Wednesday, april 2, 2014

Suicide bombers die in bid to attack NNPC facility

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288 rifles, 35 rockets seized from terrorists in Cameroon

INUSA NDAHI AND KEMI OLAITAN Badeh

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our terrorists, believed to be suicide bombers, have been confirmed dead when their explosive-laden vehicles

exploded at Mule in Borno State.

The Defence Headquarters confirmed in a state-

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National Conference:

Tension as delegates touch on sensitive issues No apology for military rule, says Gen. Akinrinade OMEIZA AJAYI AND WOLE OLADIMEJI

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elegates at the national conference yesterday continued debate on President Goodluck Jonathan’s inaugural speech touching on some sensitive aspects of the nation’s co-existence.

Throwing the first salvo was former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Col. Ahmadu Ali, who accused southern delegates of continually contesting the population figure of the North.

He said that it was mischievous to contest figures CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

2014 ‘Batch A’ National Youth Service Corps members at the closing ceremony of the three-week orientation programme in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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Defection: We won’t vacate seats, 37 APC Reps insist ...say decision to dump PDP morally right, file appeal

Man, 70, commits suicide in Ogun

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Senate rejects electronic voting, single day elections

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Wednesday, April 2, 2014

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Defection: We won’t vacate seats, 37 APC Reps insist ISE-OLUWA IGE, OBIORA IFOH AND TORDUE SALEM

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one of the All Progressives Congress, APC, members of the House of Representatives who left the Peoples Democratic Party, will lose their seats, the APC caucus declared yesterday.

The caucus said that the piece of advice given by an Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Justice Adeniyi Ademola, to the lawmakers to vacate their seats on account of defection was of no effect.

Besides, the 37 defected lawmakers have already filed an appeal to challenge the ruling of the high court.

House Minority Whip, Hon. Samson Osagie (APCEdo), who made the declaration at a press briefing, also insisted that the opinion of the judge was a “misleading interpretation” of the issue before him and that there was no judgement ordering the 37 APC members to quit their seats.

He said: “We want to assure members of the public that there is no court judgement before the House directing any member of the APC to vacate his or her seat.

“A section of the media and indeed the public have been misled by the court ruling into believing that the said judgement has effectively terminated the tenure of office of the affected members. This is not only untrue, but also a mere obiter dicta expressed by a judge who veered off the course of the case before him in order to do the bidding of the ruling party.

“At best, the judgement has turned law on its head and cannot stand.

“For the avoidance of doubt, let me state unequivocally on behalf our members that the import of yesterday ruling was that our 37 members cannot participate in the removal of principal officers of the House nothing more, nothing less. Every other pronouncement by the judge as to the status of our 37 members of the House was mere opinion.

According to Osagie, “In any event, this judgement was given in vain and in ig-

norance of the House rules, which govern the appointment of party leaders in the parliament. It is also an attempt by the court to meddle in the internal affairs of the parliament.

“This certainly is not the import of the doctrine of judicial review. As we speak, our colleagues have appealed the vexatious ruling and we hope to get justice soon. We believe the House of Representatives will take due notice of the appeal in this case.

“Section 68 (2) of the 1999 Constitution makes it clear that satisfactory evidence must be presented to the House before any of the provision of S.68 (1) can become applicable.

“At the moment, the APC in the House remains strong and focused on the need to provide necessary checks and balances to the rudderlessness of the ship of state as being piloted by the ruling party in this country today.”

Osagie insisted that the APC caucus was not surprised at the ruling of Justice Ademola and that his verdict only confirmed their earlier fears.

“For us in the APC, we were not surprised because in the course of the proceedings the same judge had earlier issued a preservative order as soon as the arguments against his jurisdiction in the case were taken. This was our first apprehension of the commencement of the case.

“Our fears were further confirmed when the judge after granting the reliefs sought in the suit, he went ahead to render an opinion on issues that were not before him nor solicited by the plaintiffs.

“The House of Representatives remains the bastion of hope of the traumatised and pauperised Nigerians and we shall not give in to the attempt of some of our PDP colleagues in collusion with a certain judge to turn facts and law on its head to achieve some sinister ends.”

Hon. Andrew Uchendu (APC-Rivers), who led the 37 lawmakers to defect to the APC, affirmed that they had the moral justification to leave the PDP because the party had been factionalised in the last 16 to 22 months.

“We remain on sound moral ground to have left PDP.” Another defected member, Hon. Asita Honourable (APC-Rivers), carpeted Justice Ademola, saying the judge had no moral justification to give such judgement, adding that “the judgement is bad in law and in morality”.

He said: “The judge moved a motion, seconded it and ruled on it alone.”

But the Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Leo Ogor (PDP-Delta), said yesterday that the court order was in order.

The APC, however, insisted that Justice Ademola lacked the competence to deliver the ruling.

The party said the issue of whether or not the lawmakers could defect was not before the judge and wondered why a ruling that was never sought was

granted.

It urged its supporters not to panic as the judgement was clearly intended to cause mischief.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the House, led by the Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday stormed the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal with a notice of appeal seeking to annul the Federal High Court judgement.

It contended that the judgement was against the weight of evidence placed before the court and warped.

The House wondered when the court became a Father Xmas, giving reliefs that were not sought.

In the notice of appeal filed by their lawyer, Mahmud Magaji, SAN, the three appellants urged the Court of Appeal, Abuja to set aside the controversial judgement.

The appellants, who raised seven grounds of appeal, with a promise to add more, argued that the judgment was “perverse, not supported by the reliefs sought by the plaintiff.”

They contended that the judgment “is against the weight of evidence,” and that he erred “when he granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiff and “went further to hold that the 1st to 39th respondents ought to have resigned their seats as members of the 1st appellant.

The appellants argued that the judge erred when he held that the reliefs of the 1st respondent (PDP) were justiceable and proceeded to grant the reliefs sought without considering the provision of Section 30 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act Cap L12 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The section provides that

“neither the President nor the Speaker, as the case may be, of a legislative house shall be subjected to the jurisdiction of any court in respect of the exercise of any power conferred on or vested in him by or under this Act or the standing orders of the Constitution.”

The appellants argued that trial judge wrongly assumed jurisdiction over the suit which was predicated on the internal affairs of the House of Reps, which is protected under Section 60 of the Constitution.

They said that the reliefs sought by the PDP were not justiciable, yet the trial judge proceeded to grant the reliefs.

They contended that the PDP lacked the locus standi to institute the case because it was not predicated on any recognised legal interest; the reliefs sought were not supCONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan (left) and Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ghanash Yam, during the opening ceremony of the Indian Film Festival in Abuja, yesterday.

Tension as delegates touch on sensitive issues CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

of past censuses which had given the North a higher population.

Ali, however, commended the speech of the President, which he said had set the tone and guiding principles for the conference.

He urged the delegates to first put Nigeria in the front burner of every discourse.

The PDP chieftain changed the mood of the conference when he faulted calls for the creation of more states by some delegates, particularly those from the South-East.

He took the delegates through memory lane about how Southern Cameroon seceded from Nigeria soon

after independence and how the Northern Cameroon opted to stay.

According to Ali, this automatically put the northern population above that of the South.

He argued that at independence, the population of the North was more than that of the South and wondered why southerners continuously question the population superiority of the North.

“When we are thinking of creation of states, we must put certain things into consideration. The North is the only place where there is no limit to the number of wives you can marry.

“Therefore, the number will

not diminish. We will continue to grow. It is a fabrication when people say numbers and figures are being fabricated in the North.”

Also speaking, a retired Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Alani Akinrinade, caused a stir when he said the military had no apology to Nigerians for the way they ruled the country for over three decades.

He said many Nigerians supported the military only to now come up and claim to be democrats.

“All the constitutions made in Nigeria were supported by all of you. You all contributed. I think it is time to do away with the current constitution. It is

time for us to write a new constitution for the country.

For now, we are not a nation, but we have the capacity to build one,” he added.

Conference Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, had reminded delegates that consensus remained the number one option in arriving at issues.

He said the 70 per cent voting benchmark was secondary and would be adopted in the event that delegates did not have a consensus.

Justice Kutigi told the delegates of his powers to adjourn sittings in the event that delegates were unable to reach a consensus.

“Some of you seem not CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

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Photo News

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Director-General, Federal Office of Migration, Switzerland, Mr. Mario Gattiker (left) and Director, Consular and Immigration Services, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Abdulazeez Dankano, during the 5th meeting of the Joint Technical Committee on Migration Partnership between Nigeria and Switzerland, in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Director, Digital Africa, Dr. Amstrong Takang; Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson; Chairman, Digital Africa, Dr. Evans Woherem; Director, Mrs. Phil Okorafor and Chief Executive, Ms. Nneoma Ofodile, during the presentation of the hosting right for the 19th World Electronics Forum recently awarded to Nigeria.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Chief Financial Officer, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Yemisi Edun; Partner and Head, Financial Services, KPMG, Ayodele Othihiwa; Partner and Head, Management Consulting, Bisi Lamikanra; Partner and Lead Facilitator, KPMG UK, Adrian Harkin and Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer, Diamond Bank, Abdulrahaman Yinusa, during the KPMG cost optimisation seminar for banks and other financial institutions in Lagos,

L-R: Wife of Ekiti State Governor/Keynote Speaker, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Chair, IoD Women Directors’ Committee, Dr. Stella Okoli and Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, during the 2014 Women Directors’ Conference in Lagos, yesterday.

National News

Senate says no to electronic voting, single day elections

•INEC hopeful on diaspora voting GEORGE OJI AND OMEIZA AJAYI

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he Senate on Monday said it will not legislate on electronic voting for now, but rather will allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the latitude to commence electronic voting when it is ready with the appropriate capacity and technology to do so.

This was as the lawmakers turned down proposal for all elections to be held in one day across the country.

The Senate also voted to remove the powers to appoint INEC Secretary from the commission’s chairman and place same on the President, which will in turn be ratified by the red chamber.

Senators took these positions Monday while considering three different bills on the amendment to the Electoral Act 2010. The bills passed however, second reading yesterday.

The bills were sponsored by Senators Ike Ekweremadu,(Enugu West), Abu Ibrahim (Katsina South) and Alkali Jajere (Yobe South).

On the issue of holding all elections in one day, which was proposed by Senator Ibrahim, almost all the senators who contributed to the debate were of the opinion that such action may end chaos.

Leading presentation on the bill, Ibrahim said that it falls in line with global practices and that Nigeria should move in that direction.

The lawmaker noted that unlike staggered elections, which is not cost- effective and efficient and very expensive, one day election as practiced in countries like Ghana, Sierra Leon, the United States of America and Venezuela would be the best for Nigeria.

To buttress his point, Ibrahim said the staggered 2011 elections and other previous elections, which cost the

country huge sums of money to execute, would reduced the country’s expenses if the one day election is adopted Opposing the proposal, senators argued that Nigeria is too large and that the electoral umpire lacks necessary logistics to cope with one day election for the country.

Senator Barnabas Gemade for instance while stating his experience in Kenya, said it took the Independent National Electoral Commission of Kenya seven days to collate and announce the outcome of the single day election, with a voting population of 4.3 million and wondered how Nigeria with a voting population of 74 million could cope with such a process.

Consequently, senators voted for staggered elections.

On the issue of electronic voting, most of the senators who contributed to the debate, also proposed by Senator Ibrahim, argued that for now, it is obvious that the INEC lacks the necessary ca-

pacity and technology to conduct elections electronically and that as a result, it would be wrong to compel the electoral umpire to deploy a system, which it cannot handle.

In particular, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe told the senate that he was at a recent public event with the INEC chairman, Professor Atahiru Jega, where the chairman stated clearly that INEC was not ready and indeed does not have all it takes to conduct electronic voting in the country for now.

Abaribe said, “Let’s give INEC what it says it needs to be able to conduct a credible election and not something it cannot handle.”

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu proposed an amendment of the Electoral Act on behalf of the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 constitution. In particular, Ekweremadu sought for a renewable tenure of four years for INEC Secretary.

According to him, the extant tenure only empowers the commission to appoint a secretary without stating

how long such a person can remain in office.

However, while debating the proposal, senators came to the conclusion that it was wrong to allow INEC chairman to be the appointing officer for the office of the secretary of the commission.

The lawmakers came to the conclusion that given the importance of the office of the secretary to the commission, the appointment to the office should be made by the President, alongside the commissioners subject to the ratification of the senate.

The bill by Ekweremadu also sought to increase the number of days provided for INEC to conduct re-election from seven days to 21 days, receive and treat application for transfer of voters’ cards from 30 to 60 days as well as receive and treat applications for the duplicate voters’ cards from 30 days to 60 days.

After extensive debate on the three bills and the necessary amendments, the three bills passed the second reading and were committed to third reading.

Meanwhile, INEC has indicated its resolve to strengthen the country’s electoral system by extending voting rights to Nigerians in the diaspora.

INEC said it will not relent in its aspiration to make Nigeria’s electoral system more inclusive by accommodating such classes of Nigerians.

Chairman of the commission, Jega gave the assurance when he accepted an invitation on behalf of INEC by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to observe voting by Indonesians in Nigeria, as part of the Asian country’s parliamentary elections.

Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu said diaspora voting by Indonesians in Nigeria will hold on Saturday, April 5, in Lagos and Sunday, April 6th, in Abuja, at the country’s Consular offices.

According to him, the voting will be conducted as part of the parliamentary elections in mainland Indonesia scheduled for April 9, 2014.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

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Suicide bombers die in bid to attack NNPC facility CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ment signed by the Director of Defence Information, DDI, Maj.- Gen. Chris Olukolade, that the terrorists were heading towards the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, facility along MaiduguriDamboa Road, when the incident occurred.

“The explosions took place at Mule, on the outskirts of Maiduguri. Three of the four explosive-laden vehicles were demobilised by shots fired at them by soldiers at the check point shortly before the explosions that rocked the area.

“Five soldiers were wounded while the civilian

casualties are yet to be determined,” Olubolade said.

However, our correspondent gathered that two operatives died in the explosion.

It was learnt that the terrorists actually targeted military patrol vehicles at a check point, which they rammed into with their IED-laden vehicles.

It was learnt that on impact, the vehicles exploded, claiming the lives of the suicide bombers and the two operatives.

The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Lawal Tanko, told journalists that he heard of the explosions and had already sent men of the anti-bomb squad to the area

Youths agitating for Oro people to produce the 2015 governorship position in Oro, Akwa Ibom State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Tension as delegates touch on sensitive issues CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

to understand what the deputy chairman was saying yesterday about the voting benchmark. The consensus is still there. The most important thing is consensus.

It is when it fails that we vote.

“I might sometimes have to adjourn in order for us to reach a consensus. Consensus is the number one thing.

It is when it fails that we go for 70 per cent benchmark.

Consensus is what will unite Nigerians.”

He warned the delegates to resist the temptation of clapping hands whenever anyone stood up to speak.

“It is very uncivilised for somebody to clap when people speak in a conference of this nature. Please take note,” Kutigi warned.

Other delegates, who commented on the speech of President Jonathan proffered solutions on how to move the nation forward.

Prof. Jubril Aminu said delegates must ensure that the conference was the last.

He said: “I sincerely and wish that this conference becomes the last one. I hope that we are able to arrive at issues and resolve our problems. The President’s speech has helped to clear the air on a number of issues. He has said that he has no personal agenda. I be-

lieve him. We must sit down and plan on how to move this great country forward.”

Femi Ajakaiye from Ekiti State said the President’s speech was frank and direct, stressing that in Nigeria, people tended to have beautiful and honest ideas, but the ideas did not go beyond that point.

Ajakaiye hinted that Nigerians did not have the ownership spirit, which was a national problem that must be changed.

He urged Nigerians to stop blaming colonial masters for their woes but should tackle existing problems and forge a pathway for the country. “I believe that as the President claims, he does not have a personal agenda,” he said.

Olanihun Ajayi, a SouthWest delegate said the President’s speech came with a bit of hope and expectations.

He said that despite the country’s challenges, Nigeria remained one of the greatest countries on the surface of the earth.

Habu Isa, representing Former Speakers’ Forum said delegates had been given the opportunity to rewrite the history of Nigeria.

The former lawmaker said there were many things in Nigeria that were not working, but added that del-

egates had been given the opportunity to fix the broken walls.

Chief Onikepo Akande said her concern was basically about the economic prosperity of the nation.

She decried the spiralling unemployment rate in Nigeria and advocated the creation of more industries to eradicate unemployment and poverty.

Olusola Akanmode from Kogi State said Nigeria did not have new problem saying that the country’s problems were still valid, Akanmode noted that the President’s speech did not tell Nigerians how to live together.

“What the Asian Tigers have in common is good leadership. The way we run our services and government should be looked at critically,” he added.

Chief Richard Akinjide said that Nigeria is today the greatest state in Africa. He said Nigeria was one or two steps ahead of South Africa.

Akinjide, therefore, advised Nigerians to be builders instead of destroyers.

He said: “Let us stop being demolition contractors.

We should be building contractors. Some of us here have been part of the system since independence. I do not want to continue making speeches. Let us continue

to be building contractors and accept that Nigeria has come to stay as the greatest nation in Africa.”

Prof. Dora Akunyili, Anambra State delegate, said she regarded the national conference as President’s best centenary gift to Nigerians.

She noted that President Jonathan said in his inaugural speech that the sovereignty of Nigeria belonged to the people.

“One thing that stands out in Mr President’s speech is the sincerity. He said Nigeria’s unity is non-negotiable.

I am convinced that Nigeria will work. We all want to see a transformed Nigeria.

We should work together to build the Nigeria of our dream,” Akunyili said.

Prof. Anya O. Anya said he owed this country a lot for what it had done for him and reminded Nigerians that there was no part of this country that did not have its peculiar problems.

Anya, however, added that there was no part that could solve its problems without the help of others, urging his colleagues to stop grandstanding.

Senator Ahmed Mohammed stirred the hornet’s nest when he subtly insulted lecturers, accusing them of teaching Nigerian students garbage.

to ascertain the reason behind the blasts.

Tanko said he was yet to get details on the number of casualties.

Also yesterday, the military authorities said over 288 rifles, 35 rocket propelled guns, RPGs, and 35 locally-made IEDs were recovered after a fierce encounter in Abugasse, Cameroon, and close to the Chadian border, from suspected terrorists.

This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by Olukolade, who is also the Coordinator of Joint Information Centre for Counter-Terrorism Campaign.

“The resolve for collaborative efforts to fight terrorism in the region got a boost recently when Cameroon’s security forces made a huge seizure of arms, apparently meant for use by terrorists operating in Nigeria last weekend.

“Other weapons recovered include pistols, mortar bombs, sub-machine guns and various calibres of ammunition following the arrest of two suspects believed to be major arms suppliers to the terrorists in Nigeria.

“The suspects, who were in possession of over 50 Cameroonian passports, were nabbed in a Toyota jeep in Abugasse, near the Chadian border with Cam-

eroon,” the statement read.

Olukolade recalled that the Cameroonian authorities recently pledged to support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.

He said that the renewed offensive on terrorists by Nigerian troops had continued to record arrests of terrorists and recovery of arms, especially close to the nation’s border with Cameroon.

According to the statement, apart from the arms recovered following disclosure from captured terrorists lately, more arms have been captured in the ongoing offensive operations.

The defence information boss said that a terrorist driving in a green Peugeot vehicle with registration number Bauchi 264 AA, heading for Maiduguri from Alagarno, was arrested at a check point at the weekend.

He said that the arrest of the terrorist had led to the recovery of 15 AK47 rifles and 12 magazines and various yet-to-be- assembled rifles.

“The Alagarno area and various points of Sambisa forest and suburbs have been witnessing intense operations since Monday.

“Apart from several dead terrorists, 14 vehicles which were either being used for operation or hidden by the terrorists in various parts of the forests and theatres have been destroyed.”

Defection: We won’t vacate seats, 37 APC Reps insist CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

ported by any legal evidence and that the judge failed to reckon with the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Fawehinmi vs Akilu (1987) 12 SC 136, Amaechi vs INEC (2008)1 LRECN 1.

The appellants faulted the trial judge for holding that the suit was rightly commenced by originating summons, without regard to the provision of Order 3 Rule 6 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009.

They also argued that the judge was wrong to have held that the claims of the PDP do not amount to an abuse of court process when there are similar cases, involving the same parties, still pending before the court.

They referred to suit number FHC/ABJ/ CS/621/2013 between Sena-

tor Bello Hayato Gwazo and 79 others vs Alhaji Bamaga Tukur and 4 others and argued that the parties and reliefs sought were similar with that on which the judge gave judgment.

APC, however, added that the plan by the PDP and the Presidency to manipulate the judiciary “has fallen like a pack of cards.”

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it would appeal the ruling because Justice Ademola’s perpetual injunction restraining the concerned lawmakers from participating in motions and debates in the House was unconstitutional and defeated the very purpose for which the members were elected into the House.

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Wednesday April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG solicits EU support for renewable energy CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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he Minister of State (Power), Hon. Mohammed Wakil, on Tuesday solicited the support of the European Union, EU, in ensuring the application of renewable energy source in driving poverty alleviation.

Wakil, who received in audience an EU delegation in Abuja led by Ambassador Michel Arrion, said there is a linkage between high application of renewable energy and poverty alleviation.

He stressed that access to power by the rural population who are the main beneficiaries of renewable energy, would improve the rural economy.

The minister argued that the renewable matrix was designed to serve people who are farflung from the national grid, to have access to electricity via off-line and small grid systems, which is compatible with the strategy.

He noted that as part of the present administration’s Transformation Agenda, access to power is a tool for youth employment generation,

poverty alleviation and economic emancipation of the people at the grassroots.

On the proposed National Policy on Renewable Energy, Wakil said that the policy had reached an advanced stage as it would soon undergo review by stakeholders before ratification by the Federal Executive Council.

The minister promised that the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, would soon experience new a lease of life, even as he called on the EU to assist Nigeria in the areas of accessing development grants, as well as capacity building, both internal and external.

Wakil also solicited the co-operation of the visiting EU group in the deployment of ICT and other materials to Nigeria to assist in the fight against pipeline vandals.

Earlier, Arrion had advised the ministry on the need to ensure that norms and standards were strictly adhered to in the proposed policy on renewable energy by ensuring that they were within the framework of the nation’s industrial policy.

NGE fundraising dinner holds April 10

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ll is now set for the April 10, 2014 dinner of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, to raise N850 million for the building of a secretariat complex.

The event, billed for the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, has President Goodluck Jonathan as the distinguished guest of honour, and all the state governors as special guests.

Former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is special guest of honour at the event, which will be chaired by former petroleum minister, Prof. Jibril Aminu.

Former Ogun State governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, will deliver the keynote address, while Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, is the chief host.

Already, many governors and captains of

industry have indicated their willingness to be physically present at the epochal fund raising ceremony.

Restating the need for eminent Nigerians and corporate organisations to support the project, the President of the Guild, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the proposed Editors’ Plaza would greatly improve the practice of journalism in the country as upto-date facilities would be at the disposal of top professionals in the field to make them compete globally.

“With the planned ICT centre and training and retraining packages planned, we can only compete with the best,” Adesina stressed.

The eight-floor plaza would house offices and training facilities that would be open to all journalists.

L-R: Chairman of the anniversary, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Joan Ayo and VicePresident Namadi Sambo during the 60th anniversary of the Nigerian Public Service and Presidential Lecture in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

N59.6bn fraud: AGF, CBN acting gov, others appear before Reps today

TORDUE SALEM ABUJA

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he House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has summoned the Accountant General to the Federation, AGF, Mr. Jonah Otunla, acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mrs. Sarah Alade and the Executive Director of Finance, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to appear before it today to explain their respective roles in the alleged missing of N59.6billion Service Wide Vote in 2006.

Hon. Olamilekan Adeola, the Chairman of PAC,

who summoned the agencies, ordered that the AGF should bring all the documents relating to the release of the fund.

According to him, such documents include all bank transactions between July and December 2006, a copy of the Federation Account and copies of statements of accounts through CBN for the period under review.

“If there was any mandate on the said missing N59.6 billion, it will show at a glance, with the information requested.

“We are tired of all the excuses of all the agencies involved claiming ignorance at one stage or the

other,” he said.

During the interactive session, the NNPC GM Accounts, Mr. Sambo Aliyu, had submitted a letter written by the Budget Office in response to NNPC’s request to be furnished with details of the missing fund.

According to Mr Aliyu, the Budget Office responded that the money was released to NNPC. But with persistent queries by the chairman that if the money was released to NNPC, where is the money, Aliyu responded: “the cash was not released, we did not see any money.”

His response further infuriated members of PAC who unanimously agreed

that all the relevant agencies should be summoned once again.

Also, when the representative of CBN, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, was asked to explain what he knew about the missing fund, he simply said he would need an order from the AGF to provide the information sought.

The lawmakers, who were miffed at Fatokun’s response, insisted that he must appear today with his superiors to answer further questions.

Also, when queried on the matter, Mrs. Tayo Toluwase, a director in the Budget Office, simply said she did not have all the relevant details on the issue.

FIRS seeks tax clearance requirement for foreign trips TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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ax defaulters seeking to travel out of the country for engagements may soon be in trouble as the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, has indicated its intention to push for consideration of Tax Clearance Certificate, TCC, as one of the requirements for all travelers.

The Service said that the move was informed by the fact that TCC had become a key travel document requirement for Nigerians eyeing global destinations of choice.

A statement by the Director, Communications and Liaison Department

of the Service, Emmanuel Obeta, quoted the Acting Chairman of FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mashi, as warning tax defaulters to avoid embarrassment that non-compliance with existing provisions of the law might cause them by paying their taxes as and when due.

Mashi spoke at the Centennial Trade Fair organised by the Abuja Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture, ABUCCIMA, where Nollywood actors, led by Salami Adebayo, popularly known as ‘Oga Bello’, staged a floor show (drama) to educate Nigerians about their tax obligations.

He warned: “For a few

who may have decided to still run against the law.

Please, note that very soon you won’t be able to do business or travel abroad - I mean any part of the world - without evidence of tax payment and attestation, otherwise called Tax Clearance Certificates, TCC.” The FIRS boss, who was represented by the Coordinating Director, Direct Reports Group, Hajia Q. S. Seghosime, noted that it was against the law to do transactions with companies and entities that have no Taxpayer Identification Number, TIN, and urged members of the public to be properly guided.

He admonished NonGovernmental Organisations, NGOs, as partners in

the drive, to improve the efficiency of the nation’s tax system, to understand that in addition to registering with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, they were also under obligation to register with the tax authorities, obtain a TIN and file their annual tax returns with the Service.

Mashi, while recalling the contributions of the Service to the nation’s development over the past decades, explained that the trade fair provided an opportunity for the FIRS to interact with entrepreneurs, merchants, retailers, and policy makers in its drive to provide sustainable revenue for national development, in partnership with all stakeholders.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

National News

Wednesday April 2, 2014

7

FG blames erratic power supply on opposition •Accuses them of vandalising gas pipelines EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

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he Federal Government on Tuesday blamed the erratic power supply across the country on activities of some opposition forces.

The government accused the opposition of vandalis-

ing gas pipelines.

It said preliminary investigation revealed that the saboteurs, suspected to be members of opposition political parties and groups, were ready to lay their down their lives to frustrate the nation’s power sector transformation.

Senior Special Assistant

on Public Affairs to the President, Dr. Doyin Okupe, stated this in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, after a-one day summit for all states publicity secretaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Okupe said the President had directed armed troops to clamp down on

the vandals.

He said: “These people have resolved to continue to play the dangerous game.

They know that all things being equal, President Goodluck Jonathan will deliver on the promise of regular power supply. Once he does that, the people will vote him into office for sec-

ond term. Those who are unrelenting at querying the capability of the President to deliver have resolved to sabotage the effort and destroy the Nigerian dream.

“When I spoke with the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, James Olotu, and I was told that commissioning or not, the power plants are not operational due to lack of gas supply.

“The $16 billion project lies in waste due to lack of gas supply. They want to kill the Nigerian dream and this is why the President has not been able to deliver on his promise. If the saboteurs had allowed the transformation plan to

be operational, we would have hit the target of generating over 300 per cent of what was generated in the past.

“In all these, they are not only aiming at the President, but trying to kill the dream of regular power supply by the people.”

Okupe added that the Federal Government earmarked $16 billion for the completion of 10 national integrated power projects across the country.

He revealed that repairs on the vandalised gas pipelines had begun so as to restore regular supply to the existing power plants and raise the power generated to 7,000 mega watts.

We’ve restored fuel supply nationwide –NNPC UDEME AKPAN AND CHIDI UGWU

L-R: Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Mrs. Sarah Jibril; President, Waka About Grassroots Media, Mr. Happy Isitua and Taraba State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Hajiya Batulu Mohammed, during the Nigerian Children’s Cultural Festival in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Govt confirms dengue outbreak, denies reports on Ebola MARCUS FATUNMOLE AND HAPPINESS OBI

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gainst last week media reports on outbreak of Ebola in Nigeria, the Federal Government on Tuesday said its laboratory tests had only shown dengue outbreak in the country.

Dengue is a topical disease caused by a virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes and marked by high fever and severe muscle and joint pains.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Minister of State for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, refuted report on Ebola which was said have killed about 80 people in Guinea since it broke out last week and spreads across the West-Africa region.

A national newspaper had last week reported that Ebola killed a 15-year-old medicine undergraduate of Bingham University, Nasarawa State, Temi Ilesanmi.

The report said the

patient died after she allegedly got infected with the Ebola Virus from a monkey belonging to a neighbour at her parent’s residence at Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.

The report stressed that the late Temi became afflicted with a strange fever that defied treatment at the Federal Staff Hospital, Garki Hospital and National Hospital, all in Abuja.”

Ebola is a deadly hemorrhagic fever with a case fatality rate ranging between 60 to 90 percent in humans and it is transmitted to humans through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals.

At the briefing, Dr Alhassan said: “The government wishes to inform the general public that laboratory investigation has revealed that it (the reported Ebola outbreak) is a case of dengue hemorrhagic fe-

ver and not Ebola hemorrhagic fever as erroneously reported.

“At the onset of the disease, it mimics malaria and, often so, it is mistakenly diagnosed as malaria.

“However, other signs of dengue fever which include bleeding gums, bloody diarrhea, bleeding from the nose and sever pain behind the eyes, red palms and soles differentiate it from malaria. Laboratory tests are usually necessary from its confirmation.

“Prevention of transmission of dengue heamorrhagic fever is similar to the prevention of malaria. It is therefore very important to give environmental sanitation and mosquito bite of control a high priority to reduce mosquitohuman contact and also to eliminate multiplication of mosquitoes that are the vectors of the dengue fever virus.”

The Project Director, Nigerian Centre for

Disease Control, Prof Abdulsalam Nasidi, said dengue was not as deadly as Ebola.

He said: “For instance, Ebola kills between 60 to 90 percent of those who acquire it. But, dengue, the case of acquiring it is between one and two.

Nevertheless, some people can be unlucky and it can grab them as it happens.

“Secondly, as you can see, we can manage it; though it doesn’t have cure too like Ebola and it doesn’t have vaccine; it is not as deadly. Proper management can save the life of the patient; that is why we are going to strengthen our surveillance now.

“Symptoms of dengue are just like malaria.

There will be pain behind the eye and then bleeding from the nose, from the mouth and all the openings; when they vomit, blood comes out.

It is then you know you are not dealing with malaria.”

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he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its downstream subsidiary, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) have said that normalcy is being restored to the supply and distribution of premium motor spirit otherwise called petrol across the country.

The Managing Director of PPMC, Prince Haruna Momoh, made this submission on Tuesday before the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream in Abuja.

Momoh said that with respect to fuel situation in the country, NNPC/PPMC and other marketers were jointly supplying fuel to the market, saying: “The long queues are beginning to disappear from most of the filling stations across the states.”

He said: “I will like to put on record that based on the forty (40) million litres national daily consumption, the NNPC/ PPMC is responsible for fifty (50%) percent of the allocation from the Petroleum Products and Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, and other marketers are responsible for the other 50 percent.

“The NNPC/PPMC as

the supplier of last resort ensured that when marketers withdrew from supplying, the country was sustained with the fifty percent supplied from the inland and marine strategic reserves.”

He explained that the NNPC/PPMC had to dip into its strategic reserves to keep the country wet with the product revealing that the country has fourteen (14) days sufficiency and with the involvement of marketers in the importation of fuel, the strategic reserve would be restocked back to thirty days sufficiency by month end.

The PPMC MD informed that the NNPC/ PPMC maintains inland and marine strategic reserves so as to ensure energy sufficiency in line with the Corporation’s mandate.

Momoh said that based on the information made available to him by the Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) lack of subsidy payment was the reason why they suspended importation of petroleum products to the country.

He said with the payment of subsidy claims for third and fourth quarters of 2013 to marketers running to N41 billion, the marketers had increased supply to the market.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Suspected kidnappers of 19-month-old baby remanded in prison

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n Akure Chief Magistrate Court on Tuesday remanded 28-year-old Emmanuel Okpara and Evelyn Jonathan, 27, for allegedly kidnapping a 19-month-old girl.

The accused and others at large were arraigned for allegedly abducting one Bolanle Olowookere at Shagari Village in Akure on March 14 at about 7.30a.m.

Chief Magistrate Johnson Adelegan, who ordered the remand of the accused in prison, said this was to enable the court to obtain legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution.

The prosecutor, ASP Zakari Ibrahim, had told the court that the accused were armed with gunsandotherdangerousweapons while carrying out the act.

Ibrahim alleged that Okpara, who took the child to Jonathan in Bayelsa State, demanded a ransom of N10 million from the family of the baby.

He also told the court that the accused unlawfully detained the baby for 10 days against the wishes of her parents.

The prosecutor further said that Okpara robbed the mother of the baby, Mrs Blessing Olowookere, of her cell phone valued at N15,000 and cash sum of N200,000.

Task Corps members, Fashola tells employers TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

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overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has advised the employers of labour to assign challenging duties to serving corps members posted to their establishments for primary assignments.

He gave the advice on Tuesday in his address at the closing ceremony of a three-week orientation programme for the 2014 National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Batch ‘A’ members at Iyana-Ipaja Orientation Camp of the organisation.

Fashola, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale

Ahmed, said employers should not see corps members as tools to be used and discarded, but rather as team players for positive change.

The governor also advised the corps members to use the knowledge and skills they had acquired both in schools and during the orientation course to make positive impact on their immediate environment and the country at large.

He noted that the scheme had proved to be veritable avenue over the years for socio-economic development, especially that of t rural communities through various community development projects of corps members.

Ogun’s industrialisation drive attracts $200m investment

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he industrialisation drive of the Ogun State Government has attracted a $200 million investment, which is expected to generate no fewer than 1000 employment.

The Executive Board Member and Coordinator, Overseas Investments, Hayat Kimya Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ali Zeybek, said “having carried out a thorough business survey of the ECOWAS countries, we chose Nigeria due to its vast capital market and Ogun state in particular due to its unequalled conducive business environment.

“We intend to invest at

least between $180million to $200million at optimal capacity while not less than 1000 people will be on the company’s payroll”, he added.

Zeybek revealed this when he led the management of the company to visit Governor Ibikunle Amosun in his office in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

According to him, Hayat Kimya Nigeria Limited, is not just a household name in Turkey, its hub, but also has indelible footprints in the production and supply of baby diaper, tissue, detergent and other household consumptions across Africa.

L-R: Commander, Operation Burst, Brig.-Gen. Laz Ilo; Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Indabawa and Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Public Affairs, Mr. Toye Arulogun, at a press briefing after an emergency security council meeting in Ibadan, yesterday.

Septuagenarian commits suicide in Ogun FEMI O YEWESO ABEOKUTA

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70-year-old man simply identified as Baba Ijemo on Tuesday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, committed suicide by hanging himself inside his bedroom.

The corpse of the septuagenarian, who lonely occupies a two-room apartment, at Olorombo in Ijeun-Tuntun area of Abeokuta metropolis, was discovered on Monday afternoon by neighbours and co-tenants following odour emanating from his apartment.

Curious neighbours were said to have peeped

through the window only to discover the dangling body of the old man tied with a rope round his neck and hung to one of the ceiling planks.

The ugly development made residents to raise an alarm which attracted neighbours in the community who trooped to the scene in order to catch a glimpse of the remains of the man before they forced he door opened and found out that the septuagenarian had committed suicide.

National Mirror further gathered that after forcing the doors open, neighbours and co-tenants quickly contacted the police at the

Ibara Divisional Headquarters, as well as the known relatives within Abeokuta.

As at the time our correspondent visited the area after the news had filtered round the metropolis, residents and neighbours were seen discussing the shocking news as they could not establish the rationale behind the septuagenarian’s action.

Sympathisers were, however, of the opinion that the man might have been frustrated due to neglect by members of his immediate family.

Sources in the sixroom bungalow told newsmen that the old

man and father of seven children had in recent times been hostile to the neighbours and co-tenants for reasons they could not establish.

It was also gathered that none of his children or any other relative resided with the old man for quite a long time before the incident.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that the Ibara Divisional police headquarters was invited to the scene of the incident and that the command had commenced investigations to the matter.

Lagos shuts 28 firms over tax default

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he Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, has said it sealed 28 companies in March for defaulting in remitting N92 million personal income taxes of their workers.

The Head, Distrain Unit of the agency, Mrs. Folasade Coker-Afolayan, disclosed this on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos.

She said that the taxes

were for periods ranging from 12 months to four years.

The tax officer said the affected companies included those in the manufacturing, tourism, shipping, energy and hospitality sub-sectors.

Coker-Afolayan reiterated that tax payment was a civic responsibility of citizens and the proceeds were needed by government to provide infrastructure for the populace.

“Tax is a major source of government’s revenue. It enables it to provide infrastructure and improve citizens’ standard of living,” she said.

Coker-Afolayan said that the LIRS would continue to sanction tax defaulters.

She said that some employers were fond of deducting workers’ taxes, but would fail to remit the deductions to government’s coffers.

She promised that

LIRS would continue to enforce tax laws.

Coker-Afolayan advised companies to remit taxes promptly to avoid embarrassment, adding that it was a criminal act to tamper with government’s seals on sealed companies.

NAN reports that the LIRS sealed 44 companies in the last two months over non-remittance of N460.6m personal income taxes of their workers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

9

House of Assembly increases Osun 2014 budget BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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he Osun State House of Assembly has increased the state 2014 budget estimate from the initial N216 billion to N234 billion.

The House Committee on Finance and Appropriation had earlier recommended the increase during its deliberations on the budget and the House

at its plenary approved it.

Chairman, Hon. Kamil Oyedele, while presenting the report of his committee to the House, explained why the adjustments were made, adding that the estimate was increased after proper consultations with the Office of Budget and Economic Planning and the Ministry of Finance.

Oyedele said during the budget defence by the ministry, the committee

observed new drive to improve the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and the resolve of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration to reduce over dependence on resources from the Federation Account.

He added that the government intends to fund some of its developmental projects listed in the 2014 budget by using resources accruable to the state

through Internal and External Funds and Credits.

Oyedele further explained that the outstanding performance of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the implementation of 2013 budget required that more fund should be allocated to them for effective service delivery.

Meanwhile, the House of Assembly has received two letters from the office

of the governor dated December 31, 2013 seeking the consideration and passage into law of two bills titled “State of Osun Partnership Bill, 2013” and “State of Osun Special Offences Court Bill, 2013.”

In the letter read by the Speaker, Hon. Najeem Salam, the governor said that the state executive

Oyo vows to arrest Ibadan kidnappers’ den operators

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L-R: Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; widow of the late G.O.K Ajayi, Olayinka, and former Minister of Justice Prince Bola Ajibola, during a condolence visit in Lagos yesterday.

We’ve started regeneration of Apapa city plan – Fashola FRANCIS SUBERU

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agos State Governor Babatunde Fashola on Tuesday said its administration had begun the regeneration of the Apapa city plan.

Fashola said the state government had cleaned up the environment to ensure that businesses continue to strive in the area.

The governor, who spoke during the opening of the BusinessDay Headquarters at Apapa, Lagos, noted that despite the economic importance of the area to the Federal Government, it had over

the years been neglected.

He said: “Apapa, being the first industrial estate where the economy of this country started to take shape, is not supposed to suffer the neglect it has suffered over the years, and until the point of its total neglect; Apapa continues to spill forth, revenues to the Federal Government, not only in millions, but in hundreds of billions and sometimes trillions.

“The question simply to ask is what kind of manager makes that kind of money in a place and refused to put something back there. As a sub-national government, within the limit of our con-

trol, though we have no territorial control over the port, we have to come and manage the fall out of the management of the port.

“When we came to assess what the problems were here because we have started the regeneration of Apapa in accordance with the Apapa city plan, what we saw at the time we came here is better left said because human beings were living on the major highways in Nigeria’s first industrial estate and deals with all the natural issues that human beings deal with right there.

“But I am lucky to lead a team which does not give up, we started the cleanup. As

soon as we started, the Federal Government team came here within 48 hours and they said they were ready to join us. We held meeting with them and after that, in spite of two letters to follow up, they have not comeback till today. I was later told that they were angry because we have taken the media credit for doing the work.”

Fashola added that after the roads were cleared and the environment cleaned, articulated vehicles which hitherto parked at port moved outside into residential areas, posing dangers to themselves and the people who live in the district.

council had approved and forwarded the bills to the Assembly for its consideration and passage into law.

Governor Aregbesola said the purpose of “State of Osun Special Offences Court Bill, 2013” was to provide relevant laws under which various environmental and other related offences could be tried.

he Oyo State Security Council rose from its emergency meeting on Tuesday and affirmed its resolve to arrest suspected operators of the Ibadan kidnappers’ den.

The kidnappers’ den, popularly known as Ibadan evil forest, was discovered recently at Soka area of the city.

Addressing journalists after the meeting presided over by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammed Ndabawa, said that preliminary investigations by security agencies revealed that the kidnappers’ den had been in existence for the past 10 years.

Ndabawa said: “From the information available so far, that place has been there for a very long time, perhaps about 10 years.

It was initially used by a construction company during the channelisation of Ogunpa river and after then, the site was abandoned.

“We got information in the course of our investigation that government (previous and present) contracted the issue of picking lunatics and then reuniting them with their families. That thing (kidnapping) had been on, but the government was not aware of it.”

He attributed the discovery of the evil forest

to the prompt response of the state anti-crime unit, Operation Burst, to a distress call.

On what the security agencies had done so far since the discovery, Ndabawa claimed that a team of policemen had been sent from the Force Criminal Investigative Department, Abuja, with forensic pathologists.

The police commissioner said: “They were at the site yesterday (Monday) and they will continue their investigation before the demolition of the make-shift structures at the site.”

Ndabawa, however, said the police had so far rescued 42 lunatics from the streets after two of them had been killed by the mob.

He said: “After that incident, the police have rescued 42 lunatics or presumed lunatics from the streets. So far, two people have been killed.

Investigation, like I said, is ongoing and out of the so-called lunatics, two of them have confessed to be looking for human parts, but they are not yet related to the Soka incident.”

It will be recalled that after the Soka discovery, lunatics became the target of attack of the mob which alleged that they were found with human body parts.

Lekki-Ikoyi bridge: Lagos appeals high court judgment FRANCIS SUBERU

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he Lagos State Government has filed an appeal against the judgment of the Federal

High Court presided over by Justice S. Saidu which nullified collection of toll by the Lagos State Government on Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge.

In the notice of appeal dated March 28, 2014 and

filed on the same date, the Lagos State Government challenged the decision arrived at by the Federal High Court to the effect that the fact of payment by its contractors to National In-

land Waterways Authority (NIWA) was an admission by the state that the Federal Government had constitutional or legislative authority to regulate inland waterways throughout the

country.

The appellant further stressed that it wanted the Court of Appeal to reverse the Federal High Court verdict.

According to the state, the Lagos State Public Private

Partnership Law No. 2 of 2011 clearly empowers the government to specify the service charges, user fees or tolls which are payable in respect of designated public infrastructure or public assets.

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Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Anambra to sanction corrupt traffic agency operatives CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

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he Anambra State Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chike Ohamobi, has threatened that severe sanction would be imposed on any operative of the State Traffic Agency (ASTA) found to be involved in extortion and other corrupt practices.

Ohamobi said the state government would soon come up with a comprehensive review of the operation of ASTA in order to ensure that its personnel operate within the approved guidelines.

The commissioner spoke following alleged extortion

by ASTA operatives at the Awka Main Market Roundabout where functional traffic lights were recently installed.

He said that the ASTA operatives were only ex-

pected to give contravention notes to motorists who violate the traffic lights or pack in an unauthorise place, adding that the problem stemmed from the fact that many of the operatives were not well grounded on their duties and public expectation.

It will be recalled that since the traffic lights became operational, most ASTA operatives deployed to control traffic have turned the exercise into a lucrative gold mine as they waylay and extort money from motorists and motorcycle riders under the pretext that they did not obey the traffic light.

Investigation by National Mirror showed no fewer than 100 motorists and motorcycle riders were daily harassed and held to ransom by ASTA operatives for allegedly violating the traffic lights.

Ghana, Nigeria to partner over vehicle registration CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

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hana is on the verge of partnering with Nigeria on data base integration over on the registration of vehicles and drivers on the continent of Africa.

The partnership is part of the efforts to enhance safety practices within the West African region.

According to a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr. Jonas Agwu, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) boss, Osita Chidoka, advocated an integrated data base on registration of vehicles and drivers within the sub-region and the need to foster existing rapport between the two countries to enhance safer road use in Africa during a visit to Ghana.

The visit was at the instance of an invitation by the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mhama, for the FRSC Corps Marshal to attend deliberations on how to seek areas of mutual collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana.

According to the Corps Marshal, who is also the President of the West African Road Safety Organization (WARSO), an integrated data base on vehicles

registration and drivers between the two countries, would go a long way to boost efforts put in place to combat crimes and other security challenges confronting the West African sub-region.

In his response, the Ghanaian President commended the Corps Marshal for the developmental strides which the FRSC has taken to transform road safety management in Nigeria.

President Mhama also urged West African countries to key into an ongoing advertorial by the Kenya government which seeks to give voice to passengers to put the driver under check in the event of reckless driving.

The highpoint of the meeting was the need to raise the bar on road safety management in Africa and the enhanced capacity building initiatives to enrich and equip drivers and road safety officers with contemporary global trends for road safety practices and management.

The Ghanaian President also assured the FRSC Corps Marshal of his country’s willingness to partner with Nigeria to replicate its on-going plans to assist Sierra Leone to establish a lead agency in road safety management.

Recovered arms and ammunition from suspected kidnappers of a prominent businessman, Chief Godwin Okeke, tendered as evidence before Justice Chudi Nwankwo of Onitsha High Court in Anambra State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Police kill two armed robbers, arrest others in Imo CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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wo suspected armed robbers were shot dead on Tuesday in Orlu, Imo State.

The armed robbers were killed during the exchange of gun fire with the Scorpion Squad of the state police command.

The robbers, whose bodies were paraded at the command headquarters in Owerri, were said to have snatched a Toyota RAV4 marked KJA 183AZ from the owner but luck ran out them when the car’s fuel got expended.

In the process, the police engaged them in gun battle and two were shot dead.

The police also arrested two while others escaped with bullet wounds.

Those arrested are Chidera Njoku (20) and Onyebuchi Emeka (22) – both from Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.

Also, a five-man gang who specialised in snatching vehicles within the South-East zone and ferrying them to other parts of the country to sell were arrested by the police when they stormed the residence of the Medical Director of a specialist hospital, Dr. Ishmed Nwabueze, and robbed him of his Infinite Jeep 2001 model marked SSM457AA, two laptops, one LCD television and many mobile telephones.

Two of the suspects, Ejike Egbuka (24) from Obibiezema and Clever Odinaka (23) of Umuchieke Umuobom in Ideato South Local Government Area confessed to the crime and begged for forgiveness.

The police also recovered two stolen Toyota Avalon cars NCH 323 AE and KTU 849 BT belonging to Njoku Vincent and Stanley Okedu respectively.

Speaking, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdulmajid Ali, warned that henceforth the state would be too hot for armed robbers, kidnappers and people involved in other criminal activities.

Ali, however, asked criminals to stay away from the

state in their interest.

He said: “I will deal ruthlessly with criminals who would want to still try the might of the command.”

The police commissioner also warned parents and guardians to closely monitor the movements of their children for them not to fall into the “hot waiting hands of the command’s squad.”

Ali added the policeman who recently shot dead a bus conduct in the state during a stop and search process had been detained and would soon be charged to court for prosecution.

He, however, expressed worry over the release of the suspected operators of “baby factories” by the judiciary.

Govt reverses planned concession of public health institutions CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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he Imo State Government has reversed its planned decision to concession all hospitals and other public health institutions in the state.

Reacting to a question on the development in Owerri, the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Health, Dr. Johny Ihebereme, said the sudden reversal of the decision was due to some technical reasons.

Dr. Ihebereme was speak-

ing during the annual health week seminar of Imo State Medical and Health Workers Union in Owerri.

He said: “Following a technical advice, Governor Rochas Okorocha decided to suspend the plan and return all the money committed to the projects by the concessionaires.”

Ihebereme said the government was committed to the reformation of primary healthcare delivery through proper funding for the provision of effective service.

The permanent secre-

tary said that “Health at Your Door Step” policy was another way to make healthcare delivery accessible to everybody in the state.

According to him, the plan to build 27 general hospitals in each local government area of the state would guarantee accessible healthcare to the rural dwellers.

He said the government had revived all the public hospitals in the state, adding that most of such hospitals had modern equipment to deliver quality service to the people.

Ihebereme, however, claimed that the government would regain all the lost glories in the health system by regaining accreditation to the school of nursing and school of health in the state.

He charged health workers in the state to be more effective in rural routine immunisation and primary healthcare delivery.

Ihebereme asked health unions leaders to sanction any of their members who failed to discharge his or duty accordingly.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South South

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

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Warri NBA suspects foul play in lawyers’ death THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

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he Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Warri Branch, has said it suspected foul play in the killing of two lawyers by unknown gunmen last Thursday at Ozoro, the headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Council, Delta State.

It specifically alleged that the killing of the lawyers was not unconnected with the case which they were handling for a client, who

allegedly kidnapped the son of the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Mr. Ovuozourie Macaulay.

The two lawyers, Horace Eguono Dafiaghor and Samuel Ekwuaghanju, were ambushed and shot dead at Ozoro while going for ‘ruling’ on the kidnap case at Ozoro High Court.

Perturbed at the manner the lawyers were murdered, the Warri NBA, rising from an emergency general meeting, said the duo “were certainly assassinated.”

In a press statement

signed by the branch chairman, Mr. Ben Oji and publicity secretary, S.G Ediagbonuvie, the lawyers stated that Dafiaghor had complained severally of threats to his life.

“From our inquiries and preliminary investigations, we gathered that Horace Eguono Dafiaghor, Esq. was counsel to the accused person standing trial before the High Court, Ozoro, for the alleged kidnap of the son of

Ovuozourie Macaulay, the Secretary to the Delta State Government,” the NBA stated.

It added: “He (Dafiagbor) had repeatedly complained about threats to his life and warnings to withdraw from the defence of the accused person. He had also claimed then that some of these threats were traced to policemen.

“He also complained that he was detained for over

three hours at the police headquarters when he went to see his client (prospective witness to the accused person who had been arrested when he came to the court) who was detained there, and that after being made to write a statement under caution, he was not allowed to see his client.

“At this stage, when all claims and allegations have to be taken on board and investigated, it would not

Oshiomhole slams extortion of electricity consumers

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overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has kicked against the N750 monthly fixed charge collected by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, from its customers in the state, saying it amounts to extortion and exploitation.

The governor, who held a meeting with the management team of BEDC led

by Mrs. Funke Osibodu; the Benin Forum, led by Chief David Edebiri and civil society organisations on Tuesday said fixed charges and estimated tariff by the electricity company was not only irresponsive, but crude and criminal.

According to him, “It is agreed that there is a fixed charge, there is fixed tariff by the new power company. There is no argument about the fact on whether or not the tariff or estimated charges are paid.”

But recalling the first meeting with the management of BEDC, Oshiomhole said, “Madam, you will recall the day I first formally received you in my office. I made some factual statements that the essence of privatisation is the increase in the entrepreneurial efficiency.

“I think I mentioned it that now that the Federal Government has handed over NEPA or PHCN, it is incumbent that you improve on your service delivery to consumers in order to have confidence in your organisation and failure to go below that will spark off a revolt from consumers. This is exactly

what is happening today.

“As someone elected to represent the interest of the entire Edo people, I cannot be silent to this type of exploitation by one company which claims that because there is somebody in Abuja or somewhere responsible for generation, transmission of electricity is not the matter.

“From what I have gathered from the various speakers, it is certain that what is being done in Edo does not exist in other states.

“I cannot seat here while watching the masses of the people of Edo are exploited under the guise of fixed tariff and estimated billing,” he stressed.

The governor, however, urged the management of the company to invite officials of National Electricity Regulatory Commission to his office within a specified time to further deliberate on the matter, while directing the BEDC to discontinue a purported disconnection exercise.

Earlier, Messrs Kaduna Eboigbodin and Olu Martins, representing civil society groups, stated that their complaint against BEDC was hinged on collection of fixed tariff of N750 per meter and exorbitant charges ranging from N14,000 and above per flat every month, whether there was light or not.

Eboigbodin said that electricity consumers in Benin City and its environs paid for meter and did not get same for up to four years; yet, consumers were served estimated billings.

Cross section of suspects arrested for kidnapping children by the Department of State Security, DSS, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Monday

Some of the recovered children

be far-fetched to link this crime with the case our colleagues were handling at the High Court, Ozoro.”

Narrating further, the association stated: “On the fateful day, March 27, 2014, the case was fixed for ruling at 12 noon in respect of an application filed by Eguono Dafiaghor (Esq.).

“The court waited till about 2 pm and when H. Eguono Dafiaghor (Esq.) did not show up, it delivered the ruling.

“It would appear from the circumstances, that H. Eguono Dafiaghor Esq. who was driving in his car was ambushed forced off the major road into the side road, brought out of the car with Samuel Ekwuaghanju, and they were shot at close range.”

The NBA pointed out that if the killing of their members was meant to subdue and intimidate lawyers and the judge handling the case, the killers’ intention would not succeed.

“This dastardly act cannot be allowed to go like that. It is sad indeed when a lawyer would be killed for providing legal representation to a party in a case.

Such action is probably intended to frighten and intimidate lawyers, but if that is the intention, it will not succeed,” it added.

The lawyers vowed to pursue the case to its logical conclusion in honour of their late colleagues.

“The message we have for the perpetrator of this heinous crime is that, “you may kill a lawyer, but you cannot kill all the lawyers,” they said.

APC seeks reversal of Rivers CJ’s suspension DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

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he Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has faulted the suspension of Justice Peter Agumagu as the chief judge of the state by the National Judicial Council, NJC, saying due process was not followed.

It said the NJC erred on the suspension,stressing that there was an extant judgement by a competent court upon which the State House of Assembly and Governor Chibuike Rotimi

Amaechi cleared and swore in Agumagu.

In a statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the State Chairman of APC, Dr. Davies Ikanya, said since the NJC was a party in the said judgment, the body had a right of appeal.

The statement, however, said that under Part 1, Section 21 (d) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, the NJC has no power to suspend Agumagu.

The APC urged the NJC to detach itself from politics.

Signed by the spokesman of the party in the

state APC, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the statement read in part: “We have watched with amazement the macabre dance of the National Judicial Council, NJC, with regard to the appointment of Justice P.N.C Agumagu as the Chief Judge of Rivers State by the state government.

“The height of this was the suspension of Justice Agumagu by the NJC, barely days after he was sworn in as Rivers’ chief judge.

“The All Progressives Congress, APC, Rivers State chapter, is convinced that the NJC erred seri-

ously on this issue as due process was not followed in Justice Agumagu’s suspension and we wish to request the revered NJC to reverse this decision in the interest of justice.”

It added: “Coming to Rivers State, there is a judgement of a competent court headed by Honourable Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, upon which the State House of Assembly and Governor Chibuike Amaechi acted in clearing and swearing in Justice Agumagu as the Chief Judge of Rivers State.

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North

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

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Nasarawa Assembly sacks electoral body IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

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fficials of the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission, NASIEC, were on Tuesday sacked by the state house of assembly.

A resolution to that effect was passed at the

chambers of the House by the lawmakers, directing Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura to terminate the appointment of the NASIEC Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Modibbo and the entire commissioners.

The lawmakers passed a vote of no confidence on the commission, alleging

gross irregularities from the just concluded local government election in the state.

Moving the motion, the Majority Leader, Godiya Akwashiki (PDP), stated that the announcement of the local government election results by the chairman of the commission violated the

provisions of the local government electoral law of 2013 as passed by the House.

Ruling on the matter, the Speaker, Ahmed Musa Mohammed, said: “A vote of no confidence has been passed against the NASIEC chairman and members of the commission.

“Based on the provisions of Section 201(1) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the House, through a 2/3 majority, resolved that the chairman and his members should be removed from office with immediate effect.”

Throwing more light on the resolution during

a chat with journalists shortly after the sitting, Akwashiki stated that the assembly had stayed action on the matter after the appearance of the NASIEC when the court stopped the assembly from deliberating on the issue, but had to sit after an order to vacate the court’s decision.

Policeman dismissed for defiling four-year-old JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe (left) and Area Commander, Metro Jos, Mr. Charles Ezeala, during a news conference on the rape of a four-year-old girl and other command activities in Jos, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Shettima: Boko Haram caused by Quranic misinterpretation INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

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orno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday attributed the emergence of Boko Haram to bad interpretation of the Holy Qur’an.

Condemned the activities of the dreaded insurgents, he said their violent campaigns which claims the lives of innocent persons and destruction of properties, lacked place in Islam.

The governor made

the remarks while receiving the winners and officials of the Board for Qur’anic Education who represented the state in the 2004 National Qur’anic Recitation Competition held in Dutes, Jigawa State.

Shettima noted that the insurgents made a negative interpretation of the Qur’an and Islam, which they wrongly use to unleash terror on citizens.

According to him, Islam is a religion of peace which does not condone killings and destruction under

whatever form.

“Distorted translation of the holy book by the insurgents landed us in this mess. If we have had a good understanding of Islam, we would have been in a better place. There is no room for extremism in Islam.

“We need to go back to Islam as practised by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), when Islam encouraged Muslims, Jews and Christians to live in peace with one another,” he declared.

Shettima added: “We are presently in a day where some lunatics claiming to be crusaders of Islam are killing innocent people, burning mosques and churches. It is bad interpretation of the holy book by the insurgents that caused all this.”

He congratulated the participants for the successes recorded in the competition, tasking them to maintain the tempo.

He also donated the sum of N10 million to both the participants and officials.

he police corporal attached to the Special Task Force, STF on Jos crisis, Damudu Bzibu, who allegedly defiled a four-year-old girl, was on Tuesday dismissed.

Bzibu, with force number 378612, had on March 26 at about 9 am at Kassa in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State lured little Helen Timothy and had carnal knowledge of her.

Police Commissioner Chris Olakpe, who paraded the suspect along with other criminals at the state headquarters, said that Helen’s father had discovered when he came back from work that the pants of his daughter was soaked with blood.

He said when he asked her what happened, the girl said she was raped by a mobile policeman.

Olakpe said that the suspect was later identified as Bzibu of 14 Police Mobile Force, PMF, Markudi, attached to Sector 7 of STF. He disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police had shown special interest in the case, adding that the suspect was given orderly room trial, found guilty and dismissed.

The commissioner also paraded a 12-year old boy, who out of anger over a domestic quarrel stabbed his elder brother to death.

Also arrested and paraded were four armed robbers, who invaded the home of a permanent secretary, Mrs. Julie Anpe.

The suspects were said to have been arrested by men of ‘A’ Division led by Chief Superintendent Victor Dimkpa.

Other suspects paraded were one Benjamin Toma, who beat his wife to death and later hanged her to fake the act because she did not yield to his special advances; another suspect, who along with four others now at large conspired to kill a 20-yearold boy; and a case of child trafficking against one Markus Charles, who reportedly stole his son from his mother, and sold him for N350,000.

Also paraded was a cattle rustler who came from Benue to steal cows in Jos. The commissioner said the suspect was nabbed with 16 cows.

Olakpe stated that all the suspects would soon be charged to court and assured that the case against the rapist cop would be widely publicised.

Borno sponsors 30 female citizens for foreign medical studies

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o fewer than 30 female students in Borno State will proceed to El-razi Medical University Khartoum in Sudan to study Medicine.

This was disclosed at the at the Government House by Governor Kashim Shettima while addressing the candidates selected from the 27 local government areas of the state.

The programme is under the Borno State Female

Medical Intervention Programme which the governor launched with the presentation of scholarship letters to the students on Tuesday.

Shettima said producing 30 female medical doctors, which the state desperately needs, is the greatest legacy the government could give, owing to the ‘fact’ that women have peculiar health challenges arising from maternity

and other issues that fellow women would be in the best position to handle as a result of the African culture and religion.

To achieve his objectives in the health sector, he explained that 30 candidates would be sent every year for training as medical doctors and stressed that no amount of money spent on their training would be wasted.

Shettima, while commending the

management staff of the ministry of higher education which facilitated the selection of the candidates, directed the commissioner to add three more Christian female candidates and two others from the northern part of the state.

He urged the candidates to be good ambassadors of the state and the country.

The governor then made a personal contribution of N2 million as pocket

money for the students, while his deputy, Zannah Umar Mustapha, gave N1million.

They were followed by commissioners and other political appointees who also provided personal assistance to support the women.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner of Higher Education, Alhaji Bello Ayuba, said the educational sector had been receiving

government attention since the present administration assumed office.

He thanked the governor for timely release of funds for programmes.

Ayuba further explained that the 30 candidates who were selected based on merit had been provided with laptop computers, adding that $9500 would be spent on each of them per session.

Wednesday April 2, 2014

The Director-General of Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, representing Ekiti North 1in the House of Representatives in an interview with OBIORA IFOH speaks on the chances of his principal in the June 21 governorship election. Excerpts:

Politics

There is no insistence on second term. We are saying if you have a mechanic who has been attending to you or fixing your car over the ages and has been doing it well, it is likely that you will trust him much more when challenges arise. My candidate has tried in the last three-and-half years to justify the mandate the people gave him way back in 2007.

We are all students of history we all know how we got to this point. Thank God today my candidate has turned our adversity to prosperity. What he has done justify the fact that people remains resolute behind and beside him, during the period of adversity and travail. I am sure today all of those things will come into reckoning. I don’t think the people will suffer selective amnesia. It is the officials that suffer amnesia not the people. If the people suffer amnesia nobody will give credit to late Chief Obafemi Awolowo today for his free education programme.

Daramola

In the last APC membership registration, over 200,000 members were registered. Given the total number of voters in the state, do you think your candidate stands a chance of defeating the candidates of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Labour Party, LP? Yes, APC registered members were in excess of 200,000 and the total registered voters in Ekiti is about 649,000. Elections are won on the basis of so many factors. It would have been a completely different thing if we did not have an incumbent or all of the candidates are running as fresh candidates, but the truth of the matter is that the strength of

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Fayemi’s candidacy, driven by his performance in office -Daramola

Governor Kayode Fayemi has been endorsed. Can you tell us who endorsed him and whether the All Progressive Congress will still conduct primaries for the forthcoming governorship election?

When you say someone has been endorsed. You specify the level. Is it at the ward level, is it local, state or national levels. Well our party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, respects its own rules and laws. We were at the APC national headquarters in Abuja where Governor Fayemi picked his Expression of Interest form to contest for Ekiti State governor and among all the things said, the interim National Organising Secretary of the party, Senator Osita Izunaso and the interim National Secretary, Alhaji Tijani Tumsah told us all the processes, all the stages. This will include the state congress on April 26, as directed. Again let me remind you that when Atiku Abubakar contested as a candidate under the defunct Action Congress, AC, we had our primaries in Lagos which was a primary by affirmation. He was the only candidate of the party and he was affirmed.

What are the issues in your estimation that will shape this election?

There are a number of issues and directions. The very first thing will be substance. That will be very material to the thrust of the campaign. We are going to have a campaign that will be issue driven, agenda setting. We are not just angling for second for the sake of it, just by the stereotype. We are doing this out of the strong conviction, driven by the tangible template that Dr. Fayemi has made in the past three and a half years. That will be material and would shape the campaign and conduct of election. I know too well that the opposition is also there to rear their heads and again as a political party they want to expand their territory and I am inclined to assume that between 2003 and 2007 they were in power and the train that moved from Lagos hit Edo, ran through Ondo and berth at Ekiti and Ekiti reunited Oyo and Oyo eventually closed in on Ogun state. That will also come up; the opposition is also interested in taking back power from the party.

Thirdly, you will also agree with me that may be this may not be nice, one of us who used to be a member of the same family said he would be at the ballot for this election. All of these will shape this election by all intent and purposes there is nothing you can do about that. You cannot run away from these facts. Elections are won on the basis of political parties driven by individuals and the people ultimately have their way and every other thing key into this.

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MY CANDIDATE HAS TRIED IN THE LAST THREE-AND-HALF YEARS TO JUSTIFY THE MANDATE THE PEOPLE GAVE HIM WAY BACK IN 2007

the party is a factor but strength means nothing. It is just like trying to ascribe power to the size of a dinosaur which today is facing extinction because the size of dinosaur has not been able to help it. The people have said the PDP is the largest party in Africa and all that jargon but we also know that the party is depreciating and decimating as we speak.

I don’t want to bench mark the success of our elections on the fact that we are driven by population, which is driven by their conviction by what Fayemi has been able to do in three and half years. I have said at different times that up till today, there is no one coming into the election with tangible assets as my candidate. He is not coming into election with promissory notes. He is not coming into the election to say I will do, but to say I have done. You do not mouth reputation. You earn reputation and performance and reputation of delivery, governance and that has added value tangibly to the lives of Ekiti people. It is something on the streets that no one can deny and will expect that those people who are direct beneficiaries of the impact of his good governance in the past three and half years will not fold their hands and entrust their fate and fortunes into unsteady and shaken hands. They will rather entrust their fate and fortunes into a steady hands and consolidate on the good work of the past three and half years.

Why is the governor insisting on second term in office?

Why is the governor expressing fears that the election will be rigged?

I am not aware that my governor is expressing fears. In any case there is the fear of the unknown. As human beings we wake up, steps out of our homes, committing our lives into the hand of God. There is always the fear of the shadowy. But the truth of the matter is that we have to confront our fears.

We have seen it before. Don’t forget that we are Ekiti people and we do not brook cheating, we do not brook injustice. Dr. Fayemi was not in office when Ekiti people stood by him head to head, toe-to toe and did not blink. We were not in government, yet pursued the mandate and by the grace of God it was eventually delivered into our hands. He has treated that mandate with so much sanctity. The recognition of that alone will sharpen the resolve of our people to stand beside him and by him to ensure that no matter what the electoral marauders are trying to do, they will not succeed.

In concrete terms what are the fears?

The fear will not be too far-fetched. We have seen the seeming incompetence and lack of capacity of some of the institutions in the conduct of elections in the country. We have seen them time and time again apologising to Nigerians for the failures in Anambra, for the failures in Delta.

You as the moral compass and the conscience of the society also have the moral obligations to the populace out there. It will be in the interest of President Goodluck Jonathan and his party to ensure that they play fair and ensure that the will of the people prevail in the election. It will be the fairest thing to do. We know that this country is been tugged at every corner regardless of the talking session in Abuja. The true test of the direction of the confab will be determined by elections in Ekiti because election is about allowing the people to exercise their civic responsibility.

What do you think informed the intense jostling of candidates to be governor of Ekiti State, given the number of people aspiring from various parties?

It is a sad spectacle and I am too sure this is one of the eternal legacies of Governor Fayemi’s administration.

By the grace of God before the end of the second term of governor Fayemi, all Tom, Dick and Harry aspiring to Oke Bareke in Ekiti State will not find it very comfortable anyCONTINUED ON PAGE 44

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Politics

Wednesday April 2, 2014

Mallam Isiaka Garba Matawallin Dass, is the chairman Board of Trustees, BoT, Northern Youth Consultative Forum, NYCF. In this interview with selected journalists, he bares his mind on the position of Northern youth on the 2015 presidential election, insecurity, mission and vision for youths, and why corruption has continued in the polity unabated. EZEKIEL TITUS brings excerpts: How would you react to your appointment as the chairman of the Board of Trustees, BoT, of the Northern Youth Consultative Forum, NYCF? The Northern Youths Consultative Forum decided to appoint me as the chairman of its BoT to oversee its affairs following a meeting its National Executive Council, NEC, and its members late year and I am very delighted to serve my region in that capacity as part of my feelings for effective development. However, heading an organization like this has numerous challenges, especially leading the youth groups with complex attitudes needs carefulness, but with God I believe I will wear the crown to contribute my quota.

What are your vision and mission for the NYCF? If you happened to be in some North-Easter states like Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, virtually what is happening in those areas calls for concern and collective attention of all stakeholders, apart from efforts of all levels of government to perpetually curb the unfortunate security challenges and that brought to the fore my vision and mission, which is putting an end to the rampant and brutal killings in the zone. The forum would no longer fold its arms and watch innocent citizens being maimed.

One of the core aims of NYCF is to reunite the entire North in various endeavours, to speak with one voice regardless of religious, political, cultural and economic differences, to determine and safeguard the values and norms of our founding fathers like the Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, who carved a niche in putting the interest of the North first, unlike what is happening today.

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We want a president that has Nigeria’s interest at heart –NYCF BoT chair We must put all hands on deck to shun our difference, if at all we want to move the North ahead.

I MAKE BOLD TO BLAME THOSE NORTHERNERS THAT RULED THE COUNTRY AND YET COULD NOT MAKE ANY POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT We must be able to rekindle the hope of our people and protect the future of our children and yet- unborn. It is disheartening to note that innocent youths were lost to recent Immigration recruitment exercise that ended in futility; people die every day due to the insecurity challenges in the Northern region.

Recently you attributed Nigeria’s woes to failure of and bad leadership, but are you aware that the North has ruled the country more than other regions?

It is very fortunate we have ruled Nigeria more than any other region. That is the truth and if we want correction, even though the truth is always bitter, the bad leadership trend has finally degenerate to regional agenda, when our friends in the South-South are now agitating for Nigeria’s disintegration, but is the North ready? The fact is that the North has ruled for years yet there was nothing on ground to account for the number of years the North has been in power and this has necessitated bad blood in running the affairs of the country, with the North severally being described as parasites by oil producing states, due to the nation’s over dependent on oil and gas resources.

I make bold to blame those Northerners that ruled the country and yet could not make any positive development of the North in comparison to the days of the Ahmadu Bellos and Abubakar Tafawa-Balewas.

What is your take on the fresh agitation for the North to produce the president of the country in 2015? Is the agitation justified?

That is why we are agitating for change.

To us, whoever emerges president must be one with the requisite credentials and political will to turn around the fortunes of this

Dass

country and have the collective interest of the country, especially the North at heart.

I can assure you the NYCF is working assiduously towards that and believe me, it will reflects and determines who becomes president in 2015.

Even though the NYCF is a not political party and it belongs to all political party and what we are after is credible candidate from anywhere and from any political platform, religion and tribe, provided the person can provide democracy dividends for Nigerians, with the North at heart.

What is the NYCF doing to address the problem of differences in religion, culture and tribe, which seems to be the bane of meaningful development?

That is what we are trying to address in totality, because what we are experiencing in the North in terms of our differences, has justified the failures of our leaders having failed to cultivate the spirit of unity and togetherness among our people instead, our people are being indoctrinated on divisibility of the region through religious, tribalism and culture and once you remove such ill practices, it will naturally mark a milestone in the region.

It’s a wrong notion to conclude that only somebody from Kano State deserve to be a president or I don’t want somebody from Bauchi to be a president because of their backgrounds, that has been the North’s biggest challenge over the years and the NYCF will no longer condone such practices again.

What informs the decision of the NYCF to give awards to some icons of the North recently?

The reasons are not far-fetched. Their contributions toward youths’ empowerment and nation building in their respective offices gave them those awards, after careful selection that reflects the yearnings and aspiration of our people, based on what they have positively achieved in their respective states. NYCF will not give anybody any award who has not added any developmental value to his immediate environment, so those awarded justified their awards through their contribution to humanity and societal development and I am calling on people in the region to emulate them.

What is your view on the high rate of corrupt practices in the country?

I am sorry, corruption is a national discuss everywhere and every time, people on the street discusses it while the media makes mince meat of it. People are stealing billions, yet nothing is done and it now seems as if corruption has been legalised in Nigeria. It is a very pathethic situation and it is the number one clog in the wheel of our development as a nation.

What is your advice to the Northern people on the need to ensure peace and unity in the region?

I had earlier said that if really we really need peace, we must go back to the status quo by emulating our heroes, in the likes of Ahmadu bello and Tafawa-Balewa; we must carry along our royal fathers as custodian of the peoples culture and custom. But it’s unfortunate that government no longer accord priority to traditional institutions in the country and this has posed serious threats to effective development in the North.

There is urgent need for government to give autonomy to traditional institutions with adequate funding as it remains one of the best measures to curb the current insecurity challenges, not only in the North.

My advice to the region is for everybody to remain calm and be law abiding as there will no meaningful development where there is chaos.

Suspended Bauchi lawmaker reaffirms commitment to PDP EZEKIEL TITUS BAUCHI

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uspended member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Rifkatu Samson Dannah, representing Bogoro constituency has reaffirm her commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. She made the

statement in Bauchi, during a courtesy visit to the Bauchi South senatorial district, adding that even though it has been rough and challenging following her political travails, as pioneer member of the ruling party, she was not defecting to any political platform having won her elections under the PDP.

She therefore assured that the PDP will win election in her Bogoro constituency ahead of 2015, adding: “I am not ready to dump the PDP because the party is my pride in my entire political career and I am assuring that the PDP will continue to win elections in the area.”

The suspended

lawmaker stressed that she will continue to embrace PDP with seriousness and all the necessary support, explaining that the PDP has done a lot to better the fortunes of Nigerians.

Maintaining that her political travails was an act of God which has compelled her to

make correction in her political career, Hon. Dannah challenged the ruling party on 35 per cent affirmation in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign promises to stimulate women to participate actively in politics.

Speaking earlier, Bauchi south senatorial

district PDP chairman, Alhaji Salisu Yau Naborno, commended Hon Dannah for the visit and charged politicians to emulate her.

He assured her of PDP support adding that her suspension was an act of God to test her strength, advising her not to relent in her support of the PDP.

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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

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From The Civil Service Imoke spends N98bn to boost cooperative societies 16

CBN to empower corps members RICHARD NDOMA CALABAR

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he Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, has promised to render financial assistance to the youth corps members who come up with good, business proposal to the financial institution with loans that would aid such corp members set up their own businesses to enable them become self reliant after their service year even as it also promised to make the youth corpers desist from going out on daily basis in search of white collar jobs.

Controller of CBN Calabar branch Dr. Grahams Kalio made the disclosure recently while delivering a lecture on the role of the CBN in facilitating loans for corps members at the NYSC orientation camp in Obubra, Cross River State.

He said that the aim of the ceremony was to reduce drastically the rate of unemployment hindering economic growth adding that after carefully listening to the lecture, graduates would could come up with alternative measures on how to sort out themselves with issues pertaining to unemployment. ``We are interested in the growth of the youth, because they are the future of this country. ``We must keep them focused on the sustainability and development of the nation. ``Nigerian youths have been classified as the future of the nation ,that is why CBN is partnering with NYSC to empower

corps members who wish to earn a living as an entrepreneur``, he said.

The CBN staff maintained that there was no stipulated amount for the loans, stressing that the loan would be dependent on the type of business

plan that the graduate would tender. , Kalio pointed out that such loans, if not properly utilized, would be withdrawn by the Apex bank in partnership with NYSC. He urged corps mem-

bers to embrace personal development through skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development.

Dr. Grahams assured corps members of the CBN’s readiness to give outloans with flex-

ible terms and conditions, adding that such loans would be monitored after few months when their business commences.

Also speaking, the NYSC state Coordinator, Engr Nkereke Ibangha,advised the corps

members to know what they want in life and work towards developing it.

Ibangha encouraged them to identify with the CBN Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Calabar in order to develop their business plans.

L-R: Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Zainab Maina; former Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and Former Minister of Women Affairs, Josephine Anenih during an interactive meeting between the Minister of Women Affairs with Female Delegates to the National Conference in Abuja recently. .

NPC seeks funding for universal birth registration birth scheme

BY ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

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he Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Eze Duruiheoma, has called for support in the areas of funding and logistics for the complete and universal registration of births in Nigeria.

Duruiheoma made the

NTA DG lauds NIMC project P.16

call during a visit to the commission’s stand at the Nigeria’s Centenary Trade Fair in Abuja ,adding that Nigeria’s population remain its greatest asset in the development process. He noted that the challenge that confronts every nation is how to effectively manage the population.

He however stated that the management of a

population in the country determines how it is coordinated ,these he said will foster sustainable development and improve the well-being of the populace.

According to him, the implementation of th e population census will be sustained with renewed vigour and improved collaboration of stakeholders.

Pensioners threaten showdown with FG P.41

“I wish to solicit the support of the stakeholders at all stages of our activities in terms of funding ,logistic support and mobilisation”.

“Any assistance rendered to the Commission will yield maximum support for national development,” he said..

Eze further explained that the trade fair reminds us of a long and

tortuous journey towards census taking and population management in Nigeria.

“As you are aware ,the conduct of population censuses pre-dates the existence of Nigeria as a nation as the first census was conducted in 1863” “This was followed in quick succession by the censuses in 1891,1901 and 1911.

Crude oil spill hits Edo community P.41

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Civil Service

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

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NSCDC claims reduction in bunkering

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he Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has said the new security strategy and intelligence sharing among security outfits under the Joint Task Force (JTF) had reduced incidents of oil theft, illegal bunkering and kidnapping in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

The Deputy mmander,Administration of the NSCDC, Mr.S.A. Bello, who disclosed this at the weekend in Yenagoa while handing over five new patrol vans to the Commander of JTF, Maj.Gen. Emmanuel Atewe,said crude oil theft, illegal bunkering ,pipeline vandalism ,kidnapping and other related activities along the waterways and creeks of the region would soon be history.

Bello added that the new security strategy and increased mobility of the various components of the JTF are factors reducing crude oil theft in the coastal region.

The NSCDC official noted that the donation of the patrol vans would assist the mobility of troops and other logistics to boost efficiency in the fight against oil theft and kidnapping.

He said:”We recognize

ADEOLA TUKURU ABUJA

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he Director General of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Omole Olusola Adesina has commended the National Identity Management System (NIMS) project.

He made this commendation in Abuja yesterday immediately after enrolling and obtaining his National Identification Number (NIN) Slip and Tracking ID according to a statement signed by the Director, Corporate Communications, Anthony Okwudiafor. Mr. Adeshina described the fast process of enrolling into the National Database and obtaining the NIN Number on the efficiency of the Organisation and the high tech

the efforts of the present JTF leadership and we are sure that oil theft and other illicit crimes along the Niger Delta waters and environs will soon be a thing of the past.”

Earlier, the Commander of JTF, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, appreciated the NSCDC for the donation ,adding that the JTF was committed to fight to a stand still all forms of economic sabotage in the region.

Meanwhile,the Bayelsa State Government has resuscitated the disbanded state security outfit, Bayelsa Volunteers with over 500 jobless youths tackle to issues of sea piracy ,oil theft,kidnapping and other related crimes especially in the local communities in the old eight local governments of the state.

Dickson had disbanded the security outfit due to the smuggling of several ghost names in its salary vouchers coupled with inefficiency .

To this end, Governor Seriake Dickson has approved the appointment of a Chief Superintendent of Police,Idowu Asufi to serve as Co-ordinator of the agency ,while a former Chairman of Southern Ijaw local government ,Enekiyou Ayah would serve as secretary.

L-R: Director, Dams and Reservoir Operations, Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. Reginald Ikpeawujo; representative of the Minister, Mr. Joe Kwanashie; Project Consultant, Mr. Musa Ayanwola and Head Engineer, S.C.C. Ltd, Efim Frank, during the diversion at the Kashinbila Multi-Purpose Dam in Taraba, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Imoke spends N98bn to boost cooperative societies RICHARD NDOM CALABAR

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he Cross River State Government has spent about N98bn to salvage 187 women cooperatives societies from collapsing.

Director for Project Awake in the state Mrs. Rosemary Achonwa revealed this while speaking during a media chat with journalists in

Calabar. She stressed that government was aware of the fact that women were more vulnerable to suffering from business failure in recent times that is why the state government decided to set up the agency called Project Awake.

According to her,the leadership of the agency decided to set up a team that undertook an enterprise assessment in order to ascertain the strength

NTA DG lauds NIMC project infrastructure deployed by the Commission for the efficient and effective implementation of NIMS project.

“I was really impressed, I thought I was going to spend like one hour trying to do this, but this has taken a few minutes and I think , it is the speed and efficiency of your organization and infrastructure that you are using to capture all these data”.

Director General of NTA also said he was particularly happy for having enrolled into National Database and obtained a unique number that has made him a unique Nigerian and that he was very proud and happy to be part of it..

He called on all the NTA

Staff and Nigerians to participate in the programme that promotes cohesion and National integration by the fact that everybody is going to have a unique identity that enables us to track the good and the bad ones in the country.

“I hope that every Nigerian will do this and through this, we can begin to promote, as we have been doing, the National cohesion and National integration by the fact that, we have unique number that identifies each Nigerian so that we can track people who are doing very well and those that are not doing so well for the greater good of all Nigerian,” He said.

Earlier, the Director

General NIMC, Barr. Chris Onyemenam represented by the Director, Operations, Mrs. Cecilia Yahaya, who conducted and supervised him through the NIN Enrolment processes at the NIMS Enrolment Centre located at NTA Headquarters Office, Abuja.

and capacity of cooperative groups that are existing in the state.

Achonwa maintained that based on that, some of the cooperative groups were selected and validated to determine the nature and scope of their operations and perhaps know the level of their seriousness to enable Project Awake facilitate selection process of the loan beneficiaries which in turn help project Awake to set the loan limits.

The Director stated that about 210 groups that engaged in the primary production and micro processing were consequently selected for the first round of intervention, with loan limit ranging from N257 thousand to one million naira per cooperative adding that the funds accessed by the

beneficiaries would be used for the cultivation of rice, maize, groundnut, plantain , banana and palm fruits among other agricultural products.

Achonwa pointed out that a global limit of 108million naira was approved for the first round of intervention adding that the beneficiaries cooperative societies were asked to open accounts with Bank of Agriculture to enable them access the loan.She said that part of the functions and achievements of Project Awake is the provision of a linkage between agro allied farmers and buyers of their farm produce to enable the farmers market their products at prices that are more encouraging and better than prices which such farmers often sell their produce before.

Niger awards N2.9bn road contract

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he Niger state Government has awarded a contract worth N2.9 billion for the construction of a 38.65km road to link Badeggi, Bakeko and Katcha towns in the state.

The road project is part of the project ecpected to be executed with the N12 billion bond, recently sourced by the state government from the open market.

The state Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Muazu Bawa told Journalists in Minna that work on the project will start within the first week of April this year and be completed within 12 months.

The road project, according to Bawa, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Jagaba stated that the con-

tract was awarded to an indigenous construction firm Sojet Nigeria Limited.

He added that when completed, it will open up several communities for easy transportation of goods and services by the commumities of the areas as well as offer an alternative route to the Baro port currently under construction by the Federal Government.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Wednesday, April 2, 2014

17

Dankwambo’s youth empowerment scheme in Gombe DAHIRU HASSAN KERA

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n Gombe State, the worthwhile and sustainable programmes embarked upon by the Dr Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo administration since its inception in May, 2011 to liberate and transform the teeming and vulnerable youths of the state, have become unprecedented milestones in the North’s drive to tackling the perennial problems of youth’s restiveness, political thuggery and politically-inspired killings. It would be recalled that during the historic handing over ceremony in May 2011, Governor Dankwambo (Talban Gombe) had declared the activities of Yan-Kalare (local thugs) illegal and banned them. He further warned that anybody caught claiming to be one, or engaging in acts of thuggery would face the full wrath of the law.

For the discernible, political thuggery had for long racked Gombe State, most especially during the regime of Gov. Danjuma Goje where the vexed issues assumed larger than life projections.

The Yan-Kalare crimes against humanity were committed by the gangs of youthful thugs and vandals whose reputation for brutality, mindless carnage and organized and institutionalized thuggery was fearsome and foreboding to the extent that other law abiding citizens held them with awe. When the show lasted, they reigned with ruthless impunity and criminal bravado; above all, they were shielded from criminal prosecution by the ‘power that be’.

However, that era of intimidating Yan-Kalare gangsterism came to a close when Governor

Dankwambo took over the reins of the state and publicly stated his abhorrence to a ruthless, mindless and brutal cult gang dedicated to maiming, killing and intimidating innocent citizens and other helpless people. His recipe for ending political thuggery and other related violence was the introduction of the Talba Youths Reorientation and Rehabilitation Programme. The first batch of 1200 youths under the scheme was trained as Traffic, Wardens and Environmental agents to control traffic at some strategic junctions in the state capital and other urban areas, provide ward security and maintain environmental cleanliness respectively. Some 320 youths were also trained in different trades in four Skill Acquisition Centres across the state, and later equipped with complete resettlement kits. Similarly, about 330 youths were trained as supervisors of the 1200 youths that were originally trained at Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Shere Hills, Jos in Plateau State.

Also in an effort to empower youths to fend for themselves, the state government in collaboration with Energy Commission of Nigeria and Sokoto Energy Research Centre, trained 150 youths on renewable energy and solar energy devices; 10 youths were also trained on art of tailoring and embroidery for export at Adhama Garment Industry in Kano.

About 550 tricycles in CKD were brought in from Pakistan, and additional 500 from Styr Motors Bauchi. All of them were distributed to youth’s clubs and associations in form of poverty alleviation palliative. All these measures were deplored to curb youth restiveness and make them more responsible members of

HIS RECIPE FOR ENDING POLITICAL THUGGERY AND OTHER RELATED VIOLENCE WAS THE INTRODUCTION OF THE

TALBA YOUTHS

REORIENTATION AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMME their communities. With all these opportunities for youth’s empowerment in place, those that were not ready to join the transformational train to become more useful to themselves and the society would find themselves holding the short end of the stick, and whoever commits any crimes would be made to face the law.

It is in this light see the passing out ceremony of the second batch of 1,554 youths of Talba Youths Reorientation and Rehabilitation on Thursday, 6 February 2014 at the Malam Sidi Orientation Camp. The exercise further demonstrated the sincerity and commitment of the Dankwambo administration to the rehabilitation and empowerment of the Yan Kalare and other vulnerable youths. He wants them to become change agents in the society.

The 1554 youths were recruited as ‘Talba guards’ to serves as security guards in the various primary, secondary and tertiary schools

across the state alongside other ministries and government formations. Some will be used to strengthen the Traffic, Ward and Environmental Agents. The success recorded at the pilot scheme of the empowerment programmes encouraged the government to forge ahead and do more to our teeming jobless and abandoned youths. This initiative has done wonders to the youth and the state, which has been witnessing unprecedented peace, stability and prosperity to the extent that Gombe State is now the preferred destination point for tourists and investors, who are keen to tap into the numerous business opportunities and tourism potentials existing therein.

The youth have shown appreciation and promised not to go back to their old and abominable lifestyle. They are indeed grateful to Governor Dankwambo, blaming their former initiators and sponsors, who after using them to achieved selfish ends, dumped them, for their plight. The Talban Gombe should be applauded for showing the much needed foresight and wisdom in nipping in the bud the vexed issue of youth restiveness and insecurity, which have assumed worrisome dimensions in other parts of the country. The saying that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop, is therefore, correct.

Apparently, Governor Dankwambo and his type, who are focusing on developmental strides and altruistic efforts to salvage the already despaired and desponded populace, must be encouraged; and the retrogressive elements also working day and night to erode the gains of these positive efforts by attempting to lure our rehabilitated youths into their old ways of life must be stopped by all the good and progressive people of the state.

Dahiru wrote from Abuja.

The battle for a new paradigm IFEDUNKE IMONI

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ev. Chris Okotie’s paradigm shift campaign is a silent revolution in our operations of democratic governance. This term is an amalgam of all the demands of concerned citizens, who aspire to a flourishing and vibrant Nigeria. It is the dismantling of vices and bureaucratic bottle-necks hampering progressive contemplations; a holistic approach aimed at positively transforming the nation and its fortunes, by renewing the mindset of the leadership and followership. In its most simplistic form, it can be likened to a parent counseling an errant child on the futility of his ways, engaging such a child’s mind with compelling raison d’être which will augur well for its growth and future, than leading by example.

Paradigm shift is instituting fundamental change in the values systems of the people and the operations of our governance and therefore, the application of that renewed mindset across board that can engender the change we seek as Nigerians, something which the archaic concept of power shift can never achieve.

Paradigm shift means that the people must come first in government’s projections; it means that the infested malaise called corruption will be battled rather than being cavorted by government; it means that citizens should hold the government accountable by demanding progressive governance and transparency. By this, the ruling

A PARADIGM SHIFT IN THE ECONOMY IS WHAT GALVANIZED

SINGAPORE’S LEE KWAN YEW TO TRANSFORM THAT THIRD WORLD COUNTRY INTO A

FIRST CLASS, FIRST WORLD NATION class will be wary of its profligacy and wanton abuse of office and powers, like INEC is now doing by its refusal to re-certify, incidentally, the FRESH Party, which spear-headed and won the legal battle against the de-registration of political parties.

The polity should not tolerate it, neither should the judicial system accept it. Equitable laws and judicial structures should be made to ensure that justice is not tilted to favour a select few. INEC is obviously trying to give power to the stronger parties at the detriment of the younger ones.

Now back to the subject matter. A paradigm shift in the economy is what galvanized Singapore’s Lee Kwan Yew to transform that third world country into a first class, first world nation. It is what compelled men like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther king Jr. to challenge the

status quo in the racial imbalance, and the valiant efforts of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi in combating injustice. In the pursuance of paradigm shift, government’s incessant excuses cannot be tenable in the midst of world class thinkers, who can take the Nigerian project and make dreams come true, rather than the awarding of political appointments on state quota basis, or to settle political debts, their benefactors and god-fathers.

Prof Donald Ike’s recent reaction to Rev. Okotie’s article (Sun, Friday March 21, 2014) made a point that a minor party candidate cannot win. This is only true because of the way politics is played in Nigeria, where the ruling parties muscles out the lesser parties with their ill gotten wealth, and not because of the viability or electability of their candidates or the ingenuity or soundness of their manifestos. The major parties who the Prof. says control more than 90 per cent of the votes do so by means of their ability to buyout voters with their massive structures on ground, which are funded by stolen monies. But a paradigm shift will make it possible for a minor party candidate to win if the banal concept of money politics is jettisoned. That’s why FRESH is being denied re-certification.

Sometimes, a fringe party may only need to win in certain areas and not necessarily across the nation or even up to the presidency.

Going by Rev. Okotie’s syndicated article on Facebook titled, Lessons from insurgent parties, “Insurgent parties… pertains to small nationalist parties, mostly found in European

democracies, some of which are even represented in the European Parliament without a single seat in their home legislatures. London-based The Economist did an interesting report on these parties and their growing influence on ruling parties and coalition governments across continental Europe.

“Most of the 24 EU-member countries have at least, one of these fringe parties like Jean-Marie Le Pen’s National Front (NF) in France which…chalked up enough votes in the last presidential elections to trouble victorious President Francoise Hollande”.

That is why an Obama can become president even if he runs as minor party candidate or independent candidate”.

So I implore Nigerian’s like Prof. Ike to rethink their stance on the paradigm shift ideology. Power shift will only balkanize Nigeria further. But if anything, I come away from his commentary with one lesson, and that is the fact that despite the odds and political trends which negate the enthronement of a level playing field, more needs to be done to educate the electorate on the paradigm shift ideology and also expand the political space.

Ifedunke Imoni wrote from Lagos.

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

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

Editorial

18

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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HEAD, GRAPHICS

Averting the perennial NIS recruitment tragedy

T

he tragic chain of events, which led to the death of 19 promising Nigerians during the last recruitment exercise of the Nigeria Immigration Service, is yet another sorry pass in the quest for employment by our youths. The human tragedy of that shoddy and horrific exercise only serves to highlight the expanding frontiers of criminality and corruption prevalent in the public service.

The absurdity of asking over 693,000 candidates (according to the Board of the Immigration Service), who applied for about 4,556 vacancies to pay N1000 each, thereby netting close to N700 million in the corrupt scheme (with a large chunk of such positions already ‘allocated’ to candidates of top government officials) only goes to show how far the frontiers of unbridled corruption have expanded.

From 37 centres across the nation (including Abuja), nothing serious was intended. The focus was more on the fees the Interior Minister, Abba Moro and the consultancy firm enlisted garnered than on ensuring jobs for the thousands of hapless applicants. The whole exercise was, at best, a ruse.

Obviously, it was not the first recruitment scam by a government agency, and indications showed that this “scheme “ has become yet another avenue for extorting

IN THE ONE CONDUCTED IN 2008, WHICH WAS EQUALLY SHODDILY HANDLED,

15 DEATHS FROM STAMPEDE WERE

RECORDED IN KWARA,

ENUGU AND EDO STATES

money from unsuspecting and desperate job seekers. However, the NIS has become notorious agency for never getting it right with its various recruitment exercises since 2006. In the one conducted in 2008, which was equally shoddily handled, 15 deaths from stampede were recorded in Kwara, Enugu and Edo states. That of 2012 was dogged in controversy and it subsequently led to the early exit of the then Comptroller General, Mrs. Rosemary Uzoma. At that time, Interior Minister, Abba Moro was on the side of those condemning that particular exercise.

Today, Mr. Moro is at the centre of the raging storm as he struggles to retain his job in the wake of public outcry over the exercise. No doubt, like any government official, Moro is doing everything possible to retain his exalted job by passing

the blame on “impatient” applicants who caused the stampede at various centres.

Expectedly, presidential reaction and palliatives came slowly after an unceasing clamour by an angry public for a decisive government response to the embarrassing situation. Apart from an outright cancellation of the recruitment exercise, the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration ordered that no agency, apart from the armed forces and the police, should embark on such exercise again. The embattled minister was also reportedly instructed to ensure a refund of the N1000 application fee to each of the applicants. This appears a tall order; in fact the Public Relations Unit of NIS has refuted that no such order was given. This throws up the moral question of why must the state defrauding the citizenry. The N1000 fees must be returned to the applicants.

In what appears a bid to salve the tragic loss of lives, government also directed that a new committee to handle the exercise should allocate three slots, one of which should be for a woman, to the families of those who lost their lives. This still stretches the imagination on the modalities for compensating the dead in this matter. Will the brothers, sisters or cousins of the dead applicants

(who may not wish to work with government) now become beneficiaries of jobs they do not need or are not qualified to do?

Apart from the stereotyped expression of grief by those who hold the reins of power, many Nigerians have raised posers about the “Presidential palliatives” as well as the Presidency’s obvious reluctance to frontally address the situation. The continued stay in office of Interior Minister in the face of mounting public outcry and after his alleged indictment by the Board of the Immigration Service (as echoed by a commissioner on the board, Mr. S.D. Tapgun), shows that the fight against corruption remains a lip service.

At worst, the embattled minister should have been placed on suspension while the matter is being investigated; and if found even vicariously culpable, he should not remain a day longer in office.

It is high time government set the right system in place by paying the required attention to merit in recruitment exercises across all arms of government and the armed services. The present approach of exploiting the unemployment situation to extort money from the growing and restive army of unemployed youths will only serve as a time bomb which will not augur well for all and sundry.

ON THIS DAY April 2, 1901

April 2, 1964

The first permanent movie theater designed specifically for the exhibition of films, Tally’s Electric Theatre, opened doors today in Los Angeles, California. It is an innovation from the fertile mind of Thomas Lincoln Tally, which is expected to not only ignited the movie revolution, it will give the impetus for the construction of Hollywood as the movie making capital of the world. Prior to the Electric, the new amusements of motion pictures were shown in storefronts and decrepit first floors of existing buildings.

The Brazilian President, João Goulart, was overthrown in a military coup staged by the country’s military and supported by the United States of America. The coup was the culmination of a series of events that commenced on March 31, 1964.

The coup subjected Brazil to a military regime politically aligned to the interests of the US government. This regime would last until 1985.

April 2, 2009 Denmark Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen is appointed the new NATO Secretary General. He personally made the announcement during a news conference at the Strasbourg - Baden Baden Summit. He is succeeding the outgoing Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on August 1, 2009. His appointment is well received by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel and the Danish Prime Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

19

Health & Wellbeing Polio still a threat in the North –Expert

Facts you should know about Ebola virus disease

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Meat becomes Nigeria’s leading cause of food poisoning –Experts M adam Grace and her daughter from Egbelu Nguru, Ngor Opkala LGA of Imo state died last year, after consuming a local delicacy of ugba (oil bean salad). Also in Ibadan, an outbreak of food poisoning claimed about 20 lives.

The causative organism, a new phase type U282 of Salmonella typhi, was isolated from a sandwich filling and yielded 4 x 109 viable organisms. The sandwich were prepared in Lagos and kept without refrigeration until consumption next day.

Although Nigeria has no official food borne disease surveillance system, the National Bureau of Statistics 2009 has documented 214 deaths from food poison in 2004 and 11,598 reported cases. Also the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates 200,000 deaths from food borne pathogens (especially E coli and Salmonella) in Nigeria (WHO, 2009).

However, a Safety expert, master warrant officer Timothy Iwuagwu (Rtd) says this might be greatly underestimated as a lot of food poison casualties in the

country are usually not reported.

Curiously, experts have linked the source of a large number of food poisoning cases in Nigeria to an essential commodity enjoyed by most Nigerians: Meat.

A professor of medical science, Prof. Osaretin Ebuehi in an exclusive interview with National Mirror, disclosed that meats have become a breeding ground for the growth of micro organism in the country. . “Meat generally can be prone to infection.

Infection can occur during the native stage that is the condition of the animal during breeding or at the processing and storage period,” he said.

Prof. Ebuehi further explained that the bulk of the infestation actually occur during storage and processing, where the meats are exposed to all kinds of pathogens. He identified some of these causative organisms as salmonella, Escherichia Coli, Hepatitis A virus, Noro Virus and Listeria Monocytogene. According to him, Salmonella is very common in the intestines of animals and reptiles and also exists in the environment. “Meat can be con-

taminated when exposed at the abattoir or during the processing stage, thus, most cases of Salmonella food poisoning are due to either contamination or undercooking of raw meat”.

Also, he said, food can become contaminated with bacteria such as E-coli.

“If these meat are not well washed and cooked, the person gets exposed to gastro intestinal infections such as diarrhoea, dysentary, hook warms, internal bleeding, constipation, ulcer and cholera” He cited the Hepatitis A virus as one of the deadly virus which can be transmitted by an infected food handler. “Hepatitis A has the ability to spread beyond the stomach and the intestines into the liver resulting in yellowing of the skin. The Symptoms do not usually appear until 15 to 50 days after infection, which can make it difficult to determine the source of infection.”

He noted that the environment and the condition that the meat is exposed to can result in contamination also calling on government to ensure that meat are pro-

FOOD HANDLERS WHO FAIL TO WASH THEIR HANDS AFTER USING THE TOILET CAN CONTAMINATE FOOD cessed in hygienic environment.

Again, while some might reason that cooking is enough to sterilize the meat from any infection, the don says that not all micro organizing is destroyed by cooking.

“Some are thermophilic, some can survive above 100 degree centigrade, oven temperature and still go in to cause problem to the bladder, intestine and Guts”.

He condemned the manner and practice of food handling and preservation in Nigeria.

“Our meats in abattoir are exposed with flies. In western countries, there are special places were meats are kept, under low temperature so that the growth of micro organism are minimized. We know that micro organism multiply very fast”.

Prof. Ebuehi also advised against the use of bare hands

by meat handlers saying, “They use the same hands to go to toilet, probably after wiping their anus, they use the same hand and handle the meat. He advised people who handle food to wash their hands before handling food and after using the bathroom, or toilet saying it’s easier to pass microbes from the hands into food.

“Food handlers who fail to wash their hands after using the bathroom or toilet can contaminate food with faecal microorganisms” Also he said the Meat need to be treated and checked regularly before slaughtering the same way it is done in other countries.

“In South Africa where I have been privileged to work, there is no animal that will be slaughtered without notification from government as all animals are registered”.

Prof. Ebuehi

20

Health & Wellbeing

Nutrition for Health Chizoba Nwobu chizobanwobu@yahoo.com 08065651922 (sms only)

S

ome mothers do not like to breastfeed their babies probably because of personal reasons such as poor health status as a result of poor nutrition, psychological reasons like fear of not being able to produce more milk, anxiety about nursing in public or even the baby’s refusal to be breastfed.

However, some mothers don’t like to breastfeed their babies because they erroneously think it may make their breasts sag quick.

The breast milk contains tremendous health benefits (vitamins and minerals) that are very useful for the child’s wellbeing.

Breast milk contains exactly the nutritional and protective components needed most by each baby at every stage. The colostrum is the first pale yellow milk the breasts produce after child’s birth. It is very rich in antibodies. In fact, it is regarded as the baby’s first immunization. Colostrum is rich in protein, minerals, salt, vitamin A, nitrogen, white blood cells, and certain antibodies, and has less fat and sugar. Colostrum helps to reduce the risk of jaundice, it helps a newborn’s digestive tract develop and prepare itself to digest breast milk. You may not be producing much, but each drop is packed with nutritional and protective components. Between two to four days, the breast produces “mature milk” which contains water, fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and white cells. Recent

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Exclusive breastfeeding: Great health benefits for mother, child

studies have shown that fatty acid in breast milk promotes the growth of a baby’s brain and retina and may even enhance cognitive development. Studies have also shown that breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of the following diseases for the child: sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), lower risk of type 1 diabetes, gastro-intestinal (gut) illness, allergies, some childhood cancers, leukemia, respiratory tract diseases, obesity, asthma and urinary tract infections. And for the mothers, breastfeeding is associated with lowering risk of diseases in the female anatomy as it reduces the risks associated with gestational diabetes developing Type 2 diabetes; reduces the risk ovarian cancer and premenopausal breast cancer; reduces the risk of breast cancer to, assists the uterus return to its pre-pregnant state faster; reduces the risk of osteoporosis and can help women to lose weight after child’s birth. Studies have shown that “people that are breastfed hardly fall sick.”

According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF, the second-best feeding option, after breastfeeding, is breast milk supplied by a child’s own mother, followed by milk from a healthy wet-nurse or from a human-milk bank. Consequently, researchers concluded in a recent issue of the Journal of Perinatal Medicine that “donor human milk is the preferred feeding when the mother’s own milk is not available or insufficient in quantity.” Another mother could breastfeed another

All mothers can breastfeed

baby from a different mother without transfer of any infections and save the newborn’s life especially when the baby’s mother is sick or malnourished. In developed country like the US, there is breast milk transmittable bank where mothers who don’t lactate very well can get breast milk to feed their newborns. There is also no risk of infections because breast milk kept in the breast bank is usually screened to make sure it is free from HIV and any other transmittable infections.

To achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goal 4 and 5, meant to reduce child mortality rate by 2/3 and maternal mortality ratio by 3/4 between 1990 and 2015, there is need for Nigerian health services workers to sensitize women generally- whether breastfeeding or pregnant or even future-

mothers-to-be. Babies should be breastfed within the first 30minutes after birth. Breastfeeding brings closeness between babies and mothers body as breast always create a good attachment/relationship bond between them to ensure that the baby sucks well because this helps you produce more breast milk and prevents your nipple from cracking.

If your nipples are cracked, put some breast milk on them; do not apply creams except when prescribed by a physician. Insert your nipple up towards the roof of the baby’s mouth and breastfeed your baby on demand day and night at least 8 to 12 times each day. Continue to feed the baby until the baby empties the breast and comes off on his or her own. Exclusively breastfeed your baby for the first 6 months; after which you can begin to introduce other foods while you continue with

Oral health care for diabetics

D

iabetes mellitus is a disease state where there is an excess level of glucose in the blood over a long period of time. The high blood glucose is loosely referred to as high blood sugar, as glucose is a type /class of sugar. The condition can damage many body parts including the heart, vessels eyes kidneys and literarily could affect all body organs. The incidence rising at in the general population is an alarming rate. The resultant effect on the heart and the blood vessels can lead to cardiovascular accidents, strokes, renal and organ failures. Infections set in, gangrene of the limbs, ulcers etc.

Whilst Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease, a lot can be done to slow down the problems or complications that could arise with regards to the oral health of the diabetic.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Diabetics tend to have a higher incidence of gum and supporting tissues problem, referred to as gingivitis and periodontitis.

This does not preclude these two conditions happening happen nin ing to non- diabetic patients. which is a sticky Plaque film full of germs accumulates continually on the of surface the teeth and this is the cause of oral health prob-lems. Plaque is pro-

nounced as PLAK. High blood glucose levels encourages the germs in the plaque to grow, the resultant effect is a red sore and swollen gum, this makes the gums to bleed readily most especially after brushing. This is the first sign of inflammation of the gums, gingivitis noticed. The individual tells te the dentist that I notice bleeding in the gums when they brush the teeth, yours truly has experienced a situation a lady actually was of the opinion she might soon be anaemic anaem because she sees blood every time in her saliva when she brushes her teeth. of their Diabetics have to take extra care c oral health as there is tendency to t have more gum g gu m and tooth problems more so s when the blood glucose levels are poorly controlled or poor compliance complian with the guide will be medication. A rough g likelihood of to be aware that the li disease getting a bad case of gum g may beand teeth where the teeth te come lose is someone with diabe-

breastfeeding. HIV-infected mothers shouldn’t breastfeed babies from a nipple that is cracked. If you are having breastfeeding difficulties or the baby’s refusal to feed, do not force your baby because it may worsen the situation. Be calm, patient with your baby to get the right results.

Join a support group or breastfeeding education centre in your area and do not fail to contact your physician where need be.

Fathers should encourage breastfeeding mothers by taking more proactive actions towards family planning methods and assist their wives to carry or care for the baby.

Practically, all mothers can breastfeed, provided they are well informed, receiving adequate support of their family, the health care system, the work place and society at large.

ORAL HEALTH CARE Dr. Samuel Awosolu Samawosolu@yahoo.co.

08108155239 tes over the age of forty-five.

Should the gingivitis and periodontal problems be ignored, in time the gums pull away from the teeth and the teeth appear to be long and unsightly apart from the likelihood of mobility of the teeth.

It will be logical for most diabetics to visit the dentist more regularly than the general population for routine check up and to have a preventive therapy. It will be necessary to bring your medication to the dentist at any visit and to take the medication regularly as advised by the general practitioner. The general medical practitioner will be in a position to advise how best to control your blood sugar levels.

Diabetics who have had some dental work may have some sore mouth after treatment making chewing difficult , it will be therefore necessary to take steps to adjust the daily routine whilst the mouth heals.

See you next week

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Polio still a threat in the North –Expert FRANKA OSAKWE

T

he Expert Review Committee on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization has raised alarm on the insurgence going on in the North Eastern region of Nigeria saying that the insecurity has hampered the supplementary immunization activities (SIA) in the area.

In an interview with newsmen recently, the group’s chairman, Prof. Oyewale Tomori explained that achieving polio eradication in the region is still an uphill task due to the high level of may-

hem and homicide in the area. Prof. Tomori, also the president of Nigeria Academy of Science, noted with concern, that the high level of insecurity has created huge surveillance gaps, making it difficult to confidently determine the state of polio eradication in the area.

Reviewing the overall success of the activity this year, he noted that for the first time, except for Kano State, no polio cases have been reported in most parts of the north western states in the last year, “So far in 2014, there has been only one wild polio case in the country, reported from Gaya LGA, Kano State,

with onset on 1st February.”

He however added that this does not mean total victory considering the instability of the area.

While speaking on the innovative strategies for the success of polio eradication activities, he observed that Nigeria polio eradication programme has recorded more progress, “Between January and September 2012, Nigeria reported 101 cases of polio in 13 states and 70 local government areas (LGA), compared to 49 cases in nine states and 26 LGAs for the same period in 2013” Behind this progress he

noted, is improved national coverage of three doses of trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV), which increased from 73% in 2012 to 84% during January-September 2013. ‘ The nationwide proportion of children aged 6-35 months with non-polio acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) who have received four or more doses of OPV increased from 75% in 2012 to 87% in 2013’.

Despite this achievement, Prof. Tomori called on Nigeria not to rest on her oars recalling that in 2010, Nigeria recorded only 48 cases of polio, but re-

lapsed in 2011 recording 95 cases and 130 cases in 2012.

“We suffered and continue to suffer as one of the only three nations that have never stopped the transmission of polio,” he said/He also warned that the greatest challenge to the polio programme in 2014 would be the preparations for the 2015 elections. “Currently, the election is the only thing that matters in Nigeria. Every election year since 2003 has been characterized by abandonment of good governance, and subsequently accompanied by a surge in polio cases”.

NHF warns against excessive cholesterol intakes KUNLE AZEEZ

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he Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) has identified cholesterol intake as a major factor causing heart disease among Nigerians and other Africans, warning against excessive intake of cholesterol-filled foods.

The Executive Director, NHF, Dr. Kingsley Akinroye, gave the warning in a statement issued after a programme orgainsed by Dufil Prima Foods Plc in Lagos recently for the endorsement of Power Oil, a product of the company which has been certified as cholesterol-free.

“Heart disease has been rated as the number one killer disease in Africa,” says Akinroye, while noting that heart disease usually leads to drop in life expectancy among Africans and most especially, Nigerians.

According to him, the foods consumed by individual with excessive cholesterol had been identified as an important risk factor.

“The amounts of fat, cholesterol and salt in the foods we consume have also been identified as the chief factors that increase the possibility and risk of suffering from heart disease.

“As a result, Nigerian Heart Foundation has taken it upon itself to analyse foods that the citizens consume and make sure that they are free from these deadly ingredients,” he said, adding that latest among the foods found free of such products and certified heart-healthy is Power

Oil. Speaking further, Akinroye said that the foundation’s aim was to promote healthy heart in the population of Nigerians by making sure that they consume products that are free from heart-causing diseases through laboratory analysis to certify them so.

He said: “We are looking at the health of Nigerians and, more importantly, we are looking at their heart health, which is the aim of NHF. That is to promote healthy heart in the population of Nigerians. We do know that the nutrition and the food we consume are very important as a risk factor of heart disease.

Akinroye added that its organisation has been working regulatory agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to make sure that most products in Nigeria are heart healthy.

“For most companies we have worked on their product for NHF certification, their products are subjected to thorough analysis both within and outside the country in the laboratory to ensure that they conform to the laid-down protocols and standards. Consequently, if they do meet the standards, the foundations endorse them and their products and we give them a stamp.

Today, Power Oil has passed through that rigorous exercise. It has been analysed and NHF is happy to endorse the product.”

L-R: Director General, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii and Health Minister Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu during the visit of the Minister to the agency in Abuja recently.

Village health workers urged to sensitize rural dwellers on facilities CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

V

illage Health Workers (VHW) have been charged to sensitize the rural dwellers on the need to access available health facilities, just as health administrators have stressed the need to re-educate the public on the imperative of hygiene especially in the rural areas.

The Special Assistant to Imo State Governor on Public Health, Mrs. Amaka Onwumere, gave the charge while addressing village workers from Obowo, Ikeduru, Isu and Njaba Local Government Areas at the official handover of MDGs Village Health Workers kits organized by the office of

the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals(MDGs), held in Owerri.

She submitted that it was the duty of health workers to educate people in the rural areas on the importance of use of condom during sexual intercourse in order to reduce the ravaging effect of HIV/AIDS on the people.

Onwumere re-emphasized the need for the safety of health workers as they go about their duties hence the proposed training of health workers in conjunction with Imo Security Network. She assured that Environmental Health Workers (Nwa Ole Ala) will be fully introduced in the state and enjoined the selected health workers to

be collaborative in their respective duties.

Earlier in her welcome speech, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on MDGs, Mrs. MmaNzeribe, eulogized the State Governor, OwelleRochasOkorocha, for his grass root-based developmental initiatives adding that the Health Kits were to provide a link between the health workers and rural dwellers reminding them that they will be held accountable at all times.

She argued that MDGs in the State had built up to 40 Health Centres in all the communities in the State describing the health kits as equipment for the job of rural health workers which would assist them in training others.

21

NHIS urged to create awareness on health insurance AISA TITILAYO

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he new managers of the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, have been advised to step up its awareness building activities to broaden public understanding and patronage of health insurance in the country as the health insurance industry is poorly understood around the country.

Giving the advice recently was the Chairman of the NHIS Governing Council, Dr. Shem Nuhu Zagbayi, during the send forth dinner in honour of the six General Managers, who recently disengaged from the services of the scheme on successful completion of their tour of duty.

He regretted that the health insurance industry is poorly understood around the country, and said that was why it is being criticized in different quarters, often against the backdrop of ignorance.

Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of NHIS, Dr. ‘Femi Thomas commended the outgoing GMs for using their opportunity at NHIS to build a solid foundation upon which all other industry players had continued to build, to stabilize and strengthen the Scheme for the effective discharge of its statutory role in the society. He urged the retiring GMs to continue to defend their own labour, by supporting the Scheme always, noting that the knowledge they had acquired over the years will be crucially required by the organization from time to time, as it presses forward to match the expectations of Nigerians.

The NHIS boss assured the specialguests,whohedescribed as ‘Generals’ of the industry, that the Scheme is realigning for greater impact through a reform agenda he has initiated, part of which is the present restructuring of the Scheme from its original seven departments to twelve, including a new marketing department.

Diamond Bank, Medical Credit Fund to provide loans for PHC SEKINAH LAWAL

N

igerians can now look forward to enjoying improved medical care as leading retail bank; Diamond Bank PLC has signed a partnership agreement with Nether-

lands-based Medical Credit Fund to provide affordable loans to private primary healthcare providers to improve the quality of their services.

Loan provision under the partnership comes at affordable terms and can be combined with a comprehensive

technical advisory package, which allows the healthcare providers to improve the clinical quality of their services whilst strengthening their business models.

The partnership will target lower and mid-tier healthcare suppliers also known as ‘Health SMEs’.

Technical advisory services for medical quality and business improvement can be provided by the MCF and its technical partners. For both the MCF and Diamond Bank it is the second partnership of this nature in the country, allowing for leverage of resources and skills.

22

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Facts you should know about Ebola virus disease Transmission Ebola is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals. In Africa, infection has been documented through the handling of infected chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead or in the rainforest.

Ebola then spreads in the community through human-to-human transmission, with infection resulting from direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and indirect contact with environments contaminated with such fluids. Burial ceremonies in which mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can also play a role in the transmission of Ebola. Men who have recovered from the disease can still transmit the virus through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery from illness.

Health-care workers have frequently been infected while treating patients with suspected or confirmed EVD. This has occurred through close contact with patients when infection control precautions are not strictly practiced.

Among workers in contact with monkeys or pigs infected with Reston ebolavirus, several infections have been documented in people who were clinically asymptomatic. Thus, RESTV appears less capable of causing disease in humans than other Ebola species.

However, the only available evidence available comes from healthy adult males.

It would be premature to extrapolate the health effects of the virus to all population groups, such as immuno-compromised persons, persons with underlying medical conditions, pregnant women and children.

More studies of RESTV are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn about the pathogenicity and virulence of this virus in humans.

Signs and symptoms EVD is a severe acute viral illness often characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes.

People are infectious as long as their blood and secretions contain the virus.

Ebola virus was isolated from semen 61 days after onset of illness in a man who was infected in a laboratory.

The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms, is 2 to 21 days.

Prevention and treatment No vaccine for EVD is available. Several vaccines are being tested, but none are available for clinical use.

Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care. Patients are frequently dehydrated and require oral rehydration with solutions containing electrolytes or intravenous fluids.

No specific treatment is available. New

Although the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, has dispelled rumour of the outbreak of Ebola virus in Nigeria the ministry has advised the public to take precautionary measure to avert an outbreak. Not only that, the ministry advised persons coming from Ebola diseaseaffected countries, who might have symptoms of high fever, headache, severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea and bleeding, to report to health authorities on arrival. Preventing the ebola virus disease will however require a good knowledge of the dreaded virus as provided here by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Fully kitted health workers attending to a patient with Ebola virus disease

drug therapies are being evaluated.

Natural host of Ebola virus In Africa, fruit bats, particularly species of the genera Hypsignathus monstrosus, Epomops franqueti and Myonycteris torquata, are considered possible natural hosts for Ebola virus. As a result, the geographic distribution of Ebolaviruses may overlap with the range of the fruit bats.

Ebola virus in animals Although non-human primates have been a source of infection for humans, they are not thought to be the reservoir but rather an accidental host like human beings. Since 1994, Ebola outbreaks from the EBOV and TAFV species have been observed in chimpanzees and gorillas.

RESTV has caused severe EVD outbreaks in macaque monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) farmed in Philippines and detected in monkeys imported into the USA in 1989, 1990 and 1996, and in monkeys imported to Italy from Philippines in 1992.

Since 2008, RESTV viruses have been detected during several outbreaks of a deadly disease in pigs in Philippines and China. Asymptomatic infection in pigs has been reported and experimental inoculations have shown that RESTV cannot cause disease in pigs.

Prevention Controlling Ebola Reston in domestic animals No animal vaccine against RESTV is available. Routine cleaning and disinfection of pig or monkey farms (with sodium hypochlorite or other detergents) should be effective in inactivating the virus.

If an outbreak is suspected, the premises should be quarantined immediately.

Culling of infected animals, with close

supervision of burial or incineration of carcasses, may be necessary to reduce the risk of animal-to-human transmission.

Restricting or banning the movement of animals from infected farms to other areas can reduce the spread of the disease.

As RESTV outbreaks in pigs and monkeys have preceded human infections, the establishment of an active animal health surveillance system to detect new cases is essential in providing early warning for veterinary and human public health authorities.

Reducing the risk of Ebola infection in people In the absence of effective treatment and a human vaccine, raising awareness of the risk factors for Ebola infection and the protective measures individuals can take is the only way to reduce human infection and death.

In Africa, during EVD outbreaks, educational public health messages for risk reduction should focus on several factors: • Reducing the risk of wildlifeto-human transmission from contact with infected fruit bats or monkeys/apes and the consumption of their raw meat.

Animals should be handled with gloves and other appropriate protective clothing.

Animal products (blood and meat) should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.

• Reducing the risk of human-tohuman transmission in the community arising from direct or close contact with infected patients, particularly with their bodily fluids. Close physical contact with Ebola patients should be avoided. Gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when taking care of ill patients at home. Regular hand washing is required after visiting patients in hospital, as well as after taking care of patients at home.

• Communities affected by Ebola

should inform the population about the nature of the disease and about outbreak containment measures, including burial of the dead. People who have died from Ebola should be promptly and safely buried.

Pig farms in Africa can play a role in the amplification of infection because of the presence of fruit bats on these farms.

Appropriate biosecurity measures should be in place to limit transmission. For RESTV, educational public health messages should focus on reducing the risk of pig-to-human transmission as a result of unsafe animal husbandry and slaughtering practices, and unsafe consumption of fresh blood, raw milk or animal tissue. Gloves and other appropriate protective clothing should be worn when handling sick animals or their tissues and when slaughtering animals. In regions where RESTV has been reported in pigs, all animal products (blood, meat and milk) should be thoroughly cooked before eating.

Controlling infection in health-care settings Human-to-human transmission of the Ebola virus is primarily associated with direct or indirect contact with blood and body fluids. Transmission to healthcare workers has been reported when appropriate infection control measures have not been observed.

It is not always possible to identify patients with EBV early because initial symptoms may be non-specific. For this reason, it is important that health-care workers apply standard precautions consistently with all patients – regardless of their diagnosis – in all work practices at all times. These include basic hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (according to the risk of splashes or other contact with infected materials), safe injection practices and safe burial practices.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

23

Arts Lounge

‘Cocoa na Chocolate’: Artistes unite for farming 26

I use my talent to inspire people –Ijorogu-Reeds 25

Towards arresting poor reading habit in Nigeria As the campaign to get the younger generation of Nigerians interested in reading continues, digital devices seem to be making this goal Herculean Ngozi Emedolibe

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rends are fast changing scholastic attitude in Nigeria. Some decades ago, secondary school students exude pride in the number of literature books they can quote their verses off hand. The ability to memorise the lines of popular books from authors like Shakespeare and Charles Dickens, were dependable assets for wooing girls. But not anymore! Signs of poor readership stares every one of us in the eyes, with blames being trades between policy makers and the citizenry.

Oftentimes, the nation wakes up to the unpalatable news that less than 10% of the students who enrolled for the National Examination Council, NECO were able to obtain credit passes in English Language. The figures have been worse for the indigenous languages. In 2011 at the Unified Matriculation Examination, UME, three students in the whole nation could score 300 points, while over 80% fell far below the pass point!

While Nigerians could be waving it aside in view of the army of unemployed youths roaming the streets, experts think that the development may impact negatively on the nation’s workforce in the nearest future. Already, there are calls in some quarters that a majority of university graduates being produced are not employable, although blames are being heaped on the curriculum more than readership habits.

A human resources consultant, Ned Obiozor believes the symptoms of poor readership are already noticeable at work places across the country.

“I am not one of those who would subscribe to the fact that the future is bleak; the present is already bleak, because Nigeria is being confronted by manpower problems. While some people think it is as a result of the curriculum, I think it is as a result of the orientation. People do not study to know; they just study to pass their examination, and that is why sometimes at the work place, you realise that a lot of these people are empty. People think the problem of manpower shortage is because of the new technology, but it is beyond that. Reading develops the mind, and opens new vista to several issues that confront life, but the youths are not ready to imbibe that, and it is already showing in the way they work”.

This point was also buttressed by Ba-

e devic igital d a h wit laying ren p Child

Library of books

batunde Omotosho, an education specialist, who believes that lack of readership would impact negatively on future leadership and governance in the country. According to Omotosho, the nation has been suffering from lack of quality leadership because the majority of those who find themselves in positions of leadership lack ideas, which could be derived from reading books.

“From experience as a stakeholder and educationist, I’ve discovered that Nigerians only read to pass examinations, yet knowledge acquisition is beyond textbooks and lesson notes. It is beyond reading the WAEC or UTME syllabus to gain admission to tertiary institutions.

Reading is the pinnacle upon which knowledge stands; so, without extensive reading, quality will suffer. But unfortunately in Nigeria, what most schools do is just to find a way of ensuring that their pupils pass WASSCE or NECO; reading is not being promoted by schools and even by government. That is why the quality of our graduates keeps on diminishing”.

A journalist and author, Mr. Dimgba Igwe however sees the situation from the prism of technological gadgets students are inundated with these days. “In our time, there really was nothing to distract one unlike the situation now”, he told Art Lounge. “The kids now have so many

things to contend with, and I believe they are just too many for them to contend with. These technological pieces are appearing at an alarming rate. This has reduced the quality of readership, because a child would prefer playing games on his play station than reading, while the girls would prefer to ping with their phones. It is also greatly affecting writing, because the shorthand used in text messages are gradually creeping into written articles, which is quite unfortunate”.

Obiora Nweke, an executive director with Image Nigeria, Europe, would however differ that Nigerian kids are victims of modern technological devices. Resident in Berlin, Germany, he argues that European kids still manage to read in spite of the fact that technology is readily available to them more than their Nigerian counterparts. “We all know what happened with the Harry Potter series and how it sold hotly. The series is for children. I blame the readership culture on the value system and not technology.

Over the years values have dropped to the lowest ebb, and these children are watching and now seem to believe that smartness in class or the smartness that comes with readership is not the type they require to make it in Nigeria. Parents are also fuelling this belief by going to bribe to buy question papers for their wards prior to examinations. It is only

natural that they will not read, and it is a serious issue the nation needs to tackle”.

Unfortunately the nation may not be doing enough to contend this monster.

From all indications efforts at balancing the situation have been thrown on the altar of politics. Prior to the election of the President, Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, he had embarked on nationwide campaign, ‘Bring Back the Book’, a project he hoped to use to create awareness about the culture of reading amongst Nigerian youths. But the project was short-lived, and nothing seems to be heard about it anymore.

The Minister of state for Education, Onyenso Wike, however believes that stemming this tide would require the efforts of everyone. During a programme, hosted jointly by the Ministry of Education and Explorers’ Book and Reading Club, he agreed with arguments that lack of quality teachers and basic teaching and learning infrastructure were responsible for low performance of students.

“Agreed, low performance in class may not necessarily be determined by the reading culture. Reading culture is a factor, quality of teachers is a factor, and government providing necessary facilities is also a factor”.

Before now some parents blame the reading culture on the lack of quality books for the wards to read, but this does not hold water anymore. Like Ajoke Ogunbawo, a teacher at Hillview Academy opined: “The issue of lack of books especially for the younger readers are no longer tenable in this age, because the local publishers make sure that materials are produced for children in Nigeria.

These books are well-illustrated and make reading enjoyable. It is good that they are taught these habits at an early age so they can sustain it when they grow up”.

How could a way be found around this ugly trend especially in this age of digital technology? Ken Uzoewulu insists, on pre-loading the digital gadgets with the relevant materials. “It is great to see your kids fiddling with smart phones.

The gadgets can be useful or bad depending on what one wants to achieve.

Parents should make sure that their kids have smart phones and tablets preloaded with features that would enhance knowledge and not just the social media sites. Things like e-books. Wikipedia, dictionaries and the Bible will make a lot of sense in this age”.

24

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigeria’s journey to digital switchover EMEKA MBA

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ccording to the nineteenth century artist, James Whistler, “An Artist is not paid for his labour, but for his vision.” Nollywood is on the way to being paid for its vision.

In the broadcast industry, also, we are about to take Nigeria to the next level at which Nigerians will begin to enjoy the full benefits of digital broadcasting as we transit from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting, and I am honoured to be able to share with you a brief background of where we are; an update of progress made so far, and lastly the next steps and policy road map for the digital switch over.

It is important to appreciate that the transition to Digital television broadcasting is not only a major challenge in both economic and political terms it is also quite disruptive not only to the viewers, but also to the broadcasters themselves.

However, there is no doubt about the abundance of opportunities that the DSO presents for the industry and the Nigerian economy at large. It opens up huge opportunities for a wide range of new services such as more channels, better pictures and sound, High Definition HD, interactive services, deepening local production, plus the added use of the digital dividend spectrum for broadband service deployment across the country. The big question is: are we ready to take advantage of the opportunities that it presents.

As I have mentioned previously the DSO offers all of us the opportunity to rethink, re-imagine and remake broadcasting to serve our social and economic needs more efficiently.

Some key observations and findings: Free-to-air television and the digital terrestrial television delivery platform dominate in Nigeria - analogue free-to-air television dominates the leisure and entertainment lives of most Nigerians.

1.For the transition to work we require deep industry collaboration and creation of partnerships. Nowhere has DSO

VOICES worked without industry collaboration.

2.The key driver for digital remains content; and the television is no longer just a dumb box, it is now a comprehensive information terminal.

3.Digital will usher in varying levels of convergence, which will disrupt existing business models as far as content production, distribution and monetization is concerned. A greater need for synergy is called for between broadcasting and telecommunications operators.

4.We must also examine the current status of MMDS operations within the larger DTT DSO network plan.

5.The NBC believes strongly that it is in the general public interest for free to air digital terrestrial television to continue to grow as a vital delivery platform as it represents the highest value proposition to viewers and therefore, the Commission would take steps to ensure that we have an increase in the number of free-to-air television channels as soon as practicable to enhance the entertainment and information utility Nigerians can derive from further investment in digital terrestrial television reception systems and equipment.

6.Nigeria is unique: whilst taking stock of DSO operations in other countries, Nigeria is unique when it comes to our cultural and political make up; we therefore have to develop a framework which not only recognizes that but also ensure that broadcasting continues to play a strategic role in nation building.

7.

Whilst a lot of attention has

Mba

been paid to the technology of digital television, it is absolutely important at this point that we also focus our attention on how developments in terrestrial broadcasting technology can enhance the lives of the general public and end users of the services made possible by them. This is especially paramount in a country like Nigeria, where our citizenry face peculiar challenges arising mostly out of lack of information, necessary for development and peaceful coexistence.

The Journey so far…

At this point, let me take a few min-

THE NBC BELIEVES STRONGLY THAT IT IS IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC INTEREST FOR FREE TO AIR DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TELEVISION TO CONTINUE TO GROW AS A VITAL DELIVERY PLATFORM AS IT REPRESENTS THE HIGHEST VALUE PROPOSITION TO VIEWERS

MEMORABLE READS

Jonathan Hayes Professor of African Literature

What is your favourite book?

Telling what my favourite book of all times is very hard. I teach African literature a lot of the time and it is very hard for me to imagine teaching African literature without teaching Achebe’s ‘Things fall Apart’ and Soyinka’s ‘Death and the King’s Horseman’ I have taught and have read them over and over again and every time I see something new. They are favourites of mine that I read all the time.

Who is your favourite author?

My favourite authors are the writers, Soyinka, Achebe and J.P Clark. You know I have two children and I don’t choose among them and say this one here is my favourite and I don’t like the other one so much.

What are the highpoints of

the

books?

With Achebe’s book, it is simply the totality of his intelligence. He understands his cultural practises deeply and really thinks about his themes in a simple and very clear way, but writes about them in a simple way.

His art is an art that hides art in a sense, one doesn’t see what he does in the light of something difficult, but you try to do it and then you’ll discover that he is a genius.

If you are to write a book, what would be its theme?

It’s about Nollywood, mostly about the themes and genres in Nollywood. It is a project of mine.

What is your annual expenditure on books?

Some hundreds of dollars. I am not sure of the exact amount.

utes to spell out some of the milestones reached on the DSO; Since the Regional Radio communications Conference RRC 06, the Commission has worked with the industry to achieve the following practical milestones so far: •All MMDS (DVB-C) operations and transmissions are digital; •All DTH and DSB (DVB-S) operations and transmissions are digital; •Most broadcast stations have digital or digital-ready production facilities; •The Pilot DTT project in the DVB –T2 format, of the Nigerian Television Authority, in conjunction with Startimes of China has rolled out in more than 20 cities in the country; •The Details Nigeria DVB-H and DVBT2 on the digital platform have also rolled out in several cities; •The Federal Government has considered the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) document and consequently formed the Digiteam Nigeria – a multi-sector team to work with the Commission to drive the Switchover process; •Approval of a government owned signal distributor using existing infrastructure, and two others privately owned; •The DVB – T2 standard has been adopted for Nigeria •A uniform Set-Top-Box standard has been accepted for the whole of the ECOWAS countries; •Government has approved that manufacturers of the STBs be encouraged to produce in Nigeria; •Switch off from Analogue broadcasting is envisaged to be in 3 phases •The Commission is gearing to launch a massive publicity campaign to address all the various stakeholders In achieving a successful switchover, there are still many rivers to cross, many bridges to walk across. These include: •Legislation: We are working with the National Assembly to facilitate the legal framework for the switchover; Emeka Mba, heads National Broadcasting Commission, in Abuja, Nigeria.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

25

I use my talent to inspire people –Ijorogu-Reeds You have plans to publish right?

In a couple of weeks, Nigerians will have their first chance to see this quarterly magazine, which is the first of its kind in Africa. We are bringing the best of both worlds (African and Western) to the magazine, so it will be empowering yet entertaining; it will include informative and entertaining sections including interviews, a career guide and articles about relationships, health and living, fashion and beauty, entertainment and lifestyle. It is called ‘Drumbeat’ and will be conspicuously displayed on newsstands across Nigeria. I want to use the magazine to celebrate the positive sides of Nigeria, its people and events. It will also feature places within Nigeria and around the world.

ARTISTE UNCENSORED The art of talking is at the forefront as empowering the less-privileged takes a new shape; Elsie Ijorogu-Reeds explains how she is achieving this through a multimedia platform, centred on her radio programme in Warri, Delta State.

NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

H

ow has the audience been receiving ‘Delta Women’ radio so far?

Currently, we are using Crown FM, and this covers Warri, Delta state, and neighbouring villages. We are planning to move to Delta Broadcasting Service, DBS, which covers the entire Delta State. The reception has been awesome and the responses from our listeners are quite encouraging, actually, more than we anticipated, since this was a new concept Every week, we will be interviewing experts on topics such as good nutrition for pregnant women and diabetic people, waste management, sexual disease, teenage pregnancy and so on.

You are involved in many projects, so how do you manage to cope with all of these?

I set up Delta Women in 2010 because helping people has always been my passion and something I have always loved to do. So I decided to use my time and talents to inspire people by providing for their needs, including offering skills acquisition, free medical eye tests and free eyeglasses for women in many places, including Edo and Delta States.

Weekly radio programmes, online publishing and the soon–to–hit–newsstands magazine called Drumbeat are channels through which I strive to ensure that our people are empowered, informed, and educated about societal issues, including business, health, relationships and so on, and are able to make informed decisions or choices.

How do you raise funds to finance them?

Delta Women is 99% self–funded. I have worked as a business intelligence consultant for many companies in countries like the United Kingdom, United States of America, United Arab Emirates and

Ijorogu-Reeds

Qatar. I use most of my income plus donations from kind–hearted people to help the less-privileged.

What is your next line of action?

For the short–term, we are engaged in proactive activities that have global reach—such as blogs, magazines, podcasts and newsletters, each of which accent women and women’s rights and ensure the inculcation of awareness—through articles, real–life stories, and experiences.

For the long term, we are proactively engaged in educating women through online teaching and skills inculcation. The inculcation of skills is done with the intention of making women less vulnerable.

Our studies have showed that because of poverty or lack of skills, some women open the window of vulnerability which leaves them exposed to harm. Women consequently go into prostitution, allow and accept abuse or violence, and even opt for monetary settlement after rape because they believe they have no choice.

We also have eye health camps and checkups, where we check people’s eyesight and give them glasses for free. We are planning a free medical check-up, free eye tests, and eyeglasses giveaway to the entire

Okpe kingdom, Delta State in the mid–part of this year.

Besides this, we will be offering onground vocational training and micro financing at our centres. We have a pay– it–forward empowerment and training scheme in Adeje and are also running our own radio show called Deltawomen Drumbeat. In the coming days, we will be working on these projects while also looking at newer and newer avenues to benefit women and youth.

What are the challenges of doing this?

The resistance has been attitudinal.

People in Nigeria tend to believe that a woman’s place is to be subservient, to be the kind of person that does a man’s bidding in entirety. We often hear from men that a woman is raped because she deserves it or has asked for it by her conduct.

It makes no sense to avoid engaging with people because of this mentality, so we go ahead anyway, and do our work of spreading awareness. We want to change their mentality. People sometimes challenge, insult and threaten us online and through emails.

Learning with Celebrities holds tomorrow

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he event comes up tomorrow at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos at 10am prompt.

A brain child of West Genius consult, a human resource capacity development outfit, the program is orchestrated to encourage students to stay back in school and embrace excellence.

MIDWEEK JUMP The event will take the shape of a symposium where students will be exposed to the intricacies and socio-economic potentials of their environment and also taught the rudiments of lasting positive legacies and the importance of doing

well in their academics, being taught directly by their mentors and favoured celebrities.

At the end, the schedule would have achieved the following: bridging the gap between celebrities and protégés; connecting classroom to the marketplace; and reducing the number of dropouts.

Living outside Nigeria must be a challenge in handling these endeavours?

I have managed Delta Women from outside Nigeria for four year; we have a global and a local team that work together very cooperatively. We have more than 145 volunteers and staff members worldwide.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

In the next five years, I would like to have done at least 10,000 free eye tests within and outside Delta State. Secondly, I would like to see Drumbeat magazine categorised as one of the most informative and educative magazines, with a reach beyond Africa.

What drives you on?

Seeing smiles on faces of people I have helped drives me on because it is both a service to God and humanity. That is the most important part of our call here on earth.

Ambition or talent, what matters more to success?

Both are important, but I believe having talents means nothing if you don’t have the ambition to work hard or go an extra mile. “Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.”~ Salvador Dalí.

Who is your mentor or role model?

Oprah Winfrey. I admire her strength, how she has moved past abuse to where she is today, and how she uses her wealth and talents to help the poor and needy.

Can you give us an insight into your own background?

I am from Oku-ijorogu village in the Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State. I was born in London, United Kingdom. My dad is an electrical engineer and my late mum had her hands in many things, like fashion designing, the food industry, and business.

I hold a degree in Banking and Finance and an MBA in Information System Management as well as several IT certifications: MCP, MCSE, MCDBA, and IBM Expert and so on.

How was growing up?

It was like any child who grew up in Nigeria between the 60s and 90s.

I spent part of my childhood with my parents and part in boarding schools, with relatives, and abroad.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Imoke’s wife woos producers to C’River FAR AND NEAR RICHARD NDOMA

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he wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Obioma Liyel Imoke, has called on movie producers to take advantage of the serene and beautiful environment in Cross River State to shoot their films.

She made the call in Calabar, Cross River State, when she granted audience to the cast and crew of Gastan Production, who are currently in the state where they are shooting a film titled, ‘King Turner’ which parades a host of renowned Nol-

King Turner cast and crew members

lywood actors.

Mrs. Imoke noted that previously, people travelled to South Africa to shoot films but with the development of the tourism

potentials by the present administration, the state has become a tourist haven for movie production.

She assured the producers of

‘Cocoa na Chocolate’: Artistes unite for farming NGOZI EMEDOLIBE

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ne of Africa’s biggest musical collaborations ever, ‘Cocoa na Chocolate’, has been launched in support of a new campaign to boost investments in agriculture: ‘Do Agric, It Pays’. Nineteen of the top recording artistes from across Africa, including D’Banj and Femi Kuti from Nigeria, DR Congo’s Fally Ipupa, Cote d’Ivoire’s Tiken Jah Fakoly, Kenya’s Juliani, and South Africa’s Judith Sephuma, have come together to help rebrand agriculture and tell African youth that their future lies literally beneath their feet—and in their hands. The participating artistes are: A.Y. (Tanzania), Bufallo Souljah (Zimbabwe), Dama Do Bling (Mozambique), D’Banj (Nigeria), Diamond (Tanzania), Dontom (Nigeria), Fally Ipupa (DRC), Femi Kuti (Nigeria), Judith Sephuma (South Africa), Juliani (Kenya), Kunle Ayo (Nigeria), Vusi Nova (South Africa), Liz Ogumbo (Kenya), Nancy G (Swaziland), Omawumi (Nigeria), Rachid Taha (Algeria), Tiken Jah Fakoly (Cote d’Ivoire), Victoria Kimani (Kenya) and Wax Dey (Cameroon).

These artistes are using their voices to inspire young people to join ONE.org, and tell political leaders ahead of the African Union summit in June that the time has come to adopt better agricultural policies that will help tackle youth unemployment, provide better support to small holder farmers, boost productivity, increase value chains, and help lift millions of Africans out of extreme poverty.

According to Dr. Sipho S. Moyo, ONE.org Africa Executive Director, “These brilliant

Artistes who worked on the song

artistes are role models who connect with African youths.

Their voices, in support of African agriculture, are sending a powerful message to the young generation: it’s time for African leaders to scale up public investments in agriculture and ensure policy interventions are targeted to benefit small holder farmers who provide 80% of the food we eat on the continent. According to the UN-FAO, agricultural growth is eleven times more effective at reducing poverty than growth in other sectors like mining and utilities. Do Agric is a continent-wide push to appeal to African governments to commit to spending at least 10% of national budgets on effective agriculture investments— a commitment they originally made in Maputo in 2003—and to do so through transparent and accountable budgets. We are indeed proud and greatly privileged to be partnering with such an inspiring group of individuals to spread the message that not only can Africa feed itself, but it can help to feed the world.”

Expressing his optimism about the project, D’ Banj extolled the importance of agriculture in getting Nigeria to

the desired peak. “As African musicians, agriculture is the single most important cause we could champion together and I am proud to say we are doing it with ONE voice. Here in Nigeria alone, while 70% of Nigerians depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, the federal agriculture budget has been trending downwards, and is now at just 1.47%. This is a serious concern, especially because Nigeria spends billions of Naira importing food every year. Through this song, we are calling on youths to go online and join ONE.org, to get more involved in agriculture, and to ask our governments to step up and improve agricultural investments, so that the youths can have a better chance of succeeding in it.”

The song, ‘Cocoa na Chocolate’, refers to the importance of agriculture both to Africa’s future and in the fight against extreme poverty. The example of cocoa is illustrative: while Africa produces tons of cocoa, which it exports it for processing at prices far insignificant relative to the price of the finished product—chocolate—Africa then has to import the chocolate at exorbitant prices.

adequate cooperation and support while in the state, urging them to make themselves available at the 32-Day Annual Calabar Chrismas Festival which she described as ‘Africa’s Biggest Street Party’.

The Governor’s wife implored them to join her band (Master Blaster Band) in the forthcoming Carnival Calabar billed for December 2014.

Earlier, the Executive Producer of ‘King Turner’, Mr. Garry Stanley said they were in the state to shoot the film which according to him,

is a true life story of what happened in the Niger Delta. He said the movie is centred on the fight against corruption in government and also portrays the traditional heritage of the people with special focus on Cross River, Delta and Bayelsa States.

A Popular Ghanaian actor and producer, Michel Majid lauded Mrs. Liyel-Imoke for the warm reception given the crew stressing that the shooting of the movie will last for two weeks.

AFRIMA partners Zmirage on technical production

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he All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, has sealed a partnership agreement on the forthcoming award project with Zmirage Multimedia Ltd., a leading indigenous premier supplier of event lighting and technical production company in Nigeria.

AFRIMA will be hosted by Nigeria in October 2014.

Officials of PRM Africa, the company producing AFRIMA, had been in discussions with many African production companies including Zmirage, but after series of deliberations, the final decision was taken at Zmirage’s office in Lagos to finalise the nature and terms of the partnership on the awards project that has the potential of promoting Africa in a positive light to the world Zmirage is expected to collaborate with a production team which already includes production experts, professionals and organisations from South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt and.

“The facts are clear on the excellent antecedents of Zmirage in theatrical technical production, robust local knowledge and supply of creative live event lighting.

Alhaji Teju Kareem is a respected professional in event production with over three decades experience in the industry and AFRIMA is happy to have his company join us on this historic journey to prove that a world-class event can be produced on the continent by skilled African talents”, says AFRIMA Country Director, Nigeria and Co-Producer, Kingsley James.

South African Co-Producer and Member, International Committee of AFRIMA, Mrs Petra Seseli, also expressed op-

Kareem

timism at the prospect of working alongside Zmirage. “I’ve had the opportunity of previously working with Zmirage on a continental platform and I’m looking forward to working with the group alongside other colleagues in Africa on AFRIMA”.

Teju Kareem, the technical production expert and philanthropy of repute, said his company’s decision to take up the AFRIMA project is informed largely by his faith in the award project’s objective of celebrating and lifting the creative talent of Africa for global competiveness which aligns with Zmirage’s mission statement.

“Our mission at Zmirage is to lift the technical aspect of performing art, to do things that would rival anything anybody does in any other part of the world. I see AFRIMA as a platform –a bigger avenue if you like- to extend our wings and further show our capabilities in the global arena”, he enthuses.

Zmirage is known for remarkable productions such as All African Games (2003), Gateway Games (2006), Saro the Musical (2013), Calabar Carnival, CARNIRIV, Felabration, KORA Awards and Commonwealth Business Council Conference (UK) amongst others.

Business Wednesday, April 2, 2014

We need to intensify consumer awareness campaigns, 28 says CPC DG

Economy growing as poverty, unemployment is being addressed –FG

31

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Electricity consumers raise alarm as epileptic supply affects socio-economic development 33

African central bankers flay govts’ industrial policies TOLA A KINMUTIMI ABUJA

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hieftains of African central banks have described the current intervention efforts by governments in various countries in the continent to boost industrialization as ineffective.

The African central bankers, who over the past week had converged on Abuja to appraise the level of industrialisation in economies, concluded their parley with a communique on Sunday, criticising the interventions as “not developed within an overarching national mandate for industrialisation.”

Similarly, the bankers expressed concern that despite the increasing growth in Diaspora remittances to Africa and the accompanying capital flows, the resources inflows have not been fully harnessed to finance industrialisation, especially at the Small and Medium Enterprises’, SMEs’ level.

They however agreed that how well they manage price and financial stability will promote inclusive industrialisation and growth for the continent.

Also, the monetary policy experts endorsed the position of the Acting governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Dr Sarah Alade that the mandate of African central banks should be extended to include critical development roles to

support fiscal authorities “within a macroeconomic policy framework.”

Other recommendations of the week-long meeting and the communique were that central banks must not lose sight of their core mandate in the pursuit of developmental objectives and that given the extent of poverty and unemployment on the continent; and that they should use their monetary policies (credit and exchange rates) to support growth and industrialisation as is done in

India, China and Cambodia.

It was also agreed that the disconnect between the financial system and the real sector of the economy would have to be addressed if meaningful industrialisation is to occur in Africa. The bankers also agreed that “appropriate mechanisms should be established to tap into various sources of capital such as: diaspora remittances, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and excess foreign reserves, to finance SMES and industriali-

sation.”

It was suggested that the Nigerian diaspora bond initiative could be replicated across the continent even as they resolved to support inclusive and transformative growth policies and dynamic initiatives designed to actualise Africa’s industrialisation.

The Central bank chiefs pledged their commitment to the structural transformation of their various economies to identify and support efforts for inclusive growth development.

T

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: Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; South African Minister of Finance, Mr. Pravin Gordhan and Executive Secretary, African Capacity Building Foundation, Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie, during the African Ministers of Finance Meeting in Abuja, recently.

Photo: NAN

‘Only 6% of workers enrolled in pension scheme’

he Managing Director of Premium Pension Ltd., Mr Wilson Ideva, on Monday decried the low enrolment to the Contributory Pension Scheme ,CPS. Ideva told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos that less than six per cent of the nation’s estimated workforce had been registered in the new pension scheme.

He said that the current situation would not benefit the employers nor the workers in any way.

27

“The new pension scheme has provided an umbrella that guarantees decent life for workers upon retirement and secures a large pool of funds that can be deployed to national development.

“Regrettable only six million out of the estimated 70 million Nigerian workforces are enrolled in the scheme.

“Nevertheless, this number has contributed more than four trillion naira to the sche me.

“We can then imagine what

would happen if only a quarter of the Nigerian workers enlist in the scheme,” he said.

Ideva said that the success recorded by the pension industry would encourage workers to do their job honestly knowing that their future was guaranteed.

He said that with strict compliance of the establishing legal provisions, the new pension scheme could be a tool to fight corruption.

“People steal what they do not need for the fear

of the unknown,” he said.

Ideva said that employers would also be relieved of all obligations once workers retire as the matter would be referred to the Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs. He advised that projects executed with pension fund be given adequate publicity to showcase the level of contribution to national development.

He said this would also encourage workers to put pressure on employers to register them in the scheme.

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

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

We need to intensify consumer Nigeria joined the rest of the world in marking the World Consumer Right Day on March 15, 2014. Shortly after the groundbreaking event, OLUFEMI ADEOSUN engaged the Director General, Consumer Protection Council, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, on the import of the event for the Nigerian consumers and various other issues relating to their rights. Excerpts.

On the 15th of March, Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark Consumer Right Day. What is the import of that to the millions of Nigerian consumers whose rights are daily abused in the market place?

The idea of celebrating consumers dated back to 1962 when the then President of the United States of America, John Kennedy moved a motion before the Parliament for Consumer Bill of Right because he realised that there were oppressions of the consumers.

Thereafter it became historic that the four basic rights that were developed at that time came out to be rights that protected consumers, though four others were added by consumer movement for the protection of consumers. This was moved on the 15th of March 1962, thereafter every 15th of March each year was dedicated to the celebration of consumers for public awareness to raise issues of consumers and to bring them to the front burner of government, suppliers, and manufacturers.

So, it was a unique experience for the Nigerian consumers to be part of the celebration.

Beyond that, what is of interest to me and a great coincidence, I would say, is that the theme of this year’s consumer protection celebration is on the telecommunication sector. The theme, “Fix our phones right” is very apt for us as a nation. I think there is no area of the sectors of the economy that needs to be given attention more than the telecoms sector.

So it came at a time when the yearlings of Nigerians for improved services had been on the ascendancy. Forty years down the line, would you say Nigerian consumers are sufficiently aware of their rights in the market place?

I will say no, to a very large extent. But, to an extent, I can also say, they are not off the track completely. When I assumed duty as CPC’s Director General, I conducted a survey on the impact of the Council across the nation and the amazing facts were: one, CPC is not well known to a lot of Nigerians.

Two, those who knew didn’t have confidence they could get redress for their complaints and of course, those who were not interested in finding out what their rights are and where to go. This situation has been on in the last forty years, but you would also realise that the CPC was created about 16 years ago.

On assumption of office, you said you were working on a strategic plan that would form the fulcrum of activities of the Council. Almost five months into your tenure, how far have you gone in realising some of these programmes?

On assuming office, I realised that there were myriad of consumer abuses across virtually all the sectors of the Nigerian economy -whether in the aviation, telecoms, food and beverage, banking-name them.

Every sector of the Nigerian economy was replete with all sorts of consumer abuses by the manufacturers, operators and producers of goods and services. And for me to be able to have a focused intervention in all this, I developed a four-year strategic plan, looking at what is on ground, and the best approach to be adopted to make impact within the sector in a shortest possible time. In the plan of action, I came to the conclusion that the best way is to make a sectoral intervention as against attending to individual complaints.

The challenge with the individual complaint, which is necessary to engender sectoral reform, is that it becomes windy and over bearing. We realised that it could consume everyone in the Council if we just sit down analyzing and responding to every complaint in all the sectors. I then realised that the best way is to carry out a systematic sector reform that will engender more com-

Atoki

EVERY SECTOR OF THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY WAS REPLETE WITH ALL SORTS OF CONSUMER ABUSES BY THE

MANUFACTURERS, OPERATORS AND PRODUCERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES pliant in terms of consumer right.

Therefore, I decided that each sector would have a searchlight and I settled on three major sectors where abuses are rife. These sectors include: food and beverage, aviation and the telecoms.

The beauty of it is that if you are able to get one main actor, and get him realise that there are certain areas he needs to improve on, that in itself will generate a general sector reform which minimizes individual complaints. That has proven a better alternative rather than just sitting down and counting individual complaints.

Some of the companies often found infringing on the rights of consumers are said to have certain connection within the government circle, thereby making the task

of regulating their activities a Herculean one.

Do you think you have the political backing to take on them?

I don’t look at it that way. For me, the Consumer Protection Council is an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria that has the federal might and the authority.

Therefore, I neither speak as Dupe Atoki, nor as an individual; I speak as a representative of the CPC and as such, I speak as the authority of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Given that background, if government comes out to say certain services fall short of international standards, but decided that the finding cannot be implemented because there are some powerful people, then we will be missing the point. I agree that anywhere in the world, the economy is dominated by individuals who are rich and powerful.

However, that does not me you will not carry out your obligation as an entrepreneur. We must look at the issue in a more direct way, that yes, they are rich and powerful people, we must still perform our duty.

If we fail in our duty, the country will continue to be resplendent with all sorts of consumer abuses.

I have the might of the Federal Government to do what I am doing. However, if the Federal Government thinks what am doing is contrary to the laws that em-

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Executive Discourse

29

awareness campaigns, says CPC DG because I got the support to do my strategic plan from an international donor. However, it would be foolhardy to think I can always rely on them to do everything for me. I think we need to look inward and come to the government that set up this organisation to fund it to achieve its core mandate.

I WILL DO MY BEST WITHIN THE DICTATES OF THE LAW. THE ACT ESTABLISHING CPC PROVIDES, AND EVEN MAKES IT CRIMINAL TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR WHICH CONSUMERS SUFFER LOSSES power me, then I will have myself to blame.

But I will continue to work within the ambit of the law that establishes the Council and once I do it, I believe I will have the backing of government. Let us look at the abuses in the telecoms sector. Apart from the fact that consumers are not getting value for money, the issues of drop calls, unsolicited text messages have been issues of great concerns to them.

How is CPC stepping out into this with a view to addressing some of these complaints?

I will do my best within the dictates of the law. The Act establishing CPC provides, and even makes it criminal to provide services for which consumers suffer losses. When you buy an air-time that should give you 10 minutes calls, and along the line, whether due to network challenge, you end up with just half of the amount, you have suffered losses.

I will try within the power at my disposal to bring these operators to recognize the need to give consumers value for money. For instance, only last week, I had a meeting with some of the telecoms operators where we deliberated on the challenges that attend their operations and discussed with them on the remedy that should be given to consumers in that area. And that was the first step, and I think it was the most important first step to take.

After the discussion and the abuses go on unabated, what would be the council’s next line of action?

Let us take it one step at a time, when the time comes we would move on. I believe they are responsible people; they would want to ensure that the customers who patronize them get value if there are complaints from the right authority. I think when the time comes; we would have another discussion again. While it has been a difficult task getting redress for the people whose rights have been abused, a number of Nigerians are not even aware that they have any right in the market place.

What is the Council doing to increase consumers’ level of awareness?

That is the very area that I found depressing when I took over and that is one of the findings of the survey that was carried out-that consumer literacy is low. An uninformed consumer is a powerless consumer and will not be active in pursuing his right.

It is one of my core points, that we must now develop a public enlightenment programme that is massive and that goes down to the grassroots. For me, I have already developed radio programmes in all the four languagesEnglish, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, including pidgin and all the messages will be transmitted in these languages.

There are also plans to engage in talk shows on the radio that will be interactive. The show would enable consumers to be aware of their rights as well as ask questions. This will also be done on the television in terms of advocacy. However, I cannot promise that will happen. On my side, my plans are ready, but the funding that we have will not cater for the massive enlightenment programmes that I want across the nation.

I think that as a start, if a serious public enlighten-

ment is going to take place, using radio which is the best medium to reach a large number of people, I would need one radio station in a state.

And I am looking at 36 radio stations. I am also looking at airing a jingle on your right, the obligation to check “best before date”, because that is one of the challenges we face. We just buy and consume without minding the consequences of expired products. If I am going to do just that enlightenment, which is just only one component of consumer knowledge, I would need a lot of money.

How much do you think you need to pursue all the enlightenment programmes you have spoken so eloquently about and how far has the National Assembly gone in helping the Council meet its funding needs?

Regarding how much it would take, I can’t give you off-cuff because they are in different segments. I work by document. I can’t give you any estimate now, but it is no mean amount. Yes, we have just defended our budget at the National Assembly and I lay it bare to them. They also acknowledged that our subvention for the year is just a line item for some organisations for procurement.

They are aware. And in my presentation, I have asked for support from them.

Have you sought the assistance of international donors to help the Council bridge this funding gap?

Let me say, organisations are not willing to take responsibility of another country because this is a government agency and it must be funded by the government.

So, it is not up to me to run over and say I need you to help me because they will ask me, what is your government doing?

That should be the last approach, but not one of the several methods through which CPC can be redeemed.

We must understand the sensitivity of the CPC and its mandate. Because of our protection mandate, we cannot solicit for support from any manufacturer or any service provider.

That will compromise standards. Regarding whether I had benefited from international donors, I will say yes

To what extent does the present legal structure under which the Council operates provide appropriate redress opportunities for the Nigerian consumers?

Concerning that, this Act was promulgated almost twenty years ago, I think there are powers conferred on the Council to protect consumers; it can only be improved. For instance, the Council has power to prosecute anyone who sells goods that pose health challenges to the people or anyone that provides services that short-change consumers or cause loss to them.

There are so many actions that the Act criminalizes.

If we take our law to the full extent, I think some act of impunities will be reduced.

That is not to say the law does not need improvement.

For instance, in the structural provision for the Council, there is the need for the CPC to be empowered to operate in many more states than what we have now. Currently, we have just six offices in each of the six geo-political zones. The offices cannot even be properly maintained.

So, there is the need to have one office in each state.

The CPC Bill currently before the National Assembly provides for enhanced presence in states; it provides for a direct funding from government through deduction of some taxes. It has also introduced some other measures of protection for some kinds of trading that were not envisaged when the Act was promulgated. We now have E-commerce where all transactions are made online.

Sometimes there have been reported cases of overlaps of functions, particularly among relevant agencies such as NAFDAC, SON, NCC and CPC and this, has occasionally degenerated to friction. Could you comment on your relationship with these agencies?

I cannot speak for the Act establishing National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control same for the Standards Organisation of Nigeria; I can only speak for CPC Act. But I do realise the challenge you are raising, and it is not restricted to the Council alone; it is all over.

You find there are certain overlaps and these happen all over the world. It is the management of these overlaps that is the challenge here in Nigeria because everyone wants to have a niche.

But for me my attitude is different; if there are overlaps between my agency and the other, we go into discussion and we agree on how to remedy that for the betterment of consumers. Let look at SON, for instance.

SON is established to set standards, why we protect the consumers using standards set by SON. However, SON also goes out to enforce its standards, which may clash with that of the Council. But, we do not need to go up in arms over that. While SON goes out there to do that which it is authorised to do (which I do not have grouse over), the CPC has vast areas which the mandate of SON does not move near. So what we do is to deal with other areas where there is no conflict to protect consumers rather than pursuing the small areas of overlaps. As part of my desire to have a good working relationship with other heads of relevant agencies, as soon as I took over office, I made a courtesy call to the Director General of SON and we agreed that, although there may be certain areas of overlaps, that we would work it out through the legal departments of both agencies. Yes, I agree with you that there could be overlaps, but I believe we can manage it if we have the ultimate interest of consumers in our hearts. Nobody is an island; you must work with people around you. As a person I do not want to be involved in any controversy with anyone in the process of discharging my duties in the consumer protection sector.

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Business News

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

UNIDO earmarks $1.6m to boost Nigeria’s industrial base OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

A

s part of its efforts to support Nigeria manufacturing sector, the United Nations Industrial Organisation, UNIDO, has announced plans to commit $1.6m to the nation’s National Industrial Revolution Plan.

According to UNIDO Director General, Mr. Li Yong, the provision of the cash support base would help to complement the present administration efforts at repositioning the real sector to as the key driver of economic growth through job creation and increased contribution to Gross Domestic Product.

Li Yong spoke in Abuja at the weekend at a meeting with the Minister of Industry, Trade and

Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga.

While reeling out the Organisation’s core objectives, he said,” UNIDO is world organisation that solely concentrate on industrial development. We have a new mandate inclusive a sustainable industrial development; we would promote sustainable industrial development which has been supported by all the international community member states of UNIDO, including your country Nigeria.

“We are excited to launch 1.6 million dollar for a project to make impact in the industrial revolution plan in Nigeria. I have a very deep impression about the good relationship between Nigerian government and UNIDO for so many years.

“Now we are going to start a new page, a new page on industrial development and I need to commend your effort and success on new implementation of industrial policy and national industrial revolution plan as well as national enterprise industrial programme which will lead your country to a new road of prosperity In his address, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, commended the efforts of UNIDO and stated there could not be a better time to consolidate on the partnership than at a time the country had embarked on various policies geared towards industrial rebirth.

He assured the UNIDO representative that the industrial revolution plan would be competitive

L- R: GMD, Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe and Founder/President, Daughters of Destiny Interdenominational Fellowship, Apostle Busola Jegede at the commissioning of Access Express branch, Ikota Lagos at the weekend.

Maersk projects over 10% container traffic growth for nation’s ports FRANCIS EZEM

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aersk Nigeria Limited has projected that containerised imports into Nigeria in 2014 will record more than 10 per cent growth, especially given new government automotive policy that is expected to boost shipment of containerised Completely Knock Down CKD vehicle spare parts to be assembled in the country under the new auto policy.

The Federal Government in addition to the imposition of 110 per cent duty and levy on parboiled rice and the introduction of quota on frozen fish, which drastically reduced bulk shipments into the country last year, had also introduced a new auto policy, which banned importation of Fully Built Units FBU, of vehicles in favour of locally assembled ones with effect from June, 2014 as part of measure to conserve foreign exchange and also grow local industry.

The company in its trade review observed that Nigeria’s containerised import market is expected to enjoy positive growth in 2014 notwithstanding heightened political activities in Africa’s second largest economy.

Despite the challenges facing the Nigerian economy, the containerised import market to Nigeria for 2013 was strong and is estimated to have ended at approximately 422,000 forty foot equivalent units FFE, compared with 2012, where volume shipped was approximately 383,000 FFE, representing a year on year growth of around 10 per cent and shows healthy increase in Nigerian imports when compared to 2012 figures”, says managing director of the company, Mr. Jan Thorhauge.

Thorhauge, who doubles as Head of the Central West Africa Cluster of the Maersk Group, also said: “The enactment of new import policies will see increased containerisation of vehicles in knocked down condition shipped to new assembly plants in the

country. All of these indications suggest positive volume growth in containerised imports in 2014,” The company is optimistic that logistics in the automobile industry will experience change in 2014, pending increased duties on fully built up units.

The company also hinged its projection of increased container traffic on the expected increase in the import of building materials in 2014, as well as electronics, which will see good growth due to the increasing middle class in Nigeria, adding that there has been increase in the importation of tiles and ceramics in the past three years, occasioned by the increase in construction across the country.

“Pre-election spending is also expected to generate volume if we go by previous trends. To this effect, items such as paper, stationery, printing material as well as electronic display units would likely see a sharp increase in import volume”, the trade report also said.

enough saying, “Ministry of industry, Trade and Investment had started brainstorming with the Organised Private Sector to make sure the national industrial revolution is competitive in nature which will ultimately increase the productivity of the manufacturing sector” Given update on the nation’s

automotive plan, he said “Manufacturing companies such as Nissan, TATA, Toyota and others have expressed their readiness to take advantage of the country’s automobile policy by setting up plants in Nigeria and this would ultimately create employment opportunity to the Nigeria youth.”

NESREA decries slow pace of environmental compliance

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irector-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement agency, NESREA, Dr. Ngeri Benebo, on Monday expressed worry over the slow pace of compliance with environmental regulations in the country.

Benebo made the observation at a two-day training programme for NESREA enforcement officers in Abuja.

She said the training was necessitated by the inability of some officers to ensure quick compliance with the environmental laws, adding that the training would inject a new sense of enforcement infrastructure into the environment sector.

She also noted that the sector had some obsolete statutory instruments, which needed to be upgraded to meet international standards.

“This training is to ensure that training infrastructure in the environment is restored for efficiency.

“The last time we had a major training of this kind was in 2008; though we have been involving our consultants to train our staff in some strategic and selective areas of enforcement.

“There is the need for everybody to comply with all environmental regulations and there is also the need for us too to apply the

laws accurately.

“It is worrisome that some people’s compliance is very slow; today, we are here to teach our enforcers strategies to ensure that things are done fast.

“We have some statutory instrument in the environment that are obsolete and not in tune with global best practices and we need to upgrade our strategies and knowledge for the application of environmental laws to be in tune with global best practices.’’

She said that the 28 national environmental regulations which had been developed by NESREA and passed into law by the Federal Government, must be enforced to the latter.

Benebo, however, said that some corporate bodies were complying, in spite of the challenges.

“These regulations are of international standard and are not in any way weak; they cover all aspects of the environment which are regulated by NESREA.’’ In his remarks, Dr. Lawrence Anukam, the Director, Planning and Policy Analysis in the agency, said the training would be replicated in all states.

He said this was to ensure a uniformity of knowledge and strategies in the enforcement of environmental laws.

Farmer gives reasons for high cost of local rice

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rice farmer in Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State, Mr. Oluwaseun Adeyemi on Monday attributed the high cost of locally produced rice to low productivity and the lack of facilities.

Adeyemi told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos that government needed to equip farmers with the necessary tools to produce more.

He also identified inadequate equipment as one of the major challenges and the reason why locally produced rice was more expensive than imported rice.

“We need farm power to increase production, improve the quality and also reduce the price of locally produced rice, because the higher the quantity, the lower the price.

“The standard bucket measure-

ment of Ofada rice is sold between N6,000 and N8,000 depending on how clean the rice comes out of the machine. “The bucket measurement is not up to a full bag of rice, compared to the imported rice which is being sold for about N10,000 and more.’’

According to him, the provision of modern equipment will trigger a drop in the price of local rice.

“If farmers still produce with cutlass and hoe, the price cannot reduce because this process is time consuming and does not enable large production,” the farmer said.

NAN reports that a bag of local rice in major markets cost between N20,000 and N25,000 depending on the type – Ofada or Abakaliki while the imported variety cost between N10,000 and N12,000 per 50 kg bag.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Economy growing as poverty, unemployment is being addressed –FG UDO ONYEKA

WITH AGENCY REPORT

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he Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has said that Nigeria has a strong, buoyant economy receiving billions of dollars of foreign and domestic direct investment in power, petrochemicals, agriculture and consumer goods, but it needs to grow faster to reduce poverty.

Okonjo-Iweala, who reacted to a trend where people even Nigerians “talk down on Nigeria”, said it was not helpful to the country’s economic growth.

The minister said she was not concerned about short-term outflows of portfolio investment, which did not reflect the macro-economic fundamentals and long-term prospects of the country.

“We must be careful not to start believing in the pessimism that is hung around our necks,” she told Reuters in an interview late on Sunday after hosting a meeting in the Nigerian capital of African fi-

nance and planning ministers.

The economy has experienced currency, debt and stock market outflows as it suffers contagion from an investor flight from emerging markets triggered by the U.S. Federal Reserve’s winding down of its bond-buying programme.

“I don’t care about portfolio flows, I’m interested in foreign direct investment, FDI,” said Okonjo-Iweala, adding that Nigeria was much less dependent on portfolio flows for its financial stability than other emerging market economies. “We are not like South Africa or Turkey or any of these countries”.

“Just look objectively at our indicators,” she said. “We have a current account surplus, we have inflation that is going down, to 7.7 per cent, we have a fiscal deficit of 1.9 per cent of GDP, we have a debt-to-GDP ratio of 21 per cent ... a growth rate of seven per cent over the past decade.”

The government was projecting gross domestic product ,GDP,

growth of 6.75 per cent this year, slightly less than the 7.3 per cent forecast by the IMF, up from 6.4 percent in 2013.

“But we are terrible, that’s all we ever hear,” the finance minister said with irony, in her rebuttal of what she said were persistently negative portrayals of Nigeria, which faces security and governance challenges, including oil theft, corruption and an insurgency by Islamist sect Boko Haram.

Okonjo-Iweala said however the economy had to grow faster to “really turn the tide on poverty” still affecting a majority of those living in the most populous nation in Africa.

“We need a faster growth rate than seven per cent,” she said.

Listing the factors holding back growth, Okonjo-Iweala said the one cited as most critical by businessmen was the chronic lack of electricity across the nation, a handicap she said the government was addressing through power sector privatisation,’’ she said.

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Bank workers, union worried over long working hours MESHACK IDEHEN

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he Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, ASSIBIFI, has said the increasing, long and unusual working hours of workers of commercial banks in the country is condemnable.

According to the union, the situation whereby bank workers are made to work for very long hours is a development that amounts to slave labour, considering that Nigeria is already a signatory to the International Labour Organisation ,ILO’s, convention on decent work.

The President of the union, Mr.Olusoji Salako, told journalists on Monday after the union’s national executive council, NEC, meeting, that the association can no longer tolerate the poor worklife situation of its members.

The ASSIBIFI president disclosed that the union is also considering meeting with the management of the Central Bank of Nigeria,CBN, so as to nip the ongoing development in the bud, adding the long working hours by banks workers was affecting their overall productivity and the

long term growth of the banking sector in particular and the financial system in general.

The bank workers union said also that it is appealing to the National Assembly through the Senate Committee on Banking in order to fashion out laws that specifies the number of hours bank workers must put in daily on their jobs.

ASSIBIFI explained the national assembly committee should also monitor the implementation of the laws, so as to remedy the situation and rescue the nation’s banks workers from their present work related challenges.

Speaking in a different vein however, Finance Expert, Mr. Olayide Obalakun, blamed some bank workers for the scourge of working long hours, saying many of the workers have already conditioned their minds to late work hours.

He pointed out though that the practice is to be condemned, saying it was important that the workers voice out the long working hours challenges through their unions in order to promote a balance between work and good health.

DACCIMA bemoans finance challenges facing SMEs

D L-R: Airport Manager, Makurdi Airport, Mr. Olatokunbo Arewa; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Federal Airport Authority, Mr. Sale Dunoma; General Manager, Business Development, Mr. Abubakar Achimugu and Director of Admin, Mr. Ikechi Uko, during the inspection tour of the Makurdi Airport recently.

JOHNSON OKANLAWON

V

ice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo has urged the Forbes 5th richest man in the world, the Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz to invest in the local sugar production, authomobile and other areas.

Sambo, who visited the al Saud at the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, said Nigeria has dams with facility to develop irrigation, the industrial framework for Nigeria in the automobile industry, development of steel and other solid mineral deposits.

In a statement signed by the Media Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Vice-President, Mallam Umar Sani, Sambo acquainted Alwaleed with the giant strides Nigeria was making

elta Association of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture, DACCMA, has said that lack of finance remains a major challenge of Small and Medium Scale Enterprise, SMEs, in Nigeria.

President of the chamber Chief Uju Udeme, stated this in an interview with the News

Investment drive: Sambo woos Prince Alwaleed in her quest for prosperity.

According to the statement, the Vice-President used the opportunity to intimate the prince of the recently concluded privatisation of the power sector, the opportunities that abound in the development of aas infrastructure as well as government’s plan to invest $1bn in the sector, while seeking for more investors and assured the billionaire of the viability of the sector.

“Sambo also briefed the prince of the development in the upstream and downstream sectors of the economy as regards marginal fields, refineries, chemical as well as fertiliser plants just to mention a few.

“He also availed the billionaire prince of the opportunities

in the transport sector such as the deep sea ports, railways, and roads to be constructed on a public private partnership,” the statement added.

It explained that Sambo also informed the prince of the Centenary City project and the need for private investments as well as the planned regional routes that connect Lagos (in Nigeria) – Benin Republic-Togo-GhanaCote D’Ivoire, which agreement would soon be signed.

He assured the prince that the country would provide the enabling environment for investors to participate in the business environment and thanked him for the confidence he has in Nigeria.

In his response, the statement quoted Alwaleed, as saying that

he has a long-term investment in the country in the oil and gas sector and is involved in a chain of businesses in the hospitality industry, construction, as well as many others.

“Some of his businesses include the Fairmont, Four Seasons and the Citygroup. I, alongside my partners, are currently executing Fund No.3 to tackle the African continent,” he said.

The statement added that Alwaleed praised the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan, stating that the President was doing well inspite of the challenges of Boko Haram and expressed his willingness to participate in the Nigeria’s business environment, adding “you cannot talk of Africa without talking about Nigeria.”

Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Asaba He said that SMEs could create jobs for millions of Nigerians if adequately funded, adding however that finance had been the bane of the sector.

Udeme appealed to government at all levels and corporate organisations to continuously support SMEs, adding that government interest could help in attracting foreign seed funds for national development.

He said that SMEs, when adequately supported would go a long way in reducing unemployment and contribute to poverty alleviation.

According to him, SMEs need only credit facilities at minimal interest rate for entrepreneurs.

“Government can also support SMEs in the country by providing infrastructure for them to thrive.

“Another area where SMEs can be supported is by creating conducive environment for them to operate, especially in the area of power supply,” he said.

Udeme said that when these facilities were put in place, it would go a long way in boosting the growth of SMEs in the country.

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Business News

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

NIS recruitment exercise: Interior minister erred, worked in isolation –Immigration OLUSEGUN KOIKI

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ll may not have been heard about the recent poorly organised recruitment examination for applicants into the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, as the service insisted that it did not work against the interest of the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro on the exercise.

The NIS also said that the minister erred in carrying out the exercise in isolation without the approval of the board, just as it said that the eventual contractor for the exercise, Drexel did not bid for the contract.

The Immigration service was accused of working against the success of the recruitment exercise in which no fewer than 17 applicants died nationwide because it outsourced the recruitment exercise against the old order.

The Comptroller General of Immigration, Mr. David Parradang

and the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro had traded words last week at the National Assembly over the failure of the exercise.

Speaking on phone with our correspondent yesterday, the Media Assistant to the Comptroller General, Mr. Chukwuma Obua explained that at no time did the service work against the interest of the minister and challenged anyone with contradicting view to present their facts.

Obua insisted that there was no way the immigration officers would have deliberately sabotaged the exercise because they were not involved in the whole process, adding that the service got to know about the exercise 48 hours before the due date, which was March 13, 2014. The exercise took place nationwide on Saturday March 15, 2014.

Obua also pointed out that the NIS was not under the Ministry of Interior, but the minister is just a Chairman of the Board of Directors in the service and insisted that he does not have the right to

conduct any recruitment exercise in the service without the approval of the board and Mr. President.

He further explained that before the exercise was carried out, the Comptroller General had written a protest letter to the minister in September, saying that the exercise was not well planned, but decried that despite the protest letter, the service did not receive a response on the matter for almost two months.

He informed that when the service was informed of the exercise, it had to contact its entire sister agencies to ensure the success its success, but lamented that personal interest from some quarters led to the failure of the exercise nationwide.

He said, “I want you to understand a fact that no matter how trained a military, paramilitary is, the two days notification was too short for you to amend logistics and for you to carry out good exercise, coordinate the environment some of us were going into for the first time.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MasterCard, YTF empower 1,500 women entrepreneurs in Niger Delta ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

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asterCard has announced collaboration with Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF) in Nigeria to support 1,500 women entrepreneurs by providing them with technology and skills-enhancement programs.

Through the Nigerian Women Entrepreneurs program, YTF is targeting female business owners from the Niger Delta region and will providing them with business management and capacity building skills, while deepening their access to financial services.

The foundation will recruit and train women entrepreneurs from across nine states in the Niger Delta region including: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Imo, Ondo, Rivers and Edo. Participants will undergo 10 hours of classroom and online training as well as networking

Sterling Bank’s ‘Get Ready for Work’ concert holds in Ibadan

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L-R: PR Manager, GOtv, Miss. Efe Obiomah; winner of 8.1KVA generator, Mr. Yashim Christopher and Head, Churn and Retention, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mrs. Kemi Omotosho, during the presentation to the winners of MultiChoice March Madness promo in Lagos, on Monday.

Ehingbeti 2014: Lagos lists priority areas for agriculture FRANCIS SUBERU

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agos State Government has identified some key agriculture value chains it hopes to leverage to achieve food sufficiency for the residents of the state as power again occupies the front burner at the seventh edition of the biennial Lagos Economic Summit, popularly called Ehingbeti.

Speaking on how the state government intends to harness power for the development of the agriculture sector, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, said the agriculture value chains being focused are poultry, rice production, cassava cultivation, aquaculture, vegetable, post-harvest as well as abattoir and lairage.

Speaking on the theme of this

year summit, “Powering the Lagos Economy: Real Opportunities, Endless Possibilities” which takes place at the Eko Hotel and Suites from April 8 to10, the commissioner said like every other sector of the Nigerian economy, inadequacy of electric power has impacted negatively on the agriculture value chains; a development he noted was a threat to food sufficiency in the country as well as the African continent as a whole.

The commissioner said for instance, absence of or inadequate power supply has been a major setback for farmers who engage in hatchery production, poultry processing, layer birds and broiler production as a result of high mortality of birds, increase in the cost of production and feed as well as post processing loss.

He stated, however, that by attracting investors into the power

sector of the state economy, the state government was poised to reverse the ugly trend. ‘‘Electricity is very crucial in the hatchery sub sector of the poultry industry in Lagos State. It will reduce the cost of production of day-old chicks by about 50 per cent which will invariably reduce the cost of producing broilers, cockerel as a result of economies of scale due to expansion of operations. The attendant market prices of these products will also reduce substantially’’, he declared.

Lawal further said that with improved power, there would be significant increase in capacity utilization and output, revealing that the state poultry facilities alone were expected to increase by 30 per cent in the first year and over 75 per cent in the third year aside the multiplier effect on farmers in the private sector.

events designed to allow for exchange of experiences among fellow entrepreneurs.

Participants will receive SMSbased messages twice a week with information ranging from business basics, tools, leadership, money management, sales and marketing as well as banking and credit. Commenting on the partnership with MasterCard, Executive Director of Youth for Technology Foundation, Mrs. Njideka Harry, said: “We are keen on harnessing the power of technology to transform the lives of disadvantaged people and communities in developing countries.

We are very happy to partner with MasterCard in Nigeria to provide female entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta region with practical tools that will bring transformation to their businesses and by extension enhance their lives as well.” Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are essential to the development of Nigeria economy.

rerling Bank Plc has concluded plans to hold the second edition of its annual ‘Get Ready for Work’ Concert, scheduled to hold on Saturday April 5, 2014 at the Kakanfo Hall, Ibadan.

According to the bank the Concert was conceived to change the mindset of graduates towards entrepreneurship and equip them with life skills to bridge the gap between employee expectations and employer requirements.

“Already, Non-Governmental Organisations and professionals have aligned with the vision of the Bank and commended it for coming up with the initiative”, the bank said.

Speaking at the pre – event

press conference held in Lagos, representatives from LEAP Africa, Iyaduni Olubode and Muyiwa Afolabi of The Frontiers commended Sterling Bank for investing in the future of youths in country through the concert.

Olubode opined that the programme would go a long way in preparing the minds of “our youth on challenges in the workplace and help build the required confidence to engage professionally and instill in them the confidence to communicate and relate with their colleagues.”

Similarly, Muyiwa Afolabi noted that the programme would transform the lives of the Nigerian youth and change their mindset about their future.

GSK trains 3,000 extension workers

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ice President, GlaxoSmithKline ,GSK, Dr Allan Pamba said on Monday that the UK-based company had trained 3,000 Ethiopians on health extension services.

Pamba, who is also Director of GSK, East African Region, said the company had also concluded arrangement to invest in Ethiopia’s health sector with a feasibility study already completed.

He dsiclosed this at a meeting with the Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Dr Tedros Adhanom in Addis Ababa.

The director said that GSK had planned to have a strong presence in Ethiopia by the end of the year.

He assured that the country would be the lead market in the region to show GSK’s vision in Africa.

According to him, the compa-

ny does not want to grow alone, but with the society, saying, “GSK is already providing basic services to communities in education and trained 3,000 health extension workers so far.’’

On his part, Adhanom expressed Ethiopian Government appreciation for the commitment of GSK and the plans for investment in the country.

He commended the company for its community-based activities undertaken and pledged government support.

GlaxoSmithKline Plc is a British multinational pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare company with a portfolio of products covering various diseases, including asthma, cancer, virus control, mental health, diabetes and digestive conditions.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek OPEC basket price rises to $104.27 per 35 barrel

NPDC plans to increase oil output at OML 42 to over 60,000 bpd 36

33

Taleveras imported fuel worth $52,308,878 37 –NEITI

Electricity consumers raise alarm as epileptic supply affects socio-economic development In the past few weeks, electricity generation, transmission and distribution have worsened in virtually all parts of the nation.CHIDI UGWU reports that the development has impacted very negatively on socio-economic activities nationwide.

Ibom power plant

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here is no gainsaying that the challenges of electricity supply to the majority of the Nigeria’s population is becoming enormous weighing so adversely on the socio-economic activities across the country. The Minister of Power Professor, Chinedu Nebo raised the alarm that the nation’s power sector experienced another drop in power generation by about 963 megawatts as a result of gas supply constraints.

The electricity generation, which was put at 3,463.40MW as of March 20, dropped to 2,500MW on recently. This has resulted in failure of many businesses with large corporations like Dunlop and many Textile companies, which could have employed many Nigerians either dying or relocating to neighbouring countries in search on reliable electricity supply.

For instance, the Allied Business Community, Nsukka has expressed deep con-

WE WANT TO STATE WITH DEEP PAIN IN OUR HEARTS THAT THE POWER SUPPLY IN NSUKKA ZONE HAS GONE FROM BAD TO WORST. EPILEPTIC POWER HAS KILLED OUR BUSINESSES, YET WE ARE STILL PAYING RELEVANT RATES TO THE GOVERNMENT cern over the worsening power situation in Nsukka, Enugu State. In a position paper presented by its President, Comrade Okagu Augustine in Enugu, the group said poor power supply had crippled their businesses, adding that most of their members had already closed shop.

Augustine stated, “We want to state with deep pain in our hearts that the power supply in Nsukka zone has gone from bad to worst. Epileptic power has killed our businesses, yet we are still paying rel-

evant rates to the government.

He stated, “In addition to this, we are being over-laboured with exorbitant estimated bill from the Electricity Distribution Company; it would have been a different scenario if we do enjoy the power supply to a reasonable extent. But the reverse is the case as we have continued to pay for power we never used.

Augustine stated, “As we talk to you today, over 50 per cent of our members have either quit their businesses or retired to

their villages owing to untold hardship occasioned by lack of power. We are all aware of the high cost diesel and the implication of using it constantly to run our businesses”.

The reasons are not farfetched. For instance, the Board Chairman, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Waziri, said the worsening state of power supply in the last two weeks was as a result of the series of incidents that had bedeviled the sector lately. He said, “Gas supply has dropped significantly in the last two weeks; in fact, it is exactly two weeks. That has resulted in reduced generation to about 2,500MW as of this morning; (last Monday) we are back to square one. But we are addressing all these issues.

He stated, “Then, of course, we had acCONTINUED ON PAGE 34

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Energy Week

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Electricity consumers raise alarm as epileptic supply affects socio-economic development CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 cidents along the Benin-Sapele road and a lot of transmission lines collapsed due to fire incidents. These affected a very small area in that locality in terms of giving them power. But like I said earlier, these issues are being addressed.”

The Minister of State for Power, Mr. Mohammed Wakil, said the Federal Government was in bilateral and multilateral relationships with the governments of other countries for the importation and exportation of electricity. Wakili, told investors at a recent investors’ conference organised by the TCN that the country needed about $8bn to boost its power transmission infrastructure in the next five years.

He said the Federal Government had signed a Memorandum of Understating with the Democratic Republic of Congo to supply electricity to Nigeria.

Wakil stated, “The government of Nigeria is in bilateral and multilateral relationships at various stages of advancement with other governments for the importation and exportation of power.

For example, Nigeria has signed an MoU with the Democratic Republic of Congo for the importation of electricity from the Inga Dam Power Plant for both local consumption and export to other countries.

He stated, “The Inga is envisaged to exceed 40,000 megawatts on full exploitation. The TCN network spreads to all parts of the country and across the borders to some neighbouring countries to form part of the West African Power Pool.

“With the realisation of Inga and other initiatives, Nigeria will become a regional hub in international electricity trade, exporting large swathes of internally generated as well as imported power to the WAPP countries.”

He said the measures would greatly ramp up the total generation on the TCN grid, necessitating the massive and rapid expansion of the transmission and other infrastructure.

Wakil said, “It is projected that the TCN requires $8bn in the next five years to prosecute its capacity expansion programme. We hereby invite all and sundry to partake in this investment bonanza.

Government has established various mechanisms to safeguard and protect your investments in the TCN and elsewhere in the Nigerian electricity supply industry.

He stated, “The electricity supply industry has undergone radical changes.

Traditionally, the ESI involved itself with the generation, transmission and distribution of electric power, usually by vertically integrated utilities. Today, we have trading in electricity with well-developed spot futures market in some places.”

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, TCN, Mr. Mack Kast, said although the company had garnered some funds from the Federal Government and donor agencies, more was still needed to effectively boost transmission. He said, “What we are asking for over the five-

Nebo

Atedo Peterside

DESPITE THE BAD SITUATION, MANY OBSERVERS REMAINED OPTIMISTIC THAT THE FUTURE WOULD LIKELY BE BRIGHT BECAUSE THE RIGHT STEPS HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN TO INVOLVE PRIVATE INVESTORS IN THE SECTOR year period is in the neighbourhood of $7.7bn and we believe that we can reach our goal. We already have some funding; we have the Federal Government funding, the secured debt and we have potential proceeds from the sale of the NIPP assets, but that isn’t enough.”

This explained why many analysts have asserted that if the challenges in the power sector are successfully tackled, Nigeria nay, Nigeria’s’ problems would be half way solved. This is not unconnected with the fact that adequate electricity power supply to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria will go a long way in resolving most of the ills plaguing the country and ensure its socio-economic sustainable development.

However, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC has promised to meet the needs of Nigerians for safe, adequate, reliable and affordable power supply noting that with the current reforms in the power sector, the days of inadequate power supply in the country are numbered.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, who explained that although power generation in the nation is still low, stressed that with the reform in the power sector, there have been some levels of improvement showing positive future prospects for the sector.

Amadi, who spoke at the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, ICSAN’s annual public lecture in Lagos, said, “We should also know that with the level of our standard presently, we cannot have uninterrupted power supply sometimes, so we should not just say because there is no power supply in some areas and say we have failed but within this scarcity, there are still some element of quality services that every consumer must have and our job is to ensure that every consumer enjoys this service.”

He however stated that the desire of the private sector investors to recover their investment is critical; pointing out that the NERC ensures the participation of the private sector in the electricity market.

The NERC boss stated that the commission ensures that regulations which encourage profitable pricing and effective competition among market players are developed and implemented, while appropriate codes of conduct and rules of engagement are also enforced to ensure an efficient and investor-friendly market.

“The whole idea of private structure is based on balancing which is critical because ultimately, what the consumer wants is adequate power supply and to achieve this, the consumer should know that it would be financed and investors

Amadi

must also recover their money,” he said.

In his words: “Our job is to keep the balance and also make sure power benchmarks the quality of service. We are now coming out with a regulation to compensate consumers in some cases who suffer grievous poor quality services.

He said Nigerians should expect a change soon in the power sector, stressing that regulations are in place to protect and provide consumers safe, adequate, reliable and affordable power supply.

The President and Chairman of Council, ICSAN, Dr. Suleyman Ndanusa, said the issue of power has lingered in the minds of well meaning Nigerians because it is pivotal to the development of the nation. He said over the years, Nigerians have looked forward to a time in the history of the country when the issue of power failure would become a thing of the past.

“As we all know, the absence of a steady power supply has contributed in no small measure to the high cost of doing business in the country when compared to other African countries or other parts of the world. This has affected the operations of businesses generally as businesses now provide their own power and are expected to still make profits,” he said.

Despite the bad situation, many observers remained optimistic that the future would likely be bright because the right steps have already been taken to involve private investors in the sector. For instance, the Managing Partner of Hemsac And Associates Limited, Mr. DomoSpiff opined that the country can have stable power supply in the nearest future through strict implementation of plans.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

35

OPEC basket price rises to $104.27 per barrel UDEME AKPAN

T

he price of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC basket of 12 crudes has risen from $103.79 to $104.27 per barrel, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The leap in price was attributed to an increase in demand for the OPEC basket and other crude oil grades in the global market.

A source in the cartel who expressed this view stated, “There has been an increasing rise in demand for oil following an upsurge in socio-economic activities in different parts of the world.

The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

Analysts expect that crude oil prices would continue to rise and remain stable at the global market as a result of some developments, especially threats to output and export.

A few days ago, the price of crude oil rose at the market as a result of production disruptions in Nigeria which is a major exporter in the world.

For instance, the price of Brent usually used to benchmark other prices rose from about $103 to $106.99 per barrel yesterday.

The crude oil export from the nation was disrupted following the attack of Shell Petroleum export line by unknown vandals on Tuesday this week.

The firm which shut the pipeline for rehabilitation also declared force majeure to protect itself from any liabilities with foreign buyers.

Spokesman of the company, Mr. Prescious Okolobo who confirmed the development in a statement stated, “SPDC Joint Venture declared force majeure on

Oil vessel

lifting of Forcados blend effective 09:00hrs (Nigerian time) Tuesday, March 25, 2014, due to ongoing repairs on the 48-inch crude export line at Forcados Terminal in the Western Niger Delta.

He stated, “The subsea line was shut when a leak was discovered on March 4, 2014, leading to suspension of SPDC and third party crude oil exports through the terminal.

Okolobo stated, “Helicopter overflights showed a slight sheen around the export line. A joint investigation conducted by representatives of communities, SPDC, regulators and security agencies determined that the leak was caused by third party interference; unknown persons had installed a crude theft point on the line in water depth of about eight metres.

He stated that SPDC has mobilised equipment and materials to the site, and is working to repair and reopen the line as soon as possible.

The market situation was also attributed to supply Libya as well as renewed geopolitical risk in Russia.

Reuters which confirmed the development in a statement stated that Royal Dutch Shell declared force majeure on Nigeria’s Forcados crude exports, due to a pipeline leak caused by oil theft.

It stated, “In Libya, production fell by roughly 80,000 barrels per day to about 150,000 bpd after a large oilfield was shut.

The agency stated that weighing on U.S. oil prices, domestic commercial crude supplies were expected to have risen by 6.3 million barrels according to the industry group, the American Petroleum Institute.

It stated, “That would make for the 10th straight weekly build, and more than double the 2.7 million barrel build analysts predicted in a Reuters poll. Brent crude rose just 18 cents to settle at $106.99. U.S. crude fell 41 cents to settle at $99.19 per barrel.

Gene McGillian, an analyst at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut is said to have remarked that, “The factors that are battling out are the threat of a supply disruption out of Ukraine, Libya and Nigeria, and the fact that we have weak fundamentals and will see a build tomorrow.

Mobil gets licence to build 575mw Eket power plant CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

T

he power sector has received a timely boost with the issuance of license to Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited to build a 575megawatt power station in Eket – Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria.

According to a statement issued by Head, Public Affairs Department of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Usman Abba Arabi, the license was issued by the Commission after all stipulated

requirements were met by the company.

This development brings the number of major oil companies to three who are already playing major roles in the electricity industry in Nigeria.

The two other oil companies, Shell and Agip are already contributing 642 megawatts and 480 megawatts respectively to the national grid.

The Commission’s Vice Chairman, Muhammed Lawal Bello acknowledged the significant stride taken by the company and

assured them that, “NERC’s mandate is to ensure availability and reliability of electricity’’.

Chairman/Managing Director, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mark Ward described the occasion as a momentous one that has been a long time coming and thanked NERC for the spirit of collaboration.

“The project provides a unique opportunity in the sense that there is ready fuel supply and connection to the grid,” he added.

Mobil Producing Nigeria is one of the largest oil producers

in Nigeria. The company commenced operations in Nigeria in 1955 under the name Mobil Exploration Nigeria Incorporated (MENI).

MPN operates a Joint Venture with the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The Federal Government has a 60 percent share, with the remaining 40 percent being MPN. Since 1961, when the company was granted Oil Prospecting License (OPL) offshore present

Source: Oilprice.com

But the reopening of the Houston Ship Channel pressured U.S. oil. The channel is a critical waterway for oil shipments that had been closed for four days, which forced at least one big refiner to decrease output and gave a boost to U.S. oil prices.

Akwa Ibom State, MPN has made visible contributions to the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The company and its joint venture partner, NNPC, operate over 90 offshore platforms comprising of about 300 producing wells at a capacity of over 550 thousand barrels a day of crude, condensate and natural gas liquids (NGL).

A series of projects by the joint venture are targeted to increase the current average production level to above one million barrel per day.

The East Area Additional Oil Recovery project represents a major investment in a mature operation to extend field life, increase oil recovery and eliminate non-rou-

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

101.53

-0.14

-0.14%

09:18:31

The East Area project’s 18,000-tonne EAP Gas Compression Facilities platform

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

108.15

+0.08

+0.07%

09:18:23

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

66,970.00

+510.00

+0.77%

09:18:35

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

4.37

-0.12

-2.68%

09:19:14

Source: Bloomberg

tine gas flaring by injecting produced gas.

was set in place at the end of 2005, and set a world record when it was installed in open water using Float-Over Technology.

36

Energy Week

We’ll re-focus NDDC for better service delivery –Chairman

T

he board and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, have begun the process of re-focusing the interventionist agency for better service delivery to all its stakeholders in Nigeria’s oilproducing region.

This critical action was kicked off on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Governing Board of the NDDC, Senator Bassey EwaHenshaw, when he declared open a three-day retreat for members of the board and management at the Le Meridien Hotel in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

He said that the retreat was very timely, coming at a critical time in the history of the NDDC. Furthermore, he said that the theme; ‘re-focusing NDDC for better service delivery,’ was most appropriate. He noted that the Bureau of Public Service Reform had in 2013 “observed that the commission has a large pool of capable personnel, which is constrained by poor leadership, weak institutional systems and a culture of impunity.”

Senator Ewa-Henshaw warned members of staff of the commission that it would no longer be business as usual, as the news board was determined to turn things around for good. “I believe that it is now time to tell ourselves some home truths. It can no longer be business as usual. Substantial and immediate changes for the better must take place.

We must root out impunity from NDDC,” he said.

The chairman said he was hopeful that the retreat would reorientate the minds of members of the NDDC family and re-focus their attention to address the image problem of the commission.

He charged the participants to leave Uyo with a more positive attitude and a greater commitment to achieving the goals of the NDDC. In his welcome address, the NDDC Managing Director, Sir Bassey Dan-Abia, admitted that the commission was losing focus but added that the critical question was how to get back on track.

According to him, “holding this 2014 board and management retreat is our first step at getting back on track.”

The Managing Director stated that the priority of the current board was to re-position the commission for better service delivery which would contribute immensely to achieving the objective “to offer a lasting solution to the socio-economic difficulties of the Niger Delta region.”

Sir Dan-Abia said, “Prosperity will not forgive some of us if we just want to dance in the comfort zone so that we don’t offend some people.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NPDC plans to increase oil output at OML 42 to over 60,000 bpd UDEME AKPAN

T

he Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, has concluded plans to increase the output at oil Mining Lease, OML 42 by additional 30,000 bpd.

The plan to be realised in the coming years is expected to increase the total output of the OML from the present 30,500 bpd to over 60,000bpd.

The NPDC, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, took over the operatorship of OML 42 assets from SPDC (Shell) in January 2012 when the station was producing 25,500 barrels per day, bpd from 11 strings.

The firm which made this known in a recent presentation stated, “Six months after successful takeover of operatorship, NPDC raised the production level to 30,500 bpd (13,800bpd net) from 13 strings.

This milestone production was unprecedented in the history of Batan production even when SPDC was operating.

MD, NPDC, Victor Briggs

NPDC stated that the key achievements on OML 42 since the takeover of operatorship included the accomplishment of a zero lost time incidence.

It stated that the milestones included concluded engagements with the host communities in OML 42 for Freedom to Operate (FTO) and another engagement of operations and maintenance contractor for Batan flow station.

The firm stated that they also included putting in place over 40 service contracts for the sustenance of Batan Flowstation operations and the SPDC contract for the rehabilitation of Oil and Gas Facilities and Installation of Power generation facilities at Odidi Node by Lee Engineering and Construction Company.

It stated the repair of Ajuju 1S flowline to secure about 1,200bopd crude oil production, repair of Ajuju 6T flowline to secure about 1500bpd crude oil production and sustained Batan Flowstation production at about 30,500blpd (13,800bpd) from 13 strings.

The firm also listed the hook up of Batan Flowstation Houseboat to the flowstation Gas Generator to reduce diesel consumption by 500litres per day as its another accomplishment.

It stated, “The next phase will be opportunity maturation through the commencement of Odidi and Jones creek Re-entry Projects.

The firm stated, “These proj-

ects have several modules in phases with Phase 1 geared towards additional 30,000 bpd and 45mmscfd gas from Odidi field and about 48,000bpd production increase from Jones creek.”

The investment is said to be part of a $5.2 billion, four-year investment plan aimed at raising oil production to 300,000 b/d mainly from assets acquired from foreign oil companies including Shell.

The Managing Director Mr. Victor Briggs stated, “The investment plan will kick off with capital expenditure of $1.8 billion this year, which we expect will increase production from 140,000 barrels per day now to 160,000 b/d by end of this year, and to deliver 600,000 Mcf/d of gas by year-end.

NPDC has bolstered its production and increased reserves to around 2.1 billion barrels after taking over operatorship of six onshore oil wells sold off by Shell, Total and Eni, including OML 30, which recorded output of 35,700 b/d at the end of last year.

Local content: NCDMB notifies Total over Hyundai non compliance UDEME AKPAN

T

otal E&P Nigeria Ltd (Total), the operator of the NNPC/Total Joint Venture, has received a notice of non-compliance with the Nigerian Content Act, issued by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) against Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) a contractor on the NNPC/Total Joint Venture’s Ofon-2 project.

Contrary to some recently published media reports, the Board has not now and did not at any time, make a request or issue an instruction that the Ofon-2 project be shut down.

Furthermore, the media report suggesting that there are only two Nigerians working for HHI on the Ofon-2 project is incorrect.

There are over one hundred Nigerians currently working for HHI, which is just one of the Contractors on the Ofon-2 project.

Total will be meeting with HHI and NCDMB to ensure a timely and satisfactory resolution of the issues raised by the NCDMB notice.

The Total Group operates in over 130 countries around the world and we and all contractors working for us are required to carry out all operations in a diligent and professional manner and in full compliance with, and

respect for, all national laws and regulations.

Total is a leading international oil company and a world-class operator in gas and petrochemicals with operations in more than 130 countries.

It stated, “In response to rising energy demand, the Group is stepping up its growth in solar energy and biomass. TOTAL has been serving the Nigerian upstream hydrocarbons industry for half a century, in partnership with the Nigerian Government and in different equity associations with other private companies.

Total also stated, “Our Company is the country’s fourth-largest oil and gas producer through its involvement in more than 50 permits, including nine as operator.

However, the NCDMB was established by the president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan following the signing into law of the NC act on 22nd April, 2010 assist in increasing indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry, build local capacity and competencies and create linkages to other sectors of the national economy as well as boost industry contributions to the growth of our National Gross Domestic Product.

The board which closely monitors the operations of different operators in the industry recently marked the graduation of 49 stu-

dents from its pilot geosciences training program.

The training program which lasted for four months was conducted at Laser Petroleum and Geosciences Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr. Ernest Nwapa commended the students for the zeal they showed in the program, which confirmed their readiness to meet the challenges of oil and gas industry.

The Executive Secretary who was represented by the General Manager, Capacity Building, NCDMB, Mr. Omorede Oviasu explained that the Board sponsored the geosciences training in fulfilment of its human capital development mandate, which requires it to identify skill gaps in the industry and train personnel to fill such gaps.

Describing geosciences as a key area of the industry, Oviasu “said the training program was aimed to improve the students’ abilities and give them easy access into the industry.”

He confirmed that the trainees will be the first set to benefit from the Board’s tutelage program organized in partnership with the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN).

Under the tutelage program, nominees from the Board will be embedded in PETAN-member

companies and exposed to onthe-job experiences in the oil and gas industry.

In his words, “the Board has made arrangements to attach all the trainees with PETAN companies so that the knowledge acquired in the classes will be put into practice.”

Oviasu also advised the trainees to show commitment during the attachment program as that will be an excellent opportunity to secure permanent employment with the companies upon the completion of the program.

“You are now going to work in the industry as employees of PETAN companies, so you must imbibe core values as it will determine whether you will be accepted to become full employees of the companies,” he added.

Nwapa

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Taleveras imported fuel worth $52,308,878 –NEITI

T

he Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI has confirmed that Taleveras imported commercial litres of fuel worth $52,308,878.00.

NEITI’s Director of Communication, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji who confirmed the development stated, “The media report from that presentation attributed to NEITI that the nation losses $8 billion annually through crude oil Swap.

He stated, “This is not only wrong but misleading. What NEITI presented and explained at that hearing was that there is no cost efficiency in the transactions with the offshore processing organisations.

The Senior Trading and Supply Executive of Taleveras Petroleum, Mr. Leonard Kwentua also stated, “Taleveras supply of Gasoline under the swap arrangement is ongoing activities and accounts are reconciled quarterly to determine what is oversupplied or under supplied.

He stated, “This Barter Arrangement is a major factor responsible for the sustainability of supply and availability of Gasoline across Nigeria. International Financial Institutions are very Sensitive to Sensational Media Reports and most recently these inaccurate Reports do more harm than good in Structuring Finance for Petroleum Product Supply into Nigeria.

Kwentua stated, “Furthermore, It is on record that Taleveras is one of the most active supplier of Refined Petroleum Products in and out of Africa as a whole and in particular PPMC under the Duke/Ta-

Fuel tanker

leveras arrangement, we are often than not, used as a Performance Example.

He stated, “Secondly, for the Swap Transaction, there is an underlying security in form of a standby letter of credit in Favour of PPMC, so if you don’t deliver the products, PPMC are in a position to cash your Letter of Credit, these letters of credits are issued in favour of PPMC by first Class Banks and must be Bank Confirmed Prior to an Off take of the Crude, so in essence NO Letter of Credit, NO Lifting of Crude.

Kwentua stated, “NEITI report showing 2011 under delivery of about USD 52 Million in their Table, does not reflect the actual sum, as Inventory warehousing cost is not applied to this figure. Balance on account of this on- going term deal is fully secured, at all times, due to the fact there is an underlying security, always in place, by way of an active Bank issued letter of credit, which in this instance stood at 200 Mil USD in favour of PPMC during the period stated.

He stated, “As at December 2013, the Balance on account shows Taleveras has over supplied in its Delivery obligations, subject to reconciliation with PPMC. Kwentua stated that there has always been an issue when indigenous companies are empowered or encourage partaking in a business that has had international dominance for several years.

He stated that these Swaps and Offshore Processing Arrangements have been done in Nigeria Many Years ago and dominated by International Oil Companies, in more Recent Times, we have seen British Petroleum Plc, Operate through a Subsidiary an Offshore Processing Agreement in Nigeria with NNPC/PPMC. Kwentua stated, “There was never any backlash as we have seen now, Nigerian Companies should be encouraged as we Strengthen Our Economy by the size these activities bring to our Balance sheet, which in turn gives us an opportunity to enlist the confidence of Local and International

Financial institutions, as we strive to Diversify our portfolios to other sectors of the economy.

He stated, “This undoubtedly leads to more employment opportunities for Nigerians. Never before have we seen the Growth of Nigerian Companies in the Oil and Gas Sector in Africa, where business activities are increasingly done under International Best Practice. Taleveras has nowhere to go this is Our Country.

Kwentua stated, “Lastly Taleveras is made up of Young Enterprising Nigerians, the Journey for us spans over 13 Years of active and gradual growth, conducting our various Business activities Diligently and Professionally.

He stated, “We employ a great number of Skilled and Unskilled Dynamic Nigerians, we have Built a strong Brand that has attracted serious International Recognition doing Business in Various parts of the world and with Top Class Counterparts, so we Take our Reputation and Perceptions Seriously”.

NERC issues generation licence to Yankari Powerj

T

he Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission on Wednesday, 26th March, 2014 hosted the Governor of Bauchi State, His Excellency Mallam Isa Yuguda on the occasion of the issuance of an embedded generation license to the Bauchi State Government.

The issuance of this license follows the application submitted to the Commission by the Yankari Power Company Limited on March 8th, 2012.

In his welcome remarks, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi, lauded the achievement of the Bauchi State government through the power company, stating that embedded generation is the immediate future of the Nigerian electricity industry and argued that this is a project that should be emulated and executed by others. ‘’We present this project as a

Global oil supplies rise by 600 000 barrels per day

G

UDEME AKPAN

model to other state governors.

We have certified all environmental issues on the project. We feel happy about it. It is the vision of the industry to generate sufficient power for all’’ he said.

The license certificate was officially signed by the Managing Director of the company, Yankari Power Company, Dr. Mohammed Ajiya, and handed over to the Governor of Bauchi State, who urged other state governors to adopt embedded power generation and invest in power infrastructure for the development of the people.

He stated that, “This strategy you (NERC) have adopted is the best thing that has happened to Nigeria” and further stated that, “We will support the federal government in generating enough power in the shortest time”.

He lauded the regulatory work of the Commission and stated that he was happy to pre-

side over the first state adopting embedded generation.

He commended the staff of the Commission for the excellent and professional work they are doing to ensure that Nigerians have stable and reliable power supply.

The Commission also hosted Chinese Trade and Investment

Amadi

delegation alongside their Nigerian partners.

The delegation comprised of technicians, who specialize in large scale design, manufacturing and installation of electrical equipments.

The Leader of the delegation, Yurin Qrian Jing of Jamet Cooperation, expressed the group’s desire to share their experience with China’s power development.

He stated that power is the foundation of economic development, noting that this is the moment to participate in power development in Nigeria.

According to him, they are prepared to us their experience and advanced technology to support the development of Nigeria’s power industry.

“We have come to seek cooperation and offer our experience”, he said.

37

lobal supplies rose by 600 000 barrels a day, according to the International Energy agency. The agency stated in its latest market report that the increase was occasioned by a jump in OPEC output.

It stated that total non-OPEC supplies grew by 1.3 mb/d in 2013 and are expected to increase by a further 1.7 mb/d in 2014.

The agency stated that this was the highest rate of growth since at least the early 1990s, driven primarily by the United States and Canada.

OPEC crude supplies in February breached the 30 mb/d mark for the first time in five months, led by a surge in Iraqi output to 35-year highs. OPEC supply rose by 500 kb/d to 30.49 mb/d.

The OMR “call on OPEC crude and stock change” was lowered by 100 kb/d to 28.9 mb/d for the current quarter but was raised by 250 kb/d to 30.2 mb/d for the second half of this year.

Global oil demand growth of around 1.4 mb/d is forecast for 2014, to 92.7 mb/d, as the macroeconomic backdrop improves.

Emerging markets, despite their recent volatility, are forecast to provide the majority of this growth, with non-OECD Asia accounting for roughly half of the gain.

Global refinery crude throughputs are on track to expand by 1 mb/d this quarter, to 76.6 mb/d. Contracting runs in Asia and Europe is partly offsetting robust growth in the United States, the Middle East and Russia.

Seasonal maintenance is set to curb refinery activity to a low of 74.8 mb/d in April, taking global runs to 75.9 mb/d on average for the next quarter, a 1 mb/d year-on-year increase.

The US Department of Energy said on 12 March that it would sell 5 mb of crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to test the capabilities of the reserve system infrastructure. Deliveries are expected in April.

The Oil Market Report (OMR) is a monthly International Energy Agency publication which provides a view of the state of the international oil market and projections for oil supply and demand 12-18 months ahead.

The IEA is an autonomous organisation which works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its 28 member countries and beyond.

The IEA’s four main areas of focus are: energy security, economic development, environmental awareness, and engagement worldwide.

38

Energy Week

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LUPAN awaits FG intervention in lubricants sector

FG may intervene at NIPCO to arrest fuel shortage

UDEME AKPAN

UDEME AKPAN

O

perators in the lubricants sector of the petroleum industry are awaiting the intervention of the Federal Government to rescue it from collapse.

The operators said at different interviews that the market was flooded with fake and low quality lubricants.

For instance, the Executive Secretary of the Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria, LUPAN, Mr. Emeka Obidike stated that there were so many fake and low quality products in the country.

He said that while some of the lubricants were locally produced, others were imported into the nation with no known address or manufacturers.

Obidike said that a laboratory analysis has already showed that they were not produced based on specified or approved mix of additives.

Consequently, the Executives Secretary remarked that the fake and low quality lubricants constituted serious sources of damage to automobiles, generators and other appliances.

Obidike maintained that the lubricants have flooded the domestic market to the extent that unsuspected buyers prefer them to high quality products produced by LUPAN members, apparently as a result of their relatively cheap prices.

He remarked that the proliferation of the fake and low quality products constituted a serious disincentive to investors who have already invested in the local production of lubricants in the nation.

Obidike said that this has affected the operations of LUPAN members who set up plants, employ and train labour, thus assisting the Federal Government to tackle unemployment in the nation.

The Executive Secretary who called on the government to ensure the lubricants are eliminated from the domestic market also made a strong case for introduction of policies, capable of discouraging their penetration in the domestic market.

Obidike said that LUPAN has already appealed to the government to review downwards to five per cent import duty on Base Oil, which he said remained a major raw material that is used in the production of lubricant.

He called on the government to impose higher tariff regime for imported lubricants in order to protect local producers as well as remain competitive in the market.

Obidike remarked that: “Our challenges are influx of sub-standard lubricant in the market. Over the years, we have tried to draw government attention to it. The second problem is the issue of high tariff. Government should be able to step up and tackle it. The imported lubricant are enjoying the same 10 per cent duty tariff with our major raw materials, which constitute about 90 per cent of our raw materials in lubricant production.

He said that: “By the time the imported product arrived at 10 per cent and we are also paying the same 10 per cent on raw materials, we will not be able to compete with the imported lubricant.

Obidike remarked that: “We want government to increase tariff on imported finished lubricant to encourage local production of the product. We also want government to reduce import tariff on base oil and other additives use in the production of engine oil in the country.

T

he Federal Government may intervene in the internal dispute of NUPENG to prevent another fuel shortage in the nation.

The source in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources who preferred not to be named stated, “It is not right for us to wait for internal affairs of a union to scuttle fuel supply in the country.

He stated, “We will certainly do something about it if the stakeholders experience difficulty in solving their problems that led to the closure of the depot.

The official said, “The depot and other depots remain very strategic to the Federal Government that has been working to ensure adequate supply of the product in all parts of the nation.

Early this week, fuel shortage became imminent in Lagos and its environs as many independent marketers of petroleum products threatened to embark on strike over the closure of Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company, NIPCO depot and headquarters in Lagos.

The depot and office of the company were shut by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG. The Chairman of concerned marketers, Mr. Abidemi Agunbiade is said to have stated in an that the development would likely culminate to fuel shortage because of the central place the oil marketing firm occupy in the downstream sector, involving distribution and marketing of the product..

Agunbiade said that the shutdown of the company which entered ninth days had affected over 1,000 marketers who had

Queue for fuel at a filling station

pay money to load petrol in anticipation to return money borrowed from banks.

He stated that over 45 million litres of fuel brought into the country to discharge into NIPCO depot had been stalled on the high sea due to the shutdown of the company.

Agunbiade said, “About four vessels are on the high sea including that of the NNPC which they are paying a demurrage within $15,000 to $ 20,000 dollars on daily bases due the alleged shutdown of NIPCO by the leadership of NUPENG. He said, “Our trucks loaded with petroleum products had been track down in the company in the last 9-days ago, which is casing scarcity in most stations across the country.

Agunbiade said that the shut down had congested Apapa jetty with vessels that

are ready to discharge products into NIPCO tank farms but hindered due to the shutdown of the place.

He said that about 80 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS otherwise known as petrol has been shut-in at the depot.

Agunbiade said that the depot which consists of petrol and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) had been shut off and NIPCO is strategic storage depot for over 20 per cent of total fuel demand of the nation.

He said, “Over 4,500 metric tones of LPG storage track inside the depot, while services by NNPC to meet national fuel demands had been distorted.

The Chairman said over 500 tanker drivers residing in the depot were unable to lift product to their outlets.

Varsity don proffers solution to check radioactive emissions in oil, gas sector CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

P

rof. Greg Avbiere of the University of Port Harcourt has called for measures to check over generation and emission of radioactive materials in the oil and gas sector.

Avbiere, a professor of physics, made the call in an interview with newsmen on the side-line of a three-day conference on ``NORM-Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material’’, in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to Avbiere, over generation and emission of radioactive materials is detrimental to human.

He said they could result in leukaemia, cancer and kidney problems among other health challenges, if not checkedOur anthropological activities can increase the volume (of radioactive materials) and once it is above a certain level, it becomes detrimental to our health.

“The oil and gas industries are involved in drilling and excavate some of these radioactive materials, increasing the level of BIR

Oil men at work

(Background Ionisation Radiation) in their environment.

“There is urgent need for them to be cautious because of the health implications’’, he said.

Another participant, Mr David Fadairo, Chairman of DAKANN, told newsmen that the conference was to sensitise Government and other stakeholders to the generation of radioactive materials by industries in the oil and gas sector.

``We are not paying attention to the radioactive materials; we believe that we should begin to monitor them. ``There is the level of threshold that human beings can tolerate in the body; that is, the level which the radiation must get to and it must not go beyond. ``Except we monitor the materials being emitted into the atmosphere and know if we have reached the threshold or not, we may be endangering the lives of

people. ``Except we recognise the fact that radiation is being generated, we will feel the need to monitor and manage it.’’

Dr Yau Idris, Director, Authorisation and Enforcement, Nigeria Nuclear Regulation Authority (NNRA), noted that NORM occurred in three physical forms in the oil and gas industry.

He listed the forms as Solid (scales, sludge and scraping); Gaseous (drilling and gas processing facilities) and Liquid (sea water injection systems).

Idris said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), WHO and ILO had set standards to protect workers from radiation exposure from artificial sources.

He emphasised that workers from NORM industries deserved the same of level of protection.

The conference was organised by DAKANN, international consultants on environment in conjunction with NNPC and National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STORIES: ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

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ndustrial sector stakeholders have appealed to the government to put in place policies that will support and promote renewable energy and its consumption among Nigerians. They said without regulation and law, renewable energy may not work well for the country.

They made this request during the weekend in Lagos at a leadership workshop on Alternative sources of energy organized by Odua Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ODUACCIMA. Due to the nation’s inability to generate enough electricity power for both domestic and industrial consumption, the stakeholders have fine-tuned a channel to source alternative power from renewable energy sources such as sunlight, human and animal waste, wind, water and geothermal heat.

They claimed that the 4,000 megawatts the country is currently generating cannot be sufficient for just a state if such a state is fully industrialised as they submitted that renewable energy is a ‘key to sustain Nigeria economy and industrialisation.

They stated that between 70 and 90 per cent of the power energy used in other countries like Brazil is generated from renewable energy sources.

The workshop was organised purposely to find solution to power generation for the states in the south west region through renewable energy sources.

The Lagos State First Lady, Dame Abimbola Fashola, who was represented by the wife of Honourable Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mrs. Azeezat Tijani, said what was needed for renewable energy to materialise as obtained in other countries is good leaders who would spearhead the renewable

Industry & SMEs

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

39

Industrialists, stakeholders demand policy on renewable energy

Badaru

Fashola

Bala

energy project.

Fashola said, “Renewable energy is cheaper and harmless. What we need in Nigeria is good leadership, we have all the resources. I hope the change will start from this workshop.”

“Although south west states have been marginalized from renewable energy, everything is working for us,” she commented.

In his remark about the seminar, the National president of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar said, “I am indeed happy that this leadership workshop on Alternative source of Energy is being organized by ODUACCIMA, this is a pointer to the fact that the economic transformation of our great country can only be achieved when the Organised Private Sector, OPS, take up their responsibility of advocating and partnering with Government on germane economic issues.”

Explaining the concept of renewable energy, Abubakar said, “Renewable energy as we all know refers to energy that comes from

resources which are naturally replenished on a human timescale such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat. Renewable energy replaces conventional fuels in four distinct areas especially electricity generation, hot water/space heating, motor fuels, and rural (off grid) energy services.”

He continued, “Rapid development of renewable energy and energy efficiency is resulting in significant energy security, climate change mitigation and economic benefit. In international public opinion survey, there is a strong support for promoting renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.

“Indeed, it cannot be denied that renewable energy has the ability to lift the poorest nations to new levels of opportunities for a prosperous and sustainable future since we cannot do many things today in our daily (personal/business life without the use of energy. Its development will no doubt reduce our dependence on oil and gas while making investments less expensive if properly

harnessed.

“It is pertinent to note that for the southwest to sustain its leadership role in the area of commerce and industry, it must be ready to promote and utilize renewable energy delivery and create economic empowerment and transformation in the rural and urban population in all spheres of life.”

He therefore enjoin every participant to take advantage of the knowledge and exposition from the seminal to come up with a definite strategy that would eventually be used as a model for economic transformation of not only the southwest but the entire nation as a whole.

However, the Director General/ Chief Executive Officer, Energy Commission of Nigeria, ECN, Professor Eli Jidere Bala stated that in 2003, the National Energy Policy, produced under the arrowhead of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, was approved by the Federal Executive Council, FEC. The policy articulated for the use of all viable energy sources for sustainable national development and with the active participation

of the private sector in line with government’s economic policy.

He noted that renewable energy was one of the energy types articulated in the policy, noting that the policy also covered energy efficiency and conservation, amongst many other issues. He also noted that the policy has been reviewed in 2013.

In his own view, the only way forward to the realization of renewable energy in Nigeria is for the government and all other stakeholders to be more proactive with the policy. As he said, “The way forward are to: popularize renewable energy and EE policy, plans and incentives; provide legal instrument to renewable energy and energy efficient policy, plans and incentives; continuous capacity building in renewable energy and EE (Human & manufacturing); and adequate funding through public private partnership, PPP.” He submitted, “Nigeria is endowed with sources of renewable energy such as solar, wind, biomass, hydropower, geothermal and ocean waves in addition to fossil fuel sources. The energy from these renewable sources can be transformed to supplement the final energies, from conventional energy, needed to grow the economy in a sustainable manner in the short and medium term; and to serve as substitute, when petroleum becomes uneconomical to exploit. ‘‘However, adequate policies, programmes, incentives and legal instruments as well as adequate funding are imperative to support and grow the penetration of these new energy sources into the nation’s energy supply mix’’.

Proliferation of ports, inimical to Nigerian economy, say manufacturers • NCS discovers 200 illegal borders stations in Lagos

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anufacturers in Nigeria have decried the proliferation of ports saying it is inimical to the trade and investment in the country just as the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, declared that more than 200 border stations both on sea and land, which are not approved by government abound in Lagos alone.

It said the porosity in the ports could be linked to these illegal borders and ports through which smuggling into the country is made easy.

The Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service, Post Clearance Audit Zone ‘A’, Abubakar Bashir told National Mirror that those border posts were unauthorised

by government. He explained that any port not stamped by the government is illegal. According to him, those ports have been putting more burdens on the personnel of the Nigeria customs.

He noted that few authorized borders include Seme and Idiroko, any other borders are not legal and that any goods that come in through those borders are termed smuggling.

Bashir said all the efforts of NCS to curb the situation have been proved abortive. He explained that by the time they discovered a border and cordoned off the border; many others would have been created by these illegal importers. He said the

activities of the importers were made possible with the aid of some Judases among the custom officials.

“Even at the international level, the body controlling smuggling has not been successful but the present management is doing tremendously on that aspect. We are doing everything possible to reduce it to the barest minimum.”

He said some of the efforts

by NCS to reduce smuggling are recruitment of more hands, making public awareness through mass media and collaboration between NCS and other security agents.

He promised that with the agenda of the present

management, the illegal border operations in the country would soon be swept under the carpet.

Nigerians especially the local manufacturers have been blaming the porosity in the ports on the Nigeria Customs Service, saying their inefficiency at curbing the situation has continued affecting the economy of the country and the contribution of trade and investment to the gross domestic products.

The local manufacturers have also complained the negative impact such illegal importations inflict on local products. They said the importation of goods such as farm products and some other materials which can be produced in abundance in Nigeria has been distorting the promotion of local

production.

Meanwhile, a clearing agent, Avwenagha Omonigho said that the upsurge of illegal borders in the country was precipitated by the government policy on importation and the hurdles they have to overcome at the ports together with huge duties they have to pay before they can get their cargos cleared.

A customs officer who does not want his name in print said the government policy placing about 70-80 per cent tariff on importation of foreign used (Tokunbo) cars and the one that puts a stop to importation of rice have led to the increase in the illegal borders for the importers to cut the duties to be paid at ports.

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Global Business

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Canada economy rebounded in January on manufacturing

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anada’s gross domestic product rebounded in January as manufacturers led an expansion that was faster than economists anticipated.

The world’s 11th largest economy grew by 0.5 percent to an annualized C$1.61 trillion ($1.46 trillion), recouping December’s 0.5 percent decline, Statistics Canada said Monday in Ottawa. The median forecast in a Bloomberg economist survey was for output to grow 0.4 percent.

Canada’s dollar rose as the data suggested an economy holding on through a harsh winter that Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz said is restraining output.

Canada’s biggest trading partner is also shrugging off the bad weather, with the U.S. reporting on March 27 consumer spending rose the most in three years between October and December.

“It was a fairly solid report,” said Mazen Issa, senior Canada macro strategist at TD Securities in Toronto. “You are looking at the first quarter being not as bad as we had initially thought it could be,” with growth of as much as 1.8 percent, he said.

Stephen Harper

Canada’s dollar rose 0.3 percent to C$1.1027 per U.S. dollar Monday in Toronto, the sixth gain in seven days. One Canadian dollar buys 90.69 U.S. cents. Government bond yields rose including the security due in five years, which increased to 1.74 percent from 1.71 percent, headed for the highest close since January 15.

Manufacturing grew 2.0 percent in January on gains in durable goods following a December drop of 1.9 percent, Statistics Canada said today. Output of all goods-producing companies rose by 1 percent with increases in mining, oil and gas extraction

and construction.

“I feel optimistic for 2014 and into the future,” Gear Energy Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Ingram Gillmore said in a March 3 interview. “The strength of the realized oil and gas prices right now are incentivizing companies in western Canada in particular to increase their capital investments.”

Wholesaling rose by 0.7 percent in January and retailing by 1.3 percent. Both industries recovered part of larger declines seen in December.

The winter in Toronto, Canada’s biggest city, was the coldest

Apple leads U.S. companies holding record $1.64 trillion in cash

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nited States companies outside of the finance industry are holding more cash on their balance sheets than ever, with $1.64 trillion at the end of 2013.

That’s up 12 percent from the prior record in 2012, Moody’s Investors Service said in a report Monday. Technology led the charge, with Apple Inc., Microsoft Corp., Google Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. topping the list of cash-rich companies.

Stockpiling cash can help companies maintain stronger credit ratings and ensure nearterm debt can be paid off if there are swings or disruptions in capital markets, Moody’s credit analyst Richard Lane wrote in the report. High levels of cash can also attract activist shareholders, who can weaken a company’s credit

rating, or encourage companies to make risky decisions, such as expensive acquisitions.

Apple, whose cash pile surged to $158.8 billion from $5.46 billion in 2004, now holds 9.7 percent of total corporate cash outside the financial industry.

The Cupertino, California-based company, which reinstated dividends in 2012, was targeted

by Carl Icahn for not returning enough cash to shareholders.

Icahn dropped his campaign in February after the company stepped up repurchases.

Technology companies held $309 billion more in cash at the end of last year than they did in 2009, accounting for 53 percent of the increase for all non-finance companies.

Firms in the technology industry kept $450 billion overseas

-- 47 percent of the total corporate cash pile held outside the U.S. Companies have been putting money in low-tax countries, taking advantage of loopholes in the U.S. tax code. U.S.-based multinational companies have accumulated $1.95 trillion outside the country, up 11.8 percent from a year earlier, according to securities filings from 307 corporations reviewed

by Bloomberg News. Three U.S.based companies -- Microsoft Corp., Apple and International Business Machines Corp. -- added $37.5 billion, or 18.2 percent of the total increase.

Capital spending of $869 billion and dividend payouts of $365 billion reached seven-year highs last year, while share repurchases and acquisition spending declined, according to Moody’s.

since 1976-77 according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Poloz said March 18 that first-quarter growth may be “softer” than the Bank of Canada forecast in January because of bad weather and other factors he didn’t detail. Central bank officials have said it will take about two years for the economy to return to full output.

After growing at a 2.9 percent rate in the last three months of 2013, gross domestic product will probably expand at a 2.5 percent pace in the first three quarters of this year, the Bank of Canada

predicted in January. The bank will update its growth forecasts in April.

Other parts of the economy have suggested weakness, with inflation close to the bottom of the central bank’s 1 percent to 3 percent target range, and slow employment growth.

In a separate report, Statistics Canada said average weekly earnings of non-farm payroll employees rose 3.0 percent in January from a year earlier. Payroll employment fell 7,000 from December to 15.48 million.

Euro inflation at lowest in over 4 years

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uro-area inflation slowed in March by more than economists forecast to the lowest level in over four years, keeping pressure on the European Central Bank to take action to foster the currency bloc’s recovery.

Consumer prices grew 0.5 percent in the year, after a 0.7 percent gain in February, the European Union’s statistics office in Luxembourg said today. That missed the 0.6 percent median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of 41 economists. The inflation rate has been below 1 percent for six months, while the ECB seeks to keep it at just under 2 percent.

Today’s result is half of the ECB’s forecast for 2014 and well below the central bank’s mediumterm objective. Only three of 57 economists in a separate Bloomberg survey expect the ECB to cut its benchmark interest rate

Mario Draghi

when policy makers meet on April 3 in Frankfurt. The rest expects it to remain unchanged.

“They will be very uncomfortable with a 0.5 percent inflation rate, though they would expect that to bounce back in April,” said Chris Scicluna, head of economic research at Daiwa Capital Markets in London. “On balance they would believe that the number itself doesn’t merit further action given that the forecast is for it to trend higher.

It’s definitely a presentational challenge, 0.5 percent is not where any central bank in its right mind would want it to be.”

ECB President Mario Draghi on March 25 renewed his vow to “take additional monetary policy measures” if “any downside risks” appear to its forecast for a “gradual closing of the output gap in the coming years.” These risks include subdued prices and a strengthening euro, he said.

The euro advanced against the dollar, rising 0.4 percent to $1.3801 Monday in Brussels.

International investors are returning to the euro, including to nations that received bailouts in the depths of the crisis. U.S. exchange-traded funds show net inflows of $634 million into Spain this year, marking an increase of 71 percent, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Flows into Greece have increased 77 percent to $102 million.

Germany best of European Union with BMWs of reunification

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wenty-five years ago, Leipzig was the center of protests that exploded across communist East Germany and ultimately brought down the hard-line regime of Erich Honecker and then the Berlin Wall.

Back then, the few people who owned cars mainly drove Trabants running on a stinking mix of gasoline and oil. There were strip mines on the edges of the city.

The airport was a third-rate East Bloc hub served by Soviet Aeroflot

and the not-at-all-lamented East German national airline, Interflug.

“The city was crumbling, grim and gray,” says Dietmar Busse, a Leipzig resident who took part in the 1989 anti-communist protests and is now a construction engineer for TAG Immobilien AG. “All the roads were kaput except the one used by Honecker for the two international trade fairs each year. They’d paint the facades and plant flower beds along it so he’d have a nice Potemkin village.

‘‘We used to joke that the airport was a country landing strip,” Busse continues. “There was a story that when the Bavarian prime minister, Franz Josef Strauss, who flew his own airplane, was due to land for the Leipzig trade fair, he wanted to abort because he couldn’t believe that such a small, shabby barrack could be the airport for a city with half a million people.”

A quarter of a century later, Bloomberg Markets will report in its May issue, the Leipzig

airport operates 24 hours a day as the European hub for global flights by Deutsche Post AG’s DHL parcel and airfreight service. In a 48,000-square-meter (517,000-square-foot) hall near one of the two runways, conveyor belts totaling 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) in length allow the automatic scanning and sorting of 100,000 parcels and letters an hour.

In December, DHL began a 150 million euro ($206 million) expansion that will double the

facility’s size.

As for automotive culture, Leipzig is now home to a Volkswagen AG factory producing the Porsche Cayenne SUV and the new Macan SUV. Down the road, there’s a Bayerische Motoren Werke AG plant churning out four BMW models, including the i3 electric car.

Leipzig is only one story of renewal in the east since the reunification of Germany in 1990.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Voluntary HIV counseling and testing organised by Edo Agency for the Control of AIDS for civil servants at Palm House in Benin City, yesterday.

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PHOTO: NAN

Pensioners threaten showdown with FG KEMI OLAITAN

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s the 2015 general elections draw nearer, the over five million members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) have threatened a showdown with the Federal, State and the Local Governments over the unpaid pension allowances and gratuities ..

Specifically, the Union in the South West geo-political zone, said all the six state governments in the zone, without exception, are owing their civil pensioners and retired Primary School teachers billions of naira in gratuities.

Representatives of the Pensioners from the six states in the zone yesterday besieged the premises of

the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Agodi-Gate, Ibadan for a mass rally at which they resolved to use their teeming membership figure to advantage in determining who will govern the country in the next round of elections.

The South West Zone Chairman of the NUP, Alhaji Nojeem Ibrahim, while addressing journalists at the rally, said “even though pensioners cannot go on strike, they are in a position to expose the mindless corruption in governance and, in effect, further dip the battered image of the country.

He lamented that both Lagos and Osun State governments led the pack of “the most Pensioner- unfriendly Governments in the zone.”

Ibrahim accused Lagos

State Government of still owing the pensioners three years of the 142 per cent pension increase that was supposed to have been paid since year 2000, adding that Governor Babatunde Fashola had not even given the 6 per cent and 15 per cent pension increase any placement at all, till date.

The NUP boss in the same vein, noted with concern that pensioners in Osun State had, a few days ago, resorted to demonstration “over the insensitivity of Governor Rauf Aregbesola as a result of non-payment of 142 per cent pension (2000) arrears and arrears of 6 per cent and 15 per cent.

He said, “though, pensioners had been paid in Ogun, Ekiti and Oyo States, these States had not paid the arrears of 6 per cent and 15

per cent to their pensioners in spite of concerted demands by the Union”.

In order to ameliorate the sufferings of members, he called for a hitch-free verification exercise for pensioners between now and the end of April 2014.

He said,“We urge a healthy departure from the rancourous, frustrating and death-inducing verification exercises that were the lot of pensioners. We hope the Director-General of Pension Transitional Arrangement Department (PTAD) will use her wealth of experience in organizing a good verification exercise this time around.

“The pensioners have observed that our problems across the country have been ignored by the concerned Government Agencies and

Crude oil spill hits Edo community SEBASINE EBHOUMIAN

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enin City. Farmlands in Ogugu Community, near Okpella, in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State have been destroyed by an oil spillage that occurred in the area.

When National Mirror visited the community on Tuesday, our correspondent found that the spill had also polluted the only river in the area, which the community residents depend upon as

their only source of water.

The spill that was discovered by the residents of the community was said to have been caused by a ruptured pipeline running from Warri through the community to a destination. Some of the residents that volunteered information said that the oil spill has destroyed crops in their farmlands.

A palace chief, Pa. Alaye Yusuf, said that the community has lost millions of naira to the oil spillage.

“We discovered the oil spill when some farmers went to

the farm and suddenly the whole area was filled with crude oil within a short time,” he said.

Yusuf said that if the ruptured pipeline was not urgently repaired, it might cause more damage to farmlands and the entire community. “We are calling on NNPC to immediately affect repairs on the ruptured pipeline so as not to cause more damage to farmers, who rely on the river to feed their animals, water their crops etc,” the community leader stated.

It was learnt, however, that officials of the Auchi Office of the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, a subsidiary of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, have since visited the community to assess the damage.

But effort made to obtain information from the officials was not rewarded as they bluntly refused to speak to the media after explaining that they have no authorization of NNPC to speak on the matter

functionaries contrary to the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan to the Presidential task force on pension grievances. As a result of this, we will mobilize our multi-million members across the country to delib-

erate seriously on how to vote during the 2015 Presidential election and at the same time, reflect deeply on which governorship candidates to vote for in all the States of the Federation as well.”

Battle against oil theft very challenging, says JTF EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA.

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he Joint Task Force(JTF has said the battle against oil theft in the creeks of the Niger Delta region had been very challenging and daunting.

Outgoing Media Coordinator of JTF,Col. Onyema Nwachukwu ,spoke in Yenagoa yesterday when he presented his successor ,Lt.Col.Mustapha Anka to journalists.,He added that the oil thieves were fighting back through blackmail,campaign of calumny and sometimes vicious attack on JTF operatives.

He said:”We thank God that we are winning the war against oil theft.The oil thieves are not only doing a disservice to the environment in the communities they are also causing sabotage and threatening the nation’s economy.”

Nwachukwu who spent about two years as Spokesman of JTF appealed to journalists to accord his

successor the maximum support given him during his stay in t he security agency.

Earlier,the new Media Co-ordinator of JTF,Lt.Col. Mustapha Anka,sought for an understanding ,patience and tolerance on the part of journalists to enable him discharge his duties efficiently.

Anka,who was redeployed from the 2 Mechanized Division,Ibadan,Oyo state,promised to be transparent and supportive to the media in the course of his official responsibilities .Over the years , operatives of the JTF and Nigerian Navy have been battling to curb the incidents of oil theft in the Niger Delta.

Against this background, the JTF had arrested several oil thieves ,destroyed illegal refineries and products impounded in jerrycans and vessels.

But, the security agency has expressed worry over the poor prosecution of the oil thieves who are later released on bail .

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Civil Service

Wednesday, April 2 , 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Justice Minister, Mr. Belo Adoke; SA Media to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati and the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed exchanging banters at the opening of the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja.

Rehabilitation of Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line for completion in 2014 – Maku

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he Federal Government would complete the ongoing rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt to Maiduguri rail line by the end of 2014.

The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, announced this at the PDP North-East Zonal Rally in Bauchi ..

He said that the Lagos to Kano line was completed last year.

He added that government was determined to revive the agricultural sector through encouraging the shift from subsistence to commercial production.

He added that this had attracted a private firm to invest 40 million dollars in rice production in Taraba for domestic consumption and for export. ``The project has taken off ’’, he said.

According to him, the Federal Ministry Agriculture has undertaken massive intervention to make the North-East zone the lead producer of cotton and sorghum in the country. ``Farmers in the zone have been supported to produce cotton, sorghum, tomato and other vegetables due to their rich agricultural heritage.

He said farmers’ in-

come in the zone had increased to N75 billion due to government’s intervention through its Agricultural Transformation Agenda in the past three years.

On education, the minister said government had established 10 universities in the north in the past four years five in north west, three in north east and two in north central. ``We have also constructed 125 Almajiri schools in the north, mostly in the north eastern states, furnished and handed over to the states to ensure that we take our children away from the streets. ``The idea is that in addition to Qura’anic education, which is important, they would also learn modern education for the growth and development of the nation. ``The President has also ordered the production of text books for supply to all public primary schools in the country. ``The books, which have been handed over to the various state governments, would be distributed free of charge to all pupils from primary one up to J SS3’’, Maku said. (NAN)

CRHA approves N1.5bn for education intervention projects RICHARD NDOM CALABAR

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he Cross River House of Assembly (CRHA) has approved the withdrawal of N1.5billion from the State reserve fund to enable State Government execute projects that will impact on the educational sector of the state.

Chairman, House committee on Finance and Appropriatio, Dr Jacob OtuEnyia,disclosed this at the weekend while presenting a report to the house adding that the committee gave the approval after carrying out detailed investigation in the activities of the state educationalsector stressing that the committee decided to come up with such a resolution after serious consid-

eration on the need for the fund to be withdrawn. OtuEnyia, who represents Boki state constituency, said that the request for the approval to withdraw the fund was sent to the house by Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River on March 5, 2014.

He said that the fund was to enable the state provide basic infrastructure to meet the National Board for Technical Education accreditation requirement for the take-off of the Institute oTechnology and Management (ITM) in the state. ``It is therefore, hoped that with the approval for withdrawal from the reserve fund, the awarded projects will be completed for timely take-off of the school. ``The fund would be used for the installation of Information Technology, pro-

curement and installation of specialised laboratories and other projects for the smooth take-off of the institution. `` The state government have been intervening substantially in the educational sector that requires heavy capital investment. ``The intervention in the educational sector is desirable, education is important for the development of the state and the economy’’, he said.

Supporting the report, Mr Saviour Nyong, representing Bakassi state constituency, said that the report was timely and conclusive, and thereby commending the committee for their good work.

Nyong said that there was need to invest in the educational sector, adding

that education was key to human development.

Speaking after a unanimous support for the withdrawal of the fund, Mr Larry Odey, Speaker of the assembly, said that the request was timely and critical.

Odey said that the fund would help to address the infrastructural needs of the educational sector in the state. , The lawmaker disclosed such funds when released, would enable the institute pay off its outstanding liabilities to contractors.

Enyia told our correspondent that the fund would also settle compensation of some property acquired by the institute as approved by the state government.

Jonathan calls on public servants to be change agents

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resident Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday in Abuja called on public servants to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation by becoming agents of change and models of unity.

Jonathan made the call at the 60th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Public Service Commission..

The President, who was represented by Vice President, Namadi Sambo, said that public servants should

uphold love for humanity in the discharge of their duties. ``We must ensure that the civil service beyond its traditional roles optimally becomes active agent of change, good governance and national development,” he said.

Jonathan said that over the years, the commission had assisted in policy formulation and supported implementation of policies.

Jonathan said that the

civil service had provided continuity in government and also served as model of unity, integrity and patriotism. ``The commission is a large instrument in furthering merit and due process in the nation’s public personnel management. ``Whenever our country is moving in the right direction, the role of the civil service must be acknowledged. ``If things are not working as expected the service

must look inward on how best to step out,” Jonathan said.

Earlier, Senate President, David Mark said the commission was one of the federal executive bodies that derived its powers from the constitution.

Mark, who was represented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Sen. Helen Esuene, said that public service performs vital role in advising on policy formulation.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

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ebate, comments and opinions on the Presidential speech as a footpath to issues and decisions continued yesterday at the on-going National Conference holding at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja.

Yesterday’s session, moderated by the Conference Deputy Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, saw most of the delegates describing the President’s speech on March 17 at the inauguration of the confab as agenda-setting on issues to be discussed and the outcome confab.

Former President of the Senate, Dr. Iyorcha Ayu said: “I stand not to praise nor vilify the President’s speech. It is the speech of a leader who is worried about his country. It is the speech of great expectation, and the whole country expects a lot from all gathered here.”

Some of the delegates opined that the timing of the confab was apt; coming on the heels of Nigeria’s centenary as a country, as it would create opportunity to reflect on the last 100

Politics

Wednesday April 2, 2014

President’s speech sets agenda for conference –Delegates years while planning for the next.

Mrs. Temitope Ajayi described the confab as historic, “coming as Nigeria celebrates one hundred years of existence as one entity.”

Dr. Amos Akingba said delegates must justify such show of courage by the President by ensuring that issues that would stabilise Nigeria occupy everybody’s mind and not ethnic interest.

A retired civil servant, Akin Arikawe, saw the confab as a demonstration of the President’s confidence in its outcome, urging delegates not to frustrate that hope.

Former Information Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili, said that it took more than political will for Jonathan to convene the confab which she said Nigerians have long clamoured for, describing it as a centenary gift to Nigerians.

Elder statesman, Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN, while describing Nigeria as the leading country in

Africa, asked Nigerians to “stop being demolition contractors, let us be building contractors” so that Nigeria can become “the greatest republic in Africa.”

Former Minister of Petroleum, Professor Jubril Aminu, said based on issues identified by the President for discussion, he hoped the confab would be the last of such because it would help strengthen the constitution and make it better.

Mrs. Brenda Akpan, a journalist, said the centrepiece of the speech was that of inclusion as against the practice of exclusion and current discrimination against women, children and the disabled, adding that the confab must ensure that every Nigerian has a sense of citizenship, demanding that “we must create space for their participation in governance.”

While some delegates hammered on the drafting a new Constitution for the country, others said the

conference lacked any legal backing to embark on such an enterprise, saying the only President Jonathan who convened the confab will decide what to do with its report.

For formermer governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, Jonathan’s speech clearly identified the problems with Nigeria and the challenges before the confab not only in discussing the problems, but in proffering functional solutions to such problems.

He said that for so long, Nigerians have imprisoned themselves in the NorthSouth divide explaining that these differences and disparities have always been there, adding: “We may not be able to remove them, but we can make them irrelevant and ineffective.”

For Bishop Felix Ajakaiye, the problem of Nigeria was not for lack of ideas towards solution but the lack of political will to implement such ideas, urging the delegates to use their God-

L-R: Barr. Chris Agbonwangbe, Senator Azu Agboti and Chief Olabode George at the National Conference in Abuja yesterday PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Group endorses Omisore BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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political group in Osun State, Solidarity Movement of Nigeria, SMN, yesterday backed the aspiration of former chairman of Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

The group, in a statement issued in Osogbo, signed by its chairman, Comrade Semiu Akande, stated that from all indications, Senator Omisore appeared better prepared to fly the

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Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, flag in the August 9 Osun State governorship poll and advised other aspirants on the platform of the party to work with the former deputy governor of Osun State to return PDP to power.

SMN disclosed that it will soon embark on house to house and market to market campaign to mobilise the people across the 31 local government areas of the state in support of Omisore’s gubernatorial ambition.

Insisting that the endorsement of Omisore

as its candidate for the governorship election was borne out his political achievements and pedigree in the country, particularly in Osun State, the SMN added that only the calibre and candidature of Omisore could return PDP to power in the state.

It charged other aspirants in the party to support Omisore’s candidature in order to take government back for the PDP, describing the campaign against the former federal lawmaker in some quarters as “immature.”

given talents to redeem the country by making the best out of the Conference.

Describing the speech as a summary of impediments that must be cleared for Nigeria to grow and “deliver confidently and convincingly” Olaniwun Ajayi said Nigeria has remained a country blessed with talents but “where the best is yet to happen.”

Nike Akande said she was more concerned about Nigeria’s march towards rapid development; a situation she said would justify Jonathan’s expectation in the confab which she described as a “landmark journey that will make us proud as a nation.”

To retired Justice Peter Akere, delegates must thoroughly examine why institutions worked effectively in the past, even under colonial administration, particularly in the areas of anti-corruption, revenue and infrastructural development but collapsed thereafter.

Former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, said the President’s speech, which he said was from the heart of someone who loves Nigeria, should serve as a guiding principle to the confab.

Esther Andrew, a delegate living with disability, pulled the crowd to applause when she called for special attention to the plight of the disabled in the country and thanked the President for making them

PDP sues for peace as party holds ward congress BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

“The anti-democratic campaign against Senator Omisore is a cheap political move that cannot stop him from emerging victorious in the primary and in the governorship poll,” the group said.

a part of the confab.

An environmental activist, Nnimmo Bassey, said Jonathan’s speech was a call for the delegates to remember they are in a confab to reconstruct Nigeria, charging them to bury their pettiness and look at issues that would make life better for the citizens.

Tunde Bakare said: “The President has made plain his expected outcome of this conference. If our expectations are different from his, then we are in a jamboree. It appears Mr. President knew his onions and laid them bare that the greatest problem facing Nigeria today is governance.”

Former governor of Bayelsa State, DSP Alamiyeseigha, described the President’s speech as revolutionary and statesmanlike because it captured issues that have bedevilled the country since its amalgamation in 1914.

For Mariam Jummai Bello, the problem of Nigeria lies with the women who have refused to bring up their children in a manner that would ensure respect for the law and focus on character development.

Although Conference Chairman and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi had placed embargo on clapping, Bello’s contribution was heavily applauded when she accused women of pushing their husbands to engage in corrupt acts as a short cut to luxurious living.

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he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Osun State chapter, has said the party will go ahead with its ward delegates’ election fixed for today in preparation for its April 5 governorship primary.

The party, in a release issued by its chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa, said ward delegate election will hold in all the 332 wards across the state simultaneously.

Olaoluwa said party members will form a line behind each of the four aspirants, adding of that the aspirant with the highest number of votes will be declared winner of the election.

He enjoined members to cooperate with the electoral officers from the party’s headquarters in Abuja, saying that the party has already arranged for maximum security at the venues of the congresses.

Meanwhile, there was an atmosphere of uncertainty yesterday over the fate of the suspended PDP state secretary, Major Raphael Towobola, who was axed by the party three weeks ago for alleged anti-party activities.

Sources close to the state secretariat of the party informed National Mirror that Towobola had been reinstated by the national leadership of the party after careful consideration of the allegation against him.

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Politics

Wednesday April 2, 2014

We remain committed PDP members –Oni, Adeyeye, others ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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ormer Ekiti State governor, Segun Oni has dismissed insinuations that he, alongside his supporters in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are set to dump the party for the opposition.

Indications to this emerged at a meeting between the former governor and his supporters at his Ifaki Ekiti country home on

Monday night, where PDP chieftains in attendance reiterated their commitment to the party and its success.

A source said the PDP chieftains at the meeting - Oni; Afenifere chieftain, Prince Dayo Adeyeye; Senator Ayo Arise; Chief Dipo Anisulowo and former House of Assembly member, Hon Bisi Kolawole resolved that those in the All Progressives Congress, APC, hoping to see any of the PDP leaders in their party would wait endlessly.

The source said the meeting was against the backdrop of insinuations that some leaders of the party were planning to dump the party following the emergence of former governor, Ayo Fayose as the party’s candidate in the June 21 election.

The insinuation was against the backdrop that Oni and his group would not work with Fayose who campaigned for Dr Kayode Fayemi against him during the 2009 rerun election in the state.

The source said: “The

PDP leaders who met at His Excellency, Chief Oni’s house in Ifaki resolved to stay in the PDP. We are not going anywhere and we are going to work for the party and those saying we are joining the APC are only hoping against hope.”

As Adeyeye has agreed to work with Fayose, Anisulowo has been named as the head of the state PDP campaign team for the election, just as Senator Arise is heading a committee to reconcile aggrieved members of the party.

Ekiti State Labour Party during its gubernatorial campaign at Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, yesterday.

Leadership chair steps down to contest APC presidential ticket OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

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he chairman of Leadership Group, the publishers of Leadership newspapers , Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah will from today step down to

contest for the presidential ticket of the All progressives Congress, APC in the 2015 general elections.

A statement by the Managing Director of the group, Azubuike Ishiekwene said that the

chairman decided to step down after months of consultations with family, friends and political associate to answer a national call.

The statement added that having set the Leadership group on the

path of solid growth, “it would be inconsistent with his personal values, respect for the public’s goodwill and the principles of good corporate governance for him to continue as chairman of Leadership

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Carnival as Fayose returns to Ekiti today ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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ll is set for the return of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, to the state to begin campaign for the election.

Fayose, a former governor, who emerged the party’s flagbearer in the March 22 primaries, had since his emergence been in Abuja, particularly to begin reconciliation process with the aggrieved aspirants, who had preferred consensus mode for the selection.

This was as the police said they would beef up security in the state ahead of Fayose’s return to the state to ensure peace and security in the state.

The Director of Media and Publicity of Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation, AFCO, Mr Idowu Adelusi, said the former governor would be received at Ikere Ekiti, a border town between Ondo and Ekiti states by his admirers and party leaders, members and supporters and Ekiti people who were rooting for his return to office.

Adelusi said Fayose would arrive the state in and to wear – or seen to wear – the hat of an active politician.

“It is also a matter of commonsense that any such meddling – real or perceived – can only undermine the credibility of Leadership’s news platform that Nda-Isaiah has invested his entire life

a carnival-like manner following which he would be ushered into Ado Ekiti, the state capital by party chieftains and admirers.

He said: “This is going to be like a carnival. You can recollect that His Excellency has been in Abuja since his emergence on March 22 to collect his Certificate of Return as candidate from the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP.” Adelusi said that the reconciliation efforts by the party to settle crisis surrounding the conduct of primaries has begun to yield positive results with the agreement reached with a leading aspirant, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, while efforts were ongoing with the remaining.

80 DAYS TO GO and resources to build up.”

Nda-Isaiah

Fayemi’s candidacy, driven by his performance in office -Daramola CONTINUED FROM 13 more. Dr Fayemi would have sufficiently raised the standards such that anybody that aspires to lead Ekiti will first of all benchmark himself. People will ask him that having seen all legacies and credentials that your predecessor has left are you still competent to fit into these shoes? Some of the things they have said about Governor Fayemi are that he is not the ‘jule’ kind of governor who goes to eat ‘booli’ in the street place, market place or doing seeming things that are populist. He is not building stomach infrastructure. Can you equate in terms of character a governor who goes to the streets to buy booli and ground nut from the woman on the streets, that may not be bad. But can you compare that to a governor who ensures that 25,000 senior citizens get a stipend of N5,000 and put them on subsistence care for their health and immediate needs perpetually and statute bound.

You don’t wish to just be a leader. You must earn it; there must be integral qualities that you possess. One of that is clear vision, of where you want to take your followership to.

You must have an agenda that will be driven by the people.

Leader must take the lead. This is a governor that provided 30,000 laptops for students and another 18,000 laptops for

their teachers and trained them as well and made payment by teachers to spread over 24 months. This is because he knows that there is no profession that does not have ICT components in it.

The world is not waiting on Ekiti and we cannot afford to play catch up anymore. Governance all over the world cannot be rated differently because the ultimate destination is to ensure that the quality of life of the people gets better. If a governor has imbibed that and manifested that sufficiently enough and the people are saying if we have entrusted our mandate into your hands for three and half years and it’s turned out this well, we can as well give you another chance.

For instance Ikogosi Spring that is now talked about today lay prostrate for 21 years in a roll of successive governments. It never caught their attention. It took the attention of Dr. Fayemi to reverse the trend and create jobs for people.

It played host to Nigeria Media Merit Award. In December 20,000 people went to the place. If everyone of them spent N200 that will develop the economy of Ikogosi which eventually aggregate to the economy of the state. This is what a leader should do but the only governor who had the mind that something good could come out of Ikogosi was Otunba

Niyi Adebayo. If your child has performed well, the next thing is to promote him to the next class. We have a candidate the Ekiti people believed have earned it.

What will he do differently in his second tenure when reelected considering the fact that critics are saying the projects he delivered in his first tenure were projects started by the previous administration?

Well again I have never seen an argument as hollow, puerile and jejune as that. You spent Ekiti people’s money to repair roads in Ekiti and you didn’t finish the roads and another governor comes and out of responsibility to Ekiti people who voted him, completes the roads and you are you saying that is not a laudable achievement?

You expect him to go and look for money to create Fayemi roads. That is also very salutary that he picked up the projects because ab-initio the intension is that these projects will serve Ekiti people. Whether that intention was right or wrong, overpriced or not another comes and priced it well and distilled the farther benefits of it and goes ahead to completes it. It’s pedestrian for anyone to criticise a governor for that.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Community Mirror Ethnic nationalities are the best suited to solve Nigeria’s problem.

You can’t achieve anything except the ethnic nationalities come together; we cannot run away from that it is a sociological reality.

FOREMOST CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER, PROF. BEN NWABUEZE

Six persons feared dead after consuming local beverage

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o fewer than six persons, aged between 20 years and 22 years, have been feared dead after allegedly consuming a local beverage, Zakami, at a wedding reception at Unguwa Uku, in the Kano metropolis.

According to the witness, the deceased, all males, drank the substance at the party that was also attended by many youths, including the bride and groom.

Investigations revealed that the deceased collapsed after consuming the bever-

age and died on the way to the hospital.

The Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Majiya, confir med the incident.

He said the police had since commenced investigations into the matter with a view to

finding out the cause of the tragedy.

“On receiving the report, we invited the groom; he is currently assisting us in our investigation.

“I cannot confir m the number of deaths until we finish our investigation,’’ he said.

Camels carrying sacks of potassium in Turum Village at Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Suspected hoodlums arrested over murder, public disturbance FRANCIS SUBERU

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leven suspected members of the different notorious gangs of hoodlums, who have in the last five months been terrorising residents of Ijora-Badia and Orile in Lagos State, have been arrested by the police.

The suspects have since been moved to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad,SARS, command headquarters on the order of the police boss, Umar Manko.

The hoodlums and others at large, were arrested following reports of their involvement in the series of murder, armed robbery, gang clashes and rape.

There are however

concerns among many residents, following reports that influential people in the society have started moves to release the arrested suspects.

Meanwhile, there was palpable confusion and chaos at Sari, Ismaila and Akinola Streets in Orile, as hoodlums clashed with dangerous weapons.

About eight people were reportedly injured, as two factions clashed at Akinola and Sari streets with about 10 shops looted It was gathered that the hoodlums, used the opportunity to rob residents, broke into shops and looted goods worth several thousands of naira.

A resident, who identified herself as

Alhaja Alirat Balogun, told Community Mirror that hoodlums had almost paralysed commercial activities at Baale area of Orile.

The woman, who claimed to have lost her source of livelihood also, said the hoodlums took advantage of their fracas to rob people.

Another resident , Ramota Animashaun also stated that constant clashes between hoodlums at Orile has forced many traders to either abandon their shop or relocate.

The chairman of Apapa Iganmu Local Council Development Area , Adeshola Adedayo , while speaking to journalists admitted that the area had been witnessing some security challenges in

the past few weeks.

He said no fewer than four people died in clashes among hoodlums, some of whom have been declared wanted by the police.

The council boss said that the suspects were arrested at their different hideouts following a resolution at a security stakeholders’ meeting.

Some of the arrested suspects were simply identified as: Bullets, Afeez Body, Sheriff Walata, Wasiu Nupeng Alias Akamaye and Baba Luku A senior officer at Orile Police Station, who pleaded anonymity confirmed the arrest of 11 people,saying that more raids of criminal hideouts will follow.

Priest, others paraded for child theft in Akwa Ibom ANIEFIOK MACAULEY UYO

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he Department of State Security, DSS, Akwa Ibom State command has paraded 20 persons, including a Catholic Priest, Revd. Father Okono Joseph of the St. Peter’s Parish, Nwiri in the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Anambra State for alleged child theft.

The DSS Director, Mr. Thomas Minti, who paraded the suspects in Uyo the state capital said that more than 50 children have been stolen by syndicates in the state in the past eight months.

According to him “the department was forced to launch this manhunt for the children because of the alarming cases of missing children in the past couple of months.”

Minti who was represented by the Deputy Director, Operations and Intelligence, Fubara Duke said the operations took them beyond Akwa Ibom to Abia, Imo, Anambra, Kogi and other states, where eight children were rescued in the process.

He further explained that at the head of the syndicate was Chief Uchenna Joel Canice Onyekaozuru, who coordinates other abductors and agents.

Onyekaozuru, an aluminum contractor from Ogiri, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, while admitting to the crime, said he has sold no fewer than 12 children since 2012, even as he regretted that the only benefit from the business was the shame and embarrassment it has brought to him.

He confessed to have been arrested by the police on similar incidents in the past but had always regained his freedom after.

According to him, the abductors include Collins Monday Edet Okpo and Mercy Okon Etim, while facilitators are the

Amazing Grace Maternity Home, owned by Amaka Umeh and Chigozie Maternity Homes owned by Cecilia Ngene.

Speaking with journalists afterwards, Okono expressed regret at the unlawful act, adding that if freed, he would impress it on his Bishop to pray for him.

On why he was in the security net, he confessed that he introduced two childless women to children welfare homes, where they adopted children from the Catholic Women Organisation,CWO, a social welfare unit of the church.

While denying knowledge that the women later sold the children at the sum of N550, 000 each as alleged, he disclosed that he got N25, 000 on each of the transactions.

Also paraded was Pa Ozeluka Okoye, a blind 65-year-old member of the syndicate, who claimed to have been in the business in the past five years.

The children were said to have been bought for N400, 000 and sold from N550, 000 to 700,000.

Okoye, who hails from Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, said he specialised in attracting girls to his home, where they are impregnated and the babies taken away from them for sale to barren women.

He said he was pushed into the business because of the plights of some childless women, who were always complaining of their problems, explaining that most of the ‘social girls’ were abandoned by their parents.

However, the Security Chief assured that no stone would be left unturned in the ongoing investigation to completely smash the syndicates and ensures the prosecution of those culpable to serve as deterrent to others.

Community Mirror

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Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arms smuggler nabbed by police in Lagos DARE AKOGUN

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he Lagos State Police Command has paraded two men for alleged armed robbery, smuggling and selling of AK-47 rifles.

The suspects, Olatunji Tunbosun and Abdulazeez Amao, are said to belong to a smuggling syndicate specialising in arming criminals, especially those involved in crude oil theft.

While parading the suspects, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, said he was informed of a notorious armed robbery suspect known as Olatunji Tunbosun who was stockpiling arms and ammunition at Ikorodu.

Based on the informa-

tion, he detailed the officer in charge of SARS, Abba Kyari to investigate the matter.

The investigation led to the arrest of Olatunbosun who confessed to have bought AK 47 from Amao, a hunter at Ibadan.

Amao, was subsequently arrested in his hideout at Ayegun Adasun in Olomi Area of Ibadan, Oyo State capital by police detectives.

The police team recovered 10 AK47rifles and 19 AK 47 magazines, in the house of the suspect.

Manko said “Kyari and his team traced the suspect to a village in Ikorodu where he was arrested.

The police recovered one AK 47rifle from the suspect.

During interrogation, Amao told the police that a member of the gang

Socialite becomes Owo chief

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socialite and renown caterer in Ondo State and award winner, Chief (Mrs) Titilayo Bilikisu Kudehinbu a.k.a Larry Tee, will on April 18,2014 be given the title of Iyalode of Owo. That day also marks her her birthday.

According to chairman CHANGE OF NAME

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of the planning committee, Mr. Kilani Muraina, the event has been changed from April 11 to 18, 2014, and will start by 10:am with dancing round the ancient town of Owo. At 12 pm, reception of guests will follow at Ansar-udeen (AUD) Comprehensive High School, Owo, Ondo State.

CHANGE OF NAME

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ARUKUJE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Arukuje Iyadunni Christianah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bamise Iyadunni Christianah. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force and general public take note.

ADUROJA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Aduroja Oyebola Stella, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Kajopelaye Oyebola Stella. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME t SIM: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Sim Guek Yean, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ibe Guek Yean. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

OKONKWO: Formerly known and addressed as Okonkwo Kenechukwu Callistus, now wish to be known and addressed as Chukwuma Kenechukwu Michael.

All former documents remain valid.

The general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

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ILODIGWE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Amoge Ilodigwe, now wish to be known as Mrs. Elizabeth Amoge Nwakalor. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

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EZEWUDO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezewudo Blessing Ngozi, now wish to be known as Mrs. Asiagwu Blessing Ngozi. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

JESUS’ CRUSADERS EVANGELISTIC MISSION

This is to inform the General Public that the above named Association has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under “Part C” of the Companies and Allied matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Evang. (Dr) Nathaniel Adebayo Omoba 2.Dr. (Mrs) Olufunmilayo Sade Omoba

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. To reach the world for Jesus Christ 2. To raise Christlike disciples from all nations Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BARR. BOLU AWOFOLAJU (LAGAL ADVISER) 08032183001

in charge of smuggling arms into Nigeria lives at Ibadan, Oyo State.

“Based on the information, the police traced the suspect to Ayegun Adesun area, Olomi Bus stop, Ibadan, where 10 AK 47 rifles with serial numbers UY472072, 8403662, 1625, 1978MG,-16939, 026909, 1953CEH6248, 00569, 19750N44, and 56318149 were recovered from his house” Manko said.

The police boss added that the suspect allegedly sold several AK47 rifles and pistols to buyers in Oyo, Lagos and Anambra states.

In his statement, Amao allegedly named his main supplier as Gbenga Olusegun, who resides in Mali.

He stated that after the purchase, he would conceal the arms in packs of condense

L-R Abdulazeez Amao and Tunbosun Okatunji with recovered ammunition yesterday. PHOTO: DARE AKOGUN

milk before stuffing them into bags of yam flour.

He however exonerated the Customs and other security agencies at the borders from the crime, saying that most of the items come into the country as regis-

tered cargoes.

“I smuggle arms from Mali into Burkina Faso, then I freight them as cargoes using luxury buses to Lagos and finally to Ibadan.

Most of my customers are in Onitsha” he added.

He alleged that he makes from N80, 000 to N100, 000 from sale of one AK47.

“One of the rifles cost N200, 000 to N250, 000 and I sell each for N330, 000 to N380, 000 depending on demand” he said.

Aregbesola commends renewed sense of cleanliness BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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he wife of Osun State Governor, Alhaja Serifat Aregbesola has commended the renewed sense of cleanliness among people of the state.

Speaking while supervising the last edition of bi-monthly environmental sanitation excercise in Ilesa, she said the uttermost seriousness accorded the excercise CHANGE OF NAME

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JOLAOSHO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Jolaosho Adeolu Awanat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adamu Adeolu Awanat. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Halima Luka Yelwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Halima Souley Moussa Maikasuwa. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

reflects new awareness among people for a clean environment and assured that the government will continue to pursue programmes that will enhance healthy living among the people.

She lauded the people of Ilesa for turning out for the exercise, maintaining that well kept environment is necessary for a healthy living.

She however urged people to shun unwholesome practices that could

to justify the huge investment of government to keep environment safe for living, also lauded the governor’s wife, for her commitment towards campaign against open defecation in the state.

Speaking in similar vein, Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Sanitation, Hon. Bola Ilori recalled efforts of government in preventing flood through the dredging of rivers and streams.

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LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public that the Original Certi¿cate of Occupancy in respect of plot No. BN 2733 belonging to Hamza Dahiru is missing. Whoever ¿nds it should contact Hamza Dahiru of No.2, Federal Road Otukpo Local Govt. Area or Ministry of Lands and Survey, Makurdi.

Signed: Hamza Dahiru.

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LOSS OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER The general public is hereby informed that Mr. Jamba A. Obidah of No. B29, Lokoja Road, Rigasa Kaduna, Kaduna State lost his original acknowledgement letter of Plot No. E833 at Zaudan Pazeri and Sabon Gari layout, Dei-dei residential district, FCT Abuja, issued to him on the 4th of May, 2009 by Abuja Geographical Information System, along Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna.

IHEM: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ihem Kelechi Beata, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onwuchuruba Kelechi Beata.

All former documents remain valid. The general public take note

SHAIBU:Formerly known and addressed as Miss Rianatu Shaibu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rianatu Ganiyu O. Abdullahi. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

GOSPEL WORLD INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notiÀed that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Saliu Ayodeji 2. Mrs Saliu Olufunke 3. Saliu Olajide 4. Saliu Olusola

expose them to danger and the environment they live in to degradation.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Professor Olubukola Oyawoye said the exercise was aimed at increasing awareness of the people on the attendant benefits of sanitation and healthy living.

Oyawoye, who urged the people to imbibe the culture of healthy living

- President - Secretary

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. To preach the gospel Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General,Corporate Affairs Commission,Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Aguiyi Ironsi Street,Maitama,Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

STARGUIDE FOUNDATION.

The general public is hereby notiÀed that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and allied matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rev. Fr. Dr. John Oyijewu Adeyi 2. Mrs. Mercy Adeyi Onah 3. Mr. Sylvester Ademu Ochefu.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. To assist the less privilege of the society.

2. To provide Education to the destitute.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: REV. FR. DR. JOHN ADEYI.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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World News

“The group has for over 85 years never engaged in terrorism and never surrendered to any terrorism even if it was practiced by the state, and has endured a lot for that sake”

- EGYPTIAN ISLAMIST BROTHERHOOD LEADER, MOHAMED BADIE

Ebola outbreak in Guinea limited –WHO PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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he deadly Ebola outbreak in Guinea, West Africa, remains in a “limited geographic area”, the World Health Organization has said.

WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said it was neither an epidemic, nor unprecedented.

But medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has said its spread makes it very difficult to control.

Guinea says 80 people have so far been killed by Ebola, which is spread by close contact and kills between 25% and 90% of its victims.

It has now spread to neighbouring Liberia, as well as Guinea’s capital, Conakry, which has a population of two million people.

The traditional handshake is no longer a part of salutations in Guinea as people are really terrified of being infected with Ebola.

“I no longer go out of the house just so that I do not have to shake people’s hands,” retired civil servant Mohamed Barry said.

The disease originated in the southern Forest Region where bats, a local delicacy, are thought be carriers of the virus. Their sale and consumption has been banned.

The situation is most worrying

Guinea has so far confirmed 122 cases of Ebola since January

in Conakry, where about two million people live. All homes now have bowls or buckets filled with disinfectant at their entrance for both inhabitants and visitors to wash their hands.

The outbreak is also affecting business. Senegal has closed its land borders, leaving many stranded. “Our goods are about to perish,” one businessman said.

Funeral corteges, too, are getting smaller because of fear of infection. “I don’t go to any funeral now whether it is an Ebola-related death or not, or whether it is my relation that has died,” teacher Mariam Mansare said.

Liberia has recorded a total of seven suspected and confirmed cases, including four deaths.

Outbreaks of Ebola occur primarily in remote villages in Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests, the WHO said.

“We need to be very careful about how we characterise something which is up to now an outbreak with sporadic cases,” Hartl told reporters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The WHO says the epidemiology of this outbreak is the same as previous outbreaks and remains localised, the BBC’s Imogen Foulkes reports from Geneva.

‘Missing plane search most challenging ever’

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he search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 is the “most challenging” ever seen, the man responsible for co-ordinating the search from Australia said.

Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston also said that the search for the plane could take weeks.

The plane disappeared on 8 March as it was travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. It was carrying 239 people.

Search teams are scouring the southern Indian Ocean for signs of the plane.

On Tuesday, the Malaysian authorities released the full transcript of communications between flight MH370 and Kuala Lumpur’s air traffic control.

They said there was no indica-

tion of anything abnormal in the transcript.

Speaking on Tuesday, ACM Houston, who is heading a new Joint Agency Co-ordination Centre (JACC) managing the search, said the task was “very complex” because the teams had no hard information to work from.

Search efforts would take time, he said. “It’s not something that will necessarily be resolved in the next two weeks, for example.”

Ten military aircraft and nine ships were scheduled to examine Tuesday’s search zone, while an Australia defence vessel with a towed pinger was en route to the area, he added.

ACM Houston explained that they had no information on how high the plane had flown

The organisation adds that cases in Conakry and Liberia can be traced to the south-east of Guinea where the outbreak began.

On Monday, MSF described the outbreak as “unprecedented”.

“We are facing an epidemic of a magnitude never before seen in terms of the distribution of cases,” said Mariano Lugli, a coordinator in Guinea for the medical charity.

“This geographical spread is worrisome because it will greatly complicate the tasks of the organisations working to control the epidemic.”

ECOWAS leaders sign treaty for Abidjan-Lagos corridor road project

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L-R: Crew member Koji Kubota of the Japan Coast Guard and John Pumpa of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) looking out for debris from missing Malaysian Airlines.

once it disappeared off radar, the BBC’s Jonah Fisher in Perth reports.

A relatively small change in altitude could affect both the plane’s speed and fuel consumption - and over the course of seven hours dramatically alter the location of any crash site, our correspondent adds.

eaders of Nigeria, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo have signed the treaty formally establishing the ECOWAS Abidjan-Lagos Corridor in further demonstration of their determination to operationalise the 1025-kilometre road project linking the region’s major commercial cities and ports.

The treaty which was signed on the final day of the just-concluded 44th summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, requires the five countries to construct and manage the 6-lane road and establish a corridor management authority with a supranational status.

WORLD BULLETIN Crimea crisis: NATO to bolster forces in east Europe NATO studied new steps to bolster its military presence in Eastern Europe yesterday while saying it saw no sign that Russia was withdrawing tens of thousands of troops from the Ukrainian border.

Foreign ministers from the 28 members of the Western military alliance met in Brussels for the first time since Russia’s military occupation and annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region triggered the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. They were discussing ways to boost NATO’s military presence in former communist central and eastern Europe to reassure allies rattled by Russia’s moves.

They will also step up cooperation with Ukraine and decide whether to cut the alliance’s relations with Moscow beyond the steps it has already taken, which include halting lower-level meetings with Russian counterparts.

Calling Russia’s actions unacceptable, NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: “Through its actions, Russia has undermined the principles on which our partnership is built, and has breached its own international commitments. So we cannot go on doing business as usual.”

Pistorius lawyer: Pathologist to open defence case A pathologist will likely testify first when Oscar Pistorius’ defence team starts calling witnesses at his murder trial next week, the double-amputee athlete’s lawyer said yesterday.

Brian Webber told The Associated Press in an email that “it is likely” that the defence will call Prof. Jan Botha as its first witness yesterday, after four weeks of prosecution-led testimony and a week’s adjournment.

Pistorius is expected to testify to explain why he killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year by shooting her multiple times through a toilet door.

The Olympic runner says he shot Steenkamp by mistake thinking she was a dangerous intruder who had broken into his bathroom. Prosecutors say the 27-year-old Pistorius killed the 29-year-old model intentionally after an argument in the pre-dawn hours and have charged him with premeditated murder.

In South Africa, defendants who indicate they will testify are usually expected to go first but Webber said it was his understanding that prosecutors had agreed to the defence’s request that Botha give evidence first because of the pathologist’s personal circumstances.

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Wednesday, April 2, 2014

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Formerly known and addressed as Princewill Elizabeth Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Princewill Sanni Elizabeth Ngozi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

LABINTO: Formerly known and addressed as Labinto Omotoyosi Temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Labinjo Omotoyosi Temitope. All former documents remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta and general public take note.

OGBONNA: Formerly known and addressed as Mr. Osita Orji Ogbonna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Osita Orji Anozia. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OGUNSOLA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunsola Safurat Oriyomi, is now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bisiriyu Safrat Olayinka. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OMOTOSO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Omotoso Gbemisola Tolulope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akomolafe Gbemisola Omotoso Tolulope (OGT). All former documents remain valid. General public take.

AYANDA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayanda Oluwafunke Joanna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Saba Oluwafunke Joanna. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADESANYA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adesanya Blessing Omolara, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Vitowanu Blessing Omolara. All former documents remain valid. Pharmacists council of Nigeria and general public take note

DAIRO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Dairo Olubimpe Cecilia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. GbengaJulius Olubimpe Cecilia. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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FAGBEMI: Formerly known and addressed as Mr. Fagbemi Dare Johnson, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Dare Johnson. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FUNMI: Formerly known and addressed as Ogunbekun Tolulope Funmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Ogunbekun Tolulope Ruth. All former documents remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta and general public take note.

OGBONNA: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Mercy Onyemaechi Ogbonna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mercy Onyemaechi Anozia.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

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ADEYEMI: Formerly known and addressed as Adeyemi Ifeoluwa Christianah, now wish to be known and addressed as Ifeoluwa Dare Johnson. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

SULAIMON: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Sulaimon Adebimpe Olubukola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeyemo Adebimpe Olubukola.

All former documents remain valid.

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AGBO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Agbo Nwukamaka Euphemia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogbodo Ukamaka Euphemia. All former documents remain valid. Enugu State Local Government Service Commission and general public take note.

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AYOMIDE: Formerly known and addressed as Omilade Saliu Ayomide, now wish to be known and addressed as Omilade Adeyemi Saliu. All former documents remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Ojikutu Sukurat Moninuola, is the person known and addressed as Ojikutu Shukurat Olabisi Moninuola.

All former documents remain valid.

WAEC, MAPOLY and general public take note.

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NWOKEZUIKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwokezuike Chinwe Gloria, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okoye Chinwe Gloria. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

IKE:Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ike Peace Chinyere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyedinma Peace Chinyere.

All former documents remain valid.

Imo State University and general public take note.

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IZUKI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Izuki Lillian Emmanuel, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Inyang Lillian Paul. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

AKITI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Akiti Blessing Ajieakpokpa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyeche Blessing Ajieakpokpa.

All former documents remain valid.

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CHANGE OF NAME t SULUKA: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Suluka Falilat Ajoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Amode Falilat Ajoke.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLATUNJI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Olayinka Elizabeth Olatunji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olayinka Elizabeth Aiyelabola.

All former documents remain valid.

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OSUNNIYI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Osunniyi Oluwayemisi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ilelaboye Oluwayemisi. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti South West Local Government, Ilawe-Ekiti and general public take note.

UDEH: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Udeh Chika Elizabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nnaji Chika Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OTUSANWO: Formerly known and adresses as Miss Otusanwo oluseyi Bolanle, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Awhanse Oluseyi Bolanle. All former documents remain valid. Ijebu-East local Govt and general public take note.

IROGBELE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Irogbele Onyinye Frances, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odionye Onyinye Frances. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OMONIMEWA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Omonimewa Eunice Arike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Falayi Eunice Arike. All former documents remain valid. Teaching Service Commission, Ado-Ekiti and general public should take note.

NOSIKE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Nosike Peace Ifeyinwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ejindu Peace Ifeyinwa. All former documents remains valid. NYSC and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME t ASOEGWU: Formerly known and addressed as Asoegwu Bianca Chinazo, now wish to be known as Emmanuel Bianca Chinazo. All former documents remains valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME t AKPAN: Formerly known and addressed as Mary Joseph Akpan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mary Bassey. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public that the Original Certificate of Occupancy in respect of plot No. BN 3296 belonging to Hamza Dahiru is missing. Whoever finds it should contact Hamza Dahiru of No.2 Federal Road Otukpo Local Govt. Area or Ministry of Lands and Survey, Makurdi.

Signed: Hamza Dahiru.

PUBLIC NOTICE

RUDI CHARITY ORGANISATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Mr. Goke Akinrinmade 2. Mr. Temiloluwa Sobowale 3. Mr. Yinka Ogundare THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.To assist the less privileged children in the society to acquirebasiceducation.

2.To help improve children’s lives by providing various cares and supports.

3.To build people towards quality values, self discovery and quality lives.

Any Objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Aguiyo Ironsi Str., Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: FEMI FASUNLORO, ESQ. (08034720224) FORESIGHT SOLICITORS

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IKECHUKWU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ikechukwu Chidinma Rosemary, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Agadife Ikechukwu Chidera Rosemary. All former documents remain valid. UNN, NYSC and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Penda Stella , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Stella Penda-Akinsola, All former documents remain valid. Ogun State hospital management board Abeokuta, Nursing and Midwifery council of nigeria and general public take note.

IBANGA: Formerly known and addressed as Mr Ibanga .U. Ibanga, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Ibanga Okon Akang. All former documents remain valid. Aluminium Extrusion Ind. Plc, Owerri, Imo State, Diamond Bank Plc, Stanbic Bank Plc and general public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT t

This is to inform the general public that Angus .C. Ohalete of road 24 No3 Upper North 5TH Avenue Trans Ekulu lost land documents irrevocable power of Attorney, All efforts to get the documents prove abortive if found contact the Ministry of lands and Urban Development Enugu.

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SOKOYA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss sokoya Bolajoko Aderonke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jaiyesimi Bolajoko Aderonke. All former documents remain valid. Ogun SUBEB, L.G.E.A Ijebu-ode and general public take note.

IHEDIGBO: Formerly known and addressed as Mr Bartholomew Ikeagwulam Ihedigbo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Bartholomew Ikeagwulam Ihedimma.

All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authority concerned should please take note.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

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ODEBUDO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Odebudo Iyabo Olayinka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Salako Iyabo Olayinka. All former documents remain valid. TRACE and general public take note.

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KUNLE: Formerly known and addressed as Bangura Abdulrahman Kunle, now wish to be known and addressed as Bangura Abdulrahman Adekunle. All former documents remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta and general public take note.

IGBOAMALU: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Igboamalu Chidimma Patience, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Agomuo Chidimma Patience. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IBITOYE: Formerly known and called as Miss Ibitoye Rachael Abike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olawuyi Rachael Abike. All former documents remain valid. LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Osogbo and general public should please take note.

UZOECHI: Formerly known and addressed as Cindy Oluchi Uzoechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Cindy Oluchi Ajele. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EZEMAH: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezemah Francisca Uzoamaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ugwuegbe Francisca Uzoamaka. All former documents remain valid. ESUT Teaching Hospital and general public take note.

CHANDLER: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chandler Sylvia Tunisia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Opara Chandler Sylvia Tunisia.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

This is to confirm that Worlu Stella Chibuzo and Stella Chibuzo Nnadi is one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Stella Chibuzo Nnadi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OGBONNA: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogbonna Ugochi Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ezelibe Ugochi Blessing. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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IBRAHIM: Formerly known and addressed as Ibrahim Abiodun Olawale, now wish to be known and addressed as Adejumobi Olawale Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. JAMB, LAUTECH and the general public should please take note.

ODEBUNMI: Formerly known and addressed as Mr. Odebunmi Olumide Julius, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Gbenga-Julius Olumide. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ONIFADE: Formerly knwon and addressed as Miss Onifade Rukayat Olabisi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sikiru Rukayat Olabisi, All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Ministry of Health and general public take note.

NWEKE: Formerly known and addressed as Nweke Elizabeth Ogochi, now wish to be known and addressed as Elizabeth Chukwuma. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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IGBEKELE: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Igbekele Adebimpe Christy, now wish to be called and address as Mrs. Ogundana Adebimpe Christy.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

UDEH: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Udeh Vivian Ebelechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Umenduka Vivian Ebelechukwu. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE LIVING AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST GLOBAL MINISTRY The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

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ONWUEKWE: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onwuekwe Chioma Sophia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okafor Chioma Sophia. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE HIS MERCYSEAT PRAYER AND DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, part “C” No.1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. Pastor Jacob Omotoso (J.P) 2. Pastor Mrs. Victoria Omotoso 3. Mrs. Awosika Remilekun 4. Pastor John Adeboyejo

1. Pastor Osemobor Ewomie Anthony 3. Mr. Ewomie Cleverly 5. Mr. Friday Igbinosa 7. Mr. Kelvin Omoruyi

2. Evangelist Ewomie Evelyn Toritseju 4. Mrs. Peace Osamudiamen 6. Mr. Agbonbhi Sunday

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. To teach people to confess with once mouth the salvation in the Lord Jesus. (Act. 4:12, Roman 10:9) and to accept, obey the general rules and regulations of God as stipulated in the bible. Heb. 13:17, Eph. 4:11, 1Cor. 12:28 2. To liberate men from satanic bondages through the preaching of the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ and to prepare the church for coming of our lord Jesus Christ.

1. To reach, teach and evangelize the word of God as contained in the Holy scriptures (Bible) 2. To fulfill the great commission according to the gospels 3. Create or establish a place of worship for all faithful followers on a regular basis.

4. To enhance moral, academic and educational knowledge among all nations by setting schools, educational centres and other institutions.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Irosi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Cresent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: PASTOR JACOB OMOTOSO (J.P)

SIGNED: EHIABHI G. IKEKHUA ESQ.

PUBLIC NOTICE ASSOCIATION OF NYLON SELLERS AND CUTTERS OF NIGERIA

PUBLIC NOTICE UFUEZE UMUOCHA WOMEN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

This is to notify the general public that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja,for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act,1 of 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Chief Simeon Afolabi Oladitan 3. Mr Samson Ade Muritala 5. Mr Boniface Ugweje 7. Mrs Felicia Abaji (JP) 9. Mr Abdulrahaman John THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 2. Barr Gbeke Leditan 4. Alhaji Jimoh Oyerogba 6. Alhaja Basirat Ogunyomi 8. Mrs Tope Fayena

1. To promote and protect the interest of members 2. To enlighten members of the public about proper disposal and recycling of packs of products made with nylon.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Mrs. Ogbu Logo Mary Mrs. Akpa Theresa Mrs. Chukwuma Charity Nwaorie Mrs. Mary Sunday Mrs. Grace Agbafor Mrs. Agu Chinyere

- Chairlady - Treasurer - Secretary - Provost - Member - Member

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote peace and unity among members.

2. To assist members on Economic Development.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420,Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the day of this publication.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BARR . GBEKE LEDITAN

SIGNED: BARR. MRS. EVANGELINE .O. NDUKWE

Wednesday April 2, 2014

Ownership tussle stops Chibuzor

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

51

Sport

I am enjoying a rich vein of form at the moment. I really think I can’t ask for more –USA tennis star, Venus Williams

I want strong Eagles in Brazil

– Keshi

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igeria coach, Stephen Keshi, has again reiterated his desire to build a formidable team for the country at the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup and insists that this will not change regardless of the challenges facing him.

Super Eagles’ recent friendly against the El Tri of Mexico has given Keshi another chance to take a look at his squad as he prepares to make his final selection for the Mundial.

Despite calls from various quarters, the ‘Big Boss’ insists he won’t budge into selecting just anyone into the squad but all will be on merit.

“My goal is to make Nigerians happy and build a strong national team for them,” he told FourFourTwo.com in Atlanta Georgia, United States.

He also revealed that there is mutual respect in camp between him and the players, refuting insinuations from some quarters about his highhandedness.

Keshi’s well-reported issues with Ikechukwu Uche and Osaze Odemwingie have been in the spotlight, as the build-up to the World Cup reaches a crescendo, but the former Anderletch player feels there isn’t anything to bother about.

“If I respect you, won’t you respect me back?

There is a fine line between a coach and a player,” he said.

“These boys look up to me. They see me as a role model. I have to live up to that. I have to show them that.”

Keshi will have another chance to access his players, when the Super Eagles face Scotland in an international friendly at Fulham’s Craven Cottage on May 28.

AYC: Man City release Iheanacho, Nwakali K

elechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali will join the Flying Eagles on Wednesday, April 9 after playing a game for the Manchester City youth team, an official said yesterday.

The team is currently preparing in Abuja for their qualifier for the 2015 African Youth Championship.

A statement by the Flying Eagles Media Officer, Samm Audu, disclosed that the National U-20 Team secretary, Aliyu Ibrahim, gave this indication in Abuja.

It said that Ibrahim received the confirmation of the players’ arrival from the English Premier League clubside’s sports director.

“Iheanacho and Nwakali have a game on Tuesday, April 8 and they will be released to join us a day after. I received this assurance from the sports director of Manchester City,” Ibrahim disclosed in the statement.

It further quoted Ibrahim as saying the team was hopeful of receiving confirmation very soon on the other foreign-based players the coaches had called up, such as Musa Muhammed of Besiktas in Turkey, Musa Yahaya of Tottenham Hotspur in England, Chidera Eze of FC Porto in Portugal and Dele Alampasu, who is currently undergoing trials in Belgium.

Confed Cup: Bayelsa face Sewe in W/African derby EVEREST O NYEWUCHI

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Nwakali

igeria’s torchbearers, Bayelsa United, will battle Sewe Sport of Cote d’Ivoire in a West African derby in the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup Championship.

In the draw conducted at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday, the first leg of the match will be played in Cote d’Ivoire in the weekend of April 18, 19 and 20th, while the return leg will hold in Nigeria a week later.

Highlight of the draw is the fixture for Malian duo, AS Real and Djoliba, liba, who are s paired against each otherr for tureelsa Unitedoc) x i F y Confederation Cup secT h e CIV) v Ba adida (Mar ( J li) ond round. port sani (Ma na) we S faa Has Djoliba e (Gha S i a Teams eliminated n v D a ) de hly v al (Mali v Me imosas Al-A e at the 1/8th round of the go) M n o AS R ico C C ASE tro Atlet ds ( Orange CAF Championss e opar Chiefs v P Tun) ) e ( L v m) AC er ahel un a s League were drawn againstt i S C a ( u K in (T port ile d zert i o S t B n E e the sides progressing from m Coto (Gui) v etiqu Athl ya the 1/8th round of the CAF AF Horo mbia) v (Za Confederation Cup. kana N

Sports

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Wednesday April 2, 2014

Champions League...

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

s xture nd i f s ’ y Toda s Dortmu a rid v d a helse C M s v PSG

Ibra ‘ll stop Chelsea in France’ E

ngland legend, David Beckham, believes his former club Paris Saint-Germain can be successful in this year’s Champions League, saying the Parisian club has the quality to knock out Chelsea in this quarter finals.

The two sides will meet in the first leg today and the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder thinks PSG has realistic chance of progressing to the semis.

“The owners of PSG want the best and they’ve got the best,” Beckham said yesterday.

“Thiago Silva, for instance, is the best defender in the world.

“Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a huge influence and one of the best players I’ve ever played with.”

According to Beckham who is currently into merchandising, the commanding presence of Chelsea Manager, Jose Mourinho, would make no difference at the Parc des Princes where both sides duel tonight.

“Mourinho would take Chelsea to a different level but this will be a different game as well because PSG at the moment are contenders for the trophy,” Beckham further said.

“The position they are in suggests that they’ve got such a strong unit with strong players,” the former England international added.

Ronaldo, others ambush Dortmund

R

Ronaldo

eal Madrid and Borussia Dortmund met at the semi final stage in 2012-13 Champions League season; with a Robert Lewandowskiinspired Dortmund blowing the former away 4-1 in the first leg at home before holding on in the return game to progress to the final, which the Jurgen Klopp’s side lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich.

Both also went head-tohead in the group stages last season, and the Germans came out on top, winning 2-1 at home and earning a 2-2 draw in the Bernabeu.

It will be a different stroke today, however, as Dortmund will file out at the Bernabeu without talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski, as the Poland international is serving a one-match ban.

Dortmund scraped into the last eight with a 5-4 aggregate success over Zenit, while Madrid comfortably saw off Schalke 9-2 over two legs.

The Spanish club has not lost in the Champions League

since last year’s semi-final first-leg defeat to Dortmund, recording eight wins and a draw in that time and scoring 31 goals in the process. It is also searching for its 10th European Cup success, and first since 2002, with Coach Carlo Ancelotti calling on the club’s faithful to inspire his team to victory tonight.

“We will have a great atmosphere at home because everyone is dreaming of the tenth cup glory,” Ancelotti said yesterday as his players rounded off training.

“But we must not fail to reckon that together we can achieve the dream,” he added.

Meanwhile, injury issues may prove a hurdle for the Italian gaffer who will be forced to miss the trio of Alvaro aro Arbeloa, Sami Khedira ira and Jese Rodriguez uez with knee strains.

Chelsea miss Eto’o against PSG today

C

helsea will be without Samuel Eto’o for their Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Paris St Germain today after the striker failed to recover from a hamstring strain, the Premier League club said yesterday.

The Cameroun international was replaced shortly after scoring in his side’s 6-0 Premier League win over Arsenal 11 days ago and missed last Saturday’s shock loss to Crystal Palace.

Eto’o was not included in the 19-man squad

which travelled to Paris, with Fernando Torres es likely to play in his absence.

Midfielder Nemanja Matic and winger Mohamed Salah are ineligible, after joining Chel-sea in the January transfer window, and left back, Ashley Cole, remains out with knee ligament damage.

The return leg in London is on April 8.

Ibrahimovic

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday April 2, 2014

Abdullahi nears Pillars return

K

ano Pillars midfielder, Shehu Abdullahi, who has been out with a shoulder injury will return to trianing next week, according to the club.

Abdullahi, who made his mark internationally while featuring for Super Eagles at the recent CHAN 2014 in South Africa, suffered the injury while in action for Pillars in a Week 3 game against Rangers in Enugu.

Pillars Media officer, Idris Malikawa, told National Mirror yesterday that the gifted player had responded well to treatment, saying the club management was also impressed with his recovery.

“Shehu is one of our best players and he was ready to work for the team as he always wanted, especially after his brilliant performance at the CHAN,” Malikawa said.

“But injuries can occur at any time and the joy is that he will fully back soon.

“For sure, we have missed him, although others have carried on well in our quest to register ourselves in the NPL as defending champions.”

Abdulahi is among the three players in the domestic league being readied by Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi to jostle for places in the final 23-man list for the World Cup in Brazil.

Malikawa said Abdullahi remains focused on an appearance at the global competition.

“We believe he will be back in top form by May when the Eagles camp will open for the World Cup,” the Pillars spokesman said.

‘Avoidable losses’ worry Enyimba boss

Anyansi-Agwu

E Felix

nyimba Chairman, Anyansi-Agwu, has

described two home losses in three weeks disturbing, but insists there is no need to panic.

The Peoples Elephants were beaten 1-0 by NPL new comers Abia Warriors to follow the former’s 2-1 reverse to Mali’s AS Real Bamako which cost them a place in the CAF Champions League group phase.

Anyansi said both losses were hard to swallow for a club of Enyimba’s stature.

“These losses are worrisome as they are viewed

Defeat to Angels unacceptable–Queens coach AFOLABI GAMBARI

C

oach of Confluence Queens FC of Lokoja, Sulaiman Adamu, yesterday said the defeat his side suffered at home to Rivers Angels last Sunday, was undeserved and unacceptable.

The Lokoja side opened scoring before the visitors leveled and then got their winning goal late on in the encounter.

Confluence Queens dominated the first half but failed to translate such to goals against the formidable Rivers State-sponsored Angels.

The host, however, paid dearly after it failed in its bid to record the famous win and launched its title ambition on a blistering note.

“This defeat is sore, although I would say we lost to a better side,” Adamu told National Mirror yesterday.

“But we have noted our lapses and will now fight to redress this situation by nicking an away victory soonest,” he added.

Interestingly, Coach of Rivers Angels, Edwin Okon, had said his side was lucky to escape defeat in the game.

“Confluence Queens gave us a good fight and they were so competitive,” Okon, who is also Interim Super Falcons coach, added.

Confluence Queens, who have seven points from five matches, will travel to Uyo this weekend to be guests of Ibom Angels.

seriously,” Anyansi-Agwu said.

“I think we will try and see what we can do internally to correct anything that will be responsible for such losses.

“If something goes wrong sometimes you sit around to talk. It is not a threat meeting. You don’t lose a match and move on. You want to ask questions and find out what you think may have gone wrong.

“We created ted 19 chances ch hances and didn’t score core one on ne against a ga g ain inst Abia Warriors. ors. They Th hey y only on ly on y had two chances and ances an n d they th hey y scored one off them.” them m.” ”

Ownership tussle stops Chibuzor

F

ormer Enugu Rangers defender, Madu Chibuzor, has yet to feature for Enyimba this season following a row over which club owns him.

Chibuzor last featured for Rangers after a short-lived stint in Turkey, but investigations have revealed he belongs to a non-league club in Ibadan, Active Soccer Academy.

The player himself has said he was on loan from Active Soccer Academy to Rangers.

But Rangers have claimed ownership of the central defender leading to a delay in his transfer.

A top Enyimba official, however, said the club would clear Chibuzor from Active Soccer Academy this week.

The tough-tackling player, who has been called up to the Super Eagles training camp, has trained with Enyimba since last year.

Chibuzor

53

54

Politics

OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

P

ending a resolution of the brewing controversy over the emergence of Ayo Fayose as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the Ekiti State governorship election, some PDP leaders and aspirants have threatened mass exodus of their supporters to other parties should the candidacy of Fayose subsists.

This was disclosed yesterday by Senator Gbenga Aluko, who emerged consensus candidate of the other aspirants last Friday after the 13 other aspirants endorsed him through a peer rating arrangement.

He also disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan will be the biggest loser if the PDP loses Ekiti, as it will pave way for the loss of Osun.

The National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, last week while presenting Fayose the certificate of return as PDP flag bearer, urged all members of the party in the state to remain united and forge a common course.

Fayose also pleaded with members to work with him, noting that he would protect the interest of all members of the party.

But Aluko, at a press briefing yesterday said that the 13 aspirants have agreed to forward his name to President Jonathan as a replacement for Fayose ahead of the June 21 election, citing the Electoral Act which creates a window for the replacement of candidate within a stipulated period.

The list of aspirants who endorsed Aluko as contained in a communique signed by Ekiti State chairman of the PDP, Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe, include: Adeyanju Bodunde, Adeyeye Adebayo, Adubiaro Abibat, Ajayi Deji, Aluko Abiodun.

Others are Aribisala Adewale, Bejide Oluwadare, Obafemi Peter, Ogunbolude Ropo, Ogundipe Modupe, Olubolade Caleb and Omoyeni Adebisi who sent a representative.

However responding to a question as to what they would do if their demands are not acceded to, Aluko said the party in the state was already experiencing a melt down because the opposition are gradually

Wednesday April 2, 2014

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Mass exodus looms if PDP insists on Fayose - Sen Aluko, aspirants •As Sen Aluko emerges aspirants’ consensus candidate wooing over party leaders, party officials and other PDP members.

He said: “The party is undergoing serious meltdown. Even this morning, people were calling me asking me what is happening.

11 local government chairmen out of 16, 12 women leaders out of 16 and eight youth leaders out of 16 are talking with the opposition party. Some of us will stay in the party but we are representing people not ourselves.

“I can tell you that a lot of our supporters will leave the party and go to the opposition. You know how we behave in Yoruba land. You can’t give us a candidate that we cannot follow and we will follow the candidate it is not possible. Our people are saying people from Rivers and Bauchi should come to Ekiti and vote, if they think that they are the best they can present. So some of us will stay in the party because we have paid huge price but the bulk of our supporters will leave.

Some of our leaders will leave and go to the All Progressives Congress, APC and Labour Party, LP.” Warning on the consequences of insisting on fayose as PDP flag bearer in the June 21 election, Aluko said: “If they insist on Fayose, we wish them goodluck. Unfortunately, Mr. President maybe the biggest loser, because the Presidency is bigger than one state. If we lose in Ekiti and proceed to lose in Osun, we will lose the whole of South West. So we are gradually moving towards defeat. We don’t want that to happen, that is why we are saying produce a candidate other than Fayose.”

Aluko further lambasted the national leadership of the party for believing what he called the “doctrine of madness” and “self grandeur” as propagated by Fayose as the solution to the PDP winning Ekiti State.

He expressed regret that the party has bought into the belief that Fayose is the only candidate that can defeat the APC in Ekiti, noting that such perception was “unintelligent.”

He added: “They believe that the madder you are, the more political effective

you are. This is not a boxing contest. And they have taken this doctrine of madness to the hierarchy of the party.”

Aluko noted that contrary to reports that Fayose won the 2003 election, he actually lost in his local government in that election, adding that it was an aberration to have cleared Fayose for an election considering the murder charge and corruption case against him, saying that a lot of people in and out of Ekiti are surprised that Fayose was cleared for the election.

Aluko further revealed that the opposition intends to move for the arrest of Fayose over his case with the EFCC days before the election.

On why they did not setup the committee or head to court over pending case against Fayose before the primaries, Aluko said as party members, they didn’t want to open court cases against themselves noting that previous meetings they had with the President Jonathan already indicated that there would be a consensus arrangement.

Citing communication gap as being responsible for

the failure of the consensus candidacy, Aluko noted that the removal of the immediate past National Chairman of the PDP, Bamanga Tukur and former Chief of Staff to the President, Mike Oghiadohme, who were present at the two meetings on the consensus arrangement, affected the outcome.

His words: “But even though there was a communication gap, the agreement was still an agreement that we had with the President and we tried as aspirants to communicate that to the national leadership of the party that we entered an agreement for consensus with the President without coercion.”

L-R: Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omiri; Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu; Governor Kayode Fayemi, his wife, Bisi, former governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Director-General of the JKF Campaign Organisation, Hon Bimbo Daramola at the Fayemi’s re-election campaign in Isan Ekiti, recently.

Fayemi to voters: Be wary of oppositions’ lies ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

T

he Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation has urged Ekiti be to be wary of opposition political parties which it accused of employing lies, blackmail and falsehood in a desperate bid to win the June 21 governorship poll.

The organisation’s spokesman, Mr Dimeji Daniels, said that “the opposition is confused

by the superlative performance of Governor Fayemi which has brought massive transformation to the state.”

Daniels said that the opposition has nothing to offer to the people of the state who have enjoyed multiple dividends of democracy from the Fayemi administration.

He said that opposition party’s claim that certain categories of workers will be sacked if Fayemi wins re-election is untrue,

baseless and unfounded, adding that the All Progressives Congress, APC, government has been employing more workers rather than sacking them.

He said: “The opposition is overwhelmed by the numerous achievements recorded by Fayemi and they are peddling lies. The governor has achieved so much that the opposition has nothing to campaign against him and that is why they are resorting to lies and false-

hood. I go around on daily basis and what the people are saying is that the governor has performed well.”

Daniels, who said that Ekiti people were well-enlightened and discerning to be fooled by the antics of the opposition, predicted that Fayemi would win the governorship election with a landslide victory based on the record he has set as “the best performing governor in the history of the state”.

NYSC boss caustions against attacks on corps members ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

D 80 DAYS TO GO

irector-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Bamidele Olawumi, has advised politicians to impress on their supporters the need to avoid violence in the build up to, during and after the June 21 governorship elec-

tion in Ekiti State.

Olawumi also cautioned politicians against attacking corps members on election duty or having their primary assignment in the state.

Olawunmi, who spoke at the Ise-Orun-Emure NYSC Orientation Camp in Ekiti State yesterday, said: “We would not accept any situation that any of these corps members are molested or vi-

olence melted against them.

“These young men and women are only serving their country, they are not Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, staff, but their efforts are geared towards having credible elections in Nigeria. I want to plead with politicians in the state to please talk to their supporters to avoid any form of violence against these

corps members.”

He, however, assured corps members, who would be on election duty to avoid deals with politicians as he assured that the welfare of the youth on national assignment would be given top priority. SAED, programme put in place so as to turn them from being job seekers to becoming job creators.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday April 2, 2014

55

‘Jonathan erred on national unity’ OLUSEGUN KOIKI

F

ormer governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has encouraged delegates to the ongoing National Conference in Abuja to discus every issues affecting the country.

This was also as he insisted that President Goodluck Jonathan was wrong to tell the delegates not to discuss the unity of the country.

Speaking with airport correspondents yesterday on arrival from the United Kingdom, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, Kalu challenged delegates to the

confab to talk about all the problems confronting the country, maintaining that the country would not break under any circumstances.

He explained that having fought a civil war once and survived the country would not go into any civil war again, adding that the European Unions and America are expanding their horizons.

Besides, he insisted that the President was illadvised on the unity of the Nigeria, emphasising further that discuss on national unity and other critical issues would make the country stronger and more unified, noting that the Igbos in the country

had decided to remain with Nigeria no matter what.

He said: “I want to tell delegates to the national confab that they should discuss everything, including the unity of Nigeria. Nigeria will not break, we are not breaking to anywhere; we Igbos have decided that we are not breaking to anywhere because it will be a disadvantage to Nigeria if the country should break.

You see, European Union is coming together, America is acquiring more entities to become Northern America and everybody is coming together. So Nigeria is not going to break, but let them discuss the issues that are making us not to

Former Minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili, at the National Conference in Abuja, yesterday.

have this unity.

“Mr. President was wrong on that occasion, there should not be a no go area in the discussion of Nigeria unity; it is those things that will strengthen the unity of the country. We have fought one civil war and we can never fight another civil war again. No country fights civil war twice and survives.

So, I believe Mr. President did not think aloud or the advisers did not advise him well. They should discuss everything including the unity of the country; it helps the country to become one unified entity.”

On the threat by Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Bakindo Aliu Musdafa, to

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

25,000 Christians killed in Plateau, says delegate WOLE OLADIMEJI AND OMEZA AJAYI ABUJA

A

delegate from the South West, representing the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, yesterday in an emotion laden voice called on the delegates to correct the wrong in the country, stating that the rate at which we produce widows was becoming alarming due to religious insurgent.

Pastor Emmanuel while contributing to the President’s speech at the ongoing national confab told the delegates that in Plateau State in just one denomination, the number of widows recorded in 2002 was 501 but by 2014, the records have jumped to 25,000.

He said: “There is need for us to redress all the

imbalances in the country, especially the issue of religion, which if not addressed quickly, could tear the country apart.”

Saying that people cash in on the lopsidedness in the nation’s constitution, he added: “Section 10 of the 1999 constitution kicked against sponsoring any religion and in the same constitution, shariah was mentioned 73 times. Islam was mentioned 28 times and Muslim was mentioned 10 times but nowhere in the constitution was Christian or church mentioned.”

He said that some people have taken advantage of this lopsidedness to create crisis, adding that the killing has reached genocide level, and therefore, the conference has a very big task of finding solution to this.

While he was speaking, the former minister of

FCT, Senator Alero Adamu, raised point of order that the delegate was speaking out of order and that there was no statistics to back up his claims, but he was ruled out of order by the presiding officer, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, the deputy chairman, saying he could not uphold is point of order.

Senator Adamu expressed concern that over ruling his point order was a bad precedent because if any Muslim is raising point of order in the future nobody should stop him, adding that the claim of the delegate was capable of causing crisis, adding that he was also deviating from the president’s speech.

Apart from religion, issues of federalism, corruption and restructuring were raised by delegates and some of them believed that the nation was built on falsehood and therefore the only way to

address these problems was through restructuring of the existing structure.

Pastor Tunde Bakare in his contribution stated that the greatest challenge facing the country today was the form of government we practice and several committees had been formed in the past and many conferences had been held but nothing was achieved from them.

He said that consequently, there was the need to sit down and fashion out ways to correct the imbalances.

Senator Bari Amande and Paul Bassey stated that the problem of this country was that it was built on falsehood. They argued: “We pretend a lot, billions of naira was allocated to states to develop schools and other key sectors of the economy, but where are the schools, there were hunger in the land, there were insecurity everywhere”.

7 secede from the country if most of their demands were not acceded to by the confab, Kalu enthused that no one could challenge the unity of Nigeria and described the emir as an elder statesman who was trying to protect the interest of his people.

Commenting on the attempted jail break at the States Security Service, SSS, by some of the arrested members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect on Sunday morning, the former governor enjoined the government to invest more on intelligence gathering, which he said was more productive than openly carrying of guns and other weapons.

He equally called on the government to checkmate the activities of the Commissioner of Police in Abia State, whom he accused of violating the fundamental human rights of journalists, warning that if care was not taken, he might turn out to be another Mbu in the state.

“The Commissioner of Police in Abia State is like a savage as far as I am concerned, because he does not understand what the con-

stitution is all about. The Inspector General of Police understands the laws of this country and understands that journalists have the right of existence. So, I want to warn that commissioner in Abia, I am appealing to Mr. President to have a second look at that commissioner before they will have another Mbu in Abia State.

“I have a cordial relationship with Mr. President, but I don’t have a cordial relationship with my governor. My governor thinks he is a mini-god and I wish him well, let him lead Abia people with his conscience.

He will soon give his report card to the Abia people he governed.

“I don’t have any problems in his governance. I never criticised him openly or secretly. This is what I told him the day I handed over to him, I said ‘lead us with your conscience.’ If his conscience is good enough for people of Abia, Abia will agree, I don’t have any problem with him, I have never had any personal encounter with him and I will not have until he leaves.”

Confab calls for memoranda from Nigerians OMEIZA AJAYI

T

he Secretariat of the National Conference has called on Nigerians to furnish it with their memoranda in order to enhance its activities.

Secretary of the conference, Dr Valerie Azinge announced this in a statement last night, saying that the memoranda could be on any subject matter for possible discourse at the ongoing National Conference.

Azinge said the only exception is the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a nation.

Her words: “All memoranda shall be clearly typed and presented in the following format: introduction; statement of

fact on the subject matter; arguments in support of of issues for determination and reliefs/prayers sought.

She said the name, address, and signature(s) of the writer(s) should also be clearly indicated and submitted in 10 hard copies and two soft copies in pdf and MS Word formats on or before Tuesday April 15, 2014, to the National Conference.

Soft copies can be mailed to: nationalconference2014@yahoo.com The conference had last week resolved to seek the opinion of Nigerians in order to allow it have a more cosmopolitan outlook on sensitive national issues, adding that such submissions will assist it in drawing up its final resolutions.

WORLD RECORD

Most magicians in a magic show The most magicians in a magic show is 106 and was achieved by Magic

Vol. 04 No. 821

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

N150

Circle Germany and Julius Frack (Germany) at the Landestheater Tübin-

Boko Haram: Matters arising gen, Germany, on 4 March 2012

L

ike a sore thumb, the Boko Haram insurgency and its controversies are refusing to go away. Rather, every day brings with it revelations on the activities of the sect and those who are either actively backing it with resources or making incendiary comments in its favour.

Increasingly, some of the stakeholders now see the entire crusade as an existential contest between them and the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Only yesterday, a group of eminent Nigerians under the aegis of Borno-Yobe People’s Forum (BYPF), warned the Federal Government against extending the emergency rule in the North East geopolitical zone, saying it has failed to achieve the purpose for which it was imposed in April last year. The group led by a former Chief of Air Staff, Al-amin Dagash and which in-

Okay Osuji (okayosuji@nationalmirroronline.net) 08034729256 (sms only)

cluded personalities like Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, Adamu Ciroma and Shettima Mustapha, alleged that military helicopters were used in the distribution of food, medical items, arms and ammunition to Boko Haram stronghold.

They also claimed that security personnel were withdrawn from the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi a few hours before the gruesome attack that killed 29 innocent students. Their angst stem from the fact that Boko Haram insurgents were able to attack the Maiduguri Air Force Base and burn or demobilised aircrafts and other military installations, even when there was an existing state of emergency. Going through the litany of woes, one is compelled to believe that some highly placed security operatives are working in cahoots with the insurgents, who avail them with highly classified information on government activities and troop movements. If not, how come that there were advance warnings on impending attacks but they were either ignored or not promptly responded to by security agents? It therefore, follows that the Federal Government is full of moles that are determined to pull it down. Definitely, what these elders are saying is not new, as they have been in the public domain for a long time now.

A mere thought of it, leaves one scandalised by the fact, that what started as localised insurrection within the Maiduguri suburbs has now become a ‘Frankenstein Monster’ threatening to devour everything in its path. As it stands, the Boko Haram genie has been let out of the bottle, putting

AS IT STANDS, THE BOKO HARAM GENIE HAS BEEN LET OUT OF

THE BOTTLE, PUTTING IT BACK WILL REQUIRE A LOT OF THINKING,

BRAWN AND INGENUITY it back will require a lot of thinking, brawn and ingenuity. Try as hard as it can, the Federal Government has found itself fighting an insurrection that is being dictated by the Boko Haram, rather than the other way round. And that is why, it has been unable to completely crush the insurgency.

Surprisingly, the Boko Haram is now extending its tentacles to Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Plateau states. Has anyone given a thought to the incessant attacks by so called Fulani herdsmen on communities in the North Central geopolitical zone in recent times? No day passes without gory photos of villagers killed in the most gruesome manner by those claiming to be seeking grazing grounds for their cattle. Yet the authorities are finding it difficult to bring the perpetrators of such pogrom to book.

There is every reason to believe that these insurgents are hiding under the cloak of defending themselves from cattle rustlers to execute their agenda in the zone.

Finding out that such could give them away, Boko Haram insurgents are employ-

ing the services of itinerant cattle herdsmen to wreak havoc on their host communities. There is every element of politics and intimidation at play. The thinking is that since the North East has been brought to its knees through acts of mass murder and pillaging of entire communities, it behooves then that if the contiguous zones are visited with such scorch earth mayhem, the people will desert in droves and make way for the infiltration of the sect members to the south. So far, that is their military and political strategy, and they are succeeding. How? Anyone visiting Makurdi, or Jos in Benue and Plateau states respectively, would be shocked at the continuous flow of refugees seeking shelter at the various camps dotted all over the place.

Never has this country witnessed such flow of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in peace time. But one can argue that with the continuing insurgency in the North East, the country could not claim to be at peace.

That is why any right thinking citizen will disagree with Al-amin Dagash and his fellow elders arguing against the extension of the state of emergency in the area.

Fighting a war with a well armed enemy like the Boko Haram is never a cake walk.

It requires everything in the arsenal of the Federal Government to triumph over this foe. And no one would deny that a state of emergency is a veritable tool of warfare.

It is meant to deny the enemy safe sanctuary and comfort. To achieve this, the freedom of movement and other civil liberties are curtailed. But in the case of the North East, people’s freedom remains unabridged, while activities of government, including the legislature are running uniterrupted. Conversely, it is this freedom of movement and other activities that has been responsible for the ease, with which the insurgents slip into the various communities to pillage and murder residents.

Government should rather extend the state of emergency if that will help defeat the insurgency.

Sport Extra

B

ritish number one, Andy Murray, is expected to reveal the identity of his new coach today.

The Scot, who split from Ivan Lendl last month, tweeted yesterday that an announcement was imminent.

Under Lendl, Murray,

Murray to announce new coach today

26, won the US Open, Wimbledon and Olympic titles.

Among the names being linked with Murray are former world number one, Mats Wilander, Darren Cahill, who coached Andre Agassi, and Leon Smith,

Britain’s Davis Cup coach.

Lendl, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, was appointed Murray’s coach in December 2011 with the aim of bringing the “experience and knowledge that few others have, particular-

ly in major tournaments”.

Up to that point, Murray had lost his first four Grand Slam finals. In his first year with Lendl, Murray overcame Switzerland’s Roger Federer in the Olympic final at London

2012 before defeating Serb Novak Djokovic to win the 2012 US Open.

Champions League Results Man United

1-1

Bayern

Barcelona

1-1

Atl. Madrid

Murray

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