s children and celebrate childhood.

The Korean centre in Nigeria has promised more educational programmes that will not only develop the children talents but enhance their creativity.

Event, witnessed by over 15 primary schools across the Federal Capital Territory featured drama, dance, games, as well as a lot of gifts like, football, hand fan, Korean traditional designed mirror, biro, etc.

In his remarks, the Director of KCCN, Mr. Kwon Yong Ik, assured that the centre would continue to improve and expand scope of its programme that will bring growth and development to Nige-

Science for Kids

H

ria’s children.

He said: “I believe that this event will create a bond of friendship among Nigeria and Korea through better understanding of each other, eventually leading to stronger relations between the countries.

“This is exactly why the Korea Embassy through cultural centre has been working hard to host many programmes as we can; including today’s one and others programs that will develop the potential talent and enhance their creativity.

“We have held valuable educational programmes in collaboration with private, public and international schools, like Let’s Play with YOO, Korean Image Drawing Competition, Korea Nigeria Quiz Competition, and Korea Love Days amongst other.”

Yong Ik added: “Korea government

Director KCCN, Mr. Kwon Yong (m) and children at the event.

will as from 2016 invest and expand the scope of participants to all school students including private school for Ko-

Fayrouz L’Original auditions excite youths in Enugu, PH Leonard Okachie

F

ayrouz L’Original Expression Show has just concluded the second and third legs of the auditions in Enugu and Port Harcourt, with hundreds of excited youths determined to showcase their creativity to the judges.

The events, which held last Saturday at the White House in the University of

Nigeria, Nsukka Enugu State and the International Students Centre in the University of Port Harcourt on Sunday, had youths from within and outside the campuses who showcased their abilities.

At the end of the two day event, the jury, made up of ace photographer Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Rhema Akabuogu of House of Tara and renowned fashion designers, Mai Atafo and Kunbi Oyelese, left the auditions fully impressed at the

Exciting world of horses

ave you discovered the exciting world of the horse? Here are some facts you may not know about horses and ponies to keep you busy while you wait for your next horsey encounter.

1. Why do we always get on the near’ or left side of a horse?

This is a fact you can ‘wow’ your history teacher with as it is started in the days when horses were used for fighting. The riders had their knives or guns in the left sides of their coats and used their right hands to use them. Therefore, getting on the horse on the left side kept the right hand free to get their weapons in case of attack. Horses are so used to us getting on this side that some will became unsettled if we get on the off side.

The left side is always the ‘near’ side and the right side is called the ‘off ’ side.

2. The horse has four gaits, or ways of moving.

The horse can walk, trot, canter and gallop. Each of these movements feel and look different as you ride. You need a lot of practice in each before you begin to ride in the next.

In each gait the horse’s legs move in a different sequence, creating a different number of beats to the gait. Walk has four beats, trot has two beats, canter has three beats and gallop has four beats.

This is because in trot the two diagonal legs more together, causing two sets of hooves to be on the ground at once.

In canter a leading leg moves followed by two diagonal legs then the other leg follow. This sequence results in three beats as the two separate hooves and

rean image drawing competition as well as to develop various educational programme with children in Nigeria.”

two diagonals hit the ground. In walk and gallop all the legs move separately, causing four beats.

3. A horse has a frog in his foot.

If you look underneath a foot of a horse you can see a triangle of flesh, this is called the frog. Unlike the other parts of the foot this is sensitive and you must be very careful when picking out his feet.

The frog is extremely important as it helps the heart by pumping blood back up the horse’s legs as he walks. This is vital for good circulation of blood through the body. This is one of the reasons why we must take good care of horses’ feet.

4. The horse cannot vomit.

When we have an upset tummy or have eaten something not good for us or eaten too much we vomit, even though this is not nice it is good for us as it gets rid of unwanted harmful food.

A horse

Horses cannot do this because of the way their stomachs are made. The muscles will not allow food back into their throats.

When they have too much food or the wrong kind of food in their stomachs they get colic which can be very serious, a vet must be called straight away if signs of this occur.

This is why we must be very careful what and when we feed horses. Do not feed just before, or just after riding, do not feed too much. It is best to let more experienced people feed the horses until you learn more, unless they tell you that you can feed small snacks, such as carrots before or after you ride.

5. Horses can see far better than us in the dark.

Horse’s eyes can see both in daylight and the dark. This is why they can find their way around the field if kept out at night. If you ride at night time you can be sure that your horse can see far more than you can.

6. A horse cannot see directly in front or behind him.

As the horse’s eyes are on the sides of his head, he can not see directly in front or behind him. Imagine a triangle with the eye at the top point, the area of the triangle is where he can see. This is why we must be very careful when approaching a horse, approach from the side and talk to him as you do so he can hear you. Some horses may kick if you approach from the back when he can’t see or hear you.

Culled from www.helium.com

massive turn out and innovations from the eastern and southern regions.

On their experience so far, Kunbi Oyelese said: “I am quite impressed at the turn out and the creativity shown throughout the auditions, the participants are really making it difficult for us to shortlist the best teams. I would say that I have not only been impressed but I am proud to say that I have also been inspired these young talents today.”

Senior brand manager, Nnenna Ifebigh-Hemeson, also shared her views at the auditions, “The success we have recorded so far has proven that we are on the right path. The number of participants that attended the Enugu auditions was quite encouraging, and executions of the task given have been interesting. The Fayrouz L’Original Expression Show we hope will continue to influence creativity and originality which is part of our brand mission.”

The audition train will make its final stop at University of Lagos tomorrow and Saturday. Billed to hold next month in Obudu, Cross Rivers State, is the semi final stage which will have five teams from the regional auditions battle head to head and secure the final two slots in the grand finale holding in July, 2015.

The winning team stands a chance of winning N4Million while the first runner up will be rewarded with N1Million. Finalists will also go home with consolation prizes including Apple Macbook laptops and professional cameras.

The competition kicked off last year and produced winner, Team Elan who have gone ahead to showcase at several fashion shows alongside other popular designers including Mai Atafo, April By Kunbi, Orange Culture and others.

Fayrouz L’ Original audtion.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

DAME workshop Leonard Okachie

U

Media

Thursday, June 4, 2015

niversity don, Prof. Lai Oso has decried crises rocking journalism, saying that the profession is at a critical juncture.

Oso, who was former Dean, School of Communication, Lagos State University, gave reasons for the crises to include commercialisation and drive for profit by media organisations, new technologies, citizen journalism, bloggers and online publications as well as poor economy.

He said this at the second edition of the “Widening the Pools of Excellence Workshop” organised by Diamond Awards for Media Excellence, DAME, which held recently at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.

The initiative is anchored on the need to strengthen the capacity of journalists to perform better their watchdog role functions through continuous retraining. It is also an occasion to call attention to those reporting categories or beats that are underreported or in need of a shot in the arm as determined annually by DAME judges.

The one-day workshop, which came ahead of the call for entries for the year’s 24th edition of the annual DAME competition, featured four sessions, designed to further instil journalistic values in participants, deepen their news judgment and presentation and improve their research and writing skills.

In his presentation entitled “Instilling Journalistic Values” Oso pointed that some of the manifestations of the crisis include erosion of profession autonomy; Erosion of profession autonomy lowering of editorial standard, poor adherence to ethics codes, poor patronage – readership and viewership and dwindling public trust.

The one-day workshop, which comes ahead of the call for entries for the year’s 24th edition of the annual DAME competition, will address these concerns.

It will feature four sessions, designed to further instil journalistic values in participants, deepen their news judgment and presentation and improve their research and writing skills.

According to him, as journalism’s role become more critical to the society, the society expects higher standard in the discharge of such role and obligations.

He stated that journalism has evolved from the eras of authoritarianism and libertarianism to the current era of social responsibility, stressing that this theory comes with certain normative values to guide the profession’s practice.

These values, he emphasised are contained in the ethics/code of journalism practice.

He defined Journalism Ethics as The analysis, evaluation and promotion of what constitute correct conducts and virtuous character in the light of best available principles; as well as practical activity that seeks reason to question

45

Journalism at critical juncture, says Lai Oso

Trustee of DAME, Mr. Lanre Idowu addressing particpants at the DAME event.

how to act.

Charging journalists to be transparent as one of the basic principles of the profession, he said: “Show the reporting was done and why people should believe it. Explain your sources, evidence and the choices you made. Reveal what you cannot know. Make intellectual honesty your guide and humility (rather than omniscience) your asset.

“Clearly articulate your journalistic approach, whether you strive for independence or approach information from a political or philosophical point of view.

Describe how your point of view impacts the information you report, including how you select the topic you cover and the source that inform your work.”

In another presentation entitled, ‘Deepening News Judgment: What is the Matter with the News?’ Dr. Bisi Olawunmi noted that the topic has two basic assumptions - that news judgment is not deep enough and that there is a problem with News.

He described news as a purposive communication, stressing that every news item is expected to convey a message and is expected to be contemplative in that it has to take into account what meaning, what interpretation, importance and relevance audience members will attach it.

Oluwunmi, who is a lecturer at the at

the Department of Mass Communication, Bowen University, Iwo, regretted that the editorial content of media houses seem more geared to mere information dissemination or creating awareness without a conceptual appreciation of the cumulative effect on the public.

Using crime reporting as a case study, he said that much of the news reports about it are episodic, ad hoc and lacking coherence, saying, “People are daily assaulted with reports of heinous crimes, without let up, but lacking depth in terms of socio-cultural underpinnings, the synergy or lack of it of law enforcement efforts with the cumulative effect of inducing a feeling of helplessness among the public.

“There is this aspect of the odious collaboration between the police and reporters in publicizing the parade of criminal suspects without any follow ups as to whether or not those suspects were ever charged to court. It is a case of police authorities playing reporters for suckers.

“Even when cases eventually get to the court, what is the level of diligent prosecution? Where are the quarterly statistics of arrests and the number of suspects taken to court? There is a blame game among police authorities, the judiciary and defence counsels as who are majorly responsible for tardiness in the

administration of justice. Competent reporting, adopting the in-depth, news feature approach can substantially locate the point of the logjam.”

Earlier in a keynote address, Mr. Wale Onaolapo remarked that the decision by the organisers of the workshop to focus on journalists covering health and insurance beats showed that they were thinking progressively considering the importance of these two sectors to the advancement and development of any nation.

Onaolapo stated categorically: “The theme of this workshop, ‘Widening the pools of Excellence‘ couldn’t have been more apt than this, considering the fact that, there are still some huge skill gaps to be filled if the health and Insurance sectors is to transcend beyond what it is at the moment in the country.

“As change catalysts, a lot is expected from your constituency and I want to believe that you are well positioned for the assignment ahead. I make bold to say that the insurance industry in Nigeria is capable of generating positive patronage from the insuring public through the activities of the Media and same could be said of the health sector as well with better upgrade in facilities. We must begin to work as partners in progress in all ramifications in engendering development in both sectors.”

46

Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NIPR commends Buhari on Adesina’s appointment ...He’s a trusted hand – Achum Leonard Okachie

N

igerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, under the leadership of Dr. Rotimi Oladele, President and Chairman, Governing Council, has commended President Muhammadu

Buhari for his recent appointment of Mr. Femi Adesina, the Managing Director of Sun Newspaper, and President, Nigerian Guild of Editors as his Special Adviser on Media.

In a statement signed by President of NIPR, Dr. Rotimi Oladele, and his Chief of Staff, Willy Ogbidi, the duo

Why FG approved 17 community radio stationsv –Mba Leonard Okachie

D

irector General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mr. Emeka Mba has announced the birth of 17 Community radio stations in Nigeria.

The DG explained that community radio is a key ingredient in the democratic process in Nigeria, as the third tier of broadcasting closest to the people, as it is expected to fill the gap of accessibility to radio to rural communities.

According to the statement posted on the official website of NBC by Director (Head) Public Affairs, Awwalu Salihu, Mba noted that licensing of community radio broadcasting is historic as it has been work in progress for many years.

He further elaborated that Community radio should not be for profit, rather it should fill the void left by commercial broadcasting, and should foster a lot more civic responsibility amongst the people, and hoped Community radio would help develop unity and cooperation among Nigerians.

He stressed that the purpose of community radio stations is to give voice to communities of interest to help in developing their areas of interest and to inform and educate the people in areas of development such as health, education, agriculture, cultural orientation and peace building among others.

The Director General gave the assurance that the Commission will work with the various stakeholders to ensure the timely take off and operation of the stations.

According to the DG, the distribution of the new community radio stations to include 3 in the Northwest, 3 in the North Central, 1 in the North East, 4 in the South West, 3 in the South East, and 3 in the South South geopolitical zones.

Responding, the Representative of the Nigerian Community Radio Coalition, Mr. Akin Akingbolu said “Excitement” was the best word to explain the feelings for the moment.

He expressed great pleasure that the struggle for community broadcasting which began since 2003, has finally come to fruition, fulfilling the deep down wishes of numerous communities in Nigeria to have a means of self expression.

He thanked the National Broadcasting Commission and Mr President for helping to provide this important platform for local communities to interact and share ideas about issues that affect their daily lives.

He noted that at last Nigeria had joined the Community Radio global com-

commended the appointment of Adesina urging him to bring his vast experience to bear on his new job.

Oladele also commended the appointment of Tunji Bello, former Commissioner for Environment in Lagos State as Secretary to Lagos State Government, and Habib Aruna, former Sunday Editor, Daily Independent Newspaper, as S.A. Media, by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the reappointment of Mr. Wahab Oba as Special Adviser on Media to Kwara State Governor, urging them to live up to expectation of their job challenges.

Similarly, Publisher of Business Plus Magazine, Dr. Grace Ekpoanwan Achum, who is also a Special Assistant to NIPR President, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for Adesina’s appointment as his Special Adviser on Media, as well as Garba Shehu (Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity), and Kazaure as Protocol Chief.

Speaking with journalists on Monday at the corporate headquarters of Business Plus in Lagos, Achum said Adesina is a trusted hand and is not in doubt with his capability in discharg-

Femi Adesina

ing his duty.

She stressed that Adesina’s humility, doggedness, dedicative journalistic style is his God-given endowment, adding, “he is an attraction to every media personnel. I am proud of him and certain that he will not disappoint his colleagues.”

Achum wished the new media aide a robust success in his new assignment, noting that Adesina has made a mark in his profession.

Media Abroad

Sony buys Facebook spinoff

T NBC DG, Emeka Mba

munity, assuring the NBC that successful licensees will operate according to the rules guiding community broadcasting.

Mr. Akingbolu urged the Commission and international stakeholders to further assist the development of community broadcasting through capacity building programmes.

A representative of the UNDP, Mrs Toyin Adewale Gabriel, in a goodwill message, congratulated the efforts of the NBC under Mr. Emeka Mba for this success story, noting that her organisation had always supported such good initiatives. She added that Community radio was an important tool for development for the people at the grass roots.

Representing the UNICEF, Mr. Geoffrey Njoku noted that Community radio stations were for the development of the people and not for politics. He pledged that the UNICEF would assist by providing content that would help with issues of women and children in the society.

Speaking on behalf of the community associations, Mr. Abdulgaffar Ajao of Dawanau Market Association, Kano, expressed the appreciation of the benefitting communities to the Nigerian Community Radio Coalition, the National Broadcasting Commission, and to the President.

The Director, Broadcast Policy and Research, of the NBC, Mallam Mujtaba Sada, announced the donation of some broadcast equipment by Stable Media, a private company, to be vied for by 5 community radio stations.

rue, after the rise of Netflix, iTunes, and so many other services that push movies and TV shows over the Internet, the format isn’t exactly the future of high-def entertainment. But Facebook recently tossed Blu-ray a lifeline, fashioning a system that could transform these optical discs into a means of preserving the hundreds of millions of photos uploaded to the social network every day.

Now Sony—the company behind the Blu-ray disc—has acquired the startup that grew from this Facebook project in hopes of bringing similar tech to businesses across the ‘net.

The startup, Optical Archive Inc., was founded by Frank Frankovsky, who oversaw Facebook’s efforts to streamline the data center hardware underpinning the enormously popular social network.

Frankovsky says Sony and Optical Archive are working to create Blu-Ray systems akin to the one demonstrated by Facebook—systems that use robotic devices to store and retrieve digital information across thousands of optical discs.

Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg

Today, inside the data centers that run services like the Facebook social network, companies typically store digital information hard drives or flash drives.

But Frankovsky and others argue Blu-ray provides a cheaper, more reliable means of storing older data. Though the medium doesn’t make sense for frequently accessed data (say, the Facebook photos you uploaded today), it suits archived data (the photos you uploaded five years ago). Frankovsky says it’s ideal for use inside financial services companies, which must retain data for regulatory reasons, even when few people are looking at it.

According Facebook director of engineering Jason Taylor, it’s best to think of such “cold storage” as a cheaper way for a company like Facebook to back up all its data. Rather than using ordinary hard drives and flash memory for, say, a second backup, you can use Blu-Ray. “If you take one out of your three copies and make it ‘cold,’ it’s an absolute savings in money,” he says.

In the past, companies have used magnetic tape drives for this kind of thing. But data stored on tape—like data stored on hard disk—is more vulnerable than data stored on optical disc. It’s susceptible to both humidity (a growing problem as companies cut costs by cooling data centers with the outside air) and electromagnetic pulses. “Optical drives will be as a pervasive as hard drives and tape drives in the coming years,” Frankovsky says.

Facebook has not yet deployed its Bluray system. But according to Taylor, the company plans to. “We’re testing now, and I’m confident we’re going to roll many racks into production throughout this year and on into next,” he says. Frankovsky hopes that others will follow suit as more and more digital data streams into the world’s companies.

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B Shoppers’ S

D

Guide

L

ike any other things, change is the constant thing in life as the saying goes.

The same can be said of the transformation of the Lagos Business district which comprises the Broad Street, Balogun, Marina, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Idumota among others which has witnessed a massive transformation in the past 65 years of its existence.

This was attested to by some of those who have seen it all, or witnessed part of its transformation.

Speaking to a resident recently on how far the Business district has changed, Mrs. Folashade Carew was full of fun, as she reminiscence of what it was in the fifties and what it is now.

Carew who told BSD that she had her education and got married on the Lagos Island was full of life at sixty when Broad Street Diary visited her in her home as she took our reporter down the memory lane.

She told Broad Street Diary that security on the Island especially on Cole Street where she was born and grew up and Oke Olowogbowo Street where she lived after her marriage was very good in those days. ‘’Yes, then when I and my age mates were growing up, we can easily sign out strange faces around and whenever there is incident of stealing or robbery, it was easier to bring out those behind it, she told BSD. Carew said the influx

Broad Street Diary

Thursday, June 4, 2015

The changing faces of Lagos Business District of people from different places and different cultures were responsible for turning the once peaceful atmosphere prevalent in Lagos Island to what it is today, where people steal, commits several atrocities and still get away with it ‘’it was not like that in the past.’’

She added that education on the Island was in proper shape when she was growing up as people outside Lagos Island bring their children here. Some of the best schools around then according to her, was Olowogbowo Primary School followed by Ansarudeen, St Joseph and Almaddiyah schools among others. ‘’Education at that time was very good on the Island, if you see anyone that grew up then, you can hear them speak good English, not like now that many of the indigenes who are young are not ready to go to school, she disclosed.

On the different market on the Island, Madam Carew said, Oke -Arin was the most popular market as traders do business four times a week in the market.

“Oke-Arin was the most popular market then, as a trader I was able to send my children to private school and live comfortably.”

But now, she said things have changed, the prices for shop rent is on the high side and turnover from sales is very low. “That was why I left the shop I was using and now do my

Marina, Lagos in the 60s

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

CMS axis of Broad Street in Lagos Island. trading at home,’’ Carew said Recount with smiles on her face, she said that as a child she was able to play with her age mates at the different recreation

centres around. “But it is sad that those recreation centres have now turned to commercial areas and children growing up now on the Island don’t have such opportunity any-

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI more.

Carew called on the government especially the local government to do something look into the area of recreational facilities, she said children

around needs recreation centres where they can play, have fun and develop their talents especially during festive period.

-Saidat Alausa

‘High cost of shops forced us into street trading’ A s the new government in Lagos State settles down for business, street traders on the Lagos Business District have called on the new government to have passion on them adding that they were forced into street trading due to the high cost of shops rent.

Traders, who spoke with Broad Street Diary, BSD said many of them were forced into street trading as a means of survival as they could not afford the high cost of renting shops.

47

They also appealed to the Governor Akinwumi Ambode to build shops that are affordable to the masses.

“We want the new government to help us by building more shops that are affordable to smallscale traders like us because shops around here are highly expensive and beyond the reach of the poor,” Mrs. Adejoke Ogunlana lamented.

She told BSD that it is government that can ameliorate the plight of traders like her. “I don’t even

have enough capital to trade, not to talk of how to get money to pay rent even if shops are available.

“We are appealing to the Governor to continue to allow us trade on the streets because we have dependants that we must meet their needs.

She Commending the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola on his efforts in reducing crime in the market and for maintaining a clean environment made possible by the Central Business Dis-

trict officials who were always on hand to make people comply with rules.

Another trader, Mr Chinedu Nwanze told BSD that they are appealing because they want Ambode to allow them to continue to do business on Broad Street and other markets in the Lagos Business District.

“Most times we carry out our business under anxiety for the fear of the CBD officials who can come at any time and confiscate our goods.

That was why most of

us usually come very early to sell and sometimes in the evening when government officials might have close for work. “ Another trader who owns a shop, Mrs Fayida Salami, was of different opinion, she told BSD that government should not allow street trading.” I don’t support that, since the government established CBD, sanity has returned to the market and we can shop with ease,’’ Salami said.

She said if government legalise street trading

on the business district, the market will returned to Balogun of old where crime and disorder was the order of the day.

Another shop owner who does not want his name mentioned said government should not allow street trading, according to him, if it is allowed, shop owners may not be able to make enough sales and such action may discourage many traders from taking up shops for their business.

-Francis Suberu

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Broad Street Diary

Thursday, June 4, 2015

One of the beach in Lagos.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Gbara-Maiyegun beach adding aesthetics to Lagos

T

he Gbara-Maiyegun beach, popularly known as Lekki Beach is a famous nature site for beach exploration and tourism in Nigeria. Lekki beach is usually a place with beehives of activities from music concerts, to parties and relaxation centre for nature lovers who often stand by the beach to look at the sea body and the panoramic view of the environment.

The beach used to be a place of elegant coconut trees which are arranged on a row, with chalets, entertainment arenas being land marks at the beach.

The Lekki beach is a beautiful place to reside with different tourist activities going on especially at weekends. Though the beach is nothing, but beautiful, its present look are nothing to be compared to its formal glory where the coconut trees are giant prices won naturally by the beach from the creator. Apart from the beauty endowed by nature on Lekki beach, the warm crispy sand of the area is being eroded and encroached upon by the unrestricted water and waves, with filth, with criminal activities and vices corrupting the tourist activities of the place.

A 62-old year beach crawler, Emmanuel Tunde told Broad Street that though Lekki Beach still retains some of its glamour, its current status, however irritates him. “I have been coming to this beach at least every month for the past

I HAVE BEEN COMING TO THIS BEACH AT LEAST EVERY MONTH FOR THE PAST FIFTEEN YEARS, THIS BEA BEACH IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT PLACE FOR ME, BECAUSE

THAT IS WHERE

I PROPOSE PROPOSED TO MY LATE WIFE

fifteen years, this beach is very significant place for me because this is where I proposed to my late wife. I usually come here to enliven my memories for her. But I discover that the place is deteriorating, these coco-nut trees are more than these but the water are washing them away with the help of strong winds. Nobody is taking care of this place even with all the money they are collecting” Others complain about the criminal activities going on at the place especially with the red tiny light of cigarettes and strong smell of Indian hemp, not to talk of the prostitutes that harass onlookers at the beach especially at night.

A couple that came to the Lekki beach for picnic said they came here to relax their nerves.

A first timer at the beach would think that the beach which is being got rid of its beauty is gradually becoming a shadow of itself. No doubt, the elegant coconut

trees are still erect as though arranged on a row along the beach’s stretch. But a year ago, there were more trees. As at the time of coverage, the shoreline had advanced by at least 900 metres, land-ward and the ocean keeps advancing with an unrestrained vehemence as it’s every roar slaps the motionless ships on its shore. The beach chairman, Moses Enebeli, who was in office a year ago, when three ships wrecked simultaneously reported that, tents, chalets, entertainment spots dotting the beach, have been washed away by the Atlantic Ocean’s turbulent waves, and the ones seen presently, are newly built.

Economic costs

Lekki Beach, one of the most valuable stretches of Nigeria’s coastline, is the beehive of fun and activity during festive seasons and a source of income generation to many Nigerians “If there is a disaster, Lagos being the financial

hub, accounting for over 55 percent of industrial activities and for 70 percent of imported goods which comes through the ports, may be adversely affected.

To render this place a horrible scene of unimaginable disaster is damaging to the Nigerian economy,” Philip Asiodu president of Nigeria Conservation Foundation says. In summary, analysts’ estimates put the amount of land lost to erosion on this prime real estate at over a billion Naira.

Already millions of naira that could be made from tourism is lost due to the wreckage of the alpha beach in October 2010.

The erosion may also threaten food security in terms of fish production believes Jide Ayinla, the executive director of the Nigeria Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR).

“It is bound to affect the marine life because it affects the breeding ground of the fishes, by so it creates obstruction to the fishing. It can restrict movement of fishermen and if the normal marine habitat is disrupted they will get less fish.” He says the supply of fish production in Nigeria now is 0.65 million metric per annum yet the requirement is 2.0 million metric per annum. “You can see we are supplying less than required, if such an incidence now occurs, it will further dwindle supply.”

-Isiguso Destiny

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South South

Thursday, June 4, 2015

49

French couple killed in Ebonyi Aliuna Godwin ABAKALIKI

G

unmen yesterday killed a French couple, Mr Nagnan Denis, 52, and Mrs. Nagnan Mee Lavaud Liana, 53, on their way back to Abakaliki along Abomege axis of Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Commissioner of Police, Maigari Dikko, confirmed the incident, stressing that 32 suspects were in the early hours of yesterday arrested in connection with the incident. He said they were already being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, of the state Police Command for further interrogation and prosecution.

Dikko, who described the victims as tourists, who had traveled through several countries to get to Nigeria, added that about 1,150 euros and N13,000 were also stolen from them by the hoodlums.

He said: “Thirty-two suspects were arrested in the early hours of this morning and are currently being transferred to SCID for investigation and screening.”

According to him, the wife of the victim who reported the incident to the police division in the area told me through an interpreter that she could identify her husband’s killers if she saw them.

“We got the report yesterday from the DPO of Onicha LGA about the French nationals, a couple; they were tourists who left their country on December 2014 and arrived Nigeria through Badagry on May 3, that is last Saturday.

“They passed through Abeokuta, Benin, Onitsha, Enugu to Ebonyi in their one-door caravan; they were passing through Ebonyi to Calabar when the incident happened.

“They arrived Abomega at night and decided to spend the night there. According to the deceased’s wife, her husband complained that he was tired and that it was

night.

“As fate would have it, they didn’t report their presence to any law enforcement agents around, but decided to look for a naturally endowed shelter, a place that has trees and went two kilometres off the road to pass the night, near the bush.

“They found a place – a quarry site and decided to camp there. Unfortunately, I believe as they were going there, they were seen, and according to the wife of the deceased, when they were at the location, a motorcyclist together with a man asked to know who they were.

“Unless investigation proves otherwise, we are thinking that the motorcyclist was the informant to the hoodlums. After an hour he left, three people came into the car and by then they had already erected their tent on top of the vehicle.”

The commissioner, who noted that police headquarters including the French Embassy had already been informed of the incident, added that the deceased was shot by the hoodlums during an argument as they further inflicted machete-cut injuries on him.

He stated that arrangements were on to ensure that the deceased whose body had been deposited at a mortuary in Enugu State is transferred to France without delay, even as he stressed the readiness of the command to clampdown on the activities of miscreants in the state.

Dennis Naku

PORT HARCOURT

T

raditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON, Akwa Ibom State chapter, has assured the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, of its continued support.

The association of royal fathers gave its position at a special meeting with NDDC Managing Director, Sir Bassey Dan-Abia, and other senior officials of the commission.

A statement issued in

L-R: FRSC Sector Commander for Anambra, Sunday Ajayi; Acting Zonal Commander, FRSC Zone 5, Benin, Crawford Oti; Head of Public Enlightenment, Chinelo Ezekwesili; Head of Operations, Anthony Okorie and others, during the working visit of Benin Zonal Commander to FRSC Command in Awka, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Okowa promises ‘round pegs in round holes’

…swears-in Delta SSG Theophilus Onojeghen WARRI

G

overnor Ifeanyi Okowa has assured people of Delta State that his administration would appoint only competent individuals, who are articulate and progressive-minded team players to enable him deliver on his promises, saying government was cumbersome and required efficient hands.

Okowa stated this yesterday during the swearing-in of Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Festus Ovie Agas, in Asaba, stressing that his government has no place for self-serving individuals.

The governor also

warned that there was no place for parochial interests and self-ambition but mutual cooperation and benevolent spirits that recognise and cater for the yearnings of the people, if the state must move forward.

He said: “The art of governance has become so complex and demanding that positions of leadership require efficient, articulate and progressive-minded persons, who are flexible and team players.

“I am happy that Hon. Festus Agas satisfies these criteria and that explains why he has been brought on board to contribute his quota to the social, political and economic development of our dear state.”

The governor said as a result, he had set forth a

transformation agenda that encapsulates his vision for the state’s progress.

He said, “We have a clear vision of what we plan to do in the next four years as we have outlined a Five-Point agenda encapsulated in the acronym, SMART. It is to enthrone a legacy of wealth and prosperity for all our people and communities because we are committed to building a state in which there shall be employment opportunities, flourishing agriculture and agribusiness sector, effective health and educational systems, renewed urban infrastructure and enhanced security and peace to bolster economic growth and development.”

He assured Deltans that his administration would remain fair to all persons, irre-

spective of tribe, and noted that his government shall be guided by equity and justice.

On criteria for choosing Agas as SSG, he said: “Judging by the euphoria that greeted Hon. Agas’s appointment, it is self-evident that this administration has struck the right note with its first appointment.”

He advised the SSG “to be tactful, objective, just, resourceful and calm at all times, and it is necessary that you pursue your duties with the required diligence in line with state government’s avowed commitment to transparency, accountability, justice and fairness.”

Responding, Agas pledged to carry out his functions diligently and thanked Governor Okowa for the appointment.

TROMPCON pledges support for NDDC Port Harcourt and signed

by Head, Corporate Affairs of NDDC, Toye Abosede, said Paramount Ruler of Onna Local Government Area, Edidem Akpabio Ukpa, hosted the meeting at his palace in Ikot Edor.

It said the meeting reviewed activities of NDDC over the years and passed a vote of confidence on the current board and management of the commission.

Ukpa, who is also president of Eket Senatorial District Traditional Rul-

ers Council, noted that TROMPCON played a key role in the establishment of NDDC and, therefore, sees it as a duty to continue to show solidarity to the interventionist agency.

He said the challenges facing NDDC were enormous and required the support of all stakeholders in the region.

On his part, the NDDC boss, Dan-Abia acknowledged the pioneering role of TROMPCON in the establishment of the commission

and promised to sustain the existing relationship with the traditional rulers in the overall interest of the Niger Delta region.

He expressed appreciation for the support of TROMPCON over the years and urged the group not to relent, especially now that Nigeria is undergoing difficult times.

Dan-Abia said the falling price of crude oil in the international market was adversely affecting the funding of the commission,

saying, “We have had to put on an extra thinking cap to be able to manage the lean resources available for the execution of development projects.

“This is necessary for us to meet the expectations of our people who are not interested in excuses.”

The NDDC MD urged the traditional rulers to extend their support to the newly elected leaders at the federal level and Niger Delta states in the interest of peace and development.

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North

Thursday, June 4, 2015

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Government not grounded –FG …warns civil servants against breach of service rules

OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

A

pparently reacting to criticisms that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has not been able to constitute its cabinet days after being sworn into office, the Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the country is not at a standstill.

The government, which was obviously peeved by the seeming lack of commitment to work ethics, also read the riot act to federal civil servants, warning against any breach of civil service rules.

Government particularly warned civil servants against absence from work as well as latecoming, vowing to sanction erring officials.

El-Rufai sacks 23 council administrators, others A ZA MSUE KADUNA

K

aduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday sacked 23 local government sole administrators, and secretaries of development areas appointed by previous administrations.

El-Rufai also sacked all inherited political appointees, including heads of boards of agencies in the employment of the state government.

A statement signed by Secretary to the Kaduna State government, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Kaduna, reads: “The Kaduna State government hereby restates that the boards of all agencies stand dissolved.

“Similarly, all political appointees, including chief executives that are not civil servants, have also been relieved of their appointments with immediate effect.

“This includes sole administrators of all the 23 local government areas, and secretaries of the development areas appointed by previous administrations.

Special advisers and assistants are also affected by this directive.

“Government directs full compliance with this directive. The most senior officials of all parastatals and agencies should take charge until further instructions are issued.

“Security agents and all public servants have been advised to treat any of the affected persons who purports to still be in office as trespasser.”

Nigerian appointed commander of multi-national JTF INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

Nigeria’s Major General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has been appointed Force Commander of the MultiNational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

This was contained in a press statement by Director, Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, and e-mailed to our correspondent yesterday.

“He has assumed duties at the new headquarters in N’Djamena, capital of Chad Republic. The reorganised MNJTF arrangement is in line with decisions of member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), which include Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cam-

eroun, with Benin Republic as honorary member.

“The arrangement has the backing of partners in the fight against Boko Haram, namely: France, UK and USA. “The MNJTF has now been sectionised into three sectors to achieve more effect operations with one of the sectors’ headquarters retained in Baga.

“The MNJTF was formed as a result of the need by the LCBC member countries to pool their effort together in a bid to provide a common and coordinated solution to the security challenges in the Lake Chad Basin region, especially the security challenges posed by terrorists in the region and beyond.

It said it has already issued a circular to civil servants, reminding them of the need to adhere strictly to the official work hours of 8am to 4pm.

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Danladi Kifasi, gave this warning at an interface with journalists in Abuja.

He reassured Nigerians that in spite of the absence of ministers in the ministries, activities of government were going on as usual.

According to him, the President has directed the civil service to scale up efforts at improving on their efficiency and performance in terms of productivity.

Some political analysts had recently flayed President Buhari for not announcing his cabinet, days after being sworn into office.

Although, his aides have argued that since the 8th National Assembly has not been constituted, the President is not yet late in announcing his cabinet.

The development has consequently caused laxity among many civil servants, many of who believe that their work schedule would only take shape when there are substantive ministers on ground.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in

the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Engr. John Obinna Chukwu, has charged all the Directors of Administration and Finance, DAF in the FCTA to take charge of their respective mandate secretariats and agencies, warning that the system must work.

The permanent secretary gave the charge when he met with the Committee of DAFS yesterday in Abuja.

Chukwu further warned that it was no longer business as usual and therefore all staff must report to work early and close at the appropriate time.

He directed the Department of Monitoring and Inspection to immediately move into action by ensuring that all mandate secretariats, department and agencies carry out their statutory duties with dispatch.

He however advised the DAFs to carry along all technical directors and staff in their respective secretariats, department and agencies to ensure smooth running of the administration.

His words: “Let us manage the FCTA very well.

It’s not business as usual as the system must work.

No vacuum must be allowed to exist in the entire FCTA.”

Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase (middle) inaugurating Police Correspondents ‘Press Centre’ at Force Headquarters, Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Civil servants drag Aliyu to court over sale of motorcycles …demand N100m compensation

PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

N

o fewer than 50 civil servants in Niger State have sued former governor of the state, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, before a Minna High Court, demanding N100 million as compensation and general damages over unlawful and illegal seizure and sale of their motorcycles.

The applicants stated that Dr. Aliyu’s action amounts to violation of their fundamental human rights as enshrined

in the Constitution.

The applicants in a suit filed at High Court 4, dated 12/5/2015 and filed same day by their counsel, Barrister Adegoke Omoloja, of Cosmic Chambers, Abuja, requested the court to declare that the seizure and subsequent sale of the applicants motorcycles by the former governor through his Commissioner for Works was illegal, null and void and constitutes a violation of their fundamental human rights.

They also prayed the

court for an order awarding compensation of N1million in favour to each applicant against the respondents and another N50 million as general damages.

In a 60-paragraph affidavit in support of the case deposed to by one Ndagi Mohammed, the applicants said the arrest, seizure and sale of their motorcycles have brought untold hardship and difficulties to their families, especially in getting to their places of work, taking children to school and their wives to places of work or mater-

nity homes.

“Some of us bought the motorcycle through cooperatives (as can be seen in purchase receipts attached) on loan which they still deduct from our salaries monthly.”

The applicants further said: “The then governor acted as prosecutor, judge, jury and auctioneer which is a direct violation of “our right to fair hearing. Our freedom of movement and right to liberty has been violated by the restriction placed on motorcycles by the first respondent, Muazu Babangida Aliyu.”

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North 51

Thursday, June 4, 2015

TUC rejects calls for fuel subsidy removal JUSTIN TYOPUUSU JALINGO

P

resident-General, Trade Union Congress, TUC, Bolloi Bala Kaigama, yesterday revealed that the union has resolved to reject calls by some Nigerians for total removal of fuel subsidy in the people’s interest.

Kaigama disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Jalingo, Taraba State capital.

The TUC president said the priority now should be to tackle the pervasive cor-

ruption that characterised the subsidy regime over the years and not subsidy removal, adding that Nigerians deserved subsidy on the oil they produce.

“We at TUC again, say no to fuel subsidy removal because Nigerians deserve some subsidy on the oil produced in their country.

“The most important thing to do at the moment is to identify the few cabals that hijacked the process of subsidy payment and punish them accordingly for holding the nation to ransom over the years,” he

said.

Kaigama also said the union was in total support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to relocate the military high command to Maiduguri until the Boko Haram insurgents were totally subdued, add-

ing that there is no need to pretend that the nation is not at war.

“We totally support Buhari’s decision to relocate the command centre to Maiduguri until the insurgents are subdued.

“The insurgents are at

war with Nigeria and there is need to take the war to them wherever they are in the country,” he said.

He called on President Buhari and governors to cut the cost of governance by reducing the number of political appointees as well

as their salaries and allowances.

Kaigama, who lamented that the economy was at its worst ever, urged the federal and state governments to revamp agricultural and industrial sectors in order to boost the economy.

IGP tasks CPs on welfare of personnel OMEIZA AJAYI

I

nspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, has tasked new Commissioners of Police, CPs, to take very seriously the welfare of their men, who go on operations daily.

Apart from boosting the morale of the personnel, the IGP said such measure would also boost the determined effort to stamp out corruption.

The police chief disclosed these yesterday while decorating 14 Commissioners of

Police, who were recently elevated.

Those decorated were Hyelasinda Kimo Musa, Adeleye Olusola Oyebade, Olusola Kamar Subair, Shaba Alkali, Basen Dapiya Gwana, and David Oyebanji Folawiyo. Others were Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim, Ogbusua Aja Oleh, Nkpa N. Inakwu, Anthony Ogbizi Michael, Emmanuel C.S. Ojukwu, Christ Okey Ezike, Moses Ambankina Jitoboh as well as Charles Ugomoh.

The police boss also harped on intelligence-policing, urging the officers to commit their minds to it.

Jang defends Plateau’s N104bn debt JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

I

mmediate past Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang, yesterday explained why the debt profile of the state, as at May 29 when he left office, stood at N104 billion.

His successor, Governor Simon Lalong, had earlier lamented that he met an empty treasury and a debt burden of N104 billion, a development he said had put the state in a precarious situation.

But Jang, however, clarified that the total debt bur-

den left by his administration was not from borrowed funds, adding that even the little money his administration borrowed was used for the development of the state.

He made the clarification in a statement signed by his media aide, Mr Clinton Garuba.

According to Jang, “while it is true that in the handover notes given to the new administration, the debt profile was put at N104 billion, it must be pointed out that the Jang administration did not borrow the sum as insinuated in some quarters.

Katsina Reps member dies JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

H

ouse of Representatives member representing Katsina federal constituency, Sheik Umar, is dead.

Umar died this morning after a brief illness; he was said to have battled diabetes and related illnesses before

his demise.

The lawmaker, who was re-elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, had served in the same position from 2011 to date.

At the time of filing this report, sympathisers from all walks of life were trooping to his private residence at Layout area of the state capital.

L-R: Sen. Ahmad Lawan; Nasarawa State Governor Umar Tanko Al-Makura and former deputy governor, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, during a condolence visit to Alhaji Al-Makura’s in-laws in Jos, on Monday.

Six die in another blast in Maiduguri

A

t least, six people were killed yesterday in an explosion in northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, a civilian vigilante assisting the military against Boko Haram and a witness said yesterday.

“We have so far recovered six bodies. We are still working on the scene, so the casualties may rise,” said Danlami Ajaokuta of the blast on Baga Road, which happened at 5:30 pm.

Maiduguri has been a regular target for Boko Haram Islamists since the group began insurgency

six years ago and has been hit four times since last Friday.

Early on Saturday, the militants launched an attack with rocket-propelled grenades that was repelled by the military, but hours later a suicide bomber killed 26 at a city mosque.

On Tuesday, there was shelling again from outskirts of the city and another suicide attack, this time at a cattle market that left at least 13 people dead.

The spate of attacks came after new President Muhammadu Buhari

took office on Friday and described Boko Haram as “godless” and “mindless” in his inaugural speech.

Ajaokuta, a civilian vigilante who works in the Baga Road area, said the blast happened at a garage opposite a military unit and it appeared to have been caused by explosives left nearby.

One mechanic, who asked not to be identified, added: “I had just gone to get water when the explosion happened. I would have been among the victims.

“The garage was full with colleagues who were

chatting at the time. I’m afraid we may lose many of our friends.”

The mechanic did not give a death toll. Ajaokuta said one suspect seen nearby before the blast was taken away by soldiers.

Buhari, who himself survived a suspected Boko Haram attack in the northern city of Kaduna last July, has pledged to move the military’s command centre from the capital Abuja to Maiduguri.

Maiduguri holds special significance for Boko Haram. The group was founded in the city in 2002.

Kogi judiciary workers begin strike over abductions WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

W

orkers, under the umbrella of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Kogi State chapter, have commenced a three-day sympathy strike to protest the abduction of Justice Samuel Obayomi of the state’s High Court, Ebogogo, by unknown gunmen.

This was contained in a

communiqué issued at the end of its emergency State Executive Council, SEC, meeting signed by chairman, Daniel Adinoyi, and secretary, Aminu, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Lokoja yesterday.

While condemning the spate of kidnapping in the state, JUSUN expressed worry over attacks on judges, recalling that Justice Moses Gwatana of High Court, Ihima, was

shot at by gunmen in 2013.

“That the union condemns in totality the abduction of Justice Samuel Obayomi of High Court of Justice, Ebogogo by unknown gunmen on May 25.

“In view of the above, the SEC in session resolved to embark on three days sympathy strike with effect from June 3 – 6,” it stated.

The union also called on the Kogi government and security agencies in

the state to expedite action on measures being taken to secure the release of Obayomi.

It further urged that adequate security measures be provided for all judicial officers.

Justice Obayomi was abducted on May 25, while on his way to the office, by a gang of three armed men who took him away in his Toyota Yaris car and killed his orderly, Cpl Usman Musa, on the spot.

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

World News China was putting out feelers about participating in a Pacific Rim trade pact at some point.

–United States President , Barack Obama

Paul Arhewe

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

U

N chief Ban Ki-moon moved yesterday to set up an independent external review of how the United Nations handled allegations of sexual abuse of children by French and African troops in the Central African Republic.

The United Nations has been badly shaken by accusations that it failed to act quickly to respond to the serious allegations of child sexual abuse at a camp for displaced civilians from December 2013 to June 2014.

“His intention in setting up this review is to ensure that the United Nations does not fail the victims of sexual abuse, especially when committed by those who are meant to protect them,” said spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

France announced last month that 14 French soldiers were under investigation, ten months after it received a leaked UN report detailing the testimony of children who said they were forced to perform oral sex in exchange for food.

The report by the UN rights office also provided accounts from children, aged 8 to 13, who said troops from Chad and Equatorial Guinea brutally raped boys.

French troops were deployed to the Central African Republic in December 2013 to help Afri-

D

ozens of people broke through a police cordon as they marched in protest yesterday to the site of a sunken cruise ship in the Yangtze River to demand news of missing relatives.

Rescuers searched for more than 400 missing people, many of them elderly, but hopes were fading of finding more survivors from the worst shipping disaster in modern Chinese history.

Only 14 people, including the ship’s captain, have been found

Ki-moon to probe child sex scandal in CAR

French soldiers patrolling the streets of Bangui during ‘Operation Sangaris’, recently.

can Union peacekeepers restore order after the country exploded into violence triggered by a coup.

Hundreds of troops were stationed outside Bangui at M’Poko airport, which was sheltering thousands of people displaced from the violence, when the al-

leged abuse took place.

The allegations were revealed

by The Guardian newspaper in April, which obtained the UN report from the advocacy group AIDS-Free World.

The group has since released documents from an internal UN enquiry showing that senior

officials from the UN office of human rights knew of the allegations for months, but did not follow up.

“There are systems that failed here,” Dujarric told reporters.

“This was not handled in the way that the secretary general would want it to be handled.”

China’s ship mishap: Families march to rescue site as survivor hopes fade alive since the ship capsized in a tornado on Monday night with 456 people on board. Just 29 bodies have been recovered.

Frustrated by the level of information coming from local authorities, about 80 family mem-

A relative of a passenger of the sunken cruise ship crying, yesterday.

bers hired a bus to take them from Nanjing to Jianli county in Hubei, an eight-hour journey.

They were seen walking toward the rescue site late on Wednesday evening.

“This isn’t going to be much use, we’re just doing this for the government to see,” said organizer Wang Feng.

The protesters later broke through a cordon of 20 to 25 paramilitary police who had tried to prevent them from going through a roadblock.

Volunteers from Jianli offered rides and water to the relatives.

Some people tied yellow ribbons on their car side mirrors.

Earlier, 47 of the relatives asked the government to release the names of the living and the

dead to them at the rescue site, according to a statement.

In a separate statement, other relatives questioned why most of the people rescued were crew members, why the boat did not dock, and why the captain and crew members had time to don their life vests but not sound any alarm.

State television showed rescuers, some standing on the Eastern Star’s upturned hull, and scores of divers working through the night.

Rescuers have not slackened although divers face difficulties such as cabin doors blocked by tables and beds. There is also the fear that rashly cutting holes in the hull could burst air pockets keeping people alive.

WORLD BULLETIN

10,000 ISIS militants killed in nine months –US More than 10,000 Islamic State fighters have been killed since an international coalition began a campaign against the group in Iraq and Syria, the US said.

Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken told France Inter radio the coalition had seen “a lot of losses” within IS in the past nine months.

“It will end up having an impact,” he added, but warned IS remained resilient and capable of taking the initiative.

He spoke after the coalition met in Paris to discuss its strategy in Iraq.

Representatives backed Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s plan to retake the city of Ramadi, whose capture by IS last month he described as a “failure” for the international community.

They also called for the “speedy launch” of efforts to end the conflict in Syria.

In his interview with France Inter on Wednesday, Mr Blinken insisted that the coalition campaign had not been a failure.

Ukraine battle tests ceasefire to breaking point A major battle erupted yesterday on the western edge of the main separatist rebel stronghold in eastern Ukraine, leaving more than a dozen dead and threatening to tip the country back into full-blown war.

Rebels in the city of Donetsk reported 15 dead between civilians and combatants in territory under their control.

The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said at least one person was killed in Marinka, the government-held town where fighting was centered.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Yury Biryukov cited the General Staff as saying two Ukrainian soldiers died in combat and that another 30 were wounded.

Burundi considers delaying polls amid protests Burundi’s electoral body is considering delaying planned elections in response to an appeal from African leaders, a government official said on Wednesday, after more than a month of protests against the president’s bid for a third term.

President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third mandate has plunged the nation into its worst crisis since an ethnically charged civil war ended in 2005.

Thursday September 4, 2014

Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UCL: ‘Suarez holds Barcelona aces’

Yes, I may be interested in Les Bleus job. But at the moment, Didier Deschamps is doing a great job

54

–France legend, Zinedine Zidane

53

Sport

Blatter to vacate office next March

T

he election to find a successor to outgoing FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, will be held in Zurich, a spokesperson told Agence France Presse (AFP) yesterday.

An extraordinary congress will need to be called sometime between next December and March 2016, at which elections will be held to find a successor to Blatter, who announced on Tuesday his intention to step down, just four days after winning a fifth term in office at the scandal-hit world football governing body.

According to FIFA statutes, 79-year-old Blatter must call an extraordinary executive committee meeting to start proceedings to hold an extraordinary congress.

Meanwhile, FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, said yesterday that he felt no “guilt” over his involvement in a $10million transfer to a disgraced football official now being investigated by US authorities.

Valcke also said he would not resign straight away because of the corruption scandal engulfing the football’s world body, but could leave when a new president takes over from Sepp Blatter.

“I have nothing to blame myself for and I certainly do not feel guilty so I do not even have to justify my innocence,” the French official told the France Info radio station in an interview.

Super Eagles’ striker, Ahmed Musa

Super Eagles:

NFF to limit number of foreign pros

…needs N120m for Chad game Everest Onyewuchi

T

he Technical Department of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) raised eyebrows over the 15 foreign-based players Coach Stephen Keshi invited for next week’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification match against Chad.

Reason: The technical department headed by Shuaibu Amodu feels that Keshi can prosecute the match and win it with more home-based players, especially as the NFF requires

N120million to host the game in Kaduna on June 13.

NFF President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, confirmed this yesterday at a session he held in Lagos and attended by some senior sports journalists.

Pinnick said that much as Nigeria is not underrating the football prowess of Chad, it is tantamount to overkill to spent scarce resources in calling up 15 foreign-based professionals to battle the country’s northeast neighbour.

“I understand and appreciate Keshi’s fears, but we could have done with more home-

based players. Well he (Keshi) made up his team with inputs from the Technical Director, Amodu and the Technical Committee chaired by Anyansi-Agwu,” Pinnick added.

The NFF president, however, assured that in the new dispensation under Keshi, and going forward in Nigeria’s quest to qualify for both the AFCON 2017 in Gabon and the 2018 World Cup in Russia more invites would be extended to home-based players and other emerging young Nigerian stars.

Keshi on Tuesday, sent home

18 out of the 26 Nigeria Premier League stars he called to camp on May 14, leaving only eight that will be joined by their foreign-based colleagues who are currently on holidays in Nigeria after the conclusion of the European leagues.

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles Assistant Coach, Sylvanus Okpalla, will not be reappointed until after the NFF has fully paid him judgment debt of about N50million he won against the federation at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Pinnick clarified yesterday.

Blatter

Sports

54

Thursday, June 4, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

French Open: Serena eases to semis

T

op seed Serena Williams yesterday advanced into the French Open semi finals with a convincing win over Italian Sara Errani.

The world number one had struggled to overcome fellow American Sloane Stephens in the previous round, but made short work of her quarter final clash against Errani, easing to a 6-1 6-3 win.

In her previous two matches, Williams had dropped the opening set, and she avoided another uphill struggle by attacking Errani’s inviting serve.

The 17th seed was broken in her first service game and briefly stemmed the onslaught by breaking back, but Williams raced through the opener in ruthless fashion.

Errani delayed her opponent in the second set, until Williams broke for a 4-3 lead and finished off a convincing win on her fourth match point.

Williams, who is targeting her third title at Roland Garros, will next face 23rd seed Timea Bacsinszky.

“I knew I had to start better today than the other days because Errani is a tough opponent who’s got history here,” she said after her victory.

UCL:

‘Suarez holds Barcelona aces’ F

Willaims

Luis Suarez

ormer Holland international and Nissan’s ambassador for theUEFA Champions League Final activity in Berlin, Marco van Basten, has described Barcelona striker Luis Suarez as vital to the Spanish team winning the match against Juventus on Saturday.

Van Basten himself was part of the AC Milan team that won the European Cup back-to-back in 1989 and 1990, a feat no team has repeated since. He was head coach

at Ajax for part of Suarez’s three-and-a-half year stay at the club.

“Luis has an extraordinary desire to succeed and is very emotional,” the threetime Ballon d’Or winner said yesterday.

“He wants to make goals, he wants to play and he wants to attack. He has developed himself in a very good way so he’s a big striker in world football at the moment.

“I knew that he was a winner and that he was a very

good player, always creating chances, threatening the goal and causing problems for the opponent. He made a good impression at Liverpool but he’s getting stronger and stronger at Barcelona.”

In a turnaround for Suarez that Van Basten described as incredible, the former world best player said: “I was expecting Luis to be a really good player but I didn’t think of him playing for a team like Barcelona.

“I felt he would be more

suited to a team like Juventus or Inter Milan because the football in Italy is a bit different to the football they play at Barcelona.”

Asked what he thought of Juventus’ chance at shocking Barcelona on Saturday, Van Basten also said: “They are tricky. If they feel they need to defend they have the discipline to defend, but if they have the possibility to attack they will go forward and that’s what gives them the chance to beat Barca.”

Benitez joins Madrid R

Benitez (l) and Perez

eal Madrid President, Florentino Perez, yesterday unveiled Rafa Benitez as the new coach of the club on a three-year contract.

The 55-year-old Spaniard takes over from Carlo Ancelotti, who departed the Bernabeu last week just 12 months after guiding the club to their 10th European Cup success.

Benitez has spent the past two seasons with Italian side Napoli, having previously enjoyed success at European level with a number of clubs.

After leading Valencia to UEFA Cup glory in 2004, the following year he moved to the Premier League and orchestrated

Liverpool’s Champions League victory at Istanbul in only his first season on Merseyside.

Two years later, he guided the Reds to another Champions League final and, in 2013, was interim boss at Chelsea when they won the Europa League.

At domestic level, he has won two La Liga titles with Valencia and an FA Cup at Anfield.

Benitez, who is Madrid’s eighth coach in 10 years, is returning to the capital for a third spell in a coaching role having previously been in charge of their youth side in 1986 and their ‘B’ team in the early 1990s.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Thursday, June 4, 2015

55

Table tennis:

Oginni

tops World Juniors list

N

igeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has named a 10man team for this month’s International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Junior Circuit (WJC) holding in Cairo, Egypt.

The team will be led

by African Youth Games champion, Olasunkanmi Oginni, as well as national junior champion, Esther Oribamise.

Others in the boys’ team

are Lagos Open revelation, Nurudeen Hassan; national junior champion, Amadi Omeh; cadet champion, Abayomi Animasahun and southpaw Michael Obayomi.

Oribamise, who leads the girls’ team, will be joined by Ajoke Ojomu, Alimot Ayinla, Vivian Oku and cadet champion, Muibat Bello.

The team currently training at the National

Stadium, Surulere will depart for Cairo on Sunday aboard EgyptAir. Over 14 countries including Nigeria will compete at the one-week tournament holding at the ultra modern October 6 Hall in Giza, Cairo.

Other participating teams are Algeria, Botswana, India, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Romania, Slovakia, Togo, Tunisia and host Egypt.

Cricket: Ibadan wins T20 honour Ifeanyi Eduzor

G

overnment College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club has won the 2015 Lagos State Cricket Association T20 after defeating Lagos Asians Cricket Club by 5 wickets in a tight contest at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval.

Lagos Asians batted first and second 112 runs all in 19.5 overs. Rafiq Mohammed scored 46 runs off 38 balls in 64 minutes; Maheesh Sharman scored 12 runs off 30 balls in 12 minutes. Gbenga Odedele of GCI bowled 4overs, had 4 wickets in 22 runs, Ajekun Daniel

took 2 wickets in 3.5 overs, while Alfred Tee took a wicket in 4 overs.

In the second innings GCI batted 113 runs in 17.3 overs for the loss of 5 wickets. Ajekun Daniel scored 36 runs off 43 balls in 49 minutes, the captain of the team Chimeze Onwuzulike scored 24 runs off 13 balls in 13 minutes with his sibling Ostia Onwuzulike scoring 24 runs not out alongside Sesan Adedeji.

LACC’s Navin Kumar, Rafiq Mohammed and Ankush Rathee took a wicket each while a catch was bowled by Golsakar Jai. After the encounter, captain of Lagos Asians Cricket Club,

Golsakar Jai, said his team performed well but accused the umpires of taking some controversial decisions which robbed them of victory even as he stated that there is the need for the umpires to be firm in their decisions.

“We tried our best but some questionable decisions by the umpires gave GCI the game. If not for those controversial decisions we would have won the match,” Jai said.

Captain of the winning team, Chimeze Onwuzulike, described the victory as a result of long-time ambition, saying umpires had always been the scapegoats for losing teams.

Oginni

Kogi United floats feeder’s team

M

anagement of Kogi United Football Club of Lokoja has established a feeder’s team in its effort at grassroots development and youth empowerment.

Chairman of the club, Abdul Sule, said yesterday that the cadet team would comprise 25 players of 15 to 20 years bracket.

“It is necessary for us to have a feeder team where the players selected will be of good quality that can break into the main team,” Sule, who is a former Su-

Milo B’ball: Niger, Edo, Bayelsa in s/finals Paul Erewuba

G

overnment Girls’ Secondary School, Bida yesterday beat Government Girls’ Secondary School, Jogana 24-10 in the on-going 17th Milo Basketball Championship at the National Stadium, Lagos to qualify for the semi-finals.

The Niger State team had

earlier defeated Government Secondary School Numan, Adamawa 26-16.

St. Jude’s Girls’ Secondary School, Amarsta, Bayelsa State also beat Yejide Girls’ Grammar School, Ibadan, Oyo State 29 -28 to win a semi final ticket.

Bayelsa and Edo will meet in the last quarter final game.

Coach Tony Nelson of Bayelsa State says his team is de-

termined to play in the final.

“We lost to them in the Atlantic Conference final but this time, we will show we are a different team,” Nelson said.

Bayelsa captain, Faith Jeremiah, also expressed optimism: “We know them very well and will triumph.”

Yejide Girls’ Grammar School will, however, continue to honour its matches for classification and placing.

Sule

per Eagles defender, said.

“This is our way of encouraging the youth in this area for them to make use of our equipment and environment to develop their football skills,” he added.

Sule also said the players selected would train twice-a-week and would be engaged in friendly matches to keep shape.

The club’s senior team, Kogi United, is currently campaigning in Pool A1 of the abridged Nigeria National League.

WORLD RECORD

Largest collection of stickers The largest collection of stickers belongs to Nidhi Bansal (India) and consists of 102,317 stickers as of 16 September 2013, in Bassi Pathana, Punjab, India.

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1127 Thursday, June 4, 2015

FIFA’s woes and odious threat from Europe

P

ossibly, really possibly, Europe may boycott the 2018 World Cup to be held in Russia. Impossible?

Well, if you think so it means you’ve not been following the horrible vibes emanating from Europe since the re-election of Sepp Blatter as the President of the world’s apex soccer governing body, despite fierce opposition from Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), last week in Zurich.

England’s Football Association chairman, Greg Dyke, late last week threatened that England would back a European boycott of the 2018 World Cup. The boycott threat is real as it is being touted as a major agenda point of European football’s governing body when it meets this week in Berlin. According to Mr. Dyke, “There’s no point boycotting on our own, but if the rest of Europe decided to boycott we would join them.” He

T

he German Football Association will not support a boycott of the 2018 World Cup in opposition to the way FIFA is running the game.

“We don’t want to go down the route of a boycott as that won’t accomplish anything,” the FA President, Wolfgang Niersbach, who

Guest Columnist

Sola S l

Ojewusi

also threatened that England would not bid to host the World Cup under Blatter.

To me this is preposterous and silly. In a democratic world, the majority voice of the footballing world should be respected, not insulted, like the faux pas of England’s David Gill, who renounced his election as FIFA Vice President to protest the will of the majority to return Blatter to power.

The fact is, Europe is livid. Led by UEFA President Michel Platini and fuelled by the English FA, who really has never forgiven Blatter since losing the 2018 bid to Russia, Europe had brought out its anti-Blatter arsenal to oppose his re-election, putting up a neophyte Prince from Jordan as an alternative. Unfortunately for Europe, the rest of the world stuck to this “recalcitrant Swiss”, sending devastating spanners to the intrigue and high-rise plot to unseat Blatter for what is perceived as his anti-European domination audacity.

From many quarters, the anti-Blatter elements are believed to have instigated the escalation of the corruption scandal rocking FIFA on the eve of the election as a last-ditch strategy to stop Blatter. Now that that also could not stop him, Europe and its allies have come up with another anti-Blatter conundrum, the sordid, really ill-advised threat to boycott the next World Cup should Blatter refuse to go. In essence, Europe is telling the rest of the world that voted for Blatter that their majority opinion does not matter and that once any FIFA decision is unfavourable

EUROPE MUST KNOW THAT THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY RECKLESS ACTION MAY COME BACK TO HAUNT IT to Europe, then the rest of the world must toe Europe’s line.

So, when it is finding it difficult to dominate world football administration as it used to do, Europe’s next line of action is the threat of boycott. Even the scandals of 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, with all the monumental revelations did not elicit boycott threats from the European powers-that-be. Now perceived “third world and inferior nations” are winning and asserting their superior numbers in a democratic setup and Europe is crying foul, hiding behind the toga of anti-corruption crusade.

Mark my word; I detest the horrid corruption allegations against FIFA officials. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands and anybody found guilty must face the music. Also, for the good of the game, FIFA must reform, just like UEFA, CAF, CONCACAF and other soccer bodies need to reform.

But Europe should not see itself as the owner of the world. The threat of boycott is way off the line and gives the impression of disrespect for the other continents, whose majority votes gave

the hosting right of 2018 and 2022 to Russia and Qatar respectively. Europe must know that the consequences of any reckless action may come back to haunt it.

There are already threats from Asia, Middle East and Africa that should Europe commit the error of judgement of boycotting the World Cup, then any time Europe hosts, the rest of the world will boycott. Europe may then be using its own hand to murder the baby it brought to the world. The likes of Pierre de Coubertin and Jules Rimet, World Cup pioneers and founders, must be riling in their graves at the hubris and insensitivity of their progeny. Europe really stands the risk of committing infanticide should its if-not-me-then-none-others tendencies stand. Someone should please tell Europe to grow up and understand that this is not UEFA Champions League but THE WORLD CUP. Europe should respect the other continents and stop this silly father figure, big brother tendencies.

I appreciate the maturity of leaders like Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge and President of England’s FA, who rather than toe the threat line of many others in Europe decided in a speech last Saturday before the FA Cup Final to issue “an appeal” to FIFA about the need for reform. According to him, “Those backing FIFA, such as sponsors and the regional confederations, must do their bit to press these reforms - we are doing football and its fans no favours if we do not.”

I absolutely agree with the Prince who incidentally was the leader of England’s failed bid for the 2018 World Cup hosting right which they lost to Russia. Although many are of the opinion that Europe is angry not really because of the corruption allegations but simply because it couldn’t take the fact that core Europe will not host until possibly after the 2022 event in Qatar, the Prince has given an example for Europe to follow.

Ojewusi wrote via solaojewusi@yahoo.com

Sport Extra

German FA opposes World Cup boycott spoke yesterday ahead of a meeting of UEFA officials this week, said.

“We don’t want to get into a situation like with boxing where there are several parallel associations.

It just doesn’t work,” Niersbach added.

Blatter, 79, was last week re-elect-

ed for a fifth term as the president of football’s world governing body despite seven FIFA officials being arrested by the US Justice Department over allegations of corruption. Blatter himself has not been implicated.

Niersbach’s comments come on

the day that Blatter’s top deputy Jerome Valcke denied allegations that he is the person responsible for a $10m (£6m) transfer of funds cited in the US indictment, even as investigations have been launched to the biding process for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 finals.

Niersbach

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