Thursday, may 15, 2014

Senate begins review of Criminal Justice Act GEORGE OJI ABUJA

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bill aimed at enhancing speedy and efficient administration of criminal justice de-

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Vol. 4 3 N0. 852 657

livery in the country yesterday passed second reading in the Senate.

The bill also aims at drastically reducing the delay in the dispensation of criminal cases in the various courts.

The bill, which was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, essentially seeks to repeal the Criminal Procedure Act Cap C41 of 2004; the CrimiCONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

Nyanya bombing mastermind arrested in Sudan P.8

Abubakar

Thursday, May July 4, 15,2013 2014

N150 N150

Mutiny in Maiduguri:

GEORGE OJI, INUSA NDAHI AND WOLE OLADIMEJI

Soldiers open fire on GOC’s car

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Senate summons service chiefs over emergency rule extension, Reps divided

he General Officer Commanding, 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.- Gen. Ahmadu Mohammed yesterday escaped death by a whisker in Maiduguri as disgruntled soldiers opened fire on his official vehicle.

The GOC had come to the Maimalari Military Barracks in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital to address CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

245 killed in Turkish mine disaster Pistorious for mental health evaluation

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Again, ex-PHCN staff protest non-payment of gratuities Flooded part of Obanikoro, Ikorodu Road in Lagos, yesterday.

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FG explains why 2014 budget has not been signed into law

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Nigeria records N6.81trn drop in foreign trade value

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Police arrest woman for setting daughter ablaze

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

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Deacon Ayodele Fayefunmi May this day bring you countless happiness and endless joy Deacon Ayodele

Fayefunmi

Happy Birthday to a true leader!

Happy Birthday

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

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Photo News

Thursday, May 15, 2014

L-R: Sales Manager, North, Somotex Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Abhishek Sadhya; Vice-President, Mr. Ajay Singh; Regional Business Manager, Mr. Sridhar Doraiswamy and Commercial Air Conditioning Project Sales Manager, Mr. Stephen Olorunleke, at a seminar on commercial air conditioning in PHOTO: NAN Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: Founder, Praekelt Foundation, Mr. Gustav Praekelt; Director, Business Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Lucas Dada, and Chairman, Open Media Group, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe; at the Etisalatsponsored 2014 Mobile West Africa, in Lagos yesterday.

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L-R: Executive Director, Heritage Bank, Mr. Robert Mbonu; Executive Director, Manilla Banking, Heritage Bank, Ms. Mary Akpobome and Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation, Ms. Josephine Attah, during the signing of a memorandum of understanding on SMEs and job creation between the bank and the Federal Government in Lagos.

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr. Foluso Philips; Company Secretary, MTN Nigeria, Uto Ukpanah and Team Leader, DFID, Mr. Christopher Shyers, at a workshop on Supply Chain Transparency organised by NESG in Lagos, recently.

National News

Again, ex-PHCN staff protest non-payment of gratuities KEMI OLAITAN, FEMI OYEWESO AND OJO OYEWAMIDE

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ggrieved pensioners of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, yesterday took to the streets in Oyo, Ondo and Ogun states, protesting the non- payment of

their gratuities since 2009.

In Oyo State, the protesters, numbering over 500, stormed the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IEDC, Dugbe Business District, with placards, chanting solidarity songs calling on the Federal Government to pay up.

The National Vice-President (South-West) of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (electricity sector), Comrade

Patrick Ogedengbe who led the protesters, said the rally became necessary because some of them had not been paid since their disengagement.

He said: “We agreed to hold this rally simultaneously nationwide because over 50 per cent of our members have not received a dime, and it cuts across all the states since 2009.”

He accused the Accoun-

tant-General of the Federation, AGF, of refusing to release money for the payment of the gratuity.

He added that the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company, NELMCO, should pay their outstanding pensions and arrears without delay and that the AGF should commence immediate payment of retirement and death benefits from the

monies in his custody.

In Ondo State, activities at the Ondo Business District, OBD, Office of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, along Brigadier Ademulegun road were completely paralysed by demonstrators.

The gate leading to the office was shut by the protesters, who gathered in their hundreds, singing various

beverages, tobacco and kola; and restaurants and hotels divisions amongst others.

The NBS stated further that that Urban prices also increased at the same rate in April relative to March, increasing by 7.9 percent (yearon-year) while the pace of increase in rural prices continued to weaken as prices increased at a slower rate for the fourth month consecutively.

Specifically, in April, prices rose by 7.5 per cent year-on-year, marginally lower than price increase recorded in March by 0.1 percentage points.

On the Food Index, the Bureau reported that food

prices appreciated for the second consecutive month in April, increasing increased by 9.4 percent, marginally higher by 0.1 percentage points from rates recorded in the preceding month. This is the highest year-on-year rate recorded since September, 2013.

A breakdown of the increase on a month-onmonth basis, indicated that food prices eased in April, increasing by 0.8 percent, lower from rates recorded in March with highest price increases recorded in the Bread and cereals; Meat, Fish, and dairy classes.

Inflation rate rose by 7.9% in April TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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he nation’s Composite Price Index, CPI, which measures the average change in price level or inflation rate rose by 7.9 per cent year-on-year in April, rising marginally from the 7.8 per cent recorded in the previous month.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the marginal rise in the price level on year-on-year rates the month was attributed to higher food prices which continued to be relatively stable year on year, moving in a 0.2 percentage

point band between 9.2 percent and 9.4 percent over the last eight months; and divisions which contribute to the core sub-index.

The NBS report indicated that in the month under review, food prices rose slightly by 9.4 percent year on year, as a result of higher prices in the bread and cereals, meat, fish, dairy, oils and fats, and fruits classes.

It added that prices in the food sub-index were however weighed down by relatively slower increases in the Vegetables, Potatoes, and Yams and other tubers; and Sugar, jam, honey, chocolate

and confectionery classes.

The agency pointed out further that the relatively slower growth in the afore-mentioned classes has been observed over the last there months, after moving at a slower pace in March, prices measured by the Core sub-index increased at a faster rate in April.

The report stated: “Prices rose by 7.5 percent year-onyear, 0.7 percentage points higher than the year-onyear rate recorded in March (6.8 per cent). This was as a result of higher increases in classes belonging to the housing water, electricity, gas and other fuel; alcoholic

solidarity songs.

The Chairman of the Pensioners, Joseph Afolabi, said the protest was necessary to ensure the payment of their three months salary.

In Ogun State, the pensioners called on the Federal Government to honour agreements signed between it and the unions in the power sector as well as transfer their pension fund to the government’s recurrent expenditure in order to ensure the monthly release of the fund.

Addressing the protesters, the Vice Chairman of the Abeokuta chapter of the union, Comrade Abimbola Odubiyi attributed the non-payment of their benefits to non-remittance of agreed allocations to Superannuation Funds for retiring workers by successive PHCN managements.

Speaking with newsmen, Secretary of the union, Comrade Abayomi Banjo said most pensioners were suffering.

Banjo implored relevant agencies to be alive to their responsibility of taking care of Nigerians who had served their fatherland meritoriously.

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

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FG explains why 2014 budget has not been signed into law TOLA AKINMUTIMI AND ROTIMI FADEYI

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he Federal Government said yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan had not signed the 2014 budget into law because of some serious distortions contained in the document.

Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents yesterday on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting.

The Senate had on April 9 this year passed a budget of N4.69trn, about N53bn over the estimate presented by the executive.

The President had on December 19, 2013, through the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, presented a budget of N4.64trn before the legislators.

Maku said: “There are few areas of distortions and there are those areas that are very serious and we think there is a need to look into them because of the negative impact those

distortions may have on the implementation of the budget.”

Describing the situation as a sad development, Maku said everything would be done to reconcile the few differences that emerged in what was transmitted to the government by the National Assembly.

“The Minister of Finance briefed us at the Federal Executive Council relating to the progress on the budget.

It is very sad that we have almost entered the middle of the year and we don’t have a budget. This indeed is sad that the budget has taken so long in coming and practically we have less than seven months to execute the budget.

“We will do everything possible to reconcile the few differences that emerged in what was transmitted to the government by the National Assembly.

“There is a lot of conversations going on now between the Federal Ministry of Finance and the National Assembly on these issues and very shortly we believe that we are going to reconcile those areas and then the final budget will be an-

nounced to the nation by the President,” Maku said On the progress of work on the second Niger Bridge, the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, said the Federal Government was committed to the project.

He assured of early completion of the bridge, stressing that the project had nothing to do with politics.

“I want to assure you that the Second Niger Bridge is a

project that has been neatly put together and it is a project that was started without having anything to do with politics,” Onolememen said.

“This project, election or no election, the project is an irreversible forward movement and it will be completed.”

On the Gamboru Ngala Bridge, linking Nigeria to Cameroun, which was bombed by Boko Haram

sect, the minister said his ministry had been directed to come up with contingency plans to repair the bridge.

The Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe, said the Kashimbila buffer dam, presently under construction in Takum Local Government of Taraba State, would mitigate any disaster that might occur in the country as a result of an overflow from Lake Nyos lo-

cated in Cameroon.

She disclosed that the dam had reservoir capacity of 500 million cubic meters to support irrigation and also create jobs for Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the total value of Nigeria’s external merchandise trade dropped significantly at the end of the 2013 trading year by about N6.81trn or 24.3 per CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

L-R: British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Pocock; the Minister of State for Africa, Mr. Mark Simmonds and President Goodluck Jonathan, during the visit of British delegation to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

Mutiny in Maiduguri: Soldiers open fire on GOC’s car CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the soldiers. There were conflicting reports from sources at the barracks located on the MaiduguriBaga road as to the cause of the mutiny.

A source said the problem started after some troops went to Chibok Local Government Area for an operation, on their way back to Maiduguri, realised that the road was not safe, as darkness has set in, and therefore requested the GOC to allow them spend the night in one of the villages considered to be safe, but the GOC insisted that they must come back the same night and report to Maiduguri.

Over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by suspected Book Haram terrorists at the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, on April 14.

Another source, however, said that the soldiers were angry about casualties sustained while returning from an operation in Kala Balge council area of the state.

The soldiers had gone

in response to reports of a battle between villagers and terrorists in Kala Balge local council, near the border with Cameroon Republic on Tuesday.

The terrorists had attacked the area at 11a.m. but were repelled by vigilante youths, popularly known as Civilian JTF, who were prepared for the invasion.

Over 200 of the insurgents were said to have been killed and their vehicles seized in Sangayari, Mairari and Garawa villages.

The source added that on their way back to Maiduguri in the night as ordered by the GOC, they were ambushed by suspected terrorists and 12 of the soldiers were killed.

According to the source, “The soldiers arrived with the bodies of the slain soldiers at Maimalari Barracks just as the GOC wanted to address troops on the ongoing operation against the insurgency. On sighting the corpses of their deceased colleagues, the troops felt angry with how their superior officers had been mal-

treating them in the course of the operation.

“They started to shoot sporadically, while others opened fire on the GOC’s vehicle.

“What angered the soldiers most, is the unnecessary deduction of their allowances and subjecting them to harsh working conditions without proper equipment to carry out their duties as a result of which many of them were being killed like rats by the insurgents”.

Meanwhile, the military authorities said that the incident will be investigated by military board of enquiry.

The defence headquarters said in a statement signed by spokesman, Maj.Gen. Chris Olukolade that some soldiers fired shots while the GOC was addressing troops at the Maimalari cantonment.

“The incident occur when the corpses of four soldiers who die in an ambush while returning from patrol in Chibok was been convey to the morgue.

Olukolade was however said that there was calm at the cantonment and there was normal operations are ongoing.

In another development, the Senate yesterday deferred consideration of the request by President Goodluck Jonathan to extend the emergency rule in the North-Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa pending the time it was properly briefed on the actual security situation in the affected states.

The lawmakers have, therefore, summoned the Minister of Defence, the Police Affairs Minister, the Chief of Defence Staff, the National Security Adviser, the service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police to appear before the senators today to brief them on the security situation in the three states.

The Senate’s position followed the adoption of the motion by the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, that the security chiefs be summoned.

Ndoma-Egba, in his mo-

tion, argued that the President’s request should be stayed because Section 305 of the constitution dealing with emergency rule declaration required that the presidential request must be gazetted and circulated, stressing that such provision had not been met.

He also said that the Senate was yet to review the success or otherwise of the emergency rule, which had been in place for one year.

“We must circulate the gazette before we can debate it. Secondly, it is the tradition of this Senate that we appraise and assess the performance of the state of emergency before we debate.

“I therefore move that the distinguished Senate invite the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, and the Inspector-General of Police to brief this distinguish Senate tomorrow in a closed session to enable us to commence debate on the President request.”

Senator James Manager, who seconded the motion,

also stressed the need to invite the service chiefs but noted that since they were under some authorities, it would be necessary to amend the motion by adding the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Police Affairs.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session, described the motion as “a very serious business which borders on the security of a part of this country”.

He noted that it was essential that the Senate is well informed about the situation on ground and the efficiency or the effectiveness of the state of emergency in the past 12 months to enable it take a proper decision.

He, therefore, appealed that in accordance with the motion moved by the Senate leader, the item be stepped down till Thursday.

Jonathan had on Tuesday asked the Senate to approve the extension of the one year-old state of emergency in the troubled states CONTINUED ON PAGE 6>>

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

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Senate begins review of Criminal Justice Act CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

nal Procedure Act (Northern States) Cap C42, and the Administration of Justice Act Cap 43 Laws of the Federation 2004.

Justifying the essence of the bill, Ndoma-Egba explained that Nigerians had lived for decades with a criminal justice system “that is grindingly slow and open to abuses and rendering it most ineffective.”

“From the police stations to the courts and the prisons, the system has delivered everything but justice and the society had been worse for it.”

He said the bill intro-

duced plea bargain into criminal justice administration as another effective way of accelerating speedy administration of justice.

The Senate leader noted that even though plea bargain was being employed in courts at the moment to resolve high profile cases, “it is being applied haphazardly due to the absence of an enabling legislation in the country”.

“The bill, therefore, establishes clear guidelines for the implementation of plea bargain and measures to avoid abuse of the process.

“The benefits of plea bargain cannot be overempha-

sised. In the United States alone, about 80 per cent of criminal cases in federal courts are decided on plea bargain”, he said.

The bill, the lawmaker also explained, proposed sentencing guidelines to avoid abuse of judge’s discretion and corruption.

He lamented that court cases dragged on to the point that conviction became unlikely, as witnesses might no longer be readily available, and where they were available, some facts

relating to the case would have been distorted so much that the essence of seeking justice by litigants was lost.

He regretted that many aggrieved citizens had shunned the courts because they did not believe their cases could be disposed of in their lifetime let alone, get justice.

According to him, part of the problem with the nation’s justice system is its inability to apply commensurate punishment to infractions.

Ndoma-Egba, therefore, said the proposed bill provided for daily trial from day of arraignment, restriction on number and interval of adjournments, electronic recording of trials, limit adjournment of cases to five times, and not more than 14 days intervals between adjournments.

He said it also prohibited arrest of family members or associates in place of the person suspected to have committed a crime, and the torture and inhuman treat-

ments of arrested persons.

The lawmaker added that the new law imposed a duty on the police to electronically record or video the making and taking of conventional statements from suspects to halt torture of suspects in police custody.

The proposed law, he added, “provides that it is the duty of the arresting officer to generate full record of arrest with dates and photographs of the person arrested for proper documentation.”

FG explains why 2014 budget has not been signed into law CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

cent when compared with the total trade value of the preceding year.

Nigeria’s total trade value for year 2013 stood at N21.26trn compared with the N28.07trn recorded in 2012.

The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, in its Foreign Trade Statistics Report for the Q4, 2013 released yesterday, attributed the decline in trade value for the 2013 calendar year to a decline in exports volume by 36.5 per cent.

“Comparison with the fourth quarter of the previous year revealed that the value of the nation’s total merchandise trade declined by 28.2 per cent, or N2.02trn “Total trade stood at N21.26trn for the 2013 calendar year, 24.3 per cent or N6.81trn lower than N28.07trn recorded for 2012, as a result of a decline in exports by 36.5 per cent,” the NBS stated.

The report also indicated that merchandise trade value for the quarter stood at N5.16trn, down from about N5.66trn recorded in the preceding quarter, representing an 8.8 per cent decline in value.

The bureau clarified that the decline in trade figures for the quarter under review (Q4, 2013) was due to about N1.69trn decrease in the volume of imports, representing 19.1 per cent when compared with the third quarter figures of N2.08trn, while export figures also reflected a similar trend, dropping

by N1.79trn or 2.7 per cent from the about N3.57trn recorded in the third quarter to N3.48trn by year end 2013.

The NBS report also showed that the value of Nigeria’s imports amounted to N1.68trn in Q4, 2013, representing a decline of N398.7bn or 19.1 per cent from the N2.08trn recorded against Q4 2012.

On year-on-year, the statistics agency reported that the value of imports were N393.2bn or 30.4 per cent greater than the value recorded for the corresponding quarter of 2012.

It added that based on the Standard International Trade Classification, SITC, the decrease in imports in Q4 when compared to the Q3, can be attributed to the fall in the value of imports of “beverages and tobacco”

by N202.1bn or 93.8 per cent and a N25bn or 56.7 per cent decline in the value of “Crude Inedible Materials”.

Comparatively, the bureau reported that in Q4, 2013, the value of Nigeria’s exports stood at N3.47trn, implying a moderate decline of N96.5bn or 2.7 per cent from N3.57trn recorded in the previous quarter, adding that exports are however N2.41trn or 41 per cent lower than the value recorded for Q4, 2012.

A further analysis of the export trade trend by section showed that “mineral products” dominated the country’s exports, contributing N3.16trn or 91.1 per cent of the total value.

This was followed by “prepared foodstuffs, beverages, spirit and vinegar, tobacco” with N100.9bn or 2.9 per cent and “vegetable products” with N51.64trn or 1.5 per cent of total exports of the quarter.

L-R: Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Osita Chidoka; Managing Director, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Mr. Uche Orji and Acting General Counsel, Mr. Mohammed Sulieman, during a meeting in Abuja yesterday.

PHOTO : ROTIMI OSASONA

Mutiny in Maiduguri: Soldiers open fire on GOC’s car CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

in the North-East because of the growing activities of the insurgents in the area.

The President, who made the request through a letter dated May 5, 2014 and addressed to the Senate President, David Mark, and read on the floor by Ekweremadu, said his action was based on the fact that terrorism had yet to abate in the affected states.

In a related development, senators from the North said yesterday that they would vote against the request seeking the extension of the emergency rule in the three states.

Rising from a three-hour meeting at the National Assembly, the lawmakers, under the umbrella of the Northern Senators’ Forum, asked President Jonathan to seek other alternative means of addressing the insecurity in the North.

The lawmakers, however, expressed their support for the international backing offered by the United States, France, China, Britain, Israel and others aimed at fighting insecurity in the country.

President Jonathan had explained that the request for the extension of the emergency rule in the affected states was necessitated by the persistent attacks by members of the Boko Haram sect on civilians and the military targets, resulting in alarming casualties.

The three northern states came under emergency rule on May 14 last year, following the approval of the National Assembly to the request of President Jonathan to that effect.

The emergency rule was, however, renewed in November last year for another six months in line with section 305 (6)(c) of the 1999 Constitution because of the persisting state of insecurity in the three states.

However, addressing journalists at the end of their meeting yesterday, the Chairman of the forum, Senator Umaru Dahiru said: “Our meeting this afternoon discussed basically the issue of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. Everybody in attendance made contributions and a lot was said.

“The majority position is basically that we are not going with the state of emergency. That is our categorical position because we are not convinced that it is only the issue of emergency rule that could make the security personnel to achieve success in the area.

Also, the letter on the extension of the emergency rule divided members of the House of Representatives along party lines when it came up for deliberation yesterday.

Various arguments came up immediately the House Leader, Mulikat Akande-Adeola (PDP, Oyo) introduced the letter for members to deliberate on.

She spoke on the need to approve an extension of the 12 month-old emergency rule in the affected states and advanced various shades of argument, ranging from the credibility of government’s determination to curb insurgency in the face of international solidarity and support to legal and constitutional provisions necessitating the imposition.

Hon. Muhammad Mon-

guno (APC, Bornu) told the House that while he and his party might not be averse to extension of the emergency rule, it was important for the Federal Government to adequately fund and motivate the military because the state of emergency had failed to yield the desired results.

He said: “One year of emergency rule has failed woefully due to the illequipment of our military who are always left helpless to challenge any attack by Boko Haram.”

Other members who supported the motion agreed that the emergency rule had not yielded results.

Hon. Emmanuel Jime (APC, Benue) and Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos) said there were legal and constitutional provisions which empowered the President to deploy the military in crisis situations without declaring a state of emergency.

The Speaker, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, reserved ruling on the matter. He urged members to exercise patience till today, pending the meeting with service chiefs.

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National News

Sanusi, CBN ask court to dismiss Intercontinental Bank shareholders’ suit ISE-OLUWA IGE

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he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and its suspended governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, yesterday requested a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to dismiss a suit filed against them by some shareholders of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc. Three shareholders of the defunct bank had sued the CBN and Sanusi before the high court over the alleged wrongful takeover of the bank by Access Bank.

They demanded N10bn as special and general damages.

The plaintiff, who sued through their lawyer, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), are Abdullahi Sani, Adaeze Onwuegbusi and Chijioke Ezeipke.

But both Sanusi and the CBN, in separate preliminary objections, invited the court to hold that the suit was statute barred, having been filed outside the time limit allowed for challenging acts of public officers.

They also said that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit by reason of the provisions of section 53(1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act and section 52(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.

They consequently asked the court to dismiss the suit on the ground that the fraud alleged to have been perpetrated in the sale of the bank was not supported with the particulars.

The trio of had joined the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, as co-defendants in the suit.

They are also pushing for a court order directing the CBN to immediately recover the sum of N25.1bn with interest still being owed by Messrs Aig-Aigboje Imokhuede and Herbert Wigwe, as well as Senator Bukola Saraki.

But in asking the court to dismiss the suit, the defendants said that they complied with all the extant laws governing the scheme.

In a supporting affidavit deposed to by one Francess Monago, a counsel in the

Chambers of Kola Awodein, SAN, the defendants said that while exercising their statutory duties, they examined the books of Intercontinental Bank and found out that it was in a grave financial situation occasioned by capital inadequacy, grossly poor liquidity ratio and corporate governance problems.

When the matter came up yesterday, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), told the court that he was served with copies of the notices of preliminary objection filed by Sanusi and CBN earlier before the court sat.

He also acknowledged service applications for joinder by some individuals seeking to be made parties in the suit.

Uche sought for time to enable him respond to the pending applications, a request which the defendants did not object to.

Trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, adjourned the case to July 16 for mention and possibly, hearing.

At the last hearing, the plaintiff ’s counsel, Uche, had prayed the court for a leave to serve Sanusi through a substituted means on the grounds that his present place of abode after his suspension was not known.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

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Interpol arrests Nyanya bombing mastermind in Sudan JOEL AJAYI ABUJA

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he Federal Government yesterday said that the terror fugitive behind the Nyanya bombing, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, who was declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force, NPF,has been arrested.

Ogwuche was arrested in Sudan following an international red alert issued for his search and arrest by the National Bureau of Interpol based at the Force

Headquarters in Abuja.

The Coordinator of the national briefing centre on security, Mr. Mike Omeri, confirmed his arrest during a briefing in Abuja.

Ogwuche was declared wanted by the Department of State Security, DSS, after linking him to the deadly blast in Nyanya, which claimed 74 lives.

The he suspect’s escape to Sudan and arrest of five others prompted the DSS to declare him wanted alongside with another person.

Omeri, who is also the

Director-General of National Orientation Agency, NOA, said that security operatives were already working to ensure the suspect’s extradition to Nigeria from where he was arrested.

“Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, who was earlier declared wanted, has been arrested in Sudan with the efforts of the Army, DSS, the National Bureau of Interpol based at the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters and security operatives of Sudan.

“The efforts of the Inter-

pol, Nigeria Police and the Department of State Security Service have led to his arrest,” Omeri said.

He promised that further information on the two wanted suspects would be communicated to the public as they come in.

Commenting on the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, Omeri said that an international operation had commenced in collaboration with the Nigerian military.

He assured that the girls would would be rescued.

L-R: Ministers, Prof. Chinedu Nebo (Power), Mr. Musa Sada (Mines and Steel), Senator Idris Umar Transport and Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide (State for FCT), during the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Terrorism: Boko Haram suspects oppose FG’s request on hooded witnesses ISE-OLUWA IGE

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hree suspected members of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, including a university don, Dr. Mohammed Yunus, yesterday opposed the request by the Federal Government to allow its witnesses lined up to testify against the suspects wearing masks.

The controversy generated by the request to mask the witnesses has halted trial in the matter.

The prosecution is of the view that giving evidence in an open court without wearing mask was tantamount to signing their

death warrant as they could be attacked by the violent sect whose members might be in court to witness the proceedings.

But the accused were also of the view that allowing the witnesses to wear mask while giving evidence might encourage fabrication of lies and twisting of facts.

They are also contending that allowing hooded witnesses in the box would not be fair on them.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole has, however, fixed June 4 to rule on whether or not to grant the Federal Government’s application.

The accused persons, who are being prosecuted by the Federal Govern-

ment on terrorism charges, are an Islamic scholar and lecturer at the Kogi State University, Dr. Muhammed Yunus, Salami Abdullahi (a.k.a. Asta) and Musa Umar.

They were arraigned on an eight-count charge of terrorism, part of which is punishable under Section 17 of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013 (as amended).

Through their counsel, the accused persons on yesterday opposed the prosecution’s application asking the court to set aside or modify its earlier ruling of April 3, 2014, to allow the shielding of the faces of witnesses by masking.

The prosecution counsel, Mr. A Ogunsina, had filed

the application dated May 2, 2014, arguing that the earlier ruling of the court, granting a protection for the witnesses, was not exhaustive.

The prosecution argued that its witnesses were still afraid to testify, and had declined invitation to enter the witness box because the cubicle directed by the court to shield them, would not fully protect them from the view of others.

But the defence lawyers argued yesterday that allowing the witnesses to mask their identity while testifying would deprive the judge of his statutory privilege to assess the witnesses’ credibility from their demeanours in the witness box.

The lawyers said they would also lose the opportunity to do a thorough crossexamination of the witnesses if they were unable to watch the countenance of the witnesses.

Yunus’ lawyer, Mr. Hassan Liman, added that the application amounted to inviting the judge to sit as the appellate court on its earlier ruling.

Mr. James Ocholi (SAN), the second accused person’s (Abdulahi’s) counsel, maintained that while the law, including the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013 (as amended), made provision for witness protection, it did not contemplate that a masked witness would testify in an open court.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Thursday May 15, 2014

9

CHIBOK ABDUCTION

British minister arrives in Abuja over kidnapped girls PAUL ARHEWE

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s a follow up to British Government’s promise to help Nigeria find the 276 schoolgirls abducted in Borno State on April 14, its Foreign Office Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds visited Abuja yesterday for high-level meetings with Nigerian authorities.

The meeting was to explore what further assistance and advice the UK can provide in support of Nigeria’s efforts to secure the girls’ release and to deal with the threat posed by the Boko Haram sect.

The UK team of experts have being in Abuja since May 9 co-operating with the Federal Government and other international partners to provide assistance to Nigeria in dealing with this abduction and addressing longer term challenges.

Simmonds said: “This is a horrific and heartbreaking situation and the UK wants to do all it can to offer support to the Nigerian Government’s efforts to secure the release of the kid-

napped girls. We condemn the actions of Boko Haram and all that they stand for. Yesterday’s callous and shocking video of some of the missing school girls will only make it harder for their families to deal with this agonising ordeal. This shows exactly why the UK and others have sent teams to help the Nigerian Government in their efforts to find them and bring them home.

He said the continuing murders and abductions of schoolchildren, particularly girls in Nigeria by Boko Haram are a stark reminder of the threat faced by women and girls in conflict prone areas. Young children are being denied universal freedoms such as education. They are being denied opportunity and the ability to live their lives as they choose. Girls are being threatened with sexual violence and forced marriages. This underlines the importance of the FCO’s summit in London next month on preventing sexual violence in conflict.

“I look forward to discussing further ways

Kuffor joins calls for release WOLE OLADIMEJI ABUJA

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ormer President of Ghana, Mr John Kuffor yesterday join other world leaders calling for the release of about 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok abducted on April 14 by Boko Haram insurgents.

The former Ghanian leaders stated this when he led members of Nigerian Institute of Animal Sciences on a courtesy call to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal.

“If there is any issue to be settled, it should be settled among the elders. The youths should be left out”, he added.

He equally expressed shock over the abduction of the girls saying

that, “everybody looks up to Nigeria and (this abduction) generate nervousness among us”.

While calling for dialogue he said that, “there is no matter that cannot be settle through dialogue”.

Responding, Tambuwal stated that, the Federal Government is not sleeping over the abduction of the girls, saying that, the government would do all its best in ensuring that the girls are rescued and return to their parents safely.

The Speaker thanked the foreign countries that have extended their support to Nigeria, saying that, “We are very much concern as a government.

We will do our maximum best and ensure that the girls return to their parents safely. The government is not sleeping”.

that the UK and international partners can work with Nigeria in helping them secure the girls’ release, as well as how we can assist with economic and developmental solutions to address Boko Haram in the longer term”.

Also the British High

Commissioner to Nigeria Andrew Pocock said “The abductions have been traumatic for the Nigerian people. Britain, as a friend of Nigeria is working urgently to help the Nigerian authorities in their efforts to find the girls and tackle longer term challenges in

the north, such as education and stability”.

Brigadier Ivan Jones said “The Nigerian military have welcomed our arrival and we are working together closely to build the information picture and establish where else we can cooperate.

“No one should underestimate the scale and complexity of this incident and environment.

But it is clear that there are areas where we can have a real impact on their capability, building on the close co-operation and training that already exists”.

L-R: Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; wife of the governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi and the Executive Director, Women Consortium of Nigeria, WOCON, Mrs. Bisi Olateru-Olagbegi, during a forum on women dialogue with gubernatorial candidates in AdoEkiti, yesterday.

FG studying video clip of abducted schoolgirls -Maku ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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he Federal Government yesterday said that it is studying the video clip of the abducted students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State released on Monday by the Boko Haram sect.

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, who spoke on the issue after the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting in Abuja noted that the Federal Government would do everything possible to secure the release of the girls.

Maku said: “Government position on the matter is clearly this, that

we have seen the video clip, we are analyzing and studying the clip to be sure of its content and also we are looking into the statement that accompanied the clip, government has made it very clear that we are ready to go to any length to secure the release of these our unfortunate daughters that have been in captiv-

ity.”

Also at the briefing, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina said that the female members of the cabinet condemned the abduction of the schoolgirls.

She stated that the Federal Executive Council also thanked all women for their support and concern on the matter.

Education commissioners want improved security in schools RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

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tates Commissioners for Education Forum,SCEF, in the country has expressed deep concern over the recent abduction of over 200 secondary schools girls

by Boko Haram insurgents, just as it called for adequate security in all schools to prevent further

occurrence.

According to a statement signed by its chairman who is also the Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Offiong Offiong condemned the dastardly act in its totality and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the girls.

The educational commissioners expressed worry over the present

condition of the girls and appealed to all concerned to intensify efforts in securing the release of the girls without further delay.

It also expressed worry over the plight of education in the North-East geopolitical zone and Borno State in particular, stating that the need to restore law and order in the region has become more urgent owing

to the already high rate of out of school children in the area.

While applauding the assistance offered by the nation’s international friends towards the release of the girls, the forum charged all stakeholders including security agencies to demonstrate unusual patriotism and gallantry in their bid to rescue the girls from the hands of the terrorists.

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South-West

Thursday, May 15, 2014

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Funsho Williams withdraws ‘huge sum’ before his assassination -Witness WALE IGBINTADE

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n Assistant Superintendent of Police, Abasi Nseh Udoe (rtd), yesterday told a Lagos High Court that Engr. Funsho Williams, the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, 2003 gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State withdrew a ‘huge sum’

of money few hours before he was assassinated.

Udoe who is a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of six suspected killers of Funsho Williams told the trial judge, Justice Ebenezer Adebajo that his investigation revealed that the late PDP chieftain withdrew the money for a political rally.

He said “I visited the

crime scene and the Forensic Department of the Police Force to check exhibits found at the scene during initial investigation. I discovered that during my investigation that huge sum of money was withdrawn by the deceased for political rally, but was stolen along with some jewellery during the incident.”

He however did not

disclose how much was withdrawn by the deceased and from which bank.

The trial which was delayed for almost an hour by a flooded courtroom as a result of a leaking roof that destroyed the asbestos and gained direct access into the courtroom started at 12:10 a.m.

Other cases slated for

L-R Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Segun Odubela; Chairman, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Chief Muftau Ajibola and Chairman, Abeokuta North Local Government Council, Hon. Taofeek Olabode, at the commissioning of a block of toilets donated to Oke-Ona United Primary School, Ikereku, Abeokuta, by Olaniyonu, yesterday.

Fani-Kayode: Prosecution witness makes u-turn on evidence K AYODE K ETEFE

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prosecution witness testifying against the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi FaniKayode, Mr. Ojo Agbor changed his earlier testimony yesterday and contended that he had been pressurised into making some accusations against the embattled former minister. He alleged that officials of the EFCC made him to give inaccurate allegations in his extra-judicial statement to the commission.

Agbor made this revelation yesterday during the trial of the money laundering case instituted by the EFCC against the former minister at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Agbor, a member of the staff of National Art Gallery, Abuja, and former Personal Assistant

to Fani-Kayode, had stated in the statement he made to the EFCC that that he deposited some money, about N12 million, for the former minister between March and May 2006 However while being led in evidence yesterday by the counsel for EFCC, Mr. Festus Keyamo, Agbor told the court presided over by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia that all the money he deposited at an Apapa branch of Fin Bank, now First City Monument Bank, FCMB, for Fani-Kayode were the rents collected by one property manager to the former minister, whom he simply identified as Kola.

Agbor said “I was coerced into writing the statement. I don’t know I can be sent to jail for lying to the court. I am angry with the EFCC because of the way I

was treated. I am not in court to tell deliberate lies. I was arrested by

the EFCC operatives and made to lie against FaniKayode.”

hearing were equally stalled as the sound of the rainfall and the splashing water in the courtroom prevented the judge from hearing counsel clearly.

When it became obvious that the matters could no longer go on in the courtroom, Justice Adebajo directed that the next courtroom, used by Justice Olateru Olagbegi (rtd) be used.

During trial, Udoe, led in evidence by the Deputy Director Public Prosecution, Lagos State, Mrs. Elizabeth Alakija told the court that call records obtained from service providers revealed that the first three defendants used their SIMs on Late Williams phone.

He said “I got a petition letter in December.

2006 and came down to Lagos with a team of six officers including myself where I was authorised by the then Commissioner of Police to commence investigation’’.

He also added that the fourth, fifth and sixth defendant are the security men in charge of protecting life and property of the deceased.

He further said that he personally arrested the first defendant along with other defendants and statements were obtained from them.

During cross –examination by the defence

counsel, Mr Agbara Okezie, the witness told the court that he did not investigate the statement of the first defendant that he bought late Funsho William’s phone at the Computer Village.

Udoe further told the court that the blood stained shirt recovered from the crime scene belonged to the sixth defendant.

Meanwhile, Justice Adebajo has issued a witness summon on one CSP Benneth Agbo from Forensic Department of the Nigerian Police to tender items recovered during investigation.

The matter was adjourned to May 16, 2014 for trial.

The accused are, Bulama Kolo, Musa Maina, David Cassidy, Tunani Sonani, Mustapha Kayode and Okponwasa Imariabie, all male.

The Agency reports that the defendants were first arraigned on March 1, 2013 before Justice Adebajo on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

The defendants, according to the charge, on or about July 27, 2006, at 34A, Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, conspired to murder Williams.

The offence contravenes Sections 316 and 324 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 200.

Five fuel stations sealed in Ogun for shortchanging customers FEMI O YEWESO ABEOKUTA

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ive petrol filling stations were yesterday sealed up by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment in Ogun State for dispensing the product to unsuspecting customers in fake measurement.

The affected fuel filling stations included the NNPC Mega station located in Papa – Alanto along the Lagos - Abeokuta Expressway in the Ewekoro Local Government area of the state.

Other filling stations which were sealed up during a monitoring exercise conducted by officials of the Department of Weights and

Measures of the ministry included EMIMP petroleum, Vitality Oil and Gas, NIPCO as well as Conoil all in the Sango Ota axis area of the state.

Head of the monitoring team in the ministry, Mohammed Sadasidi who supervised the exercise told newsmen that the fuel stations were dispensing with pumps which had been programmed to reduce the product sold to customers for an approximation of three (3) litres from every 20 litres of petrol sold.

“Some of the filling stations we sealed, after checking their meter with our own Seraphin Test Measure, we found

out that in every 20 litres they sold, they only dispensed between 17 litres and 18 litres,” he said.

Emphasising that the affected dealers had committed offense that were beyond tolerable errors, Sadasidi further stated that the defaulters had been invited to the ministry’s office in Abuja for explanation.

He stressed that the dealers risked prosecution should they fail to convince a panel to be set up on the reason for their “national economic sabotage”.

Sadasidi also explained that the inspection was meant to ensure that marketers exhibited integrity, fairness and accuracy while

dispensing fuel to customers.

He said his agency’s action was to ensure that consumers of the products are protected to ensure that they always get the right measure and quantity for their money.

“It is extremely disappointing those motorists are being short changed.

We will not however relent in our official duty to ensure that proper things are done. We have won one of such cases last week as announced by the Federal High Court in Lokoja”.

He also stated that others are in progress and that his agency would prosecute more defaulters until they conform to the laid down rules.

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

11

Police arrest ‘prophetess’ for setting daughter ablaze DARE AKOGUN

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prophetess with a Celestial Church of Christ, CCC in Epe, Lagos, is currently cooling her heels with the police for allegedly setting her nine-year-old daughter on fire in a bid to deliver her from witchcraft.

The suspect was arrested following a distress call by the residents of the area alleging that the suspect poured kerosene on her

daughter, Damilola, and set her ablaze.

The girl was, however, rescued by the police and was taken to the Epe General Hospital where she is

committed at Ijebu-Ode Road, Odomola, Epe. During interrogation, she said that she torched her daughter in obedience to God’s instruction to cleanse her of demonic

spirits.

In her alleged confessional statement, the reportedly suspect said: “I saw in my vision while praying that my daughter is from the witchcraft world.

“When I prayed to God over it, I received the instruction, through the Holy Spirit, to burn my daughter’s body in order to deliver her from the evil society.”

Ekiti seals off Chinese firm over N71m tax default ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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he Ekiti State Government yesterday sealed off the con-

PUBLIC NOTICE

GILEAD SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION The above organization has applied to the corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for the registration under part C of the companies and Allied matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Dr Andrew I. Okoh 2. Stephen Uduma Obasi 3. Mrs Chinasa Kanu 4. Chigozirim, Juliet Okoh 5. Rev. Nixon Ejike Uzor 6. Mrs Ngozi Ogbonnaya

receiving treatment at the emergency ward for firstdegree burns.

The suspect, Bose Oluwole, according to the police, confessed to the crime

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

- President - Secretary - Treasurer - Member - Member - Member

1. To promote the quality of life for African Orphans and other Vulnerable Children (OVC).

2. Mobilizing widows/ women entrepreneurs and providing them with Initial training. To be able to participate full in the program the women entrepreneurs will need some preparatory training, for example improving their IT skills.

3. improving widows/ women entrepreneurs’ access to technology. The program provides an information and communication technology (ICT) learning platform that will assist women during the expansion period, after which point it will be used to provide updated information and business knowledge through e-learning connectivity.

Any objection to the registration of this organization should be forwarded to the registrar corporate Affairs commission. Plot 565, Ndola. Square WUSE, Zone 5, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: NATIONAL COORDINATOR

struction site of a Chinese firm at Ado-Ekiti, over an alleged N71.761m tax default.

The Chairman of the State Internal Revenue Agency, Mr. Isola Akingbade, who led an enforcement team to the site, explained that the action was consequent upon the failure of Hongye Ampic Concept Ltd to comply with the Personal Income Tax Act, PITA, of 2006.

Akingbade stressed that the agency followed due process, adding that the action was carried out after a court order was CHANGE OF NAME

ODOM:Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifeoma Miracle Odom, now wish to be known and addressmed as Mrs Ifeoma Miracle Igwe. All former documents remain valid NYSC, IMT and general public take note.

duly obtained.

According to him, several earlier efforts were made to ensure payment of the tax due after it was discovered through a tax audit that the company was heavily indebted to the state government.

The IRS boss, who condemned the nonchalant attitude of many foreign contractors to payment of taxes, said that such unwholesome position was not acceptable in their home countries and cautioned that government would no longer tolerate tax evasion.

Akingbade wondered why a company whose fleet of heavy duty trucks enormously contributed to the incessant damage of roads constructed with

@ ASCON

7pm

taxpayers’ money in the state, would evade tax.

He warned that the site would not be reopened until the company paid the outstanding tax debt and appealed to individuals and corporate organisations affected by the development to prevail on the tax defaulters to obey the laws of the land.

The chairman praised tax payers and emphasised the need for defaulters to repent in order to enable government have funds to fulfill its obligation to the people and develop the society.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has flagged off the construction of IkereOndo state boundary du-

@ ASCON

alisation project aimed at ameliorating the plight of commuters who ply AdoAkure road.

The governor said while inaugurating the dualisation of the federal road, which is in a deplorable condition, was in demonstration of the commitment of his administration to infrastructure development as enshrined in the eightpoint agenda.

Fayemi, who said the project was in fulfillment of his promise to the people, said his government desired to dualise all the major roads leading to the state, even as the engineering designs of Ado-Ijan and Ado-Iyin-Igede roads had been prepared.

10am

KEYNOTE ADDRESS Expected Role of Career Women in Nation Building by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu CAREER TALK Career Women As Mothers and Nation Builders: Are they Pulling Weight?

by Hon. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire Discussants Toro Oladapo - Former NAWOJ National President Gbemi Olujobi- Saturday Editor National Mirror Newspapers

12

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

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Family calls for prosecution of killer herdsmen

Ebonyi Assembly confirms 2 commissioners ALIUNA GODWIN EBONYI

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he family of late Mathew Aniugo, allegedly killed by Fulani herdsmen in OguiAgu, Eke in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, has called for the prosecution of his killers.

A member of the family, Sergius Aliozor, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN in Enugu yesterday that Aniugo was murdered on his farm on May 1.

Aliozor said the deceased was working on his farmland with his wife, Nnneka and their four children when the incident occurred.

He said the herdsmen invaded the farm with their cattle and when the deceased, who spoke Hausa fluently, challenged them, a little argument ensued, but did not lead to fisticuff.

Aliozor said the herdsmen left their cattle, only to return after about three hours with a pump action gun, cutlass and stick.

According to him, the deceased attempted to run away on hearing a gunshot, but was demobilised with bullets pumped on both legs.

“The one with the machete gave him a deep cut on the right arm,” he said, adding that Aniugo later died after efforts to save his life failed.

“The police had been to the scene of the incident and had indeed made some arrests,” he said.

Aliozor said the wife of the deceased had since identified the man who shot her late husband, as well as the one that gave him the cut.

“This is not the first time this type of incident is happening in our community.

“Two years ago, one Roderick Nzekwe died under a similar circumstance, but there was nobody to identify the perpetrators.

“On October 5, 2013, the Fulani herdsmen attempted to rape one lady in our community. The women in the community mobilised for demonstration, but nothing came out of it,’’ he said.

Aliozor appealed to the government to save the community from the herdsmen who he said had taken over the community.

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L-R: Member, Anambra State House of Assembly, Obinna Emenaka; Governor Willie Obiano and Commissioner for Works, Calistus Ilozumba, inspecting a road construction project at Nando, Anambra East Local Government Area, yesterday.

Fear grips community over release of kidnappers, robbers ALIUNA GODWIN EBONYI

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ear gripped the Abaomege community in Oniche Local Government Area of Ebonyi State yesterday, following the alleged release of some suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists arrested in the community some few days ago.

Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital, shortly after its emergency executive committee meeting, the President of Abaomega Town Union, Mr. Joshua Umoke, said that there is serious tension the community as the news of the release of the three hoodlums filtered into the town.

It was gathered that the

suspects were released after the police investigated the matter and, on Monday, charged the suspects to court.

The release of the suspects, it was learnt, caused the community leaders, politicians, town union executives and other prominent personalities to go into hiding.

Umoke said that indigenes are now apprehensive of being attacked by the suspected criminals.

According to him: “The three arrested boys were terrorising the community, unleashing mayhem on the people, masterminding the kidnap of our prominent persons, until the police, with the help of the community, arrested them.

“The police recovered

a bag of loaded with Indian hemp from them and shockingly, also found in their possession, a list of prominent personalities in the state that are targets of kidnap.”

The town union leader added: “The police investigated the matter, and on Monday (12/05/2014), charged the suspects to court, but regrettably, magistrates had gone for a seminar in Akwa-Ibom State and the matter is expected to come up today.

“To the amazement of our people, some suspected policemen from Zone 6, Calabar, came and took the suspects away.

“Why the matter was taken away from Abakaliki is still unknown to us, but the information we gathered revealed that

the men from Zone 6 came with the intention of releasing the suspects.”

He urged the InspectorGeneral of Police, IGP, Mohammed Abubakar, the Assistant Inspector General of Police incharge of Zone 6, and other relevant authorities to ensure that the suspects were returned to the Ebonyi State Police Headquarters and ensure their prosecution.

Umoke also called on the IGP to ensure proper investigation of what he called the plot to avert justice and set the suspected criminals free.

Effort to get comments from the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ebonyi State Command, Chris Ayawu, proved abortive as at press time.

NDLEA convicts 15 in Anambra T he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has convicted no fewer than 15 persons for various drug offences in Anambra State from January to May. The Commander of the agency in the state, Mr. Sule Momodu, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Awka on yesterday that three persons were also sentenced to various jail terms in the last two weeks for dealing in cannabis.

He said that one of the

convicts, Chinoso Patrick, 19, from Nkwelle Ezunaka in Oyi Local Government Area, was arrested with 100g of cannabis and jailed for three years.

He said Chinedu Ezeobi, 31, from Agba-Ekwulobia was arrested with 100g of cannabis and also jailed for three years, while Ugochukwu Odoh, 19, from Nza in Ozubulu, was arrested with 1.3 kg of cannabis and jailed for one year.

Momodu said that during the period under review, the command made several

seizures of cannabis and cocaine.

He commended the judiciary for assisting the command to rid the state of hard drugs.

The commander, who assumed duties in January 2013, said it was no longer business as usual for the dealers and urged those still in the business to quit or be ready to face the law.

Momodu said that a drug dealer, Ernest Obi, 36, was recently arrested with cocaine weighing 14.7g during a raid on Umuchema Uli in

Ihiala Local Government Area.

He said that Emeka Okonwkwo, 30, was also arrested with one kg of cannabis while Oluchi Eze, 29, was nabbed with 19.8g of the same illicit drug.

“We have declared war on illicit drug dealers to leave the state now before it is too late to do so,” he said, Momodu appealed to the people to come forward with useful information that would assist the command in ridding the state of drug addiction.

he Ebonyi State House of Assembly, EBSHA, yesterday screened and confirmed the appointment of two commissioners by the Governor Martin Elechi.

The appointment of the commissioners; Mrs Marry Joy Umoke and Barrister David Egbu, followed the vacancy created in the ministries for women affairs and social development and environment for the past one year.

The two nominees had been recommended for screening by the Assembly by the governor to enable him transform the state.

Until his appointment, Egbu was a commissioner in the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, EBSIEC, while Mrs. Umoke is the wife of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Sir Christian Umoke.

Speaking to National Mirror shortly after the confirmation by the House, Mrs. Umoke said that she was elated over for the appointment.

Shet commended the governor for giving her the opportunity to serve.

The nominees were confirmed through a motion moved by Hon. Obasi Odefa (Onicha East) and seconded by Hon. Oliver Nwachukwu, representing Abakaliki North Constituency.

The Speaker, Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku, directed the Clerk of the Assembly to inform the governor of the successful confirmation of his nominees.

Elechi.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

2015: Foreign military assistance and Nigeria’s internal politics Though, the United States of America, USA, came on the invitation of the Federal Government in her search to tame the menace of Boko Haram, particularly with the abduction of over 200 school girls from Chibok. OBIORA IFOH, WOLE OLADIMEJI, ROTIMI FADEYI, AJAYI OMEIZA and UBONG UKPONG wonder whether the allied forces like Britain, France, Israeli and Canada are actually here to help or there are other under current motives behind their willingness to help, particularly with the general election few months from now.

T

he intervention of the United States of America, USA, and the allied forces in the security crisis in the country, particularly the recovery of the Chibok girls that were abducted by Boko Haram more than a month ago, to Nigerians is a welcome development so far the intervention would bring back the girls. It is also expected that the intervention will bring to an end the serial bombardment of the North East as well as the attendant killings and wanton destruction of properties.

The presence of US military and the allied forces in the country demonstrates the fact that Nigerian military forces are incapable of stemming the rate of insecurity, as the insurgence of the Boko Haram was fast becoming an embarrassment, and the Federal Government seemed not to have any solution to the problem.

In fact, the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, a delegate at the ongoing National Conference in an interview explained that the offer of assistance by the USA, United Kingdom, among other countries to rescue the girls was a good development even as he caution on the use of the word ‘invasion’ to describe what the allied forces are doing in Nigeria.

His words: “To call the assistance invasion is the most unkind way of describing what is happening. When you mention invasion, it’s like scramble for Africa. Nigerians should be grateful for the concern of the international communities and swallow the pride of being a sovereign nation. I have seen them as people who have come in the name of humanity to help us. If we cannot help ourselves, then what is wrong in swallowing our pride and accept help from any quarters? Somebody said I’m going to lend you a helping hand to rescue these girls. I want to say that we cannot continue to say that we are a sovereign nation and allow that kind of pride to consume us. Unless you are alive you cannot continue to be a Nigerian.”

WHILE THE INTERVENTION OF THE MILITARY FORCES ON ACCOUNT OF INSECURITY WAS A WELCOME

DEVELOPMENT, ONE SHOULD NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT INTERVENTION OF THE ALLIED FORCES TO ANY NATION MAY BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE

Problems associated with intervention While the intervention of the military forces on account of insecurity was a welcome development, one should not lose sight of the fact that intervention of the allied forces to any nation may be counterproductive on the long run. We have seen and read about intervention or rather invasion of countries and its consequences on the host countries. We should not forget in a hurry, the scramble for and partition of Africa and the introduction of Christianity and western education. Though their coming brought relief into the nations and brought rapid development but in the book written by Walter Rodney, titled: on ‘How Europe Underdeveloped Africa,’ Africa was deliberately exploited and underdeveloped by European colonial regimes.

The first United States occupation of Haiti began on July 28, 1915, when 330 US

Jonathan

Obama

Marines landed at Port-au-Prince on the authority of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson to safeguard the interests of U.S. corporations. The first invasion forces however already had debarked from U.S.S. “Montana” on 27 January, 1914. The occupation ended on August 1, 1934 after Franklin D. Roosevelt reaffirmed an August 1933 disengagement agreement. The last contingent of U.S. Marines departed on August 15, 1934 after a formal transfer of authority to the Garde.

The Imperial State of Iran was invaded by the Allied forces of defunct Soviet British and Commonwealth during the World War II, lasting from 25 August to 17 September 1941, and was codenamed Operation Countenance. The purpose was to secure Iranian oil fields and ensure allied supply lines for the Soviets fighting against Axis forces on the Eastern Front. Though Iran was officially neutral, according to the Allies, its monarch Reza Shah was friendly to the Axis powers and was deposed during the subsequent occupation and replaced with his young son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

diplomat sometime ago, was that Nigeria will collapse by 2015. This unguarded comment appeared not to have caused enough damage already to their satisfaction.

The current security crisis appeared to have availed the distinguished Americans the opportunity to further undermine the sovereignty of Nigeria and make inflammatory and unguided comments capable of finally ensuring their dreams of a collapsed Nigeria.

Senator John McCain, a Republican and a man who nearly became America’s president in place of Barrack Obama in his comment about the Nigerian government said: “We shouldn’t have waited for a practically non-existing government to give US the go ahead before moving a humanitarian effort to rescue those girls.”

For the US First Lady Michelle Obama, who carries a placard with inscription, “#BringBackOurGirls”, she was said to have insisted that her husband move into Nigeria; she was quoted to have said that her family was “outraged and heartbroken”, over the abduction in Nigeria.

A US senator, Charles Schumer, criticised what he referred to as, “disturbingly slow and half-hearted response” by the Nigerian government, while another high ranking US senator, Chris Cooms, said that it took “far too long” for Goodluck Jonathan to accept US offers of aid.

All these comments have been viewed by experts on philosophy and public communications, as revealing some tendencies by

Suspicious comments from the Diaspora Nigeria has been said to have severally suffered unguided comments from renowned personalities from the Western world, which usually undermine its sovereignty, putting its unity, indissolubility and indivisibility into serious jeopardy.

One of such comment, allegedly coming from a high ranking American officer and

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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2015: Foreign military assistance and Nigeria’s internal politics CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 the Americans to assert themselves in the way things are ran in Nigeria.

The comments have also been viewed to show the level of indirect interference in the body polity of Nigeria and the desire to have the country under some forms of external control.

solidarity with Nigeria and support towards the rescue of the abducted schoolgirls.

Though, there were speculations that it took some time for the President to allow foreign assistance in the fight against terrorism because of the 2015 election, however, security experts believed that it has more to do with the government of Nigeria being conscious and cautious about the protection of the sovereignty of the country.

Politics of involvement of US President Jonathan had hinted during his recent Presidential Media Chat that he spoke with United States’ President Obama on possible assistance to locate and rescue the schoolgirls.

Few days later in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President accepted the offer by Obama to deploy US security personnel and assets to work with their Nigerian counterpart in the search and rescue operation. This was coming after the government rebuffed several offers of assistance by the US government to intervene.

Surprisingly, few days after, other world leaders and Heads of State and Governments, including British Prime Minister, David Cameron; French President Fancois Hollande, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and recently Israeli and Canadian governments indicated their readiness to be joined in the combined effort in terms of personnel and technical assistance to fish out the girls.

The United Nations, the Economic Com-

Foreign assistance and 2015 polls

Cameron

THE FOREIGN TROOPS MUST BE STRICTLY GUIDED BY THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT IN ORDER NOT TO AGGRAVATE THE WHOLE ISSUE munity of West African States, ECOWAS, and the International Criminal Police Organisation, INTERPOL, have all expressed

Just this Tuesday, the President sent a letter to the National Assembly seeking a further extension of the emergency rule in the three North-East states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

If the foreign forces would be on ground during the next February polls, it is not yet clear whether they will play any role in the exercise. With the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, saying it is now willing to conduct elections in the three states if the security situation improves, there is no gainsaying the fact that the allied forces could indeed play some role in the polls.

That will however depend on the timeframe of their operations, which the Federal Government is expected to work out with them. Nigerians have not been told the time frame of this foreign assistance.

Divergent views by political elites There have however been divergent views

LP loses members to PDP in Ondo HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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o fewer than 1,500 members of the ruling Labour Party, LP, in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, citing the failure of the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko to fulfil his electoral promises as reason for their defection.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Hon. Kunle Adeloye said the people opted to join the PDP after assessing the reconciliation process embarked upon by the leaders of the party which is yielding positive results.

Lamenting that all the electoral promises made by the leadership of the LP and the state governor were not fulfilled despite working hard to secure victory for the party and Mimiko in the governorship election of October, 2012, Adeloye said that none of the defectors and other LP members benefited from the Mimiko’s administration.

He said the biggest surprise was the last minute disruption of the Akure carnival by the state government saying: “The governor promised that those who worked will be rewarded by the party, yet three, four years on, nothing has been done “

He said: “The governor after meeting with indigenes of Akure before he was re-elected promised that he would reward the community with the post of the State Secretary to the Government, SSG, if he get maximum votes from Akure, but after working for his reelection, Akures were neglected and none of the promises were fulfilled.

“I am only interested in what will benefit us, the Akures and Ondo State, you will discover that the people are angry with the government just because this present administration has failed the people.

“Only those who were not around when we

were struggling to retain Mimiko are now benefiting from the government, they hijacked the party. Akure people have always supported Mimiko’s government but with his recent attitude toward us, this has forced us to make a u- turn.

He reiterated that his defection to PDP was not based on personal interest but to look for a platform where the yearning of the people would be met.

The defectors were received at a reception by some leaders of the PDP, including the gubernatorial candidate of PDP in the last election, Chief Olusola Oke, a former ambassador, Professor Olu Agbi among others

Jeddy Agba: C’River PDP chairman under fire RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

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hairman of the Cross River chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ntufam John Okon is now under fire over a statement that a

governorship aspirant on the platform of the PDP, Mr. Godwin Jedy Agba was not a registered and card carrying member of the party and is therefore not qualified to run for governorship.

A chieftain of the party, Chief Jeremiah Nsed

Ebang, who faulted Okon’s claim in press statement issued in Calabar and made available National Mirror pointed out that ordinarily he would not have made any comment, but he was forced to, said that if the claim was not disputed, it may be

believed by the public, adding: “If nobody says nothing it will be accepted as the gospel truth and the people will remain in deceit.’’

Advising the public to ignore the misinformation, Ebang CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

by the political elite on the offer of military assistance by some western powers.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who had condemned government’s earlier response to the menace of terrorism in the country has however welcome the foreign offer, saying that it is now necessary to sheath all political swords and join hands with President Jonathan in curtailing all terrorist threats.

He also admitted that while Nigeria waited too long to seek foreign assistance, it is good that finally the government has made the move.

His views were echoed by former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, former Minister of Finance, Adamu Ciroma and Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.

Babangida said since Nigeria was in a difficult situation, there was nothing wrong in accepting such offer of military assistance, explaining that both Nigeria and the allied forces have a lot to benefit in the process.

Ciroma who also welcomed the offer, said Nigeria should swallow it’s pride and accept it, while Gumi said that the foreign troops must be strictly guided by the rules of engagement in order not to aggravate the whole issue, adding that any human rights violation by the troops could trigger a wave of terrorist backlash from among the populace.

Many of those who condemned the offer have mostly preferred to adopt a “wait-andsee” approach to the issue.

PDP to monarch: Call Amaechi to order DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

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ivers State leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has appealed to the traditional ruler of Rumueme kingdom, His Highness Nyeweli Omunakwe Nsirim to call Governor Rotimi Amaechi to order and stop using state resources to pursue his personal agenda.

State PDP chairman, Chief Felix Obuah, made the appeal when he led the party’s executive on a courtesy call on the monarch at his palace yesterday.

Obuah recalled that the party collectively supported Amaechi to become governor, but lamented that rather than develop the state, he was committing state resources to sponsoring the opposition party to achieve a selfish aim.

Appealing to King Nsirim, who he describe as a prominent traditional ruler in the state, to call his son (Amaechi) to order and use the state resources to develop

the 23 local government areas of the state, Obuah said: “Instead of using our resources to develop the 23 local government areas, he has diverted our resources to things that are not meaningful, and acceptable to our people.

“As our leader, we plead that you tell the governor to use our resources judiciously to develop the 23 local government areas of the state so that our people will have a sense of belonging and the state can be reckoned with again.”

He also solicited the support of the monarch and his people ahead of the 2015 elections, saying, with the support of the royal father, “Rivers State and PDP is for President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Responding, King Nsirim said his kingdom would give 100 per cent support to President Jonathan and the PDP, adding: “Myself and the chiefs of this Rumueme Kingdom are very happy to receive you in this place today. This Rumueme Kingdom is for Jonathan and PDP, no more no less.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

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PDP members’ll not appear before Osun panel of enquiry -Olaoluwa STORIES: BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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sun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday said no member of the party will appear before the panel of enquiry set up by the state government to investigate the alleged harassment of Senator Isiaka Adeleke at a hotel in Osogbo on April 2.

State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa, in a release made available to newsmen yesterday in Osogbo said his party was not afraid to showcase its proven internal democracy, which the APC has a lot to learn from.

Olaoluwa, who condemned in strong terms the panel, said Governor Rauf Aregbesola should also set up panels to look into the debt profile of the state,

various failed projects and the collapse of the educational system in recent times.

But the All Progressives Congress, APC, in a counter statement issued by its Director of Publicity, Research and Publicity, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi, queried the moral right the PDP has to accuse Aregbesola of siphoning money.

The statement reads: “We want to ask them,

what did they do with all their receipts in seven and half years? At least, the good people of the state can see what Aregbesola is doing with their money.

“The PDP has no moral right to be asking a performing governor what he is doing with state’s money.

Great achievements of this administration in every sector are there for everyone to see and we are happy the good people

of Osun really appreciate this uncommon governor.”

Regarding the panel of enquiry, the APC said: “Anyone who is afraid of his deeds will go on ranting on the rights abuse exhibited by the so called public officials.

It can only happen in the PDP where a co-aspirant in the governorship race will be so dealt with.”

The PDP in its statement also advised the governor to desist

86 DAYS TO GO from using harsh words against its gubernatorial candidate, Dr Iyiola Omisore, admonishing him against creating tension as the August 9 election day draws nearer.

Card reader: CSOs give INEC 7-day ultimatum on Ekiti, Osun polls

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Osun State PDP gubernatorial candidate Senator Iyiola Omisore addressing his supporters, recently.

Group drums up support for Akinbade

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he governorship aspirations of former Secretary to Osun State Government, SSG, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, got a boost yesterday as a group, Osun Integrity Group, OIG, threw its weight behind his candidacy The group in a statement issued in Osogbo yesterday and signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kehinde Ayofe, said it chose Akinbade, who is contesting in the governorship poll on the platform of Labour Party, LP, ahead of other contestants, because he possesses the needed qualities to bring people of the state “out doldrums of politics of retrogression.”

It also described Akinbade as an experienced politician with track record of integrity, saying for him to have served under three military administrations and a civilian government, holding key offices without blemish, the former state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,

remains the best candidate in the governorship race.

On how the group intend to assist Akinbade realise his ambition, the statement disclosed that the group would soon begin house to house campaign to mobilise support for him across the 30 local government areas of the state and Modakeke Area Office.

It said: “Because of our believe in this project, we will soon begin house to house

sensitisation to mobilise support for Akinbade in all the 30 local government areas in the state and Modakeke Area Office.

“Our belief is unflinching in this project and the responses we are getting from all the places we have visited campaigning for him have encouraged us to continue with this project.”

OIG further stressed that backing the LP candidate was borne out

of his political relevance, particularly in Osun State, calling on the electorates to vote him as next governor of the state.

“We call for the unalloyed support for Alhaji Akinbade, who is the flag bearer of the LP in the forthcoming governorship election. We also advise his supporters across the state to begin sensitisation of electorates on the reason why Akinbade should be voted for during the guber poll.”

Jeddy Agba: C’River PDP chair under fire CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

said: “The thing is that in Cross River State, misfits are often allowed to hold sway, that is why the current PDP chairman who has not as much as contested councillorship election, an opportunist who shouldered his way up in the Cross River State civil service and had the party chairmanship awarded to him on retirement can make statements he cannot defend.

“Now it is clear that the Cross River State PDP is acting the script of its overlord and can afford to disown Mr. Agba when it is convenient for it.

When the party needed his support at other times, he was celebrated. And because some people are afraid of his towering national influence they have become uncomfortable over his ambition.”

The statement added that the people of Cross

River State were very ready and eager to effect a change that will see the people install a new governor of the state in 2015, stressing that “the PDP has a choice to move with the new order or sink in its self delusion’.

He said that Agba should be allowed to test his popularity at the PDP primary, otherwise, any attempt to deny him that inalienable right will spell doom for the PDP in the state.

oalition of Civil Societies in Osun State has given the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, seven days to rescind its decision not to use voters’ card readers for the gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

The group, while addressing a press conference yesterday in Osogbo, said it will force INEC to use card readers for the governorship elections to prevent irregularities as witnessed in past elections.

The spokesperson of the group, Comrade Abiodun Agboola, said should INEC fail to heed its demand, the group will be left with no other option than to alert the international community on the matter.

While demanding to know why INEC would jettison the use of the card readers purchased at tax payers’ expense, the civil societies maintained that INEC has hidden agenda and may be planning to deceive Nigerians, if it refuses to use the gadgets in Osun and Ekiti states’ elections.

They said: “It is on good record that when a by-election in Delta State for senatorial seat was approaching, one of the INEC Resident Commissioners, Dr. Mike Igini, who held forth in Cross Rivers State came on air, precisely on Channels Television, to keep Nigerians abreast of the readiness of the commission to deploy card readers.

“Dr. Igini actually confirmed that VCRs had been purchased and would be deployed to check fake voters’ cards. However, strangely, the card readers were not deployed and the election

was conducted with hitches which forced the loser to raise argument against the credibility of the election.

“So when Anambra governorship election was approaching, INEC under the watch of Professor Attahiru Jega promised to do everything to make the election clean; even as he specifically promised to make the Anambra election a guinea pig for the general elections in 2015. During that election, card readers were not deployed and we saw how the election was deliberately subverted and the county was exposed to opprobrium in the eye of the decent societies.

“The last by-election election conducted in Ondo State remained inconclusive, not because the electorate refused to vote but because there was a battle between the facts and perverts. Again, the failure to deploy a fraud curtailing technology like VCR was a major weakness of that hotly contested election in Ondo State and that reinforced our fear that if future elections are to be manipulated, INEC, because of its refusal to learn from the inadequacies of the past elections, would be made a victim of its folly, because if the elections remain inconclusive, when push comes to shove, a pre-programmed winner will be announced and the people’s will subverted.”

The groups insisted that the card readers must be deployed for both Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections in order to have free, fair and credible elections in the two states.

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Committee wants Bakassi refugees compensated STORIES: WOLE OLADIMEJI AND OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

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he Committee on Environment at the ongoing National Conference yesterday wanted the Federal Government to compensate the people of Bakassi Peninsula who were displaced in Cross River State, following the ceding of the area to Cameroon by the Nigerian government.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, who addressed the press after its sitting

yesterday, explained that among the recommendations of the committee was compensation to Bakassi people for the loss of their natural resources and other artefacts.

Ita-Giwa stated that the committee further advised that the compensations should be paid directly to those affected.

Her words: “I am going to give you some highlights of what the committee agreed on. We agreed on the need for Nigeria to protect its territorial environment. We agreed on the need for the Federal Government to establish

environmental courts.

“Hitherto, Nigeria had been very careless with this issue. We need to have a law on gas flaring and also an institution that deals with issues like that. Even the issue of waste was agreed.

There will be a court that will try you on that.

“We have addressed the need to compensate the people of Bakassi adequately for loss of their natural resources. Those displaced from Bakassi should be well resettled and fully compensated for the loss of their natural resources and other artefacts.

“That is a vital compo-

nent of the compensation.

We are asking that individuals should be compensated and not the government. Even if it goes to the state government, they must ensure that it gets to the people of Bakassi.”

Explaining that the recommendations of the committee were not final, she added that it would be subjected to the approval and consideration of the plenary.

The committee also recommended that the current ecological fund be reviewed upward from its current three per cent to five per cent.

L-R: Senator Adefemi Kila, Chief Ifeanyinwa Ezenwa and Chief Rasheed Ladoja during the National Conference Energy Committee meeting in Abuja yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI

State creation tears committee apart

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embers of the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government at the ongoing National Conference yesterday were sharply divided over the agitation for state creation.

Co-chairman of the committee and a delegate representing North-East zone, Mohammed Kumaila who raised the matter cautioned delegates to be care-

ful in deliberating the issue of state creation.

A delegate representing Delta State and a former governor of the state, Chief Benjamin Elue who moved a motion that the committee should recommend 12 additional states to bring the number of states to 48 in order to balance the equation.

He also proposed that the states should be created with each zone hav-

ing eight states for equity sake, adding: “The zones should have equal number of states. My motion was predicated on the need for Nigerians in respect of equity, fair play and justice.”

He however, begged the delegates to support the motion for the good of the people.

Senator Nimi Barigha Amange, while seconding the motion for state creation, said that it is not the

list of state demanded that matters, but to put a policy in place that will address the need for more states.

Former governor of Niger State, Engineer Abdulkadir Kure while speaking against the motion said the issue of zone is not constitutional and should not be used as a yardstick to create states, saying that there are zones that need to be split as a result of their population.

Delegate raises alarm over poor funding of science, tech

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conference delegate and the deputy chairman, Committee on Science and Technology, Engr.

Ezekiel Izuogu, yesterday attributed poor funding to the non performance of the nation’s communication satellite to track the Boko Haram sect.

Addressing journalists yesterday at the venue of the ongoing conference, the first Nigerian to manufacture a car said Nigeria Communication Satellite has not being able to perform due to lack of fund to sustain its activities.

Izuogu revealed that his committee is working hard to ensure that all the bottle necks created by the people he called saboteurs are removed.

He added: “17 years ago I manufactured the first car in Africa, the managing director of Peugeot and other executive directors chartered a plane, flew down to Port Harcourt and then to Oweri, just to see what we did and they made us wonderful promises that we should make the type of Peugeot for them and they would pay us well, but I said no, I was not interested in do-

ing anything for Peugeot; I wanted to do something that will benefit Nigeria, something that is done

by Nigerians with things that were around Nigeria, they did everything to entice us but I said no.”

He added that he took it upon himself to build a Nigerian car, which he invited the late Sani Abacha to unveil, adding that Abacha sent his deputy to Owerri, where a crowd of over 50,000 people, including diplomats and five governors, celebrated what he had done.

He continued: “Thereafter, there was no support. The Nigeria government probed the car and found it worthy; they confirmed that everything was well done but till today, no support.”

He averred that Nigerians are diligent and hard working people who would want to use their talent and hands to manufacture things, but policy makers sabotage their efforts.

He therefore revealed further that the Committee for Science and Technology is “trying to see how we can break through the bottle necks created by human beings who are still there.”

Staff protest council invasion by ex-political office holders THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

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taff of Ika North East Local G o ve r n m e n t Area of Delta State yesterday shut down administrative activities at the council secretariat to protest an alleged invasion by former councillors and political office holders in the area over severance pay.

National Mirror learnt

that the former council lawmakers and -political office holders from the council area on Tuesday besieged the secretariat at Owa-Oyibu disrupting official activities.

A source disclosed that the aggrieved former officers locked up the office of the Transition Committee Chairperson, Princess Okwunonye Ijenwa and chased out council workers to protest the

delay in payment of their severance and other entitlements owed them by the council.

Yesterday’s protest by the local government workers, it was learnt was to register their displeasure over the alleged invasion by the former public office holders, numbering over 40.

It was also to kick against the management of the council using

their long awaited salary arrears to pay the protesting former political office holders.

The source told National Mirror that the former council lawmakers led by Messrs Chuks Agboma, a former leader of the council and Ogbo Nwama, also a former councillor were protesting the non-payment of their entitlements since they left office over three

years ago.

The source said: “But the council workers who were being owed salary arrears of over three months and had reached a compromise to be paid whenever the allocation comes this time around also locked up the gates today (yesterday) to protest the invasion by the former political office holders. Their action has paralysed work here”, he disclosed.

It was gathered that the incident generated fear and tension leading to the deployment of security agents to forestall any break down of law and order at the secretariat.

Several calls put to the telephone lines of the Transition Committee Chairperson, Princess Okwunonke and that of Ika North East NULGE chairman; Corllis Izikiwe, were not picked.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

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Adieu, Deaconess Akunnaya Ndubuisi EXISTENTIAL HUMANISM

FRY

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

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ur mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Deaconess Ezinne Nwannediya Ndubuisi, aged 88 years, was laid to rest on May 2, 2014. My personal attitude to the entire development is that I see it as a celebration of life because her exit is a call to glory. For my late mother in particular, her life was marked by landmarks that are worth documenting and recounting. Her footprints are seen in the family circle, community, neighborhood, church, social and business circles, farm setting and in other other numerous endeavours.

Jean Paul Sartre, the French philosopher, sees death as a negation of life that stresses the freedom of man, while his German counterpart, Martin Heidegger, sees it as the uniqueness in individuals. The reality, however, is that death is inevitable in spite of the efforts of we mortals.

The late Deaconess Ezinne Ngosiri Dinma Titi Ndubuisi was born

into the family of Orihe Ekeoba and Mazi Esemonu Offiaukwu of Amankwo Uzuakoli, Abia State, some 88 years ago. Her husband named her Nwannediya (husband’s brother), which was a reflection of the love and fiduciary relationship between the couple that endured all through the marriage. They couple worked together as a united and indivisible entity and was blessed with male and female children. She was fondly called ‘Yeya’ by her children and all other admirers. She had other pet names given to her by well wishers that reflect her attitude and philosophy of life.

Yeya exceedingly loved her children. She would go to any length to please us, which explained her restive nature; she was always on the move – in the farm, market o make money, or in the church to pray for her children.

Within her means and prowess, she made life pleasant for us and set the motion for a noble future for us; when we reflect on all these, we remain grateful to the good Lord that created and nurtured this lioness of a woman.

Even at old age she was not a problem to anyone. Before she had the slip that fractured one of her legs in 2008, she had to walk kilometers to even see her doctor. Before this slip, she took care of all her domestic affairs with minimal assistance.

She was a lover of peaceful co-

OUR LATE MOTHER

LIVED A CONTENTED LIFE AND HAD NEVER WISHED TO BE ANYBODY ELSE existence. She strived for peace with all her might and wit. She avoided trouble like a plague and was ready and willing to tender apology both to the old and young when she was on the wrong track. She would go to any length to promote peace in the neighborhood, whenever trouble broke out - and it happened quite often. In such occasions, she stood for justice and truth, irrespective of who was involved.

Deaconess Ezinne Ndubusi devoted all her life to God. The church was her second home. She with the late husband was among the pioneer members of the Apostolic Christian Church, Uzuakoli. She was an evangelist in her own right, as she won several souls for the Lord, some of whom are today messengers of our Lord Jesus Christ .Yeya till the time she had her leg fractured leg never missed church activities, including morning prayers . In recognition of her contribution to the church she was ordained a deaconess decades ago and in 2007 Ezinne (Good mother) by the same Church. She was also recognized by her community,

In defence of Wole Soyinka

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numbers of vested interests have unleashed a deluge of vituperations on the cyberspace within the last few days in reaction to the description of Nigeria as a “nation in chaos” by Professor Wole Soyinka in his recent interview on Cable Network News (CNN). The learned professor had over the years consistently warned that Nigeria was heading towards being a failed state. Now, while lamenting the horrible state of insecurity in the country, Soyinka had said, inter alia, “This is a government which is not only in denial mentally, but in denial about certain obvious steps to take…”

The latest in the cacophony of voices that greeted the professor’s seemingly unpalatable view is the South South Peoples Forum (SSPF), whose president, Dr. Joe Ambakederemo, has said that Soyinka’s deposition that the Federal Government has failed was totally wrong, adding that they “have a duty to remind Soyinka that his conclusions are not just biased, they are devious and laced with mischief to pull down the government”.

Despite this outburst, Ambakederemo never tendered a single logical point in refutation of the professor’s argument or to support his own position, having been contented with deploying mere vulgar abuses and uncouth utterances. To be objective, there are criteria that define a failed state against which Nigeria must be assessed to determine its true status. First and foremost, any nation worth its salt must be able to guarantee the safety of lives and proper-

IF NIGERIA IS NOT A FAILED STATE, IT IS

CERTAINLY A FAILING ONE, AND WE MUST BE PATRIOTIC ENOUGH TO ADMIT THIS ties of its citizenry. In addition, a thriving nation must have a government whose authority is real and enforced throughout its territory. Moreover, the nation must have citizenry that recognizes the government and obeys its laws and order. The nation must also be able to provide enabling environment for its citizens to enjoy their rights and engage in their diverse existential pursuits. A nation, stricto sensu, should be able to habitually manage its own problems.

These qualities of a thriving functional nation seem to have been vividly conveyed by the preamble to the American Declaration of Independence, 1776, which states inter alia thus: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

“That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish

it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”

The above-quoted political aphorisms also underline the doctrine of social contract between the governors and the governed. Under the social contract doctrine the provision of security also constitutes the bedrock of nationhood as the people are presume to have surrendered their right to self-help in exchange for collective protection offered by the state.

To start with, on the issue of security, no Nigerian alive can honestly claim to feel safe. Though insecurity has always abounded, but what we have been witnessing since the past three or four years, show that things are getting out of hands. At no other times has the challenge of insecurity been this severe. This grim situation is illustrated by the fact that majority have put their security in the hands of God, while the more affluent citizens have, in addition to divine supplications, resorted to floating their private security apparatus for their own protection.

Today, terrorists effortlessly raid public school to abduct innocent girls; people can no longer board buses at the motor parks even in Abuja without grave apprehension of being bombed. Each time we security-breached tragedy, what we often hear from the official quarters are rhetoric such as “the perpetrators of this dastardly act would be brought to book”, or “no stone will be left unturned to unmask the crimi-

whose youths crowned her ‘’Nne Muru Oha”.

She was a lover of knowledge and education, and thus made the necessary sacrifices to ensure that the children acquired good education. And more significantly, she in conjunction with our late father imbued the children with the love and fear of God and the need to put Him first in all our life’s projects and plans. They taught us the virtue of honesty, sincerity and imperative of hard work and self reliance life, in addition to peaceful cohabitation with and love for our neighbours.

Our late mother lived a contented life and had never wished to be anybody else, as she would always say: ’Onwe onye mnasi ka ndu mana ya ’;’ meaning, I give God the glory for the way He has made me as I had never wished to be anybody else.

We are happy and proud of her in life and in death. Her life and deeds constitute a great lesson for humanity. It was a life of devotion, humility, contentment, fear and respect for the supremacy of God, care and love for mankind, promotion and love for justice, adventurism, love for knowledge and promotion of communal and peaceful life.

We give God all the glory for her life.

May the good Lord have mercy upon her gentle soul.

CRITICAL STROKES

KAYODE

KETEFE

kketefe@nationalmirroronline.net 08032147720 (SMS only)

nals” Yet before you know it, another series of violence would occur and the officialdom would keep repeating those annoying clichés of turning stones and bringing unknown people to book!

So, if Nigeria is not failed state, it is certainly a failing one, and we must be patriotic enough to admit this as a precursor to finding solution. Mere wishful thinking would not spirit away the problem. One therefore, finds it very difficult to understand why SSPF would unleash verbal attacks on the revered Professor Soyinka for speaking the truth.

It is not everybody that criticises the government that wants to “bring down the government”. Most of us want President Jonathan to succeed. So I think Ambakederemo should apologise to the venerable professor.

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.

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Editorial

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

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KING ODODORU

HEAD, GRAPHICS

Unending fuel subsidy removal mantra

T

he controversy about the removal or not of fuel subsidy is on again. Some stakeholders, probably acting for the powers that be, raked it up recently. The Presidency says, however, that it has no plan to do that. But the truth remains that the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, like many others before it, relies on the revenue from the nation’s oil and gas sector for survival. Once there is a hiccup in the economy, which is often the product of funds misapplication, fraud, outright embezzlement and all manner of public sector corruption, the government goes for nothing else but making it up with ordinary Nigerians on the wrong side by hiking the pump head prices of petroleum products, an act dressed as fuel subsidy removal.

Before the embarrassing January 1, 2012 Federal Government’s gift to Nigerians, for example, a meeting between organised labour and President Jonathan over his proposed removal of fuel subsidy ended in a deadlock in Abuja. Labour leaders, we recall, insisted that the removal will be injurious to Nigerians. But the FG claimed the actual cost of petrol was N139 per litre. It said all Nige-

rians were beneficiaries of fuel subsidy, but that the rich benefitted the more. The FG claimed then that the N65 per litre price of fuel (as at 2011) was so cheap that it encouraged the smuggling of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) through the country’s borders.

The truth was, however, confirmed after the January 2012 nationwide fuel subsidy removal protests and the ensuing investigation by the House of Representatives of the looting of the nation’s coffers in the name of fuel subsidy in connivance with oil sector managers. The rest is now history. But Nigerians know that President Jonathan, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke, appear more interested in confounding Nigerians with all manner of hypotheses about the oil sector than repairing the nation’s refineries or building new ones, so that ordinary citizens can at least benefit from their God-given oil resources. Hardly do they consider the consequences of frequent oil price increases on less privileged citizens. Indeed, but for the real sector and the toiling of ordinary Nigerians on daily basis to survive, it is

BUT FOR THE REAL SECTOR AND THE TOILING OF ORDINARY

NIGERIANS ON DAILY BASIS TO SURVIVE, IT IS LIKE NO GOVERNMENT EXISTS IN THE LAND

like no government exists in the land.

At present, the official price of a litre of PMS is said to be N97. But that is on paper. In parts of Lagos, the product can be bought at that price. But in far-flung places like the eastern and northern parts of the country, PMS sells for N120 and above per litre. The price of kerosene, the basic source of energy in most homes apart from coal or fire wood, is also higher. As we speak, the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) which the FG embraced to pacify Nigerians on its unjustified increase of the pump head price of fuel on January 1, 2012 has not scratched the surface of the problems of youth unemployment and empowerment in the country. Still, government’s agenda setters are flying the kite of another so-called total fuel subsidy removal.

Nigerians are told by the FG

that the price of fuel is cheapest in the country even at the deceitful N97 per litre price. But researchers say the product sells for N3.61 in Venezuela that maintains a minimum wage of N95, 639; in Kuwait that pays N161, 461 as minimum wage, fuel sells for N34,54 per litre. In Saudi Arabia, where the minimum wage is N99, 237, fuel is sold for N25.12.

Iran sells fuel for N102.05 per litre and has a minimum wage of N86, 585.

All these countries are members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), where Nigeria also belongs. But in the case of Nigeria, the real least price of a litre of fuel in most parts of the country is N120 and the minimum wage is N18, 000. Indeed not all the 36 states in the country have been able to pay the N18, 000 minimum wage approved by the FG since 2011. On what basis then is the Jonathan government or its agents dreaming about yet another increase in the pump head price of petroleum products in the name of total fuel subsidy removal? How justified is it for a government to always demand sacrifices from its citizens when it is not able to fulfill the basic security delivery services and meet the welfare needs of the people?

ON THIS DAY May 15, 1991

May 15, 2010

Edith Cresson was appointed France’s first female prime minister by President François Mitterrand. Cresson (January 27, 1934) is a French politician. She was the first and, so far, only woman to have held the office of Prime Minister of France. She soon became strongly unpopular among the electorate and had to leave office after less than one year, following the Socialists’ poor showing in France’s 1992’s regional elections.

Jessica Watson became the youngest person to sail, non-stop and unassisted around the world solo. Watson (born May 18, 1993) is an Australian sailor. She resides in Buderim, Queensland. In May 2010, she unofficially became the youngest person to sail non-stop and unassisted around the world, although her route did not meet World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) criteria for circumnavigation of the globe.

May 15, 2013 From May 15 to 21, 2013, a series of deadly bombings and shootings struck the central and northern parts of Iraq, with a few incidents occurring in towns in the south and far west as well. The attacks killed at least 449 people and left 732 others injured in one of the deadliest outbreaks of violence in years. A total of nine car bombs struck the capital Baghdad, killing 23 people and injuring 108 others, for example.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Education Today

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI (ABUAD) “The setting of this University is ‘Superlative’ and ‘Impressive’, with nothing of its kind that I have seen so far in the country or anywhere else” (Gen. Dr. Yakubu Gowon, GCFR,)

ASUP, COEASU strike:

Lecturers reject ‘no work, no pay’ policy As action grounds economic activities in Bauchi TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE, WALE IBRAHIM AND EZEKIEL TITUS, BAUCHI

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he Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) have again slammed the Coordinating Minister of Education, Nyelsom Wike over what they called his insensitivity to their plights and the poor standard of education in the country.

They said the minister’s action so far on their ongoing strike showed that all he wanted to do was to blackmail them before Nigerians in order to score cheap political goal.

It is recalled that the polytechnic lecturers commenced strike since last October while their counterparts at the colleges of education started theirs two months after demanding better infrastructure facilities, bridging of dichotomy between university degrees and Higher National Diplomas, better welfare package, among others. And that since then, the two groups have been trading blames with the government.

On the minister’s threat of ‘no work no pay’ policy, the two unions insisted that they were not bothered as their strikes continue.

The ASUP President, Mr. Chibuzor Asomugha and his COEASU’s counterpart, Dr. Ahmed Lawal maintained that the strike was not all about money as the government was making it to look.

Worried by this development, the Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education (SSUOEN), Okene chapter described the ‘No work, no pay’ policy as empty threat.

SSUOEN is under COEASU. The branch chairman of the union, Mr. Ajoge Abu made this observation during peaceful protest of members in Okene last week, saying it is a disappointment that the minister could give such order.

He explained that the minister issued what he called a provocative circular rather than finding a lasting solution to the contentious issues on ground.

Federal Polytechnic, Nekede

He pointed out that the union viewed this act from the minister as a sheer ignorance of labour law but would not allow that to distract them from the struggle.

In a related development, the strike by the polytechnic lecturers has grounded the economic and social activities on campuses and their immediate neighbourhoods.

One of such is that of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi. National Mirror’s correspondent who visited the institution on Tuesday observed that the environment had overgrown with grasses with the possibility of harbouring dangerous animals. The lecture halls have also begun to wear cracks due to lack of activities while major roads were unkempt.

The strike had already paralysed the economic activities of the communities around the polytechnic area as many people in the communities in petty trading within and around the campuses.

It was also discovered that the situation

OAU students say no to hike in fees

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by Tosan-

had seriously affected most house-owners and property developers in the areas, especially in communities such as Gwalameji, Rafin Zurfi and Yelwa where many of the students of the school reside.

Alhaji Faruk Dahiru, a house owner said one room apartment goes for between N50, 000 to N100, 000 yearly.

He said business was at its peak when students return for new sessions adding that with the recent strike, life has not been easy for some of his tenants’ rent had expired in February and he cannot rent the apartments out as the tenant’s properties are still in the rooms.

“Some of our children who are coming from poor homes and want to be educated, are engaged by the University and polytechnic students to render them services ranging from car wash, laundry, housekeeping and so on and all these are no more for now.

“It is from such menial works that some of them sponsor their education. If the strike

Why polytechnicuniversity dichotomy will continue 23

continues, it can affect the future of our children who now sit at home or gather at joints to discuss issues that may not add value to their lives because they are idle.”

The most affected are the food vendors whose customers are mostly students.

A middle-aged woman, who simply identified herself as Madam Veronica and runs a restaurant outside the polytechnic, said she and her family chose to live in Rafin Zurfi because of the business she runs outside the polytechnic.

She said before the strike, she makes N10,000 to N20,000 in a day from the sale of different delicacies, adding that since the industrial action began, she hardly makes up to N3,000 a day.

“With this amount, I can no longer pay my shop’s rent which is to expire in three months time and I am forced to start considering relocation.”

The story is similar from one trader to another.

‘Be security conscious’ 22

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

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Alma mater

I owe Ansarudeen High School everything I am today –Rector Dr. Abdul-Azeez Lawal, Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) attended Ansarudeen High School, Isiwo, Ogun State between 1973 and 1978. He proceeded from there to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for his degree in Business Administration. He joined the service of LASPOTECH in 1985 as a lecturer and rose through the ranks to become the rector of the institution.

Lawal relives his secondary school days experience with SAIDAT ALAUSA.

A

nsarudeen High School, Isiwo, Ogun State was established in 1972 by the Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria to register its presence in the community.

The experience of Dr. Abdul-Azeez Lawal who is now the Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic, back in the school 36 years after graduation still remains fresh in his mind.

Lawal, who is also a member of Academy of Management Nigeria and the Nigerian Institute of Management told National Mirror that he was proud to be an alumnus of the school, which he described as one of the best in Ogun State and its environs in the 70s.

But despite that, he said, he could score the school an average mark in academic performance just because of the inadequacy of teachers to teach some core subjects like sciences and mathematics.

According to him, we had many Ghanaians and Indians as teachers teaching Arts and Commercial subjects but unfortunately, we could not get science teachers and that dictated our choice of course and professions later in life.

Lawal had wanted to become a medical doctor but opted to do something else because of his orientation towards art subjects in school.

Some of his school mates were Prof.

Badru, a professor of Sociology at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka who was a year ahead of him. There was also Dr. Ogunsanwo of the Faculty of Law at the same, university as well as the popular fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde who was in Form One when he was in three. Saidi Hassan, a former member of the Lagos State

lessons but the teachers taught students until they understood what they were been taught. They were ready to come back and LONGER IN THE taught the students all over again but today teachers are not that committed like then.

RIGHT SHAPE HE Many of them don’t care whether their INFRASTRUCTURES HAVE students understand what they are been taught or not.

DEPRECIATED “Students also respected seniors, teachers as well as elders in the society. For inmy own, no family members and I had no stance, there was this slogan that says “Sechoice but to concentrate on my studies beniority is not for life.” This slogan came to cause there was no time for play. That was reality after we left school and some juniors the beginning of my improvement in my are now doing better than their seniors studies. then.

That is why I do use the case of Wasiu And the first time I sat for examination Ayinde as an example.

He was just an ordiin the school, I got the eighth position out nary student then and the senior would beat of 40 students. I felt if I could get that low and compel him to sing for them because he position, it meant I could do better by comhas the skill for singing from the period. ing first and for God so good, I either came “I can tell you today that many of those first or second in class thereafter.” who used to bully him then cannot go near As a student, Lawal served as an Imam him because of his current status in the sofor the school right from Form Two till he ciety .” left the school. He was also the Head of On when last he visited the school, Lawal Dramatic Society group, a position he ensaid he was at the school this year in the joyed because they used to go from one vilcompany of other alumni but he did not lage to another for show. like the state he met the school.

“That was one the striking activities “Frankly speaking, the school is no lonthose of us in the drama group would not ger in the right shape.

The infrastructures forget in our life time,” he stressed. have depreciated.

The environment looks Lawal’s best subject was Arabic and Isunkempt.

We were just not happy the way lamic Studies alongside Biology. All in his the school is currently that we shed tears mind was that he only needed biology to when we got there.” become a doctor but he later realised he The rector however, used this medium to would also need Physics and Chemistry. call on other alumni to come together and For him, the quality of education rerescue their alma mater from degeneration. ceived then was far better that what is He is still in contact with many of his obtainable at the same level today in the mates. country.

They even meet according to him monthHe recalled: “Teachers then were very ly to see what they could do as a group to committed in the way they handle stucome to the rescue of the school. dents. There was nothing like extra-mural

THE SCHOOL IS NO

.T

Lawal

House of Assembly is another of his mates.

Lawal is still in contact with a few of them and as a boarding school student, he said his daily routine includes waking in the morning for Salat and thereafter, he would have his bath and then go for breakfast and the assembly, then lesson hours, prep time, siesta time, game hours, among other activities.

Lawal most memorable moment was when he got the eighth position in Form One because according to him, he couldn’t believe it easily that his position could be as low as that.

He was enrolled in the school because his common entrance result popularly called G2 could not secure him an admission to a better school.

“So when I got to the school, I was on

Katsina awards 750 female students N38m scholarship JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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o fewer than 756 female students in Katsina State have been given scholarship award to the tune of N38 million by the state government.

The state’s Special Adviser on Girl-Child Education, Bilkisu Kaikai said the beneficiaries would enjoy the gesture under the state’s Teachers’ Training Students Scholarship scheme for this year.

He said the beneficiaries were studying various courses at Isa Kaita College of Education, Dutsinma leading to the award of National Certificate in Education, NCE. He noted that each student was entitled to N50,

000, calling on them to make good use of the money.

Kaikai said government would sustain the programme in view of its importance toward encouraging females to pursue education with an appeal to wealthy individuals to complement government effort

in the educational sector.

Earlier UNICEF’s officer, Isa Kabir Magaji said UNICEF had also assisted 250 students as part of its 20 per cent contribution to the programme.

Magaji, while commending the state government for the assistance to female

students of the college, assured that UNICEF would continue to monitor their performance.

The Director of Girl Education in the state, Sanusi Salisu said benefiting students would be employed to teach in rural schools on completion of their studies.

Registrar, University of Ibadan, Mr. Olujinmi Olukoya (left) presenting award to Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji as a guest speaker during a programme organised by the students of the institution in Ibadan, recently

Airtel trains Niger Delta youths on mobile phone repairs TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria has commenced the training of youths in the Niger Delta region on the repairs of mobile phones.

The training which will last two weeks and lead to the award of certificate is organised under the Basic Mobile Phone Repair Module (BMPRM) with the aim of making the beneficiaries self-reliant. It is a free training programme under the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Starting with 40 youths in Port Harcourt, the scheme is expected to get to Bayelsa, Edo and Delta States with about 100 youths participating.

Speaking on the initiative, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya said the initiative was to encourage youths to establish personal businesses that will make them earn a living and contribute to the nation’s economy.

He said, “As more mobile devices are coming into the Nigerian market, there is growing demand for technicians who can repair them hence the need to train people to engage in those activities that can guarantee them stable income.”

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Education Today

Thursday, May 15, 2014

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10 African authors shortlist for 2014 Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature KUNLE A ZEEZ

T L-R: Vice-Chancellor, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju; Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Akin Mabogunje; Director, Country Organisation and Human Resources Lafarge Nigeria, Mrs. Fidelia Osime and the Acting Registrar, Caleb University, Mrs. Folake Okor at the launch of the State of World Cities Report at the institution, last week.

TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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he students of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State have been told not to equate the newly constituted Students Consultative Forum with unionism.

They were told by the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Valentine Aletor at the inauguration of the forum recently.

The members of the forum include Messrs Peter Ogundipe and Orezime Adhuze as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the forum respectively. Others are Chinwe Precious(100 Level, Economics) as Secretary, James Isreal (200 Level, English) as Director of Sports, Silas Gift(200L Business Administration) as Welfare Officer 1, Damilare Owoeye(100 Level) as Accounting, Communication Officer 1, Esther Ezenwoye (200 Level, Microbiology) as Public Relations Officer , Peter Johnson(100 Level, Applied Geophysics) as Director of Socials, Iyimide Shola-Shittu(100 Level, Automotive Engineering) as Communication Officer 11 and Badmus Bolaji (100 Level, Electrical Electronics Engineering) as Welfare Officer 11.

Inaugurating the forum, the vice-chan-

Don’t equate consultative forum with unionism, Elizade varsity tells students cellor noted that the need for a continued harmonious relationship between the management and the students occasioned the constitution of the forum.

Lauding the excellent behaviour of the students since the opening of the university, he urged them to continue in the path of moral and academic excellence, which the institution is known for.

The VC warned the students not to mistake the forum for students’ union.

He said management employed appointment process to select members of the executive committee of the forum as against election that produces students’ union leaders. He added that criteria like good academic standing, moral uprightness and leadership quality, among other virtues were used to appoint members of the committee.

While calling on the students to maximise their interaction with the appointed officers, he implored them to channel their opinions, observations and dissatisfactions

to the management through their officers.

Prof. Aletor also advised the officers to be good models to their colleagues, saying that was the only way they could gain their respect.

Also speaking, the Acting Dean of students, Dr. Ezekiel Adeleye admonished the officers to relate closely with their colleagues so as to know their feelings.

He said their appointment should not detach them from their colleagues, asserting that good leaders are those that live in the midst of their people to know their needs.

He particularly advised the Welfare Director to prepare himself for the enormous challenges. He informed him that more than 90 per cent of students’ complaints would border on welfare.

In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the forum, Mr. Peter Ogundipe appreciated the management of the university for its consideration of the students’ need for representation.

120 exhibitors for education fair in Lagos SAIDAT ALAUSA

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ver 120 exhibitors are expected at this year’s Total School Support Seminar and Exhibition (TOSSE) organised by Edumark Consult.

At TOSSE, school owners, administrators, principals, teachers, bursars, purchasing managers in tertiary institutions, human resources managers, training outfits and top government officials meet with organisations that sell products/ services that are needed in the education sector.

A statement by the Project Coordinator, Ms. Cordelia Ischei said the objective of the programme was to effectively promote and support the development of educational institutions in the country.

She said the fair would be inclusive of over 25 well-thought out seminar topics to be delivered by seasoned facilitators, with the theme “Positioning in-

stitutions for global relevance.”

She noted that the testimonies from last year’s edition had encouraged the consultancy outfit to carry on with the programme.

The event which is billed for the 12thand 13th of June, 2014 at Ten Degrees Event Centre, Oregun, Lagos will have the former Commissioner for Education in Lagos State, Dr. Leke Pitan deliver the keynote address.

Wife of the former Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, UNILAG, Dr. Funmilayo Sofoluwe and the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Rahamon Bello during the second annual memorial lecture in honour of Prof.

Adetokunbo Sofoluwe held at the university on Monday.

en African authors have been shortlisted for the 2014 edition of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa, a statement from Globacom has said.

The statement noted that this year’s award is the fifth edition and it coincides with the 80th birthday of the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka in whose honour the award is instituted. It is being sponsored by Globacom with a winner going home with $20,000 (over N3 million).

Those shortlisted include Othuke Ominiaboha, Akin Bello, Soji Cole, Comfort Adesuwa Ero and Toyin Abiodun.

Others are Isaac Attah Ogezi, Moshood Oba, Mayowa Saja, Wumi Raji and Akin Adejumo.

The list was made from a total of 163 entries submitted from 17 African countries in the genre of drama, which is the focus of this year’s edition.

The winner is expected to emerge and presented with his prize in Lagos on July 5.

The Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa is a biennial award for the best literary work produced by an African. It was established by the Lumina Foundation in 2005 and has since been serving as an African equivalent of the Nobel Prize, particularly in recognising and encouraging professional and personal excellence.

Entries were invited from authors of any published play or collection of plays by the same author of African descent, published within the last two years.

The aims of the award include propagating the dynamics of self enhancement, celebrating excellence, patriotism, integrity, heroism, intellectualism and selfless service epitomised by Wole Soyinka and generating excellent books (both in content and packaging) authored by Africans.

They also include fostering global harmony through the provision of opportunities for appreciation of cross cultural perspectives and promoting the authors and their works.

Soyinka

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Why FG site Marine varsity in Gbaramatu -Jonathan THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

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Members of Law Students’ Society, University of Lagos, Akoka protesting the abduction of school girls in Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram in Lagos on Tuesday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

FG tasked on university funding SAIDAT ALAUSA

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ederal Government has been called upon to consider a re-evaluation of the funding pattern of universities in the country.

The call was made by the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, Prof. Rahamon Bello while delivering the keynote address at the second annual memorial lecture in honour of the former VC of the institution, Prof. Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe organised by the university’s alumni association, Lagos branch on Tuesday.

The theme of the lecture was “Funding of university education in Nigeria: Trends, challenges and new directions.”

According to him, this is necessary because the current practice does not promote

efficiency, pro-activeness, scholarship and best practices.

He said payment of tuitions for each student to universities directly by the Federal Government rather than by subvention would change the game and make the universities start living up to their bill, with attendant less disruption to academic calendars.

He stated that this requires only 25 to 30 per cent extra subventions over the current allocations.

He argued that the released for overheads and capital requirements were grossly inadequate and did not meet the reality of the needs.

Bello said if the fund was released per student, universities financial and administrative autonomy would be assured and each institution could be guided to chart a course and manage its resources to service its core business similar to how the private universi-

ties operate.

“The psychology and behaviour of students towards their academic pursuit will change and the learning will also be more users friendly,” he said.

The vice-chancellor equally said the stability in the academic calendar might ensue with less disruption based on salaries and emoluments as each institution could create its own benefit scheme.

The chairman of the occasion, the National President, Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Prof. Ayodele Ogunye in his remark, urged every alumnus of the university and friend of the late VC to join in the crusade to launch Sofoluwe foundation in May 2015.

Meanwhile, the university had on Sunday unveiled the Adetokunbo Sofoluwe Park in honour of the late VC who died in May 2012.

Group awards 20 Anambra students scholarship FRANCIS EKPONE ONITSHA

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n an attempt to inspire patriotism and activate the potentials of secondary school students in Anambra State, an academic oriented group, identified as Who is Who Centre and Museum

(WIWCAM) has announced the award of scholarship to 20 students who scaled through the maiden annual essay competition organised for all the public schools in the state.

The award will cover tuition and other related fees for one year for the top three winners while the next top 17 partici-

pants will receive consolation prizes.

While announcing the winners at Nnamdi Azikiwe Secondary School, Abagana, NASSA, the Executive Director of WIWCAM, Henryking Onyedikachukwu Adibe disclosed that 151 schools participated in the maiden competi-

tion, adding that some schools were disqualified due to plagiarism, which, he said, the group warned against.

He further hinted that the aim of the competition which began last year was to collate ideas and inspire the imagination of the young minds in Anambra State.

he once restive Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State last week bubbled for the good reasons as both the Federal and Delta State Governments brought education closed to the people of the area.

While President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday officially inaugurated the Nigeria Maritime University at Kerenkoko, first of its kind in Africa, the Delta government on its part, is to establish Institute of Continuing Education, ICE, in Oporoza community both in the same kingdom.

Jonathan had at the launching said he was very glad visiting the area again with the return of peace after armed youths in the kingdom carried arms against the government. He attributed the establishment of the university to the return of peace to the region.

According to him, everybody wants development but the fact remains that there can’t be any development without peace. The last time I visited here (Gbaramatu) to see the people after the troubles before Amnesty, nobody was smiled. I could not smile and this same people I have come to see now could smile.

“Today, we have come to open a Marine University and everyone is smiling and happy. Without peace, the atmosphere would not have supported this.

Nobody would have thought of this. So, I thank the Gbaramatu people, those of a Niger Delta for embracing peace to create the enabling environment and the supervising Ministry of Transport and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, for leading the justification for the projects.”

The Marine University it is expected to take off immediately at the temporary site located at Kurutie while simultaneous construction of the permanent site and that of the Ship yard/Dockyard go on at Okerenkoko.

Speaking at the occasion, Director General of NIMASA, Ziakede Akpobolokemi observed that the institution would be jointly run by NIMASA and the National Universities Commission, NUC, to produce qualified manpower to man the nation’s maritime industry.

Be security conscious, rector tells new students WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

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Some of the elders in Chibok, Borno State sympathising the abduction of the school girls by Boko Haram, recently

he Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Professor Mathew Ajbero has tasked the new students of the institution to be security conscious, saying they should always report any threat to their lives and property to the security operatives on campus.

He gave the advice while speaking at the matriculation ceremony held in hon-

our of the new students in Lokoja, recently. About 3,000 students who were newly admitted into the institution for 2013/2014 academic year were in attendance.

The rector explained that the management would leave no stone unturned in the provision of adequate security on campus, noting that the security personnel and committee are doing excellent job and have good relationship with the government agencies in the

state in that regard.

He however, told them that the security begins with them.

He also warned them that the management would not tolerate unruly behaviour and lawlessness from any student no matter how highly placed their parents are.

“You must not also engage in exam malpractice and cultism but to face your studies and come out of this polytechnic with good grades,” he further advised.

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

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Why polytechnic-university dichotomy will continue I A Education cademic activity in the nation’s public polytechnics has been on hold since October 4, 2013 as a result of the nationwide strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of (Nigerian) Polytechnics (ASUP). A major sticky point between the striking union and the federal government is the dichotomy between university and polytechnic graduates in job placements and career progression. In an attempt to address this issue, the supervising minister of education, Chief Nyesom Wike on behalf of the Federal Government on Tuesday (May 6 2014) inaugurated a Committee to review the Contents and Curriculum of the Higher National Diploma (HND) programme with a view of bridging the divide. It is hoped that the committee would be able to device and introduce a “bridging course or programme” to permit the HND holders to progress to the highest Grade Level in the public service.

This he hoped would streamline an earlier position of the National Council on Education taken at the 34th Meeting in Uyo in 2009 which categorically stated that HND is not equivalent to first degree and require HND holders to adhere to the existing bridging process in the course of their career to enable them progress.

It is however not quite clear how a bridging course at the HND level would erase the many problems that are plaguing the

N THE CURRENT UNIFIED TERTIARY MATRICULATION EXAMINATION

as I see it

CONDUCTED BY THE JOINT ADMISSIONS AND MATRICULATION BOARD (JAMB)

by Tosanwumi Otokunefor

info@alphaedufoundation.org 08030904461 (email/SMS only) polytechnic education system in Nigeria. First there is a great difference in the level of patronage of the universities and polytechnics. In the current unified tertiary matriculation examination conducted by the joint admissions and matriculation board (JAMB) for admission of candidates into the tertiary institutions in Nigeria, only 1.35% of the over one million candidates picked the polytechnic as first choice institution. Secondly, many of these candidates perform poorly in the exercise and only a few attain the cut-off point to proceed for the post-UTME stage.

Who are those then that are subsequently admitted into the Nigerians polytechnics? First is the small crop of candidates who selected the polytechnic as the most preferred institution ab initio and managed to obtain the cut-off marks at both the UTME and post-UTME screening exercises. The second group includes those who failed to meet the UTME or post-UTME cut-off marks for their preferred institution which is usually a univer-

FOR ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES INTO

sity, but scaled the screening exercise of the polytechnic as a last resort. A third group consists of candidates who could not pass any of the screening exercises and ultimately settles for a preND programme which prepares him for admission into the national diploma programme of the polytechnic. Within each of these categories are candidates that lack the relevant credits for admission into the programme of interest, but are registered anyway, as long as they obtain the missing credits before graduation.

Because of the lack of interest of Nigerian youths in the vocational programmes offered by the Nigerian polytechnics, JAMB has actually reduced the UTME cut-off mark for admission into these institutions in order to attract more candidates. While the cut-off marks for the universities usually range from 180 to 200, those for the polytechnics may be as low as 150. Many of these candidates have neither the interest nor the aptitude for the programmes into which they are enrolled at the polytechnic and

THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA, ONLY 1.35% OF THE OVER ONE MILLION CANDIDATES PICKED THE POLYTECHNIC AS FIRST CHOICE INSTITUTION.

would quit as soon as they attain the cut-off marks required for admission into any university subsequently. Except for a few, most candidates who finally graduate from the polytechnics have no alternatives!

Most disheartening is the observation that virtually everyone that gains entrance into the National Diploma programme could acquire the Higher National Diploma. This was the only conclusion one could draw from a statement on the web site of a first generation polytechnic in Nigeria which indicates that candidates with Pass grade in the National Diploma (instead of the minimum of lower credit usually demanded) could progress to the Higher National Diploma if they have at least two years Post National Diploma Industrial Experience which are largely unsupervised.

This is a sad epigraph on Nigeria in her journey towards industrialization; a journey which would rely heavily on the quality and enthusiasm of the products of the polytechnics. One year conversion programmes already exist in the universities for qualified HND certificate holders who are interested in acquiring a master’s degree in their areas of specialization. I wonder what would be new in the programme Wike’s committee would come up with.

All the same, the government should begin to equip specialized senior secondary schools to teach vocational courses which could kindle the interest of our brilliant young minds in technology based courses. And of course the youths would need no coercion to enroll in the polytechnics if the jobs are readily available on graduation!

This is our passport to industrialization.

Winners of 2014 Lagos BRF quiz emerge TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

A

gidingbi Senior Secondary School, Ikeja has emerged winner of this year’s edition of the Brighter Rewarding Future (BRF) quiz competition in the senior secondary school category.

BRF is an annual contest organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Education among students in the government-approved primary, junior and senior secondary schools in the state.

This year’s edition, which ended last Thursday, was the fifth in the series.

The winning school represented by the duo of Masters Issa James and Ayomide Rilwan scored a total of 24 points to beat Master Joseph Yeko and Miss Adeola Jagbojagbo from Epe Senior Grammar School, Epe who scored 16 points

Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye flanked by the winning team from Agidingbi Senior Secondary School, Ikeja, James Issa (left) and Ayorinde Ridwan at the grand finale of the competition.

and Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, who came third.

In the Junior Secondary School category, Government Junior College, Ketu, Epe represented by Masters Abioye Toluwalonimi and

Oludebere Joseph scored 20 points to clinched the first position and beating Eva Adelaja Junior Girls Secondary school represented

by Miss Adaron Emilia and Mabamije Fopefoluwa to the second position while

the third position went to Atunrashe Junior High School, Mushin represented by Miss Zainab Mustapha and Asia Abdulkareem.

In the Primary School category, Ifeoluwa Primary

School, Agege represented

by Master Lateef Adebajo and Miss Aisha Mohammed emerged the winner while Adeleye Primary School, Mushin represented by Miss Beauty Oluwafemi and Master Afolabi Olaniyi came second and the third position went to Community Primary School, Ibeju-Lekki represented by Master Segun Akanu and Miss Blessing Yemima.

The Best Individual Mathematics category award was won by Master Joseph Yeko of Epe Senior Grammar School while the second and third positions went to Master Issa James of Agidingbi Senior Grammar School and Master Kayode Jasanya of Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu respectively.

In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye commended all the

contestants for their demonstration of brilliance, adding that it shows that they are following the competition and paying attention.

She also congratulated the winners, noting that it was not the end of the story for them as they still face other competitions just as she opined that the BRF Quiz competition was an opportunity for self actualisation which they must avail themselves of.

She commended the boldness and confidence shown by the students even more so by the primary school pupils, noting that the major objective of the competition has indeed been achieved.

The commissioner thanked the teachers for a job well done in tutoring their students and pupils, advising that they should start preparation for next edition in earnest.

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Edited by: Saidat Alausa shinyan20022002@yahoo.com, 08027633686

Alumnus rewards winners of UI inter-hall football competition HAMMED HAMZAT 400L, EDUC. MGT, UI

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he former President, Students’ Union of the University of Ibadan and current member of Oyo State House of Assembly representing Ibadan-North Constituency I, Hon. Olusegun Olaleye has rewarded the university students’ union league winnerMode Football Club of Tedder Hall of residence with cash prize.

The cash prize and a trophy were received by the captain of the club, Mr. Ibraheem Badmus with the first and second runners-up also rewarded with cash prizes.

They were also rewarded at the closing ceremony of the league held on campus last week.

The executive members of the Students’ Union led by General Secretary, Akinbuluma Ayokanmi and representatives of the six participating teams from halls of residence were in attendance.

The league was coordinated

by Sports Secretary of the Students’ Union, Opeyemi Akindele (S’fela) and chaired by former Sports Secretary of the union, Emmanuel Otto.

The Sports Secretary, Opeyemi Akindele announced David Adelore of Ochollo FC, Nnmadi Azikiwe hall as Highest Goal Scorer for netting 12 goals in the tournament, best team of the league goes to Premier FC of Mellanby Hall.

OAU students say no to hike in fees It has come to stay -Authorities

SIKIRU AKINOLA

400L, POL. SC., OAU

T

he students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife have opposed in strong term, the upward review of the school fees charged the new students of the institution .

They students said they would not allow the school authorities to implement the new fees, which they described as exorbitant and unaffordable to many of them.

They are reacting to the circular pasted round the campus by the school authority announcing the new fee to be payable only by the newly admitted students when they resume on June 1st.

With the proposed new fees according to the circular, fresh students in the faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences would now be paying N72, 400 as against the current N17, 150.

Also, those who are admitted into the faculty of Sciences would be paying N78, 400 yearly as against the N22, 150.

The proposed charges for their counterparts in the faculties of Clinical Sciences and Pharmacy are N81, 400, which is four times higher than the old regime of N22, 150.

The yearly new fee is in addition to the N20, 000 acceptance

Weekend of fun at UNILORIN female hostel HAMEED MURITALA AND WALE BAKARE

400L, MASS COMM., UNILORIN

I

t was all fun last Saturday at the female Lagos Hostel of the University of Ilorin where this year’s edition of the Inter-Compound competitions was staged.

The event, held at the quadrangle of the hostel was declared open by the Sub-Dean of the Students’ Affairs unit of the school, Dr. Abdulraheem Yusuf, who advised the students to be moderate in their celebration.

According to the representative of the hostel, Ogunbanwo Abimbola, the inter-compound competition was put together to promote the spirit of love and unity among students who reside in the hostel.

The 300-level sociology student

said, “UNILORIN has made us seeing ourselves as one big family, we are therefore using this medium to strengthen love and unity among residents of the hostel.”

The event featured competitions such as dancing, eating, beauty pageant and cooking. The contestants of the eating competition were each served a plateful of hot-peppered noodle.

Damilola Bello emerged the winner of the eating competition, while Sidiq Omolola came first in the dancing competition. Jimoh Khadijat won the cooking competition, which saw her went away with a microwave.

Abass Oluwafeyisetan and Imam Rahmat were first and second runners-up respectively in the cooking competition. They were presented with a standing fan and blender respectively.

OAU main entrance

fees, which was increased three years ago.

The students condemned the development, saying it was unacceptable to them.

For that, they quickly convened emergency meeting with all students’ associations on campus in attendance at the end of which they jointly issued a press release.

In the release, signed by the President-elect of the students union, Ibikunle Isaac and his SecretaryGeneral, Shittu Olatayo, the students said the proposed increment in the tuitions would not see the light of the day.

But the school authority in swift

reaction said the institution had every reason to jerk up the fees.

The institution’s Public Relations Officer said in a release, that “Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, is presently the only federal university charging the lowest fees for categories of its students.

He noted that the new fee regime was long overdue.

According to him, the overhead cost allocation and subvention received from the Federal Government has dwindled by over 50 per cent compared to what the university received five years ago.

“And despite the decrease in the allocation,” he stressed “inflation

has eaten deep into the remaining amount, making the current charges unsustainable.”

While noting that the university’s Senate had approved the fees adjustment, which he said was still the cheapest in the country, he insisted that the old regime is no longer realistic in this presentday Nigeria.

He called on parents and guardians for their understanding on the issue while adding that tuition remains free in the university.

He however, pointed out that a committee had already been constituted to take care of indigent students regarding the new fees.

Students of University of Ibadan with a trophy presented to the winning Mode Football Club of Tedder Hall at the grandfinale of the institution’s inter-hall football competition sponsored by Hon. Olusegun Olaleye representing Ibadan-North Constituency I in Oyo State House of Assembly.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

JABU to partner UK varsity on architecture SAIDAT ALAUSA

T

he Management of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, JABU, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State has played host to a team from the Nottingham Trent University, UK, to discuss the opportunity for possible international cooperation between the two institutions, in the area of architecture.

The proposed relationship is also aimed at exploring opportunities to develop a collaborative relationship which would afford the two institutions the opportunity to work together on research, placements, student and staff exchange, among others.

It will equally enhance exchange of knowledge and thus contribute to the development and prosperity of humanity.

Welcoming the team which includes, the Head of International Development, Mr. Andrew Plant and the International Officer, Miss Selma Tooney, the ViceChancellor of JABU, Professor Sola Fajana averred that forging a link with the university’s Architecture programme would serve as a key priority for JABU and the link would enhance the status of the students and staff.

He said the architecture programme of the university was fast becoming one of the best in Nigeria. He further stressed that the collaboration would be mutually beneficial at the end, which might afford the students the opportunity of dual or joint degrees that will enhance, as well as make them to be more marketable.

In his remark, Mr. Andrew Plant stated that the proposed partnership would offer an additional international dimension to the experiences of staff and students at both universities.

The Acting Dean, College of Environmental Sciences, JABU, Mr. Ade Adedokun explained that the type of architecture practiced in Nigeria today is targeted at the elite and those who can afford it but however believed that if Nottingham Trent University collaborates with JABU, such issues would be adequately addressed.

NUC accreditation team visits EKSU affiliate colleges

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he National Universities Commission (NUC) has begun routine accreditation of programmes in the affiliate colleges of the Ekiti State University (EKSU).

The team was at the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo State to assess some programmes including Arts, Education and Science Education.

EKSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oladipo Aina who received the NUC team at the college commended the efforts of the commission in ensuring standard in the education sector through its assessment and accreditation process.

He emphasised the commitment of EKSU as the mother institution to the affiliate colleges in ensuring best practices in all the degree programmes offered at the college and other affiliates.

Campus News

Thursday, May 15, 2014

25

Excitements as undergraduates celebrate Ewa Day, Aro Night When others were busy studying, residents of Obafemi Awolowo Hall took out time last Saturday to celebrate their day with the usual preparation and consumption of beans. KEMI BUSARI (400L, Pol. Sc., OAU) who also resides in the hall, writes on the experience.

Students sieving the beans before cooking

E

wa Day as it is usually called is a day to celebrate Aroism (hilarity) and consume Ewa (beans) which the hall is known for.

Preparation into this year’s Ewa Day was slow because of the absence of the Hall Executive Council (HEC) which usually coordinates the day.

That notwithstanding, the Ewa Day and Aro night was exciting moment just like any other. Although the publicity was low, the aroma of the beans that pervaded the environment in the hall attracted students to the scene of the programme.

It all started around 10.30 am with the mobilisation of the occupants of the hall to come out and pick the beans.

The student on hearing that came out in large numbers to clean it and stayed around the fire offering songs which they referred to as ‘catalyst’ to make the cooking faster. They also helped in other chores of fetching firewood and water which was used in the preparation.

At some minutes past 2 in the afternoon, the beans was ready for consumption, just like wild-

fire, the chant of ‘Ewa ti ji na ooooo’ (meaning the beans is done) echoed round the hostel as students came out with different containers to take their own share of the delicacy.

Bathing buckets, bowls, pails, cooking pots, cups ,milk tin, nylons were part of the contain-

ers been displayed fondly at the point of sharing. Interestingly, some students stayed on queue without any container. But when asked what they wanted to use in collecting their portions, one of them answered in Pidgin English; ‘brother, na for my hand I go take am oooooo’(meaning I will

collect my own on my palm).

Interestingly, a student, who stayed on queue with bread, when observed closely had sliced the bread into two to enable him collect his share.

Just as the sharing exercise is ongoing, Mayowa Shedrach, a 200 level student of the History Department who stays in Block 2 of the hall was running a commentary on the whole event and as the first, second, third and fourth pots are been consumed, the Aro songs continue.

According to the organisers, a full bag of beans was bought and served to commemorate the day.

Even though it is examination period, females were not left out in the excitement. They were spotted sitting around a corner preparing the ponche that will be consumed at the Aro Night later in the day. They were saved the stress of queuing as they were been served their beans separately.

The Aro Night featured series of hilarious displays from the Awo Choir and Awo mad legends, Ogidiolu and Woli Agba who used to entertain the hall of residence with their displays before their graduation last session.

“We spent up to N30, 000 in getting things together, we tasked each room to pay N200 but whenever we move around, they offered us as low as N10, N5.

We kept on with the motivation that the tradition must not die down,” he said.

NANS news leaders’ swearing-in ceremony turns violence EMEKA ONWUDINJO UNIZIK

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he National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) zone B has inaugurated the new executive officers that will pilot the affairs of the zone in the next one year after a successful convention held last week at Cross River College of Education, Akamkpa in Cross River State.

The new officers were sworn-in at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State in a rowdy session.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Youths and Students Matters, Hon. Aguocha Chidi and Dean, Students Affairs, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Prof. Magnus Chima-Offor advised the new officers to build on the foundation laid by their predecessors by working together as a team.

The officers include: the Deputy Coordinator from the University of Benin, Ekutu Richard;

Secretary-General from FUTO; Okafor Chuks, Public Relations Officer from Delta State University; Pedro Chibuzo-Obi, Director of Sports from Ebonyi State University; Eze Paul, Director of Action and Mobilization from ESUT and Victor Ezenagu.

Others are: Director of External Affairs from Ambrose Ali University, Enadamen Aliyu; Director of Special Duties from University of Uyo, Aniefie Inyang; Treasurer from Abia State Polytechnic, Okwuisi Rodney; Financial Secretary from the University of Calabar, Ogah Mercy Awu and Assistant Secretary-General from UNIPORT, Lah Ledogo Amabu.

However, trouble started when some students from Abia State Polytechnic insisted that the treasurer from their institution, Mr. Okwuisi Rodney would not be sworn-in as the treasurer of the union on the ground that he was not a student of the polytechnic.

The leader of the delegation, Mr. Nwamu Clinton said Rodney was expelled and declared wanted by the polytechnic management.

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

z

Fixed/stock entry: Raise/sound the alarm

D

AILY Sun headline goof of May 12 welcomes us today: “Nigeria at war, APC raises alarm” No news; APC raises/ sounds the alarm THE NATION ON SUNDAY headline blunders of May 4 take over from DAILY SUN: “Ademowo seeks prayers, counsels (counsel) for Nigeria” “Jonathan holds Presidential media today” A rewrite: Presidential media chat holds today The Guardian of April 28 takes over from the preceding medium. We start from the front page: “Why FG awarded crude lifting (crudelifting) contracts to indigenous firms, by minister” The incorrect extract implies that ‘crude is lifting contracts’!

“Lagos PDP wants Tinubu arrested over (for) utterances on planned Ekiti polls” “Police threaten to charge offenders over (with) inciting statements” “Minister commissions (inaugurates) Abia eye centre” The next two faults are from The Guardian Editorial: “Calling off the Kano rally, therefore, would have been a wonderful symbolic gesture, (irrelevant comma) that would have spoken volume (volumes) to Nigerians….” “…what the president is doing by his socalled unity rallies amounts to electioneering campaigns….” With ‘electioneering’, you do not need ‘campaigns’ as the word is embedded in ‘electioneering’.

“But one of the detectives demanded for a stool….” Delete ‘for’. “…the battle over who should represent the oil rich (oil-rich) community….”

“The initiative, which has been scripted to tow (toe) the mode of the pilot run of cash-less

SAIDAT ALAUSA

T

he President, Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), Professor Placid Njoku has tasked the newlyinducted Animal Science graduates of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State on the urgent need to fight food insecurity by engaging in massive production of livestock.

He gave this charge during the first induction ceremony and admission of four sets of Animal Science graduates of the university into the institute.

According to him, the newly inducted members should also make use of the best scientific and management practices, to guarantee adequate animal protein supply to meet the country’s domestic need and exports.

He said the current

‘RUBBISH’ CANNOT BE GOOD OR BAD— ‘RUBBISH’ IS RUBBISH (GARBAGE)! (cashless) policy, would begin in Lagos, with no fewer than 1000 of the 1401 branch (1401-branch) network of the nation’s deposit money banks.” “…and to establish strong institution (institutional) frameworks….”

“After the initial hiccups, construction has been flagged-off (sic) on the estate….”

A rewrite: …construction has started at the estate…. “…but constitute a hindrance for (to) future expansion and other developmental purposes.”

“Let us join hands together and make Lagos a place of pride for all.” Yank off ‘together’ in foreclosure of Elizabethan English!

“Sportlight (Spotlight) on outstanding furniture, marble, tiles and interior outfits” “To discourage people from continuing with unhealthy practices of disposing (disposing of) their wastewater into drains, government needs to build sufficient waste water (wastewater) treatment (wastewater-treatment) plants….” ”…which is just in few (a few) months (months’) time….”

“NIA sensitises on (to) compensation, counsels against touting” Still on THE GUARDIAN under review:

“…especially as the country grapple (grapples) with internal and external security threats.”

“Obiano condoles (condoles with or consoles) Onyeanwuna family, as Anambra mourns late star” Will the state mourn a living star? So, yank off ‘late’!

“Obituary Announcement (delete ‘announcement’): The Management and Staff of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (Management) Board regret to announce the passing (passing away) of its (their) staff….” An aside: is there any ‘timely death’?

DAILY SUN of April 28 follows with the next set of solecisms: “…Obi said that participating in such solemn celebration (a solemn celebration or solemn celebrations reminds (reminded) the faithful about christians (sic)….”

“Benue first lady assures on peace” Who did the First Lady assure?

“I am going into this contest knowing fully (full) well that I am the only candidate….”

The PUNCH of April 28 misled readers: “Boko Haram, an affront on (to) Nigerians” “Card fraud: CBN issues deadline for (to) banks, others” “Dangote Cement, LSBA collaborate on building collapse prevention” Get it right: building-collapse prevention “It cannot repeat itself again.” (Nollywood) Delete ‘again’.

There is nothing like ‘good riddance to bad rubbish’! I grew up to meet this awkward expression which is still being used by a majority of writers/speakers. ‘Rub-

bish’ cannot be good or bad—‘rubbish’ is rubbish (garbage)! And ‘good riddance’ is somebody/something you are happy to miss: Good riddance to insurgency/terrorism. Good riddance to my lover/housewife! (Thanks to Femi, 08136788881, for provoking this profound thought).

Sunday PUNCH of April 27 lost its journalistic essence: “He discusses why he decided to float an online media (medium).”

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER, of April 27 abused the English language: “… even as the Lagos State Police Command keep (keeps) mum over the matter.” “…the sixth country in (on) the continent.”

“VNL said attempts to play up religious or zonal sentiments in the state’s politics will (would) be counter-productive (counterproductive).”

“The South East’s vote of confidence on (in) Jonathan” The Guardian Front Page of April 27 politicized grammar: “The President had commended Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, former Head of State and APC leader, as well as Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu over (for/on) their comments condemning the insurgency.”

“Confirming this, the presidency, yesterday, said that the Nigerian elite, irrespective of their political leanings, is (were)….”

“Dr. Doyin Okupe, the SSA to the President on Public Affairs, in a telephone conversation, said ‘the responses of major stakeholders is (were) quite encouraging’….”

The next two kindergarten lapses are from The Guardian Editorial: “The crux of the matter is that both parties—the ruled and the rulers, (another dash not comma)….”

FUNAAB graduates charged on food security average annual protein consumption of an adult Nigerian was less than onethird of the Food and Agricultural Organisation’s recommendation because majority of the country’s animal protein was always imported.

While advocating for the re-strategising of the activities of animal scientists to meet the animal protein needs of the country, the NIAS President, who was represented at the occasion by the President, Animal Science Association (ASAN), Mrs. Mope Omotosho, called for an increase in local production of livestock.

According to him, this will lead to proper regulation of the processing and handling of livestock products, to enhance their quality to meet international

standards by placing the country at a vantage position, to tap into its export potentials.

He explained that the new inductees were expected to contribute their quota

in realising the mandates of NIAS in terms of regulating all issues that are associated to animal husbandry stressing that rearing of livestock products should not be left in the

hands of the nomads alone.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, reiterated the commitment of the university to the promotion of professionalism and excellence, stressing

that, “the principle of professionalism resides at the very foundation of our society and most certainly, at the foundation of a worldclass university such as ours.”

Women scientists train school girls on career devt

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Honoree of National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) USA, Miss. Adebola Duro-Aina; (left) and Founder, Doregos Private Academy, Ipaja Lagos, Mrs. Clementina Doregos displaying certificate of membership of (NSHSS) won by Adebola recently in Lagos

he organisation of Women in Science for the Developing World, Ekiti State University, EKSU chapter in collaboration with African Women in Agricultural Research and Development has organised an outreach programme for secondary schools in AdoEkiti to nurture them early in life for careers in science and technology.

The programme was held at the Oodua auditorium with the theme: “Role

modeling for female students in science and technology.”

The president of the organisation, Prof. Esther Aderibigbe said the idea was to create awareness for the young girls the vast opportunities in careers in science and technology.

She said African continent and the world at large would be in need of their contributions in the areas of scientific research and technological discoveries in the nearest future.

Business Thursday, May 15, 2014

NASENI laments influx of inferior solar panels

Spectrum: Stakeholders seek regional allocation

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Marketing research has huge potential in Nigeria –Millward Brown MD

$15bn Coastal Rail project ‘ll boost Nigeria’s GDP –FG FRANCIS EZEM

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he Federal Government of Nigeria and the Republic of China have commenced talks on the construction of the coastal rail system across the country, which is expected to gulp $15bn, (N2.6trn).

When completed, the coastal rail system, which is expected to connect Lagos, South West, South East and South-South up to the northern parts of the country, will further boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who made disclosure, spoke at the ground breaking ceremony for the shipyard and official commissioning of the Nigerian Maritime University established by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, located at Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South Local Government of Delta State, at he weekend.

According to him, the establishment of such coastal rail systems, which will be integrated into the other modes of transport had become necessary in order to improve communication in the country and therefore contribute significantly in further improving Nigeria’s GDP, which was re-

based recently..

The President, who was reacting to the request by the President of the Ijaw Youth Congress, Comrade Evans Eradiara for the establishment of coastal roads linking Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and other coastal states said that the building of the coastal rail system, which will gulp between $12-$15bn dominated discussions with the Prime Minister of China, who just left the country at

the end of the Economic Forum.

“We are not talking about coastal roads alone but also coastal rail system because roads alone cannot solve our problems.

For you to provide a mass transit system for the movement of people and heavy equipment, you must have an efficient rail system”, he said.

The President also said: “Without development, we cannot get anywhere. Until we have effec-

tive rail system, we cannot talk of effective mass transport system and if we achieve this, it will improve communication in the country and also improve the nation’s GDP”.

The President had told the Ijaw community that though there is relative peace in the region, there are still many criminal elements and therefore warned that the government will not condone any form of criminality any longer.

ABUJA

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ontrary to the apprehension in some quarters that the recent spate of assets divestments by international oil companies, IOCs, operating in Nigeria could create crisis in the oil and gas industry, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, noted that the trend actually provides opportunity for indigenous oil and gas companies to become active players in the upstream subsector of the industry.

The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Ohi Alegbe, in a

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FLIGHT

SCHEDULE Arik Air Lag-Abj:07.15, 09.15, 10.20, 13.05, 15.20, 16.20, 16.50,18.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun).

Abj-Lag: 07:15, 09.40, 10.20, 12.15, 15.15, 16.15, 17:10, (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun); 12.15, 15.15, 16.15 (Sun) Lag-PH: 07:15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.10, 17.15 (Mon-Fri); 07.30, 11.40, 15.50 (Sat) 11.50, 3.50, 17.05 Sun) Abj-PH: 07.15, 11.20, 15.30 (Mon-Fri) 07.15, 16.00 (Sat) 13.10, 16.00 Sun) PH-Abj: 08.45, 12.50, 17.00 (MonFri) 08.45, 17.30 (Sat) 14.40, 17.30 (Sun) Abv-Beni:08.00, 12.10 (MonFri/Sat)08.56, 12.10 (Sun) BeninAbj:09.55,13.30

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

Med-View Airline

L-R: Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, Executive Director, International Trade Centre, Mrs. Arancha Gonzalez and Director-General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Dr Joseph Odumodu at the ITC and stakeholders on non-oil exports breakfast meeting at the World Economic Summit in Abuja yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

IOC assets divestment good for local players –Alison-Madueke CHIDI UGWU

27

statement said the minister gave the assurance at an investment luncheon organized by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN, during the recent Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, The Minister explained that with the divestments indigenous oil and gas companies now have opportunity to acquire the assets being divested as springboard for the development of local capacity.

According to the statement, while speaking on “Assets Divestments in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry: Opportunities and Challenges”, the Minister who was represented by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corpo-

ration, NNPC, Engr.

Andrew Yakubu, stated that the divestments by the IOCs were creating opportunities for indigenous oil and gas companies to partake of the upstream sector of the industry and grow capacity.

“Let me allay your fears that the spate of divestments would not lead to crisis in the nation’s oil and gas industry, rather the divestment by the majors is changing the onshore corporate landscape and creating material brownfield opportunities for upstream players looking to enter the Nigerian upstream space,” Alison-Madueke noted.

She observed that the divesting IOCs were not leaving the country but only shifting their

focus from onshore to the more challenging frontiers of deep offshore which currently accounts for 60% of Nigeria’s production.

“The IOCs remain very much present in Nigeria. Shell still retains ownership of 34 onshore blocks while Total, ExxonMobil, and Chevron are still committing large amounts of capital to assets offshore Nigeria,” she explained.

Highlighting the opportunities inherent in the divestment, Alison-Madueke stated: “The indigenous Nigerian companies have been presented with the opportunity to develop local operatorship capacity as well as boost local production and consequently grow into major upstream players”.

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

Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50.

Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00.

Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00

28

Business News

Thursday, May 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NASENI laments influx of inferior solar panels CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

N

ational Agency for Science Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, Executive Vice Chairman, EVC, Mohammed Haruna, has decried the influx of inferior solar panels in the country saying the agency is currently competing with inferior products in the market.

Haruna, who stated this when the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, visited the Solar panel manufacturing plant on an inspection tour, said much of the products in the market are inferior adding there are lots

of untrained technicians in the system.

“The situation of business is that we are competing with inferior products in the market.

Much of the products in the market are inferior and there are a lot of untrained technicians in the system who have knowledge of only how to do wiring or electrical installation and they thought that if they could wire a point of light, they could also supply solar. ‘‘So there is a lot of dissatisfaction in solar installation and that is why the professionals are now getting involved, which is also why the Honourable Minister of Power is here to see things

for himself ” he said.

Haruna said the plant, which is currently producing 7.5mw, plans to expand its production capacity to 25mw and also duplicate the plant in anywhere in Nigeria, to serve as a backup for any private industry that would want to establish similar industry.

The good thing about the plant, Haruna stated is that ‘we have the capacity here in the control room to store whatever we are not using in Alternative Current (AC) fed system’. Nebo, in his remark stated that with the low level of electricity generation and transmission in the country, government was poised

to grow renewable energy resources utilisation and deployment in Nigeria.

The minister, who promised the encourage partners to patronise the NASENI products in order to promote the local content drive of the government noted that the potentials in solar energy are enormous.

He said: “The potentials are so enormous, solar is the only thing you can deploy to every part of Nigeria and get electricity. We have challenges with wind because the onshore wind velocity is not quite amenable wind

CIBN releases code of conduct for banking sector

T

L-R: Representative of Minister of Finance, Dr Chii Akporji; Chief Executive Officer, Sokoa Chair Centre, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika; Head, Women Banking, Access Bank, Mrs. Titilola Familoni and Envoy on Gender, African Development Bank, Ms. Geraldine Fraiser, during the meeting on the Role of Women at the World Economic Forum in Abuja, recently.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

How to increase ICT FDI to $50bn –Expert KUNLE A ZEEZ

A

n Information Technology expert has advised on one of the ways to boost the current local and Foreign Direct Investment in the nation’s Information and Communication Technology to $50bn in the next few years.

Speaking in a presentation in Lagos, the expert and Country Managing Director, Oracle Nigeria, Mr. Adebayo Sanni, said development of ICT skills, especially among the youths is crucial to support the proposed sector growth to $50bn.

The Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, had said Nigeria has recorded about $25bn as FDI and local investments into the sector, saying that the target was to double the figure n the coming years.

To achieve this, the ministry, in collaboration with the Nigerian Communication Technology and all other agencies of the ministry, has been making frantic effort to woo foreign in-

vestors into the county to in the nation’s ICT industry.

Though, much attention is being directed at investment in broadband infrastructure, Sanni said while this was not inappropriate, attention must be paid to the development of the skills of those who will put the broadband facilities into use to run their businesses.

According to him, “Nigeria’s young population presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

The challenge is skilling and finding employment for our youth. The opportunity exists though to harness their energy and creativity to innovate and IT is a great vehicle to achieve this.

“The Federal Government has recently announced plans to double investment in ICT. ICT skills are crucial to support the proposed sector growth from $25bn to $50bn because if you look at it critically, the current ICT skills gap threatens to slow economic growth and the contribution of ICT to the economy.

While noting the current con-

tribution of ICT sector to the nation’s Gross Domestic product has been estimated at 8 per cent, Sanni said “It can be faster if the teeming unemployed youth population in the country is given the requisite ICT skills to leverage IT to development business innovation that will add value to the economy.

turbines, and only select part of the country would use that.

Then for biomass there are places we don’t have biomass and so on. So solar is a veritable tool for making sure electricity gets to every nook and corner in Nigeria.

I will say this is a learning visit and also to try to forge a relationship with NASENI solar company to ensure that we even train most of the technical people that will be going out there into the country to deploy this techn9ology in our rural communities”.

he Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, on Tuesday released a new code of conduct to guide banking operations in the country.

The President of the institute, Dr Segun Aina, announced the release of the code at a news conference in Lagos.

The new code was entitled “Professional Code of Ethics and Business Conducts”.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, recalls that the Bankers Committee had established a Sub-committee on Ethics and Professionalism on Dec.19, 2000.

Aina said the objective of the code was to instil discipline in the banking profession.

“It has become imperative to combine key factors of three former codes of conduct to produce a single and virile comprehensive code.

“The provisions in the code govern the behaviours of both individual and corporate bodies in the banking industry.

“It applies to all strata and cadres of employee in the industry, including executive directors, mangers, officers and

supervisors, whether full-time or part-time.

“It enunciates the guidelines on the handling of reported cases, petitions and complaints “The code shall be read and implemented in tandem with subsisting statues,’’ Aina stated.

The Registrar of the CIBN, Dr Uju Ogubunka, said the Ethics and Professionalism Division of the institute received a total of 113 petitions with petition claims amounting to N185.4bn in 2013.

According to him, 98 cases have been fully resolved with total claims of N5.9b.

He said, however, that N2.7bn had been awarded to petitioners as refunds.

The registrar explained that the sub-committee had received a total of 1,504 petitions with N227.7bn claims out of which 1,350 had been resolved and N12.7bn refunded.

The First Vice-President of the institute, Mrs Debola Osibogun, said the code guaranteed that those who had ulterior motives had no hiding place.

Gender equality crucial to poverty alleviation –World Bank TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

T

he World Bank has identified improved job opportunities for women and girls at all levels of productive engagements as key to ongoing efforts aimed at alleviating poverty and bridging the gender gap between men and women across the world.

This is one of the major highlights of the Bank’s recommendations contained in its ‘Gender at Work’ Report, a companion to the World Development Report on Jobs, presented by Matthew Morton of the multilateral institution in Abuja.

The Bank noted that policy

makers, private sector and other job providers would be contributing to the global socio-economic agenda targeted at closing the gender-inequality gap if they show commitment to removing all barriers to women and girls employment and by implication, adding significantly to the global development values.

The report stated: “Jobs boost self-esteem and pull families out of poverty. Yet gender disparities persist in the world of work.

Closing these gaps, while working to stimulate job creation more broadly, is a prerequisite for ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity.

Describing gender equality in

the work place as a win-win on many fronts, the Report pointed out that evidences continue to demonstrate both the business and development case.

Citing the research by Booz and Company which estimates that raising female employment to male levels could have a direct impact on GDP, the Report reflected that improved female employment have the potential of increasing GDP by 34 per cent in Egypt, 12 per cent in the United Arab Emirates, 10 per cent in South Africa and 9 per cent in Japan, taking into account losses in economy-wide labour productivity that could occur as new workers entered the labour force.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

GE partners Century Power to deliver 1,500 megawatts

G

eneral Electric, GE, has recorded another milestone in efforts to partner with relevant stakeholders to continually boost power generation in the country.

The global infrastructure giant has entered into partnership with Century Power a leading independent power producer to build a 1,500 megawatt gas-fired power plant in Okija, Anambra State, the company said in statement.

It said the project will be completed in phases with the 1st phase delivering 500 megawatts by 2017.

President and CEO of GE Nigeria Dr Lazarus Angbazo said GE would support the project with long term equity participation, facilitate financing of equipment, operation and maintenance, and long term service contract. For

the provision of engineering procurement and construction, EPC, GE has concluded plans to work with Daewoo of Korea.

“Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi Chairman of Nestoil Group, owners of Century Power Generation Ltd, said he was delighted at the partnership with GE, which he said will transcend the power sector to other sectors such as Healthcare, Oil/Gas, and Energy Management.

“Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Century Power generation limited Dr. Chukwueloke Umeh said GE emerged the preferred bidder for the project through a rigorous competitive and transparent process. He thanked GE for the support so far especially in facilitating different financing meetings”, the statement said.

CWG boss to chair Nigeria Internet Governance Forum KUNLE AZEEZ

T

he Group Chief Executive Officer of Computer Warehouse Group Plc., Mr. Austin Okere, has been named as the chairman of the Nigeria Internet Governance Forum, NIGF, 2014.

Confirming this development, the chairperson of the Local Multi-stakeholders Advisory Group, LMAG, of the NIGF Mrs. Mary Uduma, said Okere had accepted to preside over this year’s edition of the event.

“LMAG is excited to have Mr. Okere chair the event as his nomination and acceptance was unanimously endorsed by members which consist of the Ministry of Communication Technology, National Information Technology Development Agency, Nigerian

Communications Commission, Nigeria Internet Registration Association, DigitalSENSE Africa, Internet Society, Nigeria, Rita Talabi Foundation, Creative Technology for Development Initiative and Global Network for Cybersecurity,” she said..

Uduma also said that the twoday 2014 NIGF, scheduled to hold at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Center, Onikan-Lagos on June 10, would host its youth workshop on day-1 with focus on “Internet Governance for Job Creation & Social Enterprise Development”.

According to Uduma, the day1 workshop would to be presided over by an Internet Security Consultant and former DirectorGeneral of NITDA, Prof. Cleopas Angaye.

Discovery Air takes delivery of another aircraft OLUSEGUN KOIKI

O

ne of the impending entrants into the airline sub-sector in Nigeria, Discovery Air says it has taken delivery of its second aircraft, which will eventually pave the way for its commencement of flight operations in the sector.

The aircraft, a Boeing B737300 arrived the country from England during the week. The Managing Director of the airline, Capt. Abdusalami Muhammed said that the acquisition of the aircraft was in line with its vision to commence operations soon in the Nigeria aviation market.

Business News

Thursday, May 15, 2014

He emphasized that the management was excited that its dream of providing quality service to its prospective guest is becoming a reality, stressing that with the minimum requirement of two aircraft by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, the airline would go soon commence flight operations in the country. He said, “We hope by the end of the month everything will be completed and we will start operations immediately. We are more than ready. We are on track. As soon as all the necessary requirements are met, the Airline Operators’ Certificate, AOC, issued, we will begin operations’’.

29

How N30bn proceeds from state bonds are being spent –Dankwambo DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

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overnor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has said that part of the N30bn bonds his administration accessed from the capital market in October 2012 was used in settling N10bn incurred at the tail end of the immediate past administration of Alhaji Muhammad Danjuma Goje.

The State Commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Hassan Muhammadu who explained this in a statement made available to National Mirror in Gombe said the reason for accessing the funds from the capital market was in itself an uncommon demonstration of expertise in financial engineering, necessitated by the need to meet the aspirations of the people of Gombe State for accelerated development based on their expressed desires.

“This is also in addition to the more than N26bn debt spread between contractor debt, bank

loans, unimplemented mandatories, and employees’ debt including pension arrears he (Dankwambo) inherited when he assumed office on 29th May 2011”.

According to the Commissioner, “Although Dankwambo quietly and honorably owned up these liabilities in the interest of our fledgling democracy and in demonstration of good governance, he took the prudent decision to opt out of the heavy bank loans in order to save the State from the vagaries of the volatility of price changes in the money market and the shocks it could engender on the macro economy of the State”.

“As a result, combined with the savings of the State Government, the equivalent of half the amount raised was used to refinance the N10 billion borrowing from the money market incurred by the previous administration at the eve of its departure from office.

The balance was prudently

used for development as is evident for all to see”, the statement said..

He explained further that the Government has the data available on request for anyone who is interested in knowing how much is spent on any project adding that the ever since the Governor signed the Fiscal Responsibility Law in April 2012, no major contract was signed without a public announcement of its objectives, cost, location, duration and contractor. The Commissioner defended the action again saying, “He implemented far more projects than were published in the Bond Issuance Prospectus that we had to publish a revised Price Supplement with the approval of the Securities & Exchange Commission. For instance, projects needed to address gully erosion in order to protect the township roads the Governor constructed were not envisaged by the bond prospectus, which we included”.

L-R: The Chairman, Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Limited, Mr. Kola Balogun; Chief Financial Officer, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, Mr. Aigbe Olotu and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Abiodun Ajifowobaje, during a courtesy visit by Ikeja Disco to MEMMCOL in Mowe, Ogun State, recently.

Mexico to partner Nigeria in establishing Chamber of Commerce

T

he Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Marco Blanco, on Tuesday in Abuja said his country would partner with Nigeria to establish a NigeriaMexico Chamber of Commerce.

Blanco, who said this at a breakfast meeting, said the establishment of the chambers would fasttrack the development of business opportunities in Nigeria.

“This will also as well strengthen the bilateral trade between both countries,’’ the ambassador said.

He said both countries were presently working on two agroindustrial projects in Enugu State and Rivers, worth 18 million dollars and 36 million dollars respectively.

Blanco said both projects would

generate 7,500 direct jobs for unemployed Nigerians.

Speaking on why Nigerians should invest in Mexico, Blanco said his country was one of the most competitive countries in the world for productive investment.

He said this was due to its macro-economic growth and political stability.

“Our low inflation, the size and strength of our domestic market, economic growth rate and capacity to produce advanced manufacturing ,high-tech products, are an added advantage.

“Mexico is an open economy which guarantees access to international markets through a network of free trade agreements.

“The country boasts of a strategic geographic location and

competitive costs to service global markets. It also has an important pool of young and highly-skilled human capital,’’ the ambassador said.

In his remarks, Mr Segun Awolowo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), said Nigeria and Mexico had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

He said this would further strengthen the relationship between both countries.

“The present administration in Nigeria is focusing on moving the country from an oil-based economy to that of manufacturing.

“This will ensure that Foreign Direct Investments, FDIs, which will come into the country, are tied to manufacturing,’’ Awolowo said.

30

Business

Thursday, May 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Inequality remains a key challenge for Africa have to get them back.

In this interview with Katie Couric of Yahoo! News, on the sidelines of the just-concluded World Economic Forum on Africa. Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, speaks on economic issues and abducted school girls saga.

I know that Abuja as we are talking is hosting the World Economic Forum on Africa right now, are you concerned about how the image of Nigeria is being projected all around the world at a time when you are trying to encourage Western investors?

The WEFA has just ended and it has been a success for the girls. Over 1,000 participants were in attendance – world leaders as well as global business leaders as well as African business leaders. And they came to show that they would stand against terror. That they will not accept that people can abduct girls and stop their education.

Specific initiatives also came out of the WEFA. There is a Safe Schools Initiative where Nigerian businesses have come forward in collaboration with Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister of Britain, to set up an initiative supported by business to set up safe schools for the girls and they said if the government matches them they put up 10 million dollars immediately, they will use it to launch this initiative.

The president of Nigeria has announced that he will match that immediately.

That is over and above all the efforts of the government so far to try and protect the schools better. So a specific initiative, solidarity of the international community and global business, with the girls and a very large turnout.

This is the second largest World Economic Forum turnout outside of Davos, according to WEF itself. So it has been a success for the girls and solidarity for Nigeria.

Let’s talk about the more pressing matter of the nearly three hundred girls who are still missing. There has been a tidal wave of criticism about the Nigerian government’s response to these kidnappings, are you confident that President Jonathan’s administration has done or is doing all it can to rescue these girls?

The President has openly pledged his commitment to do everything to rescue these girls, and what I said before on CNN is accepting that the government did not communicate what it was doing previously, because there was some element of reticence so as not to cause harm to the girls.

That should not have been the case, it should have been that there was communication so that the Nigerian public and the parents of these girls know that action is being taken.

Since that time the government has stepped up action, has appealed to the international community for help and is accepting help from the US, France, the UK, China and they are all coming in. The government has stepped up the number of troops that are working there and is working with countries that have satellite imagery to do more.

Are you confident that the girls will be found, where are they, because it’s been rumoured that many of them have been taken across the border to Chad?

Katie, no one can answer that question. There is no one who can tell you with confidence. What we can tell you is that every single possible resource will be used to track these girls. You are dealing with people who are irrational.

It is unacceptable that girls should be taken anywhere in the world, and they do not represent any religion, as you have heard many Muslims have rejected what they have done. You have heard Prime Minister Cameron said this is not a Nigerian problem, it is a global problem. You have heard President Obama said we should stand against these terrorists. This is a global problem, we need to come together and fight against it and Nigeria is accepting any help it can do with.

How trustworthy is President Goodluck Jonathan?

Okonjo-Iweala

WE ARE GOING TO STOP THE EXTREMISTS WITH A MULTIPRONG APPROACH. IT IS NOT A SIMPLE THING; THERE IS THE MILITARY ANGLE, THE INSURGENCY ANGLE, THE POLITICAL ANGLE THAT HAS TO BE PURSUED AND ALSO THERE IS THE DEVELOPMENT ANGLE Why do the families seem to know where the girls are but the government does not? (Question from tweets).

I’m not sure that characterisation is correct, I think we should view this in a much more complex manner. The President said they searched in the Sambisa forest, they were not using aerial surveillance, they were not able to find the girls. This is a large area and it is not clear whether they are still together in a group or whether they have been split up, and the whole idea is that nothing should be done to harm the girls. In the past, the country has used some aerial surveillance but you can’t do that because you don’t want to end up harming the girls. So the characterisation that the parents know more than the government, I don’t want to enter into that because I have to tell you I’m not a security expert. But I can only tell you that much that I know and that is to share with you the commitment of the government and the country and the solidarity of the people coming together on this issue of bringing back the girls.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala do you have daughters?

I have a daughter, I have four children. That is why I came out to say it is unacceptable, it is unimaginable that anyone would take these children. Anyone who has children, sons or daughters, one of the most unbelievable thing is the agony of not knowing where your loved one is.

My mother was kidnapped in mid December 2012, and for five agonising days we did not know where she was. I have actually experienced it; this is not from theory, it is one of the most terrible nightmares you could dream about. So, for me, it is deep pain and depression to know that for their mothers who are waiting, these are our daughters and we

As Finance Minister I know that this week your ambition is to promote vast growth and current economic opportunity that exists in Nigeria, in fact the nation now leads the entire African continent in terms of GDP, but an estimated 62 per cent of the population live in extreme poverty, do you believe this income inequality and lack of resources particularly in the North is contributing to the rise and recruitment power of Boko Haram?

First of all the problem of inequality is something that the entire world is struggling with. There is this new book

by Thomas Piketty Capitalism in the 21st Century. That is the whole thesis, that there is the problem of inequality all over the world. 95 per cent of the recent growth of the US was captured by one per cent of the people. So this is again a global problem that we all need to learn from each other. Inequality is a major challenge in the growth story of the whole of Africa and Nigeria. And that is what we are working at, we do not want to grow with leaving more people behind, we want to change the quality of that growth.

And I think the crux of that matter is creating jobs, people here do not want handouts, they want us to create decent jobs. The government is really working hard at improving agriculture, studies have shown that if you improve agriculture you are able to tackle poverty three times better and faster.

We are working on that; we are turning around agriculture and we are launching the housing sector to create jobs. We need 1.8 million jobs in the country, we are still creating 1.6 million; we are still falling short plus we have the pool of the unemployed. The biggest focus in alleviating poverty in Nigeria is creating jobs. The second is improving human development indicators which are not very good. Maternal mortality, infant mortality rate, children out of school these are things we are focusing on to get our resources to the level where we use them effectively to deal with these problems.

I know you also deeply believe in the importance of girls’ education. Just last year the World Bank released a study on the importance of women to the growth and vitality of the African continent in general. Though the majority is small farmers, trade merchants, healthcare workers, educators.

So how are you going to stop these extremists who want women to stop going to school and getting jobs?

Katie we are going to stop the extremists with a multiprong approach. It is not a simple thing; there is the military angle, the insurgency angle, the political angle that has to be pursued and also there is the development angle where we have to give our young people hope and make sure that their school is not interfered with, that they feel more secure.

All these things have to be done. But it is not easy fighting these acts of terrorism, if it was easy you will not find them cropping up all over the world. You will not see Afghanistan, or Pakistan or even the recent bombing in the US, the Boston Marathon. You will not see two or three decades of the Irish Republican army fighting in the UK; they were not able to defeat them despite the sophistication of the UK at the time.

And it took a long time and political negotiation for it to end.

This kind of warfare is not standard, it’s not the kind you move soldiers and then go and face the people face to face.

Finally, before we go, on the streets of Nigeria as you well know and all around the world, people are posting #BringBackOurGirls. As a representative of the Nigerian government and a female global leader what would you say to the millions of people who are so frustrated and upset by the situation in your country?

I would say we in Nigeria are also frustrated and upset.

A friend of mine tweeted me holding #BringBackOurGirls.

We need to move beyond that into more action that is what the world is asking for.

I think we should focus on what Nigerians are asking for. We are deeply frustrated, all of us are. We have to move beyond that to not let the work of the terrorists paralyse us.

What I want to say to the world is don’t let the work of the terrorists create division. Criticize, but do not let it create division.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

Info Tech

Spectrum: Stakeholders seek regional allocation For Nigeria to have widespread broadband internet access, Internet stakeholders have advocated the need for the allocation of frequency spectrum resources in the country on a regional or zonal basis instead of being a national allocation. KUNLE AZEEZ reports.

W

ith the liberalisation of the nation’s telecoms sector in 2001, coupled with the resultant redundancy of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, NITEL, and other private telecoms operators, PTO, in the country, Nigeria has transformed its telecoms services delivery from fixed to mobile services.

In fact, statistics has shown that more than 90 per cent of telecoms services being offered in Nigeria currently are delivered through wireless means, necessitating then need for the use of spectrum to deliver such services effectively.

Thus, effective spectrum management and judicious allocation by the National Frequency Management Commission, NFMC, chaired by the Minister of Communication technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, though the Nigerian Communication Commission has become imperative.

Over the years, the NCC had given out various spectrum allocation to different categories of operators ranging from the Global System for Mobile Communication, GSM, operators, Internet Service providers, ISPs, the submarine cable companies as well as other transmission companies in the country.

However, some have observed that most of the licensees have concentrated their business on major cities, since they are national operators. This section of stakeholders in the internet domain, has also alleged that most national licence operators have failed to provide a service coverage that is national in colouration to citizen, in respective of location, will have access to their services.

This was the basis of the ongoing advocacy by stakeholders under the auspices of the Nigeria Internet Group, NIG, who are currently calling on the NCC to revisit its spectrum allocation policy to ensure that spectrum is allocated to the operators on a regional rather than national basis.

The call was made by the President, NIG, Mr. Bayo Banjo, during an interaction in Lagos recently.

Banjo said the time has come for the Commission to stop the licensing of spectrum to internet service providers (ISPs) in the country on a national basis.

NIG’s argument, it was gathered, was premised on the observation by the group that the current method disenfranchises smaller communities from enjoying the benefits of information communication technology (ICT).

The group has, therefore, insisted that allocation f spectrum should be done on zonal basis to deepen Internet penetration, as the current arrangement by the NCC tends to create a situation where licensees current focus on rolling out services only in urban centres,

neglecting the rural area.

“The current allotees are preoccupied with deploying services in urban areas such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and other major cities in the country and this kind of situation is capable hampering the target ubiquity of internet access planned by the Federal Government,” he said.

Thus, Banjo said in view of the huge population and land mass of the country, “the NCC should divide the country into about 70 zones for this purpose,” even as he lamented that some of the current holders of the spectrum were “just sitting on them.”

He said: “The NCC should divide the country into zones and allocate spectrum according to the zones. This is very vital because people in Sokoto and other parts of the country also have the right to be part of the global village.”

It would be recalled the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, had, some years back, declared access to the internet as universal right of every man and has encouraged nation’s around the world to formulate policies to achieve such tenets of the ITU declaration in their respective countries.

NIG also potted a regulatory advantage inherenet in its recommendation.

According to Banjo, “Allocation of frequencies on a zonal basis will also make it easy for the NCC to revoke such licences when not put into use and only an area would be affected because he revocation will also be done n a regional basis while areas where licensee it actively operating in would not be affected by such possible revocation of licence.”

The Federal Government has put in place a National Broadband Plan 2013-2018, which aims to boost broadband internet penetration across the country by 30 per cent in the

Banjo

Juwah

If the quest for broadband penetration of the government will

make any meaning, zonal spectrum licensing is a sine qua non next four years.

Official data released by the Ministry of Communication Technology has shown that broadband internet penetration currently stands at 6 per cent but the government, under the broadband plan hopes to increase these five-folds.

“If the quest for broadband penetration of the government will make any meaning, zonal spectrum licensing is a sine qua non.

Meanwhile, the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, D, Eugene Juwah, had earlier assured the country that the Commission would continue to ensure transparency of spectrum allocation and its effective management for the generality of the country.

Juwah gave the assurance, even as he disclosed the Commission had concluded

fresh arrangement to license another available frequency slot in the 3.5 GHz band.

According to him, the 3.5 gigahertz auction would be as transparent and successful as the 2.3 GHz spectrum auction that saw the emergence of Bitflux as winner in February this year.

As if preempting NIG’s clamour for zonal allocation, the EVC had announced that the 3.5 GHz band is available in some states and the federal capital territory, which, he said, the commission was willing to sell to the public.

He said: “The spectrum is available in 27 states and Abuja, the capital territory, with all the states having 25 MHz bandwidth available, except for Abuja that has only 20 MHz bandwidth available.

As if to allay the fears of NIG, the NCC boss had also stated then that the spectrum was expected to be licensed on a state by state basis in the states where it is available, “which means that winners of the spectrum licence will operate within the state or states where the licence is situated.”

With this, some industry experts say NCC is one of the most transparent government agencies in the country which has continue to carry out its business n line with international benchmark. According this set f stakeholders; such practice by NCC has helped in recorded the achievement the industry has recorded over the years.

FG’s NaijaCloud will boost job creation –Minister Tola Akinmutimi ABUJA

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he Federal Government has said that the launching of the NaijaCloud initiative and other Online Work training programmes last year would help aimed at tackling the youth unemployment problem and adding creative values to ongoing national development agenda of the country.

Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, gave this hint during an interactive session with the media at the formal Digital Jobs Africa launch and partnership between her ministry and the Rockefeller Foundation in Abuja.

She said government was interested in

the medium and long term multiplier effects of the initiative in terms of productive capacity building of youths and their improved contribution to national development She said: “When we trained 2,000 people we got about 10,000 Nigerians active on this online platform and how many jobs did we create you can say 10,000 or more than that. But I think what we are actually looking at is the multiplier effects. So, you can train one person and she creates many jobs because that awareness is created”.

According to her, the ministry unveiled the Naijacloud initiative in March last year to reduce the scourge of unemployment amongst Nigerians youths and create wealth for our youths via the platform of ICTs.

She expressed her delight that the Rockefeller Foundation was partnering with the Ministry to take this initiative further to the 36 states of Nigeria, a healthy development which, she said, would help the Ministry to realise its objective of deploying the tools of ICTs to help our youths take advantage of the transformational power of ICTs to work and earn income.

Johnson said: “All a youth needs to begin to create wealth via ICTs is a phone or computer and internet connection.

This collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation will help us create awareness and sensitize youths in Nigerian to the incredible work opportunities in the online space as well as create job opportunities for Nigerian youths in order to reduce unemployment.

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

Tech Box

MTN’s staff makes Africa’s rising stars list

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eneral Manager, Corporate Treasury, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ishmael Nwokocha, has been named in the final shortlist of 20 people who made this year’s Africa’s rising stars. Nwokocha was named by Euromoney, a financial magazine with focus on the banking and finance industry, after it concluded a continentwide search for this year’s edition.

According to Euromoney, at the beginning of every year, a search is conducted to determine African stars driving the continents’ financial and economic transformation, as well as setting standards for others to follow.

Nwokocha was nominated based on his commitment to corporate governance in Nigeria.

“Once you don’t have a strong governance culture, documented and robust business processes, it means you can’t run a business in an efficient manner. What ordinarily would take only three to four days to go through will instead take more than two weeks to be achieved,” said Nwokocha.

Nwokocha joined MTN in 2002 as a cash management accountant and has risen through the ranks, garnering significant experience, spanning corporate

finance, operational risk management, banking services and treasury. MTN Nigeria’s treasury function managed by Nwokocha has won accolades for its seamless brokering of financing transactions including a $1.8 billion financing in 2010 and $3 billion in 2013.

Nwokocha’s treasury team served as internal arranger and adviser on a complex deal that raised funds in four continents. It is estimated that the shrewd management of this transaction saved the business as much as $60 million in fees, a positive effect on the company’s balance sheet and its ripple effect on the economy.

He believes that in the next couple of years, telecommunications will continue to play a major role in Nigeria’s economy, particularly in improving the payment system and enhancing ease of conducting business.

“We are still a young country and those between the age bracket of 25-29 form the main part of the population. MTN can help that evolution because we do not think like telcos, but rather like enablers of economic activities,” he stated.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos partners Oracle on ICT capacity building Kunle Azeez

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agos State government has entered in a partnership with the global IT company, Oracle to promote the state’s drive to build talent and IT capacity in the state.

The partnership came on the heel of the inauguration of flagoff of three IT Human Capacity Talent Building Programmes, which will further promote the state’s objective to deliver services to the citizens more effectively.

Speaking during the inauguration, Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje, said that the three human Capacity building programmes of Employee Readiness, yYouth Readiness, as well as Workforce Development, were the areas in which the state government will collaborate with Oracle to achieve a set of objectives.

According to Mabadeje, the scheme will result in enriching and equipping existing talents among government employees

with Oracle skills to support strategic IT projects as well as leveraging on the expertise of Oracle’s Public Sector Centre of Excellence to run workshops for top Information officers of Ministries, Department and Agencies on best practices, market trends and business solutions on topics such as improving service delivery to the citizens using social media.

“The scheme will also help in training graduates under the workforce development programme on Oracle Database or Oracle e-Business suite for the acquisition of industry-relevant skills and opportunities for internships within some of the state’s ministries; introducing industry-relevant computer science and Oracle courseware into the curricula of universities and public high schools as well as making the Lagos e-Learning Centre an Oracle University authorized training partner,” he said.

Addressing the participants at the inauguration, the Country Managing Director of Oracle Ni-

geria, Mr. Adebayo Sanni, said that the programmes will assist in tackling the challenges of human capacity and effectively boost economic development in a fast growing economy like Nigeria.

Sanni said that Oracle’s goal is getting the youths interested in Computer Science, driving change in ICT syllabi and thereby helping the governments at all levels to future-proof their economies for growth and job creation.

He also disclosed that Oracle was proud to collaborate with the state government because of the commitment it showed in investing in its own internal Oracle skills and developing ICT talents in the state.

Sanni noted that that the Oracle Academy is working with Oracle Academy members Lagos State Polytechnic, Lagos State University and the University of Lagos to support the inclusion of industry-relevant content in their Computer Science programmes and to deliver Oracle database training for university lecturers.

TDmobile now Lenovos’ smartphone distributor

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echnology Distribution Mobile, a subsidiary of Zinox Group, has been appointed by Lenovo, the world’s No.1 PC vendor, as its authorized distributor for recently launched Lenovo smartphone portfolio in Nigeria.

The partnership will provide Nigerian customers access to original range of Lenovo smartphones, such as the A369i, A516, A680, and A859; the stylish S650 and S930; and the picture perfect and sleek Vibe X. In addition, TDmobile will distribute range of Lenovo tablets, including the gamechanging Yoga Tablet, in 10” and 8”, with up to 18-hour bat-

tery life as well as the A3000.

Commenting on the partnership, Business Head Smartphones, Lenovo Middle East and Africa, Sharay Shams, Sharay Shams, said: “We are happy to partner with a subsidiary of an African leading technology distributor - Technology Distributions - to deliver our world class leading smart devices in Nigeria and subsequently to other African Countries. We have enjoyed successful partnership with the group over the years and we are confident that TDmobile will use their wide network and credibility to deliver our global leading smart devices in the country.”

LAUTECH wins 2014 Microsoft Imagine Cup

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group of students from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Akure, Ogboosos, Oyo State, has been announced the winning team of the 2014 Microsoft Nigeria Imagine Cup. They group, Team High Rise won with their solution, Catara, which serves the purpose of drastically reducing the rate at which cataract causes total blindness.

Members of the team, Adefioye Temidayo, Faleye Benjamin, Oyebisi Jemil and Ibraheem Bello of Team High Rise will stand the chance to compete in the Imagine Cup World Semifinals, which will take

place in Seattle in July 2014.

In the second place was Team Eagle from The Federal University of Akure (FUTA), with their solution Enchanter, which created virtual business cards that can be shared using near field communication, NFC. Team ABU from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, came third with their solution Mayday, which acts as an emergency alert and response application.

Imagine Cup is a student competition which centers on the use of imagination, creativity and technology to help solve some of the world’s toughest problems.

L-R; Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises / Co-Chair, World Economic Forum on Africa 2014, Mr. Sunil Bharti, and Founder / Group Chief Executive Officer, CWG Plc Mr. Austin Okere, at the SME Summit that held alongside World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA) during the recently concluded World Economic Forum held in Abuja.

IT firm pledges cutting-edge solutions to Nigerian businesses Kunle Azeez

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ollowing its latest recognition as Elite Data Centre partner of APC by Schneider Electric, Resourcery, a leading West Africa Information Technology company, has restated its commitment to the provision of cutting-edge and innovative data centre and power solutions to its business partners in Nigeria.

Speaking during the presentation of the award certificate, Vice President IT Business, Middle-East and Africa, Schneider Electric, Mr. Thierry Chamayou, commended Resourcery’s management for the support the company continues to receive in delivery of its business solutions to their customers.

He also recognised the role the entire team plays in this process

and promised his organization would continue to aid the business solution delivery of Resourcery as regards IT infrastructure for Data centers across the West Africa market space.

He said “As an organisation, APC by Schneider electric understands the importance of effective cooling and power in a data centre. We equally know that most organisations across West Africa desire effective data centers that will improve their bottom line while consuming less energy. Our job at APC is to solve that problem by providing our customers through partners like Resourcery, safe, reliable, efficient, productive and green solutions from plant to plug.”

Receiving the certificate, Resourcery’s Senior Business Manager, Mr. Bisike Uba, who noted that the company’s management

was pleased with the recognition said Resourcery saw the recognition as another call for the organisation to better serve its customers.

As such, Uba noted that as an elite partner of APC by Schneider Electric, the company has displayed its ability to design, consult, implement and support cutting edge and cost effective Data Center and Power solutions by leveraging on APC by Schneider electric’s wide range of solutions and products.

Uba listed some of the business benefits to organizations across West Africa as; “Cost effective solutions, enhanced customer productivity, availability of highly technical resources to provide bespoke solutions, advanced engineering competencies available locally to clients and timely delivery of quality solutions and services.”

Thursday, May 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

33

Marketing research has huge potential in Nigeria –Millward Brown MD

How would you assess marketing research efforts in Nigeria?

You know, no success is an accident. Nigeria is an evolving economy, and even in European countries where research has evolved, it is always like that. You have to start somewhere. I guess it is the same everywhere. Here in Nigeria as practitioners of research, I don’t think we are where we should be. There are yet several remaining untapped grounds. Right now, we see research as a global terrain, just what global agencies are doing for clients. But remember that just as global clients in other climes started somewhere small, they were not always this big, which is what we are trying to pass across to our middle level organisations, and then to the smaller organisations that look, do not just look at research in terms of what is in it. No! Look at it in a futuristic and strategic way.

Research is like a small compass that gives you direction when you are out there in the middle of a vast sea; the compass is there directing you so you don’t get lost and be roaming around. We are saying ‘take another look at research and see it not as when one goes to the market to buy something and get results immediately’. You might not see the result immediately, but you need it if you must stay ahead, if you must stay fresh, if you must stay relevant. As a brand you need research to tell you where you are at every moment in time, we think brands need research.

What is the role of government in all these and is government encouraging research?

The truth is government can’t force anybody to do research. It is not done. Organisations are entities, you can’t force them. But I think what the government can do is to encourage them. Again, we have observed that the Nigerian terrain is very porous allowing everyone to come in. You see all manner of people jump into Nigeria with their brief cases and want to conduct research. And when they come they do it and run out the same way they came in. And I ask myself why I can’t do the same in South Africa, for example. If I go to South Africa I am not allowed to moderate, there are some things I can’t do. But there is nothing like that on ground to restrict here. Anyone can just come in with their accent. All they do is pick someone on the street, stay by the road side do what they like. So, we need government to put policies in place that the same way that I am barred from doing these thing in other countries government should do it here to create employment for our people; the same principle should apply here to also enable us grow.

Is there no industry regulatory body to speak for research agencies in Nigeria, and if there is, what is it doing to ensure sanity in the system?

If you are you talking about Nigerian Marketing Research Association, NIMRA, I will say yes. But the body is growing, and in growing we need to arrive at that level where we need to have the same voice with the government, like what Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nige-

Millward Brown is a global marketing research agency with expertise in advertising, marketing, media, digital and brand equity research, working with about 90 per cent of the world’s leading brands. In this interviewwith DAVID AUDU, the Managing Director, Millward Brown Nigeria, Mrs. Ugo Geri Roberts, speaks on issues in branding, marketing research and investments in Nigeria. Excerpts:

If you must stay fresh, if you must stay relevant as a brand you need research to tell you where you are at every moment

in time. We think brands need

research, and it is important for

Nigerian firms to invest in research ria, ICAN, and others are doing. They have evolved, they have arrived. NIMRA is also growing. I believe we will reach that level where we will have that voice to speak with government and for them to take us seriously. For NIMRA as an organisation, I am not sure we can do much now in terms of Roberts regulation. There are some things we can’t do, because we are not the government, we What is the capacity of Millward Brown to are just an organisation. So, if we wake up service Nigerian brands research needs? today and say we hereby ban all portfolio Like any other business, first and foreresearchers from coming into the country. most as a company we would like to grow How are we going to enforce that? We don’t and expand. For now, we have less than 30 have regulatory machineries to implement? workforces, but we would like to grow. Of No, we don’t. course I can see Millward Brown growing up to 50-60 in the next one or two years. But Looking at Nigerian research market, do it is not all about just increasing the numyou think it is good enough to attract foreign ber of people working with us. Our vision investment, and what is the potential? and passion in Nigeria is that we want to Everybody knows me as a passionate Nigrow research in this country; we want to gerian without apologies. My answer will expand the terrain, not just all agencies; we be yes. You could begin to talk to me about know there are a thousand clients there; we safety issue, about poverty level, but am reknow everyone of them cannot be at the ally not moved by that, because the question same level. We know there are the global acI will always ask is if you talk about poverty counts; there are the regional and local aclevel, people will tell you about the 70 per counts as well. We want to build and grow cent living below poverty line in the rural with everyone of them at any level. We have areas, leaving 30 per cent in control of the come to realise that the local ones will one economy. What is the size of that 30 per cent day grow to become regional; the regional, that is not living below one dollar a day? You will one day become global. We want to will join 10 countries together to get that 30 partner and grow with them. per cent in some regions.

You as an investor, why look for reasons You are about to open your multi million you can’t come when you have a readymade Naira office complex, is that an indication of market; just hit the ones that are there. You confidence in Nigerian market? know the middle class is growing, they will Yes, it is. What is about to happen is come on board. So, I will tell you yes, Nigeria just not going to be me and the staff we is a fertile ground for investors.

have here, Our Sub-Saharan boss will be here; Our Africa and Middle East Managing Directors will all be here for the grand opening. That speaks a lot for the event, sincerely speaking. For them to leave their busy schedule and fly down to Nigeria, I don’t think we should just trivialize it. So, I will say it is going to be big; it is a demonstration of our commitment to Nigerian economy. They know that Nigeria is big, it is central to our operation in Africa. You and I know that we are now the biggest economy in Africa, so I think that the world is taking us seriously, and Millward Brown is not left out. We are interested in Nigeria and that is very important to us. We want to grow the market and help brands fulfill their dreams; we want to be in the center of Nigeria’s marketing research projects.

Specifically, what are you bringing on the table for Nigerian brands?

Basically, we are looking at our resources and everything. We are looking for the best in the market. We have some of the best hands in the industry; I mean not just best hands technically speaking, but best as a people. As you know, part of Millward Brown principle is to have happy people, and happy people make happy organization.

So, we ultimately want to attract the best hands. You know everyone is talking about technology, at Millward Brown it is not talking alone, but it is talking and doing. We are at the fore front of research technology, trying to make data gathering more efficient, quicker, faster, cheaper and ultimately more reliable. So, we are at the forefront of digital technology as far as research is concerned, not only in Nigeria but everywhere else we operate.

Then, when we talk of research, we do not want to be seen just as information providers. That was the buzz four down five years ago, when everything was all about pouring information on the table. At Millward Brown, we pride ourselves that we have gone a bit further to map out and provide strategic direction for clients. We do not just churn out information and put them on the table and then the clients will be asking where do we go from there? We give them the direction that will put them ahead of their competitors.

What is the future of marking research in Nigeria?

It is a very beautiful future. We are at the discovery level. I am not sure if anybody discovers something worthwhile and turns around to take a walk from it. But rather, you begin unveiling it to know it better and you also begin to look for how to deepen the relationship. For me there is future in marketing research in Nigeria. I told you the land is green. Again, concerning the future of marketing research in Nigeria, as I told you earlier, We will get to where we are destined to be-growing with our clients at every level, the global, the regional and the local; and at the end of the day, we are the largest economy now in Africa, and at the end of the day, we will be such an economy that every investor will be knocking because they would like to come in and have a taste of what Nigeria economy can offer.

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Brands & Marketing

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Chivita wins Africa’s Best Quality Juice Brand Award 2014 Stories: David Audu

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hivita Fruit juice has emerged as Africa’s Best Quality Juice Brand at the 2014 Africa Quality Achievement Award.Initiated by the Africa Quality Institute (AQI) in collaboration with IBMN Integrated Services, the Africa Quality Achievement Award is organized with the support of South Africa Quality Institute (SAQI) and the Chartered Quality Institute (UK).

According to a statement on the award, Chivita Fruit juice from the stable of Chi Limited was adjudged the winner because of its consistency in the market, creativity and value to

consumers.

Speaking on the award in Lagos recently, Managing Director of Chi Limited, Mr. Roy Deepanjan, said the award did not come to him as a surprise. “We are happy to receive this accolade for Chivita Premium from Africa Quality Institute (AQI), as it validates our core values as a responsible and ethical organization.”

Brushing aside fierce competition in the fruit juice category of the fast moving consumer goods sector, Deepanjan saidthe award not only underscores Chi Limited’s commitment and passion for creating the highest quality juice available on the market today, but also to successfully growing an ethical business dedicated

to helping people live longer, healthier lives through the consumption of natural, organic fruits.

The Africa Quality Achievement Awards 2014 is an annual event initiated to celebrate leadership innovation and creativity in quality management in Africa. The award is aimed at identifying, recognizing and rewarding companies, personalities and product that apply quality assurance culture and quality management best practice to the analysis, planning and implementation and control of policies designed to achieve corporate objectives in both profit and non-profit making organizations in Africa.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wild Fusion restructures, appoints new MD

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s part of its strategic growth plan, Africa’s leading digital marketing agency and Google AdWords certified partner, Wild Fusion Ltd, has appointed Noel Douglas as the new Managing Director.

Noel Douglas has over twenty-five years’ experience in the marketing and advertising ecosystem, working with agencies across the globe, he began with one of the most famous brand agency names and completed a full cycle to become one of their global Africa Network Managing Directors.

Noel’s creative journey has taken him across many countries and sectors in multi-disciplined environments, learning and crafting skills that positioned him as

an effective business leader.

Speaking on his appointment, Noel stated: “I am delighted to be given the responsibility of driving one of Africa’s leading digital agencies forward. It is a new chapter in our world of marketing – where we are the forefront of new technology – where digital fuses with traditional and the language becomes one”.

Abasiama Idaresit, the former Managing Director, moves on to become Chief Executive Officer of Wild Fusion Africa, overseeing operations and providing strategic support to Wild Fusion Group.

He said: “After a rigorous selection process, Noel Douglas emerged as the outstanding candidate to be the MD for Africa at Wild Fusion.

Fashion industry identifies with Fayrouz L’original

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en of Nigeria’s biggest names in fashion and style industry have signed up for the maiden edition of the Fayrouz L’Original Expression show.

They include Mai Atafo, April

By Kunbi and Kinabuti who are leading a team of top fashion influencers, designers, stylists and celebrity photographers such as Omoyemi Akerele, Adebayo Oke-Lawal, Gozel Green, Kate Williams, Nobel Afrik, Martha Warebi and Micheal Imomoh to present the biggest fashion com-

petition ever witnessed in Nigeria.

They will be mentoring young and aspiring fashion designers at the competition, and then select the best style team for the Fayrouz L’Original competition.

The show will discover and promote different teams of four creative minds which consist of a Fashion Designer, Make-Up Artiste, Photographer and a Model.

These teams will create original designs to win the sum of $20,000 as well as many fashion opportunities of a lifetime.

Forex Time launches cashback campaign Kunle A zeez

L-R: Nutricima’s Head of Marketing, Wande Oluwasegunfunmi; Category Marketing Manager (Standard Milk), Raphael Agbaje; e-raffle draw presenter, Ifedayo Olarinde aka Freeze; Head, Trade Marketing, Ojoma Okotie-Dimas; Assistant Director/Coordinator, Lagos Zonal Office, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Fidelis Abogun and IMC Manager, Funsho Jacob at the grand finale of the e-raffle to select winners in the Nutricima Mega Cash Promo in Lagos, recently.

Herbal toothpaste brand war heats up ... as close-up joins fray

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he race to dominate the herbal toothpaste brand market revved recently as Unilever Plc, makers of announced the launch of a new herbal variant known as the ‘Close up Naija Herbal Gel’, According to officials of Unilever, the new Closeup Naija Herbal gel toothpaste was developed to celebrate the ‘Naija’ spirit. Speaking at the launch, Brand Building Director, Unilever Nig. Plc, Mr David Okeme, said that the essence of the Naija Herbal gel toothpaste is to encourage young Nigerians get close naturally, the Naija way.

He said that Nigerians are known as being energetic, resilient, creative, and differentiated in their style. So, Closeup created a mix that is not only unique to Ni-

geria but is an embodiment of the Nigerian spirit. He believes that it is a milestone achievement for the Closeup brand and Unilever Nigeria as it will help reach out to young Nigerians and satisfy their need to be Nigerian.

Also speaking at the launch, the Category Manager, Oral Care, Unilever Nig Plc Oiza Gyang, noted that the new variant will meet the needs of young Nigerians, who want to exhibit their uniqueness as Nigerians and create more opportunities for the youths to get closer and express themselves more confidently.

The Launch of the herbal Gel was tagged ‘Natural Naija’, as it provided a platform where Nigerians can clearly state what makes them a Nigerian.

Also speaking at the event, Tolu Dima–Okojie, said Close Up has been brightening up the smiles of Nigerians since its launch in 1975 and quickly rose to be the undisputed market leader in Nigeria. Close Up is committed to improving the oral health hygiene of Nigerians and the new Closeup Naija Herbal Gel toothpaste, is another way of showing this.

Closeup has been able to clearly re-in force its understanding of Nigeria’s oral care needs and restate its commitment towards sustaining their position as the best oral care product in the market.

With this new offering, Nigerian’s have a chance to truly experience the benefits of revolutionary herbal toothpaste, created specifically for the Nigerian youth.

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nternational forex broker Forex Time, FXTM, has announced a new rebate campaign that will see traders receive up to 200 per cent cash back on their initial deposit.

The new offer is available to both existing traders and new clients and it not only boosts

traders’ accounts with extra funds, but it also rewards them for their loyalty to Forex Time.

With a minimum deposit of just $100, clients will automatically be eligible to earn money on every trade they make.* How does it work? For every lot a client trades they will receive $2 per lot cash back, which means clients get extra funds simply for making trades.

Winners of Legend Promo recount Dubai shopping experience

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he first set of consumers that emerged winners in Legend Extra Stout’s on-going national consumer promo were flown to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on a shopping trip. While in Dubai, they shopped for gift items worth N1 million in one of Dubai’s biggest malls, and were also taken on a tour of some interesting sites in the city.

Recounting their experiences, Ernest Favour Nzelu, one of the shoppers simply described it as wonderful.

“I’m more than satisfied with

the items I was able to pick during the 60 seconds. I didn’t even dream of coming to Dubai, not to talk of shopping for these expensive items. In short, I really appreciate Legend Extra Stout.

I don’t know how to express the joy that Legend Extra Stout has brought into our lives.”

Another winner, Aliuhuo Vivian Chinasa, was also full of kind words for Legend Extra Stout.

The shop attendant who never thought she would ever find herself in Dubai said she would have been satisfied with N100, 000 worth of gift items.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Brands & Marketing

Thursday, May 15, 2014

35

Guinness set for global ad pitch ... fires Saatchi & Saatchi

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uinness, the Diageoowned stout brand, is holding a pitch for an agency to work on its global advertising account, after ending its relationship with Saatchi & Saatchi.

Guinness and Saatchi & Saatchi have parted ways after six years, after the evolution of the account “substantially changed the creative potential”, according to Saatchi & Saatchi.

The successful agency will work on the flagship Guinness brand platform, “made of more”, with a focus on digital and shopper executions.

Guinness has shortlisted agencies ahead of the pitch.

Saatchi & Saatchi started working on the global account in 2008, ahead of the brand’s 250th anniversary in 2009. It has created campaigns for Guinness such as “paint the town black” in 2012, which marked the brand’s annual ‘Arthur’s Day’ celebrations to honour of its Irish founder Arthur Guinness.

Magnus Djaba, the chief executive of Saatchi & Saatchi London, said: “The rationalisation of tasks and agencies over the last couple of years, and specifically just recently, have substantially changed the creative potential of the global Guinness account.

“As a result, we feel the time is right for us to part ways. We wish Diageo all the best in finding the right agency for the business going forward.”

The pitch does not affect Guinness’s regional relationships, including BBDO in the UK through Abbott Mead

Chairman of Diageo, Franz Humer L-R: Nigerian Idol Top 6 Contestants, Paul Enoma and Antony Akpan; Guest Judge, Sheyi Shay; Specialist, Tactical Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Okanu Ibeanu and another contestant, Elvis Ejiro, at the Gala Show, in Lagos recently.

Vickers BBDO. AMV BBDO also won the Guinness Africa account, from Saatchi & Saatchi, in October 2013.

BBDO New York also works with Guinness in the US, and created the “wheelchair basketball” spot last year which was then used in other markets.

In January, Guinness released “sapeurs”, a film by AMV BBDO featuring flamboyantly welldressed men in the Republic of Congo.

Grainne Wafer, the global strategy and communications director at Guinness said: “To drive better integration between idea generation and multichannel execution we are looking to appoint a new agency to lead content creation across digital and shopper channels for our global platform, ‘made of more’.

“This agency will work directly with the global Guinness brand team and our existing regional agencies to help Guinness deliver its bold growth ambition globally.”

CSR: Diamond Bank invests N400m in entrepreneurship David Audu

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iamond Bank Plc said it has invested over N400m in the last four years to sustain its Building Entrepreneurs Today (BET4) programme, a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of the bank aimed at enhancing the growth potentials of Nigerian entrepreneurs through capacity building.

Speaking at the official launch of the fourth season of the programme in Lagos, Head, Consumer Propositions Group, Diamond Bank, Mr. Olumide Akindele, said, the programme is a strategic initiative to invest in the micro, small and medium enterprises segment of the economy by increasing the capacity of small businesses to

run thriving businesses.

“We are pleased to announce the fourth edition of the programme. This is a reflection of Diamond Bank’s resolve to ensure that many young businesses get the right assistance to excel and contribute to the economy,” he added.

Mr. Peter Bamikole, Director, Enterprise Development Centre, EDC, of the Pan Atlantic University, the facilitators of the programme, lauded the bank for its sustained partnership with the EDC on the BET programme. He noted that the bank’s support of young entrepreneurs through the BET programme has given a massive lift to various businesses with its attendant contribution to job creation and professional and sustainable business management.

He said: In the last four years,

Diamond Bank Plc has been supporting MSMEs by giving them the knowledge they need to build viable ventures and manage success. This Corporate Social Responsibility initiative is making a huge impact on the lives of these young people and is gradually changing society. Small business owners are equipped with the right knowledge and skills to properly manage their businesses.

On the areas of interest for the fourth edition, Mrs. Ayona Trimnell, Divisional Head, Corporate Communications, Diamond Bank Plc, said the programme will focus on ICT, Agro-Allied and Renewable Energy sub-sectors, adding that these are three areas which have been identified as youth-centered endeavours with high development potential.

Consumers and e-payment platforms

C

onsumers are becoming dynamic and sophisticated.

They are loyal to brands that meet their needs. Consumers want any brands that align with their aspirations and lifestyle.

This is one major reason consumers opt for services or products that offer them ease, convenience and comfort.

The consumer culture is rapidly changing globally and this explains why brands identify key gaps in the lives of consumers and bridge such. Consumers are also adapting to changes and embracing the realities in the marketplace.

In a bid to engage consumers and ensure that they embrace e-payment platforms, the Nigerian Interbank Settlement Scheme (NIBSS) in conjunction with banks commenced an awareness campaign to enlighten Nigerians on the benefits of e-payment platforms. The essence of the campaign is to set an agenda to ensure that Nigerians embrace e-payment

platforms for all their business transactions. This is one area where consumers need to adopt a new lifestyle by using e payment options as against paying cash for such transactions.

Consumers across the globe prefer to transact business with convenience and safety. They chose the most preferred options that eliminate bottlenecks while making purchase. It is also this globally accepted procedure that is being championed to make Nigerians see the benefit through adoption and usage of e-payment platforms. A unique selling proposition of the e -payment platform is convenience. This is intended to fit into the lifestyle of consumers as they demand for POS and instant payment platforms when shopping for their preferred brands or patronizing a service.

Though Nigerians have been used for the carrying cash, the campaign is to sensitize consumers to adopt measures the will guarantee their safety and conve-

Brand X-Ray with Ayodeji Ayopo Tel: 08023448199 E-mail: mayomipo@yahoo.com nience. The e-payment platforms point of sales (POS) and instant payment platforms have benefits of convenience; safety and receipt of instant value to enable people make payments for their transactions using any of their devices such as ATM cards, mobile phones, laptops, desktop, notebooks, i-pads among others.

With the digital age and mobile communications consumers do not have choice than to embrace such e-payment platforms. These platforms are forms of service that are also highly convenient, safe and efficient and with improved infrastructure. The improved effi-

ciency of the e-payment platforms enhances greater penetration and accessibility to financial services. this is one significant advantage that is being leveraged for the epayment options.

For NIBSS to commence a campaign on the e-payment options is a welcome development. It is a veritable avenue to re-orientate Nigerians to embrace a new payment culture.

The campaign will definitely communicate the language of Nigerians for paradigm shift. It is one that will remould the perception of the Nigerian consumers.

The importance of consumer

engagement cannot be ruled out as insights should be generated to drive the campaign process.

Insights need to be generated through from consumers to gauge their perception about e payment platforms and how such platforms can work for the consumers. This will serve as a feedback mechanism for consumers to evaluate the options and proffer solutions to address any challenge.

The one-on-one contact marketing approach is also a potent strategy to touch base with Nigerian consumers. This will offer useful hints and information from consumers that will ensure the success of the campaign.

It is expected that consumers will make e-payment options a lifestyle as they are constantly on the go. The reward scheme put in place in terms of incentives and discounts are integral parts of the consumer centric campaign. This is to further sustain the interest of consumers in using e-payment platforms for their business transactions.

36

Global News

Thursday, May 15, 2014

U.S. stocks rise to extend records amid deals, sales data

President Obama

U

March saw a release of pent-up demand caused by harsh winter weather.

Macy’s Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Kohl’s Corp. are among 12 companies in the S&P 500 scheduled to disclose results this week, giving investors insight into how retailers performed during the winter months.

About 76 per cent of the 454 S&P 500 companies that have released results this earnings season have beaten estimates for profit, while 53 per cent have exceeded revenue projections, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

U.S. stocks climbed on Monday, with the S&P 500 closing at a record 1,896.65, as Internet and small-cap shares rallied. The Dow Jones Internet Index had its best day since January, as all 41 members advanced.

While the Nasdaq Composite Index has recovered 3.9 per cent from its April low, it remains 4.7 per cent below a 13-year high in March.

The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, a gauge for U.S. stock volatility known as the VIX, slid 1.4 per cent to 12.06, the lowest level since August. The gauge has fallen 44 per cent since reaching a two-year high on February 3.

Nine of the 10 main S&P 500 groups rose today, with industrial shares adding 0.5 per cent to pace gains. Phone stocks retreated 0.6 per cent.

nited States stocks rose, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index surpassing 1,900 points for the first time, amid corporate deals activity and data that showed retail sales in March were higher than initially reported.

DirecTV jumped 1 percent after people familiar with the matter said AT&T Inc. has held advanced talks to acquire the company for about $50bn. Keurig Green Mountain Inc. added 9.9 per cent after Coca-Cola Co. boosted its stake in the company.

The S&P 500 advanced 0.3 per cent to 1,901.89 Tuesday in New York, extending an all-time high.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 39.08 points, or 0.2 per cent, to a record 16,734.55.

The Nasdaq Composite Index added 0.2 per cent.

“We’re still in a nascent recovery,” Chad Morganlander, a fund manager at Stifel Nicolaus & Co., which oversees more than $150bn, said in a phone interview from Florham Park, New Jersey. “We do believe there will continue to be an underlying improvement in economic trends over the course of this year. There are other economic numbers that trump this report -- it’s not a game-changer.”

Retail sales climbed 0.1 per cent last month after a revised 1.5 per cent surge in March that was the biggest since March 2010, Commerce Department figures showed on Tuesday in Washington. The median forecast of 83 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 0.4 per cent advance.

Consumers were less inclined to ramp up spending again after

B

Bank of China plans to raise up to $16bn in capital

ank of China Ltd., the nation’s fourth-largest lender by market value, is seeking as much as 100 billion yuan ($16.05bn) selling preferred stock in China and offshore, it said in a Shanghai stock exchange statement Tuesday.

Its board approved a plan to sell as many as 600 million preferred shares through private transactions on the mainland, becoming the latest Chinese company to issue the securities domestically since the government began allowing them to two months ago. The bank also plans to sell no more than 400 million preferred shares offshore, the Beijing-based lender said in the statement.

The sale follows Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., the country’s third-biggest, which last week said it would raise 80 billion yuan by selling as many as 800 million preferred shares through private transactions on the mainland. Stricter requirements introduced by the government in 2013 mean China’s four biggest banks will face a capital shortfall of $87bn under the new rules by 2019, Mizuho Securities Asia Ltd. estimated in a March re-

port.

Preferred shares, available under a trial program approved by regulators two months ago, permit banks to raise capital without selling common equity. The securities that are issued by banks through private placements can be converted into common stock if capital ratios fall below a certain level.

Last month, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co. said it will raise as much as 30 billion yuan, while Xinjiang-based Guanghui Energy Co. said it plans to sell five billion yuan of the securities.

Bank of China shares were unchanged at HK$3.43 at the close of trading in Hong Kong Tuesday before the announcement.

Combined profit at the four biggest Chinese banks rose 12 per cent last year, down from a 15 per cent increase in 2012. Declining earnings growth and rising defaults at the largest lenders have curbed their ability to retain earnings to fulfill capital requirements.

China’s systemically important banks may see their capital adequacy ratio fall to 10.5 per cent in the event bad loans surge fivefold, according to a stress test by the nation’s central bank last month.

China’s government is drafting rules to help manage the fallout of any bank failure, two people with knowledge of the matter said Tuesday, as lenders in the country face rising loan defaults and increased competition.

Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

European stocks are little changed after six-year high

E

uropean stocks were little changed, after reaching a sixyear high, as data showing that U.S. retail sales rose less than forecast offset better-than-estimated earnings from ThyssenKrupp AG to Airbus Group NV. ThyssenKrupp climbed 5.2 per cent after Germany’s biggest steelmaker also raised its full-year earnings forecast. Airbus advanced 6.4 per cent. Pandora A/S jumped 8.5 per cent after increasing its sales projection. Telecom Italia SpA declined 4.1 per cent as quarterly revenue missed estimates.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained 0.1 per cent to 341.39 Tuesday in London. The gauge rose 7.4 per cent from this year’s low on February 4 through Monday as mergersand-acquisitions activity increased and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said policy makers are ready to take action to support the economic recovery.

“Despite the good run we’ve seen in European stocks this year and the year before, I’m still positive they will go higher,” said Herbert Perus, who helps oversee $36bn as head of equities at Raiffeisen Capital Management in Vienna. “European companies are in very good shape. Companies with good results are going up, while those with bad numbers are going down. This is a good sign.”

European shares pared gains of as much as 0.3 per cent after a report showed U.S. retail sales rose 0.1 per cent in April, missing the median economist forecast. They climbed 1.5 per cent the previous month.

In Germany, a report showed the ZEW Center for European Economic Research’s gauge of investor and analyst expectations fell this month to 33.1 from 43.2 in April, also missing projections.

The Stoxx 600 rose earlier on speculation the Bundesbank is open to more stimulus. Germany’s central bank is willing to back measures from the European Central Bank next month if staff forecasts show a lower 2016 inflation outlook,

the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.

National benchmark indexes fell in 11 of the 18 western-European markets today. Germany’s DAX rose 0.5 per cent and France’s CAC 40 added 0.2 per cent. The U.K’s FTSE 100 advanced less than 0.1 per cent.

ThyssenKrupp gained 5.2 per cent to 22.38 euros. The company said 2014 profit excluding one-time items will almost double from last year’s 586 million euros ($803m), up from a previous forecast of about one billion euros. The steelmaker also said first-quarter earnings rose to 269 million euros from a loss of 129 million euros a year earlier.

ThyssenKrupp’s last reported profit was for the third fiscal quarter of 2012.

Airbus climbed 6.4 per cent to 52.66 euros for its biggest advance in five months. The French plane maker reported that first-quarter earnings before interest, tax and one-time items fell to 700 million euros in the first quarter, beating the 659-million euro average estimate of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

Sales rose five per cent to 12.6 billion euros, also exceeding projections.

Pandora jumped 8.5 per cent to 393.50 kroner, the highest price since its initial public offering in October 2010. The Danish jeweler said full-year sales will exceed 10.5 billion kroner ($194m), up from its previous forecast of 10 billion kroner. First-quarter revenue surged 30 per cent to 2.59 billion kroner, beating analysts’ predictions.

Mario Draghi

Pfizer plans to raise AstraZeneca bid a second time

P

fizer Inc. is planning to sweeten its bid for United Kingdom rival AstraZeneca Plc for a second time, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Pfizer and its advisers are crafting a new offer that would increase the value modestly above the current 50 pounds-a-share (about $84) level while bumping the cash portion, said two of the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. Pfizer will probably wait until after U.K. government hear-

ings to raise its bid, they said.

Pfizer is putting together a sweetened offer before it considers whether to make a hostile takeover attempt by bringing its proposal directly to AstraZeneca’s shareholders, the people said.

Pfizer would prefer a friendly deal since its unsolicited overture already has attracted political scrutiny in the U.S. and U.K. AstraZeneca rejected Pfizer’s second proposal on May 2, valued at 62.6 billion pounds ($106bn) and made up of 32 per cent cash and the rest in stock.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global News

Thursday, May 15, 2014

London falling short on affordable housing amid boom

London property

I

n 2010, Nick Williams oversaw construction of luxury apartments at London’s One Hyde Park, where a penthouse valued at 175 million pounds ($297m) sold last month.

Now he works at the other end of the property ladder, building discounted homes for those shut out of the boom.

Local officials have “realised the housing crisis for people who are neither rich nor poor is massive,” said Williams, operations director at Pocket Living Ltd., which uses interest-free credit from the city to build homes selling for about 20 per cent below market value. “There’s a lot of pressure on us to deliver.”

In contrast to the $41.1bn affordable-housing initiative announced this month by New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, London has opted for a piecemeal

approach to taming home prices that have spiraled to records. The method has so far failed to meet Mayor Boris Johnson’s own expectations.

“The very fact that people above the median household income in London require subsidised housing is a strong indication of market failure,” said Andrew Heywood, a consultant who has researched housing for the Smith Institute, an organisation that describes its mission as promoting a fairer society. “The housing market is fundamentally dysfunctional.”

Central London is the secondmost expensive place in Europe to put a roof over your head after Monaco, according to broker Knight Frank LLP, and it’s getting worse.

Home prices in the U.K. capital rose about 17.7 per cent in

the year through February to an average of 458,000 pounds, the biggest increase since July 2007.

That compares with an average of about 347,000 pounds in Sydney in March and 476,000 pounds in New York in the first quarter.

To fuel development, Johnson wants the U.K. Treasury to hand over surplus land for new construction. He’s advocating new infrastructure such as rail lines and an airport to the east of London that would facilitate homebuilding on the Heathrow Airport site and on hundreds of acres in Barking Riverside in the east and Old Oak Common in west London. He wants to set up a bank to lend as much as 200 million pounds to developers for about 3,000 homes to be leased at below-market rates for 10 years before being sold at their full value.

BlackBerry opens device management to rivals in break from past

B

lackBerry Limited is opening its software to competitors like International Business Machines Corp. and Citrix Systems Inc., giving corporate customers more choices in how to manage their fleet of BlackBerry 10 phones.

BlackBerry will give other mobile-device management companies direct access to smartphones that use the BlackBerry 10 operating system, according to a statement today. Before this, companies were only able to use BlackBerry software to keep track of their employees’ BlackBerry phones, install software on them and wipe them clean if they were lost.

To keep from losing more market share with business customers, BlackBerry is seeking to remove some of the isolation it had with its standalone phone-management system. The move comes as Chief Executive Officer John Chen at-

tempts to turn around the struggling company by moving phone manufacturing to contractors and focusing more on software and messaging services.

By opening device management to competitors, Chen is giving up BlackBerry’s status as the exclusive provider of full BlackBerry phone management. He’s also acknowledging that more companies are let-

Blackberry phone

ting employees use a variety of mobile devices for work, from iPhones to Androids to BlackBerrys. BlackBerry’s own management software, BlackBerry Enterprise Service, already works with smartphone software from Apple Inc. and Google Inc., and a new version will soon offer support for Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Phone operating system.

37

Bank of Japan said to watch El Nino for summer spending slowdown

B

ank of Japan officials are concerned that cooler-thannormal weather triggered

by El Nino this summer will curb spending and weigh on an economic rebound after a sales-tax increase, according to people familiar with the matter.

The officials are watching out for potential weakening in consumer spending and sentiment that could add to risks facing the economy from weak exports and developments in Ukraine, according to the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions were private. With an export recovery that could be gradual, the effects of El Nino require close monitoring, the people said.

The Japan Meteorological Agency this week forecast a 70 per cent chance El Nino will occur, the highest since its last occurrence in 2009, bringing lower temperatures that could continue through autumn.

Dai-ichi Life Research Institute economist Toshihiro Nagahama sees a risk that cooler weather could reduce growth by as much as 0.9 percentage point in the third quarter.

“We can’t rule out the potential that the El Nino this summer causes unexpected damage to Japan’s economy,” Nagahama said. “This could affect the decision to raise the sales tax from October next year as the growth rate in July-September is critical for that judgment.”

Cold weather triggered by El Nino could depress consumer spending on summer clothes, air conditioners, beer and other drinks, weighing on growth, Nagahama said.

Average monthly temperatures in Tokyo during the El Nino from May 2009 to March 2010 were 0.2

degrees Celsius lower than the 30year average, according to data from Japan’s weather agency. Beer shipments by such companies as Kirin Holdings Co. and Asahi Breweries Ltd in July 2009 were the lowest for that month since records began in 1992, as colder weather and heavy rains deterred drinkers.

The risk for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the central bank is that the damage could sap strength from a bounce in an economy forecast to return to growth in the third quarter after shrinking an annualized 3.3 per cent this quarter due to the effects of the sales tax increase, according to a May 2-8 survey of economists by Bloomberg News The government, trying to contain the world’s biggest debt burden, last month lifted the tax to eight per cent from five per cent and will base a decision on whether to go ahead with plans to raise the levy to 10 per cent next year on how resilient the economy is in the third quarter, according to Economy Minister Akira Amari.

El Nino this summer could be the strongest since a record in 1997, according to Shuhei Maeda, senior coordinator for El Nino information at Japan’s weather agency.

Shinzo Abe

AT&T in talks to buy DirecTV for $50bn

A

T&T Inc., joining the ranks of U.S. TV, Internet and wireless providers racing to consolidate, is in advanced talks to acquire DirecTV for about $50 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

Under the plan being discussed, management of DirecTV, the largest U.S. satellite-TV provider, will continue to run the company as a unit of AT&T, said the people, asking not to be named because the information is private. DirecTV Chief Executive Officer Mike White plans to retire after 2015, the people said.

The purchase would give AT&T a national satellite-TV provider to combine with its wireless, phone and high-speed broadband Internet services as competition ramps up. The pool of pay-TV customers is peaking in the U.S. because viewers are increasingly watching video online, and the combination

would keep DirecTV from being on its own with just a TV offering and no competitive Internet package.

“With DirecTV they are getting a national TV presence -- they can sell TV with wireless nationwide,” said Roger Entner, an analyst with Recon Analytics, based in Dedham, Massachusetts. “AT&T has increasingly been breaking out of their 22-state landline footprint.

They sell wireless, they started selling home security and they could add TV to that package.”

The deal is more than a week away from being completed, said another person familiar with the matter, who added the sides were still in talks on a price which could come in close to $95 a share, depending on how much cash or stock is in the transaction. The person said White’s departure was also still being negotiated.

The price could go as high as $100 a share, two other people said.

38

Insight

Thursday, May 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Solving maritime manpower W

hen the Federal Military Government in 1977 established the Nautical College of Nigeria, which later became Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) with limited assistance from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the primary motive was to build the much needed human capacity for the growing maritime industry.

Prior to this time, most of the nation’s Merchant Navy officers were trained mainly in the United Kingdom, India and Ghana, among other places at a very high cost to the government It was in line with this objective that the academy was designed as an integrated institution basically for the education and training of shipboard officers, ratings and shore-based management personnel in line with the requirements of the IMO and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). In addition to training the nation’s merchant navy officers, MAN was also expected to facilitate the certification of Nigerian seafarers in line with the provisions of Merchant Shipping Act, 1962 and the IMO Convention on Standards, Certification and Watch-Keeping STWC, 1995 for seafarers.

The school (Nautical College of Nigeria), which was officially opened in 1979, however had its name changed to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in 1988 following the promulgation of Decree 16 of 1988, which raised its status, as required by the STCW Convention.

Federal Government’s expectations of the academy are stated in its mission statement as enunciated in its Service Charter; which is to provide the merchant navy, the maritime industry and allied industries qualitative education and training with up-to-date technology, meet national and international standards and satisfy end-users’ expectations. The academy’s vision was to be internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in maritime education and training.

Regrettably, these expectations, mission and vision have not been fully realized more than 35 years after.

Statistics got by National Mirror show that as at end of 2010 academic session, the MAN had trained about 4,300 merchant navy officers among others for both shipboard and shore-based operations.

Maritime experts say this is definitely like a drop in a mighty ocean considering Nigeria’s 160 million population with the attendant growth in sea trade in the country. The figure is grossly inadequate for the local maritime industry, as further data show that over 50,000 job spaces exist. This also compares with the Republic of Philippines, with a population of less than 100 million but exports over 300, 000 seafarers annually, representing 30 per cent of world seafarers’ export, from which she also earns over $5billion.

Recent statistics show that about 5,000 Nigerian cadets trained by the academy 11 years ago are yet to do their mandatory training due to the absence of a training

President Goodluck Jonathan has turned the sod in Kurutie, Warri, Delta State to build Nigeria Maritime University. And after 35 years of its existence, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State is being upgraded to a degree-awarding institution, a development FRANCIS EZEM reports is good decision to address growing human capital needs of the nation’s maritime industry and make the once-neglected MAN take its pride of place among maritime training institutions.

Cadets on parade at the academy.

THE SCHOOL (NAUTICAL COLLEGE OF NIGERIA), WHICH WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED IN

1979,

HOWEVER HAD ITS NAME CHANGED

MARITIME ACADEMY OF NIGERIA IN 1988 FOLLOWING TO THE

THE PROMULGATION OF

DECREE 16 OF 1988

Main entrance to the academy.

vessel, a development that has also denied them the opportunity to be gainfully employed. What this means is that since these cadets are unable to complete the mandatory 12-month sea time as required by the STCW, they will not be issued the Certificate of Competency (CoC), without which they cannot not be gainfully employed.

Immediate past rector of the MAN, Mr. Nseyen Ebong, who highlighted some of the many challenges facing the academy, told National Mirror noted that poor funding has over the years constituted a hydraheaded monster that has stalled the realisation of its core objectives It was gathered that Decree 16 of

1988, which established the academy was silent on its funding and so successive Ministers of Transport would direct the existing agency under the ministry to make funds available to the academy and more often than not, the management of the academy goes cap-in hand begging for these monies to be released.

Another major challenge faced by the agency has also been the absence of a training ship for its cadets. This accounts for why over 5,000 of the cadets trained more than 11 years ago are yet to get placements for their sea time training on board ocean going vessels.

In the face of these daunting challenges, the perception of the host commu-

nity of the academy as their own share of the national cake, which also influences the way and manner it is run, has helped in no small measure in truncating the realisation of the aims and objectives of the academy.

The collapse of Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL), Nigeria’s former national carrier, which at a point in time had over 40 ocean going ships in its fleet, most of which were used for the cadets’ sea time training, also affected the academy negatively.

But there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for the academy. This follows the decision of the government to actualise the dream of elevating it to a

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insight

Thursday, May 15, 2014

39

shortage with upgrade of MAN

MAN Rector, Okpo

Administrative building of the academy.

ABOUT 5,000

NIGERIAN CADETS TRAINED BY THE ACADEMY

11 YEARS

AGO ARE YET TO DO THEIR MANDATORY TRAINING DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF A TRAINING VESSEL, A DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS ALSO DENIED THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED degree awarding institution, which has been in the pipeline for over 10 years ago.

In October 2008 the Minister of State for Transport, Prince John Okechkwu Emeka, said the academy would soon be upgraded to become a degree-awarding institution. His predecessor in office, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, who finally secured Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval for the transformation, had noted that the primary purpose was to put the products of the academy at par with graduates of other institutions in the international labour market.

“At its present status as an academy or a college, the highest certificate issued by MAN is National Diploma while its peers both in Africa and any other place in the

world issue degree certificates and so Nigerian cadets who possess ND certificates are rated and paid lower than their peers even though the training is the same, as it must conform to IMO requirements”, the Minister had argued.

Apart from this, the elevation of the Maritime Academy of Ghana, owned by five West African countries to Regional Maritime University, Tema, Ghana also became a catalyst for the government to actualise the dream, which had been in the pipeline for more than a decade.

It was in line with this plan to transform the academy that the government took steps to formalise its funding. The National Assembly therefore in passing the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Act, which merged the defunct National Maritime Authority (NMA), Joint Maritime Labour Industrial Council (JOMALIC) and the Government Inspectorate of Shipping (GIS), made provision for statutory allocation for the funding of the academy.

For instance, relevant sections of the Act ceded five per cent of NIMASA’s annual budget as a statutory funding for the academy. This is in addition to other grants and internally generated revenue.

Again, following the IMO’s approval for the transformation of the academy to a university status, the Federal Government last year ordered NIMASA to release the sum of N2billion intervention fund to the academy for it to commence arrangements for the actual transformation.

Rector of the academy, Mr. Joshua Okpo, who confirmed receipt of the money recently in Lagos, disclosed that the academy would invest the N2billion intervention fund in the preliminary process of upgrading and expanding its facilities towards the goal of becoming a degree-

awarding institution.

He disclosed that the academy plans to use the money for the clean-up of the parcel of land donated to it by Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State as part of conditions given by the IMO for the upgrade.

It was, however, gathered that in addition to cleaning up the parcel of land, the management has already completed the site plan as well as mapping out a network of roads, which will be followed by the landscaping of the new parcel of land.

“We plan to develop mini-modern city made up of a mini market, a shopping mall, worship centres and other structures that would give it a semblance of a modern city-centre”, the rector said.

It was gathered that as part of measures to ensure a smooth transformation, the syllabus of the academy is being reviewed to suit its new status, which was facilitated by a team of professors assembled by the academy for that purpose.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government recently approved N8.2billion for sea time training of 250 cadets of the academy, comprising 100 Merchant Naval Officers and 150 Engineers, who graduated over 11 years ago.

Maritime experts have continued to react to the upgrading of the institution.

A retired ship captain with the defunct NNSL, Captain Adejimi Adu, told National Mirror that the academy has not achieved much in its 35 years of existence.

“It is a shame that MAN set up in 1979, about 35 years ago, cannot issue a certificate that can be recognised at higher levels by all countries of the world. Granted, I understand that they can issue Officer of the Watch (OOW) Certificate, which is the least of the officer cadre certificates”,

he lamented He also regretted that MAN has not been able to do class two or class one, which is the master mariner certificate or the class one for the Chief Engineer, a development that necessitates this current upgrade.

He, however, insisted that in addition to migrating to a degree awarding institution, the management should affiliate most of the courses of the academy with other internationally recognised maritime institutes.

President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, umbrella body for retired indigenous ship captains, chief engineers and engineers, Captain Ade Olopoenia, who also commented on the transformation of the academy, noted that traditionally, mariners’ trainings are not academic based, rather practical experience -oriented.

“But the big question is whether there will be good teachers to train them to be able to meet the requirement of the STCW because whatever they do must be tailored towards meeting the STCW convention of the IMO. This means that they must have good lecturers that are Master Mariners, Marine Engineers and Chief Engineers and not necessarily PhD holders”, he said.

“Though to have a degree is desirable, the practical experience is also needed and must not be ignored. The emphasis should be on how these cadets will do their sea time training after the degree programme in line with STCW”, Olopoenia further argued..

It is, therefore, imperative for the government and management of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria to do everything possible to get it right by avoiding costly mistakes since failure in this matter is not an option.

40

Cocktail

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Bears break into cars in New Hampshire

W

ildlife officials in New Hampshire believe a bear is to blame for a series of recent car break-ins.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department says several cars have been broken into over the last few weeks in the same North Conway neighbourhood. Officials say the likely culprit is a bear looking for food.

Terry Leavitt tells

WMUR-TV the radio was pulled out of her dashboard. The interior was ripped apart and a window was smashed. Other residents also reported similar damage.

Conway police Sgt. George Walker says it’s a common occurrence this time of year as bears stop hibernating and search for food. And the suspect description is always the same: “black and furry.”

Man drives drunk to station to file report

P

olice say a 31-yearold man has been arrested after he drove to a Louisiana state police headquarters while drunk to file an accident report.

Online booking records indicate Patrick Ruffner of Gonzales was in the East Baton Rouge Parish jail Monday with bond set at $1,000.

Trooper Jared Sandifer says Ruffner called state police Saturday, saying his vehicle was struck by a hitand-run driver on Inter-

state 10 in Baton Rouge. He was told to come to Troop A’s offices to fill out a crash report.

Sandifer says that when Ruffner got out of his SUV, a trooper smelled alcohol and gave him field sobriety and breath tests.

Sandifer says Ruffner was booked with driving on a suspended license and with first-offense driving while intoxicated.

It was not immediately clear whether Ruffner had an attorney.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oddities

‘Man steals toilet tank from Seattle restaurant’

S

eattle police are looking for a man suspected of stealing the toilet tank from a restaurant bathroom as workers at a Subway sandwich franchise prepared his family’s meal, police said on Monday.

The man went to the Subway shop in West Seattle with his family on Sunday evening. After placing an order, he entered the restroom and remained inside even after his wife knocked on the door, asking why he was taking so long, and then left without him, Seattle police said in a statement.

When the man eventually emerged from the bathroom, he hurriedly exited the store in possession of a large plastic garbage bag, police said.

An employee who later entered the bathroom dis-

covered the toilet tank was missing. In addition, the bathroom sink was stuffed full of paper towels and still running,

Piglets playing with a tiger.

while the bathroom key was gone, police said.

Subway workers valued the stolen toilet tank at $550, police said. Wit-

nesses at the scene were able to provide police with a description of the man, who remains at large, police said.

PHOTO: ODD STUFF MAGAZINE

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Thursday, May 15, 2014

41

Equities rise 0.5% on dividends expectation JOHNSON OKANLAWON

I

nvestors appetite for stocks rose further on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as earnings from blue chip companies sustained bullish trend and dividends expectation.

Last week, the equities market closed bearish, and the benchmark index lost 0.06 per cent, while year-todate losses stood at 6.71 per cent due to sell-offs recorded in the share prices of some highly capitalised stocks

such as Seplat, Zenith Bank, Transcorp, Guinness and Dangote Cement amongst others.

The All Share Index appreciated 0.47 per cent to close at 39,138.98 points, compared to the rise of 1.02 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 38 955.02 points.

Market capitalisation added N183bn to close at N12.9trn, higher than the increase of N130bn recorded the preceding day to close at N12.8trn.

Four sectorial indices added value to their companies,

three others shed weight while the Alternative Securities Market remained flat at 950.94 points.

The NSE 30-Index gained 0.63 per cent to close at 1,776.51 points, while the Banking Index was up 0.76 per cent to close at 411.03 points.

The Insurance Index and the Consumer Goods Index appreciated 0.50 per cent and 0.88 per cent to close at 142.15 points and 977.18 points respectively.

The Oil and Gas Index lost 0.66 per cent to close at 320.73 points, while the Lotus

Islamic Index dropped 0.01 per cent to close at 2,708.04 points.

The Industrial Index fell 0.11 per cent to close at 2,530.38 points.

Wema Bank Plc led the gainers’ table with six kobo or 6.45 per cent to close at 99kobo per share, followed by Fidson Healthcare Plc with 13 kobo or five per cent to close at N2.73 per share.

Portland Paints Plc appreciated 23 kobo or 4.97 per cent to close at N4.86 per share, while Air Service Plc rose 10 kobo or 4.65 per cent to close at N2.25 per share.

Q1: Domestic investors reduce exposure to stocks JOHNSON OKANLAWON WITH AGENCY REPORT

T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange said yesterday that foreign portfolio inflows into its equity market rose 65.1 per cent to N356.5bn ($2.20bn) in the first quarter as domestic investors cut their exposure.

The Exchange said total transactions on stock market stood at N547.5bn during the three months to March, of which locals accounted for 34.9 per cent, according Reuters.

The country has been growing as an investment destination for foreign investors attracted to its stock and debt markets by the growth prospects of Africa’s biggest economy and its large consumer base seeking everything from cars, houses to services.

Stocks had on Tuesday climbed to their highest in two and half weeks, lifted by gains in the banking sector as investors position for yearend dividend payments.

Several banks announced dividends as part of 2013 results, attracting investors to their stock.

Guaranty Trust Bank, Nigeria’s biggest bank by market value, declared N1.45 per share dividend in April.

FCMB, Sterling Bank and FBN Holdings all also plan to reward shareholders with dividends.

Foreign inflows into Nigerian stocks have risen 36 per cent in six years to N1.04trn, stock exchange data showed, as domestic participation decreased by the same percent over the same period to N1.0trn.

The bourse said local participation in equities also

waned in the first quarter of 2014 as domestic investors composed mainly of retail investors stayed wary of stocks which had fallen more than six percent during the period.

President Goodluck Jonathan had said Africa is open for direct foreign investments and will cease from demanding aids from the developed world.

He spoke during a session on ‘Partnering for Prosperity’ at the World Economic Forum, WEF, on Africa last week.

He had said that the continent had been more stable in the past decade, having shifted considerably from the days of military coups and constant demand for relief aids.

The president had said that the economies of some African countries had been growing in double digit fig-

ures while that of Nigeria, though at 6.8 per cent, was the largest on the continent.

“African market is huge and less competitive for big foreign investors; that is why the demand now from African leaders is less aid and more investments,” he had said.

President Jonathan had argued that the excuse of inadequate infrastructure was becoming untenable.

He had said this was sequel to the gradual but massive improvements being made by Nigeria and other African countries in rail, roads and other facilities, to promote business and industry.

Jonathan had explained that some restriction on some importation and other areas were only meant to protect local industry and not to build barriers or send investors away.

Source: NSE

Source: FMDA

Market indicators All-Share Index 39,138.98 38,485.48 points Market capitalisation 13.10 trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

SEPLAT WEMABANK

596.50 0.93

626.31 0.99

29.81 0.06

% CHANGE 5.00 6.45

UNIONDICON FIDSON

13.44 2.60

14.11 2.73

0.67 0.13

4.99 5.00

AFRIPRUD PORTPAINT

4.63 2.90

4.86 3.04

0.23 0.14

4.97 4.83

CUSTODYINS AIRSERVICE

2.25 2.15

2.35 2.25

0.10

4.44 4.65

COSTAIN FIDELITYBK

1.41 2.00

1.47 2.09

0.06 0.09

4.26 4.50

DANGSUGAR MANSARD

9.50 2.25

9.90 2.35

0.40 0.10

4.21 4.44

ZENITHBANK UAC-PROP

21.92 17.68

22.70 18.46

0.78

3.56 4.41

JBERGER LEARNAFRCA

68.89 1.59

70.90 1.66

2.01 0.07

2.92 4.40

ETI FCMB

13.15 3.92

13.50 4.09

0.35 0.17

2.66 4.34

INTENEGINS UBA

0.53 6.99

0.54 7.25

0.01 0.26

1.89 3.72

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CADBURY UPDCREIT

11.02 79.00

CLOSING 10.47 75.05

-0.55 -3.95

-4.99 -5.00

AIRSERVICE NAHCO

2.25 5.52

2.14 5.25

-0.11 -0.27

-4.89

RTBRISCOE CUSTODYINS

2.66 1.25

2.53 1.19

-0.13 -0.06

-4.89 -4.80

ETERNA COURTVILLE

3.79 0.68

3.61 0.65

-0.18 -0.03

-4.75 -4.41

ABCTRANS MOBIL

0.86 131.00

0.82 125.55

-0.04 -5.45

-4.65 -4.16

CUTIX CONTINSURE

1.05 1.99

1.01 1.90

-0.04 -0.09

-3.81 -4.52

PRESCO OASISINS

42.00 0.53

40.12 0.51

-1.88 -0.02

-4.48 -3.77

OKOMUOIL TOTAL

160.00 35.00

154.00 33.50

-6.00 -1.50

-3.75 -4.29

NESTLE REDSTAREX

1,080.00 4.62

1,040.00 4.45

-0.17 -40.00

-3.68 -3.70

Yields, sterling fall on ECB outlook, US stocks dip

B

enchmark government bond yields in the United States and Germany dropped yesterday, after sources told Reuters a European Central Bank rate cut next month is more or less a done deal, while US stocks retreated slightly from recent record highs.

Euro zone sources said the ECB plans a package of policy options, including measures aimed at boosting lending to small- and midsized firms.

The ECB’s dovishness has helped hold down yields on German and US debt, though the expectation is that stronger US growth will result in a boost to those yields over time.

Ten-year Bund yields hit a one-year low of 1.37 per cent while the 10-year Treasury note’s yield fell to 2.53 per cent, the lowest since October. UK yields also fell after the Bank of England said it was in no hurry to raise rates.

“It reinforces the notion that from a global perspective monetary policy is committed to lower rates for longer,” said Ian Lyngen, a senior government bond strategist at CRT Capital in Stamford, Connecticut.

Bonds rallied even as US wholesale prices increased 0.6 percent in April, the most in one and half years, in a sign inflation pressures may be creeping up.

The S&P 500 edged lower after setting its most recent record closing high. Defensive sectors such as utilities and telecoms.

Oil continued its climb on fighting in Ukraine. US crude oil rose 81 cents to $102.52 a barrel, while Brent crude gained $1 to $110.24.

Sterling fell to a onemonth low against the dollar after the BoE said it was in no rush to raise rates and that Britain’s economic recovery is still in its early stages.

Sterling backed off a 16-month high against the euro. The euro was up 0.4 per cent against sterling at 81.70 pence.

Sterling was down 0.2 per cent against the dollar at

$1.6784, while UK gilt yields fell to as low as 2.58 per cent.

MSCI’s all-country world index edged up 0.1 per cent at 418.01 after reaching 418.24, its highest since November 2007.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 56.58 points or 0.34 per cent, to 16,658.86, the S&P 500 lost 3.19 points or 0.17 per cent, to 1,894.26 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 7.56 points or 0.18 per cent, to 4,122.60.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European shares closed virtually flat, down 0.37 point at 13689.38 points, close to Tuesday’s six-year high. The index has risen 6.5 per cent from lows in March.

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

22,057.31

11.50

07-Nov-13

182-Day

30,000.00

11.59

07-Nov-13

182-Day

47,786.39

13.05

07-Nov-13

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

178-Day

86,709.13

12.35

07-Nov-13

175-Day

95,368.69

12.35

07-Nov-13

-

-

-

-

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$350m

N/A

$343m

04-Nov-13

42

North

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Caution your wife over her utterances, activist urges Jonathan THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has been advised to call his wife to order to avoid complicating the nation problems through her comment on sensitive issues such as the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls at Chibok, Borno State.

Alhaji Mumakai-Unagha yesterday handed down the advice in a press statement in Asaba, Delta State.

Unagha who is also a lawyer noted that the advice was necessary going by the recent statement made by the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan on the state of the

nation’s insecurity, adding that President Jonathan’s wife should stop dabbling into affairs that affect the governance of this country.

He added that utterances of the first lady was unbecoming in recent times adding that she is not an elected representative of the Nigerian people to speak on such issues.

“Although she is entitled to her fundamental human rights as every Nigerian to speak on issue affecting the country, but it is good that she refrain from commenting on sensitive issue. Mr. President has information Minister and other agencies who speak on behalf of the Federal Government.

“The first lady has no constitutional rights to set up a commission of whatever name on the kidnapped school girls. Such an act is illegal and should be condemned”, Unagha stated.

While faulting the alleged setting up commission of enquiry, the Warri based legal practitioner maintained that it was only the President or either relevant government agencies that has the constitutional rights to do so saying that such agencies must seek clearance from the President.

He said: “The first lady should be more concern with her Non-Governmen-

tal Organisation, NGO, rather than being involved in government.”

He maintained that if she is interested in governance she should resigned her appointment as Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State civil service to run for any elective position she considered necessary.

The pioneer Vice President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria SouthSouth also raised alarm on the alleged plot by the first lady to impose governorship candidate in some states, stressing that such plot will only further compound the current political crisis in country.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We’ll soon be independent of federal allocation -DIBR boss THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

T

he Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, DBIR, Hon. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has said the recurrent and chunk of capital expenditures of the state government will soon be run without being totally dependent on the monthly federal allocation.

Joel-Onowakpo stated this at the just concluded 4-day retreat for staff of the state revenue board, saying that the vision of his board in the next three years is to fully establish a Delta beyond oil, where the state government will be totally independent of federally allocated revenues for recurrent expenditure and significant chunk of capital expenditure.

He disclosed that the activities of the state will be run from internal generated revenue, adding that the board target in the next three years was to consolidate on its previous successes by collecting every

kobo that belong to the state government.

“We envision a future where the state government places more value on the state revenue board as an organisation than the allocation that comes from the centre. In more specific terms, we should aim for a Delta State that will be one of the top two states in terms of tax compliance of its residents,” he said.

Joel-Onowakpo added that the retreat was to avail staff of the agency the opportunity to embed the Internal Revenue Board as one of the most respected public institutions in the state and in the country.

He maintained that capacity building has been one of the enablers to the improvements in the board, noting that they would continue to build capacity of staff for improved output. He added that they have organised various foreign training courses in three countries spread across three different continents.including Africa.

Oshiomhole commissions 300 taxis to replace Okada

G Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole picking students of Imaguero College on his way to Ring Road and Mission Road in Benin City after the commissioning of 300 ‘Comrade Cabs’ which were distributed to ex-Okada riders, yesterday.

overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, commissioned 300 “Comrade Cabs’’ purchased by the state government for the use of former Okada riders, to cushion the effects of the ban, in June last year of the operation of commercial motorcy-

Three Indians bag 15 years imprisonment for oil theft OSAHON JULIUS YENOGOA

T

hree Indain nationals involved in illegal oil theft along the waterways of Brass Local Government area of Bayelsa State has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by a Federal High Court sitting in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State.

The three convicted Indian nationals were Sahleh Kumar Singh, the Captain of the vessel, Chadrashekar Sharma and Ajay Bhatiya, owner of the vessel MT Akshay, said to be at large.

The convicted Indian

nationals were arrested by men of the Nigerian Navy aboard a ship MT Akshay formerly known as Wine Trader owned by Krishna Shipping Inc, Mainstream Charlestown Nevis and operated by Veesham Shipping Inc with tanker crew of 10 Indians and two Nigerians carrying one hundred and fifty seven thousand, eight hundred and twenty two liters (157,822) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

The tanker was also said not to have been listed in the NNPC Tanker Nomination Schedule and does not have Nigerian Port Authority, NPA, bunker-

ing permit nor the Joint Task Force, JFT, Operation Shield certificate of registration for vessels engaged in the movement of crude oil.

The convicted Indian nationals, who were among twelve suspected oil thieves, including eight other Indians, one Ghanaian and a Nigerian arrested aboard MT Akshay were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation and prosecution.

According to the statement released yesterday by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC,

Mr. Wilson Uwajeren, the Indian nationals were arraigned on a 2-count charge on January 22, 2013 before Justice Lambo Akanbi.

Justice Lambo Akanbi, found the first and the two accused persons alongside the owner of the vessel (who is still at large) guilty on count one which borders on conspiracy and convicted them accordingly.

The other accused persons- Dharmaraj Kumar, Ajay Kumar, Nimesh Kodi Parambil, Ashraf Ali, Sanjeev Kumar, Sarbjot Singh, Arvind Kumar Bhardwaj, Gagan Kumar, Dele John-

son Olayemi and Benneth Egbegi - were discharged and acquitted on the two counts preferred against them by the EFCC. However, the court was silent on the vessel, and it’s content.

EFCC chairman, Lamorde

cles, popularly known as Okada, in the state capital.

Speaking at the commissioning, Oshiomhole said his most difficult decision as governor was banning the use of commercial motorcycles in the state capital.

Oshiomhole added that in providing the taxis, “government gave 15 percent subsidy on the price of each vehicle and the subsidy is a grant that we are giving to each of the beneficiary. We are not expecting you to pay back to the government of Edo State”.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Orobosa Omo Ojo said government negotiated to reduce the interest rate by the bank from 21 percent to 18 percent as well as providing a comprehensive insurance.

On his part, the chairman of the former Okada riders, Comrade Peter Adoroh appreciated the Governor’s gesture for the provision of the first phase of 300 taxi cabs promising “We will remain with you come rain or sunshine”.

National Mirror National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net www.nationalmirroronline.net

43 43

Thursday May 15, 2014

Community Mirror It is sad that Nigeria, with such a well trained manpower in engineering and other related professionals has continued to witness the collapse of buildings across the country.

SPEAKER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, HON. AMINU TAMBUWAL

Kogi offers medical treatment to 100,000 patients WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

T

he Kogi State Government has disclosed that a total of 100,000 rural dwellers have

benefited from the free rural medical treatment organised in collaboration with CEDIO, in the past two years.

The Governor, Captain Idris Wada said this at

Obangede, headquarters of Okehi Local Government Area.

He said that free rural medical treatment has been an intervention by the government for rural dwell-

ers who cannot afford the payment for some curable diseases, even as he assured the people to continue the programme to assist the indigent ones.

Wada stated that the

medical services had been carried out in the three senatorial districts of the state in line with the promises made during his electioneering campaign in 2011.

He also disclosed that the government has executed 60 rural electrification projects in two years, stressing that more towns and villages will be connected to the national grid to boost socio economic development.

Wada expressed gratitude to the people for their support noting that government will not renege in its efforts to ensure equitable distribution of facilities.

He pointed out that several communities in the state have been supplied with electricity, saying that more than 10 communities in Okehi Local Govern-

ment Area are awaiting to be connected to the national grid.

Wada said the effort is aimed at providing rapid development at the grass roots, pointing out that the administration’s transformation agenda will touch the lives of everyone in the state.

On agriculture,the governor maintained that Kogi is in lock step with the federal government agricultural transformation agenda, even as it has established rice mills in Lokoja.

He pointed out that empowerment is top priority of government, saying that special programme has been established where the youths are trained in skills for self reliance.

Governor’s wife pledges poverty eradication

Plantain sellers waiting for customers at Zuba Market, in Abuja.

Monarch urges intervention in boundary dispute DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

T

he traditional ruler of Ikem in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe, Francis Okwor has called on Governor Sullivan Chime, to intervene in the lingering boundary dispute between his community and Neke.

The monarch said that the intervention is urgently needed to eschew a breakdown of law and order between the communities.

Igwe Okwor who addressed journalists in Enugu, said the governor should do everything within his powers to see to return of peace

in the area.

The traditional ruler accused the chairman of the local government, Augustine Nnamani, of fueling the dispute by instigating people to go to court over boundary delineation that had earlier been carried out by the government.

But Nnamani quickly reacted that he was not involved in the crisis.

“It is a frame up,” he said.

The royal father traced the land dispute to 1952, when, Neke community encroached on their land and when Ikem community demanded land demarcation, the Uzo-Agu Association, an umbrella organisation compris-

ing the five communities of isi-Uzo Local Government refused.

The traditional ruler, said the two communities were living together without land demarcation until 1976, when a secondary school was built at Ikem.

He said recently, the people of Neke demanded that the institution no longer be called Ikem Secondary School, but Ikem-Neke Secondary School.

To this, the Ikem community reluctantly accepted in order to avoid bloodshed. But suddenly, some natives of Neke people started building on the land adjacent to the school premises, claiming that the school

was no more the boundary and rather a place called ‘Ugwu Ugwuokwunanne’.

Igwe Okwor said that due to the continued encroachment on Ikem land, some concerned natives objected and were attacked by Neke people who inflicted machete cuts on them.

During the fracas, an Neke indigene died,even as Igwe Okwor wondered why Neke community took them to court.

He said: “Five of our people were taken to the hospital because of machete cuts inflicted on them by Neke people. Luckily, none died but one Neke indigene died and they claimed it was the Ikem community that was responsible”.

T

welve agriculture based cooperative societies in Ekiti State have received a sum of N18million from wife of the governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, as part of efforts at eradicating extreme poverty and hunger through enhanced rural farming and agriculture.

Mrs Fayemi also launched the MDGs Village Health Workers Scheme, under which 100 people were recruited for two years.

Speaking while handing over the cheques to representatives of the benefiting cooperatives, Erelu Fayemi said they were selected from four local government areas under the Millennium Development Goals, Conditional Grant Scheme to local government areas, MDGs-CGSLGAs. The governor’s wife stressed that the 2012-MDGs-CGS-LGAs track is a counterpart funding arrangement of the federal, state and local governments geared to-

wards attaining the eight Millennium Development Goals.

According to her, three local governments from each of the four councils comprising Oye, Efon, Ekiti South West and Ekiti West will benefit from the scheme.

She explained that the focus is to increase investment for rural farming households and boost their agriculture related ventures such as cassava production, fishery, poultry farming, piggery, maize plantation among others.

Urging the personnel recruited under the village health workers scheme to justify the huge investment by giving their best in order to achieve the desired goal, Erelu Fayemi emphasised that they are expected to serve as link between the primary health facilities and patients at the grassroots, adding that they are also expected to conduct home visits and identify pregnant women in their respective communities.

44

Young & Next Generation

Thursday, May 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria’s education unfit for 21st century kids - Osinoiki Stories: Leonard Okachie

E

arly Years Music educator, Kunbi Osinoiki has decried the quality of education that children receive in Nigeria, saying that it is not fit for 21st century.

Osinoiki runs Kunbi’s Kids Club- an early years’ enrichment and music centre as well as provide training and consultancy to nurseries and schools in devising and delivering a creative curriculum. She is also the Managing Director /CEO of Kunbi’s Place- a fun and exciting family leisure and recreation centre, Ikorodu, Lagos.

She told Young & Next Generation during an interview that government should place more priority on building of lots of schools, adding “Nigeria is one of the countries where we have more young people than adults. We have too much overcrowding in schools and that means that the quality of education we are getting is not fit for the 21st century. If you look around you, more and more expatriates are coming to live and work in Nigeria.

“Our children are going to be competing for jobs with all these people who where far better educated than we are. I think I would love to see the kind of initiatives we have seen in some states in Nigeria the governors are making huge investments in providing quality education. I think education should be key; it should be of a good quality, the teachers should be educated themselves.”

Osinoiki’s interest in Early Years education started in the UK in 1997 when she read the Time Magazine article entitled “How a child’s brain develops”. That article influenced her decision three years later to leave her career in IT and start to work with children. She bought into a leading UK franchise which offered music and movement classes to Under 5s, and successfully ran it for 12 years. She was awarded Southern Franchisee of the year in 2008 in recognition of the success of her business.

She was introduced to music when she was 5 and she started music lesson at that

Osinoiki

Children having fun at Kunbi’s Place, Ikorodu, Lagos.

age and carried on until she was 16, when she went to university.

With a one year certificate course in Early Years Music and Movement at Canterbury Christ Church University, Economics degree from Manchester University and an MBA from Liverpool University, Osinoiki hadrecruited and trained a number of teachers to work for her over the years, and had also written and delivered Child Development courses for parents.

Also, having worked with government run Children’s Centres in the UK helping young mums learn how to interact with their children, Osinoiki felt it was time for Nigerian children to benefit from such opportunities. “And when I came to Nigeria I decided that I would carry on working with children in that way.

“I love it when I see them grow in their abilities. With the music education I deal with children for example, they start at three and halve years old and they can hardly do anything. And you just watch them with patience and care. They grow and they are able do more and more. It’s like watching a flower blossom. It’s really incredible the amount that they can

do. Don’t put any restriction before a child. You have no idea how far he will go and it is just a wonderful discovery to see the potential in the child coming out.

“I started a branch of the Kunbi’s Kids Club in Ikoyi last year. So we are just a year old and we have focused mainly on just music education on the Island. That was partly because of the kind of space we had to work from; we didn’t have a lot of space. But we are now trying to expand it to other activities in Ikorodu. So apart from music education we are now looking at other activities like swimming, cookery, coaching, football, arts and crafts and lots of other things that will allow to develop skills in different areas.

“Basically the essence of kids club is to help children discover their creative sides and creativity is expressed in so many different ways. So whatever it is that we are going to be doing, where ever we are, it is to help children develop more.”

“We are well established in Ikoyi. We are in schools and nurseries and we are still getting invitation from new schools.

We are going to be having our concert this year at Muson Centre and some of our children are just three and halve. So

YCW celebrates Workers’ Day in style

T

he Young Christian Workers Movement (YCWM) Lagos regional recently joined their counterparts all over the world to celebrate worker’s day. It was a gathering of young professionals; the working-youth, to lend their voice on the need for practical change amidst the challenges besetting the workers, and the country.

The event which held in Festac Lagos, started with a Holy Mass at Catholic Church of the Visitation , officiated by the Parish Priest , Rev. Fr. Andrew Ogidan, and YCW Chaplain Apapa Deanery; Rev. Fr. Sixtus Uwagbue.

The need to return to God was emphasized in the theme: “Let God Arise” and empower us to be instruments of peace in our world. The Regional Chaplain, Msgr. Livinus Ukah added that it is in such strengthening - with politicians piloting the nation’s affairs well - that

Nigeria can be united in thought and mind to build a sustainable economy and a society where peace and justice will reign.

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Sixtus charged all to be the change that they seek. He went further to encourage workers to find joy in what they do. Buttressing the fact of the correlation between being proud of your work, finding pleasure in it, and giving in ones best, he explained that Joseph the foster father of Jesus in whose honour YCW had gathered, was a carpenter, yet Jesus identified with it.

After the Holy Mass, a peace trek commenced from 1st Avenue, through 3rd Avenue to 21 Road, and terminated at the Catholic Church of the Presentation, on 23 Road Festac. The event also featured performances by cultural troupes as well as brain teaser segment where winners

were rewarded with prizes.

In a speech by the Regional President of the group, Mr. Andrew Esan Akins, the theme was considered apt given the precarious times the nation has found itself - a situation where sad news heralds each day: bomb explosions, killings and kidnapping of innocent citizens, selfishness, injustice, and the unending list of woes and travails.

He therefore recommended to the Federal Government on behalf of Young Christian Workers Movement of Nigeria, that good integrative leadership is the solution to Nigeria’s problem as only then can the common man be truly represented because a new constitution can only help when the people elected to implement it are truly representing the people.

The planning committee chairman –

that is going to be a fantastic opportunity for them to perform.”

Encouraged by the success achieved at Ikoyi, they would love to reach schools and as many families as possible and churches as well when the Ikorodu branch take off.

“I know that when we first let people know that we are thinking of bringing music at the centre they were very excited. A lot churches said they love their children to play instrumentals and we are growing the next generation of musicians. That is why we are here.

“It is going to be like a day camp. Children can arrive in the morning and we have a lot of activities from that time till whenever they care picked up. So they can do some music, cookery, swimming, football, arts and craft, we have library that they can use and some many others.

It’s as much as they can take until they are tired.”

On one year of Kunbi’s Place, she said, “It’s been a very interesting journey; lots of ups and downs. We have made quite a lot of progress in the last year. We still have challenges but we thank God for how far He has brought us.”

Dr. Stanley Michael Gaadi, said it is in view of these that the group launched a campaign: “Say NO to casualization of workers and corruption, Say NO to rape and domestic violence, Say NO to terrorism, Let’s unite and have a peaceful nation.”

According to the Committee’s Head of Publicity, Miss. Jacinta Nweze, YCW is a movement of young people; young men and women, at work, in study-work situations, unemployed, in insecure or casual work.

Founded in 1925 by Cardinal Joseph Cardijn, the aim of the movement is to help young workers reflect and take action themselves in order to gain freedom from what prevents them from living with dignity and to bear witness to the presence of God and His plan in Jesus Christ within the world of working youth.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Young & Next Generation

45

Star The Winner Is; wraps up auditions Leonard Okachie

A

fter one week of rigorous regional auditions, the search for the most vocally talented Nigerians to take part in Africa’s first ever music talent and game show Star The Winner Is came to an outstanding finale in Lagos last week.

The regional auditions which took place in five major cities, kicked off on April, 29, 2014 in Benin and ended in a two- day vocal talent extravaganza on May 7 and May 8 drawing thousands of hopefuls with a record- breaking turnout converging at Acquatic Hotels in Ikeja, Lagos.

With a massive overflow of vocally talented individuals storming the venue for the audition finale, the talent packed event delivered a graceful outing to wrap up the auditions phase.

In the midst of the colourful multitude that thronged the venue, 29-year old singer, Henry McJohn stood out. Henry who had been on several musical talent hunt shows impressed the selectors with his rendition of Gerald Levert’s ‘I’d Give Anything’.

“The way he ran the notes of such a technical song effortlessly is simply astounding, he definitely deserved to move to the next round”, said an impressed Anis Halloway, one of the selectors.

Another noteworthy contestant, Nonso Iwuchukwu who earned himself a golden ticket with his flawless rendition of Beyoncé’s ‘Love On Top’ was visibly shaken and overwhelmed.

“I can’t believe what I just experienced, this is my very first audition and I can’t wait to prove that I really deserve the golden ticket”, said an amazed Nonso.

The other cities had some remarkable performances that held the selectors in awe, one of which was 23-year-old Micheal Achu from Enugu.

Affected by a rare genetic skin condition known as Albinism, Michael fascinated the selectors with his vocally flawless performance of Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ and earned himself a golden ticket fast tracking him to the TV show.

Speaking on the trials of his skin colour, he said “it has brought me some downsizing but I never let it weigh me down, with every challenge I strived

Youths at the audition centre of Star The Winner Is.

harder and I am glad that my fighting spirit has earned me a golden opportunity to be on Star The Winner Is”.

Benin City, the first stop for the auditions delivered amazing talents one of which was a sassy 20- year- old, Jahtell Ilem whose vocal prowess captivated the selectors beyond words.

Amongst the incredible talents that the city of Abuja rendered was 20 -yearold Bigwan Faith, who works as a day security man in Lafia. With a big voice, the selectors had no choice but to put him through to the next round.

Desmond David one of the contestants in Port Harcourt left the selectors spell-

Minister supports establishment of UN agency on youth

Corps members cheering during a closing ceremony of orientation course.

Tola Akinmutimi ABUJA

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he Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Boni Haruna, has lent his voice to the call for the establishment of a United Nations agency on youth similar to the United Nations Agency on Women, even as he expressed Nigerian government’s readiness to host the agency.

Making the call during the presentation of the country’s position to delegates at the World Conference on Youth 2014 which was concluded last Saturday at Colombo, the Minister pointed out that the establishment of such an institutional platform under the United Nations System would afford the youth of the world a global voice.

Alluding to the recent creation of Commonwealth Youth Council, Haruna reasoned that the youths would be given

a platform to harness their resources and contribute significantly to world debate and development through a single coordinated voice.

The Minister while elaborating on the Nigerian government’s youth development agenda disclosed that the Transformation Agenda of the present administration was conceived as a development strategy for effective transformation of the youth sector especially in the post 2015 sustainable development agenda.

The Minister explained further that the government had done considerably well in addressing youth challenges and in moving the sector forward through proactive and economic based programmes and initiatives. Citing YouWin, Youth Employment In Agriculture Program (YEAP), SURE-P and the proposed National Youth Development Fund.

As part of government’s initiatives

to create employment opportunities for the youths, the Minister told the global audience that “in all these areas, there have been visible government intervention programs. The strategy for the implementation of the policy thrust of the Transformation Agenda is that it is multi sectoral driven.

Indeed, almost all the MDAs and the private sector agencies have youth development component whose programs have impacted positively on the Nigerian Youth”.

Noting the challenges facing the youths in Nigeria such as joblessness and disconnection from mainstream development initiatives, he stated that these had combined to lead to the present insecurity challenges in the country.

He however pointed out that in spite of these challenges, the Youth sector remained vibrant as Nigerian youths have continued to find relevance and prove themselves where opportunities abound.

Haruna recalled that it was in Colombo last year that a Nigerian youth and a product of the Youth Parliament where he was one time its Chief Whip, emerged as the inaugural Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council.

He commended the organizers of the for the theme of the conference which is on mainstreaming youth issues in the post 2015 Millennium Development Goals, adding that Nigeria was happy to be part of the epoch making conference because it was the first of its kind as an avenue for policy makers and the target group (youth) to discuss and set a development Agenda with emphasis on mainstreaming the youth in the post 2015 Millennium Development Goals.

bound with his astonishing rendition of Avicii’s ‘Wake Me Up’ earning himself a gold ticket.

Tokunbo Adodo, Marketing Manager Star, Goldberg and Export expressed his excitement about the auditions. He said, “The regional auditions offered a grand kick- off to the maiden edition of Star The Winner Is”.

“The variety of vocally talented contestants that were harvested is an indication that the show itself will deliver nailbiting and a suspense filled experience guaranteed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats through every episode of the show”, added an elated Tokunbo.

Science For Kids

How do bees make honey?

Honey bees

H

oney is a sweet, thick sugary solution made by bees. The composition of honey consists of varying proportions of fructose, glucose, water, oil and special enzymes produced by bees. (Glucose and fructose are types of sugar The first step in making honey begins when field bees fly from flower to flower collecting the sweet juices or nectar that a flower provides. With their tongues, the field bees suck out the nectar and store it in sacs within their bodies. After filling their sacs with these sweet juices, the field bees fly back to their bee hive and regurgitate the stored nectar into the mouths of house bees.

These house bees are assigned the job of adding enzymes from their bodies to the nectar. The enzymes cause the water in the nectar to evaporate-thereby turning the nectar into honey. Lastly, the nectar is stored in a cell of a honeycomb. Overtime, the nectar ripens and becomes honey.

Honey is one of the easiest foods to digest. Honey is used in many cough syrups because its smooth, thick texture soothes throats.

As a result of honey’s unique ability to readily absorb air, it is often used as a moistening agent in baking.

Honey comes in all types of colours and flavours. The colour and flavour of honey depends on the how old the honey is and the kind of flower that the nectar was extracted from.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Chibok girls: Journalists boycott police activities in Nasarawa Igbawase Ukumb LAFIA

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embers of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Nasarawa State have unanimously agreed to boycott all police activities in the state henceforth.

This decision was taken following the chapel’s congress held on Tuesday at its secretariat in Lafia, the state capital, where issues surrounding the arrest and detention of its member, Hir Joseph of Daily Trust, over a report on Chibok girls protest in Lafia was exhaustively discussed.

Authorities of the Nasarawa State Police command last Monday arraigned Mr. Joseph, to a Chief magistrate court II sitting in Lafia on allegation of injurious falsehood over the abduction of Chibok school girls protest.

Joseph was reportedly arrested by the police authorities in Lafia, the state capital, on May 9, 2014 and detained at the Police CID in Lafia for over nine hours and released on bail. He was however, asked to return to the Police CID Lafia last Monday from where he was taken to court for arraignment.

A statement signed by the chapel secretary, Isaac Ukpoju, said “congress

Journalists hold placards as they protest along a road days after a journalist was assaulted by mortuary attendants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Lagos.

condemned the unlawful arrest and detention of Mr. Hir Joseph for more than nine hours on Friday, May 9, 2014 over the report on the protest of the abducted Chibok school girls.

“Congress agreed to boycott all police functions pending when the Police tender an unreserved apology to the journalist for his arrest, detention and torture at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Lafia.”

On Monday, Police prosecutor, Mr. Joshua Abolarin, had told the court that the accused wrote a story captioned “Female NSCDC, Police personnel Demand

Rescue of Chibok girls,” published on page 9 of May 9, 2014 edition of Daily Trust newspaper.

Abolarin added that the accused further published another story captioned “Police detained six female corps over save our girls protest” on page 56 of Daily Trust newspaper of May 11, 2014.

He alleged that the accused wrote the stories with the intent to injure or cast aspersions on the credibility of the Nigerian Police Force or give the impression that Nigeria Police women were against the wisdom of the Federal government

THE EASTERNER debuts with a bang

Leonard Okachie

A

general interest monthly magazine, The EASTERNER has gone into circulation in parts of the country, especially the old Eastern Region of Nigeria.

THE EASTERNER is aimed at encouraging and drawing unity among Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers States all carved out from old Eastern Nigeria, one of the three regions of post independence Nigeria.

Announcing the berth of magazine, recently in Abuja, Sir Lawrence Ukwu who doubles as the magazine’s Publisher/CEO, went down memory lane, explaining that at independence in I960, Nigeria had an administrative structure that premised on three regions, North, West and East.

Sir Ukwu, who is a veteran journalist and publisher of international repute continued: “This was the set up till 1963 when

a plebiscite was conducted which excised a new region known as mid-western region from the old western region. Four years later, May 27, 1967, the military regime of Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) created twelve states by way of military decree. From then, Nigeria started witnessing avalanche of states creation to the thirty-six the country now has”.

He noted that whenever the history of contemporary Nigeria is written, the first and foremost three regions must take the pride of place because they gave birth to the thirty-six states Nigeria has to date.

On why he decided to float THE EASTERNER Magazine, Sir Ukwu stated that of the foremost three regions at independence, the old Eastern region lagged behind and greatly fragmented ranging from marginalization, singing in discordant tunes, no concrete approach to national issues, in-fighting and what have you.

The region, he went on, “to date is drawn along various sides and cannot decide her future without allowing others to

wade in to do so for her teeming population. The region is the most vulnerable of all the other two regions and politically disadvantaged. Anybody who has the gut can penetrate the region to take a good chunk of whatever he or she wants without a stir”.

“After due consideration,” Sir Ukwu added, “THE EASTERNER, a general interest monthly magazine aimed at encouraging and drawing unity among the states of former Eastern region, has taken the bull by the horn. Succinctly, the absence to date of a dynamic and robust publication for the region has led to ridicule, unprovoked attacks in some national dailies by uninformed persons who for whatever reason are bent on discrediting the area by highlighting perceived imperfections.”

THE EASTERNER, Sir Ukwu assured, would play the role of a watch dog for the purpose of getting the teeming population of the area on their toes once more. The region he revealed, has everything going for her, except formidable leadership.

The maiden edition of THE EASTERN-

in steps taken to rescue the girls.

According to him, the accused was being charged for the offence of Injurious Falsehood under section 393 sub section 1 of the penal code.

Abolarin therefore prayed the court to remand the accused in prison custody, adding that if granted bail he might commit another offence.

When the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty.

However, counsel to the accused, Barr.

Mohammed Danjuma, argued that the offence was bail able since it was not a capital offence citing section 340 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

He pleaded with the court to grant the accused bail having pleaded not guilty and should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

Ruling on the bail application, the Magistrate, Yakubu Eggah, granted the accused bail to the tune of N150,000 and a surety who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

The correspondent journalists however confessed that the police and the media have had a fruitful working relationship over the years in the state and wondered why the Police had not leverage on the relationship to resolve differences.

ER which is currently on sale is an 84 page glossy colour magazine with very exciting and well researched reports on politics, health, the economy, ICT, trade and development, sports and fashion. It also has detailed report on the genesis of the Rivers crisis; triggered off by the dispute over ownership between Bayelsa and Rivers States of the Souk/Oluasiri Oil wells.

Sir Lawrence Ukwu is veering to regional publication of the calibre of THE EASTERNER after a stint with the United Nations where he held sway for years as bureau Chief for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) covering the Americas, Canada and the Caribbean. He covered the African Development Bank (ADB) as well as its Annual General meetings in his capacity as the Editor-in-Chief of the now rested BANKING and FINANCE FOR AFRICA (BAFFA) Magazine.

He introduced to Nigeria, the Pre Annual Meetings Workshop of the Bretton Woods Institutions, the World Bank and IMF as well as that of Africa’s Multilateral Development Bank, the ADB.

Okorocha hosts Guild of Editors conference Chris Njoku OWERRI

T

he Femi Adesina-led Nigeria Guild of Editors, (NGE) will be having its 2014 annual conference in Owerri, the Imo State capital from Friday, May 16, to Sunday, May 18, 2014.

More than 40 Editors from various media houses across the nation will be heading to Owerr for the historic and all important conference.

The Editors had chosen Imo State for this year’s conference following the serene and convivial atmosphere in the state, enthroned by the people–oriented government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

The governor and the government of the state accepted to host this year’s Guild of Editors Conference because of the respect and high regard the state government has for Nigerian Journalists and Journalism as a profession.

According to the state government,

the Editors will tour the state to see for themselves some of the landmark projects executed by the administration to enable access the administration’s performance since three and half years.

Governor Okorocha, the government and good people, the statement stated welcome the Editors in Nigeria to Imo, and promise to give them all the cooperation to make the conference and their stay in the state memorable and successful.

Gov. Okorocha

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Media

Thursday, May 15, 2014

NOA cautions foreign media on negative reporting

47

Media Abroad

Joel Ajayi ABUJA

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he Director General, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri has called on foreign media reporting the abduction of over 200 Chibok girls especially CNN, BBC to report issues with fairness, balance and objectivity.

Omeri gave the charge on Monday in a joint press conference with the security operatives in a reaction to the video tape released by the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau in Abuja He said: “I want to use this medium to appeal to the media especially foreign media, the like of CNN BBC, to join the rest of the world in reporting happening in Nigeria positively.

“I want them to report issues with objectivity and ensure that their reports are balanced and fair because unconfirmed stories are capable of sending wrong signals to the world.

Omeri

“Boko Haram abducted more than 200 girls from northern Nigeria on April 14 and threatened to sell them. Three of the girls were shown speaking in the 17-minute video, obtained by French news agency AFP, wearing the full-length hijab.

“Two of the girls said they were Christians but have converted to Islam, while the other one said she is Muslim.

“These girls, these girls you occupy yourselves with… we have indeed liberated them. These girls have become Muslims,” Shekau said in the video.

GOtv holds second GOCustomer forum in PH Leonard Okachie

G

Otv Nigeria has hosted its Port Harcourt subscribers at the second GOCustomer forum, an interactive session that was held at the Bougainvillea Hotels last Saturday.

The forum was organised to appreciate GOtv residents in Port Harcourt as well as give GOtv a platform to receive firsthand feedback on its services.

Speaking at the forum, Public Relations Manager for GOtv in Nigeria, Efe Obiomah, said “The GOCustomer Forum is an exclusive event dedicated to interact with you - GOtv subscribers and deliberate on ways to serve you better.”

“This is our second forum, and we intend to have more fora in other cities to hear the needs of our subscribers. We thank you for your patronage and look forward to receiving your valuable feedback during today’s deliberations”, she concluded.

The event kicked-off with a presentation to update GOtv subscribers with new content offerings and self-service options. Thereafter, it dovetailed into a panel discussion on the digital migration by members of the GOtv team. The panel discussion was used to inform subscribers about the enormous benefits of digital migration and how it will change broadcasting for the better in Nigeria.

Furthermore, GOtv reiterated that its subscribers will enjoy all the 2014 FIFA World Cup matches on SuperSport Select in great picture and sound quality.

Gotv GM, Mrs. Elizabeth Amkpa

The forum also gave the GOtv subscribers the opportunity to ask questions with some on-the-spot query resolutions.

Among the requests from the subscribers was the extension of the GOtv service to more cities bordering Port Harcourt.

Giving a testimonial, a GOtv subscriber, Mr. Kelechi Nnah said he loves GOtv for its affordability and very clear pictures. Another subscriber Mr. Peter Aveyina said GOtv should be applauded for its uninterrupted transmission during rainfall.

A relatively new subscriber in Port Harcourt, Mr. Harrison Oliseh said he purchased his GOtv decoder in March 2014 describing it as very easy to install.

He also commended GOtv for the children’s channels.

Joseph Simon a music lover said he was lured to GOtv because of the wide variety of music channels, citing MTV Base and Hip TV as his favourites. He also described the GOtenna (outdoor antenna) as very effective. In his words, “I did not have to raise my outdoor antenna very high to receive signals. I would recommend GOtv to my friends and as a matter of fact, intend to buy GOtv for my father.”

The Facebook page ‘Stealthy Freedoms of Iranian Women’ was set up 12 days ago and has attracted thousands of photos.

Iranian women post pictures without hijabs on Facebook

T

housands of Iranian women are taking off their veils and publishing pictures of themselves online, igniting a debate about the freedom to wear or not wear the hijab.

A Facebook page set up by London-based Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad 10 days ago has attracted more than 130,000 likes, with women across Iran sending unveiled pictures taken in parks, at the seaside and in the streets.

“My stealthy freedom while driving in the streets of Tehran,” wrote Maryam alongside an image showing her behind the wheel. “I like to feel the wind blowing on my face.”

Another post showed a mother with her daughter. “The beautiful seaside in Kish [Island],” the younger woman wrote. “We strolled on the rocks and experienced the cool breeze flowing through our hair. Is this a big request?” A young woman from the city of Fuman, in the northern province of Gilan, sent a picture of her in the woods. “I took this picture stealthily in the spring,” she wrote. “It makes me feel happy.” Another young woman was pictured unveiled just next to a big billboard in Tehran’ Yas sports complex asking women to respect the Islamic hijab.

Alinejad told the Guardian she had been bombarded with messages and pictures since launching Stealthy Freedoms of Iranian Women. “I’ve hardly slept in the past three days because of the number of pictures and messages I’ve received.”

Alinejad said she did her best to verify that the pictures were sent from genuine accounts and asked people for permission before publishing them, but did not reveal their full names.

“I have no intention whatsoever to encourage people to defy the forced hijab or stand up against it,” she said. “I just want to give voice to thousands and thousands of Iranian women who think they have no platform to have their say.”

Alinejad said she was not opposed to the hijab – her mother is veiled – but she believed people should have the freedom to choose.

Alinejad, who is from Ghomikola, a small northern Iranian village, said the hijab was part of her daily life until she left Iran in 2009. “For 30 years I wore hijab in front of my dad. It took time for me to be able to come out and tell people I prefer to have no hijab, that I want to be myself,” she said.

Would Iranians vote against the forced hijab had they been able to participate in a referendum about the issue today? “I can’t predict but freedom to have hijab is a basic right, not one to put on a referendum.”

She said: “I want to live in a country where both me, who doesn’t have hijab, and my sister, who prefers hijab, can live along each other.”

In the 40C heat of an Iranian summer, many women in the country push the boundaries, wearing loose hijab or sporting clothing and haircuts the authorities deem “un-Islamic”. At the same time, the religious police are often deployed on the streets, cracking down on those with “bad hijab” or arresting those who defy the rules.

Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, has spoken out against the crackdown, but his government has little control over these forces, who operate under other Iranian political institutes such as the revolutionary guards. Source: The Guradian (UK)

WASH Media Awards calls for entries

T

he Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) welcome entries for the 5th WASH Media Awards.

This competition is open to journalists who publish or broadcast original investigative stories and reports on water supply, sanitation or hygiene (WASH) related issues and their impact on individual and country development.

It aims to promote coverage of WASH issues in the local, national and international media to have a positive influence on decision-makers, the private sector, the civil society as well as individuals and households.

Prize winners will receive a cash award and the opportunity to participate in the World Water Week in Stockholm - the

world’s leading water event (www.worldwaterweek.org) 31 August - 05 September 2014 as special guests of WSSCC and SIWI. There are six prizes to be awarded, one for each of the following themes: Water and Energy, Equity and Inclusion in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Ending Open Defecation,The Human Right to Water and Sanitation, WASH in the Future: The Post2015 Development Agenda, and Monitoring WASH Commitments.

All entries will be evaluated by an international jury of distinguished media professionals.

To be eligible, entries must be published or broadcast between 15 June 2013 and 15 June 2014.

Interested journalists are to visit www. wsscc.org/media/wash-media-awards or http://www.siwi.org/media/wash-mediaawards/ for more information.

48

North

Thursday, May 15, 2014

APC’ll dethrone PDP, says Yari IBRAHIM K ANOMA GUSAU

Z

amfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulazeez Yari Abubakar, has said the All Progressives Congress, APC, is striving to unseat the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, in 2015 presidential election.

He stated this when the new state chairman of the party, Alhaji Lawali Abubakar Kaura and other executives paid a courtesy visit on him at the government house The governor said the APC would capture power “from the weak and incompetent leaders of PDP”.

He also expressed gratitude to the members of the APC in the state for the conduct of the just-concluded congress of the party in an orderly manner.

Yari advised the new executives of the party to carry everybody along and to bury differences, with a view to achieving the desire goals.

The governor reiterated his government’s determination to providing the dividends of democracy to the electorate.

He explained that over N58bn had been expended on road construction in the state.

Yari said many develop-

mental projects were executed across the state, which would be celebrated to mark the third anniversary of his administration.

In another development, a committee set up by the state government to assess secondary schools education, headed by Prof.

Tukur Adamu Mafara, has submitted its report, with strong condemnation of the state of secondary schools in the state.

Tukur said there was no good atmosphere for learning, particularly when pupils receive lectures under trees.

He disclosed that most of the secondary schools lack infrastructure and facilities to aid them in their studies.

The chairman also said that most of the teachers of the secondary schools were National Certificate of Education, NCE holders, adding that there was need for the government to recruit more teachers.

He said the committee also observed that teachers’ salaries were poor and urged the government to conduct a review in the interest of educational development.

Tukur said the panel also observed that corruption in the agency responsible for school feeding, which, according to him had affected the quality of food.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NAPTIP rescues 3,000 trafficked children in Kano JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

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o fewer than than 3,000 abused and trafficked children have been rescued by the Kano Zone of National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other Related Matters, NAPTIP. The officer-in-charge of agency’s zonal command, Mrs. Khadija Bello, stated this yesterday during a one-day campaign against

trafficking and child abuse in Katsina State.

She said that about 50 offenders in human trafficking were convicted by various courts in the zone from 2003 to date, even as more convictions are being expected in the coming months.

Mrs. Bello lamented that border areas of Jigawa, Sokoto, Katsina and Kebbi states were being used by human traffickers who transport youths and children through neigh-

bouring countries to different parts of the world.

She cautioned parents to be careful about the people they allow their children to be involved with, especially those who claim to take people to foreign countries in search of jobs.

Earlier, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, had assured that his emirate would continue to assist the agency in the fight against human trafficking.

Represented by the District Head of Kusada, Alhaji Nuhu Ayashe, the emir said human trafficking and child abuse was one of the most inhuman of actions that a fellow human could mete to another.

He said the emirate, in collaboration with traditional rulers across the state, would continue to educate parents on the dangers of human trafficking and how to avoid their children from becoming victims.

Kwara gov, others bag awards

K

wara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has been chosen as winner of the HOG Governor-of-theYear award.

Also honoured are Mr. Babatunde Fowler, Chairman of Lagos Internal Revenue Service, LIRS and Nnamdi Ezeigbo, Chairman of Slot Systems.

They will be honoured at the awards ceremony scheduled for May 25 at the Summit Event Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

Fowler and Ezeigbo are designated as winners of the Man-of-Excellence and Businessman-of-the-Year awards respectively.

According to the Managing Custodian of the awards, Rupert Ojenuwa, the board selected Ahmed as Governor-of-the-Year after considering his massive investment in infrastructure, human capital development and health facilities in Kwara State.

“When we visited Kwara

State, we were shocked by the massive development we met on the ground. Most projects undertaken had reached completion, while some were nearly completed.

“What was the most commendable is the governor’s attitude and contribution to development of human capital,” he said.

Ojenuwa added: “We are not leaving the entertainment people out. Some of them are doing very well in their chosen fields, and it is important to note that Nigerian movies and music are exported to other parts of the world.

“We have looked into the industry and picked about three of them to honour. Mike Ezeruonye shall be honoured as Nollywood Star-of-the-Year, Sean Tizzle as Hip-Hop Star-ofthe-Year, while the famous blogger, Linda Ikeji, shall be receiving the Entertainment-Personality-of-theYear (award).”

Marketing Manager, Grand Cereals Ltd, Mr. Tope Banjo (2nd right) and Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Plateau State, Mr. Julius Gusan (middle) sharing eggs to school children during an egg eating awareness campaign in Jos, yesterday.

Aliyu fires 3 commissioners, re-assigns HoS PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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iger State Governor, Dr. Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu yesterday sacked three commissioners and reassigned the state Head of Service, HoS, in a major cabinet reshuffle.

The sacked commissioners are Mr. Daniel Clifford Shashere (Sports), Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Matane (Agriculture) and Abubakar Baba Jibrin (Mining and Solid Minerals), The Head of Service, Alhaji Abbas Bello, was moved to the Ministry of Science and Technology as commissioner.

Five new commission-

ers were also sworn-in by the governor.

Those sworn-in include Mallam Danladi Ndayebo, the immediate past Chief Press Secretary to the governor, who is now to man the Ministry of Information and Strategy as commissioner; Alhaji Abubakar Tukur, former Accountant-General of the State, now the Commissioner for Finance and Alhaji Abbas Munya, a former special adviser to the governor, now the Commissioner for Mining and Solid Minerals Resources.

Others are Alhaji Isa Kantigi, former Chairman of Edati Local Government Area and Chairman, Forum of Local Government Chairmen in the

state, who was made the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Alhaji Abdullahi Maza Kuka is the new Commissioner for Water Resources.

Some commissioners were also moved around in the cabinet reshuffle: Hajia Hadiza Abdullahi from the Ministry of Water Resources, to Health and Hospital Services, and Prof. Mohammed Kuta Yahaya; from Information to Agriculture.

Former Commissioner for Local Government, Alhaji Yussuf Garba Tagwai, was moved to the Ministry of Sports Development, former Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Kpakol

Bello, shifted to the Ministry of Transport, while the Commissioner for Transport, Garba Mohammed was posted to the Ministry of Youth Development.

The governor also swore in Alhaji Halidu Khadi Kuta as the new HoS. The Chief of Staff to the Government House, Mr. Joshua Bawa, is now the Commissioner for Special Duties.

The governor challenged both the new and old commissioners to work hard and ensure the completion of ongoing projects, and where necessary, make useful corrections.

He urged them to be a source of unity in their various local governments.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

49

World News

“No deal better than bad deal with Iran” –Former United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton

Turkish mine disaster: Hopes fade for survivors, at least 245 killed

WORLD BULLETIN

Pistorius ordered to undergo mental evaluation The judge in the trial of South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has ordered that he should undergo a month-long mental evaluation.

She ruled that psychiatric evidence before the court could not replace “a proper inquiry” into his mental health.

Correspondents say the trial, which began in March, will almost certainly now face a lengthy delay.

The prosecution argued on Tuesday that psychiatric tests were essential and that he should be referred.

Two days ago, Oscar Pistorius told me the prosecution’s demand that he undergo further psychiatric tests was “a joke”. His defence lawyer was practically spitting with indignation in court as he argued against it.

PAUL ACHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

H

opes faded of finding more survivors in a coal mine in western Turkey yesterday, where 245 workers were confirmed killed and around 120 still feared to be trapped in what is likely to prove the nation’s worst ever industrial disaster.

Anger over the deadly fire at the mine about 480 km (300 miles) southwest of Istanbul echoed across a country that has seen a decade of rapid economic growth but still suffers from one of the world’s worst workplace safety records.

Opponents blamed Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s government for privatizing the country’s mines and ignoring repeated warnings about their safety.

“We as a nation of 77 million are experiencing a very great pain,” Erdogan told a news conference after visiting the site. But he appeared to turn defensive when asked whether sufficient precautions had been in place at the mine.

“Explosions like this in these mines happen all the time. It’s not like these don’t happen elsewhere in the world,” he said, reeling off a list of global mining accidents since 1862.

Fire knocked out power and shut down ventilation shafts and

Rescue workers carry the dead body of a miner outside the coalmine in Soma, Turkey, yesterday.

elevators shortly after 3 pm (1200 GMT) on Tuesday. Emergency workers pumped oxygen into the mine to try to keep those trapped alive during a rescue effort that lasted through the night. Thousands of family members and co-workers gathered outside the town’s hospital searching for information on their loved ones.

“We haven’t heard anything from any of them, not among the injured, not among the list of dead,” said one elderly woman, Sengul, whose two nephews worked in the mine along with the sons of two of her neighbours.

“It’s what people do here, risk-

ing their lives for two cents ...

They say one gallery in the mine has not been reached, but it’s almost been a day,” she said.

A mechanical digger opened a row of fresh graves at Soma’s main cemetery. An imam presided over the funeral of six miners as a few hundred mourners wept in silence.

The fire broke out during a shift change, leading to uncertainty over the exact number of miners trapped. Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said the death toll as of 1600 GMT was 245. Late on Tuesday he said 787 workers had been in the mine.

The mine operator Soma Ko-

mur Isletmeleri said nearly 450 miners had been rescued from the site and that the deaths were caused by carbon monoxide. It said the cause was not yet clear.

Initial reports suggested an electrical fault caused the blaze but Mehmet Torun, a board member and former head of the Chamber of Mining Engineers who was at the scene, said a disused coal seam had heated up, expelling carbon monoxide through the mine’s tunnels and galleries.

“They are ventilating the shafts but carbon monoxide kills in 3 or 5 minutes,” he told Reuters by telephone.

Military backs ECOWAS war against malaria

T

he war declared by ECOWAS against malaria has the total support of the armed forces of all the Member States, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) Vice Admiral Mathew Quashie affirmed in Accra, Ghana.

“As combatants who have taken the sacred oath to defend our respective nations and people even to the peril of our lives, we see the malaria menace and indeed all diseases as constituting environmental (health and socio-economic) aggression that must be tackled militarily,” declared Vice Admiral Quashie, who is also Ghana’s Chief of Defence Staff at the opening of Training of Trainers Workshop within the framework of the

ECOWAS Malaria Elimination Campaign Programme.

He told the participants that malaria and other emerging vector-borne diseases such as Ebola, pandemic flu “are fast replacing wars as the major cause of death of our people, especially the vulnerable groups such as the aged and children.”

“The health, economic and social impact of malaria on any country, particularly developing countries is disastrous,” the CCDS chairman said, adding: “the picture is even more frightening in the face of malaria resistance to the conventional drugs.”

But with the successful elimination of the scourge in some parts of the world, he expressed optimism that “with concerted

efforts, we too should achieve the same success in our region.”

The chairman noted that one emerging preventive intervention which holds great promise for malaria elimination in West Africa is the use of biolarvicides, biological insecticides that “are the most proven, most widely used and most successful of the known biological pesticides.”

In her address, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mrs. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman, represented by the Chief of Staff, ECOWAS Standby Force, Brig.-Gen. Hassan Lai, said the regional workshop on trainthe-trainers of the military with the support of Technical

Britain, U.S. warn citizens of high risk of attacks in Kenya Britain and the United States warned of potential terrorist attacks in Kenya and British citizens were urged to immediately leave the east African country’s port city of Mombasa following a series of attacks.

The latest warnings, issued on Tuesday and Wednesday, may further damage Kenya’s tourism sector, one that President Uhuru Kenyatta said was “on its knees” after high-profile attacks in resorts along its Indian Ocean coastline.

Explosions in Nairobi and Mombasa killed seven people on May 3-4, and Kenya has blamed a series of gun and grenade attacks countrywide on the al Qaeda-linked Somali group al Shabaab. The militants killed at least 67 people, including many foreigners, in a raid on an upscale Nairobi shopping mall in September.

Britain’s Foreign Office said that unless on essential travel, all its citizens should avoid Mombasa and the surrounding area “following recent terrorist attacks and the continuing terrorist threat in the area”.

Ukraine holds talks to end crisis, rebels not invited

Health Adviser to the President of ECOWAS Commission, Mariane Ngoulla addressing the ECOWAS summit in Accra, Ghana, recently.

Photo: AP

partners Labiofam/Cuba is one in a series to prepare the armed forces ahead of the launch of the simultaneous application of biolarvicides on 28th May 2014, on the ECOWAS Day.

Ukraine’s interim leaders yesterday pushed a plan to allow the regions a greater say over their affairs, but the exclusion of separatists from round table talks cast doubt over whether the move could defuse the crisis.

The talks brought together politicians and civil groups in an effort to quell a pro-Russian rebellion in the industrialized Donbass region of eastern Ukraine, which has triggered fears of a break-up of the former Soviet republic.

They came at a tense moment for Kiev. On Tuesday, seven soldiers were killed in an ambush near the city of Kramatorsk, the deadliest attack on security forces since they were sent to tackle the uprising in the east in April.

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LASU intensifying efforts to meet lecturers’ demands - Spokesman

T

he Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, said yesterday that it was intensifying efforts to meet the demands of its academic staff as their ultimatum ended.

The university spokesman Mr. Kayode Sutton gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos.

“The three pending demands of the workers’ union are not in the purview of the university management, but in that of the state government.

“Processes for the implementation of the demands are ongoing as a position paper has been forwarded to the government and council for approval,” he said.

The latest ultimatum given by the Academic Staff Union of the Universities, ASUU, LASU Chapter, expired yesterday.

The union had on March 24, issued a 21-day ultimatum to the university to meet the demand or face industrial unrest.

This was followed by a14-day ultimatum on April 15, while another seven days took effect from May 1 before the latest three-day ultimatum.

The union has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if its demands are not met.

The union demands reversal of an increase in school fees, which it claimed negatively affected students’ enrolment.

It is also dissatisfied with the ‘no-vacancy- nopromotion’ policy of the university management and the non-implementation of the 2009 University Miscellaneous Provision Act, already operational in other higher institutions.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

3 die in Ogun auto accident T

he Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, in Ogun State said that three persons were killed while three others sustained injuries in an accident that occurred on the Papa-Ilaro road yesterday.

The FRSC Unit Commander in the state, Mr.

Fatai Bakare, said in Sango-Ota, that the accident occurred at about 5.45 a.m.

Bakare said the accident involved an articulated vehicle with registration number XB 641 BBR and a Volkswagen bus.

He said the occupants of the bus were fam-

ily members and friends heading to Lagos from Ilaro.

Bakare, who attributed the cause of the auto crash to over-speeding and careless driving, said the driver of the articulated vehicle lost control and collided with the bus.

He said that three of

the occupants in the bus who were male died instantly, while three others were injured.

“The corpses of the victims had been deposited at the morgue of the General Hospital in Ifo, while the injured persons are also receiving treatment at the hospital,” he said.

Dankwambo: We’re making prudent management of N30bn bond DANJUMA WILLIAMS GOMBE

G

ombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo has said that part of the N30bn bond obtained by his administration from the capital market in October 2012 was used in settling the N10bn debts incurred at the tail end of the immediate past administration of Alhaji Muhammad Danjuma Goje.

The state Commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Hassan Muhammadu, who explained this in a statement made available to our correspondent in Gombe, yesterday, said the reason for accessing the funds from was an uncommon demonstration of expertise in financial engineering, necessitated by the need to meet the aspirations of the people of the state for accelerated development based on their expressed desires.

“This is also in addition to the more than N26bn debt spread between contractor debt, bank loans, unimplemented mandato-

ries, and employees’ debt including pension arrears he (Dankwambo) inherited when he assumed office on 29th May 2011.

“Although Governor Dankwambo quietly and honorably owned up these liabilities in the interest of our fledgling democracy and in demonstration of good governance, he took the prudent decision to opt out of the heavy bank loans in order to save the state from the vagaries of the volatility of price changes in the money market and the shocks it could engender on the macro economy of the State.

“As a result, combined with the savings of the state government, the equivalent of half the amount raised was used to refinance the N10bn borrowing from the money market incurred by the previous administration at the eve of its departure from office.

“The balance was prudently used for development as is evident for all to see,” the commissioner said.

Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri (second left) and others during the Imo Women Prayer and fasting for the Nation and Chibok Schoolgirls, yesterday.

Bi-Courtney to upgrade Lagos airport with N500m OLUSEGUN KOIKI

B

i-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL, is expending the sum of N500m on the upgrade of its facilities and equipment at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Two, MMA2, Lagos.

The princely sum is to be spent within the year.

Speaking yesterday at its terminal, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, M. Chrisstophe Pennick, said the money would be spent on elevator, escalator, expansion of check-in counters and conveyor belts, among others.

Out of the amount, Pennick stated that over a N100m would be spent on

escalator and elevator facilities upgrade alone.

He added that the equipments were imported from Japan, which he said, is known for production of high quality products.

The CEO said that with the upgrade of the facilities, the company operations would be International Air Transport Association, IATA-complaint According to him, the expenditure would make BASL the first company with a terminal in subSaharan Africa to be so compliant.

Pennick explained that the facilities would be opened to public use by the mid-June, stressing that the company’s intention was to make the ter-

minal more comfortable and convenient for users.

He emphasised that the management took the maintenance and upgrade of its facilities in high esteem, stressing that BASL would go to any length to ensure that its facilities were in tandem with the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO standards.

The CEO stated that, in the next few weeks, the check-in counters at the terminal would be increased to 45 from 31 He added that with the upgrade, passengers would be able to carry out self-check-in at the terminal, or even on their mobile phones, without assistance from any quarters.

He said: “We didn’t go for any type of quality in changing and upgrading the escalators and elevators.

“We actually went for Japanese brand with high quality. We are actually changing the facilities in phases. This is the first phase, which we hope to conclude by either the first or second week of June.

“This is what we have to do for our passengers and airlines who have been with us since we commenced operations here in 2007.”

Pennick also stressed: “From the beginning of next month, we are changing all our 31 check-in counters and expand it to 45.

Thursday May 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

51

Sport

We are determined to ensure that we meet ourr targets for the Commonwealth Games

Plateau Peaks sure of African ticket 53

–AFN President, Solomon Ogba

Omeruo

Messi

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI

N

igeria’s defender, Kenneth Omeruo, is already rehearsing how he would stop Lionel Messi when the Super Eagles confront the Albiceleste on June 25 in Porto Alegre in the upcoming Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup. Omeruo told FIFA.com that though he had started watching recorded matches which the mercurial petite Argentine striker played, Messi would be checkmated collectively by all members of

…as Argentina, Iran unveil teams

A

rgentina and Iran yesterday announced their provisional team lists for the imminent World Cup finals in Brazil.

Debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina had earlier last week released their preliminary team for the Mundial and the Super Eagles can now begin to have a clear view of the opposition as Coach Stephen Keshi starts to prepare his wards.

the Nigerian team.

“I’m really looking forward to the game against Argentina. We will try as much as possible to keep a clean sheet. It will be difficult, but we have to do that. They are the best players in the world and we have to show our quality by standing up to them. We will first of all have to make sure we get maximum points from the first two games.”

Asked how he would keep Messi at bay, Omeruo responded that he had been conducting some re-

Eagles will jointly stop Messi –Omeruo

search on his Group F opponent.

“I watch him a lot on TV. It’s going to be a team effort to try and stop him. Everyone will have to be positive and 100 per cent focused on the game,” the Chelsea defender said.

With Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero all lining up for Argentina, the Super Eagles backline will have to be particularly attentive.

Omeruo said his relationship with his central defensive partner, Godfrey Oboabona, and

Coach Stephen Keshi who played in the same position during his career, should make that task easier.

“I do have a good friendship with Godfrey off the pitch; we talk on Skype sometimes,” he said. “Before the national team I used to play with him in the Nigerian league at Sunshine Stars.

“Most times before games Coach Keshi gives us both separate advice. He tries to psyche us up as much as possible. As well as that, he is a father who advises

us. He’s a really good man to play under.”

On his loan stay at Middlesbrough, Omeruo said,“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Middlesbrough. I knew that if I had the chance to play I would keep the position. I would like to thank the club, the manager especially for believing in me and playing me.

I’m happy that I didn’t disappoint him. I knew I had to play games to be fit for the World Cup and also to make the squad. It’s been a really good season for me.”

Argentina squad

Iran squad

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Sampdoria), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors) Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City), Jose Basanta (Monterrey), Nicolas Otamendi (Atletico Mineiro), Lisandro Lopez (Getafe), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate) Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Ever Banega (Newell’s Old Boys), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo), Jose Sosa (Atletico Madrid), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell’s Old Boys), Fabian Rinaudo (Catania), Enzo Perez (Benfica) Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain), Franco Di Santo (Werder Bremen)

Goalkeepers: Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig/GER), Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan Isfahan), Alireza Haqiqi (Sporting da Covilha/POR), Sosha Makani (Foolad), Ali Reza Biranvand (Naft Tehran) Defenders: Hossein Mahini (Persepolis), Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan Isfahan), Amir Hossein Sadeqi (Esteghlal), Hashem Beykzadeh (Esteghlal), Khosrow Heidari (Esteghlal), Ahmad Alenemeh (Naft Tehran), Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh (Zob Ahan Isfahan), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal SC/QAT), Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/CAN) Midfielders: Mehrdad Pouladi (Persepolis), Reza Haghighi (Persepolis), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal), Ghasem Hadadifar (Zob Ahan Isfahan), Bakhtiar Rahmani (Foolad), Javad Nekounam (Kuwait SC/ KUW), Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham/ENG), Masoud Shojaei (UD Las Palmas/ESP) Strikers: Mohammad Reza Khalatbari (Persepolis), Mehdi Sharifi (Sepahan Isfahan), Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Sazi), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Athletic/ENG), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC/NED), Sardar Azmoun (FC Rubin Kazan/RUS), Reza Norouzi (Naft Tehran)

52

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Thursday May 15, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Keshi S

Keshi

happy with dropped players’ support

UCL: Lisbon-bound ticket winners hail Heineken AFOLABI GAMBARI

F

i v e lucky winners nerr s of the Heinekin neknek en “Match Match Your Halff ticket” promo o have commended ed d the UEFA Champihampions League e sponsor for what at they y have described scrib bed as an experience rien ence of a life time tiime as they head head for the final nall at the Stadium um m of Light, Portugal billed for May 24.

Usurhyel Auta, who won from Abuja, said that he was destined to win going by the way events played out on the fateful night he got lucky.

“It was a busy schedule for me that day after arriving Abuja on early flight for official duty from Lagos,” Auta recalled.

“Hanging out with my friends at the bar to watch the Champions League match brought me this luck of being the sole winner among 370 participants,” he added.

It was a different story for Sopuluchukwu Benjamin Ezugorie who has been a perennial participant in the promo.

“I believe that ‘for you to

be a winw you ner, y m u s t first of be all para p tticipant’ ti cipa and a an d this t wass jjust wa drivthe dr force ing for rce e in Ezugome,” E zu u rie said, said d, adda never ing, “I n ev it knew would come w ould c o special in n a spe ec way wa ay ass it did.” did d.”

The only T he o n lady who w won in Lagos, Jayne Nelson Uzegbu, said: “I have always wished to watch a live match at any of the best stadiums in Europe and more important, to fulfill my dream of meeting Real Madrid’s star Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Another lucky winner, Olufunsho Micheal Akintoye, who won via the SMS competition held during the famous UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour in Lagos in March, said: “It will be a wonderful experience for me to watch the winning team lift the same trophy I had held in Lagos courtesy of Heineken.”

The traveling team will depart Lagos on May 22 and will return on 25, a day after the Lisbon final.

uper Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, says he is happy with the responses of some of the players that were not picked for the World Cup, especially German-based Leon Balogun, John Ogu, Brown Ideye and Ikechukwu Uche.

Keshi said yesterday that picking the 30-man list was a difficult task and he was ready to please all but could not.

“I wanted the best for the initial camping list but sadly we cannot take everybody along. We have to drop some of our best and committed players; I am happy that the players understand that fact,” he said.

“I heard what Leon Balogun said and I must say I am thrilled that he understands the very difficult task we have been given by Nigerians.

I trust that sooner than later Leon will be back in the team. We are targeting to bring him back during the qualifiers for the Nations Cup in Morocco and I trust we will still be in charge. Balogun we reason is one of our stars for the future of the national team.”

...Danagogo charges him on final list PAUL EREWUBA

T

he Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, has charged Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, to ensure that the final 23-man list of players for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil is selected without bias or sentiments.

“I advise Keshi and his team to ensure that the final 23 players to represent the country are picked without bias or sentiments. They must ensure that only the best players at all times are selected to represent the country.”

In a statement sent to National Mirror yesterday, the Minister’s Special Assistant (SA)

on Media, Patrick Omorodion, said, “The minister is convinced that Keshi and his technical crew are capable of delivering the expectations of Nigerians for the World Cup, even as he charged the team handlers to commence serious preparation for the assignment at hand to ensure that the players give their best at the World Cup.”

Upsets as CBN Open enters q/finals ADEOLU JOHNSON

T

he 2014 Central Bank of Nigeria Tennis Championship may witness new winner after unseeded Nonso Madueke halted Bikom Albert 6/2, 6/2 yesterday to enter the quarter finals.

Madueke had also defeated three-time champion Shehu Lawal on Tuesday to set the courses on fire as the tournament cruised to the end.

Samuel Jonah emerged as another quarterfinalist after he defeated number eight seed Akagah Chinedu 6/0 1/0 while seven seeded John Otu defeated Bala Musa in two straight sets 6/3 6/3.

Meanwhile, former cham-

pion, Abdulmumini Babalola, was on course for the quarterfinals as he led veteran Sunday Maku 3/0 at press time yesterday.

In the ladies category, last year’s finalist, Aanu Aiyegbusi, sailed to the third round after stopping Quadri Amuinat 3/2 rtd, while former champion, Agugbom Christy, also booked a third round ticket with a 6/4 6/0.

Kienka Lolla also beat Chukwuma Chidima 6/4 6/3 while Adegoke Sarah overwhelmed Faith Sunday 6/0 6/0.

Matches in the wheelchair championship were rescheduled on Wednesday due to the early downpour. But the ladies singles resumed as the tournament entered its fifth day.

Babalola

NPL Results Nasarawa 3-1 Enyimba Crown 2-1 Sunshine Sharks 2-1 Giwa Gombe 2-3 Pillars Bayelsa 1-3 Warriors Akwa 0-0 Taraba El Kanemi 1-1 Dolphin Kaduna 3-0 Nembe City

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Thursday May 15, 2014

53

NBBF boss, Umar

Empowerment delights IGP coach

I

GP Queens Coach, Abraham Ogaba, has praised the Zenith Bank-sponsored women’s basketball league, saying it has offered opportunities to budding players to showcase their talent.

“We appreciate efforts of Zenith Bank because they have empowered young girls through basketball.”

Ogaba, however, believes that with self-belief and determination which his wards have taken as their philosophy of life, their bid to play continental championship next season cannot be ruled out.

“This season, with a relatively young team, we started on a blistering note winning our first three games before we fell to Sunshine Angels 6361 on Day 6 of the first phase of the competition in Abuja,” the coach said.

“We appreciate efforts of Zenith Bank because they have empowered young girls through basketball. Any team in a competition can win; of course with self-belief and focus, we can come out good in the league. We did that in the past. Records are there to show.

The IG has redefined sports by ensuring the right things are done and we appreciate his efforts and hope to pay him back for his support,” Ogaba said.

Meanwhile, Big centre, Nancy Irabor-Osunde, is also looking ahead to a fulfilling season and hopes they can consolidate on their good start to the season.

“The season is quite interesting and we are really doing fine. With self confidence, team spirit, unity and belief, we can make things work out fine. I believe we can do better,” Irabor-Osunde said.

“Teams like First Bank and First Deepwater have been together for years but I believe with time, we can give them a fight for the top positions and play continental basketball as well,” she added.

Oluyole Warriors’ Solomon Femi (r) dribbling Emmanuel Ooto of Lagos Islanders during the 2014 Nigeria DStv Premier Male Basketball League game in Lagos

STORIES: PAUL EREWUBA

D

espite going down by 16 points to Mark Mentors in one of the games decided last weekend in the top flight DStv Basketball Premier league of the Savannah Conference, Plateau Peaks believe they have what it takes to claim a continental ticket after emerging as one of the top eight teams at the end of the current season.

Coach of Plateau Peaks, Jacqueline Niagwan, praised her players’ resilience which

Plateau Peaks sure of African ticket saw them get marginal points in the first quarter, adding that the Abuja-based team had experienced players that could hold their own.

“The Mark Mentors players are taller which gave them advantage over us and some of them even play in the national

team. All the same, my players did not disappointment me,” Niagwan said.

On the Peaks’ target for the season, Niagwan said: “We may not be among contenders for the Super Four but we will fight to be in the Super Eight by the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Mark Mentors’ Coach, Peter Amedo, has attributed his players’ success to hard work.

“We needed to adjust our style of play when we observed that we didn’t do well in the first quarter,” Amedo said.

“We have watched the video of Egypt and they are a quick and rather combative group.

“We will respect all our opponents. Our first goal is to gain the best possible position during the first phase.

“We must be among the first places in this new model of competition - any victory is important for us to reach our goal of making it to the final.

“Spain by tradition always arrives at the end of the championships.

“They are the current U16

European champions and won silver in the last edition of this tournament in the Netherlands two years ago.

Patricio insists the talent pool he has to choose from ahead of the FIBA U-17 World Championship for Women next month demonstrates that his group of players could be one of the very best.

“I’m very motivated for this new challenge and ever since 2012, I have kept the same words in relation to this generation,” he further said.

Brazil Coach tutoring his wards during a recent game

U-17 World: Brazil spies on Pharoahs

B

razil Coach, Julio Cesar Patricio, has revealed that his technical crew is ready for the FIBA U-17 World Championship for Women scheduled for next month.

Brazil is grouped alongside Spain, Italy and African debutant Egypt, and Patricio says watching Egypt’s video clip has given him enough idea on how to defeat the North Africans.

“The technical level of the African teams has also improved greatly,” he said.

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Thursday May 15, 2014

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countdown FACT-FILE Capital: Bogota Population: 47.7million Appearances: 5 (First in 1962) FIFA Ranking: 4th Nickname: Los Cafeteros (The Coffee Growers)

Most Capped Player: Carlos Valderrama (111) Top scorer: Arnoldo Iguarán (25) Captain: Mario Yepes Coach: Jose Pekerman

Colombia motivated after turnaround AFOLABI GAMBARI

C

olombia had looked forward to a great start in the new millennium. Little wonder that hopes were high for the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup finals, notwithstanding that the country barely managed to qualify.

In the end, nothing came off the appearance and the country would suffer the aftermath by failing to qualify for the Germany 2006 edition.

Still, Colombia failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, mainly because of the side\s constant change of formations and struggles to score goals in the last

games of the qualification. They played an Exhibition Match against South Africa a month before the World Cup started, which they lost 2–1.

The Los Cafeteros otherwise called The Coffee Growers started very well in their Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifications by beating Bolivia 2–1 in La Paz and a difficult match versus Venezuela that ended 1–1 in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Colombia then lost to Argentina 1–2 after losing both star players Falcao and Guarin due to injuries. Their coach, Leonel Álvarez, was sacked after the loss, after being on the job for barely three months. Colombian legend,

Carlos Valderrama, criticised the Colombian soccer federation for firing Álvarez prematurely.

By the beginning of 2012, Jose Pekerman became the new coach of the Coffee Growers and the side showed great skill soon after, defeating 2011 Golden Cup winner, Mexico 2–0 in what was Pekerman’s first friendly where he took control of the game almost entirely.

However, Pekerman, then experimented with a new system, barely granting Colombia a 1–0 over Peru and then leading to a shocking 0–1 loss to Ecuador, sending Colombia out of the qualifying range. But the team bounced back with a shocking

Rodriguez fills in for Falcao

J

ames Rodriguez has been compared to Colombia’s finest player, the curlyhaired Carlos Valderrama, but he will be hoping for a happier ending to his country’s World Cup campaign than that of his predecessor’s generation.

In the likely absence of star striker, Radamel Falcao, a lot will be asked of the Monaco star, who will be 23 on July 12,

the day before the World Cup final.

While Colombia should get past Group C-where they are pitted against Cote d’Ivoire, Greece and Japan, Rodriguez will need a miracle to be playing in the final as a birthday present.

Rodriguez, who started his career at 16 for Colombian side, Envigado FC, has accrued several nicknames in a short space of time. He is the ‘James Bond

of Banfield’ after scoring an extraordinary goal for the unfashionable Argentinian side in February 2010, and he has been compared to Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, Rodriguez, who also scored one of the goals that secured Banfield their first national title in 2009, prides himself most in having been dubbed ‘El Pibe Nueva’ (the New Kid) as opposed to Valderrama’s ‘El

win, crushing Copa America winners, Uruguay 4–0, ending their undefeated streak since the 2010 World Cup. Some commentators believed that Barranquilla’s heat was the cause of such a big win. though Los Cafeteros once again showed their skill by beating Chile from a goal down 1–3 in another shock win, this time in an away victory.

Colombia won a comfortable 2–0 home victory against Paraguay during the qualifiers, ending the first half of the CONMEBOL qualification.

A few days later, Pekerman removed some of their star players for a friendly experiment with Cameroun winning another home victory in a 3–0 result. In

Group Matches

an epic duel with 2014 World Cup hosts, Brazil, Colombia scored first in a game that ended 1–1.

For their first match of 2013, Pékerman had another successful experiment in a 4–1 win against Guatemala using most of his subs before allowing the normal starters to play. Continuing the 2nd half the CONMEBOL qualifiers, comColombia enjoyed a fortable 5–0 win over Bolivia but suffered days later in a shocking 1–0 loss to Venezuela at an away game in which Pékerm a n p l aye d a different formation (4–4–1–1).

Saturday, June 14 vs Greece (Belo Horizonte) Thursday, June 19 vs Cote d’Ivoire (Brasilia) Tuesday, June 24 vs Japan (Cuiaba) Pibe’.

“It’s an honour to be considered the heir to ‘El Pibe’ at my age,” he said in a recent interview.

“Since I was little, I admired Valderrama and I always wanted to be like him. He was my hero and I am proud to wear the No. 10 for Colombia while helping the national team return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Rodriguez

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STORIES: ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

P

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has described the newly awarded N1.4 billion Ero Dam contract as a conduit pipe through which the All Progressives Congress, APC, is funding Governor Kayode Fayemi’s re-election bid.

Fayose said it was curious that the Fayemi administration awarded contracts worth several billions of naira when election was less than five weeks.

Director General of Ayodele Fayose Campaign

Politics

Thursday, May 15, 2014

N1.37bn dam contract, conduit pipe to fund poll –Fayose Organisation, AFCO, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, queried the rationale behind awarding N1.375 billion contract for the maintenance of the same dam that the government said in January was undergoing major repairs.

The state government had last week approved a N1.375 billion contract for the phase one turn-around maintenance, TAM, of the dam, awarded to Messrs Biwater Nigeria Ltd at the state Executive Council meeting.

Anisulowo said: “It is

on record that the State Government said in January that major dams in the state like Ureje, Ero, Egbe and Itapaji were undergoing major repairs and would be connected to the various pipes as soon as possible.

“In July 2012, the government said a heavy duty generator worth N200 million was procured and installed at Ero dam as back up for electricity.

“Also in December 2011, the government said part of the N20 billion bond will be used to rehabilitate the Ero

Dam with the aim of preventing flooding, enhance agricultural development and provision of potable water,” wondering why the same Ero Dam which had gulped billions of naira since 2011 was billed to gulp another N1.4 billion.

But the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, KFCO, challenged AFCO to substantiate its allegation with evidence.

Spokesperson for KFCO, Dimeji Daniels, stressed that the Fayemi adminis-

PDP gubernatorial candidate Mr. Ayo Fayose, during one of his campaigns in Ado-Ekiti.

Hausa community endorses Fayemi’s re-election

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he Hausa community, located in Shasha, on the outskirts of Ikere Ekiti has endorsed the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for the June 21 governorship election, Governor Kayode Fayemi, as its candidate in the poll.

The Hausas, led by Alhaji Adamu Imam, hailed

Fayemi for building a primary school and extension of electricity in the community.

Explaining that Fayemi had identified with the Hausa community by providing facilities in their community and giving their association a brand new bus which has become a source of pride to them in their na-

P

‘PDP’ll win Ekiti convincingly’

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has described the assertion by the All Progressives Congress, APC, national leader, Senator Bola Tinubu that the PDP plans to rig the June 21 election in the state as reckless talk.

Arguing that propaganda, name calling and character assassination had become ways of life of the APC, Fayose said that Tinubu had only revealed publicly what the APC plans to do knowing full well that it could not win the June 21 election.

Speaking through a statement by his media

55

aide, Mr Idowu Adelusi, in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Fayose said: “Tinubu is not in tune with reality on ground in Ekiti, he is still living in the past and I am advising him to send a fact finding team he can trust to Ekiti who will advise him better not to expend his resources on failed project.”

Tinubu had said at a fundraising in Lagos last week that PDP could not win the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states without rigging.

But saying that nobody really wanted to return APC to power in Ekiti State,

tive lands, Imam described the APC as the party they loved, describing Fayemi as the only candidate they trust as the governor in view of the fact that he has lived up to expectation and fulfilled his promises.

Responding, Fayemi described the Hausas as important stakeholders and contributors to Ekiti econ-

Fayose said: “APC is like leprosy to the people. If Tinubu has alliance with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, it is better for him to collect the money he has given to INEC because it will not work. Ekiti people have rejected Fayemi and APC.” He said that the ruling APC’s grand plan was to cause mayhem before and during the election so as to discredit election results, adding that the PDP had uncovered all plans of Ekiti APC to rig the election.

His words: “One of their strategies is collusion

omy through payment of taxes and commitment to peace in the state.

The governor thanked the Hausa community in the state for donating a bus and 10 motorcycles for his campaign, saying he was touched that the community believed in his cause and shares in his dream to transform the state.

with INEC officials and buying of voter’s card from unsuspecting Ekiti people with N2,000 or N5,000.

“It is the ways of life of APC and its leaders to accuse people of what they intend to do. During my campaign tour to rural areas in Ekiti, many people told me that some APC chieftains came to purchase their cards on the promise to return them but failed to do so. We have lodged complaints at the appropriate quarters and PDP is battle ready to prevent rigging of this poll by whosoever.”

tration had been impeccable in its execution of projects which is why it is not synonymous with failed and abandoned projects, adding that it was for lack of what to say that the PDP and AFCO fabricated jejune claims that could not be substantiated.

He advised AFCO to refocus its energy on how to rejig the campaign of its

37

DAYS TO GO candidate which seemed to have nose-dived from all indications.

Group challenges PDP candidate on plan for youth

A

socio-political organisation in Ekiti State, Ekiti Youth Emancipation Movement, EYEM, has challenged the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Ayodele Fayose, to disclose his plan on youth empowerment if he emerges winner of the June 21 poll to the people of the state.

EYEM said that it was quite unfortunate that Fayose did not tell Ekiti youth his plans for them that could equate or better than what Governor Kayode Fayemi had offered to warrant the vote of the people who it said had moved away from the era of tokenism, allegedly imported into the state in 2003.

The group, in a statement in Ado Ekiti by its president and secretary, Taiwo Olatunji and Kunle Adewumi respectively, said the present administration had gainfully involved over 2,000 youths in commercial agriculture, about 17,000 in Youth Volunteer Corps, and 1,600 each by both Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission and the Civil Service Commission.

Saying that about 500

youth are now having career progression in the Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency, EKSTMA, while 800 had been employed under the Ekiti State Peace Corps, among other laudable projects being enjoyed by youths under the Fayemi’s administration, EYEM accused Fayose and the PDP of being bereft of idea about youth empowerment.

It said: “Allowing the party to return to power would further inflict injuries on our youth whose lives are being strategically salvaged by the present government”.

But Fayose, who debunked the allegations, said what he had mapped out for the youth in his incoming government was all-embracing and would transform the lives of the young ones and the people of the state generally.

His media aide, Mr Idowu Adelusi, said: “In the incoming PDP government, Fayose has mapped out plan to do more for the youth, create jobs, transform education, return education varsity at Ikere and re-engineer the only state university.”

Bamidele denies copying APC manifesto

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abour Party, LP, governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, has debunked allegations that he copied the manifestoes of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the course of his campaign rallies.

Describing the allegation “as laughable, watery and baseless,” Bamidele said: “LP and its candidate have not unveiled their manifestos. We admonish APC to exercise patience and wait for our invitation

to this event scheduled for a later date at Ado Ekiti before making further claims.”

In a statement by his media aide, Ahmed Salami, Bamidele described the allegation as “one of the last efforts of a drowning party and its government in Ekiti to remain afloat. It is also another of its several attempts at evading politics of issues and embracing politics of character assassination, which APC is known for.

WORLD RECORD

Longest drop kick, Rugby Union The longest recorded successful drop goal is 77.7m (85yd) by Gerald Hamilton `Gerry’ Brand (b. 8 Oct 1906) for South Africa v.

England at Twickenham, Greater London, on 2 Jan 1932.

N150

Vol. 04 No. 851 Thursday, May 15, 2014

Issues from the World Economic Forum

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he global outrage over the abduction of the Chibok Girls overshadowed the maiden meeting of the World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA), which took place in Abuja last week. The Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration recently announced the rebasing of our economy, now the biggest in Africa at $510 billion, ahead of South Africa.

The timing of the global economic conference to coincide with our current status as the continent’s top economic power house was supposed to be a major public relations coup.

Alas! The abduction of the over 200 secondary school girls in Chibok, Bornu State stole the limelight from WEFA 2014, much to the embarrassment of the nation. From Western capitals to other power centres around the world, the hash tag #BRING BACK OUR GIRLS has stirred the world.

Even American First Lady, Michelle Obama led the protest in the US, by carrying a plac-

D

eparting Manchester United captain, Nemanja Vidic, has admitted that every one at the club lost belief in the team during the just-ended season.

Vidic, who is joining Inter Milan this summer, insisted former manager

THE PRINCE OF NIGERIA PARADIGM Chris

Okotie

Okotie@revchrisokotie.com; twitter@revchrisokotie, 08078421451 (sms only)

ard with a bold inscription of the slogan on it, as did British Prime Minister, David Cameron and CNN anchor, Christine Amanpour.

Other top celebrities, including Malala of Pakistan have joined the campaign.

The rebasing exercise was a significant buildup to the World Economic Forum on Africa, but the Chibok Girls’ abduction shot down what would have been the PR gains of the WEFA summit. It wasn’t really this abominable act of terrorism that was the problem but the poor management of it. Many were outraged by the Federal Government’s tardiness in handling the abduction, beginning from the embarrassing announcement by the military authorities that all but eight girls, had been freed by the Joint Task Force, only for the statement to be retracted after the principal of the Chibok School refuted the claim.

It is doubtful if we know the exact number of escapees and those still in the custody of the Boko Haram. Although WEFA still held in the midst of the chaotic management of this latest terrorist attack, the attendance profile was expectedly low as few African heads of states were present.

No thanks to Boko Haram, heads of top multilateral agencies of the West, leaders of big corporations and key players from East Asia, the world’s fastest developing region, were absent. Though WEFA was essentially an African gathering, its focus was spreading prosperity and job creation, which could only come from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

To achieve that, the biggest US corporations, Middle East oil sheiks or the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) ought to have been fully repre-

THERE’S NO GAINSAYING THE FACT THAT CORRUPTION IS AT THE HEART OF THE

INTER-SERVICE RIVALRY WITHIN THE RANKS OF THE MILITARY HIGH COMMAND sented. The only important head of government from the BRICS economic bloc in attendance was Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang. Apart from the negative impact of the Boko Haram twin bombings in Nyanya, and Chibok Girls’ abduction, WEFA was not aggressively marketed abroad. We didn’t see many advertisements in the world’s leading cable and print media.

For a programme of that magnitude, an elaborate feature on CNN’s influential business programme, “Quest Means Business” anchored by the whimsical Richard Quest would have been ideal. Major global networks like Al jazeera, India’s NDTV 24/7 and China’s CCTV are the right media to reach the Asian investors. Overall, Brand Nigeria missed an opportunity to sell itself worldwide using WEFA and the rebasing exercise as veritable launch pads. For whatever it is worth, the economic summit, if anything, forced Nigerian politicians to start shifting focus from sharing the national cake to actually baking it.

Point to note: The economy of Nigeria may be the largest on the African continent, but it is still one of the most dysfunctional and badly managed, apart from those of wartorn Congo, Central Africa Republic (CAR), the two Sudans and the failed state of Somalia. Decrepit national infrastructure, high illiteracy, pockets of youth violence, terrorism, corruption, a ruthless and rapacious political class combine to hamper development of the country, which is one of the major resourceendowed nations in the world.

There’s no gainsaying the fact that corruption is at the heart of the inter-service rivalry within the ranks of the military high command, which accounts for the poor management of this terror war. Not even the frequent changes of the service chiefs and other key officers of the intelligence community have had any positive impact on the crisis. Though, the damning allegation by Amnesty International that the security forces ignored warnings for as long as four hours before the Chibok Girls were abducted has been denied by the government, the habitual poor timing response of the JTF to pre-attack alarms is difficult to understand.

Another serious allegation of corruption in the fight against terror came from the influentialLondon-based.TheEconomistinitscurrent edition: “Corruption, Nigeria’s great scourge”, is another reason for the foreign military advisers to keep their distance. Nigeria’s soldiers say that commanders pocket the bulk of their salaries, leaving them with little incentive to fight a well-equipped guerrilla movement that knows the rugged terrain and forests. Why risk death at the hands of Boko Haram for no reward? It is hard, in such conditions, to see how outsiders could raise Nigerian troops’ morale, let alone improve their military skills”.

How can we explain how Boko Haram fighters seized about 170 cows from a village unchallenged, shortly after this infamous abduction of the Chibok Girls? Imagine the audacity of these terrorists in a zone under a State of Emergency! These are hard questions begging for answers.

Rev. Okotie, a presidential aspirant, wrote from Lagos.

Sport Extra

Why Manchester United failed–Vidic failed–Vidic David Moyes was not solely to blame, saying the players argued amongst themselves more than any other year in his career at Old Trafford.

“There was a transition,” Vidic said yesterday.

“You get someone who sees football in a different way and he will want to put his stamp on the team and the way he wants to pay.

“Ryan Giggs shares the same ideas as Sir Alex

Ferguson and has a more similar approach to the one we had with Sir Alex.

The players are more than used to it and felt more comfortable with it.

“I am not saying that the David Moyes way was

bad but these players feel more comfortable playing a certain way of football.

“Sometimes you have bad times and you question yourself, of course, but we never did question the manager. We questioned ourselves more.

Vidic

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