Wednesday, january 27 , 2016

Nigeria must take hard choices for survival –CBN

No tussle over Olubadan’s stool –Ajimobi

•Retains MPR at 11% Chidi Ugwu,

Abuja

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entral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has said that Nigeria must make hard choices for survival as low government

Emefiele

Vol. 5 N0. 1294

revenues from oil sources continues.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who disclosed this yesterday at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC’s, meeting in Abuja, said the country

would have to contend with hard and uncomfortable choices until the economy transits to more sustainable sources of revenue, consistent with the current economic realities.

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...Creation of Ibadan State my top priority –Adetunji Ajimobi

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National Mirror Online @NationalMirror N150 Wednesday, January 27 , 2016

Corruption fighting back, FG raises alarm Contract awarded to Metuh’s firm without due process, says witness

Obiora Ifoh and Doosuur Iwambe

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ederal Government yesterday declared that corruption had already started fighting back.

It however promised neither to be distracted nor intimidated into abandoning or weakening the fight against the scourge.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who spoke during a meeting with the media in Abuja, said the ongoing fight would be pursued to a logical conclusion in view of the damaging effect to the economy.

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Don’t destroy Nigeria, Ateke tells ex-militants

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L-R: US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle; Secretary of Commerce, Ms. Penny Pritzker, and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, during a meeting with US Trade Mission in Abuja, yesterday.

Lassa fever: 2016 budget controversy rages on 2 confirmed •Senate faults exchange rate, oil price benchmark dead in •Documents incomplete –Reps Ebonyi Armsgate: No officer has been grilled by EFCC –AHQ P.4

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

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Corruption fighting back, FG raises alarm CONTINUED FROM Page 1

He said: “No amount of media or other attacks will stop the fight. The pseudoanalysts and hack writers will labour in vain in their quest to stop the train of this anti-corruption fight.

“When I met with the News and Political Editors in Lagos on Sunday, I said, among other things, that the government is aware that in fighting corruption, corruption will also fight back. I also said that those who stole us dry are powerful. They have newspapers, radio and television stations as well as online platforms, and an army of supporters to continuously deride the government’s war against corruption.

“Well, I can tell you today that corruption is already fighting back, and it is fighting hard and dirty. Sponsored articles have started appearing in the newspapers and in the Social Media, while ‘Talking Heads’ have started making the rounds in the electronic media, all deriding the fight against corruption as well as this Administration.

“Not stopping there, they have been creating distractions by sponsoring articles in both local and international media to deride the Administration’s policies generally, tag the President a budding dictator and even write off his 2016 budget. We know that the sole purpose of these attacks is to distract attention from the war on corruption.

“It is saddening that some otherwise credible voices have unwittingly allowed themselves to be railroaded into the bandwagon of procorruption orchestra.

“Some hack writers are struggling to whittle down the impact of the anticorruption campaign. One hack writer even said the disclosure that 55 Nigerians allegedly stole N1.34 trillion between 2006 and 2013 did not trigger any anger among Nigerians!

“A disclosure that made the front page in over a dozen Nigerian newspapers, played widely in the international media and attracted the attention of the world’s most powerful country and global financial institutions cannot be dismissed with a wave of the hand.”

The minister regretted that one of the beneficiaries of the ‘Dasukigate’ had the temerity to deride the anticorruption war as ‘selective’, “when in saner climes, he should have been so ashamed of himself that he would have apologised to the nation and hunkered down

for good.”

He added: “The sponsored attacks are not about to stop and that they will become more intense and more coordinated in the days ahead.

“But the good news is that we are winning the war.

Nigerians are now talking more about corruption. Nigerians are now counting the cost of corruption to their lives.”

According to him, Nigerians should not be swayed by the antics of those denouncing the anti-graft war.

“The treasury looters, who have so much resources in their kitty, and their cohorts will throw everything but the kitchen sink at this Administration. But we have no doubt that Nigerians are discerning enough to know the truth which, in the words of President Muhammadu Buhari, is that unless Nigeria kills corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.

“It would be recalled that in the so-called Dasukigate, $2.1 billion meant for the fight against Boko Haram was diverted to other uses, including N4 billion for spiritual purposes, N13 billion for Maritime University land, N2.1billion for publicity and hundreds of millions of Naira for political patronage.

“That explains why we lost many soldiers to the fight against Boko Haram, which in turn created many widows and orphans, in addition to pushing millions of Nigerians from their communities into IDP camps.

“This explains why the war dragged on for years until President Buhari as-

L-R: Director-General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Lagos, Dr. Gloria Elemo; Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCo, Mr. Bayo Ojulari; Portfolio Manager, Mr. John Eweje; and Communications Manager, Mrs. Sola Abulu, at the opening session of the 2016 Offshore West Africa Conference in Lagos, yesterday. sumed office and, within just seven months, strengthened the capacity of the military to decimate Boko Haram,” he added.

Meanwhile, another witness brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions, EFCC, yesterday told Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that contract was awarded to about 78 companies, including Metuh’s firm without due process.

The witness, Bali Ndam, a legal officer in the office of the National Security Adviser, who appeared before Justice Abang as the third prosecution witness for EFCC said one of the companies

in which the contract was awarded was Dextra Investment Company belonging to Metuh, adding that the money was meant for “security services”.

Mr. Ndam said the NSA’s office had, in January, transmitted a letter to EFCC, giving names of companies it awarded contracts to.

He said the letter included 78 companies and individuals, amongst them, Dextra Investment Limited.

He told the court that EFCC requested for the payment mandate to the companies, in a letter dated January 13, 2016, signed by one Mr. Ibrahim Musa, adding that a list of e-payment mandate was sent to the

Commission on January 14, and the letter was signed

by Mr. M. Abdulrahim, a Group Captain.

Mr. Ndam said another letter was written to EFCC, and was signed by Lt.-Col. A.A. Ibrahim, the special adviser to the NSA. But responding, Mr. Metuh’s counsel, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, told the court that the witness could not present as evidence, a document authored by another person.

Ikpeazu also said documents attached to the letter dated January 14, 2016, which were computer-generated, did not meet the provisions of section 84 of the Evidence Act.

Nigeria must take hard choices for survival –CBN CONTINUED FROM Page 1

He said: “It is imperative to brace up for a longer period of low government revenues from oil sources, which would necessitate hard and uncomfortable choices as the economy transits to more sustainable sources of revenue, consistent with the economic realities and strategic objectives of the country. In the circumstance, certain tradeoffs must be envisaged and duly accommodated.

“In view of the foregoing, the imperative for consistently sound and coordinated macroeconomic policy has become inevitable. In the medium term within which monetary policy is cast, the need to allow policy to produce the desired outcomes becomes a key consideration in the policy mix.”

Emefiele, who spoke broadly on key develop-

ments at the global and domestic environment, including inflation and foreign exchange rate dynamics, predicted slower growth of the domestic economy in the current quarter when compared with the corresponding period of last year.

He hinged the projections on the current global oil price trend, which is projected to hold low over the medium to long term, with the attendant implications for government revenue and foreign exchange earnings.

The CBN Governor pointed out that given the headwinds in the domestic economy and the uncertainties in the global environment, the MPC decided by a unanimous vote to retain the MPR, at 11 per cent; CRR at 20 per cent; Liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent; the asymmetric corridor at +200 basis points and -700 basis points.

On the raging controver-

sy over the desirability or otherwise of naira devaluation for the economy, Emefiele said the country would maintain the status quo for now, adding however that the Committee was already working on different scenarios or models which would be looked into based on developments in the economy.

“We will look at scenarios under different crude prices. And we will continue at management and monetary policy committee. We will continue as much as possible to continue to share our thoughts with the fiscal authorities with a view to harmonising our positions to ensure that notwithstanding the drop in crude prices that we are able to continue to run government and continue to do business.

“So far, we have seen this now for almost about 14 months and there is no green light yet at the end of the tunnel. We will continue

to be alive to our responsibilities to continue to ensure that both monetary and fiscal authorities work together towards ensuring that we provide for all the needs of Nigerians,” he added.

He noted that despite the current challenges, the Committee remained guided by evidence underpinned by credible data in its holistic evaluation of the emerging scenarios and in its assessment of policy choices.

According to him, the Committee believes that given sound and properly coordinated monetary, fiscal, and external sector policies, there was wide room for optimism about the medium to long term macroeconomic prospects for the economy, especially, given the clarity in the policy direction of the administration, the various interventions in the real sector; gradual improvement in the power sector, and the reinvigorated fight against

He told the court that according to sections 84, sub sections (2) and sub section (4), ‘a’, ‘b’ and ‘c,’ any such document must be certified as true copy.

The counsel also noted that the title of the document was different from what Mr. Ndam claimed.

He said the name of the document in his possession was “Payment companies with no contract”, while the one mentioned by Mr. Ndam was “Payment of contracts without award” and further prayed the court to reject the document.

Sylvanus Tahir, counsel to EFCC, while opposing the objection, prayed the Continued on Page 5>>

corruption.

He reported on the Committee’s acknowledgment of the continued liquidity surfeit in the financial system stemming partly from the recent growth-stimulating monetary policy measures, as well as the tendency of the banks to invest excess reserves in government securities, rather than extend credit to the needed sectors of the economy.

Emefiele explained that that challenge necessitated the Committee’s decision, urging Deposit Money Banks, DMBs, to improve lending to the real sector, as part of their patriotic obligations to the country.

He said MPC also emphasised the necessity of coordination between monetary and fiscal policies as a prerequisite for resolving the nation’s economic problems, particularly, steering the economy away from oil dependency.

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

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Photo

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

NEWS

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L-R: Mr. Joe Wilson, Vision and Talent; MD/CEO, Berger Paints Plc., Mr. Peter Folikwe; MD, Vision and Talents, Mr. Paul Uduk; Regional Manager, FCMB, Edward Nwodo; Chief Medical Director, New Quest Solutions Health Clinic, Dr. Abayomi Aiyesimoju, and Head, Medical Services, Bask Health Management Ltd., Dr. Adebayo Owoeye, at the Vision and Talent Executive Business Roundtables in Lagos. PHOTO: ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

L-R; Commercial Director, Promasidor, Mr. Kachi Onubogu; Managing Director, Mr. Olivier Thiry; Keynote Speaker, Prof. Mrs. Ngozi Nnam and Head of Marketing, Promasidor, Mr. Festus Tettey; during the Promasidor Nutrition Conference/Product Unveil on the Nutrition Wisdom of Infant Feeding Choice in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma; Corporate Services/Human Resources Executive, MTN Nigeria, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, and the chaperon traveling, Ms. Olubunmi Ajayi, during a meeting with the 14 beneficiaries of the MTN Foundation’s Medical Intervention Scheme to India for heart surgeries, held at the MTN office, Lagos, recently.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs. Ayotunde Adesugba; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Minister of Communication Technology, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, during a press conference unveiling the Communications Sector Roadmap for the Period 2016 -2019 in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

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Lassa fever: Two confirmed dead in Ebonyi Femi Oyeweso, Aliuna Godwin and Marcus Fatunmole

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overnor David Umahi of Ebonyi State yesterday confirmed the death of two persons, including a student who hails from Izzi Local Government Area of the state from Lassa fever.

Umahi made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting that took place at the International Conference Centre in Abakaliki.

He noted that he has directed the state’s Commissioner for Health and other authorities to quarantine the lodge in which the student, aged 26 years, died.

The governor noted the preparedness of his administration to raid all endemic decease in the state, stressing that the victim was a student of

•Ogun places FUNAAB undergraduate, 18 others under surveillance •Adewole assures Reps of govt’s determination to contain scourge Ebonyi State University.

Umahi assured that his administration is doing everything possible to equip hospitals in the state to combat such eventuality.

In Ogun State yesterday, 19 people, including a female undergraduate student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, were placed under intensive surveillance.

Commissioner for Health, Babatunde Ipaye, who addressed a press conference in Abeokuta, the state capital on the readiness of the state to contain the disease from spreading, explained that the affected FUNAAB female student was the one who had contact with the suspected patient who was diagonised at the Ah-

madiyya Hospital in Ijaiye Ojokoro area of Lagos State.

Ipaye further explained that the 18 others are personnel of the Ahmadiyya Hospital where the index case of the disease was earlier recorded.

He explained that the state government’s decision to place the affected people under surveillance was borne out of efforts to prevent the outbreak of the disease in the state, particularly as all the health workers reside within the two metropolis of Sango-Ota and Ifo t which are in the Ado-Odo/Ota and Ifo local government areas of the state.

The health commissioner also stated that two other suspected cases were discovered in the

state but that clinical examinations do not prove them to be a clear case of Lassa fever.

He said the undergraduate whose name was kept secret has been given thermometer to monitor her temperature while other cases have a Disease Surveillance and Notification officers attached to each of them.

The commissioner however enjoined residents of the state not to entertain any fear over the outbreak of the disease in the state as efforts are being geared towards curtailing it.

He explained that the state has developed an Epidemic Preparedness Strategy by setting up two isolation centres in Iberekodo area of Abeokuta and a facility in Ola-

bisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, yesterday assured House of Representatives’ Joint Committees on Health Institutions and Health Care Services of the determination of the Federal Government to defeat the Lassa fever virus in the country.

The assurance followed the committee’s call on the minister to explain what government has done on the virus that has killed over 80 persons in the country since its resurgence in August, 2015.

A statement, made available by director of Information in the ministry, Mrs. Boade Akinola, quoted the minister as saying that the disease has become endemic in

the West African region, and that the nation’s government is putting adequate measures in place to defeat it.

“In his presentation titled, ‘Laying the foundation for a multi–sectoral response to Lassa fever,’ Professor Adewole explained that the disease has become endemic in the West African region.

“In view of this, the minister said the Federal Ministry of Health has inaugurated a ministerial committee, comprising Ministries of Information, Environment and Agriculture. More so, Professor Adewole added that Lassa Fever Eradication Committee and various subcommittees on advocacy, mapping, and surveillance among others, have also been inaugurated.

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

2016 budget controversy rages on George Oji and Ubong Ukpong

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riticism of the 2016 Appropriation Bill continued yesterday in both chambers of the National Assembly, with senators and House of Representatives members faulting some of its provisions.

At the continued debate on the N6.08 trillion budget estimate yesterday, senators picked holes with the $38 crude oil benchmark and the N197 per US Dollars exchange rate.

The lawmakers also criticised the huge borrowing component of the estimate, and suggested increased taxation as a way to fund the budget.

The senators are expected to conclude debate on the general principles of the budget and pass it for Second Reading today and forward it to the various committees for the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government, MDAs, to begin the defence of sectoral allocations.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) described the budget as anti-women.

Tinubu, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, lamented that the allocation of less than N4bn for the entire Ministry of Women Affairs in the budget which encompasses women empowerment programmes, was so meager that if care is not taken, government might, at the end of the day, incur the wrath of women.

According to her, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, had development-driven programmes for the womenfolk in its manifesto, upon which they were galvanised for the party’s victory in the last election, only for them to now look abandoned, with the poor budgetary allocation.

“This budget, as far as its allocations for the Nigerian women are concerned, is not telling anything and not making any promises and must be critically reviewed at committee level,” she fumed.

In his own submission, Senator Samuel Anyanwu (PDP Imo East) said the budget was nothing but a walking corpse going by its deficiencies in projections and allocations.

He said though change is good, going by the outlook of the budget, it was a change in the negative direction.

The lawmaker specifically kicked against the over N2 trillion deficit of the budget with attendant projections

for massive borrowings.

He therefore called for downward review of the entire budget profile.

But Deputy Chief Whip, Francis Alimekhena (APC Edo North), described the budget as a budget of hope.

According to him, the downward trend in the price of oil in the international market would not affect the budget’s estimates as projected since there were other alternatives to be made in raising revenues for its funding.

He suggested that every international call should be taxed as part of ways of raising revenues for the budget.

“The budget, as a budget of hope, would surely kickstart the practical transformation of Nigeria for the better,” he said.

The budget, however, passed Second Reading in the House of Representatives yesterday, with some lawmakers insisting that it was characterised by so many flaws.

The lawmakers also pointed out that the proposal was incomplete as the expenditure plans of some government agencies were missing.

Leading a pack of lawmakers that kicked against the budget proposal, House Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, said the document was what could best be called an incomplete budget.

Ogor in his debate said the budget of many government agencies were conspicuously missing in the document as presented by the president.

He cited the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, FRA 2007, saying that the finance minister shall cause to be attached to the budget the revenue and expenditure projections of all government agencies.

He argued that N6.33 trillion, being the budget of about 15 agencies was missing and quoted Sec 18 of the FRA that provides that, “notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the FRA shall be the basis of the laying of the annual budget.”

While noting that Nigeria is currently facing many challenges including depleting stock market, fall in crude oil price among others, Ogor pointed out the need to give Nigerians a budget that would stand the test of time.

Similarly, Samson Okwu (Benue, PDP) said the drop in the budget benchmark for crude oil price from $38 to $28 had affected government’s revenue projections.

He therefore emphasised the need for government to diversify into other revenue sources apart from oil resources.

In his contribution, Osai

N Osai (Delta, PDP) said the budget had failed all known litmus test, pointing out the many shortfalls in its capital projections.

He further hinted that all government agencies that had statutory transfer status were not captured, while others that were captured had no status.

The lawmaker was however interrupted by the House Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who raised a point of order in the middle of his submissions.

Gbajabiamilla said the point of order which was sustained by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, bordered on the irrelevance of the issues raised by Osai on the subject

matter under debate.

Also, in his contribution, Osy Prestige Osy (Abia, PDP) said the budget lacked immediate plans on how to diversify government revenue away from oil.

He noted that there was need for reduction in domestic borrowing and deficit expenditure in the budget to be able to manage inflation and increase Gross Domestic Product, GDP. Other lawmakers, including Dennis Amadi (Enugu, PDP), Abdulrazak Namdas (Adamawa, APC), Golu Timothy (Plataeu, PDP) and Dennis Agbo (Enugu, PDP) in their separate contributions harped on the need for government to diversify the

economy and reduce dependence on oil for its revenues.

Agbo argued that it was a contradiction to devalue the local currency as obtained in the budget and encourage export, adding that the country’s foreign exchange reserve would continue to shrink due to such move.

He called for the removal of subsidy on all petroleum product imports by government.

Bode Ayorinde (Ondo, APC) stated that the budget was not comprehensive enough, noting that the $1.4 trillion fine imposed on MTN Nigeria by Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, was not captured in the budget.

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In his own contribution, Jerry Alagboso (Imo, PDP), said the amount earmarked for road construction in the budget was not sufficient to tackle the level of infrastructural decay in the country.

Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, acknowledged the vituperations of the lawmakers, adding that they would work to ensure proper implementation of the budget.

At the end of the debate, the lawmakers, through a unanimous voice vote, passed the budget into Second Reading and was committed to the House Committee on Appropriation and its relevant sub-committees.

Ruins of stalls and wares after fire razed Station Market in Kaduna, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Corruption fighting back, FG raises alarm CONTINUED FROM Page 2

court to discountenance the request made by Mr. Ikpeazu, saying the documents tendered were all public documents, which were all relevant to their arguments.

He added that the duplicate documents which needed certification had all been certified, while the original documents did not need certification.

The judge, in his bench ruling on the objection raised by the defence against the admissibility of the documents held that the prosecutions in the matter were not just one as there were several departments representing the Federal Government.

The judge held: “The office of the NSA, EFCC and the police are one. It is my humble view that anyone working with these organ-

isations can testify and tender documents on behalf of their organisation because these organisations are one body.

“It is not every public document that requires certification before it can be admitted into evidence as stipulated by section 102, (A)(3)of the EA. “The only public office documents that require certification are titled documents and not ordinary letter.

“I therefore admit the letter issued by the office of the NSA and addressed to the EFCC dated Nov. 28, 2015 in evidence as Exhibit A. “The letter ordering the investigative activities of Dextra Investment Company is admitted in evidence and mark as exhibit B. “The letter to the EFCC ordering the investigative

activities of all the contract, including Dextra Investment Company, is marked as Exhibit C.” Metuh, who has a pending application for variation of the conditions of bail granted, was also produced in court on handcuffs by prison officials.

The court has fixed today for the hearing of the application for variation of the bail terms, which his lawyer said he had laboured unsuccessfully to meet.

EFCC is prosecuting Metuh and his company on seven counts of money laundering and fraudulent receipt of N400 million meant for procurement of arms from the Office of the NSA on November 22, 2014, and used the funds for the PDP’s campaign activities.

The prosecution alleged that the N400 million from

which Metuh was said to have given about N21 million to a former Chairman, Board of Trustee of PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, was “part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity” of the immediate past NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

The prosecution, led by Mr. Tahir, opened its case on Monday by calling two witnesses – an employee of a financial services firm, Asset and Resource Management Company Limited, Nneka Ararume, and a bureau-de-change operator, Sie Iyenome.

While Ararume testified on how she received $2 million cash from Metuh at his home in Abuja on December 2, 2014, Iyenome narrated to the court his role in converting another $1m to Naira on his behalf.

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

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NAF reconfigures two trainer aircraft for combat roles Ubong Ukpong Abuja

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igerian Air Force, NAF, said it successfully reconfigured two demilitarised Alpha Jets in its inventory, acquired without weapon delivery capability through the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

This was contained in a statement yesterday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, DOPRI, Group Capt. Ayodele Famuyiwa.

Famuyiwa said the two aircraft were among the four Alpha Jets bought from the United States in 2015 by the immediate past administration to enhance the operational capability of NAF to combat Boko Haram insurgency in the north east.

However, he said, the aircraft could not be deployed to the theatre of operation before now due to the inherent weapon delivery deficiency, hence its limited use for training purposes.

According to him, the

urgent need, in recent times, to commit more NAF platforms to Operation Lafiya Dole to enhance the success of the counter insurgency operation necessitated the Service to look inward to seek ways of achieving its drive for self reliance through research and development.

Famuyiwa said NAF had earlier looked overseas for assistance without much success to get the aircraft reconfigured for combat roles.

He noted that a number of vendors invited to Nigeria to assess the platforms had concluded that it would be difficult or almost impossible to undertake the project since the original equipment manufacturer had long closed down the production line. He said: “A few others who agreed to the possibility of having the aircraft reconfigured to carry munitions also submitted proposals for initial assessment fees ranging from $20,000 – $30,000 before they could come up with the actual cost of the project.

President Buhari has final say on $3.9bn NCC fine – Minister Isaiah Erhiawarien

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inister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, yesterday said only President Muhammadu Buhari can take the final decision on the payment of the $3.9bn fine slammed on MTN Nigeria.

The minister, who gave the hint at a media chart in Abuja, also disassociated the ministry from alleged out of court settlement arrangement with the telco, advising that it withdraw the court case concerning the fine.

According to him, if MTN Nigeria withdrew the case it will create a better environment, an environment where there is no stress or pressure on either side saying that so far the Federal Government was not aware of any out of court settlement over the fine.

“We are not aware of any out of court settle-

ment on the issue. We will not accept out of court settlement until MTN willingly discontinue the case,” Adebayo said.

He said MTN wanted to buy time by taking the Federal Government to court instead of paying the fine.

Last Friday, Justice Idris Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Lagos, advised Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and MTN Nigeria to consider settling their dispute out of court before an adjourned date of March 18, 2016.

Mohammed while fixing hearing in a suit brought by MTN Nigeria to stop NCC from imposing a $5.1bn fine on it, said the adjournment was meant to enable the parties to try and settle the matter.

He said that if the parties are unable to reach a settlement, the matter will then proceed on that date.

Cross section of US Trade Mission delegations during a meeting with Presidency in Abuja, yesterday.

FG to hire foreign counsel to recover looted funds –Minister George Opara Abuja

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inister of Justice and AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, Abubakar Malami said the Federal Governemnt would engage foreign based counsel to ensure the recovery of looted assets in foreign jurisdiction.

Malami stated this yesterday, during his interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Justice, which centered on the

ministry’s 2016 budget.

The minister said the ministry’s budget proposal was meant to achieve the present administration’s broad policy objective in four priority areas like the anti-corruption campaign, recovery of national assets in unlawful hands, anti-terrorism war and law and order.

He, however, said the priorities were capital intensive but that the budget allocation was comparatively low.

Malami stated that the original budget proposal submitted to the Ministry

of Budget and National Planning was pegged above N41bn.

However, total allocation of the ministry that was eventually submitted to the National Assembly for consideration was N4bn.

The attorney-general urged the committee to intervene in optimal adjustment of its budgetary allocation in view of its costly judicial activities and programmes.

“In the light of the analysis, it is obvious that huge funding gaps remain in meeting challenges in

several areas of our responsibilities, with potentials for significantly impacting on the ministry’s capacity to discharge its mandate effectively and efficiently,” he said.

Specifically, Malami urged the committee to intervene on the need to include the estimates for harmonisation of the remuneration of the ministry’s staff bill, review the present allocation for the legal services sub-head and review of the ministry’s capital expenditure among other needs.

FAAC: FG, states, LGs share N387.8bn for December

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inister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun yesterday in Abuja said N387.8bn was shared among the federal, states and local governments as revenue for December, 2015.

Adeosun, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, announced this while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, meeting.

She said the shared amount comprised the month’s statutory revenue of N315bn. “Also, there is the exchange gain of N4.5bn, which is proposed for distribution,” she said.

Adeosun also said the money shared included

the N6.3bn that was refunded to the federation account by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. “Therefore the total revenue distributable for the month of December, including VAT of N62bn, is N387.8bn,” she said.

It would be recalled that N369.9bn was shared to the three tiers of government as revenue for the month of November.

This month’s allocation shows an increase of N17.9bn.

Giving the breakdown of revenue among the three tiers of government, Adeosun said the Federal Government received N147.5bn, representing 52.68 per cent, while states got N74.8bn, representing 26.72 per cent.

Local governments, she said, received N57.7bn,

amounting to 20.60 per cent of the amount distributed.

She said N42.05bn, representing 13 per cent derivation revenue was shared among the oil producing states.

Adeosun also announced that during the month under review, Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas paid a dividend of $150m, which had earlier been distributed to the three tiers of government.

The minister said the country generated N214.6bn as mineral revenue and N100.3bn as non-mineral revenue in December.

She said this showed an increase of N16.04bn and N1.5b respectively from what the country generated in the preceding month.

The minister also said the balance in the Excess Crude Account, ECA, was $2.25bn, indicating that nothing had been removed or added since July, 2015.

Adeosun said acts of vandalism on oil pipelines among other factors had continued to negatively impact on oil revenue generation.

She said shut-in, shutdown of production for repairs, production shortfall due to technical hitches at different terminals throughout the month impacted negatively on crude oil and gas revenue.

According to her, there was a revenue loss of $143.9m as a result of reduction in federation export sales and drop in the average price of crude oil from $49.58 in October to $43.4 in November, 2015.

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Wednesday February 27, 2016

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We’ll continue to welcome US support for security, development –Buhari Rotimi Fadeyi

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said his administration would continue to welcome the support and understanding of the United States as it strives to achieve greater internal security and socio-economic progress.

A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said Buhari spoke when he received a delegation, led by United States Secretary of Commerce, Ms. Penny Pritzker at the Presidential Villa.

Buhari applauded ongoing American collaboration with his administration on security and developmental issues.

He said: “I remain grateful for the reception accorded me and my team when we visited the United States at the invitation of President Obama.

“We discussed security, corruption, infrastructure, and many other issues.

“We thank America for sending experts to train our troops and providing

hardware for our military because we must first stabilise the country before we can move it forward,” Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who was at the meeting, said although Nigeria currently faces serious challenges, it was also a time of great opportunities for the country.

“It’s time to diversify our economy from oil. We’ve always talked about it, but never got round to doing it.

The opportunity has come now. We have all it takes to be an agricultural nation.

We also have solid minerals and we must develop our infrastructure in order to aid business,” Osinbajo said In her remarks, Pritzker told the President that she was in the country with 10 leading American businessmen and women, at the prompting of President Obama.

“The purpose is to better understand the opportunities and challenges of doing business in Nigeria. Our team is very optimistic about your government’s commitment to security, good governance, fighting corruption, having reliable and regular regulatory policies.

Former MD calls for review of Federal Character Act

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ormer Managing Director, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, LBRBDA, Dr Rosaline Chenge, has called for review of the Act establishing the Federal Character Commission.

She said this was to ensure more women participation in civil service.

Chenge made the call at the ongoing Annual National Political Summit 2016 organised by the Save Democracy Group Africa, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Gender relations, federal character principle and political power distribution’, she said the act did not make reference to gender participation.

“The federal character does not talk about gender participation but state and geo-political participation.

“This summit should quickly do a memo to the federal government and relevant institutions to include gender in the recruitment into government

ministries, department and agencies,” Chenge said. Another speaker, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, said violence and thuggery would continue in the country unless electoral offenders were punished.

Akpoyibo, delivering a lecture on ‘Security agencies in election and punishment for electoral offenders’, said there was need to strengthen INEC to ensure electoral offenders faced the wrath of law.

L-R: President, Architects Registration Council of Nigeria and Treasurer, Ago-Industrial Settlements Developers Association of Nigeria (ASDAN), Alhaji Umarualiyu; Chairman of ASDAN, Mr. Rockson Essien, and Secretary, Mr. Maxwell Onyeukwu, during the inauguration of ASDAN Board of Trustees in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

$2.29m scam: EFCC witness alleges threat to life Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

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witness brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to testify against former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim yesterday told Justice Adeniyi Ademola that his life was in danger.

Ohakim, who was Imo State governor between 2007 and 2011 is facing a three count charge of money laundering arising from his alleged purchase of house 60, Kwame Nkrumah Street, Plot No 1098, Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, Abuja with cash payment of dollar equivalent of N270m in November 2008.

He was also accused of failing to declare the property as part of his assets when asked by EFCC.

The prosecution said the offences bordering on cash payment of N270m violated section 15(1) (d) and section 14(1) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004.

At the resume hearing yesterday, prosecution counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo said the EFCC witness, Mr. Abu Sule, who had testified before the court on how he allegedly helped Ohakim to acquire the huge edifice, called him on Monday and informed him about Ohakim’s second son, Emeka, who came to the witness’ office at Asokoro and made enquiries about his (Sule) residential address.

Keyamo said: “The witness called me around 9 a.m. yesterday that the second son of the accused person came to his office at Asokoro and made inquiries about the resi-

Armsgate: No officer has been grilled yet by EFCC –AHQ Ubong Ukpong ABUJA

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igerian Army Headquarters, AHQ, yesterday, said that none of its officers has yet been grilled

by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the ongoing arms purchase probe, even as it defended its Chief of Training and Op-

erations, CTOP, Maj Gen. Yushau Mahmood Abubakar from any dirty deal.

In a statement issued through Col. Onyema Nwachukwu of the Directorate of Army Public Relations, DAPR, AHQ which sought a retraction of the report by some media houses (not National Mirror), also threatened legal actions against them.

There were reports alleging that Gen. Abubakar, who was the former Commander, Operation Lafia Dole, was linked with the $2.1bn arms deal

by EFCC and properties belonging to him and his wife had been sealed off by the anti-graft agency.

However, the Army said the reports were in total disregard for fairness and balance reportage.

dence address of the witness.

“He asked three people, one Itakpo, Okoh (taxi drivers) and one Architect Sola, which they refused to show him.

He said he wanted to consult the defence, but that the matter was not the issue of counsel to counsel because the defence cannot protect the witness.

“It is the court that can make words of caution to the other party,” Keyamo said.

In his reaction, Okakim’s legal team led by Prof. Awa Kalu, SAN, vehemently opposed the allegation raised by Keyamo.

Kalu said: “We want to register our approach to an issue that should have been settled somewhere.

“I have no doubt that this allegation was meant for the purpose of destabilising the defence. When the court stood down, he had the opportunity to discuss the issue with either the counsel or the father of the son, but he didn’t raise any caution.

“In African tradition, when a young boy misconducts himself, the attention of his parents should be drawn to it.

“We find this issue very disturbing. It is on record that the PW2 testified on November 2, 2015 and only yesterday, the young man

would go and find out the residence of the witness.

“Since Keyamo refused to give the defence opportunity to investigate the matter, we urge the court to dismiss this story.”

As tempers flared between both parties, Keyamo stood up and loudly said: “I will not sit down and watch him cast denting words against me. I will never treat the issue of threat to life in private.

That is my position.”

In his intervention over the disagreement that ensured, Justice Ademola said the issue ought to have been brought to his chambers.

“Let us adjourn this matter till tomorrow (Wednesday) when tempers are calm at 12 p.m.

“Having regard to what transpired in court, this criminal charge is hereby adjourned to January 27 for trial,” Justice Ademola said.

It would be recalled that the EFCC witness had testified before the court how he reportedly helped Ohakim to conceal the ownership of a mansion in Asokoro, Abuja, which he said the ex-governor bought with $2.29m in November 2008.

Sule was the Managing Director of Tweenex Consociates H.D Ltd, the company allegedly used

by Ohakim to conceal his

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South West

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

No tussle over Olubadan’s stool —Ajimobi •Creation of Ibadan State my top priority —Adetunji ROTIMI FADEYI AND KEMI OLAITAN

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yo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday dismissed any tussle over Olubadan’s stool, saying the successor to the late Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odu-

lana, was already known.

The governor disclosed this after he met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa to inform him of the Olubadan’s death.

Ajimobi in an interview with State House Correspondents said: “The beauty of the Ol-

ubadan institution makes it unique in the entire Nigeria. It is the only institution where we know the next 20 or 50 Obas.

We don’t fight for it. Every house can produce Olubadan including my house.

“So, it is not limited like in some areas where you

say this is the only family or families. Every son of Ibadanland can become the Olubadan. Therefore, we feel it is a rancourless succession programme where everybody is qualified to be there. So we know the next to the next, in fact we know the next 100th Olubadan.

“The Seriki house started during the period

L-R: Special Adviser to Lagos Governor on Education, Obafela Bank-Olemoh; Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, and Commissioner for Information And Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, at a news conference on 2016 Education Budget in Lagos, yesterday.

Afenifere faults 2016 budget OJO OYEWAMIDE AKURE

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fenifere yesterday faulted the 2016 budget proposal, saying the processes of presenting it to the National Assembly were scandalous and embarrassing to the country.

The group accused the federal government of trying to evade solving problems of today, which

is diversification of the economy by planning to finance the budget through excessive borrowing.

It urged National Assembly to properly scrutinise the budget to ensure the country has a budget that would bring prudence into the system.

Afenifere spoke through its spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, after a meeting in Akure, Ondo State capital.

The meeting was

chaired by the National Chairman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

The Pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group noted that for the country to get out of the present economy crisis, federal government should immediately consider restructuring the country along the recommendations of the 2014 national conference.

Odumakin noted that there were scandalous ex-

penditures in the budget which could not be justified by the government.

Expressing support for the ongoing anti-corruption war, the group urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to be selective and sectional in the fight.

It said the anti-graft war should not be the only agenda of the government, adding that it should concentrate on rebuilding the economy.

Alakija appointed Chancellor of UniOsun BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

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overnor Rauf Aregbesola has appointed the third richest woman of African descent in the world, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, as the Chancellor of Osun State University, Osogbo.

Aregbesola, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, stated that pursuant to the provisions of clause 5(8) of the first Schedule to the Osun State University (Establishment) Law, 2006,

Aregbesola is privileged to appointment Alakija as the chancellor of the university.

The appointment, which will be for five years, takes immediate effect according to the statement.

The statement noted that statute 3(1) (a) and statute 5 of the Osun State University Law (2006) provides that the university shall have a chancellor, who shall, in relation to the university take precedence before all other members of the university and when he is present shall preside at all meetings of convocation held for conferring degrees, diplomas, certificates and other awards.

Aregbesola, while congratulating the new chancellor, said Alakija’s antecedent and sterling qualities as a God-fearing woman, a person of integrity and successful business woman, will no doubt impact positively on the running of Osun State University.

The governor pointed out that the Osun government will look forward to a great working relationship with the new chancellor as she leads the state university to a new height of excellence. ”I wish to inform you that the investiture is expected to hold during the

4th convocation ceremony of the institution, proposed to come up on Friday 10 and Saturday February 11, 2016.

“While congratulating you once again, please accept the assurance of best regards of the people and Government of Osun.”

In her acceptance letter addressed to the governor, Alakija said: “It is with pleasure that I receive and accept the appointment as the chancellor of the University of Osun State.

I pray for God’s grace and strength to execute my duties during the five-year tenure.”

of Chief Adisa Akinloye and it has been decided even long ago that to be after the Seriki line, you have to join. If there are concurrent deaths of both the Ekerin and Asipa, then you can qualify as Seriki to be Ekerin. But now, there is no vacancy for any Ekerin.

“The man who lays claim to be the next Olubadan, even if he were to be a Seriki now, which he is not, he would only be promoted to Ekerin, he cannot come from Seriki to be Olubadan. It is not going to happen. We had one before that was promoted to Ekerin and along the line, he died. So, for the people laying claim to Olubadan, it is just an exercise in futility.”

The governor disclosed that the President would be one of the important dignitaries expected at the burial ceremony of the Olubadan, scheduled for February 5.

Ajimobi said, “I am glad to say that having seen the President, he has assured me that he would be attending the burial ceremony.

“We had to wait for the traditional message from the palace before we could convey this to the President. I am glad that I have been able to convey it. You may even ask why conveying such to the President, at least he was just an Olubadan?”

“If you know, the Olubadan is not an ordinary king. Aside that he worked for the Federal Government, he was once a Minister of Labour under Alhaji Tafawa Balewa government when he was Prime Minister; he worked as a parliamentarian and a Minister.

“He was part of the delegation to Britain for the Nigerian Conference, therefore, he was a national figure, hence he was honoured with CFR. He contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria, so he stood out as a king,” Ajimobi said.

Meanwhile, Olubadandesignate, High Chief Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, yesterday said his first agenda would be to ensure the speedy creation of the age-long Ibadan State.

He disclosed this at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan residence while playing host

to visitors that included leaders of Ibadan Elders Forum, Oluyole Club of Lagos, Onisese Osemeji Ibadan, old Students of Ibadan Grammar School, Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria, FUMAN, Baale Elewura and other groups and associations.

Adetunji, who insisted on speaking Yoruba, said he was persuaded by the likes of late High Chief Sulaiman Omiyale, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu and other Ibadan elders to succumb to the pressure to become Mogaji of his family and later became Jagun Balogun, passing through 23 steps to become Olubadandesignate.

He stated that the struggle for the creation of Ibadan State started in 1976 and that several efforts have been made to ensure it came to pass.

He said: “The creation of Ibadan State is my first priority, we have gone to Abuja about three times, the person who was there before promised, we will continue to fight for it, and I believe it will be achieved during my tenure. I will be happy when Ibadan state is created for the development of Ibadanland.”

On behalf of Ibadan Elders Forum, Chief Olusola Saanu congratulated the Olubadan-designate, promising his association’s support for the monarch-to-be in all ramifications.

For Oluyole Club of Lagos, a former Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Niyi Osuntokun, described the association’s visit as a way of showing commitment to the Olubadan-designate.

The Onisese Osemeji, Baale Omikunle, also prayed for the successful tenure of the Olubadandesignate while the Awise Ibadan, Chief Akinade Ayoade, pledged the support of the traditional religion worshipers for the monarch to be when needed.

Fuji musicians including the popular Ibadanbased musician, Rasidi Ayinde, also pledged their support for the monarch in-waiting and prayed for long life for him.

His other visitors included Prof. Soji Adejumo and Chief Adegboyega Arulogun.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

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Ladoke Akintola memorial lecture holds in UI

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L-R: Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Rahul Colaco; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Adeniji Kazeem; Business Group Supply Chain Director, Royal FrieslandCampina, David Chatard, and Corporate Affairs Director, FrieslandCampina, WAMCO, Ore Famurewa, during the commissioning of the company’s multi-billion Naira finished goods warehouse in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Obas’ supremacy tussle: Ekiti monarch cautions gov against promoting communal crisis ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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lukere of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Obasoyin, has accused the Ekiti State governor of partiality in the supremacy battle between the Olukere and the Ogoga stools on the ownership of the ancient Ikere Ekiti community.

Oba Obasoyin who alleged that the governor has drawn a battle line against him over the matter, cautioned the state government against any act capable of causing or promoting communal crisis in the community.

He claimed that a statement credited to the deputy governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, an indigene of the town, at the weekend that Ogoga is the only recognised monarch in the town signaled “government’s sinister and clan-

destine intention to wipe off his stool in history.”

The deputy governor was said to have made the statement while inaugurating the new palace of the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu. But Obasoyin, in a chat with journalists in Ikere Ekiti yesterday, cautioned the state government that any attempt to derecognise him or make him subservient to Ogoga would be resisted.

He alleged: “A couple of weeks ago, the governor called me to his office and warned me against giving Ogoga any problem and threatened that he would fight me with all the paraphernalia of office if I should take any action against my rival king.”

The monarch, who said the deputy governor’s statement had since Saturday created tension in the town, said: “Gover-

nor Ayodele Fayose must learn from the Ife-Modakeke communal crisis. He should not do anything that would promote war in this land. If the government of Ekiti State has any problem with the Federal Government, it should not use Ikere as a testing ground.”

According to him, he has taken time to plead with his people to calm down and allow the court to adjudicate on the matter.

Oba Obasoyin, who flaunted the Ikere Intelligence Report of 1933 and other documents, including those written from Ikere Local Government and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to substantiate the authenticity of his throne, expressed worry that the governor, rather than mediate in the crisis, is allegedly scheming vengeance against him.

He said: “I want to say

that Ogoga, who Governor Fayose is parading as his recognised king, came to this town in 1836 from Akure; this is on record.

About six Olukere had reigned before he came.

Why should the landlord now become the tenant?

Ogoga was my errand boy and nobody can rewrite this in history.”

Oba Obasoyin who ascended the throne in 2014, said the refusal of the present government to respond to three memos he had written to it, advocating that the staff of office be presented to him, lent credence to his claim that it is taking side.

“Though, I ascended the throne in 2014, the last voucher showing payment of salary to the Olukere dated back to 1989 and it is on government’s website that there are two kings in Ikere Ekiti,” he said.

Hijab: Muslim women lament stigmatisation, harassment FRANCIS SUBERU

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l-Mu’minaat Organisation, a body of muslim women in Nigeria, has lamented the stigmatisation and harassment of women in hijab across the country, saying muslim women should be allowed to adhere to the tenets of their religion.

Briefing journalists at a press conference held at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre to usher in this year’s World Hijab Day yesterday, the organisation expressed dissatisfaction at the way

the Nigeria Army harasses women within and outside conflict zones just because they put on the hijab, adding that hijab wearing is a symbol of faith for muslim women.

According to the national leader of the organisation, Hajia Nimatullah Abdullateef, muslim women are still living with the painful nostalgia of the incidents of harassment, persecution, emotional and psychological anguish hijab has suffered in Nigeria in recent time, especially after President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement that the nation might

consider a ban on hijab if terrorists continue to use women in hijab to bomb innocent citizens.

Abdullateef said an attempt by the authorities of the Nigeria Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Ibadan office, to legislate and limit the hijab standards of muslim women and free citizens of Nigeria, still remains a festering sore in “our heart; while we note with suppressed anguish the harassment of muslim women in hijab by officers and men of the Nigeria army within and without military installations in different cities all

over Nigeria.”

Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Uzamat Yussuf, decried the frequent stigmatisation of muslim women in hijab, saying they are often regarded as religious fanatics.

Yussuf who was represented by Rashidat Umar, said due to such misconceptions, the larger society fails to acknowledge and appreciate muslim women’s courage in standing up to societal norms in their determination to preserve their modesty and obey the command of God.

he grand finale of the series of lectures marking the 50 years’ memorial anniversary of the assassination of the last premier of the old Western Region and the 13th Are-Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Hon. Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola (GCON), comes up on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, at 1pm.

A release sighed by Pastor Mark Debo Taiwo, on behalf of the convener, Hon. Justice Akinniyi Ladiran Akintola, son of the late premier, stated that Prof. Sola Akinrinade, former vice chancellor, Osun State Uni-

versity, would deliver the memorial lecture titled ‘Corruption and Nigeria’s search for purpose, fifty years on,’ and prefaced by an anecdotal presentation titled, ‘SLA in the eyes of history’ to be delivered

by Hon. Femi Kehinde, former member, House of Representatives.

Justice Akintola said notable political associates of his late father, present political functionaries, clergy men, captains of industry, royal fathers, media gurus, diplomats, traditional title holders, academics and very senior members of the judiciary across the nation would grace the occasion.

Ambode decries increasing spate of disasters in Nigeria ... Lagos targets 2,850 emergency volunteers FRANCIS SUBERU

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agos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has lamented the increasing spate at which disasters and emergencies occur across the country, calling on individuals and corporate organisations to partner with government to make the environment safer.

Ambode who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, at a stakeholders’ meeting on public advocacy on Prevention, Mitigation and Rescue of Emergency Occurrences, held at the Blue Roof, Ikeja, yesterday, said the state government has approved the setting up of an emergency management volunteer group in all the local government areas, LGAs and local council development areas, LCDAs, across the state.

He urged Lagosians and corporate organisations to partner with the state government in making Lagos State a safe haven, even as he appealed to residents to be safety conscious always to avoid disasters.

According to him, the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos and its accompanying challenges underscore the necessity for frequent safety awareness campaign, urging residents to make use of the facilities

provided by the state government to prevent and manage disasters.

Governor Ambode said there are ways of preventing needless loss of lives and properties arising from preventable disasters, adding that when the unavoidable ones occur, the extent of damage could be managed if all the stakeholders take proper actions.

Earlier in his remark, the state’s Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Seye Oladejo, had said the advocacy programme was initiated by the governor to build capacity and create awareness for the general public on prevention and mitigation of emergency occurrences in the state.

The commissioner added that representatives of insurance company were also invited to the meeting to educate the residents on ways of minimising the negative impact of disasters by adoption insurance policies that would provide for possible compensation in case disaster still occurs.

On his part, the general manager, LASEMA, Mr. Michael Akindele, enlisted the challenges confronting emergency responders as difficulty in crowd management and attack on law enforcement and emergency officers as well as ways of checkmating them.

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South East

Ubong Ukpong ABUJA

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he Court of Appeal judgment on the 2015 governorship election in Abia State has been described as a clear invitation to anarchy in the state.

A coalition of human rights groups under the auspices of Civil International and Civil Society Groups for Massive Participation in Election, which expressed great displeasure over the judgment at a press briefing yesterday, in Abuja, said the action by the court was an outright ridicule on the judiciary.

The rights groups which said it is not attempting to preempt the Supreme Court’s decision on the matter, urged that the voice of reason and the cries of the people be listened to in dispensing justice on the matter, as the Supreme Court has the final jurisdiction and now the last

Wednesday January 27, 2016

Appeal Court ruling on Abia an invitation to anarchy –Rights group ...accuses court of ridiculing judiciary hope of the people.

The group insisted that whatever should be done to avert any impending breakdown of law and order in the state, should be canvassed and ensured in giving final judgement on the Abia election.

The Court of Appeal had cancelled elections in three local government areas, LGAs, in Abia State, nullified the election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and went ahead to declare Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, as winner.

However, coordinator of the groups, Abdulrazak Gidado Ajala, who briefed

journalists, said this is a violation of human rights, being the people’s right to vote, even as he further described the judgment as conflicting, controversial and incoherent.

He said from the records of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, there are 250,235 registered voters in Obingwa, Osisioma Ngwa and Isiala Ngwa North LGAs where the Appeal Court cancelled the election.

Ajala stated that Obingwa has 98,253 registered voters with 75,694, having collected their permanent voter cards, PVCs, while Osisioma Ngwa has 88,867 registered voters with

75,694 PVCs collected and Isiala Ngwa North having 63,115 registered voters with 58, 520 PVCs collected, with the total registered voters for the three LGAs standing at 250,235 and total PVCs collected standing at 230,092.

He said going by the calculated votes by the Appeal Court, Otti, whom the Appeal Court declared winner won with 48,888 votes, but awarded him with a total vote of 164,332 and Ikpeazu, 115,444 votes.

Going by this action, he said a total number of 230, 092 persons who struggled to collect their PVCs have been disenfranchised by the court that should have

L-R: President-Elect, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ECCIMA, Rev. Ugochukwu Chime; former President of ECCIMA, Dr. ifeanyi Okoye, and representative of Enugu State Government, Mr. Ogbunwobodo, during the 42nd Annual General Meeting of ECCIMA, in Enugu, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Police exhume corpses from Enugu building Emmanuel Ezeh ENUGU

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nugu State police command yesterday confirmed the discovery of corpses in the foundation of an ongoing building, along Enugu Port-Harcourt expressway.

State police spokesman, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident in a statement yesterday, said the corpses were recovered from the site following a tip-off.

“On information, three decomposing bodies and one skull were discovered; full scale investigations

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

have commenced with a view to unmasking circumstances surrounding the incident,” he said.

Shocking images of the dead bodies, covered with concrete, emerged on Monday evening, sparking condemnation from residents.

The corpses were buried inside the foundation of the building suspected to be a church under construction and totally covered with concrete.

It was gathered that construction of the building, whose owner could not be immediately ascertained, commenced recently and

was at the foundation level before the gory discovery.

Unconfirmed sources said one of the workers at the site, who heard about the burial of the deceased inside the foundation before it was concretised, alerted security operatives about the evil act.

Policemen were said to have after receiving the tipoff mobilised some labourers who dug the foundation open and discovered the corpses.

The discovery attracted several passersby and motorists plying the road to the scene.

They expressed shock at

the discovery and called on security agents to do everything possible to fish out the perpetrators of the act, who they suspected could be ritualists.

Some residents of the neighbourhood alleged that the building believed to be a proposed place of worship, belong to a ritualist who disguised as a man of God. Meanwhile, fear has gripped residents of Ugwuaji as security operatives were said to have swung into action to crackdown on the ritualist and his cohorts who killed and buried the deceased persons.

defended them, with their right to vote, which is inalienable, being denied.

The rights groups submitted that it is only appropriate for the court to have simply called for a rerun in those LGAs if it

felt that there were substantial reasons for cancellation or even at worst, order a fresh election in the state, rather than declaring a candidate with unpopular vote as winner of the election.

Sack saga: Imo workers accuse govt officials of brutalisation ...workers wounded, others hospitalised

Chris Njoku OWERRI

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t appears the battle line has been drawn between Imo State government and the organised labour as workers narrated how the government is now using the services of its security outfit, Imo Security Network, to brutalise and chase workers out of offices.

The state government last week sacked over 3,000 workers in 19 parastatals, including all the general hospitals in the state.

Though the government had denied ever sacking the workers, it however agreed that it only suspended them on technical ground to give room for the concessioners to decide their fate.

But after getting field assessments from its members in the 19 affected parastatals, the organised labour yesterday complained of how government officials are employing the services of security agencies to manhandle their members who heeded labour’s directive to remain in the office and ignore the sack letters issued them.

Speaking to newsmen at the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, secretariat, along Owerri-Port Harcourt road, the Imo State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Austen Chilakpu, accused the government of using its security outfit, Imo Security Network, to harass and brutalise workers particularly those in the general hospitals.

“Reports reaching us indicate that some of the workers have been wounded while some are in the

hospitals,” he said.

He said in the midst of this provocation, however, “we have asked our members to remain calm and not retaliate and continue to go to work to perform their normal duties. We still believe that the sack letters issued to workers on January 15, 2016 did not emanate from the government.”

Secondly, he said everything in the civil service is done procedurally.

His words: “The workers were employed under the civil service rules; there is therefore a procedure to discharge workers under the civil service rules.

The government never followed the rules; they never followed the process in dismissing workers.”

The NLC chairman also warned the transition committee chairmen in the 27 local government areas to stop being used as instrument of brutality against the workers who they swore to protect.

According to him some traditional rulers have also abandoned their stools to scramble for which hospital to take over.

“We expect the royal fathers to be agents of peace; even if there is disagreement between the government and workers, we expect our traditional rulers to intervene, and not transform into thugs, supporting the brutalising their subjects who have done nothing. This cannot happen in Hausa or Yorubaland.”

He also appealed to the security agencies to call their officers to order avoid bloodshed “because if we react the way they are handling the workers there will be chaos in the state.”

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South South

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

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Residents flee as herdsmen sack Delta villages NICK UWERU

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ulani herdsmen have allegedly invaded three communities in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, leaving in their wake many critically injured residents with some missing.

The herdsmen reportedly visited mayhem on residents of Omafuvwe, Assah, Etefe and Edjekuo villages.

At the end of the nocturnal attacks, several residents, including women and children, were left seriously injured. They are currently in critical conditions in

hospitals within Ughelli local government area.

According to presidentgeneral of Uto-Ewu Axis Development Union, Pastor Edewor Egedegbe, trouble started when the herdsmen who were dislodged in February last year from the area, staged a bloody come back.

Populated by peasant farmers, the agrarian communities’ leadership said the Fulani herdsmen, with gross impunity, completely thrashed their farm, hence crops the rural dwellers’ demand for them to immediately leave their areas to forestall further destruction

Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission in Anambra, Mr. Sunday Ajayi (middle), sensitising a driver on the need to install speed limiter on his vehicle before April 1st, in Awka, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Complete East-West Road, APC urges Niger Delta minister Obiora Ifoh, Abuja

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ational Chairman of the All Pro g ressives Congress, APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday called on Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru, to prioritise the completion of the East-West Road project in the region. OdigieOyegun made the call during a courtesy visit on him by the minister at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

The APC National Chairman decried that despite huge funds sunk into the East-West Road by successive administrations since 2006, the 338km dual carriage road that traverses towns in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Delta states remains uncompleted.

He said: “You have one of the most challenging and strategic assignments as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. The Niger Delta is an area that had been steeped in

unrest. You must ensure the unrest does not arise again.

“You have the EastWest Road, which is a major challenge. It will be a significant achievement for this administration if the project is completed. The project will go a long way in assuring the region that this government is working in their interest.”

The contract for the construction of the East-West Road was first awarded in 2006. The road was initially divid-

ed into four sections, but by late 2014, a fifth section was added to it, covering Oron to Calabar in Cross River State.

Meanwhile, OdigieOyegun disclosed that the ruling party, All Progressive Congress, APC, was planning a threeday policy dialogue scheduled tentatively for March that would bring together party leaders, government and relevant stakeholders to exchange ideas and proffer solutions to guide the country out of the chal-

lenges facing the country, particularly the economy.

Responding, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Uguru, said the ministry under his watch was poised to contribute to the achievement of the party’s Change Agenda for the country and also bringing sustainable development to the Niger Delta.

The minister promised to give priority to the completion of the East-West road.

chairman of the council.

It would be recalled that Obazee and four others were suspended from office in June 2015 for allegedly diverting Internally Generated Revenue, illegal employment, and inability to pay workers’ salaries, among other reasons.

The state government is yet to set up a panel of enquiry to investigate allegations levelled against

the suspended council bosses.

According to Obazee, Oshiomhole cannot suspend him without giving him fair hearing in accordance with Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended.

Obazee said he opted for court to seek judicial interpretation on the powers of the governor to suspend elected council chairmen.

Suspended council boss sues Oshiomhole

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uspended Oredo Local Government Council Chairman, Osaro Obazee, says he sued Governor Adams Oshiomhole in order to stop arbitrary suspension from office of Edo State elected council officials.

Obazee told newsmen in Benin yesterday that the governor had no power to suspend him as the democratically elected

of their crops and farmland.

Rather than heed the advice, Egedegbe stated that the herdsmen resorted to attacking their youths, who in turn resisted the attacks, resulting in full blown crisis that left three villagers dead.

At the end of the bloody confrontation last year, the herdsmen were said to have fled the area only to return last week.

On sighting them in their farmland last week, the villagers said their crops were grievously damaged, and the prompt demand for them to move elsewhere was met with stiff opposition from the herdsmen.

The herdsmen in continuation of the bloody attack, then invaded the villages on Saturday night escalating the cri-

sis.

In an effort to douse the tension, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO in Otujeremi, SP Oghenedoro, told our correspondent on telephone that he led his men in four hillux vans to the area on Sunday to ascertain the magnitude of damage done to lives and property and possibly enforce the peace.

The DPO decried the level of destruction at the scene, but stated that normalcy has since returned to the area.

Oghenedoro also stated that the police were still carrying out measures to ensure sustainable peace in the area.

However, residents are said to be fleeing the area in droves owing to alleged threats by the herdsmen who reportedly threatened to return for full-scale war on the communities.

Don’t destroy Nigeria, Ateke tells ex-militants ...condemns attack on pipelines

Dennis Naku, Port Harcourt

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rstwhile Niger Delta warlord, High Chief Ateke Tom, has condemned the recent attack on oil pipeline in Delta State by suspected ex-militants.

He urged former militants in the region not to destroy the country.

Tom, leader of Niger Delta Vigilante, NDV, has also appealed to the agitators to desist from vandalising pipelines and shun criminality.

The warlord, who spoke through his image maker, Mr. Ifeanyi Ogbonna, frowned on the level of destruction done to the installation, describing it as economic sabotage.

He warned that poverty was no reason for any youth to take laws into his or her hands to perpetrate evil in the society.

The Niger Delta exagitator further said the destruction of the oil installation is a setback to

Nigeria and should not be encouraged.

He said: “Nobody has the right to take the law into his or her hands for whatever reason to cause destruction of government property.

“The oil installation you destroy today has dire consequences on your tomorrow. Poverty is not an excuse to commit crime, nor is hardship an excuse to commit crime.”

The former warlord advised youths to stop kidnapping, armed robbery and crude oil theft, urging them to toe the path of peace in their daily dealings.

“This country belongs to all of us and we should not destroy it. We should join hands with the present administration to build a better Nigeria of our dreams,” Ateke said.

He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his wisdom in handling the economy, urging him to continue the good work.

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North

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Dariye wanted in UK over money laundering, witness tells court Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

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ormer governor of Plateau State, Joshua Chibi Dariye, has been declared wanted in the United Kingdom, UK, in relation to a case of money laundering for which he was arrested and detained briefly in 2004 by the London metropolitan police nine years after he allegedly jumped bail.

A detective with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Musa Sunday, told Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in Gudu, yesterday that a case of money laundering for which Dariye was arrested, granted police bail and was expected to report back, is still pending before the London metropolitan police.

Sunday made this disclosure while testifying in the money laundering trial of Dariye who is now a serving senator, representing Plateau Central. He was governor of the state between 1999 and 2007. He is facing a 23-count charge.

The witness, while being cross-examined by Dariye’s lawyer, Garba Paul (SAN) confirmed that the decision by the EFCC to investigate Dariye for alleged money laundering was informed by information provided by the London metropolitan police.

He said the case is still pending in London.

“The defendant (Dariye) was granted police bail by the UK police but he jumped the bail.

Investigating Police Of-

ficer, IPO, in London, Peter Clerk, was in Nigeria in the course of our investigation,” Sunday said.

The prosecution has indicated, in its proof of evidence, that the current chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, may testify in the case. He is listed as one of the 33 witnesses slated for the case by the prosecution.

Magu led the five-man team of EFCC detectives that investigated the case.

Earlier in his evidencein-chief, Sunday had given details of how Dariye allegedly moved funds from the account of the Plateau State’s Accountant General in Lion Bank (now defunct) to an account in All States Trust Bank (now defunct) allegedly owned by a firm, Ebenezer Ritnan Venture Limited, linked to Dariye.

He said when the Plateau State Accountant General, Sham Damisa; a deputy director, Treasury, Nuhu Ali Madaki; and deputy director, Inspectorate, Silas Bum-But; could not justify the payment of N204m to Dariye’s firm, they were charged to court. The case is also before Justice Banjoko.

Sunday who identified some bank drafts allegedly used in moving funds from the Plateau State‘s Accountant General’s account with Lion Bank, said all the money was paid into an account in All States Trust Bank, belonging to Dariye’s firm, Ebenezer Ritnan Ventures.

Justice Banjoko admitted Dariye’s three statements, made in 2007 in evidence as exhibits P13 (a), (b) and (c).

The trial resumes on February 2.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Customs targets N1trn revenue in 2016

C

omptroller-general of Customs, CGC, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), said the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has set N1 trillion revenue target for itself in 2016.

Ali announced this to newsmen at the sideline to the celebration of the International Customs Day, ICD, yesterday in Abuja. He said the service has not received the 2016 revenue target from the Budget Office of the Federation, adding that the Nigeria Customs has, however, set the target for 2016.

“We (Customs) have not received the 2016 revenue target from the Budget Office yet, but we normally set a target for ourselves and we are looking at N1 trillion in 2016.

“We hope and are working to block all leakages and making sure that our system works perfectly, and hopefully, the polices of government will also be

in our favour; we hope to hit N1 trillion in 2016,’’ Ali said.

On asset declaration by Customs’ personnel, Ali said: “I believe that all my officers are complying.’’

According to him, the deployment of e-Customs has boosted revenue collection and agency’s role of providing connectivity at the nation’s borders.

He said the Nigeria Customs joined its global counterpart community to celebrate the day set aside by the world body to appreciate Customs men and women who have worked for the economic and security well-being of the nation.

“The deployment of eCustoms has boosted the Customs’ role of providing connectivity between nations divided by artificial borders.

“Collection of revenue and interception of harmful imports have been made

easier with the help of technology.

“In line with the change mantra of the present government, let me remind all operatives and stakeholders alike of the need not to abuse the process and corrupt the system. ` “Any act calculated to distort and compromise the integrity of e-Customs will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate sanctions,” he added.

Ali said in the area of using technology for collaboration and efficiency, the NCS is always playing a leading role.

According to him, the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System, NICIS, Nigeria Trade Hub and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report, PAAR, are electronic platforms for effective collaborations and ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Ali said compliant stakeholders and operatives who

had distinguished themselves in the deployment and transparent use of e-Customs to enhance revenue and national security would be encouraged and rewarded.

Secretary general, World Customs Organisation, WCO, Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, said to support WCO members in their efforts to further adopt digital customs, the organisation has developed an extensive portfolio of instruments and applications.

The secretary general was represented by the deputy comptroller general, Strategic Research and Policy, Paul Ukaigwe.

Mikuriya said customs administration globally is encouraged to actively showcase and promote the use of Information Communications Technology to collect and safeguard customs duties, flow of goods and secure trade cross border from crime.

Adamawa State Governor, Muhammadu Jibrilla, test-riding one of the 400 tricycles donated by the Federal Government for distribution to victims of insurgency in seven local government areas of the state in Yola, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Oil swap: Absence of NCS, NNPC, subsidiaries stalls probe Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

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ouse of Representatives’ investigation into the crude oil for refined products exchange scheme (oil swap) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, was again stalled for the second day running following the absence of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, the NNPC and its

subsidiaries.

These agencies of government that are critical to the investigation failed to appear before the ad hoc committee investigating the issue at its resumed hearing yesterday.

Officials of two trading firms, Aiteo Nigeria Ltd and Ontario Nigeria Ltd, being investigated over their roles in the oil swap arrangement however averted being issued

bench warrant of arrest by honouring the invitation of the committee.

At the last sitting of the committee last Thursday, the chief executives of the two firms were summoned by the committee with a threat to be arrested if they fail to meet the 48-hour invitation deadline.

Officials of the two companies showed up but officials of the NCS, Petroleum Product Pric-

ing and Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, as well as the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, were absent at the meeting.

Chairman of the committee, Zakari Mohammed, however blamed the absence of the three agencies, which he described as very critical to the investigation, on communication gap.

Mohammed who was apparently unhappy was

seen making frantic telephone calls to the listed agencies only to be told that there was no communication to them by the committee that the hearing was holding yesterday.

While apologising to the representatives of trading companies that showed up, Mohammed said it was a change in the secretarial staff that was responsible for the mix up.

He said the clerk of the ad hoc committee who was supposed to have communicated with the affected agencies travelled while her interim replacement was unaware of the status of correspondences of the committee.

Mohammed apologised to officials of Taleveras Nigeria Ltd and Aiteo Nigeria Ltd before adjoining the hearing to today.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

13

Politics

Anybody linked with corruption should be heavily punished —Durojaiye Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye is a former Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. In this interview with ROBERT AWOKUSE, he speaks on national political issues. Excerpts: The probe of the $2.1 billion arms deal scam has generated a lot of reactions, especially as some politicians claim it is lopsided. What is your view?

I do not think the probe has been lopsided. If the probe is lopsided where did they take it from, is it the top or the beginning. You see, people just criticize. The whole situation is messy; you can see that for yourself. You are a journalist and you report these things to us. 2.1 billion dollars at the current rate of N300 exchange you know what that means. Money that should be gainfully used in securing our country from those who are terrorizing the country, money that could be used for infrastructure development that we need to live a better life, to create employment, to fix electricity supply, and not that alone, so many avenues of wastages and corrupt expenditures. So the fight has to start from somewhere. In fact, the public could hardly wait for the probe to be extended to other murky areas like NNPC (oil and gas industry), ports authority, customs excise.

But don’t you think the fight has been more against the PDP? No, I don’t think so. The PDP has been in power for 16 years; they are the people to be asked questions. But as they are going on now if anybody commits a crime in the past seven months because he is APC does it mean he will be above the law? There is no justification. People are just speculating and that is the weakness in the defence of the PDP people.

You see those people probably have some skeletons in their cupboards that is why they are making all these excuses. The question is, is it true or is it not true that they committed these atrocities? And there are some people already linked with this and who are not PDP and more will still be linked. I won’t be surprised if some APC members will be found culpable. I am not saying APC is a party of angels but there should be no exemption. Anybody that is linked with the scandal should be heavily penalized.

The Buhari administration is doing its best in sanitizing the country of corruption. What is your advice to the government in fostering this effort?

Mr. President can only do his best within the timeframe.

He won’t have more than 24 hours a day. God will not apportion him more hours because he is doing well. He can only do as much as he can. He needs the co-operation of all of us.

Those who have information should come forward and reveal it. This is not about PDP, it is an effort to cleanse the country.

When the war against indiscipline was waged some 30 years ago in the time of Buhari and Idiagbon administration, it was not against any particular political party. It was for the betterment of all. And part of the benefit was the queue culture which as remained till today. Though there are still some aberrations of the culture on few occasions of some people who foolishly want to jump the queue. So if this anti-corruption war continues and anyone found guilty is exemplarily punished, it will serve as deterrent to others. So my advocacy is

Durojaiye when people carrying cocaine were executed in

the past, the offence went down a bit.

So, there are

times when harsh laws may be necessary to curb some dangerous criminal acts.

that anybody linked with corruption should be heavily penalized. Remember in some countries like China, North Korea and Russia, people who committed such atrocities, excessive abuse of public funds and like all these bunkering and destroying oil pipelines in the country for whatever excuses, they used to be executed. I am not recommending execution though, because our laws do not prescribe it. Remember that when people carrying cocaine were executed in the past, the offence went down a bit. So, there are times when harsh laws may be necessary to curb some dangerous criminal acts. Our children will be the better for it.

What is your assessment of Buhari administration in the last seven months?

It has been very good; he is human so we cannot give him a 100 per cent score card. Tell me one country in the world where the rating is excellent, not even in America or Germany, where their Chancellor is achieving so much. For me, the president has really done very well in seven months; though

seven months is too short to quantify what he has done.

I believe so far the orientation is right and the whole world is acknowledging this fact and applauding him. It is only in Nigeria that some have not seen anything good in what he is doing. And I am sure it is those who have skeletons in their cupboards who are sentimental in their views, finding one excuse or the other. The president appears to me to be doing marvelous job. He needs our cooperation to achieve more.

The December deadline to end insurgency in the North-East was to a great extent met. What is your opinion on this?

The achievement is laudable. Remember what happened in the previous 16 months before Buhari came on board, the money that was supposed to be used to purchase arms and ammunition was diverted elsewhere. How do you win a fight in that way? And see what the Buhari administration has achieved in the last seven months. If one still faults this government over insurgency it means such a person is biased against the government.

Most states of the federation are unable to pay salaries. Some of them even said they cannot pay the present monthly minimum wage of N18, 000. In view of this, some people have been calling for a merger of some of these states or a return to regionalism of the First Republic. What is your view in this regard?

The Yorubas have a proverb that says, “Cutting off the head is not the cure for headache”. Just because the states are not able to pay salaries therefore they should be merged?

No, I don’t think so. Rather there are some fundamental reCONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Politics

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Anybody linked with corruption should be heavily punished —Durojaiye For every senator we have, there

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 forms that should be made. Few weeks ago someone asked me a question that demanded my answer that we need to have a thorough review or redraft of our constitution. I suggested and I am not the only one saying so, many may also share in this opinion. We in the NADECO struggle in those days 1994/95 suggested that we should have a constitution that will evolve greater powers to the federating units. And those federating units do not have to be many as we have now. We were suggesting six regional governments. If we have six regional governments instead of 36 plus the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, making 37,and instead of 774 local governments, with the federating units we will be able to save more money for capital expenses rather than recurrent. It is like we have been eating with ten fingers in our mouth all along. Look at the multiplicity of positions we have, the cost of administration of this country has been enormous. And that is what affects those states. I suggested that the 1960 constitution would have been more ideal, but instead of three regional governments we can have six because the current population has more than quadrupled the 35 million it was at the time of independence.

Would you suggest unicameral legislative system in order to reduce cost of governance?

I don’t agree that we should resolve to unicameral legislative system of government. The essence of having two chambers is to ensure thoroughness, to allow for human failings.

When the bill is presented in the lower house it is supposed to be scrutinized in the upper house to ensure that avoidable lacuna or mistakes are avoided; to ensure thoroughness of the law because the law is not what you change everyday like you change your underwear. This will make the work of the judicial system less difficult. So the law should be steady and you must be very sure that this is properly done. Look at the other countries Britain, USA, they all have bicameral legislatures.

It is for thoroughness.

So do you advocate a downward review of the remuneration accruable to these lawmakers?

I have not thought of it. Some have thought of making legislative business a part-time. Having been in the Senate myself and knowing the amount of work that is available if you are willing to work; there is a lot of work to be done as lawmakers. During my time I was telling someone recently that at least up to five different occasions I did not go home; I was in the Senate building round the clock; not once, not twice, more than five times. All my staff can testify to this. There is enough work to do if you really want to do it. So question of saying reduction should be made compulsorily because the lawmakers are not doing anything may not be right. But if there are excesses they should be avoided. There is a national body that should examine what should be the remuneration. I am not opposed to cutting of our coats according to the availability of our cloths.

The country’s revenue from oil has been on the decline following crash in oil prices, what is the way forward?

We have to face the music and dance to the tune of the music. We must work hard to have alternatives to oil, being our main source of revenue. And the government is aware of that, even to the credit of the previous administration they saw that much and they stressed on the need to diversify our economy by giving attention to agriculture. The former minister of agriculture, Akinwunmi Adesina did a very good job.

The Jonathan administration saw that much that we needed to have an alternative source of income. Now it is becoming more important for us to do it. We need to diversify our economy and move from the mono income structure of the economy, which is very bad and dangerous. And everybody is in that direction and this government is more essentially identifying those key areas such as power generation, iron and steel (solid minerals). These are key issues, and science and technology must be paid more attention so as to have and increase productivity through technology. These are essential areas to focus which in another four years Nigeria will be much better. Therefore everyone should co-operate with the government which I believe is in the right direction. Those four key areas: agriculture, power, science and technology, iron and steel, should be focused on because you cannot industrialise

are hundred

more brilliant, hardworking,

honest people in the constituency that could be senator.

those goals; those national programmes for development and we will be the better for it, irrespective of the party. It is only the personality that will be changed but the established essential programmes will not change. Like war against corruption there should be no end to it until we annihilate it, the war must not stop. This is one of those things that we should make as national priority. They also include sound education, power generation and so on.

Durojaiye without having steady local supply of iron and steel. We won’t abandon oil because gas comes out of it. We need gas to fuel our factories, then agriculture and of course education. When we talk of science and technology it is at the apex of education. Right from cradle to tertiary level is education.

So far Buhari’s achievements have been receiving wide commendations but the fear of many is that can this legacy be sustained should he decide not to run for a second term?

Well that is speculation; I don’t believe in speculating.

Whatever will be will be. That is my philosophy. I have faith in God, all these things happening are not just happening. God is at the very helm of affairs. It is the cry of the poor masses of Nigeria that has reached the ears of God that He brought Buhari to us. He had come three times before he eventually won the fourth time. God sees his heart, He knows what plans he has for the country and that is why God put him there. And subject to good health I see no reason why he should not go a second term if he wishes. But it is too early to contemplate this; he has just spent seven months and people have started talking of a second term. If people love what he is doing which I believe many do, he should be supported for a second term if God grants him the enabling health. He should be persuaded to go on if he continues like this and we see the result and we are comfortable. It does not matter who governs us provided we are well governed. It does not matter where the person is from, whether soldier or civilian, Christian or Muslim, it is performance that is needed. And we need to get to a stage where we don’t change in terms of policies. Although government will change because every four years the people are constitutionally empowered to choose who they want as leader, either continuity or a change of person. But programmes of government for overall progress of government should not change.

It is a great pity that this country abandoned the national development programmes that the Gowon administration started. That was when people like Chief Falae, Ayida, Philip Asiodu and Gilbert Chikelu etc, made their mark among super permanent secretaries and technocrats during Gen. Gowon and Chief Awolowo’s administration. Such national development programmes could not have changed even when government changed. Every government must buy into it whether you are conservative or progressives. And that is why I say ideally, we should have a two-party structure. And this is taking shape now unlike what we used to have in the past when we had up to 50 political parties; parties that are no parties, where their ideologies cannot be distinguished from one another. Let’s have two-party structure, let’s have some national goals so that whoever is in power must follow

Following the increase in robbery, kidnapping and other security challenges in the country, would you support state police?

Yes, and that has been said long ago and I support it. Of what use do you say governors are chief security officers of their states where the Commissioners of police in their locations take instructions from Abuja and not from the state capital. It is one of those anomalies that are present in our constitution; it is one of these issues we should examine when we redraft the constitution. Only essential things, indicators of nationhood like defence, national currency, foreign policy, those are the three among a few others that are essential to be Federal. Almost every other thing should be in the federating units in the regions. Some powers can be either way, that is, current. But when we have true federalism the real residual powers should be in the federating units. And that will create healthy rivalry. That was what we had in the First Republic and it helped us. It was with that type of power distribution that Pa Awolowo was able, with cocoa as our main source of revenue, to introduce free primary education in western Nigeria; the Sardauna of Sokoto with the groundnut and cotton wool pyramids, succeeded in administering the huge northern Nigeria. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Dr. Okpara who followed him were able to administer efficiently Eastern Nigeria with only palm coal as their main sources of revenue.

Most of their functions of state were with them because the bulk of the revenue was retained but now it is only 13 per cent that is retained as their revenue. That is not right. We should improve on it.

What is your advice for Nigerian politicians and the electorate?

Nigerian politicians should know that it is a call of honour to serve; a call to service to be elected to represent your people.

For every elective position there are hundreds of thousands of other citizens who are better qualified than yourself. For every senator we have, there are hundred more brilliant, hardworking, honest people in the constituency that could be senator. So we politicians should take it as God’s favour that we are the ones He wanted to be there at that particular time and we should make our mark. We should work hard and serve and be contented with whatever is the remuneration given to us and nothing beyond that.

To the electorate, they should not just go for the highest bidder. They should rather look at the quality of person who can be trusted. Apart from those who volunteered to serve, there are potential candidates who should be invited by the local party leaders or voters to come and serve because they have the requisite qualities. It happened to me before at the 1988/89 Constituent Assembly. The administration of Gen. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

15

CACOL condemns suspicious interlocutory injunctions in corruption cases Ayo Esan

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in 2007, preferred money laundering and charges bordering on the diversion of the Ecological funds against Mr. Joshua Dariye, a former Governor of Plateau State, currently representing Plateau Central Senatorial Constituency in the National Assembly. Nine years after preferring the charges of alleged diversion of the Plateau State’s N1.126bn Ecological funds against the former Governor, the EFCC has finally opened its case before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gudu, Abuja.

Investigation by the EFCC operatives revealed that the former governor had, in 2001, applied for the ecologi-

cal funds in the name of Plateau state but collected the money in person and lodged it with the Abuja branch of the All States Trust Bank Plc (now Defunct). It was reported that the bank manager, allegedly acting on Dariye’s instructions paid N100m in the name of PDP SouthWest. The money was later traced to a company, Marine Float Nigeria Limited allegedly owned by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

Reacting to the news, Comrade Debo Adeniran, the Executive Chairman of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL said it is a national shame that the decision to resurrect and investigate, Joshua Dariye was informed by a request by the London Metropolitan Police.

He said, “Nine years to start trial denote that the Nigerian Judicial system

is laughable. If an accused could legally manipulate the system for nine years before the trial even begins, it means there is no deterrent to corruption. This is somebody who singlehandedly collected N1.126 billion naira on behalf of the state and diverted it to his private account and then directed the bank manager on how to distribute it. That is why all of them are running to court to seek protection and yet we are talking about rule of law.”

A similar case is that a former Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Peter Odili, who also got a perpetual injunction which forever froze his case till now.

The EFCC began moves to swoop on Rivers state officials in late 2006 when it issued a report of investigation into the state’s finances

in which it said over N100 billion was diverted during Odili’s two terms. The report contained allegations of large-scale fraud, conspiracy, conversion of public funds, foreign exchange malpractice, money laundering, stealing and abuse of oath of office against the former governor. To stave off impeding prosecution of officials, the then Rivers state Attorney General went to court and got a perpetual injunction in March 2007 restraining the EFCC from investigating the state government.

“A year later, months after he had left office in May 2007, Odili himself went to court and asked to be made to benefit from the injunction and the court granted his prayers, making him perpetually immune from arrest, investigation or prosecution.

The perpetual injunction awarded to Peter Odili effectively made him a ‘legal fugitive’. This is another case of unconstitutional ‘immunity’ we are waiting for to be quashed. I believe many evidences would by now be nowhere and some witnesses either gone or died. Serious fight against corruption must start with the judiciary especially our judges.” Mr. Adeniran stated.

The nation’s quest to fight corruption is the best way forward, but it is very important that our judicial system adhere to high standard of judicial integrity and transparent procedures. Interlocutory injunctions remain a serious bane in our judicial system. We need strong

Nigeria must put its resource base together —Senator Olubunmi Omoogun

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Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru (left), with National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, during a courtesy visit to Odigie-Oyegun in Abuja yesterday.

institutions like judiciary and others if Nigeria really wants to rid the country of corruption and corrupt people.

“We must commend the judgment of the Supreme Court to set aside the interlocutory injunction that has stalled the case for so long.

The judgment made represents the spirit of judicial activism that Nigerians want to continue to see”, Adeniran said.

CACOL urges President Muhammadu Buhari not to stop his serious commitment, zeal and determination in the war against corruption and continue to fully support the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC morally.

he Chairman Senate committee on Banking, Finance, Insurance and Other financial institutions, Sen. Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim representing Kwara South has commended Nigerians for their knowledge even as he reiterates that if the country put its resource bases together Nigeria will be better.

He said this during a committee session with Federal Mortgage Bank, Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry and Nigeria Security, Printing and Minting Company at the senate building on Tuesday.

Ibrahim said “this nation

is our future and we have the knowledge to move this country forward. We must move to the realms of forward thinkers and succeed together”.

He said the Senate believes that there are many ways the government finance agencies can bring more innovation to increase their economic capabilities and bring added value to their various units adding that the Senate also wants them to collaborate and draw up legislative proposals that will strengthen their capacity to achieve more successes.

According to Ibrahim, the meeting is set up to understand what has been happening and also see how the Senate can help to make things work for the agencies .

Anybody linked with corruption should be heavily punished —Durojaiye CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 Babangida asked every local government to elect representative to come and draft a constitution for the country. It was younger people in my local government who came to ask me to represent our area, considering my education, experience, loyalty to our people, they resolved to field me. Some of these people who came to me were my junior at school and are still alive. Before I took the challenge I went to the Oba to seek his approval that some youths wanted me to represent our constituency, which he gladly endorsed. That was how I took my first step into politics. And that was how I went, having scored 100 percent of the electoral college votes against the other opponents. So this is what we should try to do as local leaders and members of our

respective political parties. We should look for good representative in our area and not necessarily the highest bidder to vote. We see what is happening now. Look at the exposures, I hope people are learning a lesson from all these; “Awful exposure of Maria Monk”. It is the money that was supposed to be used to develop our country that has been wasted.

What is your take on the CAN president Pastor Oritsajefor following his link with the money seized by South African authorities?

I am not EFCC or ICPC. It is their duty to investigate but they should not spare anybody found culpable whether he is a religious leader or not. These people deserve exemplary punishment. Anybody found guilty

should not be spared. But the law grinds slowly. At a time in the history of one of our military administration any detained for corrupt practices the government position was that the person is guilty unless he could prove his innocence. But now in a democratic government, the rule of democracy must be followed by which everyone is proved innocent until the contrary is proved. And it takes time to prove the guilt of an accused person and not just proving vaguely, but to prove beyond reasonable doubt. And those who are accused may have acquired so much money and they can afford to hire the most brilliant lawyer to defend themselves. And invariably it is the police who will prosecute and the level of education of an average policeman is below

that of an average lawyer. So for the police to prove beyond reasonable doubt is a difficult task. And because of the general corrupt level of things in the country, if the rich man who is accused knows that if the police can contradict himself, he will be free, he can pay the price out of the heavy loot he has made.

These are elementary facts. So that is why we really should ensure that anybody found guilty should be given exemplary punishment, because a good number of them can still escape. But the constitution does not allow you to make retrospective laws. You cannot make a new law now prescribing death penalty for those who stole government money. You have to apply the law as it exists.

If it were possible to do that, I would have recommended it.

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Politics

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

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DPC calls for grant to political parties

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emocratic People’s Congress, DPC yesterday advocated for the inclusion of annual grant to political parties contesting various elections to enable them mobilize their members across the country and present credible candidates for election as obtainable from 1999 to 2010 when it was removed from the constitution and the Electoral Act. The party also calls for the review of the 1999 Constitution and Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) with a view to strengthening and deepening the nation’s political process ahead of 2019 general election.

In a press statement signed by the National Chairman of DPC , Rev. Olusegun Peters, DPC advocates for the inclusion of annual grant to political parties contesting various elections to enable them mobilize their members across the country and present credible candidates for election as obtainable from 1999 to 2010 when it was removed from the constitution and the Electoral

Act. The need to give grant to political parties cannot be overemphasized as parties that are not in government find it difficult to raise adequate funds to mobilize their members and carry out voter education which will enhance our democracy and allow level playing ground for all political parties in Nigeria.

It was in pursuit of its one party system and ambition to rule the country for 60 years that the PDP dominated Senate and House of Representatives removed grant to parties from the constitution and Electoral Act which were passed by 36 State Houses of Assembly dominated by PDP in 2010.

“It has become necessary to review the constitution and Electoral Act in this regard which will strengthen opposition parties, widen the political space and deepen our frail democracy.

“We call on the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to take

Lagos lawmaker to receive chieftaincy title Robert Awokuse

L

agos lawmaker representing Kosofe constituency II, Hon. Tunde Braimoh is to be installed as Otunba Bamofin of ketu, Kosofe land in Lagos State.

According to a statement signed by the palace secretary, Oba of Ketu, Kosofe land, Braimoh has distinguished himself following his good representation as a lawmaker who has immensely contributed to the development of the area, hence deserves the honour.

The installation of the

Robert Awokuse

A

group, Kogi East Elders Forum Council, KEEC has urged the incoming administration to work for the interest of all groups and communities in the state with historical bonds that united all these groups during the days of Kabba Province.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of an emergency meet-

lawmaker is said to be in commemoration of the 5th coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr) Isiaka Adio, Balogun Oyero, Ilufemiloye I, Oba of Ketu, Kosofe land.

Activities set aside for the investiture, which would kick-start on February 10 and end on the 14, are visit to various syringes, installation of chiefs, Jumat service, visit to motherless homes and thanksgiving service to mark the grand finale.

The programmes according to the statement would span the five days respectively. ing of the group, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Lokoja yesterday.

KEEC stated that the body has decided to intervene in the ongoing debate and positioning and draw attention to implication of a self serving agenda of individuals and groups predicated on power shift that has occurred under a tragic circumstances.

The elders Council explained that the unfolding

Representative of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Parry Iriasa (right), receiving an award from the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), at the 2016 International Customs Day Celebration in Abuja yesterday.

Kachikwu not funnelling cash to PDP —Group

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he Coalition of Civil Society for Change, COSOC yesterday affirmed that Minister of state for Petroleum, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu ‘s brother Dumebi Kachikwu is not funneling cash from the corporation to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The group further expressed concerns that unscrupulous persons are perfecting plans to undermine the anti-corruption efforts in the oil sector.

The group at a media parley in Abuja on Tuesday said that those behind the campaign of calumny also claim that the minster’s brother, Dumebi Kachikwu is funneling cash from the corporation to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. National President of the 14- member COSOC, Ibrahim Abubakar said the allegations are meant to derail the anti corruption fight by

suggesting that President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointee are corrupt and using their family members to steal public funds.

Ibrahim stressed that, “As people who believed in President Muhammadu Buhari to bring about change when others were still sleeping, it will be wrong for us to go to bed and allow criminal elements within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP or any other political party or group to, through their agents, destroy the recent gains which the administration has made since its inauguration particularly in the oil industry.

“It is with great concerns that we therefore alert Nigerians to a plot to discredit the good work being done by Minister of State for Petroleum and Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr Ibe Kachikwu. The plot includes sponsoring stories that

would be branded as “exclusives” to allege that the minister’s brother, Dumebi Kachikwu is unnecessarily meddling in the affairs of the NNPC. “Dumebi Kachikwu would be further accused of accumulating money earned from NNPC to fund the PDP on account of allegedly being a close associate of one of the party’s chieftains.

“The people behind this campaign are agents being sponsored by the oil cabal who have become bitter because they no longer profit from the fraudulent subsidy regime as obtainable in the oil sector under the previous administration.

“From our informal investigation, Kachikwu’s brother has no hand in any oil dealings or at anytime involved in sponsoring any member of the opposition which by the way is in total disarray as a result of the

ongoing war against corruption”, he insisted.

Ibrahim explained that the President knows the pedigree of the NNPC GMD before appointing him to such crucial position and that the desperate attempt to question his integrity by linking his relations to the running of the NNPC shows that the oil cabal has been dislodged.

He noted that “Mr President made the right call by appointing a man who has unsettled the all powerful cabal. Kachikwu has proven to be a man that cannot be assailed with corrupt tendencies.

“Members of the oil gang should be reminded that the era where village chiefs relocated to Abuja and controlled the tower from hotel suite is over. The unnecessary bashing of Kachikwu’s family will not bring back the cabal to lord it over Nigerians again”, he concluded.

Kogi : Forum tasks incoming gov to work for all drama and contestations that followed this unfortunate incident have attracted both national and international attention.

The group pointed out that maladministration which has characterized Kogi state since inception has been at the expense of all ethnic groups and communities including Kogi East who are perceived to have dominated

political space.

The Kogi East Elder Council advised that there should be no misguided and targeted persecution in the realm of political appointments, distribution of developmental projects, stressing that victimization of persons in the state public service on group of ethnic identity is whirlwind that would do no one any good and such will neither be

accepted nor tolerated by the Kogi East people.

“Whoever emerges as the next governor of Kogi State on the basis of determination of pending issues before election petitions tribunal and law courts must bear in mind the cardinal governance creed of public office as “public trust” and therefore govern in the interest of all “

“It is incumbent on the governor to engage in consultations with the genuine representatives of the different groups and communities to secure public support and legitimacy in respect of key appointments, the distribution of amenities and overall development agenda that deliver the Kogi state that we all collectively desire”, the group stated

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Views

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

As Tunde Bakare misspeaks BONIFACE CHIZEA

I

took my time to go through the socalled State-of-the-Nation Address

by Pastor Tunde Bakare, the General Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly and could not but wonder what agenda he was pursuing; and you may ask what kite he is flying in some of the far reaching statements he made, particularly regarding the role of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which in his opinion, had contributed negatively in more ways than one to the travails of the nation’s economy.

And such views coming from someone who was a running mate to President Buhari in the 2011 general elections under the banner of the Congress for Progressive Change, and who it is common knowledge still enjoys a close rapport with the President and has his ears, it is, therefore, imperative that when he expressed views as we are here discussing, it should not be dismissed with the wave of the hand. I do not have issues with those who have dedicated their lives to work in the vineyard of the Lord, lending their voices to the voiceless and the downtrodden by drawing attention of those in government to be more responsive and accountable to address their plight. This is the practice almost everywhere as one recalls vividly the wave of protests in the past un-

der the banner of liberation theology in the Far East, notably in the Philippines, when cardinals of the Catholic Church led and organized protests to decry rampant corruption in governance. Such interventions are clearly in keeping with the clear injunction of our Lord Jesus Christ, when he declared that whatsoever you do to the least of your brothers, you do unto me (Matt. 25.40). And the clergy in Nigeria, in my opinion, had not been remiss in keeping fidelity to this injunction.

But when a man of God goes beyond this injunction to begin to dabble into technical issues as in this case he has in my considered opinion breached the divide and thereby exposes himself to all manner of accusations. And practically once a man of God does so he risks alienating some members of his congregation, who no doubt must have divided affiliations, leanings, divided perspectives, preferences and world views. This is why advisedly the Catholic faith which I share does not allow the clergy to go into politics. They are encouraged to concentrate their energy and time in evangelization to continue to spread the word of God, thereby winning more souls. Similarly also as in this case when you single out one individual to castigate and pillory you run the risks of causing disaffection as not everyone will agree with you, particularly when such accusations and

T HE

PROBLEM

CONFRONTING THIS ECONOMY IS WELL KNOWN TO EVERYONE …

allegations are based on clearly wrong premise.

Godwin Emefiele just happened today to be by divine Providence the governor of the CBN. Yes, he provides leadership, but he cannot personify the Bank. The Central Bank is a robust and well-founded institution with a collective of expertise for the management of the economy such as it is not possible to find in any other institution in this country. For instance two of the deputy governors we are quite familiar with rose through the ranks: Dr. Sarah Alade and Dr. Joe Nnanna as directors with the Monetary Policy Department and Research Department respectively.

And even Suleiman Barau, the other deputy governor, first joined the Central Bank as an adviser to Governor Soludo before his ascension to executive management.

They are all well aware and verse regarding the core mandate of the Bank to maintain price and exchange rate stability, and therefore, no one should be presumptuous to think that they will be teaching them anything they

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do not already know. I do not suppose also that anyone should assume to have more patriotic zeal than those who have been primarily charged with these responsibilities. No doubt, they are open to views objectively canvassed but the fact remains that no other authority in the economy has the sort of information or overview of the economy which they have and we should learn to give them the benefit of the doubt.

The problem confronting this economy is well known to everyone and must not be mischievously and wrongfully ascribed as due to lack of expertise on the part of anybody, as some compatriots would want us to believe. The fact that the Nigerian economy suffers vulnerability and is exposed to shocks in its overly dependence on income from the oil sector, is well advertised. The price of oil fell from a high of US$ 116 per barrel in June, 2014 to $33 per barrel in January, 2016, representing a decline of over 70 percent; and available data indicated that when prices were high the CBN got about $3.2 billion inflow monthly to the current situation, when the Bank received less than $1 billion every month, yet at the same time the export bill increased from N148 billion in 2005 to the current level of N920 billion!

To be continued Dr Chizea wrote from Lagos.

Amosun: Celebrating a purpose-driven leader at 58

A DEJUWON S OYINK

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t was a Sunday afternoon and Jide Ajani, Sunday Editor, the Vanguard Newspaper, was on his way to Abeokuta, Ogun State capital for an official assignment. Somewhere along the ever busy Siun-Kobape expressway he saw something unusual. From the corner of his eye, the Vanguard Editor spotted someone unusual, in what appears like an unusual place, doing something equally unusual.

As a senior journalist of note, Ajani could not have mistaken who he saw and what the man who caught his attention was doing. He knew he had seen Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun State Governor, just emerging from deep inside a vast area of land along the expressway. The governor was on his foot, armed with a tape and had apparently been busy measuring the breadth of newly tarred roads inside the vast estate which the state government has fully landscaped and provided with services, including tarred roads, water, drainage, a central sewage system, gas and even wifi.

Now, for Ajani, that was something unusual. It is not common to see a state chief executive on a Sunday, devoid of water tight security, but simply armed with a measuring tape working very hard, and without doing it for the cameras. Understandably, the editor was surprised and he later shared his experience with me. Unknown to him,

AS FAR AS AMOSUN IS CONCERNED, TIREDNESS IS A WORD THAT EXISTS ONLY IN THE DICTIONARY OF THE LAZY AND INDOLENT however, what he saw was the quintessential Amosun, a governor and leader constantly driven by the passion to succeed on his self-imposed mission to rebuild the Gateway state.

By training and professional calling, Amosun is a chartered accountant. But last Monday January 25 as he celebrates his 58th birthday, he was much more than that. As Governor, particularly one imbued with an unequalled passion to rebuild his state and empower his people, Amosun has metamorphosed into a civil engineer, mechanical engineer, structural engineer, architect, quantity surveyor and many more professionals, all rolled into one. Watching him engage engineers, especially the ease with which he uses engineering technical jargons while speaking, and his ability to come up with solutions to complex engineering challenges, is oftentimes both amusing and surprising.

Now, this is happening, not just because he is on a mission to rebuild the Gateway state, but also because he is a man who dreams, talks, works and lives his passion to develop Ogun

State. It is that passion that drives Governor Amosun, his work ethics and disposition to public service. It is also the same reason he could be found standing on Lagos-Ibadan expressway at about 2am to personally supervise the reconstruction of failed portions of that federal highway and regularly criss-crossing the three senatorial districts of the state in one day inspecting ongoing infrastructural projects spread around the nooks and crannies of the Gateway state.

Indeed, one of the numerous projects through which Governor Amosun intends to achieve his mission to permanently change the look and feel of Ogun State is the one from which he emerged that Sunday afternoon. Currently called the Three Hills Estate, because of its location on three distinct, yet beautiful hills along the Siun-Kobape expressway, the landscaping of that estate, planned for people in the upper middle class economic segment of the society and above, is one of those legacy projects very dear to the heart of Governor Amosun. In fact, it is billed to be commissioned on February 2, 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari as one of the 40 legacy projects the Amosun-led administration is using to mark 40 years of the creation of Ogun State.

In view of this, it would, therefore, not come as a surprise for anyone who knows Amosun to see him emerge from that site at anytime of the day.

He visits that particular project site,

just like several others spread across the three senatorial districts of the state, almost on a daily basis. And he is never tired. As far as Amosun is concerned, tiredness is a word that exists only in the dictionary of the lazy and indolent. So how does he unwind?

“There is no time for unwinding. We are in our second term of office, and for me this is even the time to do more work in order to leave a lasting legacy for generations yet unborn,” he once said.

This could not have been otherwise.

Amosun is aware of his place in history. Speaking of how he would love to be remembered long after his tenure of office, the governor said it should be that “this young man called Ibikunle Amosun came and he left Ogun State better than he met it.” That is the quintessential Amosun. And that, perhaps explains why, the governor at 58, still has a work ethics and energy level clearly unmatched by many of his close aides, who are several years younger.

Soyinka, a multiple award-winning journalist, is the Senior Special Assistant (Media) and spokesman for Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State 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

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Editorial

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO BEN MEMULETIWON ACTING DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR OBIORA IFOH ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

Ebonyi governor’s fire service levy

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hat Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and his government are neck deep in love tango with obnoxious taxes seems a fact no longer questionable. During the last quarter of 2015, the governor stirred the hornets’ nest when he introduced a new tax regime and unleashed vicious tax hounds on the people. His major reason was the need to buoy internally generated revenue (IGR) following diminishing handouts from Abuja.

“It is very unfortunate that our revenue from the federal account has continued to go down in the last three months. Ebonyi State dropped by N700 million; that is the state government; and (the) local government (by) about N600 million…, we only got N2.3 billion; and the local governments got only N1.2 billion”, he stated.

Under the new tax regime, for example, drivers who earlier in the year procured the state’s emblem at the cost of N1,500 were to cough up between N6,000 and N8,000 for the same stuff dubbed as ‘new emblem ’. A levy of N100 was clamped on every vehicle that embarked on a trip from the state; while commercial vehicles that paid N20 per loading session were compelled to part with N100. Failure to comply before 12 noon on daily basis attracted N5,000 fine. Beer parlour operators, no matter how ridicu-

CONVENIENCE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCE MUST NECESSARILY BE REASONABLE AND BALANCED FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNED lous their profit margins might be, were lashed with between N30,000 and N126,000 levy annually. Same applied to radio ‘mechanics’ barely eking out a living, among others.

The hiked tax regime did not include other payments like private park fees, environmental levy, advert rates, LGA levies, developmental levy, PAYEE, business premises levies, etc.; and they were collected in two years’ arrears (2013 and 2014). When popular protests turned the heat on Umahi’s leadership, what followed was ‘To Thy Tents O Israel’, as the state House of Assembly which purportedly approved the new taxes turned its back on the governor.

Reports said Umahi and members of the Ebonyi State legislature slugged it out in a war of words concerning the new tax imposition, with some key lawmakers predicting public unrest if the obnoxious taxes were not halted.

The cumulative effect was

Governor Umahi’s apology last November which ran thus: “Let me apologise to all Ebonyians.

My people went beyond bounds.

They went beyond agreement and I am not ashamed to tell those that elected me that I am sorry because we never directed anybody to collect tax for 2013 or 2014; and where such taxes were collected, it must be refunded…”. The State Com¬missioner for Information and State Orientation, Senator Emmanuel Onwe, had earlier stated that “in recog¬nition of the escalating economic hardship in the country, which has touched the lives of ev¬ery hardworking citizen; and in order to offer some measure of succour to the people of the state in the festive period of Christmas celebration, the governor has decided to abolish the Manifest Fee charged on travellers within the state with effect from 17th No¬vember, 2015”.

But the dust of the Yuletide has barely settled and Governor Umahi is back to his pastime, contemplating his government’s plans to introduce ‘a moderate and affordable levy’ to be paid by house owners across the state for fire preventive services. Reports last weekend said the governor dropped the hint while inspecting the extent of damage done to a section of Abakpa Main Market in

ON THIS DAY January 27, 1973

January 27, 2002

The Paris Peace Accord officially ended the Vietnam War. The accord intended to establish peace in Vietnam, halt United States’ direct military involvement in the war and temporarily stop the fighting between North and South Vietnam. The governments of North Vietnam, South Vietnam, US, etc., signed the pact. The US government viewed American involvement in the war as a way to prevent a communist takeover of South Vietnam.

An explosion at a military storage facility in Lagos, Nigeria, killed at least 1,100 people and displaced over 20,000 others. The Lagos armoury explosion was the accidental detonation of a large stock of military high explosives at a storage facility in Ikeja, Lagos. The fires created by the debris from the explosion burnt down a large section of northern Lagos and created pandemonium that spread to other areas.

Abakaliki, the state capital, recently razed by fire.

He said: “We will use it to procure water tankers which will be stationed at strategic locations in the state to combat fire incidents.

Indeed! Perhaps, every calamity suffered by citizens in Ebonyi will attract a new brand of tax under Governor Umahi.

Though it may take donkey’s years before the governor comes to terms with the fact that Ebonyi residents are no ‘ATM’ cards with which shylock governments can freely extort cash, Umahi and his team should realise that under the prevailing economic quagmire the federal and state governments are drenched in, relying on reckless quick fix can at best breed tension and chaos. Convenience under the circumstance must necessarily be reasonable and balanced for the government and the governed, or crisis is sure. States that want to survive financial shocks in the years ahead should look beyond phoney taxes and move fast to diversify their economies. As a group, states should also press for the kind of fiscal federalism that prevailed between 1960 and the military intrusion into politics of January 15, 1966. These are some of the main thorny routes to economic freedom innovative states cannot evade.

January 27, 2013 About 242 people died and at least 168 others injured in a nightclub fire in the city of Santa Maria, Brazil.

The ‘Kiss’ night club fire started between 2:00 and 2:30 (BRST) in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It is considered the second most-devastating fire disaster in the history of Brazil, surpassed only by the Great North American Circus fire of December 1961, which killed 503 people in Niteroi.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

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Health & Wellbeing Frying vegetables is healthier than boiling 20

Over weight can cause asthma – Oloruntoba 22

Cervical cancer awareness month

Why Nigeria must fight cervical cancer Franka Osakwe

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his January alone, as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the cervical cancer awareness month, no fewer than 805 Nigerian women would die from cervical cancer, going by the data from the Cervical Cancer Free Coalition.

From the data, 14,550 cases are diagnosed in women of 15 to 44 years of age annually in Nigeria with as many as 9,659 of the cases dying from the disease. But these deaths, according to experts, could have been prevented, since cervical cancer is the easiest of all cancers to prevent. Its causative agent, which is Human Papilloma Virus is also known and it is responsible for causing 100 per cent of cervical cancer cases, a Radiologist, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, disclosed.

“Human papillomavirus is the root cause of more than 5 per cent of cancers, including nearly all cervical cancers and a substantial percentage of cancers at other sites such as vagina, vulva (the outer or external part of the female genital organs), penis, scrotum, perineum, anus, head/neck, mouth, throat, nose, tonsil, skin, nail-bed, and conjunctiva (eye)”, she said.

The disease can be prevented primarily through HPV vaccination for those not sexually exposed and those who test negative for HPV DNA, she further said. However, for those already sexually active, Dr Abia Nzelu Executive Secretary, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philantropy (CECP), explained that regular annual PAP smear screening or Visual Inspection through Acetic acid, VIA, testing, could prevent the disease.

“Cervical screening is the best cancer screening test in the history of medicine and most cost effective of all medical screening tests. The screening is painless and takes only about 5 minutes to perform. The tissue changes that lead to cervical cancer usually develop very slowly (over a period of about five to thirty years). Screening can find these changes before cancer develops. Pre-cancer changes are easy to treat by outpatient procedure lasting 15 minutes”, she said.

Furthermore, Dr. Nzelu, explained that there is now a vaccine - Gardasil which prevents most cases of cervical cancer, warts, Recurrent Respiratory

Papillomatosis (RRP) and a proportion of other HPV cancers.

Unfortunately, as a result of lack of awareness, low socioeconomic status and poor health care seeking attitude, cervical cancer has continued to kill Nigerian women yearly.

According to the CECP, most women are not aware of the need for cervical

Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, Nigeria’s leading cancer prevention advocate

cancer screening and most have never heard about cervical cancer screening in their lifetime. As a result, cervical cancer continues to kill about one woman every hour in Nigeria.

“The rural Nigerian woman is worse off, because of the absence of adequate medical facilities for screening, diagnosis & follow-up. Cervical cancer is the commonest cause of cancer-related death in women in parts of Nigeria. A strong risk factor for cervical cancer is early age at first sexual intercourse and first childbirth. The practice of child marriage in parts of the country therefore contributes to a higher incidence of cervical cancer”.

To prevent cervical cancer from killing more women in Nigeria, Dr. Femi Olaleye, the founder of Optimal Cancer care foundation advocates that pre-sexually active teenagers should be provided with free vaccines.

Although the cost of the HPV vaccine given to girls and women to prevent the cancer which was formerly pegged at about N20, 800 has been reduced to about N15, 000, many Nigerian women still cannot afford to pay to get vaccinated.

Although Nigeria had for some time enjoyed vaccine subsidy support from GAVI Alliance – a global Vaccine Alliance, which helps to provide access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries, the country will have to rely on her resources alone to be able to immunise Nigerian girls against the Papilloma virus.

According to Dr. Seth Berkley GAVI’s CEO Nigeria would be excluded from benefiting from the globally subsided vaccines due to poor vaccination system and poor coverage.

“The immunisation coverage in Nigeria is just above 40 per cent. For this programme to be effective, we are only giving it to countries that have demonstrated that they have the capacity, infrastructure and human resources to get the HPV vaccines administered effectively.

“We are not giving it to countries where we can see that their cold chain storage system is not effective and vaccines cannot be stored appropriately or where vaccines would not get to the end users because they do not have the human resources or facilities. Nigeria has not met these criteria,” Berkley was quoted to have said in a media report.

Although denied of the privilege, this is not to say that Nigeria as a country cannot make provision for subsidized vaccines for its women without support from international organisation.

“Government is not taking vaccination for cervical cancer serious because they are thinking of how much money it will cost them. The reason why they think it is a lot of money is because nobody is counting the cost of the women that are dying. If the cost of women that are dying daily in this country is counted and government can see it as a loss, then they can now see the need to pay attention to prevention.

“The vaccine is about N4-5, 000 per dose which is about N15, 000 per person. But the cost of a woman’s death from cervical cancer is probably more than 15, 000 naira to the society and the whole country. The vaccination can be spread over a 10 year period; it is not something you do at once. You can vaccinate only 16 years old in a particular year, and take another age group in another year. The fund remains the same and everybody will be covered,” Dr Olaleye stated.

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Health & Wellbeing

Nutrition for Health

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

How to control stress-induced weight-gain

quick thinking, fighting, or fleeing. All of these changes are referred to as the physiological stress response. Under those circumstances, the digestion completely shuts down, he said”.

Stress itself is therefore, not bad. What is important is how you deal with stress.

According to Mayo clinic experts, there are two main kinds of stress. Acute stress which is the body’s immediate reaction to a perceived threat also known as fight-or-flight response. This kind of stress is not usually problematic but if accumulated for long period of time may cause mental problems, heart attack, etc. For instance, a large dog barks at you during a morning walk, loss of job, loss of a loved one, noises, a speeding car, a broken relationship, etc.

However, mild acute stress may be beneficial because it can trigger one into action and energizes one. Chronic stress occurs when the stressors accumulate for a longer period of time. The chronic-stress response is more subtle than the acute-stress response, but the effects may be longer lasting and more problematic they said”.

So, a major problem with eat-

ful event). Consequently, there is an increased cholesterol and triglycerides while gut flora populations decreases.

Some individual are also more likely to experience increased sensitivity to food, heartburn, and may be especially likely to eat highcalorie foods during times of stress, even when one is not hun-

Chizoba Benson chizobanwobu@yahoo.com 08120807588 (sms only)

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e tend to eat under a state of stress and anxiety. During times of high stress, an individual may eat in an attempt to fulfill emotional needs and may be especially likely to eat high-calorie foods which results to weight gain. Stress that is left unchecked can contribute to health problems, such as back pain, chest pain, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, fatigue, change in sex drive, stomach upset, sleep problems, drug or alcohol abuse, tobacco use and even social withdrawal.

The classic definition of stress according to Marc David, an expert in the psychology of eating stated that stress is “any real or imagined threat, and the body’s response to it.” He also emphasized in an interview with Dr. Joseph Mercola, an alternative medicine proponent that, “while under stress, the heart rate goes up, blood pressure rises, and blood is shunted away from the midsection, going to the arms, legs, and head for

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ing while the body is under the stress response is that one could be eating the healthiest food in the world, yet cannot be able to fully digest and assimilate food, and the body will not be able to burn calories effectively either.

In the body, the stress response causes a number of detrimental life challenging problems such as: decreased nutrient absorption; decreased oxygenation in the gut; decreased blood flow in the digestive system responsible for decreased metabolism and decreased enzymatic output in the gut. Many nutrients are also excreted during stress, particularly water-soluble vitamins, macrominerals, microminerals, calcium (calcium excretion can increase as much as 60 to 75 mg within an hour of a stress-

gry.

Stress also results in elevated levels of a hormone known as cortisol. When cortisols are continually elevated, it becomes detrimental to the health. One of the things that cortisol does is to encourage our body to make energy from the sources other than carbohydrates such as protein. This means that it has the ability to tell our body to start breaking down our own body proteins (such as our muscles) to make sugar which then enters the blood. High levels of sugar in the blood cause insulin to be produced, but this elevated cortisol situation also encourages insulin. So when stressed, we can have a situation when we may have high blood sugar

levels, high insulin levels in the blood and high cortisol. This situation encourages weight gain which is particularly noticeable around the abdominal area and this is a major contributory factor to developing diabetes and other metabolic syndromes. According to researchers, stress in parents may be an important risk factor for child obesity and related behaviors”. To managed stress in other not to gain weight therefore, it is vital you take note of the warning signs of stress, such as anxiety, irritability and muscle tension; before eating ask yourself if you are truly hungry and find a distraction if you are not truly hungry but if you are truly hungry, exclude all distracting events, such as reading, watching TV, driving a car and any other way behavior other than eating. In so doing, mealtime then becomes an enjoyable revitalizing event where you start to re-establish your connection to your body’s natural hunger/ satiation signals; get adequate sleep, practice relaxation skills, such as yoga, massage or meditation and finally, exercise and physical activities has been proven to have a beneficial effect on a person’s mental and physical state-so engage in it!

SCIENCE

Compiled by Franka Osakwe

Frying vegetables is healthier than boiling

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rying vegetables might not seem the healthiest way to cook them, but a recent study found it could boost nutritional content more than other cooking methods.

According to the research, cooking vegetables in olive oil enhances and preserves phenols - cell protecting chemicals that have many disease-fighting benefits.

The researchers used 120g cubes of potato, pumpkin, tomato and eggplant, all of them without seeds or skin.

The vegetables were either fried and sautéed in extra virgin olive oil, boiled in water, or a mix of boiling water with olive oil.

Moisture, fat, phenols and antioxidants were measured.

The findings revealed the way oil transferred heat to the vegetables meant phenolic compounds were increased and therefore the nutritional value.

The frying also retained more healthy fats within the vegetables.

As such, researchers said frying vegetables in extra virgin olive oil or mixture of olive oil and

boiling water is an ideal cooking method to get healthier veggies on your plate.

Cristina Samaniego Sanchez, a professor at the University of Granada said: “We can confirm that frying is the method that produces the greatest associated increases in the phenolic fraction, which means an improvement in the cooking process although it increases the energy density by means of the absorbed oil.

“When the phenolic content of the raw vegetable is high, the total content of phenols is increased even more if EVOO is used in the process, and boiling doesn’t affect the final

concentration. Therefore, we must stress that frying and sautéing conserve and enhance the phenolic composition. Hydrothermal cooking methods can be recommended when the food is consumed together with the cooking water, as the addition of EVOO improves the phenolic profile and compensates for the deficiencies of the raw food.”

Mediterranean diet has long been associated with a high intake of vegetables and olive oil.

Often dubbed the world’s healthiest diet, recent findings suggest this type of diet could stave of dementia and heart disease.

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RAL sex dramatically increases a person’s risk of developing throat cancer, according to shock new research.

Scientists discovered this sexual practice was the most effective way of spreading the human papillomavirus-16 (HPV-16) which makes recipients 22 TIMES more likely to get the life-threatening cancer.

There are 15 strains of the virus that can cause cervical cancer, but HPV-16 is the most common. It is thought HPV is spread to the mouth and throat via oral sex.

Michael Douglas claimed his throat cancer

Oral sex raises risk of throat cancer - diagnosed in 2010 - was caused by HPV. The actor recovered from the stage four tumour.

The research looked at 97,000 people who had traces of the HPV-16 strain in their mouth using mouthwash samples.

Participants were cancer free at the beginning of the study, but were followed for an average of four years after which 132 cases of head and neck cancer were identified.

The researchers compared these results to almost 400 healthy subjects who acted as controls.

Those with HPV-16 pres-

ent in their mouthwash samples were 22 times more likely to develop the cancer.

Dr Ilir Agalliu, of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, said: “This study shows using easily collected oral mouthwash samples may help in predicting people’s risk for developing head and neck cancers.”

Throat cancer is commonly associated with smoking and heaving drinking. More recently it has been linked with HPV. HPV affects almost everyone at some point in their life.

Potatoes could trigger diabetes

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new research found that a daily serving of potatoes raises the risk of type 2 diabetes.

The study, from the Osaka Centre for Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, found that eating seven or more servings of potatoes in a week raises the risk of diabetes by a whopping 33 per cent and a moderate intake of two to four serves a week still ups the risk by seven per cent.

French fries were reportedly the worst offender.

Potatoes seemed to do less

damage when in mashed, boiled and even baked form.

But it’s not all bad news for those who would rather not cut carbs.

Researchers also concluded that replacing three weekly servings of spuds with wholegrains - from rice, wheat, corn or quinoa - could in fact lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by a significant 12 per cent.

Dr Isao Muraki, who authored the study, advised that potatoes should not be regarded as a key component of a healthful diet and

instead a refined carbohydrate.

Speaking to journalists, Dr Muraki said: “Potatoes contain a large amount of starch and a relatively small amount of fibre, vitamins (and) minerals).

“Lower quality and quantity of carbohydrate is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.”

What’s more, spuds served hot are easily digestible and thus raise blood glucose levels faster. So it’s not looking good for the jacket potato.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

21

Global Fund, Gates, (RED) in stronger tie against HIV/AIDS Marcus Fatunmole Abuja

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L-R: Marketing Manager, Astymin, Mr. Friday Enaholo; General Manager, Marketing, Mr. Ola Ijimakin; Product Manager, OTC, Mr. Femi Ajala; and Corporate Service Manager, Mr. Oladimeji Oduyebo, during the Astymin get alert campaign media launch in Lagos, recently.

41m U-5 children at risk of cancer, diabetic, hypertension, others – WHO Marcus Fatunmole Abuja

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report sponsored by the World Health Organization, WHO, yesterday has revealed that 41 million children around the world are obese.

And, judging from arguments of health experts, the children may grow to battle killer diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and other heart problems later in life, if swift solutions are not proffered by government of nations where such children exist, and their relatives.

The report submitted to the agency by Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity (ECHO) showed that Africa had 10.3 million of the figure.

The report was a product of a two-year process by the WHO to address the “alarming” levels of childhood obesity and overweight, globally.

WHO defines overweight and obesity as abnormal or excessive fat ac-

cumulation that presents a risk to health. Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Once considered a problem only in high income countries, overweight and obesity are now dramatically on the rise in low- and middleincome countries, particularly in urban settings, said the global health agency.

According to WHO, overweight prevalence among children aged under-five has risen between 1990 and 2014, from 4.8 percent to 6.1 percent, with numbers of affected children rising from 31 million to 41 million during that time. The number of overweight children in lower middleincome countries has more than doubled over that period, from 7.5 million to 15.5 million, the institution argued further in the summary of the report which it made available on its website.

“In 2014, almost half

(48%) of all overweight and obese children aged under 5 lived in Asia and onequarter (25%) in Africa.

The number of overweight children aged under 5 in Africa has nearly doubled since 1990 (5.4 million to 10.3 million),” it stated.

According to the report, many children are growing up today in environments encouraging weight gain and obesity. “Driven by globalization and urbanization, exposure to unhealthy (obesogneic) environments is increasing in high-, middle- and low-income countries and across all socioeconomic groups. The marketing of unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages was identified as a major factor in the increase in numbers of children being overweight and obese, particularly in the developing world…

“The ECHO report proposes a range of recommendations for governments aimed at reversing the rising trend of children

aged under-five years becoming overweight and obese. At least 41 million children in this age group are obese or overweight, with the greatest rise in the number of children being obese or overweight coming from low- and middleincome countries.

“Increased political commitment is needed to tackle the global challenge of childhood overweight and obesity,” co-chair of the commission, Sir Peter Gluckman, was quoted as saying in the statement.

He was quoted further: “Increased political commitment is needed to tackle the global challenge of childhood overweight and obesity,” says Sir Peter Gluckman, Commission co-chair. “WHO needs to work with governments to implement a wide range of measures that address the environmental causes of obesity and overweight, and help give children the healthy start to life they deserve.”

Safety expert calls for action against youth drug abuse Franka Osakwe

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safety expert, Engr.

Timothy Iwuagu, has advocated for more programmes to reduce drug abuse among youths in the country.

Iwuagu who is also the chairman, Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) Lagos Branch, made the call in an exclusive interview with Nation-

al Mirror.

According to him, more Nigerian youths are abusing psychoactive substances and this is due to unemployment, peer group pressure, anxiety, frustration, economic depression, unemployment and social deprivation. Iwuagu, while reacting to the proposed job creation promise by Federal government said there was a need for National Orientation Agency to educate the youth on effects of drug

abuse so that they can function effectively in their job.

“One of the ways youths can be rescued from the harmful effects of drug abuse is to educate them on its destructive effects and peer group influence. The youths do not know the effect of taking drugs and its consequences so lack of education is the main bane.

They need proper education on the dangers of drug.

Some of them go into it for experimentation, because

their mate is taking it, they decided to take it.”, he revealed.

Iwuagu stated that 80 percent of auto accidents are drug-related, adding that youths are more prone to using and abusing drugs.

He said that most of the crimes and vices, whether domestic or societal, such as rape, robberies, kidnapping, murder, arsons and others, are products of drug intake.

he Global Fund, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and (RED), have reiterated their commitment to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic and deliver an AIDS-free world soon.

Global Fund said in a release on behalf of the institutions that (RED) alone had contributed $350 million to fight the disease since its inception in 2006.

The three organizations have made tremendous efforts to defeat HIV/AIDS and other diseases, globally.

A statement made available to journalists by the organization quoted its Executive Director, Mark Dybul, as saying (RED) announced new partnerships with prominent organizations namely NetJets, Salesforce and Tradeshift, including innovative multi-national companies that would generate millions of dollars for the Global Fund.

“These companies joined América Móvil, Apple, Bank of America, Belvedere, GAP, SAP, Star-

bucks and The Coca-Cola Company, each of which has renewed their partnerships with (RED),” Global Fund added.

The statement quoted Chief Executive Officer, Deborah Dugan, as promising to get more funds from collaborations to further deal a blow on the disease. (RED)’s leadership, the statement noted, gave the commitment at the just-concluded World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

“Founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver in 2006 to create a sustainable flow of private sector money for the Global Fund, (RED) has engaged partners, many extraordinary collaborators and a number of special events in efforts to accelerate an end to the AIDS epidemic,” Global Fund stated.

To mark (RED) 10 years of existence and double its impact, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced that it will match every dollar generated by (RED) in 2016, up to US$50 million, according to the release.

“Over the past decade, (RED) has enrolled mil-

Astymin begins cash promo Franka Osakwe

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sers of Astymin brand of multivitamin, will now gain financial and nutritional reward through constant use of the multivitamin.

Makers of the brand, Fidson Pharmaceuticals says it has begun a cash promo designed to reward Astymin customers with one hundred thousand Naira, on daily basis. The Product Manager, OTC, Mr. Femi Ajala, who revealed this during the media launch in Lagos, says the promo tagged ‘Get Alert Promo’ will commence from 1st February to 31st December, 2016. He said ten people will win ten thousand Naira everyday while one person will win One Hundred Thousand Naira, every month.

On how to win the cash prizes, “simply buy an Astymin multivitamin, scratch off the authentication label and send code to 1393. You will get a message telling you how to proceed with entry. A confirmation text message will be sent to user after submitting details.

Draw will take place ev-

ery day and ten winners selected by the system will receive an SMS from 1393. The SMS will read ‘congratulations!

You just won in the Astymin get alert promo. You will be contacted shortly with 08077008888”, he said.

On how to collect the cash reward, he said the winnings will be sent to the winners either through online transfer or hand collection at their head office, while winners list will be published on the Astymin website, social networks, and the Punch and Guardian newspaper every month.

“There will also be special instant reward for online participants, the promo will be broadcast on television, radio, websites, social media, and blogs”, he said.

Explaining about the nutritional benefits of Astymin, Mr. Ajala, revealed that the multivitamin is a unique blend of all essential amino acids required by the body for physical and mental development in children, coping with stressful situation, ill health and convalescent.

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Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Over weight can cause asthma – Oloruntoba Many asthmatics find it difficult controlling their asthma attacks and this has resulted in severe health crisis and even death. However, a physician, Dr. Funsho Oloruntoba, in this interview with FRANKA OSAKWE explains the causes of asthma and how it can be managed. Excerpts

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hat manner of disease is asthma?

Asthma is a disease affecting the airways that carry air to and fro the lungs. It is an incurable illness that requires urgent treatment to avoid any disaster. If not well managed, an asthma attack will lead to death. However, with good treatment and management there is no reason why a person with asthma cannot live a normal and active life.

Can one outgrow asthma?

You don’t actually outgrow asthma but some individuals have their symptoms become less and less, and they become better in managing their asthma so well that the asthma hardly shows itself. But I often advise such individuals to always go out with their inhalers despite the fact that their asthma attacks are minimal.

What are the causes of asthma?

In most cases, we don’t know what causes asthma but we do know that there some who are born with asthma and in this case, it is hereditary. But there are lots of things that can trigger asthma. For instance, someone working in an asbestos company, even ordinary grinding pepper can trigger asthma. Dust mites in home furniture and beds can also cause asthma.

The weather is another factor, like this raining season, some people may not like it and it may trigger off their asthma. Some of the most common triggers are tobacco smoke, outdoor air pollution, cockroach allergen, pets, mold and smokes from burning wood.

Will you describe asthma as an allergy?

Allergens are any substances that the body will treat as a foreign body, triggering an immune response. These vary widely between individuals and often include animal proteins, fungi, pollen, house-dust mites and some kind of dust. Allergen is something you are reacting to and you can have such reaction with or without asthma.

For an asthmatic, their airway cells are sensitive to particular materials making them response more if they are exposed to particular amount of the allergen. Someone that is asthmatic will be allergic to some things, this means that some things can trigger the asthma but not all asthma’s are caused or triggered by allergens. Some asthma is hereditary while others are caused by some disease condition so those ones are not caused by allergen.

Are there some diseases that can lead to asthma?

Yes, obesity. Obese adults are more likely to have asthma compared to adults who are not overweight. In fact it is quoted that there are some percentage of people who are obese that will end up being asthmatic. That is why every obese person needs to be

Dr. Oloruntoba

screened for asthma. Strenuous exercise can also trigger asthma. It is also said that babies born by Caesarean sections have a 20 per cent increase in asthma prevalence compared to babies born by vaginal birth. Certain illnesses such as cold or flu can trigger asthma. Pregnancy and menopause can also trigger asthma.

How can you tell if you have asthma?

It can be hard to tell if someone has asthma, especially in children under age 5. However, if you experience symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing, chest tightness, and cough at night or early in the morning, allergies, then it is proper to have a doctor check how well your lungs work and find out if you have asthma. During a checkup, the doctor will ask if you cough a lot, especially at night and whether your breathing problems are worse after physical activities, or at certain times of the year. The doctor will also ask if you feel chest tightness, wheezing (a hissing sound while breathing), and cold lasting more than 10 days. He will like to find out if anyone in your family has or has had asthma, allergies or other breathing problems. After this, a breathing test will be carried out to find out how well your lungs work.

At what age does asthma begin?

Asthma can begin during childhood and this is called child-onset asthma.

This type of asthma happens when a child becomes sensitive to common allergens in the environment, most likely due to genetic reasons. The child is atopic, meaning he or she is hypersensitive to environmental allergens.

When a person develops asthma after reaching 20 years of age, it is called adult-onset asthma.

This type of asthma affects women more than men, and it is also much less common than childonset asthma. It can also be triggered by some allergic material or an allergy. It is estimated that up to perhaps 50% of adult-onset asthmas are linked to allergies. However, a substantial proportion of adultonset asthma does not seem to be triggered by exposure to allergen(s); this is called non-allergic adult-onset asthma. Symptoms of asthma in children may come and go, while symptoms of adult-onset asthma may be continuous. People with adultonset asthma may need to take medication every day to manage their asthma.

So how do you control asthma?

An asthma attack is when symptoms are worse than usual. It can come on suddenly and can be mild, moderate or severe. An asthma attack can include series of coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and trouble breathing.

During an asthma attack, the muscle around the airways tightens up, narrowing the airways and limiting the air that goes through. The airway becomes inflamed, causing further narrowing. In severe asthma attack, the airways are completely blocked such that oxygen fails to enter the lungs.

This also prevents oxygen from entering the blood stream and travelling to the body’s vital organs. Attacks of this nature can be very fatal and the patient may require urgent hospitalization. However, you can control your asthma by knowing the warning signs of an asthma attack. An asthma attack will occur when you are exposed to asthma triggers. Your trigger can be very different from someone else’s so it is important for an asthmatic to know his or her triggers and stay away from them. And finally, following your doctor’s advice by taking your medications exactly as your doctor tells you will help you control your asthma.

How is asthma attacks treated?

Asthma cannot be cured but there are tools and medicines to help you control your asthma. In treatment of asthma, we have two types of drugs; reliever drugs that act rapidly to open up the blocked airways and controller drugs, which act slowly to prevent airway from becoming blocked. For People with moderate to severe asthma attacks, long term controller medicine such as steroids are either inhaled or taken by mouth and they are used to prevent symptoms. For them to work, the patients have to take them every day, even when they are feeling ok. For those experiencing attack, the quick reliever medication are taken to control the asthma. However, a severe asthma attack requires a check-up by a doctor and probably a hospital stay.

The patient will likely be given oxygen, breathing assistance, and medications.

How can one live positively with asthma?

An important part of managing asthma is adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fats and sugars, get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, work on managing stress, and, of course, do not smoke. Identifying and avoiding asthma triggers will help you to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle with asthma. Asthmatics should strive to reduce stress as much as possible and learn to cope with the challenges and frustrations of living with asthma in a positive way.

Also regular appointment with your physician helps you manage asthma so that you can assess your level of asthma control. Checkups are usually recommended every 6 to 12 months for mild intermittent or mild persistent asthma that has been well-controlled for at least 3 months. Those with moderate persistent asthma should be checked up every 3 to 6 months, and those with uncontrolled or severe persistent asthma should be checked every 1 to 2 months.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

23

Arts Lounge

We should learn from mistakes of Bollywood –Kelly Ede

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Music: Film director unleashes ‘Ijele’

Furore over shot Nollywood actor For Nollywood actor, Charles Okocha, December 27, 2015 will remain memorable. While attending a wedding in Nnewi Anambra State, he encountered a situation that changed his life forever.

Gloria Anaeze

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hen a Nollywood Actor, Charles Okocha was shot along with Sam Belonwu Dim, a Lagosbased business man by a trigger-happy police officer on December 27, 2015 at Uruagu, Nnewi, Anambra State during a traditional wedding ceremony, nobody believed that Okocha would be alive today because an eyewitness said his intestines gushed out, even though Sam was not that lucky as he was said to have died instantly at the scene of the incident.

According to an eye witness account, Okocha went through hell to survive beginning from when he was shot up to when he was rushed to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi.

A Good Samaritan, Mr James Louis Okoye, an event planner and manager who with some other individuals took Okocha to hospital graphically narrated the ordeal of the Nollywood Actor.

“I’m into event planning and management. I package events for people from funeral to wedding and all that stuff. My company is Jalou Events Ltd. “I am not just worried but I’m mad about what happened in order to save Okocha’s life. You know I was at Danduko’s house on December 27, 2015 for the traditional wedding of his daughter.

What really happened was that the trigger-happy police officer saw an Actor he recognized and he said look at this my guy, let me throw one in air for him, that is to give him a gun salute, forgetting that the gun was on rapid before, may be he was drunk like people said, I don’t know about that. He pulled the trigger.

He had the intention to release one shot in the air. But he could not control the gun again because up to eight or nine bullets flew out from the gun.

The bullets hit two people Sam, right, and Charles Okocha. But I didn’t see the other guy (Sam) and there was a noise at the other end.

“When I rushed out of Danduko’s compound I saw Charles Okocha lying helplessly on the ground. And in our usual way people started shouting heh! hoo! It is that Actor oo! And some people had started bringing out their phones snapping him without doing anything to save his life.

This is somebody who was dying and needed help. I shouted at them. And you know traffic was heavy everywhere and

Scene in a Nollywood movie Charles Okocha

so many vehicles blocked the way. And my car was packed at a primary school field, some metres away from the scene of the incident.

I looked at the guy his intestines were already coming out. He was strong enough to hold them,” Mr Okoye narrated.

He said people assisted him. And they had to carry Okocha to where his (Okoye’s) car was packed.

He said a few cars were packed in the front of the man’s house and he knocked at the glass of one of them because he saw somebody there.

“Two other guys and myself, we now sped up to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi.

“We got to the NAUTH where I said thank God that we finally made it to the hospital. But it was a nightmare. The guy (victim) was crying “please help me, I don’t want to die, Jesus help me, and all.” Now, the move I saw from the nurses and doctors, or I don’t know who doctors are or who are student doctors was so annoying.

Those who helped brought the Actor to the hospital were angry and started shouting at the medical personnel.

I told my friends that making trouble or even shouting at them could make our friend Charles to die unattended to. I had to beg the nurses and all that. They now said go and sign for this, go and sign for that. I was obediently doing all that even faster than they expected. I told them to check if my own blood could match his (the victim), that I’m willing to donate to just save his life. They said it will

take longer time, that they already had blood in their bank. But they said what they had in their blood bank would pass through test one, two and three for HIV/ AIDS. “They said they were waiting to do the last one. They said for the fact that my case is urgent, that if I wouldn’t mine, I will have to sign that I approved for them to use the one they are not very sure of HIV/AIDS – free. They said they are waiting for the last confirmation that the blood is HIV/AIDS -free. Now, look at the disturbing fact. A few days ago, Charles Okocha went back to the hospital to remove the stitches because he was planning to travel to Lagos for further check up even Danduko was ready to fly him overseas for further treatment.

And after losing the stitches, he was just sitting down and all of a sudden we heard a noise like a balloon burst. Behold, everything in Charles Okocha’s stomach came out. You know it was a major operation.”

He said nurses rushed and looked at him and ran away.

“But Charles was courageous enough to hold his intestines from dropping on the ground and he turned his face away from his hands so that he would not faint at the sight of his own intestines coming out.

After about 25 minutes the so called surgeon came in again. He went back to start all over and Charles began to go through the pains he had a few days ago.

It was an annoying thing. “ Reacting, the Chairman, Medical and Advisory Committee, NAUTH, Nnewi, Dr Evaristus Ede Afiadigwe who spoke to our correspondent as the Chief Medi-

I don’t know why this should be made an issue.

I investigated the incident by myself and discovered that there was no negligence. The Nylon 1 and Nylon 2 are of high quality not even the 3 you are talking about

cal Director (CMD), Professor Anthony Igwegbe was said to have travelled out dismissed the claims of Mr Okoye even though he admitted that there was an incident of stomach burst involving Actor Okocha. He said there was no atom of negligence in the treatment of Mr Okocha. He noted that stomach burst was a medical experience that could occur any time.

“I heard about the eruption, stomach burst. The doctor wanted to use Nylon 2 Defilon but what was available was Nylon I. It is not possible that everything you need, the number and quality will be available at every given time. And you know that was on a Sunday. But the Nylon I is used and one still gets a perfect result.

I don’t know why this should be made an issue. I investigated the incident by myself and discovered that there was no negligence. The Nylon 1 and Nylon 2 are of high quality not even the 3 you are talking about. Life and death are actually in the hands of God. We did everything humanly possible to save Charles Okocha’s life. And this is what one should be grateful for instead of painting the hospital black.

“We do conduct audit on how our doctors and nurses work and we have a disciplinary committee which handles erring medical personnel. There is no negligence in this matter. Some doctors even use Nylon 1 ordinarily. It is just that the doctor said he wanted to use Nylon 2.

Nylon 2 was available in the hospital but it wasn’t available at the time the doctor was doing the surgery. There was a repeat surgery and it was successful,” the doctor said.

He later took our correspondent to the theatre where he showed him the Nylons 1 and 2, still arguing that either of them could be used in the absence of the other.

He also took him to the male ward to see Okocha whom he said would soon be discharged, even though Okocha could not react to questions put him as he was still in pains.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

VOICES

Nature, nurture in women-centred theatre Sunday Ododo

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ature and nurture are twin words essentially associated with the developmental process of human beings. While nature emphasises the innate and inherited qualities of the individual, nurture engages the human behaviour as determined by the environment and other acquired personal experiences. The notion that humans acquire all or almost all their behavioural traits from “nurture” was termed tabula rasa(“blank slate”) by John Locke in 1690. Nature and nurture have been open to intensive debate on their roles in human development but in recent time, both are now factors found to contribute substantially, often in an extricable manner, to human development. In their 2014 survey of scientists, Alison Gopnik and Edge submit that many respondents wrote that the dichotomy of nature versus nurture has outlived its usefulness, and should be retired. The reason is that in many fields of research, close feedback loops have been found in which “nature” and “nurture” influence one another constantly (as in self-domestication), while in other fields, the dividing line between an inherited and an acquired trait becomes unclear (as in the field of epigenetics or in fetal development). (Edge.org and Gopnik).

It is now being realised that nature is every bit as important as nurture. Genetic influences, brain chemistry, and neurological development contribute strongly to who we are as children and what we become as adults. While each child is born with his or her own distinct genetic potential for physical, social, emotional and cognitive development, the possibilities for reaching that potential remain tied to early life experiences and the parent-child relationship within the family. The route through childhood is shaped by many forces, and it differs for each of us. Our biological inheritance, the temperament with which we are born, the care we receive, our family relationships, the place where we grow up, the schools we attend, the culture in which we participate, and the historical period in which we live; all these affect the paths we take through childhood and condition the remainder of our lives. Genes and family may determine the foundation of the

Ododo

house, but time and place determine its form. We are all therefore what nature and nurture have made us.

The Nigerian theatre has its evolutionary history located in our innate culture and has grown acquiring values of entertainment forms of other world cultures to sustain and reinvent itself. Like a plant, with its distinct nature, it has enjoyed the nurturing of many hands, values, ideas, experimentations, traditions, and the constantly changing socio-historical realities of our existence. Women-centred drama, theatre and performance are part of the nature of Nigerian theatre. It is from this larger context one can appreciates the unique contributions of women in the nurturing of Nigerian theatre, the growth of women-centred drama, theatre and performance, as well as the role of men at the centre of that creative development.

In Nigeria women-centred drama can be broadly categorised into two: One, Male dramatists on women and Two, Women dramatists on women. The first category subsumes the creative output of male dramatists on women and issues that concern them, while the second cat-

egory similarly deals with the drama by women dramatists on women and womencentred matters. The first category expectedly constitute early Nigerian dramatists who are mainly male (D.O. Oyedele, Hubert Ogunde, James Ene Henshaw, Wole Soyinka, J.P. Clark, Ola Rotimi, Wale Ogunyemi, etc.) before the appearance of Zulu Sofola as the first female Nigerian published playwright in 1972 with her Wedlock of the Gods. The content of the drama of this phase of Nigerian theatre on women are hitherto ordinarily interpreted as creative works meant to capture the reality of that historical period and the Nigeria cultural values. Themes were ostensibly raised to address disturbing social issues like prostitution, divorce, marital deceit, erosion of cultural values, ills of western civilization, adultery, corruption, etc. Even the early plays of Zulu Sofola fall into this category too. However, the second category is essentially an offshoot of recent feminist reading of the works of these male dramatists, which has come to the conclusion that the imaging of women in their works is unfair and uncomplimentary (Harrow 170, Palmer 38, Salami 43). This notion of

In Nigeria women-centred drama can be broadly categorised into two: One, Male dramatists on women and Two, Women dramatists on women.

Memorable Reads Which book has had the most profound impact on you and why?

I don’t really have a book I can put in that category. If there is anything close to this, I will say it is the Bible.

But I don’t see the Bible as a mere book Who is your favourite author and why?

It is John Grisham. I like the way he manages to take us inside the minds of people and convinces us that in everyone resides the inherent ability to do evil.

What are you reading currently?

I am reading ‘50 Shades of Grey’.

How big is your personal library and what is your annual expenditure on books?

Chioma Toplis

Actress

I don’t have lots of book because once I read, I give it out as a gift to someone; the memory is stored inside me. I have spent a lot of books and magazines though, and I have never calculated What are your views on the reading culture in Nigeria?

The reading culture in Nigeria is dead and has been monstrously over taken by technology. The internet and phones now make up for books.

If you author a book at the moment, what would be your theme? if I authored a book I would focus on the Nigerian celebrity

female misrepresentation in male-written drama probably accounts for the sharp division that has come to underline the vigour and tenacity with which the Nigerian female dramatists also now try to address men and men-centred issues with uncomplimentary remarks, while projecting positive image of women. In Jeremiah Methuselah’s contention, women dramatists have overreacted by portraying men as sexist; they completely obliterate anything good in their male characters; choosing to make more of caricatures of them whereas, a critical consideration of these plays put up to ‘combat’ these false images of women are themselves questionable given their exaggerated content of the brutish, intolerant, insensitive and uncaring male and the overemphasis of the woman as a super perfect person.

In his view, Apart from the plays of Zulu Sofola and Tess Onwueme, most of the later female playwrights like Stella Oyedepo, Julie Okoh, Irene Salami, Tracie Chimah UtohEzeajugh and so on have in one way or the other portrayed an exaggerated image of the woman in most of their plays.

He concludes that The implications of this, in our opinion, is that women playwrights, in their attempt at subverting patriarchy, have ended up worse purveyors of this ‘crime’ than men in this gender ‘war’ within the literary intellectual ferment (Methuselah).

My take on these arguments is that these creative products by our men and women are propelled by the issues they set out to address and not necessarily to deliberately deride women or men as the case may be. If our women are perceived to have over projected womanhood, I ask, what is seriously wrong with that? Absolutely nothing in my own view. It only further confirms that women are the master artist is the art of cosmetic applications; it is a call for attention and I think they are getting it. …to be continued. *Professor Sunday Ododo works at Department of Theatre Arts, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

25

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

We should learn from mistakes of Bollywood –Kelly Ede Newly-married actress Kelly Ede has been in Nollywood as a producer and actress. How is she coping?

Ngozi Emedolibe

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t will really be difficult boxing her within the confines of one occupation in Nollywood. As a writer, she also acts and when funds permit, she could be seen producing and casting. That is the story of Kelly Ede, an Enugu State born film practitioner, who has put in well over a decade in the Nigerian film industry. Kelly says recognised that she would only derive happiness from nothing but the entertainment industry as a youngster. “As a child, I knew the entertainment industry would be it for me. I used to enjoy a lot of television and reading; and each time I watched someone on TV, I would like to mimic her. That gave me joy, and it was natural that I gravitated towards the film industry at the end of the day.”

Confronting the challenges of getting a role in Nollywood, she had to wade through a number of little roles, until she landed the big one in ‘The Orphan’, where she was paired alongside Nkiru Sylvanus and Jim Iyke. This was closely followed by another sub-lead role in ‘Lost Love’, where she acted with Bimbo Akintola and Emeka Ike. “I am one of those who believe that roles in Nollywood are often times not given according to merit. There are times the considerations are mundane and not in line with art. A producer will consider the chances of recouping his investment first of all not minding if the actress he is using is frit for the role or not. That is

why there is so much recycling in the industry. They recycle faces and this makes a lot of Nollywood films to have similar themes and create the feeling that the plots are similar”.

But determined to make an impression, Kelly one day decided that she has had enough of the ‘stereotyping’ from the producers. The result was her first feature film, as a producer. Titled ‘Between Two Walls’, it is a 2001 movie which featured not only Kelly but also Desmond Elliot and Mercy Johnson.

She calls this effort one of her most astounding experiences in her film career. “ ‘Between Two Walls’, remains one of my best works. I did the casting, and on the set we had artistes like Desmond Elliot and Mercy Johnson. The script was done by me, so that gave me a fore knowledge of the kind of impact I wanted to create with the movie. Up till now, wherever I go, I get recognition and applause. People tell me how much they love the story which was written by me and how they love the character I played and how they can’t wait for my next work. As a producer, it made me realise my potentials as a good cast-director and my ability at putting together a good movie.”

Incidentally, ‘Between Two Walls’, made negligible profit; a situation that made the budding actress cum producer to reconsider her chances as a producer.

“It opened my eyes about the kind of frustration that could come with distributors. It is not about where your movie has been to but about the copies being ac-

‘Between Two Walls’, remains one of my best works. I did the casting, and on the set we had artistes like Desmond Elliot and Mercy Johnson

MIDWEEK JUMP

Caine Prize 2016 opens

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he Caine Prize for African Writing is open for submissions.

The prize is awarded to a short story by an African writer published

counted for”. That was essentially the challenge I had with the film.

People were talking about it, yet it was not making money. The marketer made me to reconsider my chances in the industry.”

Following this, Kelly decided to take a break from the industry until she would have enough resources to take a plunge into producing again. “Nollywood had then become a clique thing; there was politics, in being given roles as an actress. Producers will tell me how much of a fantastic actress I am but still go ahead to give the roles to others who are yet to grow their first tooth in acting. Funnily, most of those girls are nowhere in Nollywood today.”

After some years off the scene, the pull has suddenly become overwhelming that Kelly Ede has reconsidered her stand.

At the moment she is back in Nollywood with a new soap opera, ‘In da Hood’. “It’s a contemporary family drama featuring David Mckenzie, Kate Effiong-Okunnu, Kelechi Udegbe , myself and a whole load

in English, whether in Africa or elsewhere. Indicative length is between 3000 and 10,000 words. There is a cash prize of £10,000 for the winning author and a travel award for each of the shortlisted candidates (up to five in all). The shortlisted candidates will also receive a Prize of £500.

The prize is free to enter and the deadline is 31st January 2016.

Works received after the submission deadline will be put forward to the next year’s prize

of new talents. It is about different issues that affect families and the positive ways of dealing with them, especially concerning the youths. It is not only educative and informative; it is also comical. It makes you laugh, while educating you.”

The new work written by Kelly Ede is being directed by Fuahd Bankole, and according to Kelly would change the perception of the Nigerian audience when it starts showing on television screens soon.

She has a complacent attitude to the new order in Nollywood. “The challenges are not like it used to be before because Nollywood has evolved; but technically, I think we still need to brush up. I am a great fan of Bollywood and I am always amazed each time I watch Indie movies; we have raw talents; so I don’t understand why we keep recycling faces.”

‘Beyond Blood’ still in cinemas

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reg Odutayo’s new work, Beyond Blood is still running in cinemas across many cities in Nigeria, after its official premiere at Silverbird Cinema, Victoria Island, Lagos on January 15, 2016. The movie, according to him chronicles the ills in our society and the world at large. This include Human Trafficking, Prostitution, Drug addiction, AIDS, Homosexuality, gangs and a culture that legitimises tyranny and injustice especially of women trapped in the vagrancies of culture and tradition. Beyond Blood was shot in four languages: English, Pidgin, French and

Yoruba languages with subtitles. It was shot in Lagos, Nigeria and London, UK. Besides Kehinde Bankole who played Moji, it also starred Bimbo Manuel, Caroline King, Joseph Benjamin, and Francis Onwochei amongst others.

Arts Lounge

26

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

FAR AND NEAR

Music: Film director unleashes ‘Ijele’ Ngozi Emeolibe

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enowned film director and producer, Ifeanyi Onyeabor is set with a series of singles to titillate his fans in the entertainment industry.

According to the Nkanu, Enugu State born filmmaker, the first of the series of singles, Ijele, will be released on Sunday, January 31, 2015 on major online and broadcast platforms.

To unleash the musical part of his talent, he says he would go by the stage name ‘Big Slim’. In a phone interview about this new venture, he reiterated that music has been a part of his upbringing since his childhood days in Jos, Plateau State, and would in no way mean that he would abandon his calling in the art of filmmaking.

“How do I start to explain this?” he said. “Music has always been a part of me. Right from my days in Jos, people would tell you that they knew me first as the guy who sings. But I noticed that my filmmaking efforts have kind of swallowed my music talent and I do not want that to happen. My music is a summation of my cultural experiences from the north, south and west, where I have cultural and social affinities to. I am from the south east, was born in the north and have spent business years in the south west. So, it is a great experience to impart to fans through music” Ijele according to him reflects these ex-

Ifeany Onyeabor

periences and has been specifically composed to engender the spirit of values in Nigerian music. “So many stakeholders say our music has not been able to project our values as a people and this is what I am about to correct. While it has tunes and melody someone can dance to, it is also filled with messages for the populace. For me, music is art and art is supposed to leave a legacy, while it mirrors the society”.

Onyeabor who is also a script writer and song writer, is the CEO of ‘Igo Mo-

tion Pictures. He has won many awards for filmmakaing, which includes: Best African Director (New York Film Festival) in 2000, ‘Best Art Director’ (AMAA), Best Overall Director ‘Golden Camel Award’ (Lagos International Film Festival) amongst others. He is known for successful movies like “Scout”, “New Jerusalem”, “James Town”.

His music, Ijele, is coming under Alkebulan Records and premiers with a video featuring Funny Dawg. It was produced

by Emcee Toosh Beat.

As ‘Artists’ Village’ becomes rubbles

Remains of art works demolished last week

Olaseni Damilola

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rtists’ village which is annexed to the National Arts Theatre was demolished in the early hours on

Saturday January 23, 2016. There were massive protests of artistes in Lagos as the government demolished their shops at the National Theatre citing illegal activities going on in the area.

The government claimed that the artist village which was demolished has

become the home of illegal and illicit activities. The artist dispute the fact given by government and said the government has ulterior motives for their actions.

According to Justin Chinedu Ezirim’s post on Facebook “let it be on record the battle begins, that the DG (Kabiru Yusuf) of the National Arts Theatre has become a complete nuisance to the artists community, and since he is a representative of the Federal Government, his recent action further tells us that this present government is bent on completely destroying the arts and creative expression” Eyewitnesses reported that the DG accompanied by a battalion of fully armed policemen, including the DPO came to the artist village with bulldozers at the early hours of Saturday and started demolishing workshops and structures that housed veteran actors, painters, sculptors, drums etc. without prior notice of demolition. “Some artists claimed are receiving treatment from the hospitals as they were injured from gunshot as the DG orders that anyone pleading or reacting to this move should be shot. In fear of reaction of the youths at the village, the DG brought out a pistol shot in the air, and once again ordered the police to continue shooting before running away from the scene. These artists have been rendered homeless as their priceless and intellectual properties were destroyed,” claimed an artist at the scene.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Applause as Davido inks Sony deal

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usic star, David Adedeji Adeleke popularly known as Davido (omo baba olowo), has signed a record deal with Sony Music Entertainment at its headquarters in New York City. The deal makes the `Skelewu’ crooner the first African to enter into such deal with the international label. According to a statement from Davido obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the deal will help him to create, distribute and market his music at world class level.

He said the deal was executed by Nigerian-born American Music Executive, Efe Ogbeni (Grace, Red One), who is also a partner with Nicki Minaj on Parker Ighile‘s project. Also, it was facilitated

by Davido’s manager, Kamal Ajoboye, the brain behind the musician’s sophomore album, “The B.A.D.D.E.S.T.” pushed back in 2015.

The details of the new deal were not made public, but the boss of the music label was Honorable Kings of Newschool (HKN).

Davido, who is also the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Award winner, also took to his social media pages to celebrate the deal.

He said “thank you God!! I have worked hard all my life for this day!

This is the day that the lord has made!!”. “1st African Artist to sign a global record deal! my story is just starting!! My mother is smiling in Heaven right now.

“I’m going to make Africa proud! I s…r down,” he said.

Meanwhile, in celebration of his new deal, his colleagues, including Ice Prince, M.I, Phyno, Adekunle Gold, PatoranKing, Sina Rambo (Cousin) and fans took time to congratulate him on different social media platforms.

Davido

Business

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

FG canvasses food security inclusion in UNIDO programmes 30

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Counting costs of pipeline vandalism, refineries’ closure on Nigeria’s economy 33

E-certify ‘ll boost Nigeria’s non-oil export capacity –NACCIMA Olufemi Adeosun, Abuja

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the organised private sector is focused on how to give value to the policies government is shunning out to promote non-oil export. We are being proactive in looking at what can grow the economy beyond oil and gas. The two critical areas would be agriculture and export.

NACCIMA is taking the lead to encourage all relevant institutions, and stakeholders to start looking at how to grow the economy along the two paths.

“The certificate of origin is a very critical export document that is needed to export any kind of product, be it

manufactured goods, service or valued added products. Nigeria has a lot of preferential trade agreements with different countries and all of these countries require certificate of origin from Nigeria. And it is NACCIMA that is saddled with the responsibility of issuing the certificate.”, he added While urging every exporters to take advantage of the new product, the NACCIMA chief, who is also the President Coalition of South-South Chamber of Commerce, maintained

Any airline that charges arbitrary fares ‘ll lose its market share –British Airways boss 28

that the initiative would give more credibility to their products, particularly in the countries where they stand to benefit from the various incentives arising from trade agreements.

“Before the process of obtaining certificate of origin usually took days, and weeks but with the NACCIMA e-certify, it can be processed within five minutes and you can access the certificate from everywhere across the country”, Harry assured.

he National Vice President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Mr. Billy Harry, has said that the newly unveiled e-certify would complement government’s quest to boost the nation’s non-oil export.

He said that the association’s newly designed product, “e-certify”, would not only help to fast-track the process of the issuance certificate of origin, but also improve the standards of export products.

Speaking on the benefits of the new product, Harry explained that it would help the country in its quest to boost non-oil products, particularly at a time the country is witnessing economic downtown occasioned by the dwindling oil price.

He clarified: “NACCIMA new focus is to grow export. We want to complement the efforts of government in growing the Nigerian economy through the new initiative tagged e-certify. The country is going through a very serious economic downturn. The simple reason for this is the obvious fact that the economy has always relied on oil export.

In the 50s and 60s, our economy was L-R: The Managing Director of Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa and the Executive Director of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, at the ‘Good Morning Africa’ programme organized by the focused on agriculture.

“NACCIMA as the mouthpiece of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) last weekend

TSA: NAMA boss tasks employees on strict compliance Olusegun Koiki

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he Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, has ordered all the staff of the agency to immediately adhere strictly to the new policy of the Federal Government on the Treasury Single Account, TSA.

The helmsman also said that all other policies initiated by the government must be obeyed to the letter, maintaining that they were all targeted at repositioning the economy towards greatness.

A statement issued by the spokesperson of NAMA, Mrs. Olajumoke Adetona quoted Abdusalam as giving the directive at a one-day workshop attended by top management staff of NAMA at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Training Centre, NCAA Annex, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos.

According to the NAMA boss, the TSA was a unified government accounting system, which enabled consolidation and optimal utilisation of revenue, adding that in the light of dwindling oil fortunes, there was the need for all stakeholders to support and encourage the reforms of the Federal Government both in their individual and collective capacities to succeed.

He insisted that these policy initiatives were bound to give the Nigerian economy and by extension, the aviation sector the needed boost and turnaround in the long run.

Abdusalam also charged participants to look inwards and device new frontiers where the agency could generate more revenue from non-aeronautical sources, just as he cautioned against waste and frivolous expenses.

He stated: “The present economic realities have left us with no other option than

27

to align ourselves with the policy direction of the Federal Government by prioritizing our expenditure and also blocking leakages.”

Meanwhile, ahead of the forthcoming International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, in March 2016, NAMA has joined forces with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and other critical stakeholders responsible for managing aviation crisis, including NCAA, Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC and the Nigerian Air Force, among others, in a live aeronautic simulation of an air crash into the Atlantic Ocean at Oworonshoki Sand Beach in Lagos.

Code named “Ja’ Sokun,” the National Aeronautical Search and Rescue Exercise (NASAREX) focused on a disaster that could result from an air crash and create mass casualty incident which requires a coordinated response from all critical stakeholders.

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES Med-View Airline Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. Abuja-Yola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00.

Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50.

Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00.

Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00

Dana Air Abuja-Lagos 9am, 1pm, 5.28pm daily Lagos-Abuja 7am, 11am, 1.23pm,3.30pm daily Lagos-PH: 7.20AM, Ph-Abuja9.54am, Abuja-ph: 3.30pm and Ph-Lagos: 5.28pm daily Lagos-Uyo: 9.20am, Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am, Abuja-Uyo 1.05pm, Uyo-Lagos: 3pm daily Weekends Lagos-Abuja: 7.02am, 9am, 3.30pm Abuja-Lagos: 9am, 2.20pm and 5.28pm Lagos -Phc: 11.07am Phc-Lagos: 1.05pm Phc-Abuja: 12.51pm Abuja-Phc: 10.50am Lagos-Uyo: 9.18am Uyo-LOS -3.03pm Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am Abuja-Uyo: 1.05pm

Aero Contractors Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.30 (Sun) 16.45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) Lag-Benin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (Mon-Fri/Sat/ Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) 14.00 (Sun)Lag-Owe: 7.45am, 2pm daily

28

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Any airline that charges arbitrary fares ‘ll lose British Airways is the oldest among international airlines flying the Nigerian routes. The carrier has been accused of ‘unfair regime practice’ by some players in the industry, especially as it relates to its fares, but in this interview with Olusegun Koiki, the Head of Middle East, Africa and Central Asia Sales, Mr. Paolo De Renzis, speaks on the airline’s operations, its future plans, challenges and prospects for sustainable operations, amongst other industry-wide issues.

Excerpts:

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nlike in Africa, in recent time the Middle East seems to be one of the continents giving international airlines some challenges as a result of the big three carriers from that area, how has British Airways been able to cope in the region?

Three years ago, we celebrated 80 years of flying in the Middle East. In the last 83 years, we have been growing capacities in the Middle East annually and in the past five years, we grew our capacity by 40 per cent despite the existence of the other major airlines from that part of the world. And I know this year; we would be celebrating 80 years of flying into Nigeria. So, both in Africa and Middle East, we have long standing relationships De Renzis in both continents and we have been successful in the regions.

In terms of investments, we have been investing in the past 80 years in new aircraft in both regions.

Just recently, we celebrated the launch of our Boeing 787-900 into Abu Dhabi into our airspace, just as we can also from London. We would be enhancing do into their own airspace. In the Middle East, British Airways is the most our product for Nigeria.

In January 2016, we would refurbish important carrier and in terms of our Boeing 747 with new configuration flights, we have about 70 frequencies in the World Club and World Travel, weekly. We are still the biggest carrier improved inflight services and enter- to the region. Of course, there is comtainments. As I said earlier, there is petition and we enjoy competition. We a quite a long list of enhancement in would not have increased our frequenthe region and in Nigeria too, we have cies to the Middle East if we were not been growing capacities in the past 80 that successful. years and this market is very imporThe Lagos-London route is the tant for us. most competitive in Nigeria, just Yes, there is a lot of competition some few weeks back, another Niwhen you see it in Dubai, but despite gerian carrier, Med-View Airline this, we have been growing in terms of commenced direct flight to United capacities and products in the past five Kingdom, what is your view about years. We are familiar with the comthis? petition, we have been around for the British Airways has always operpast 80 years and we enjoy the competition pretty well and we are going to be around for so long.

Specifically, how has competitions among the three gulf carriers, Etihad, Qatar and Emirates affected your flight operations in recent time?

When it comes to a relationship between the Middle East and the United States, U.S, I cannot make any comment on that, but between the Middles East and United Kingdom, there is an open sky policy in place and they can operate many services as they want

ated on a platform of openness. In this industry, we are all competitors and more competition puts you on your toes, makes you react faster and you always think of the customers. We can only advice Med-View to go by the way; we wish them good luck, enjoy Gatwick and let the best man win on the day. The world has changed and you can’t think of killing the competition.

Competition makes you better; customers are better for it and let the best man win on the day.

Sir, there has always been this allegation that mega carriers including British Airways impose arbitrary charges on Nigerian clients when you compare and juxtapose

We can only advice Med-View to go by the way; we wish them good luck, enjoy Gatwick and let the best man win on the day. The world has changed and you can’t think of killing the competition. Competition makes you better; customers are better for it and let the best man win on the day

it with other countries within the sub-region, are you thinking about reducing fares for passengers?

This is an issue we have talked about forever, any airline that just thinks it can arbitrarily charge its clients will kill itself and we are not in the business of killing ourselves. Fares remain competitive and are determined by the forces of supply and demand.

For instance, as at now, we have promotional fares for Christmas, which is just starting and some of the fares are as low as N380,000 and N350, 000. This year, we have sold ridiculous fares and fares can never be static all through the year. You need to tailor your fares according to the season and classes.

There have always been references to some countries where people say fares are cheaper there, but, we can’t compare ourselves with others. In Ghana, there is nothing as the same as Nigeria; not in the housing market, manufacturing and even supply. So, how can aviation be different?

And if you look at Ghana today, it is always more expensive than Nigeria in economy. Nigeria is a mega country; we are number one economy in the continent. So, how can you compare

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

market share –British Airways boss yourselves with that of Ghana economy? Ghana is not even up to 30 million people while Nigeria is over 170 million. Most times, we sell promotional fares to people.

What are your major challenges operating into Africa in terms of on ground facilities?

What I can tell you is that when I moved from Europe to Middle East, I was extremely impressed with the facilities on ground and most of the facilities in Africa are also impressive and are top of the art when you compare to those provided in some European countries.

This is my first time to Lagos and personally, I want to say I was impressed with what I met on ground. In Dubai, it took me just five minutes to go through Nigerian Embassy on the internet and I did my visa online. The only thing I can add to it is that the new minister needs to hit the ground running and improve on whatever facilities we have on ground. Facilities are not static, but changing.

What do you think the government can do in the area of navigational and other airport charges to airlines operating into the country?

The truth is that some of the facilities on ground too have costs when you start looking at the Instrument Landing System, ILS, Total radar Coverage of Nigeria, TRACON, and other facilities. These things also cost money to acquire and install. The only thing I can say is that let’s have a level playing ground for all operators. As long as you have a level playing ground and the rules are applied universally whether you are international or local carrier, to us that is fine because we have to meet our obligations to the people, which we are happy to do and Nigeria will not be an exception.

We have experts on those charges, what they need to do is to tell us how much we need to pay and as long as that applies to others and it is universal, we have no problem with that. That can only be a fair thing to do.

At present, no international airline is on any form of partnership with Nigerian carriers, is there any possibility by British Airways to form partnership with Nigerian carriers in the future?

At African level, we cannot determine who we will partner with, we are owned by International Airlines Group, IAG. The same company that owns us owns Iberia Airlines. At our level, we can never determine who we will relate with.

But, to go local, we will work with any airline that wants to work with us and fits the bill and that is approved by our parent body, IAG, but issues of relationships is determined by IAG and not something we can comment on at all at our own level.

The truth is that some of the facilities on ground too have costs when you start looking

at the Instrument Landing System, ILS, Total radar Coverage of Nigeria, TRACON, and

other facilities. These things also cost money to acquire and install What is the prospect of British Airways in Africa and Middle East in the next five years?

We have been around for a long time in the two regions. We have been investing a lot and we will continue to increase our investments. As I mentioned earlier, from January next year, we would have enhanced product and refurbished cabin for Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai. Those are four key routes in my area. We would be the first one to have refurbished aircraft in my area, which would increase capacities and markets for us. The demand is still very strong for Middle East and Africa when it comes to premium demands.

I cannot tell you what will happen in the next three years, but definitely, we have been investing in the past years and we will continue to invest and the demand is very strong for us.

What has the passenger traffic been for your airline in Africa in the past year?

What I can say with that is that we have had a healthy traffic in the past year. Nigeria and Africa are very healthy for us. Demand has been very strong especially for premium traffic and we hope to increase capacity.

Also, I want the public to know that efficient service is in our Deoxyribonucleic Acid, DNA. We are serving people and we are proud to serve. We are not saying things are perfect for British Airways, but the strength of BA is standing by you when things go wrong. Those people that fly with us are not stupid. You cannot be a monopoly and be expensive. It doesn’t work that way. It doesn’t work in economy theory. You are a monopoly and expensive, how does that work?

If you are not good, you cannot be selling so expensive. The people are not stupid that they keep coming.

There must be something in you to keep coming to you. If they were not coming, we won’t be talking about over 80 years in Nigeria and over 80 years in South Africa. We give excellent service for money and our fares are very competitive.

What is your view about open sky agreement for Africa?

I’m not too familiar with that policy for Africa, but generally speaking, for us is god news. We encourage open sky at our own level. In terms of fre-

quencies in Africa, we are satisfied with what we have and we will keep on evaluating supply and demand.

If there is a need to increase our routes and frequencies, we will let you know. But, in 2016, we will be increasing one frequency in Dubai by one flight, which will grow to three flights daily from London.

Are there plans to unveil any new routes in Africa by 2016?

We are still in the middle of our eight billion pound investments and new products in general. We have been acquiring Airbus 380 and are deployed to a good number of destinations and also, Boeing 787. We will definitely introduce new routes in the future.

In Nigeria, at the moment, we are happy with what we have here, which is daily flight from Lagos and Abuja, but again, demand and sup-

De Renzis

29

ply will determine our operations in Nigeria.

Not much has been heard of British Airways’ Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, programmes in the 80 years of its flying to Nigeria, why?

We sometimes beat ourselves up on CSR. What British Airways is not good at is blowing its own trumpet. CSR is giving back to the society. In 2015, we had this initiative, called Leaders of Tomorrow where students of aviation colleges were picked based on their performances. The essence of that initiative was for us to have future leaders in the industry. In fact, as I’m talking to you now, we monitor their progress. One of them worked for us for a while and there is a possibility that one of them will still work for us in the future.

If you go back to history, we did something in a secondary school in Kuje, Abuja and we went back to that school and with due respect, the kids had never seen a computer before, British Airways, created a computer laboratory and put computers there for them. Not just that, we rebuilt the whole school.

Before that, the students were studying under trees.

We are also involved with Sickle Cell and polio in Nigeria among many other initiatives. What we do is not just a flash in the pan. We also partner with Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs in Nigeria.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG canvasses food security inclusion in UNIDO programmes Regina Otokpa, Abuja

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he Federal Government has called on the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), to include food security in its programmes geared towards developing the country.

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, who gave the advice during a meeting with the UNIDO delegation in Abuja, noted that although UNIDO was more concerned with developing an important sector of the economy, energy, he stressed that food security would not only add value to the economy but also to the Nigerian people.

He said: “Energy is very important but we want food security to be added because it can lift more people. It will help us in defeating poverty which I know is one of the objectives of UNIDO.” According to him, food security would help to stem the rural urban migration, enhance national development and place Nigeria as the economic hub of africa in the next ten years.

Reiterating the importance and commitment of the ministry to growing the economy, the minister maintained that enhancing science and technology was key to reducing the rate of poverty in the country.

The Minister said that his ministry was committed to using Science, Innovation Technology to pull out Nigerians out of poverty, pointing out that the ministry wants to grow the economy by enhance science technology, upgrade and improve on those technology.

Earlier, the Managing Director of UNIDO’s Programme Development and Technical Cooperation Division, Philippe Scholtes, said energy alongside science and technology has the propensity to boost production to cut down on poverty rate.

Lamenting the effect of epileptic energy supply in the country on development especially at the rural areas, Scholtes disclosed that UNIDO was concerned with channelling energy to become the driving force for agricultural pro-

Aviation expert tasks FAAN on airport facilities’ upgrade Olusegun Koiki

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United Kingdom based aviation expert, Mr. John Ughulu, has urged the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, to improve the nation’s airports’ facilities in line with global standards.

Ughulu, who is the Managing Director of Intergrate Nigeria, an aviation service providing outfit, explained that the facilities at most of the airports, especially the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos are ageing, stressing that the Managing Director of the agency, Engr.

Saleh Dunoma as someone who grew from the system ought to have improved the facilities than what we have at the moment..

The aviation expert lamented that none of the nation’s gateway airports met global standard and urged the management to improve on its performance for the airports to gain international recognition.

He said: “The management system that we are applying here is poor. It is not working and if a system has been on for 16 years and it is not giving the set result, that system has to be changed.

“You don’t want that system.

It has to be changed. You have a system that has been on for many years and not working, it shows

that it is either the system or management is bad.”

Ughulu who noted that airports have to be run profitably, however argued that the security and passenger’s facilitation among other issues especially at MMIA must be given greater priority, rather than focus all its entire energy on space allocation to concessionaires.

He alleged that the Lagos airport is regularly becoming chocked up due to lack of effective crowd control system.

To ensure improvement at the airports, he advised the management of the agency to engaged the services of competent personnel, adding that there is also the need to restructure the airport terminal and management of FAAN to bring about efficiency.

“Lifting the face of this airport to global standard, you need to lift the face of the management be training the personnel including the management. When last was in-house management training, overseas training conducted in FAAN as a whole?

How many of the staff have gone for these trainings? You don’t need to be a director to go for such trainings. There are business schools here in Nigeria that offers such in-house trainings that would teach you how to manage your resources.

duction “What we are trying to do is to see how energy can be a driving force for productive activity, rural transformation, the transformation of agro commodities so that energy can transformed, can reduce post harvest losses,

expand the plan of the product and ultimately bring more money to the pockets of the farmers and those who actually grow the commodities.

“This is a matter of injecting science and technology which is very much the core of the

government’s approach to inject science and technology in a way that makes for poverty reduction for transformation of agro commodities particularly the food sector and definitely in terms of contributing to the food security,” he added.

L-R: Group Head, Admin and Legal, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr. Olalekan Sanni; Group Managing Director, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi; Group Executive Director, Corporate Services, Mr. Olatunji Anjorin; and Chief Accountant, Mr. Joseph Alegbesogie, during a media chat on Vitafoam’s business prospects in Lagos recently.

Fidelity brings succour to Maiduguri IDPs

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etermined to improve the lives and wellbeing of communities where it operates, Fidelity Bank Plc, recently put smiles on the faces of children at the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camps across Maiduguri, Borno State.

Staff of Maiduguri branch of Fidelity Bank, working under the aegis of the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), the multi-purpose Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vehicle of the bank contributed funds from their salaries to buy educational supplies, including branded school bags, books and other writing materials which they donated to the children.

The decision to embark on the project tagged “Back to School”, the Bank said was borne out of the need to make life easier for students, particularly children in IDP camps as a result of insurgency in the North-East region of Nigeria.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, said the lender identified education out of the many needs of IDPs because there was a strong correlation between education and socio-economic development especially in modern times when the emphasis is on a knowledge economy.

While stressing the role of education in the advancement of human capital, the Bank Chief stated that an uneducated populace is a veritable breeding ground for extremism and ter-

rorism. “A literate populace, on the other hand is the bedrock of national development”, he added.

Okonkwo, who was represented by the Executive Director, North, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mohammed Balarabe, said the Deposit Money Bank (DMB) will support initiatives that encourage education at all levels particularly those projects that enhance quality and standards.

Balarabe noted that the bank

as a socially responsible institution, takes pride in entrenching the culture of true and responsible citizenship among its staff members.

“We do not want to alienate ourselves from the community where we operate. We maintain high standards of integrity in our relations with state governments as well as host communities. That is why staff of the bank can pull resources together to embark on such a humane project”.

China: Insurers’ profit expected to rise by 73% in 2015

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he Chinese insurance industry is expected to report record net profits for last year, with an average increase of nearly 73% over 2014, according to Mr Zhou Yanli, Vice Chairman of the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC).

The full-year performance is not unexpected because from January to September last year, industry profits were estimated to have reached CNY244.02 billion (US$37 billion), representing an increase of 95% over the corresponding nine months in 2014, as CIRC data indicate.

In line with the trend in the industry, several insurers, which have reported their unaudited financial results for 2015, showed stellar performances.

For example, Taikang Life

posted net profits of CNY8.8 billion for last year, representing an increase of 44.4% over 2014; Huaxia Insurance CNY1.24 billion (45.8% increase); and Qianhai Life CNY3.1 billion (an increase of 22.3 times). Tian An Property, though, turned in a net profit of CNY380 million, representing a more modest 4.3% increase, reported the Securities Times.

Investment gains contributed a large part to net profits. For instance, Taikang Life reported investment profits of CNY46.9 billion representing an increase of 121%; Huaxia Insurance CNY14.95 billion (204% increase); Qianhai Life CNY11.3 billion (168% increase) and Tian An Property CNY8.29 billion (442% increase). (Source - asiainsurancereview.com)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Business News

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World Bank to support Nigeria’s economic diversification Regina Otokpa, Abuja

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he World Bank on Monday indicated its readiness to work with Nigeria through the deployment of adequate technology to diversify the nation’s economy for sustainable development of the country.

World Bank Country Director and Coordinating Director for West Africa Regional Integrated Programme, Rachid Benmesaoud, made the promise during a meeting he had with the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu in Abuja.

According to him, Nigeria’s economy was very important to the global body due to its potential for spin over effect

on other countries within the region.

He further added that the bank was in discussion with the Nigerian government officials on how best it could support the programmes in the country.

Benmesaoud said: “At this moment we have just begun the conversation with the various cabinet members and to try to formulate what is the demand from the government of Nigeria in terms of support to the development challenge in the country.

“We have heard from a number of cabinet ministers on the importance of diversifying the revenue away from the oil sector and we have been working with the minis-

We ‘ll boost non-oil revenue –APMT boss FRANCIS EZEM

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PM Terminals Apapa Limited, the concessionaire in charge of the country’s former Container Terminal, has promised to support Federal Government’ current efforts targeted at boosting non-oil export revenue, especially through imports and excise duties.

The government is currently projecting to rake in N1.45 trillion from non-oil sector through Import duty, Value Added Tax and other related fees to partly fund its 2016 budget.

Managing Director of the company, Mr. Andrew Dawes, who gave the assurance when the newly appointed Customs Area Controller in charge of Apapa Area 1 Command of the service, Comptroller, Willy Egbudin, visited the terminal, said the company would fully support the Service in enhancing the collection of tariffs, import duty and other levies on imports and exports due to the government.

The Managing Director, who hosted the Comptroller at the APM Terminals premises in Apapa, also said that the company was totally committed to government’s efforts at diversifying the nation’s economy to cushion the negative effects of dwindling oil revenue and the facilitation and enhancement of international trade.

He said: “APM Terminals is fully committed to providing as much service as is required in ensuring smooth operation at the port. We are committed to developing and supporting trade growth, which drives the revenue collection of Customs.

We are fully aligned with your ambitions and you will have our full support in delivering your mandate”.

According to him, APM Terminals, as an international container terminal operating company, employs the most modern and technologically advanced terminal handling equipment available in the world.

“We are dedicated to setting the industry standards for efficiency, safety and sustainability and it is our goal to support Nigeria’s drive for economic diversification and growth,” Dawes also said.

Egbudin, had on assumption of duty penultimate week, solicited the suppport of the management of APM Terminals in enhancing revenue collection at the command.

He told journalists that revenue generation was very key to the service especially at this time when the Federal Government’s budget is based partly on non-oil revenue.

He said: “Apapa Command being the flagship of Nigeria Customs Service; all eyes are on us to ensure that we meet our target and if the Service is going to meet its target, Apapa must first realise its target”.

He had also warned that the command would make life miserable for importers, clearing agents and freight forwarders, who might want to stand on its way by failing to make honest declarations.

He therefore urged the importers and their agents to report officers and men of the command, who may want to extort money from them having made genuine declarations.

tries of agriculture and solid mineral in this particular area.

“We are also looking into further support in the power sector. As you know power sector is a major hindrance to growth. Science and technology plays an important role

in all of our support because it looks at aspects of efficiency and innovations”, he added.

In his remarks, the Minister said the present government was focusing on areas that would bring happiness to Nigerians, through economic development, import substitu-

tions and wealth creation.

He noted that government was deliberately pushing to end wholesale import of goods and services into the country, by encouraging local production of “those goods and services we can manufacture internally”.

L-R: Data Security Solutions Manager, Resourcery, Adewale Oniyide; IT Security Cordinator, Nigeria Breweries, Franklin Onuorah and Marketing Manager, Cisco West Africa, Morenike Alder, at the Resourcery/Cisco ‘New Trends, New Threat’ Seminar in Lagos, recently.

IDC predicts more cloud services investments by banks, others Isaiah Erhiawarien

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nternational Data Corporation, IDC, has projected in its latest report on cloud services in Africa that worldwide public cloud services spending will grow from nearly $70 billion in 2015, to over $141 billion in 2019. The report indicated that African

countries will witness spending in manufacturing, banking and professional services and have the highest public cloud services expenditure in 2015.

Based on the projections, analysts believe that Nigeria’s banking sector in view of the size of the financial market will be among key sectors that will invest hugely in ICT cloud services.

Indexes up on strong earnings, rising oil prices

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all Street edged higher on Tuesday morning, driven by strong earnings reports and recovering oil prices, ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting and Apple’s results.

Crude prices steadied above $30 a barrel on hopes that OPEC and non-OPEC producers would come together to tackle a massive supply glut. [O/R] Investors are still reeling from a turbulent start to the year, which saw Wall Street post its worst-ever start to a new year.

A recovery late last week was largely wiped out on Monday as a fall in energy and materials stocks pulled indexes lower.

“It’s going to go back and forth, and it looks like it’s going to depend on what the price of oil does today,” said Matthew Tuttle,

chief executive, Tuttle Tactical Management in Greenwich, Connecticut.

“Expect more of the usual lots of volatility - and it will be interesting to see if the bulls rally this thing or the bears try to sell it off,” Tuttle said, adding that the Fed would be a wild card.

While the Fed is not expected to move on interest rates at its two-day meeting this week, investors will parse the commentary to gauge the impact of the recent global turmoil on the central bank’s outlook.

At 9:37 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 146.28 points, or 0.92 percent, at 16,031.5, the S&P 500 was up 13.27 points, or 0.71 percent, at 1,890.35 and the Nasdaq Composite index was up 17.60 points, or 0.39 percent, at 4,536.09.

According to the IDC, these three industries were also areas where leaders in the Americas, Europe and the Middle East will make a lot of spending.

It stated that the manufacturing industry spent $8.6 billion on public cloud services, followed by banking and professional services at $6.8 billion and $6.6 billion, respectively.

The IDC also reported that telecommunications, which was the second largest industry in terms of public cloud services spend in the Asia/Pacific region, will move into the top position by 2019.

The Corporation’s Programme Director, Customer Insights and Analysis, Eileen Smith, explained that “cloud services will remain the essential foundation of the IT industry’s third platform of innovation and growth. As the cloud market enters an ‘innovation stage’, there will be an explosion of new solutions and value creation on top of the cloud” Smith disclosed that industryspecific applications would be a driving force as businesses look for solutions that can be easily configured to their unique business and vertical requirements, adding that with the huge increase in the number and diversity of services available in the market, organisations across the industries will shift steadily toward cloud-first strategies.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Commerce & Industry

32

Revitalising Odu’a Investment Group for national socio-economic devt As the governors of the five states in the South-West geo-political zone formally admitted Lagos State into their investment group, Odu’a Investment Group, after many years the issue has been at the front burner of the Group Board’s discussions, experts believe that the decision is aptly to foster regional integration and socio-economic development of the region and the nation at large. ABOLAJI ADEBAYO writes.

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ast week, the five governors of Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Ekiti States took a historical decision, which many economic analysts see as desirable in the current drive to improve the South West geo-political zone’s development and by extension, the nation’s non-oil sector economic growth.

They also believed that cooperation among the member states would widen the scope of the investment beyond local level, while it may transform the region to be a major hub for national development as was witnessed in the pre-oil boom years.

According to the former President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, the comparative advantages of each member state would be of great advantage to the group and the whole region if they could leverage on them.

He said that the inclusion of Lagos state would present various advantages for the group in developing its investment. He added that the group was in a vantage position to diversify and widen its scope of business.

The business areas of the group include agriculture, estate management, insurance, publishing, equipment leasing, property and estate development, hotel, and the moribund Odu’a Telecoms O’NET, which was incorporated in 2002 as Odu’a Telecoms Limited (ODU’ATEL).

It was licensed for fixed wireless operation on 3.5 GHz and 800 MHz frequencies deploying CDMA Fixed and Mobile Telephony and Internet as well as Broadband Internet for corporate organizations, Institutions and Research Institutes and Virtual Private Network Services for Banks and other Network

Cocoa processing machine

Ambode

Akintade

BEYOND THE REGIONAL AGENDA, DEVELOPMENT ANALYSTS ALSO SEE THE COMING TOGETHER OF THE SIX STATES AS WELL AS THEIR DETERMINATION TO CREATE STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE ASSETS TO BOOST ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AS POTENTIALLY DESIRABLE FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT OIL PRICES CANNOT ENSURE THE NATION’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND MACROECONOMIC STABILITY organizations in all five South Western States of Nigeria and beyond.

An economic analyst, Ademola Adepegba, who believed that the coming together of the six states should be an economic development advantage for the region, urged them put efforts together to provide the needed infrastructure within the region and by so doing link their economic activities to the national hub.

He pointed out that the states should

also help to develop and make economic advantage of the resource peculiar to each state.

As part of efforts to foster regional integration and reposition Odu’a Investment Company Limited for greater productivity, the Governors of Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Ekiti States reached a compromise to approve the inclusion of Lagos State as co-owner of the company.

The inclusion of Lagos State followed its desirability or not after rigorous and intense debates for four years among all the stakeholders and owner states.

Before now, Odu’a Investment Company belonged to the five states of Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Ekiti. Lagos State has finally become a part of its development strategy to complement the regional developmental plan of Yorubaland.

The company Chairman and its Group Managing Director, Chief (Dr.) Isaac Akintade explained the efforts in ensuring the growth, profitability and sustainability of Odu’a culminating in the payment of N167million at its last Annual General Meeting of October 2015 to all the owner states as dividend that was unprecedented because no dividend was paid to the owner states in the last six years.

On the future outlook of the conglomerate, the Group’s Managing Director, Raji said that the management had rolled out a five-year strategic plan “that posits to grow the Group’s revenue by 340 per cent from N4.5bn to N20bn between 2015 and 2019 with a baseline of 15 per cent Profit Before Tax. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, described the inclusion of the State as a member of the Odu’a Investment Group as a major landmark in the effort of the South-West States of Nigeria towards regional integration.

He said that the drive towards regional integration of South-West of Nigeria could not be effectively pursued if all the states within the region would not combine their resources, work together and maximize their comparative advantages in order to build a strong regional infrastructure and social links among the states.

Ambode, who said that the priority of his administration had been on how the state would be admitted into the Odu’a Group, observed that with its huge population, its vibrant economic base and its being the centre of economic and business activities in Nigeria, declared that Lagos served as a uniquely placed to contribute to the development and growth of the Odu’a Investment Company Limited, OIC, the investment arm of the group, as well as the integration of South West Nigeria in general.

While expressing his gratitude to the group for the decision, the governor promised that his government would work with other states in the group towards achieving the deserved development of South West of Nigeria and its people.

Beyond the regional agenda, development analysts also see the coming together of the six states as well as their determination to create strong infrastructure assets to boost economic activities as potentially desirable for national development, especially now that oil prices cannot ensure the nation’s sustainable development and macroeconomic stability.

One of the analysts and a key player in the region’s economy, who pleaded that his identity should not be in print, confided in National Mirror that “the overall goal of the current initiative is to see how the South West states can come together to re-enact the glory of the olden days in agricultural sector development”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Our reports on new oil and gas, solid minerals audits are ready, Orji 36

OPEC crude oil demand to hover at 31.6m bpd 35

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Revitalising Odu’a Investment Group for national socioeconomic devt 32

Counting costs of pipeline vandalism, refineries’ closure on Nigeria’s economy With the gradual phase-out of fuel subsidy payment in Nigeria’s fiscal plans in the face of declining crude oil prices at the global oil market, many development analysts expected the Federal Government to heave a sigh of relief.

But the potential gains of the fiscal measures may elude the country as increased pipeline vandalism and closure of all refineries continue to take huge toll on the country’s development initiatives. UDEME AKPAN reports.

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any observers of the nation’s downstream sector were full of great expectations when the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC disclosed that three refineries - Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri - had attained a combined daily production of over 6.76 million litres of petrol, with a projected 10 million litres per day increase by the end of January 2016 for some reasons. First, the refineries constitute great national assets which the nation depend on for domestic refining. Second, the improvement was expected to culminate in a significant drop in fuel importation. Third, the development was also expected to lead to huge conservation of foreign exchange expended in importing fuel into the nation.

But these expectations may not realised as a result of pipeline vandalism and closure of the nation’s refineries. A few days ago, the NNPC maintained that shutdown of the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries was attributed to crude supply challenges arising from attacks on vital crude oil pipelines. It noted in a statement that the plants were shut simultaneously after the Bonny - Okrika crude supply line to the Port Harcourt Refinery and the Escravos-Warri crude supply line to the Kaduna Refinery suffered breaches.

The NNPC disclosed that before the

closure, the Port Harcourt Refinery was recording a daily PMS yield of over 4.1 million litres while Kaduna Refinery was posting a daily petrol production of about 1.3 million litres.

It later confirmed that the Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company, WRPC which was previously said to be refining over 1.4 million litres of petrol per day was also shut because of pipeline vandalism.

The Group General in the Group Public affairs Division of the Corporation, Mr. Ohi Alegbe indicated in a telephone interview that the Warri-based plant has also been closed.

Alegbe disclosed that the Corporation would not embark on maintenance without a comprehensive report of security agencies.

He maintained that the NNPC was awaiting the report of the agencies

to determine the next line of action.

Alegbe remarked that adequate plans for rehabilitation would be made once NNPC gets the report. The shutdown of Warri plant means that all the nation’s four plants with the capacity to process 445,000 bpd have been grounded.

Expectedly, the development has attracted the comments of many stakeholders. One of them is a Port Harcourt-based energy expert, Mr. Bala Zaka who noted that the nation has become a major exporter of crude oil without any capacity to add value to the product. He indicated that the nation will not be able to derive any benefits which the value addition could have attracted to its economy.

Zaka maintained that the situation is sad as NNPC personnel may be un-

NNPC does not intend to build Greenfield Refineries on a sole risk basis. The strategy is to develop investment consortia (in partnership with other prospective local and

foreign investors) for these projects while holding reasonable but minority interests

derutilised because of the closure of the refineries. He observed that the government will still have the obligation to pay their wages which amount to huge funds.

The Executive Director, Spaces for Change, Mrs. Victoria Ohaeri maintained that the development could also lead to Nigeria becoming a dumping ground for imported fuel from many nations. She cautioned stakeholders against importing cheap and low quality fuel into the nation because of the damage it can cause on individuals, households, organizations and entire economy.

The executive director tasked the Federal Government to work towards establishing new refineries in the nation. She said efforts should be made to complete work on the nation’s proposed Greenfield refinery.

According to NNPC, the Greenfield Refinery Projects Division (GRPD) came into existence late 2005 as a strategic response to a lack of visible progress on the 18 Licenses issued by Government for Private Refineries in 2002 and also, the negative consequences of massive importation of petroleum products against the backdrop of low capacity utilization in the existing three (3) refineries (445KBD capacCONTINUED ON PAGE 34

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Counting costs of pipeline vandalism, refineries’ closure on Nigeria’s economy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

ity). The Corporation indicated that, in view of urgent need for increasing in-country crude oil refining capacity and the inability of Private Investors to perform due to lack of project development capabilities and credible foreign financiers/technical partners, it has become apparent that NNPC would have to lead the promotion of new private refineries.

“Nigeria is currently deficit in the supply of white petroleum products, most of which are currently imported into the country. Current consumption of gasoline or Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is estimated at 35 million litres per day, while that of kerosene is 10 million litres per day. In order to meet the deficit in supply, Nigeria currently spends between $12 and $15 billion annually and it is the desire of Government to stem the flood of imports by investing in additional refining capacity along with interested Equity Participants.”

“Recent Studies by stakeholders in the industry have revealed that a new refining capacity of at least 420 KBPD would be required to meet the existing refining gap. If this gap is projected to 2016 at the growth rates of between 3per cent and 5per cent per annum, the estimated refining gap in Nigeria by 2016 would be 500-560 KBPD. This forms the basis of the current effort to establish at least three (3) new refineries of approximately 400-550 KBPD capacity in Lagos, Bayelsa and Kogi States.”

“NNPC does not intend to build Greenfield Refineries on a sole risk basis. The strategy is to develop investment consortia (in partnership with other prospective local and foreign investors) for these projects while holding reasonable but minority interests.

The refineries will be ring-fenced refineries to be operated strictly on a commercial basis; completely market oriented and profit motivated and as such issues of location, configuration and shareholding structure will be determined not solely by NNPC but by the consortia collectively. The refineries will be modern state-of-theart facilities and will yield very high percentage of white petroleum products. It is intended that the proposed ventures would operate as import substitution refineries, supplying refined products to consumers in the Nigerian domestic market and export surplus to regional and other international markets,” it added.

It maintained that the successful development of each new refinery will create enormous opportunities to transform Nigeria into a refining and trading hub in the region.

The Corporation disclosed that this implies that all other countries in the West and Central African region will look up to Nigeria for supply and

Kachukwu

Adeosun

discontinue importation from North West Europe, Middle East and Asia.

The NNPC observed that this should stem the flood of imports into the region and reverse the flows outwards from Nigeria.

It disclosed that detailed feasibility studies undertaken by Messrs Wood Mackenzie Energy Consulting Limited and Messrs Foster Wheeler Energy Limited in 2011 for three Greenfield Refineries to be located in Lagos, Bayelsa and Kogi States confirmed that all three refineries would be economically feasible at the respective sizes of 200,000 BPD for Lagos, 100,000 BPD for Kogi and 100,000 BPD for Bayelsa. The Corporation maintained that with the introduction of these refineries, additional volumes of petroleum products shall be available for domestic consumption.

Besides, the national President of Oil and gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Colman Obasi indicated that private investors should also be motivated to construct new refineries. For instance, he said the Dangote Group that has already embarked on the construction of 500,000 barrels per day capacity refinery should be encouraged to complete it on record time.

Recently, a senior official of the Dangote Group had informed Reuters that the plant would be completed in 2017. “By the third quarter of 2017, we expect to be looking at the inauguration,” Dangote Industries Limited’s Executive Director of Stakeholder Management and Corporate Communications, Mr. Mansur Ahmed, told Reuters.

He had maintained that the refinery is being designed to process Nigerian crude mix and produce products conforming to Euro V fuel specifications, as fuel demands across the continent are forecast to rise rapidly with many countries enjoying strong economic growth. Ahmed had indicated that the refinery, which is being funded by debt and equity, including a $3bn commitment from Dangote himself, could be listed in future should additional capital be needed.

Investigations showed that the sector is haunted by many challenges which the Federal Government and its agencies need to tackle. One of these is the inability of the government to deregulate operations in the sector. In other words, the Federal Government still regulates the downstream sector of the nation’s petroleum industry, meaning that the forces of demand and supply are not allowed to deter-

The Federal Government still regulates the downstream sector of the

nation’s petroleum industry, meaning that the forces of demand and supply are not allowed to determine prices

mine prices. Consequently, many stakeholders, especially inventors and financial institutions are not encouraged to stake resources in the sector.

This and other factors explain why previous attempts to promote investments, especially refinery construction did not succeed. The investors were scared that it would be impossible to recover cost and make profit under the current market regime.

More than that, the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR had a few weeks ago attributed the failure of private investors to build refineries to lack of crude oil and inadequate funds. The Department had indicated that many investors licensed in 2003 were not satisfied with the federal government’s position that they will buy the country’s crude oil at the international market price.

DPR’s Deputy Director in charge of downstream sector, Mr. Alphonsus Mudei, had noted that of the 18 investors licensed by the federal government, only one established private refinery in Nigeria. He remarked that even the successful private refinery built at Ogbele in Rivers State by the Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited was not known to most Nigerians because it processes only 1,000 barrels per day into diesel to power the company’s operations. He noted that the company succeeded in building the refinery because it produces its own crude oil from the Ogbele oilfield.

From all indications, the President Buhari – led administration will need to tackle these and other issues in order to boost investment in the sector, and by extension provide additional fuel to Nigerians.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

35

OPEC crude oil demand to hover at 31.6m bpd Udeme Akpan

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he demand for Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC will hover at 31.6 million barrels per day, bpd in 2016.

OPEC indicated in its latest report that this will be 1.7 mb/d higher than the previous year.

It maintained that monetary policies have moved to the forefront of the economic analysis in the past weeks.

The cartel indicated that the mid-December decision by the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates by 0.25 percentage points represents an important shift in the monetary policy landscape.

It maintained that this decision represents a positive signal, as it has been taken by the Fed on the basis that US economic growth is healthy.

The cartel observed that with official median projections by the Fed of interest rates reaching 1.375per cent in 2016, the Fed’s monetary tightening is in stark contrast to the continuing monetary expansion of some central banks in the OECD, including the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of Japan.

It maintained that the ECB at the start of December decided to extend its monetary stimulus programme and other central banks have pursued a similar accommodative monetary policy in support of their economies.

The cartel disclosed that non-OPEC oil supply growth in 2015 now stands at 1.23 mb/d, following an upward revision of 0.23 mb/d.

It disclosed that the increase has been due to better-than-expected growth in the US, Canada, Russia and Norway.

The organisation maintained that in 2016, non-OPEC oil supply is now projected to contract by 0.66 mb/d, following a downward adjustment of 0.27 mb/d.

It noted that the revision has been due to stronger declines expected in the US and Canada caused by the lower price environment.

Oil vessel

The cartel maintained that OPEC NGLs are seen growing by 0.17 mb/d in 2016, following an increase of 0.15 mb/d last year.

It maintained that in December, OPEC crude production decreased by 0.21 mb/d to average 32.18 mb/d, according to secondary sources.

The organisation disclosed that product markets in the Atlantic Basin weakened in December.

It noted that the mild winter weather caused a sharp drop in the middle distillates crack spreads, which hit levels not seen since 2009, outweighing unseasonably strong gasoline demand.

The cartel observed that Asian margins remained relatively healthy on the back of stronger naphtha and gasoline demand.

It maintained that freight rates for dirty vessels saw mixed movements in December.

“On average, VLCCs freight rates increased by 30% as a result of enhanced rates for tankers operating on all reported routes. In contrast, Suezmax and Aframax rates showed declines on limited activities. Clean tanker

spot freight rates were kept mostly at healthy levels compared to the previous month despite being lower on an annual basis.”

“OECD commercial oil stocks fell in November to stand at 2,966 mb. At this level, inventories are around 267 mb higher than the five-year average. Crude and products showed surpluses of around 200 mb and 67 mb, respectively. In terms of forward cover, OECD commercial stocks stood at 63.7 days in November, some 5.8 days over the five year average,” it added.

Meanwhile, the price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $22.89 dollars a barrel on Thursday, compared with $22.48 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Minas (Indonesia), 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).

New platform to deliver 300 mmscfd of gas – Neff

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he Sonam NAG Well Platform project will enhance the delivery of up to 300 MMSCFD of gas from Sonam to the Escravos Gas Plant.

This project will enable delivery of additional gas supply to the domestic market which will help to significantly boost the Nigerian economy.

The managing director of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Clay Neff indicated that the recent load out and sail away signifies a major milestone since it marks the end of the fabrication phase and the start of the next phase of the project that is focused on the offshore installation of the fabricated parts.

He said that in addition to the impressive safety record, the Sonam NAG Well Platform project, as one of Chevron Nigeria’s Domestic Supply Gas Obligation (DSO) Projects, has and is still contributing immensely to the development and sustenance of Nigerian content.

“At Chevron’s Nigeria, we are committed to Nigerian Content, not just because it is the law but also because it is the right thing to do and it is also part of the way we operate.”

“The Sonam project executed 5,393 metric tons of fabrication work (Sonam Topsides, Jackets, Piles, living Quarters and Bridge) at the Nigerdock fabrication

yard while also supporting the upgrade of the Nigerdock’s Fabrication Yard, built a new 70 meter Quay, new steel rolling shop, new pile races, additional selfpropelled modular transporters, jacks as well as 2 new 400 metric tons cranes. This project also subcontracted fabrication of 16 Pressure Vessels to Dorman-long, 4 of which were installed on the Sonam NAG Well Platform Topsides,” he added.

He said in the e area of capacity building and people development, the project has provided Engineering training for thirty-five (35) Nigerian Content Development Management Board (NCDMB) trainees through twelve (12) weeks of En-

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

30.74

-1.45

-4.50%

14:17:01

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

30.90

-1.28

-3.98%

14:17:45

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

23,700.00

-2,070.00

-8.03%

13:59:57

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

2.16

+0.02

+1.12%

14:17:09

Source: Bloomberg as at January 18, 2016

gineering & Project Management courses as well as construction training for one-hundred and sixty (160) trainees in fields ranging from welding, fitting, and scaffolding.

The managing director said the company also scoped the execution of small subcontract fabrication and supply services to our Escravos-neighboring Community Contractors.

He disclosed that the company pride itself not only on achieving our goals, but also on how we achieve them.

Neff tasked personnel of the company to continue to carry out every task, the right way at all times, doing it safely or not at all.

He said that through partnership with Nigerdock and Hyundai Heavy lift Industries (HHI), “we have indeed demonstrated our commitment to these values, and I am pleased to inform you that as of today, we have recorded a safety achievement of over 2.8 million cumulative manhours on the Sonam NAG Well Platform and Living.”

36

Energy Week

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Our reports on new oil and gas, solid minerals audits are ready –Ogbonnaya Orji The Acting Executive secretary of NEITI, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, in this interview with correspondent CHIDI UGWU, speaks on the current status of his organization in the global EITI, the new audit reports and the planned expansion of the agency’s strategic plan which is expected to end in 2016, among other topical issues; Excerpts: What is the state of your recent audit reports, the validation of which should commence in January, and Nigeria’s status in the EITI? Nigeria is very solidly on ground in the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). We are in a very good standing. We are expecting our board, the National Stakeholders Working Group, to be reconstituted and inaugurated very soon. A lot of consultations have gone into it. When the board comes in place the first business of the board will be to approve the two reports that are ready. The first report is the 2013 Oil and Gas audit report and the other one is the Solid Minerals report. Both reports are ready and we are expecting that any moment from now our board will be reconstituted and the first business of the board will be the report.

Now, we are given 31 December as deadline to publish that report but when we looked at the processes for the board to be in place, we worked with the EITI and made a case for extension of our reporting deadline. We requested for six months reporting deadline to be able to meet all the requirements.

Our request was informed by the fact that even if the board is in place right now, we will need some training for the board. We will need the board to go through some inauguration induction courses and retreats to be able to familiarize themselves with the processes of the EITI and its multi stakeholders framework. So after consultations with some of the stakeholders, we thought it was necessary to make that request for extension.

Our request is before the global EITI and it is being considered but no decision yet has been communicated to us. And at the EITI board meeting at the Keiv, we made this presentation and we do hope that by the time the board sits again in Lima, Peru during the 7th global conference we hope that a decision will be communicated to us. So, right now, NEITI is currently in good stead. The EITI is aware that our reports have been completed, they are very much fully briefed. They have helped us to look at the report as a draft. The EITI Secretariat has been offering us all technical guidance and support where necessary. In recognition of all that is been going on in government in Nigeria and the focus of the Nigerian government on anti corruption the EITI international Chair has offered to visit Nigeria. The outgoing Chair, Clair Short who has served the global organization in the last four years at the EITI conference in Kiev was elected new Chair, both of them are expected to visit Nigeria on February 8, the Presidency has approved that visit.

During the visit they are expected to meet with the Presidency, members of the National Assembly, the Civil Society Organizations, the Media and other stakeholders. The reason for the visit is to say farewell to the President and to convey the endorsement of the international EITI on the courageous war against corruption going on in Nigeria. And more importantly, on what they have seen as the progressive implementation of the NEITI reports and it is also an opportunity for the global body to make specific request on how EITI process in Nigeria can be supported, including extending more support to NEITI. It is also an opportunity for the EITI global Chair to interact with multi stakeholders including the civil society. As you are aware Clair Short will be stepping down, she will use that opportunity to introduce the new chair to the President and also the EITI national community here in Nigeria, made up of companies, civil society and government.

Can you give us update on the solid minerals audit report?

The solid minerals report is also ready. It is also part of the report that is waiting for the incoming board to approve. And we have concluded procurement process to commence the 2014 audit.

What we are waiting for now is for conclusion of deliberations on this year’s budget because the whole process will be funded from this year’s budget.

The budget is now in the National Assembly and we expect work to be completed on that budget soon. Beyond that, since our former Executive Secretary left. We have tried to build solidly on all the key achievements that the former ES left and we are making steady progress. We have inaugurated the companies’ forum in Lagos.

and international attention to the solid mineral industry, including the need to expand our scope to agriculture, forestry and fishing. These are areas that NEITI is focusing for now. We will also do our best to expand our operations sub natural level using the fiscal allocation audit we did. The first time we covered only nine states and the information that were revealed is so startling that we thought we need to cover all the states. That is one of the challenges we will be looking forward to and that is some of the things we are embedding in the strategic plans we are revealing. We are going to widen our scope of engagement with the civil society , the media and then do a lot more using available resources and support from the development sector to build internal capacity of our staff, and the capacity of our stakeholders.

Orji

We are going to widen our scope of engagement with the civil society , the media and then do a lot more usingavailableresourcesandsupport from the development sector to build internal capacity of our staff, and the capacity of our stakeholders The companies’ forum is a forum where the companies that work in the EITI process had to come together from time to time review, discuss, dialogue and debate their interests in engaging in EITI process. It was not there before we just inaugurated it last month, as you are aware while the government has the interministerial task team to deal with issues that really affect government especially on remediation. The civil society also has the civil society steering committee. So the companies needed also to have a forum. We have put that in place. We have intensified discussions with the World Bank on the NEITI automation project. Part of our challenges is that our audit process is still manual and we want a situation where our audit process will be automated. And that automation project is ongoing, and discussion will be held hopefully this week. We are seeking for additional support from the World Bank to ensure that the project is sustained, revived and completed. We have met with the minister of Solid Minerals Development and we have presented our reports to the minister and we have drawn attention on the need to study our reports from our scoping study of the sector from the various reports we have published, look at our findings and recommendations and the need to incorporate this into the reform agenda that the ministry is proposing because we are aware that the time for us to shift attention to solid minerals has finally come. It is no longer a matter of if, it is a matter of when we need to begin to shift attention, and NEITI is prepared to shift attention even more than the attentions we draw to oil and gas sector. We are also planning to expand our operations to agriculture because it is also a natural resource. And then, when this comes, it aligns correctly with the government ongoing reform programme. You are aware that NEITI’s strategic plan is supposed to end in 2016. We have initiated moves to review the plan and expand it. One of the things we will be doing will be to expand the scope of our operations in solid mineral industry to be able to attract investors, attract interests providing valid information and data, interfacing with the ministry to aggressively draw national

Does the Act establishing NEITI give it powers to delve into agriculture, forestry and fishing?

Yes, the Act gives NEITI all the opportunity to work in natural resources. And if you define natural resources, you will include agriculture. We are not specifically going to do farming. Except and until you do a scoping study in this sector and understand for instance, who are the key players in agriculture now, until you do a scoping study you may not know. What kinds of information are required by investors that need to come into agriculture? What kind of information do they need? Where do they go? How do they go there? Who do they relate with? You need to do a scoping study for that kind of thing to happen. This study will be available for the relevant agencies including the ministry of agriculture and other individuals who want to go into agriculture to use that information and data as a compass that can lead them to where to invest, how to invest, who to interface with and then, how that can also relate with government reform agenda. If you want to go into fishery as an international business entity, where are those potentials, where do they lie, what are the risks involved, what are the strength, what are the weaknesses. What kind of information do you require. That is what we have done in the solid minerals and handed over to the minister and we do think that a similar intervention will help. So that when government says we are diversifying our economy they should do so with available information and data based on the work we have done. NEITI’s job is to provide relevant information, crucial facts to enable government, companies and even the civil society on how to reform a particular sector.

But how soon can NEITI actually take up this task?

We are commencing this as soon as we review our strategic plan because it is the document that provides us the lead way into interventions in those sectors. We shall commence the review by the first quarter of this year.

Can you explain what you mean here?

Yes, it used to be a challenge before because we produce reports and these reports are not implemented. We established inter-ministerial task team and instead of these agencies sending high caliber officers, people who can take decisions to attend those meetings, what we found was that lower officers that can take decisions attend those meetings which did not show the kind of seriousness that we thought. In the IMTT we have agencies like NNPC, CBN, FIRS, Ministry of Finance and others. We are looking at reviving the IMTT in such a way that when we have these meetings, the heads of these agencies or their alternates attend these meetings and help us to make decisions. If you look at the remedial issues now, the challenges we had in the past are gradually giving way and we are encouraged. We issued a statement encouraging NNPC for the reforms going on so far. We are encouraged that our recommendation that domestic crude allocation of 445, 000 barrels to NNPC should be limited to the refining capacity of the refineries. We are happy that that issue is being addressed. We have been shouting that NNPC as was constituted was in no position to allow for transparency. Government has responded and NNPC structure has been unbundled, and there is a new team in NNPC.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

37

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

From The Civil Service

FG moves to grow grass for cows Adeola Tukuru, Abuja

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inistry of Agriculture and Rural Development has taken a drastic measure to grow grass for cows to eat in Nigeria following the crisis of cattle rearing among the Fulani’s in the country.

The Minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who disclosed this in Abuja at the meeting with the Surveyor General of the Federation to discuss the development of grazing stock said, until a state where grazing becomes zero grazing is reached, Nigeria could not expect the best on the cattle.

According to the minister, one of the serious businesses confronting Nigeria is business of rearing of cattle.

“We have to feed the cattle so that they can feed us back by yielding milk to us.

“We want to take a more radical step. It will not just be going through the laborious process of trying to revive grazing reserves but we just have to grow grass for cows to eat. We are going too grow grass in Nigeria.

“We have vast land all over the country so we can actually grow grass and feed our cows to remove this crisis. In the next four years there should be no roaming of cattle for cows to eat well. It is time for us to think and solve this problem.

“It is time for us to declare to all the farmers in this country that

agriculture is national driven. We have to let farming become all way round not a seasonal thing. We just have to keep working all way round. Our production must increase massively and we will engage our farmers in the country and the whole of Africa into knowledge sharing,” he stated.

The minister also disclosed plan to establish an agro-industrial farmers where the future of the younger people will be created and secured.

Also speaking, the Director, Surveyor Office of Surveyor General of the Federation, Barde Jartau, congratulated the ministry for its great vision and promised the technical support of his office.

L-R: Director-General, Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Dr. Anikwe Ferdinand; Director-General, National Gallery of Arts, Mr. Abdullahi Muka and General Manager, National Theatre, Kabir Yar’adua, during the meeting of the Minister of Information and Culture with bureau chiefs, in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Minister directs FCTA staff to declare assets xxxx

Blessing Ukaegbu, Abuja

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inister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has directed all members of staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCDA), including agencies and departments to declare their assets.

The minister said the directive became necessary in view of the need to ensure that all civil servants complied with the requirements of the law under the provisions of Paragraph 11 of the 5th schedule of the Constitution of Feder-

FG partners AU agency on fight against climate change

P.38

al Republic of Nigeria.

According to a statement by the Special Assistant of Media, FCDA, Abubakar Sani, the directive was contained in a circular signed by the FCTA Director of Establishment and Training, Mr. S.H. Mohammed.

According to the circular, the law provides that all Public Officers should declare their Assets and Liabilities on assumption of office, at the end of term of office, at interval of four years for public officers on continuous employment of government and at such intervals as may be determined from time to time.

The minister there-

fore directed all members of staff to fill the assets declaration form and submit the acknowledgement slip to the office of the Permanent Secretary on or before 31st March, 2016.

He, however, said those members of staff who had earlier declared their assets should submit their acknowledgment slips along with others on the said date.

In a related development, the ComptrollerGeneral of the Nigeria Customs Service, Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd), also recently, ordered all Customs officers and men to declare their assets within two weeks.

UNIDO commits $2.6m to improve power generation

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The directive is contained in a circular signed personally by Ali and issued to all the Deputy ComptrollersGeneral, Zonal Coordinators and Area Comptrollers of the service.

The circular reads in part: “Specifically, Section 12 (1) states that the provision of this act shall apply to the Comptroller-General, Deputy Comptroller-General, Assistant ComptrollerGeneral, Chief Collector, Principal Collector and other officer, staff or employee of the Nigeria Customs Service, as it applies to a chief executive or an employee of a bank.”

According to the circular, many officers

had not complied with the provisions of the act over the years, and warned that the 14-day ultimatum for compliance would be strictly enforced.

It explained that the decision was aimed at ensuring transparency and compliance with the rule of law, as well as the Bank Employees Declaration of Assets Act Cap B1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

It noted that, although the act mandates all bank employees to declare their assets, it also empowers the president to compel other categories of persons to apply same.

Minister tasks telecom operators on govt’s enlightenment campaign

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Civil Service

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG partners AU agency on fight against climate change Joel Ajayi Abuja

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s part of efforts to cushion the effect of Climate Change in Nigeria, the African Union, Economic, Social and Cultural Council, (AU ECOSOCC), and the Federal Government are set to collaborate on an initiative

themed “Green Heritage Guard of Nigeria (GHGN)” that will empower youths as green vegetation ambassador.

GHGN an initiative of AU ECOSOCC Nigeria chapter is meant to saddle young Nigerian men and women with the responsibility of protecting Nigeria’s green heritage

FRC lauds NDIC over audited financial statements Chidi Ugwu, Abuja

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he Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has commended the Management of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) for compliance with the submission of its audited financial statements of 2007- 2014 and prompt payment of operating surplus.

The Head, Communication and Public Affairs, H. S. Birchi, said in a statement that the commendation was contained in a letter dated December 14, 2015 and signed by the FRC Acting Chairman, Victor Muruako, Esq. The FRC report indicated that the corporation was well above average in compliance with Sections 21- 23 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007 and had fully complied with the provisions of the General Reserve Fund into which 20% of its Operating Surplus was retained in accordance with Section 22 (2) of the FRA 2007.

The report also commended the Corporation’s compliance with the payment of 25% of its Gross Revenue to the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federation in accordance with Ministerial Circular on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The Corporation remitted a total sum of N15.4 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund during the period.

“It is quite commendable that NDIC is one of the few Corporations that have fully complied with IFRS, which has greatly improved financial reporting of the activities of the agency,” the report observed.

The FRC also reviewed the Corporation’s annual approved budget and considered it to be of high standard in terms of process and content.

“The accounts were generally of high standard and depict compliance with international best practice. The Corporation’s record keeping is also commendable and the integrity of its financial reporting is enhanced with the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)” the report added.

NDIC released recently the deposit insurance guidelines for mobile payments systems.

Mobile payment refers to the use of mobile telephone technology for payment and financial transactions.

In a statement announcing the guidelines, NDIC said that deposit insurance for mobile payment system is known as “Pass-Through Deposit Insurance Scheme.”

The corporation stated, “The “Pass-Through Deposit Insurance Scheme” is the protection provided by the NDIC to mobile money subscribers, whereby the Corporation insures funds that are deposited by a Mobile Money Operator (MMO) in the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs).

The MMO acts as a custodian on behalf of the one or more subscribers who are actual owners of the funds as if those actual owners have deposits in the deposit money banks (DMBs).

“Mobile Payments System (MPS) refers to payment services operated under financial regulation and performed through the use of mobile devices such as smart phones, cell phones, tablets, personal digital devices and other electronic devices. It is also a convenient, safe and affordable way by which subscribers make instant transfer of funds and execute payments for goods and services from anywhere at any time without having a bank account.

through sensitisation from a civil society perspective.

Speaking on behalf of the government when a delegation of the council from Nigeria visited her office at the weekend, the Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed, said the government was willing to be part of the campaign that would ensure that going green is beyond a day tree planting within Abuja, state and local government’s capitals alone but that every Nigerian must be aware of the need to protect the country’s green heritage.

She said both would share ideas on how to go about it because ongoing

green campaign was part of the ministry’s mandate.

“Therefore, I hope that we can share ideas to see how you can be part of our campaign. We will have campaign on going green because we don’t want it to be just one day tree planting. We need to start the campaign to make sure that beyond Abuja every state and local government capitals can do something about it.

“On the other side, we want to be involved in the summit as well so we can see how to bring the youth on board, so both your programme are in line with what we want to do. So, let’s see what you have and see

how we are going to support it. Climate change is becoming everyone’s concern, so we should think of what we need to do.

“But civil societies and interfaces like yours are important for us because if we are going to drive our own destiny in Nigeria it has to be within the context of the leadership that we have on the continent,” she said.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, the chairperson, Health and Social Affairs cluster committee of the Council, Dr Tunji Asaolu, said that council felt that there is the need to bring some young men and women in Nigeria together who would be saddled with

the responsibilities of protecting the country’s green heritage from a civil society perspective.

He said there was the need to impact the consciousness on some young Nigerians that the green heritage of Nigeria must be protected and their own responsibility would be to impact the same on the general public.

“So, it becomes collective. It is part of our duty to the entire world to make sure that the green heritage of our communities is maintained and that is the kind of orientation that the green heritage guards will spread,” Asaolu said.

Environmental Health Officers sensitising traders on prevention of Lassa fever in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

CISLAC tasks Nigerian government on improved mother, child care Marcus Fatunmole, Abuja

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he Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, has called on tiers of government in Nigeria to shore up commitments to improving mother and child care.

CISLAC said the call became imperative following the high rate of maternal and child morbidity and mortality in the country.

Programme Officer of the association, Chioma Kanu, said at a One-day Mentorship Training for Media Champions in Child and Family Health in Kano recently that government needed to commit more budget to boost the operations of various levels of health care services in the country, especially primary and secondary care levels.

She argued that the organisation emerged from the need to address the gaps in legislative advocacy work of civil society and foster government access to civil society groups.

Kanu specifically called for more laws that would fast-track qualitative health services in the country.

She also harped on the need by government to promote legislations that would help the country achieve unmet Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, and the new Sustainable Development Goals.

The programme was supported by Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH).

The programme urged media champions in child and family health to improve on reportage in the

specified areas, stressing that that was one of the three-year goals set by PACFaH. A guest speaker at the event, Hajia Hadiza Babayaro, appealed to government to do more than it was doing in health financing and programmes implementation, especially on mother and child health.

Babayaro, a nurse and lecturer, said government would not continue to depend on donor funding to run the nation’s health system.

Citing 2015 budget for vaccines procurement in the nation whereby she said a total of $225 million was needed and Nigeria provided $105 million, Babayaro decried the low rate of the country’s contribution to health projects which were undertaken

by international donor institutions and the nation’s government.

She sought greater commitment from health workforce across the country to allow persons seeking services in health facilities enjoy better care.

The nurse shared the story of one Fatima whom she said died while delivering her eight child because she could not get to hospital on time.

She attributed some of the causes of high maternal mortality and morbidity in the country to poor state of, and inaccessibility of hospitals; poverty; illiteracy; cultural practices and absence of family planning among others.

She urged government to address factors impeding family planning campaigns in the country.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Civil Service 39

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Commission partners NCC to regulate internet sports betting Joel Ajayi, Abuja

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he Director General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) Mr. Adolphus Ekpe, has pledged the commission’s readiness to partner with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to regulate sports betting.

Ekpe who made the pledge in Abuja recently said the commission would also extend its partnership to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to streamline activities of internet betting.

He said that the collaboration would help the commission control activities of lottery on the internet space and also regulate the functions of operators.

DG said that in the past, the commission found it difficult to control lottery activities of Lagos State, adding that a court ruling had strengthened them to perform better.

The commission said it was looking at how to work with NCC and other related agencies of government like NITDA so that it could control what happens in the internet space.

“Part of the challenge we have is Lagos State.

Lagos lottery board is like running a parallel licensing and regulating activity.

“And because most of the things happen in Lagos, they want to over exact their authority forgetting that the commission is empowered to regulate lottery in the entire country including Lagos.

“I believe that we should work together with agencies of government to streamline areas of overlap and friction such that there will be no inter-agency fighting.”

The DG also called on the National Assembly and the Lagos State House of Assembly to synergise on ways to look into their plight.

He added that the commission was work-

ing toward reviewing an amendment that would enable the commission to draw up a framework to regulate lottery in the country.

He said that the framework would help the commission map out those who were already operating and give them time to come and regularise.

“Right now, what we have done is to put up the framework to regulate because before this time we have the lottery act and the lottery regulation.

“The lottery regulation was developed in 2007 and sections 20 of that regulation exercise any activity that relates to sports.

“But the original act in section 57 actually spelt out that lottery is something inclusive of any game that has to do with sport.

“But in implementing, we are trying to review an amendment to that.

When we did this amendment, the aim is to enable the commission to draw the framework to regulate.

“We have to map out those who are already operating and give them time to come and regularize. It is when they don’t do that that we can now go after them.

“So, we have developed the framework that will help us work better this year,” he said.

L-R: Head of Editorial Operation, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Lagos Office, Mr. Dele Bodunde; Head of Lagos Operations, Mr. Joe Bankole and President, Shippers Association, Lagos State chapter, Rev. Jonathan Nicol, during the visit of the president to NAN office in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

UNIDO commits $2.6m to improve power generation Regina Otokpa,

Abuja

T

he United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), has committed about 2.6 million dollars to improve the nations power generation.

The Managing Director of UNIDO Programme Development and Technical Cooperation Division,

Philippe Scholtes, speaking in Abuja during a meeting with the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, said the funds would come from the Global Environment Facilities (GEF).

According to him, the fund would be used to boost small scale hydro power to transmit electricity to all rural areas in the country.

He said: “We made the case; we obtained funding for 2.6 million dollars to help us demonstrate the small scale hydro power to powerhouse and factories in places that have not been reached by the electricity.

“This project funded

by Global Environment Facility funds is meant to help countries address environment issues that can

benefit the global communities,“ he added.

The minister, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, in his response, urged UNIDO to further increase its efforts toward boosting agriculture to ensure food security in the country.

He added that the ministry was committed to use science and technology to save the nation’s economy.

Minister tasks telecom operators on govt’s enlightenment campaign Joel Abuja, Abuja

T

he Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has solicited the support of the nation’s telecommunications operators for the various campaigns of the Federal Government.

The minister said, at a meeting with members of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) in Lagos on Monday, that the government had launched the campaigns to tackle insecurity and corruption as well as for national reorientation.

‘’We have kick-started the National Security Awareness Campaign, which is aimed at rallying Nigerians to support the war against terrorism and to ensure that they own the war, as well as the National Sensitization Campaign Against Corruption, which is dedicated to alerting Nigerians to the evils of corruption, with a view to rallying their support for the government’s anti-corruption battle. ‘’There is also the soonto-be launched National Re-orientation Campaign, called CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME, which is designed to achieve a paradigm shift in the way we

do things. It is a bigger and deeper version of the old War Against Indiscipline (WAI), and it is aimed at solidifying our CHANGE mantra. ‘’For all these campaigns, which are people centred, to succeed, there must be enhanced communication between the government and the people. In other words, the various designed messages through which the campaigns are to be propagated must reach the people and, ladies and gentlemen, this is where you come in,’’ he told ALTON members.

Alhaji Mohammed said since communica-

tion, which is at the core of their operations, was also at the very heart of the campaigns, the ministry believed it could work with the operators by leveraging on their umbrella platform to reach more Nigerians. ‘’Through your members, we believe we can pass our messages to millions of Nigeria, either through the Short Message Service (SMS) or other available means,’’ he said, adding that a peaceful Nigeria, where workers are more punctual, dedicated and disciplined, would be to the benefit of the operators, as employers of labour, and indeed

all Nigerians.

Responding, the chairman of ALTON, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, assured the minister of the operators’ willingness to cooperate with the government, especially in ensuring the success of the campaigns.

He said the operators had suffered from various interferences, especially multiple taxation and vandalisation of their installations, and urged the Federal Government to designate telecommunications facilities as national security and economic installations as a means of protecting them.

40

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

SEC mulls listing of NNPC shares on Exchange Johnson Okanlawon

T

he Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has expressed its readiness to enhance the listing of Nigerian National Petroleum Commission, NNPC, on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A source at the SEC confirmed to National Mirror that the listing is expected considering other countries like Brazil, Malazia among others where national resources are listed on their

stock exchanges.

According to the source, the SEC will give incentives to other companies like MTN, Glo, Airtel to list their shares on the NSE, saying that listed companies pay 60 per cent of taxes received by the country.

“There is need for government to encourage these companies to list their shares. Though you can force them but they can be given incentives to list,” the source added.

The Minister for Petro-

leum, Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu recently told reporters in Abu Dhabi that the NNPC will have its first Initial Public Offering, IPO in 2018 according to reports from Bloomberg.

The government had revealed it had plans to break up the NNPC and then list on the stock exchange.

“It’s inevitable. Part of the cleaning up process that we’re doing is to prepare for that,” he said.

Bloomberg further re-

ports that the NNPC will be selling shares in its downstream asset comprising its refining and distribution business and select exploration and production assets to the public.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Exchange , Mr. Oscar Onyema has urged companies in the oil and exploration to list their shares on the Nigerian bourse and enjoy the benefits that exist in the capital market.

Equities shed 0.05% on earnings’ expectation Johnson Okanlawon

T

he four-day rally in equities which started off last week Wednesday ended yesterday, apparently triggered by renewed selling in bellwether stocks and nervous expectations of 2015 financial year results.

The index, which has the second biggest weighting on the MSCI frontier market index after Kuwait, closed at 23,832 points after gaining 5.9 per cent over five days from January 19, 2016.

Traders said investors were taking profits in stocks that had rallied more than 20 percent over the five-day period.

The stock market has fallen 16.3 per cent so far

this month, depressed by a weak outlook for the naira currency and the persistent drop in the price of oil, the country’s main export.

Research analysts at DLM Securities noted that the market has shown a mix of speculative activities and dividend yield play.

The All-Share Index lost 131.61 points or 0.5 per cent to close at 23,832.03 as against the increase of 23,963.64 recorded on Monday.

Similarly, the Market Capitalisation, which opened at N8.241 trillion shed N45 billion or 0.5 per cent to close at N8.196 trillion.

A breakdown of the price movement chart indicated that Nestle led the losers’ chart, dropping by N16.16 to close at N708.85 per share.

Unilever came second with N2.05 to close at N39.04, while Glaxosmithkline Plc depreciated by N1.40 to close at N26.50 per share.

Nigerian Breweries dropped N1.16 to close at N101.64, while Lafarge Africa declined N8.45 to close at N78.30 per share.

On the hand, Seplat Plc topped the gainers’ table, increasing by N6.34 to close at N170.88 per share.

Cadbury Plc followed with a gain of N1.34 to close at N15.92 per share, while Julius Berger also increased by N1.10 to close at N43.10 per share.

PZ gained 75 kobo to close at N21.00, while UACN grew by 42 kobo to close at N20.36 per share.

UBA emerged the most

traded stock, exchanging 38.31 million shares worth N99.94 million transacted in 203 deals.

It was trailed by GT Bank with a total of 25.26 million shares valued N342.08 million in 438 deals, while Zenith Bank traded 23.26 million shares worth N214.46 million exchanged in 537 deals.

Further breakdown showed that FBN Holdings sold 21.66 million shares valued N76.07 million in 354 deals, while Access Bank accounted for 17.66 million worth N63.42 million traded in 146 deals.

In all, investors’ bought and sold 142.851 million shares valued N1.64 billion achieved in 3,298s deals.

Strong earnings, oil recovery drive indexes higher

G

lobal stocks rebounded sharply yesterday, driven by a set of strong corporate results and recovering crude oil prices, ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting and Apple’s results.

The Dow rose 1.5 per cent, while the S&P 500 was up one per cent. All 10 major S&P sectors were higher, led by the 2.15 per cent rise in the energy sector.

Crude prices jumped three per cent on hopes that OPEC and non-OPEC producers would tackle an unrelenting supply glut.

Investors are still reeling from a turbulent start to 2016, which saw Wall Street post its worst-ever start to a year and a two-day recovery late last week was largely wiped outon Monday.

“I think the market is just

oversold on a near-term basis,” said Jeffrey Saut, chief investment strategist at Raymond James Financial in Florida.

“We’re getting a rally here and it’s not because of any particular event,” he said, adding that traders were likely taking up positions ahead of Apple’s earnings report.

Shares of Apple, which is scheduled to report results after the close, were nearly flat. The iPhone maker’s comments on its China business will be in sharp focus, amid broader concerns of a slowdown in demand.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 249.76 points, or 1.57 per cent, at 16,134.98, the S&P 500 was up 20.45 points, or 1.09 per cent, at 1,897.53 and the Nasdaq Composite index was up 24.36 points, or 0.54 per cent, at 4,542.85.

While the Fed is not expected to move on interest rates at its two-day meeting, which begins on Tuesday, investors will parse the commentary to gauge the impact of the recent global turmoil on the central bank’s outlook.

Exxon was up 1.8 per cent while Chevron rose 3.2 per cent.

3M was up 4.9 per cent at $144.28, giving the biggest boost to the Dow, while Johnson & Johnson’s 2.9 per cent rise to $99.20 boosted the S&P 500. Both companies reported better-than-expected quarterly profits.

Procter & Gamble was up three per cent at $79.15 after its profit beat estimates, while Coach jumped 7.9 per cent to $32.75 after it reported its first increase in sales in 10 quarters.

However, expectations of

Source: NSE

Market indicators All-Share Index 23,832.03 points Market capitalisation 8.21trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

CADBURY

14.58

15.92

1.34

9.19

AGLEVENT

0.60

0.63

0.03

5.00

SEPLAT

164.54

170.88

6.34

3.85

PZ

20.25

21.00

0.75

3.70

OANDO

3.87

4.00

0.13

3.36

7UP

190.00

196.00

6.00

3.16

WEMABANK

1.00

1.03

0.03

3.00

JBERGER

42.00

43.10

1.10

2.62

FIDELITYBK

1.27

1.30

0.03

2.36

ETERNA

1.76

1.80

0.04

2.27

LOSERS COMPANY CAVERTON

OPENING 2.24

2.05

8.2

MPR

13

Crude oil price

$58.96

Exchange

Rates (N)

WAUA

270

USD

196.96

EURO

214

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

SWISS FRANC

202

POUNDS STERLING

293

SDR

273

% CHANGE -8.48

GLAXOSMITH

28.00

26.60

-1.40

-5.00

41.09

39.04

-2.05

-4.99

NAHCO

3.90

3.71

-0.19

-4.87

CUTIX

1.44

1.37

-0.07

-4.86

AFRIPRUD

2.52

2.40

-0.12

-4.76

HONYFLOUR

1.55

1.48

-0.07

-4.52

LIVESTOCK

1.37

1.31

-0.06

-4.38

FIDSON

2.85

2.73

-0.12

-4.21

FBNH

4.27

4.12

-0.15

-3.51

FGN Bonds Offer

Bid Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.25

105.72

10.08

106.72

9.25

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.42

114.83

10.70

115.83

10.38

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.05

110.82

12.08

111.82

11.78

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.00

118.24

12.04

119.24

11.82

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.13

110.79

12.07

111.79

11.89

10.00 23-JUL-2030

14.49 86.00

12.07

87.00

11.90

Rate (%) Inflation

CHANGE -0.19

UNILEVER

Description

profit growth for the quarter are weak. Earnings at S&P 500 companies on average are expected to fall 4.9 per cent, according to Thomson Reuters data.

CLOSING

Closing Market Prices of January 26, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

28-Apr-16

4.53

4.58

28-Jul-16

6.98

7.23

19-Jan-17

8.39

8.39

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

6.3333

1M

8.9472

3M

10.7427

6M

11.9952 CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

41

FG flags off French clinic for secondary schools Regina Otokpa

Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu (5th l); Deputy Governor, Alhaji Samaila Yombe (5th r), and Senior Officers from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, during their study visit to Government House in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Buhari for AU summit in Addis Ababa …visits Kenya

Rotimi Fadeyi Abuja

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari leaves Abuja today on a three-day state visit to Kenya.

A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr.

Femi Adesina, said on arrival in Kenya, Buhari would join his host, President Uhuru Kenyatta and other dignitaries at a memorial service for Kenyan soldiers who were killed by Al-Shabaab in Somalia on January 15.

After the memorial service in Eldoret, Buhari would proceed to Nairobi for bilateral talks tomorrow with Kenyan

government officials led

by Kenyatta.

Before the conclusion of his visit, Buhari and Kenyatta would jointly preside over a Kenya-Nigeria Business Forum in Nairobi.

The President’s entourage to Kenya would include the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Industry, Trade and Investment.

At the conclusion of his visit to Kenya on Friday, Buhari would go on to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the 26th Summit of African Union Heads of State and Government.

Buhari would also participate in a meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council before returning to Abuja on Sunday.

Fire destroys N200m property, Station Market

…1 feared killed A za Msue Kaduna

A

bout 500 shops with goods worth over N200 million were destroyed yesterday when the popular Station Market in Kaduna State completely burnt down.

Governor Nasir el-Rufai visited the scene yesterday and promised that government would rebuild market that is located in Kaduna South Local Government Area of the state.

An eyewitness said the

fire which started as early as 2a.m killed one person who was sleeping in one of the shops.

The Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Zubairu, in a telephone interview with National Mirror, said the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area was yet to ascertain the number of casualty or damage.

Zubairu said: “The market has been shut and the DPO said they are currently still on search-and-rescue operation, and that they are yet to discover any corpse.”

The cause of the fire was

still unknown but it was gathered that it could be as a result of electrical fault.

Vice Chairman of the market association, John Nwokoye, while narrating his ordeal said although he did not know how the fire started, he received a call from one of his boys around 2a.m that the whole market was in flames.

He said one of their members, a trader, died inside his shop during the inferno that engulfed over 500 shops with goods worth over N200 million.

El-Rufai said fire fighters too would be provided in the proposed new market

for prompt action during an emergency situation.

The governor, while describing the fire incident as most unfortunate, directed the state emergency agency to put in place measure that would forestall a repeat in the area.

“It is most unfortunate that we continue to witness fire incidents. We sympathise with traders who lost properties. We already have plan for this place. We will build modern market down the railway with fire fighting unit for safety of lives and properties,” he said.

Katsina stops automatic promotion for teachers James Danjuma Katsina

T

he norm of automatic promotion of classroom teachers has been discarded in Katsina State.

Also, posting of classroom teachers would henceforth be in areas of need, and not on preferential treatment.

Governor Aminu Masari, who disclosed this yesterday, said performance

of both teachers and students must be assessed before promotion is effected.

Masari warned that teachers that fail to live up to expectation will be forced to retire.

He spoke during the presentation of educational materials donated

by Nigeria-Turkish International College Foundation at Government Secondary School, GSS, Ajiwa.

He said the era of I-

know-someone to influence teachers’ postings was over, and that those who chose teaching as a career must be ready to serve and live wherever they are deployed.

The governor said Parent-Teacher Association, PTA, would be reintroduced and empowered to take decisions on schools and students.

He said the foundation’s gesture in donating educational materials is

in line with administration’s resolve to uplift the education sector.

Vice Chancellor, Nigeria-Turkish International College, Prof Huseyin Saad, said 15,000 teaching materials would be distributed, out of which 300 would go to GSS Ajiwa.

Saad said additional teaching materials would be provided to other schools in the state in the coming weeks.

Federal Government yesterday flagged off the first French clinic for secondary schools in the country to remedy the deficiencies faced by students in learning understanding and speaking French language.

Commissioning the French lab in Federal Government Boys College, Apo, Abuja, the Minister of State for Education, Prof.

Anthony Anwukah alongside the French attaché for cooperation in education to Nigeria, Daniel Rignault, noted the importance of French language to economic development.

According to the minister, Nigeria has demonstrated zeal to foster the teaching and learning of French in Nigerian schools from the basic to tertiary levels and was prepared to establish French clinics in 104 unity schools across the country.

He added that the Federal Boy’s College was one of six out of 104 clinics already established for takeoff.

Anwukah however noted that the main challenge remains the training of sufficient number of French teachers within Nigerian school systems at the basic, secondary and tertiary level.

While appreciating the effort of the French government for its assistance, asked that more ef-

fort should be increased in terms of teachers training.

French attaché for cooperation in education to Nigeria, Daniel Rignault, disclosed that France was ready to strengthen ties with French-speaking countries in Africa.

He maintained that the clinics would gain maximum support by way of partnership from his country.

Meanwhile, Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Denys Gaven, said the establishment of French clinics in secondary schools is one of the many efforts by the French to encourage the teaching of French language in Nigerian schools since its adoption as the second language in Nigeria.

Rignault noted during a meeting with the minister of state for education earlier in Abuja, that some French companies were already partnering with the embassy to grant scholarships to Nigerian students to further their studies in France and that more teachers would also be trained, coupled with over 40,000 teachers trained so far by the French embassy.

He further disclosed that the military and other government agencies have bought into the idea of making French mandatory in the whole of Nigeria education system as well as the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, APC manifesto.

FUT Minna explains expulsion of 450 students Priscilla Dennis Minna

V

ice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof Musbau Akanji, has said the recent exit of 450 students of the institution was due to poor academic performance in their 100 level.

According to him, the students had below 1.5 Grade Point, an indication that they could not cope with the school measurement intellectually.

Akanji in an interview said the names of the affected students were published on the school website, with text messages or emails sent to their parents to let them know the situation of their wards that may not reveal the

true position of things.

He also decried the dearth of hostel accommodation for students, noting that the development has particularly made the female students most vulnerable.

Subsequently, the institution has commenced the construction of 1,000 bed-spaces for the female students for 2015/16 session from the N2 billion provided by the federal government.

“The university has signed Memorandum of Understanding with a private firm for the construction of 2,000 bed-spaces for both sexes at the permanent site of the school under Build, Occupy and Transfer (BOT) basis for about 16,000 students presently,” the VC explained.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

41

FG flags off French clinic for secondary schools Regina Otokpa

Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu (5th l); Deputy Governor, Alhaji Samaila Yombe (5th r), and Senior Officers from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, during their study visit to Government House in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Buhari for AU summit in Addis Ababa …visits Kenya ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari leaves Abuja today on a three-day state visit to Kenya.

A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr.

Femi Adesina, said on arrival in Kenya, Buhari would join his host, President Uhuru Kenyatta and other dignitaries at a memorial service for Kenyan soldiers who were killed by Al-Shabaab in Somalia on January 15.

After the memorial service in Eldoret, Buhari would proceed to Nairobi for bilateral talks tomorrow with Kenyan

government officials led

by Kenyatta.

Before the conclusion of his visit, Buhari and Kenyatta would jointly preside over a Kenya-Nigeria Business Forum in Nairobi.

The President’s entourage to Kenya would include the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Industry, Trade and Investment.

At the conclusion of his visit to Kenya on Friday, Buhari would go on to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the 26th Summit of African Union Heads of State and Government.

Buhari would also participate in a meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council before returning to Abuja on Sunday.

Fire destroys N200m property, Station Market …1 feared killed A ZA MSUE KADUNA

A

bout 500 shops with goods worth over N200 million were destroyed yesterday when the popular Station Market in Kaduna State completely burnt down.

Governor Nasir el-Rufai visited the scene yesterday and promised that government would rebuild market that is located in Kaduna South Local Government Area of the state.

An eyewitness said the

fire which started as early as 2a.m killed one person who was sleeping in one of the shops.

The Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Zubairu, in a telephone interview with National Mirror, said the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area was yet to ascertain the number of casualty or damage.

Zubairu said: “The market has been shut and the DPO said they are currently still on search-and-rescue operation, and that they are yet to discover any corpse.”

The cause of the fire was

still unknown but it was gathered that it could be as a result of electrical fault.

Vice Chairman of the market association, John Nwokoye, while narrating his ordeal said although he did not know how the fire started, he received a call from one of his boys around 2a.m that the whole market was in flames.

He said one of their members, a trader, died inside his shop during the inferno that engulfed over 500 shops with goods worth over N200 million.

El-Rufai said fire fighters too would be provided in the proposed new market

for prompt action during an emergency situation.

The governor, while describing the fire incident as most unfortunate, directed the state emergency agency to put in place measure that would forestall a repeat in the area.

“It is most unfortunate that we continue to witness fire incidents. We sympathise with traders who lost properties. We already have plan for this place. We will build modern market down the railway with fire fighting unit for safety of lives and properties,” he said.

Katsina stops automatic promotion for teachers JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

T

he norm of automatic promotion of classroom teachers has been discarded in Katsina State.

Also, posting of classroom teachers would henceforth be in areas of need, and not on preferential treatment.

Governor Aminu Masari, who disclosed this yesterday, said performance

of both teachers and students must be assessed before promotion is effected.

Masari warned that teachers that fail to live up to expectation will be forced to retire.

He spoke during the presentation of educational materials donated

by Nigeria-Turkish International College Foundation at Government Secondary School, GSS, Ajiwa.

He said the era of I-

know-someone to influence teachers’ postings was over, and that those who chose teaching as a career must be ready to serve and live wherever they are deployed.

The governor said Parent-Teacher Association, PTA, would be reintroduced and empowered to take decisions on schools and students.

He said the foundation’s gesture in donating educational materials is

in line with administration’s resolve to uplift the education sector.

Vice Chancellor, Nigeria-Turkish International College, Prof Huseyin Saad, said 15,000 teaching materials would be distributed, out of which 300 would go to GSS Ajiwa.

Saad said additional teaching materials would be provided to other schools in the state in the coming weeks.

Federal Government yesterday flagged off the first French clinic for secondary schools in the country to remedy the deficiencies faced by students in learning understanding and speaking French language.

Commissioning the French lab in Federal Government Boys College, Apo, Abuja, the Minister of State for Education, Prof.

Anthony Anwukah alongside the French attaché for cooperation in education to Nigeria, Daniel Rignault, noted the importance of French language to economic development.

According to the minister, Nigeria has demonstrated zeal to foster the teaching and learning of French in Nigerian schools from the basic to tertiary levels and was prepared to establish French clinics in 104 unity schools across the country.

He added that the Federal Boy’s College was one of six out of 104 clinics already established for takeoff.

Anwukah however noted that the main challenge remains the training of sufficient number of French teachers within Nigerian school systems at the basic, secondary and tertiary level.

While appreciating the effort of the French government for its assistance, asked that more ef-

fort should be increased in terms of teachers training.

French attaché for cooperation in education to Nigeria, Daniel Rignault, disclosed that France was ready to strengthen ties with French-speaking countries in Africa.

He maintained that the clinics would gain maximum support by way of partnership from his country.

Meanwhile, Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Denys Gaven, said the establishment of French clinics in secondary schools is one of the many efforts by the French to encourage the teaching of French language in Nigerian schools since its adoption as the second language in Nigeria.

Rignault noted during a meeting with the minister of state for education earlier in Abuja, that some French companies were already partnering with the embassy to grant scholarships to Nigerian students to further their studies in France and that more teachers would also be trained, coupled with over 40,000 teachers trained so far by the French embassy.

He further disclosed that the military and other government agencies have bought into the idea of making French mandatory in the whole of Nigeria education system as well as the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, APC manifesto.

FUT Minna explains expulsion of 450 students PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

V

ice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof Musbau Akanji, has said the recent exit of 450 students of the institution was due to poor academic performance in their 100 level.

According to him, the students had below 1.5 Grade Point, an indication that they could not cope with the school measurement intellectually.

Akanji in an interview said the names of the affected students were published on the school website, with text messages or emails sent to their parents to let them know the situation of their wards that may not reveal the

true position of things.

He also decried the dearth of hostel accommodation for students, noting that the development has particularly made the female students most vulnerable.

Subsequently, the institution has commenced the construction of 1,000 bed-spaces for the female students for 2015/16 session from the N2 billion provided by the federal government.

“The university has signed Memorandum of Understanding with a private firm for the construction of 2,000 bed-spaces for both sexes at the permanent site of the school under Build, Occupy and Transfer (BOT) basis for about 16,000 students presently,” the VC explained.

42

Wednesday, January 27, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

OGBODO: I, formerly known and addressed as OGBODO DENIS OKOYE, now wish to be known and addressed as OGBODO DENIS ANIH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EGBOH: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EGBOH CATHERINE UZOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWAFOR CATHERINE UZOMA. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC, Caritas University and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

GBANITE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS LOTAEBUBENNA CHIMELOGO GBANITE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS LOTAEBUBENNA CHIMELOGO UGWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Akinfisoye Dele Ajisafe now Akinsafe Patrick Safe. All former documents remain valid ,general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

NWEZE: I, formerly known and addressed as NWEZE VICTORIA UJUNWA, now wish to be known and addressed as ODO VICTORIA UJUNWA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

MBAH:I, formerly known and addressed as MBAH BIBI, now wish to be known and addressed as EYA MERCY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKAFOR CELESTINA TOCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKOROCHA CELESTINA TOCHI. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Shehu Raifu Ibrahim now Shehu Raifu Kolade. All former documents remain valid ,general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

NWEZE: I, formerly known and addressed as NWEZE SUSSAN UZOAMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as ODO SUSSAN UZOAMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADIBE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADIBE JOY NKIRUKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGBONNA JOY NKIRUKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

UCHEDINANWA: I, formerly known and addressed as ALI CECILIA UCHEDINANWA, now wish to be known and addressed as ALI CECILIA NGBOBUAKU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IKECHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as IKECHUKWU SAMUEL UGOCHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as UTAZI SAMUEL UGOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ELIAS: I, formerly known and addressed as ELIAS NWOBODO, now wish to be known and addressed as ISIDORE ELIAS NWOBODO. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OZOUGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as IKENNA OZOUGWU, now wish to be known and addressed as IKECHUKWU OZOUGWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

UWADIEGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UWADIEGWU CHIDIMMA REGINA SANDRA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKWUBANEGO CHIDIMMA REGINA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME BLESSING: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Ndidika Nbika. now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Blessing Ndidika Ilo. .All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

TWINS: Formerly known and addressed as OLORUNTOBA IBRAHIM TWINS now wish to be known and addressed as BALOGUN IBRAHIM KEHINDE .All former documents remain valid.

General public take note ANAETO: Formerly known and addressed as Anaeto Stella Nwamaka now wish to be known and addressed as Nwaiwu Stella Nwamaka. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Nnennaya Christana and Okoibe Nwanyi Sunday Ejibe Refer to one and the same person now wish to be knowm and addressed as Okoibe Nwanyi Sunday Ejibe. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank, U.B.A Bank and general public take note.

AKINRULI: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Akinruli Funmilayo Omolade now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oluwasina Funmilayo Omolade..All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHIDI: Formerly known and addressed as Chidi Ndukwe now wish to be known and addressed as Awa Chukwuma. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME AIGBUWA: Formerly known and addressed as Aigbuwa Victory Uwayemen now wish to be known and addressed as Alexander Victory Uwayemen.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

EZE: I, formerly known and addressed as EZE SAMUEL EKENEDILICHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as EZE ALVIN EKENEDILICHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ABEL: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ABEL LOIS CHINYERE and MISS KELECHI CHINYERE LOIS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OHAERI LOIS CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

RAOLAT: Formerly known and addressed as Raolat Omoshalewa Balogun now wish to be known and addressed as Raolat Omoshalewa Agbetoba.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as DANIEL OLABISI OLADELE, now wish to be known and addressed as FOWOBAJE DANIEL OLABISI. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as miss Olukoya Oluwaseyi Adunolapo now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Soyebi Oluwaseyi Adunolapo all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known as Miss Maryann Chinyeaka Okeke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Maryann Chinyeaka Chigbo. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

RAHEEM: Formerly known and addressed as RAHEEM OLUWASEYI NOLA now wish to be known and addressed as RAHEEM OLUWASEYI ADERIBIGBE .All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as ERU MICHAEL AKORO, now wish to be known and addressed as AKORO PAUL. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MOSES IHEOMA FAVOUR, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUGBOGU IHEOMA FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as EZERIBE PRISCILLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OKORIE PRISCILLA CHIBUKO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as TOCHUKWU NWANDU, , now wish to be known and addressed as TOCHUKWU NWANDUFOCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm to the general public that I, Ariyo BOLAJOKO and Olalowo BOLAJOKO,the bearer is the same person and owner of all documents bearing the two names. All concerned authorities and general public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that Omejeh Chibuike and Omejeh Stanley Chibuike is the same and one person, that I now wish to be known, called and addressed as Omejeh Stanley Chibuike. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as NDUKA EUCHARIA EBERE. now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NNOROM EUCHARIA EBERE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

BELIEVERS MANDATE INT’L ASSEMBLY

Formerly known and addressed as PRINCE CHIDI CHIEGERIO, now wish to be known and addressed as PRINCE OBIOMA CHIDI. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as GABRIEL JOHN SAX, now wish to be known and addressed as GABRIEL JOHN OLANIYI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

AMEH : Formerly known and addressed as AMEH AMOS ENEMONA now wish to be known and addressed as AMOS SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. United Bank for Africa and all Authorities concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly RISIKAT FATAI now wish to be called EYINJUMO HELLEN ALAKE. All former documents remain valid. DIAMOND Bank, UBA BANK and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

DEEPER TRUTH MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Organization has applied to the corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part C of companies and allied matters Act 2004 .

The general public is hereby notified that the above named organization has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja under the part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE. 1. Rev Anthony Emenike - G.O/Founder Secretary 3. Mrs. Ifeoma Okeke Oladunjoye 5. Pastor Ruth Anthony 7. Pastor Michael Salami

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

2. Pastor Olufemi Bolajoko4. Pastor Samson 6. Pastor Lawrence Ugwuru 8. Mr. ugochukwu Anosike

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To reach the unsaved with the gospel of Jesus Christ 2. To plant Churches in cities and towns.

Any objection to the registration of the organization 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 Pastor Olufemi Bolajoko. Secretary.

1, DAIRO JOSEPH ENIOLORUNDA 2. DAIRO OLUSEYI JANET 3, OLATUNBOSUN OYINADE TEMITOPE 4, AYEGBUSI OLUSOLA 5, OMOTOSO EMMANUEL BUNMI 6, ADEBOBOYE GBOYEGA DAVID 7. OMOTOSO OPEYEMI STELLA 8. OLADAPO CAROLINE OMOTOLA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. To prepare the believers for the coming of Christ.

3. To conduct and perform church ordinances of baptism, Holy Communion, marriage ceremonies in accordance with the Word of God Any objection to the registration of this organization should be directed to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja FCT within 28days of this publication.

Signed BARR. O. T. OLATUNBOSUN

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OSHINLAJA: Formerly known and addressed as OSHINLAJA RAFIAH ASAKE now wish to be known and addressed as OLATUNJI RAFIAH FOLAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as miss Salau Mariam now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Adewale Mariam Toyin All former documents remain valid and my date of birth is 12th of may 1976 , Ecobank and general public take note.

ESTHER: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Esther Funmi Okanlawon now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Esther Olufunmilayo Fadesola. .All former documents remain valid.

LASG and the general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as miss Anomo Adesubomi Adetoun now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Akinola Adesubomi Adetoun ,all former documents remain valid Ministry of local government Education Authority Ijebu ode (LGEA) and general public take note.note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UJIRINERE: Formerly known and addressed as UJIRINERE ANUOLUWAPO ORITSEMONE now wish to be known and addressed as UJIRINERE ANUOLUWAPO ALABI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

OYEDOKUN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyedokun Ola Silifat now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Abdulsalam Zulfah Olanrewaju. All former documents remain valid.LASG and the general public take note

Formerly known and addressed as miss Adepoju Olaoluwa Omotayo now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Ajiboye Omotayo Olaoluwa all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly FLORENCE OSANZO now want to be called, known and addressed as FLORENCE IGBUWA AKPOBOME. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

ADEBAYO: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebayo Christiana Bola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Afolabi Christiana Bola. All former documents remain valid.

LASG and the general public take note.

KADIRI: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Kadiri Rukayat Motunrayo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Onibudo Rukayat Motunrayo. All former documents remain valid. LASG and the general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Thomas Lolly Mitchelle now which to be known and addressed as Okute Peace Marylyn all former documents remain valid First Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

MAXWELL: I, formerly known and addressed as STEVE MAXWELL, now wish to be known and addressed as AGOHA ENYINNAYA O. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as miss Okeyingbo Deborah Oluranti now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Akinyele Deborah Oluranti . all former documents remain valid Ogun State Government and general public take note.

RASHEEDAT: Formerly known and addressed as RASHEEDAT OLALEKAN now wish to be known and addressed as RASHEEDAT MORIYIKE HAMZAT .All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as miss Edward Efe Glory now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Monday Efe Glory .all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONWU: I, formerly known and addressed as BLESSING ONWU .C. EUNICE .O. now wish to be known and addressed as BLESSING CHUKWU .C. EUNICE .O. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to certify that my name was mistakenly written in some of my document as CHIEMELA SUNDAY NWABUGHIOGU, but my correct name is CHIEMELA THANKGOD NWABUGHIOGU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that OLADIMEJI AYODEJI HENRY is the same person as JOMBO AYODEJI HENRY his surname are compound name as OLAJOMBO OLADIMEJI-JOMBO. All former document remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I ADETOYIN VICTORIA FOLASADE am the same person as ADEREMI SADE VICTORIA and OLOMI OLADIMEJI ,Henceforth , i want to be knwn and addressed as ADETOYIN VICTORIA FOLASADE all formal documents remain valid, WEMA BANK PLC and general public take note,

Formerly known as Miss Orimolade Bunmi now wish to be addressed as Mrs Oroye Oluwabunmi.All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Miss Orimolade Bunmi now wish to be addressed as Mrs Oroye Oluwabunmi.All former documents remain valid,general public take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as ALAYO KAFAYAT MOTUNRAYO now wish to be henceforth referred to as OYEDEJI KAFAYAT MOTUNRAYO, all former documents still remain the same, general public please note.

CHANGE OF NAME ADESOYE : Formerly known and addressed as OLATUNJI DAMILOLA ADESOYE now wish to be known and addressed as OLATUNJI DAMILOLA EBENEZER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

AMEH : Formerly known and addressed as AMEH AMOS ENEMONA now wish to be known and addressed as AMOS SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. United Bank for Africa and all Authorities concerned should please take note.

I ADETOYIN VICTORIA FOLASADE am the same person as ADEREMI SADE VICTORIA and OLOMI OLADIMEJI ,Henceforth , i want to be knwn and addressed as ADETOYIN VICTORIA FOLASADE all formal documents remain valid, WEMA BANK PLC and general public take note,

This is to confirm to the general public that I, EGBESOLA ISHOLA MINOTU JUMOKE, and ISHOLA OLAJUMOKE is one and the same person as EGBESOLA MINOTU JUMOKE. Henceforth, wish to be known and addressed as EGBESOLA MINOTU JUMOKE. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid. General public take note.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Samuel Nwabuaze Chibueze now wish to be known and addressed as Samuel Onuoar Chibueze. All former documents remain valid.

First bank and General public take note

43

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as MISS.PRISCILLIA UGO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. PRISCILLIA AHANONU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as RUTH OBOFONI JOHN, now wish to be known and addressed as RUTH OBOFONI IREO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AKAMETALU GINIKA CHIDIOGO, now wish to be known and addressed as AKACHUKWU GINIKA CHIDIOGO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as SHOKUNBI OLAMILEKAN TOHEEB, now wish to be known and addressed as SHOKUNBI OLABODE TOHEEB. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as ODEYEMI MUTAIRU ABIOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as GANIYU KAZEEM OLANREWAJU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as NWMBAMOGAGA ONYIBE MONDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as ONYIBE GODWIN MONDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known, called and addressed as David Jesurobo, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mr. David Aifesehi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS.GLORY ESE ATAGA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. GLORY ESE JOHN EKATA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ormerly known and addressed as OYEWOLE SAIDATU FATIMOT, now wish to be known and addressed as SAKA SAIDAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known, called and addressed as Asee Zaagee, now wish to be known and addressed as Zaagee Patrick Tersoo. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that Sunday Osagie Destiny is the same person as Arigbe Osagie Tuesday. Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as SUNDAY OSAGIE DESTINY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Sulaemon Lamina Olorunwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Sulaimon Al-Ameen Olamide.

All former documents remain valid.

Federal Road Safety Corps and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as BERNADETTE CHUKWUMAMKPAM IBE, now wish to be known and addressed as BERNADETTE CHUKWUMAMKPAM EZEM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss Garuba Fatimot Omonike now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akanji Fatimat Ayinke all former document remain valid , LAUTECH Teaching Hospital , Ogbomoso and general public to take note

I formerly known and addressed as MISS NKECHI UZO OBINI Now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS NKECHI UZO IDOWU All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should please take note

hereby declare that my name was mistakenly written as OTERMODE OLUWANIFEMI ADELEKE instead of OTEMADE OLUWANIFEMI ADELEKE . Now wish to be known and addressed as OTEMADE OLUWANIFEMI ADELEKE. All former document remain valid , general public to note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

A ‎ DEBIYI: FORMERLY known and addressed as ADEBIYI FLORENCE ADEWUNMI NOW wish to be known and addressed as ADEBIYI FLORENCE . All former documents remain valid. FIRST BANK PLC and General public should please take note.

FAITH: FORMERLY known and addressed as CHINONYE FAITH NIKEMGEKA NOW wish to be known and addressed as UKAONU FAITH NKEMJIKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MABEL: FORMERLY known and addressed as MISS MABEL OBI NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS MABEL ERUEMULOR .All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ROSE NNA DAVID Now wish to be known, called and addressed as ROSEMARY FRANCIS ALPHONSUS. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as AHMED IBRAHIM, now wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED IBRAHIM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

Formerly known and addressed as MISS CHISOM AMANAMBU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHISOM CHINWUBA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

NWABUAKWU: I formerly known and addressed as MISS EVELYN ANDREW NWABUAKWU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. BABALOLA EVELYN NWABUAKWU with this Date of Birth 02-02-1977.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss ALAO OLUWAFUNKE GRACE now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs OLAYIWOLA OLUWAFUNKE GRACE. All former documents remain valid, general public should take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL PAUL, now wish to be known and addressed as MALLUM PAUL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ESTHER NKECHINYERE AHAOTU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ESTHER NKECHINYERE ERNEST NWANORUO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Joy Omasan wish to be known and addressed as JOY AVBADEVBORO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as GIFT ABUGEWA now wish to be known and addressed as OGHENEKOME ODOGUN. All former documents remain valid.The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME ASEMOTA: Formerly known and addressed as ASEMOTA FRIDAY NOSA. now wish to be known and addressed as ASEMOTA NOSA ISAIAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

AVAJAH: Formerly known and addressed as IBIRONKE IYABO AVAJAH now wish to be known and addressed as IBIRONKE IYABO OSUEGBU. All former documents remain valid, Diamond Bank and the general public should take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss OFENIFORO ESTHER BOLUWAJI now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs OGUNLEYE ESTHER BOLUWAJI. All former documents remain valid, general public should take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as DEBORAH ADEGBOYEGA now wish to be known and addressed as DEBORAH DELE ABUBAKAR. All former documents remain valid, general public should take note CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as Miss Akinyele Ruth Ayowole now wish to be known and called Mrs. Olanipon Ruth Ayowole. All documents remain valid. General public should please note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as KELVIN WALTER, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNTOYINBO OLAJIDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebayo Folake Rebecca, now want to be called Mrs. Balogun Folake Rebecca All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Anthonia Enavwo Oghenede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anthonia Enavwo Nwoke. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyenekan Titilola Omoyeni, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adepoju Titilola Yetunde. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as GABRIEL ATADAPER, now wish to be known and addressed as GABRIEL ASOGBA TAPOKPEDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as MISS OLANIYI BISOLA TOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS OGUNDIRAN BISOLA TOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME MUDASHIRU: I, formerly known and addressed as MUDASIRU AMIDU OLALEKAN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as SHITTU HAMEED. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as DANIEL OLABISI.OLADELE now wish to be known and addressed as FOWOBAJE DANIEL OLABISI. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as NKUKUT LOVETH GEORGE, now wish to be known and addressed as NKUKUT IMAOBONG GEORGE. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Adenaiya Adebusola Modupe, now wish to be known and addressed as Makinde Modupe Adebusola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Yusuf Peter Moses Adive, now wish to be known and addressed as Moses Adive Peter. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Oluwatoyin Olarewaju, now wish to be known and addressed as Jimoh Idowu Abayomi All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Ofere Timothy Abubu, now wish to be known and addressed as Ofere Stephen Oko. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL O EZENWE, now wish to be known and addressed as EZENWABACHILI ODIDIKA EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunpitan, Adepeju Abiola, now wishes to be known as Mrs. Adepoju, Adepeju Adeola. All former documents remain valid. General Public to please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Ashinobi Franklin Eberechukwu Now wish to be known, called and addressed as Udochukwu Franklin Ebere All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME AKANGBE: I, formerly known and addressed as AKANGBE JIMOH, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OMOTOSHO BELLO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

TIMLOH: Formerly known and addressed as TIMLOH MOSES VONGDULPUDKMOR, now wish to be called and addressed as VENDUL PUDKUR. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank Plc and general public to take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as CLETUS UDOH MR Now wish to be known, called and addressed as MR ODOH CHRISTIAN All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and relevant authorities should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

HAUWA: FORMERLY known and addressed as HAUWA IDRIS ADAMU NOW wish to be known and addressed as HAUWA UMAR WALI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Gabriel John sax, now wish to be known and addressed as Gabriel John Olaniyi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

BALARABE : FORMERLY known and addressed as RABIATU BALARABE NOW wish to be known and addressed as RABI BALARABE MUHAMMED. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME MAHABUBU: I, formerly known and addressed as ABDULAREEM MAHABUBU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MAHBUBULAHI ARIYO A. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHINWE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS CHINWE RUTH OKPALA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHINWE RUTH UMEZURIKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

OLAJUYIN: Formerly known and addressed as Miss OLAJUYIN ALICE TEMITOPE, now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs. OLANIYI ALICE TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission, Ado-Ekiti and general public to take note

I, formerly known and addressed as NGADI JOHN UCHENNA, now wish to be known and addressed as NGADI JOHN IKEANYA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as IKEMEFUNA FRANCA UCHE, now wish to be known and addressed as EKEH UCHENNA FRANCISCA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

AJIBOLORUNSORO: I, formerly known and addressed as AJIBOLORUNSORO ADEOLA SAKA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as NIFEMI SAKA ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

LAWAL: Formerly known and addressed as LAWAL SULAIMAN OLUWANISHOLA now wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL SULAIMAN AYOOLA .All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as MOSES IHEOMA FAVOUR, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUGBOGU IHEOMA FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ABU: I, formerly known and addressed as KEHINDE ABU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as KENNY HAMEED. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ADEKUNLE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEKUNLE OLUWAKEMI OLUREMI OLOLADE now wish to be known and addressed as .MRS JOHN OLUWAKEMI OLUREMI OLOLADE All Former Documents Remain valid, general public take note.

I formerly known as NWANNADI VICTOR OBINNA now wish to be known and addressed as NNADI VICTOR OBINNA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Ogechi Ukanwa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Ogechi Chinedu Ogbonna. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as NDUKWU BONIFACE HYCENTH, now wish to be known and addressed as NDUKWU BLESSED HYCENTH CHINAKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Shoremekun Omolara Asisat now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Balogun Omolara Asisat.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Muani Fatai, now wish to be known and addressed as Shoyinka Iyabo.

All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okanlawon Lateefat Abiodun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abdul~salam Lateefat Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Ositadimma Kelvin, now wish to be known and addressed as Chukwu Kelvin Agozie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OKORO: I, formerly known and addressed as OKORO CHINENYE CHARITY, now wish to be known and addressed as OKORO CHINYERE CHARITY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NWODO: I, formerly known and addressed as NWODO JOE, now wish to be known and addressed as NWODO JOSEPH AKUBUILO. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME IGWILO: I, formerly known and addressed as TONY IGWILO now wish to be known and addressed as TONY IGWILO EZINWA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Abdulameed Modupe Ajoke, now Abdullahmed Asman Modupe. All former documents remain valid.

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ONWUKA: I, formerly known and addressed as EVANG IFEOMA ONWUKA .A., now wish to be known and addressed as ONWUKA IFEOMA APPOLONIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

44

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Oshin Olajumoke Itunuoluwa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ojeniyi Olajumoke Itunuoluwa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME NWULU: This is to confirm that NWULU EMEKA AWABA and NWULU ANANBA refer to one and same person.Henceforth wish to be known and addressed as NWULU ANANBA. All former documents remain valid. general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Sunday Victoria Nkem now to be addressed as Mrs. Victoria Ugduran Mustapha. All former documents remain valid, FCMB Ado Ekiti, and general public take note.

OBI: I, formerly known and addressed as OBI CHURCHILL, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OGUMU GABRIEL. All firmer documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to inform the general that I miss Akingemila Oluwaseun Adetokunbo is the same person bearing Miss Omogbemi Oluwaseun Adetokunbo.

All former documents remain valid, Nigeria Immigration Service, all foreign Embassy’s and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that OBODOECHI BARNABAS is one and same person as OBODOECHI BARNABAS CHUCKWUDULUE. All former documents remain valid, Eco Bank PLC ado Ekiti and general public take note.

I Formerly known as Miss Ganiyu Maryam Oluwafunmilayo now wish to be know & addressed as Mrs Alajiki Maryam. All former documents remain valid. water cooperation of Oyo State & General Public should please take note

Formerly Soetan Opeyemi Zainab now wish to be known and addressed as Salaudeen Opeyemi Zainab.

All former documents remain valid.

General public to please note.

OMENOGOR: Formerly known and addressed as OMENOGOR IFEANYICHUKWU now wish to be known and addressed as MBACHU IFEANYICHUKWU MARY .All former documents remain valid. first Bank and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME IDARASIT: Formerly known and addressed as IDARASIT JAMES UBOH now wish to be known and addressed as JEROME UKEME UDOH .All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as Adeyemo David Olubukola now to be addressed as Adeyemo Babatunde Akeem. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as (Mrs) Lamidi Adejoke Shakirat now wish to be known and addressed as Miss. Sholola Adejoke Shakirat. All former documents remain valid. UBA Bank, Sterling Bank and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

That on my bank documents, my name was wrongly written as OWOLABI SHAMSONDEEN OLAJUWON instead of OWOLABI SHAMISUDEEN OLAJUBU. That my correct name is OWOLABI SHAMISUDEEN OLAJUBU. General public and Authorities Concerned to please take note

I formerly known as IBRAHIM SODIQ now wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM SODIQ ALABI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

NELSON: I, formerly known and addressed as NWACHUKWU AZUBIKE NELSON, now wish to be known, called and addressed as NWACHUKWU AZUBIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ADEDEJI: I, formerly known and addressed as ADEDEJI SAHEED, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADEDEJI ADEYEMI OWOLABI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME KOKO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS KOKO HAPPY OGHALE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS ATIBA KOKO OGHALE . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME OKEZIE: I, formerly known and addressed as LINDA OKEZIE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ONYINYECHI NAME due to marital status. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Mr Abdulsalam Abdul - jelili Atanda now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Salam Jelili Atanda. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Adekanmbi Silifat Abike now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adekanmbi Elizabeth Omolara. All former documents remain valid . Union Bank Plc and genenal public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as miss Bankole Mariam Anuoluwapo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ademuyiwa Mariam Anuoluwapo. all former documents remain valid .

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as miss Olakeye Odunyemi Rebecca now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akinola Odunyemi Rebecca. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

UMOETTEH: I, formerly known and addressed as UMOETTEH, IMAOBONG HANSON now wish to be known, called and addressed as UBONG, IMAOBONG ABASIATTA. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

IFIE: I, formerly known and addressed as IFIE EJEDAFETA , now wish to be known, called and addressed as OBUKOHWO EJEDAFETA IFIE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Micheal Sodeinde now wish to be known and addressed as Hasan Sodeinde. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly Known and addressed as miss Odedokun Temitope Yetunde now wish to be known and addressed as Yinusa Temitope Yetunde. All former documents remain valid .

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as :Lawal Samson Adedeji now wish to be known and addressed as Lawal Samsideen Adedeji. All former documents remain valid. First bank ,keystone bank Plc and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as Oz0AGA ARINZE now wish to be known and addressed as OzoAGA MARTIN. All documents bearing the former name to remain valid. General public take note

I, formerly known and addressed as Okeke Ebuka Micheal now wish to be known and addressed as Nwaokeke Ebuka Micheal. All former documents remain valid.

UBA bank and general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL CHINOMSO DAVID.‎ now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL CHINOMSO UDEZE‎. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.‎

Formerly known and addressed as ERIC OSAROBO. , now wish to be known and addressed as ERIC AZZUN. . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Taiwo Michael Salami, Now wish to be known and addressed as Taiwo Michael Babatunde . l was born in 15th of April 1994. All former documents remains valid.

General public take note

I, formerly known and addressed as OLUOKUN MUYIWA RAPHAEL now wishes to be known and addressed as OLUOKUN ADEMUYIWA RAPHAEL PELUMI. All former documents remain valid; management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS SALIMON OYINKANSOLA BETTY now wishes to be known and addressed as MISS SALIMON-FOLAMI OYINKANSOLA BETTY. All former documents remain valid; National Youths Service Corp (NYSC), general public should please take note.

I formerly ALIMI ROFIAT ABOSEDE now to be known as ALIMI ROFIAT OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid.

Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and general public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MISS MAYELMI JUMMAI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS Ibrahim Comfort. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank plc, First Bank plc and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as EKUKPE OSE, now wish to be known and addressed as EKUKPE NEVINA-FAITH. All former documents remain valid.

UBA/GTB/HERITAGE BANK and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

VALENTINE: I, formerly known and addressed as VALENTINE MBABIE OSITADIMMA, now wish to known, called and addressed as VALENTINE OSITADIMMA EMETOSIM. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to confirm that ONELE EMMANUEL CLEMENT is one and same person as ONELE EMMANUEL. Henceforth wish to be addressed as ONELE EMMANUEL CLEMENT. Born on 25th day of September, 1985. All former documents remain valid.

Ecobank Plc., Zenith Bank Plc and general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. OLADIPO COMFORT FUNKE. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEBAYO COMFORT FUNKE. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State SUBEB and General public take note

AYANJINRIN: I, formerly known and addressed as OLUSHOLA TOYOSI AYANJINRIN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLUSHOLA MARY OKESOKUN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Ojo Funmi Janet now wish to be called and addressed as Adewumi Funmilayo Janet. All former document remain valid, general public should please take note

Formerly known as Ajayi Abosede Temitope now to be addressed as Oladipo Abosede Temitope.All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Miss Jayeola Risikat Motunrayo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Lawal Risikat Motunrayo. All former document remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formally known as Sunday Nike Elizabeth now wants to be addressed as Adeyemo Nike Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and called as Adeleke Adetoyi Asunmo now wish to be addressed and called as Tijani Adeleke Adeogun. All former documents remain valid, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc (UBN) and general public should please take note.

This is to certified that OLUWAYOMI OLUWATOYIN BADE-AFUYE is the Same one person as BADE-AFUYE TOYING BEATRICE. That henceforth wish to be called and addressed as BADE-AFUYE TOYIN BEATRICE. All documents bearing this name BADE-AFUYE TOYIN BEATRICE remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service and general public should take note

Formerly known as ADEDIBU OLUSOLA TOBA now wish to be known and addressed as ADEWUNMI ADEBAYO JOSHUA. All former documents remain valid. First bank and General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ABEOKUTA. P. M. B. 2096,ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE NIGERIA AUCTION ! AUCTION. ! ! AUCTION ! ! !

This is to inform the General public that, Auctioning of Unserviceable Vehicles and plants will take place at Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta

This is to certified that Awosika Babatunde Saheed is the same one person as Awosika Babatunde Gboyega, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Awosika Babatunde Gboyega. All former documents remain valid, Ecobank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public should please take note

Formerly known, called and addressed as UWAM CHINWE JOY now want to be called, known and addressed as UWAKWE CHINWE JOY. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE OPTIMUM SATISFACTION CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL The general public is hereby informed that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2014.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. APOSTLE OKUNKPOLOR PAUL OSAIGBOVO - FOUNDER / GENERAL OVERSEER

LIST OF ITEMS ARE : PEOGEOT 505 CARS, PEUGEOT 504,OLD FIAT 640 TRACTORS, MERCEDES BENZ STATION WAGON, CIVILIAN BUS, PEUGEOT 406,TOYOTA CAMRY CAR, MITSUBISHI BUS L300, MERCEDEZ BENZ 1414 BUS, TOYOTA COASTER BUS, TOYOTA MODEL F, AND ( TWO) TOYOTA CAMRY 2 .0 LE

2. REV. (MRS) OKUNKPOLOR GLORIA - ASSISTANT GENERAL OVERSEER

CONDITION OF SALES : 1) The highest bidder shall be the Purchaser 2) Payment is to be pay to F. C. E. BANK ACCOUNT immediately after the fall of hammer.

5. BRO. EDWARD JOKPOGHENE - MEMBER

DATE OF INSPECTION : Thursday, 28th of January to Friday, 5th of February, 2016.

1. To reach all corners of the earth with God’s word thereby winning souls for Christ.

DATE OF SALES : Monday, 8th of February, 2016.

2. To establish churches including teaching centers in Nigeria and the whole world.

VENUE : ( WORK SHOP), Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar - General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, and Maitama, P.M.B 198, Abuja, within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

TIME : 10 .00am Prompt.

For Further information Please Contact Auctioneer, Kaleyemi. S. (NIG) Enterprises.

08025762256

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MISS AYANYEMI MUTIYAT DAMILOLA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEBOJEAYANYEMI MUTIYAT DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

3. SIS. (MRS) JESSA PAULINA EFE - SECRETARY 4. SIS. (MRS) INNOCENT BEAUTY - MEMBER

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

Signed: EVANG. EDWIN EMOJEVU

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Shetima Ayuba now to be addressed as Stephen Ayuba.All former documents remain valid,general public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Bassey James now to be addressed as Moses James.All former documents remain valid,general public take not

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS SOYEBI EBUNOLUWA MOYOSORE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MRS OWOEYE EBUNOLUWA MOYOSORE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Akintimehin Olusegun Olufemi now wish to be known and addressed as Akintimehin Godwin Olufemi.

All former documents remain valid.

First bank, Skye bank and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as miss Oyenekan Rachael Oluwabukola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akinyemi Rachael Oluwabukola. All former documents remain valid . Ipokia local government and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MRS. EKPENYONG MABEL now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS. AMODE MABEL SHERIFAT. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Ani Ngozi Ijeoma, Now wish to be known and addressed as Ani Ijeoma Angela . All former documents remains valid.

General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly addressed and known as Miss Ajayi Abigael Obasola now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Oyewusi Abigael Obasola. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Shamsudeen Hussaini now to be addressed as Salisu Bako.All former documents remain valid,general public take note CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as Audu Simon now to be addressed as Audu Sunday.All former documents remain valid,general public take note CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Mwendang Bako now to be addressed as Yohanna Bako.All former documents remain valid,general publc take note

Formerly known as Akhator Tony now to be addressed as Aigbosa Tony.All former documents remain valid,general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME ALABI: I formerly known as MISS. ALABI OLAYINKA ABIGAIL. Now wished to be known and addressed as MRS. BABALOLA OLAYINKA ABIGAIL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss AISHA YAKUB EYAGI henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Mrs AISHA YAKUB EYAGI . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AJAGUN MARY, now wish to be known and addressed as AJAGUNJEUN MARY TANWA. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Wednesday, January 27, 2015

D’Tigers will aim at Olympic medal –Voigt

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

45

Sport

The only time I talk on a golf course is to my caddie. And then only to complain when he gives me the wrong club.

47

–Seve Ballesteros

Jamiu Alimi of Nigeria (No. 6) contesting for the ball with Guinean Alseny Camara, during their last Group C match yesterday.

CHAN 2016

Guinea send Nigeria packing

N

igeria crashed out of this year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda after the homebased Super Eagles lost 1-0 to the Syli Nationale of Guinea in a final Group C match in Rubavu yesterday.

The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia thrashed the Mena of Niger Republic 5-0 to win Group C on five points, while Guinea, also on five points, finished as runners-up.

Nigeria were third on four points and Ni-

ger finished bottom with a point.

It was the homebased Eagles first loss under Coach Sunday Oliseh and it came at a bad moment and against most expectations as they were top of the group leading up this West African

derby against Guinea and needed just a point to book their place in the last-eight of a competition they finished third two years ago.

According to africanfootball.com, AS Horoya 19-year-old midfielder, Ibrahima Sankhon, scored the

Group C Team

P W L D GF GA GD PTS

Tunisia

3

1

0

2

8

3

5

5

Guinea

3

1

0

2

5

4

1

5

Nigeria

3

1

1

1

5

3

2

4

Niger

3

0

2

1

3

11

-8

1

match winner against Nigeria on the stroke of half time. He exploited poor Nigeria defending to score from inside the box.

Eagles did not have clear sight at the Guinea goal with Osas Okoro wasting possibly the team’s best chance of the first half when he elected to shoot from inside the box when he had several other free teammates to pass to.

Guinea bossed the possession and were the more cohesive team.

I’m not Nigerian –Adebayor

S

peaking ahead of their final 2016 CHAN Group C clash against Tunisia yesterday, which they lost 5-0, Niger Republic striker, Zakary Adebayor, rubbished reports that he’s a Nigerian.

Speaking to Complete Sports and quoted

by Naiji.com, Adebayor revealed that he was not born in Nigeria and urged the media to stop reporting on the matter.

The report suggests that the rumours were spread in some quarters that Adebayor’s grandparents were Nigerians, but migrated to the neighbouring country to seek greener pastures in the 70s.

“I am from Niger

Republic and people should stop this controversy of linking me with Nigeria,” he striker said.

“Fine, I know Adebayor is a Nigerian name, but I am from Niger Republic and I am happy to play for Mena.”

Menas suffered a 4-1 defeat against Sunday Oliseh’s home-based Eagles before drawing 2-2 against Guinea and Tunisia spelt their name with goals yesterday.

Today’s fixtures Zambia vs Mali Uganda vs Zimbabwe

Results Guinea Niger

1 Nigeria 0 0 Tunisia 5

all

46

Sports

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports editors warn against fresh crisis in Nigerian football Serena

Serena, Djokovic, Federa in s/finals

S

erena Williams beat Sharapova yet again and advanced to Australian Open semi-finals.

The No. 1 seed faced a challenge but ultimately was too much for Sharapova. Serena topped the No. 5 seed, 6-4, 6-1, in the quarter-final round of the 2016 Australian Open yesterday in Melbourne. It’s the 18th consecutive victory for Serena over Sharapova.

The world No.1 has yet to drop a set down under and had only dropped eight total games in her previous three matches.

Despite the one-sided nature of their career matchups, Sharapova in the first set proved a worthy opponent for Williams, even breaking her first service game.

But Serena used nine aces in the first set alone to take the opener, 6-4, though not before Sharapova fought off three set points.

The second set was a different story, however, with Williams cruising thanks to a strong return of service as well as points like this winner to go up 2-0: Serena improved to 19-2 all-time against Sharapova, including 7-1 in Grand Slam tournaments and 4-0 at the Australian Open. Sharapova before the match tried to

downplay her losing streak against Serena.

“I got myself into the quarter-final of a Grand Slam,” Sharapova told the Associated Press on Monday. “There is no reason I shouldn’t be looking to improve and to getting my game in a better position than any other previous

round. It’s only going to be tougher, especially against Serena.”

Up next for Serena in the semi-final round is No. 4 seed, Agnieszka Radwanska, a 6-1, 6-3 winner over Carla Suarez Navarro.

In the men’s draw, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will meet in the

semi-finals after straightset victories.

Federer, a 17-time Grand Slam champion who has won the tournament four times, beat Tomas Berdych 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 6-4, while top seed and defending champion, Djokovic, saw off Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

FIFA confirms presidential candidates

T

he five candidates to take over the FIFA presidency from the banned Sepp Blatter stepped up the frantic hunt for votes yesterday as the campaign entered the final month.

FIFA sent a formal notice to the 209 member associations yesterday confirming that Prince Infantino Ali bin al Hussein, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa, Gianni Infantino, Tokyo Sexwale and Jerome Champagne would take part in the February 26 vote in Zurich.

“The Ad-hoc Electoral Committee has formally admitted and declared the candidates eligible for the election of the office of FIFA president at the extraordinary FIFA Congress,” said the letter.

The world body has faced major pressure since US and Swiss authorities launched major investigations into FIFA and Blatter, 79, was banned for eight years for misconduct.

While Sheikh Salman, head of the Asian Football Confederation, and Infantino, the UEFA general secretary, are

T

he Nigerian Sports Editors Guild, the umbrella body of the managers of sports of the country’s media outfits, has urged all stakeholders to steer clear of any ‘action or inaction’ that could bring fresh crisis in the country’s football.

Rising from a meeting lastweekend in Lagos, the sports editors condemned the recent meeting reportedly convened

by Sports and Youth Development Minister, Solomon Dalung, where he tried “to resolve the purported leadership crisis in Nigerian football.”

In a communiqué signed by the Guild’s President, Tony Ubani, the editors said it was “unfortunate that those saddled with the responsibility of running Nigerian sports are the same people trying to drag the sector back to the dark days by seeking solution

to a non-existent crisis.

“We want to believe that the minister was ill-advised and so does not know that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership issue was decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) sitting in Lausanne, Switzerland on May 18, 2015.”

The Guild advised any qualified Nigerian desirous of becoming the president of the NFF to wait until the end of the current tenure to actualise his dream.

“We call on all the stakeholders, NSC and ministry officials, and indeed Mr. Chris Giwa, who, as a club owner, is an important part of the Nigerian football family, to join hands with the NFF leadership to develop our football to such a level that generations yet unborn would be proud of,” the Guild said.

CSKA reject Leicester’s £15.1m for Ahmed Musa

E Sexwale

seen as the frontrunners, all five are lobbying hard for votes in a races in which many observers say a surprise is still possible.

Sheikh Salman, who should get a majority of the AFC’s 46 votes as well as many of Africa’s 54, said Monday that he could invite Infantino, or English Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore, to be FIFA secretary general if he wins.

African candidate, Sexwale, a former Robben Island prisoner with Nelson Mandela turned business tycoon and politician, has faced criticism in his native South Africa over his lacklustre campaign.

PL leaders, Leicester, are expected to make an improved bid for Nigeria skipper, Ahmed Musa, after an initial offer was rejected

by Russian club CSKA Moscow.

According to the BBC, the Russian club have rejected a $21.6m (£15.1m) offer as they hold out for a fee closer to their $27m (£18.9m) valuation of the forward.

The 23-year-old is believed to be open to a move to Leicester.

The Nigeria captain has a $32.5m (£22.8m) buyout clause in his contract, which runs until 2019.

Leicester are expect-

ed to return with an improved bid for the player before the transfer window closes on February 1.

A former VVV Venlo player, Musa has scored 10 goals in 29 games this season and 11 times in 56 appearances for Nigeria.

Musa

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

47

D’Tigers celebrating Afrobasket victory and Olympics qualification

D’Tigers will aim at Olympic medal –Voigt Joel Ajayi Abuja

A

s preparations for 2016 Olympic Games gather momentum, the Coachof Nigeria’s Senior National Basketball team, D’ Tigers, William Voigt, has declared that contending with other teams at Rio for medal will be tough.

Voigt who spoke to National Mirror in Abuja, however, added that Olympic hurdles would be surmounted if adequate preparations were put in place.

He said that he had been having talks with the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) regarding his team’s participation in the Olympics after D’ Tigers for the first time lifted the African Basketball Championship (Afrobasket) trophy last year.

According to him; “We had some success spending time in different places leading to the African championship and I think it would be a similar arrangement. Obviously, we are going to have some presence here in Nigeria, but it is also important that we play against many quality nations leading up to Olympics,” Coach Voigt said.

“Players who won the

FIBA Africa in Tunisia will be looked at first. However, the team’s door will be opened to other Nigerian players doing well in their respective clubs both in Nigeria and abroad,” he

added.

On his part, D’ Tigers captain, Olumide Oyedeji, affirmed that the team won’t settle for anything less than a gold medal.

Oyedeji said, “This time

around, we want to be a medal contender. We don’t just want to be a participant. We don’t want to be pushovers. We want to be a team that will go there to vie for medals.”

Minister sets up new Rio Nigeria House Committee Joel Ajayi Abuja

M

inister of Youth and Sports, Barr Solomon Dalung, yesterday disbanded an earlier 15-member Nigeria House Project Committee set up by the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Al-hassan Yakmut, towards the upcoming Olympics in Brazil and constituted a new committee.

Dalung constituted a smaller seven-member body to coordinate the offthe-field activities of Nigerians while in Rio de Janeiro.

The establishment of Hospitality House during every Olympic Games is to promote discipline, interpersonal relationship and enhance socio-economic and political development of every participating nation before, during and after the Games.

NSC DG, Yakmut, had on November 5, 2015 inau-

gurated a 15-member body that was scaled down yesterday.

The new committee will be chaired by Alhaji Mohhammed Abudullahi.

Other members are: Alhaji Bala Usman, Mrs. Adesohola Ndu, Hon Bappa Missau, Mr. Tar Ukoh, Shamma Makpa and Head of Chancery, Nigeria Embassy in Brazil.

Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, the Minister said the project will no doubt showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage in sports, the cultures, arts,

Dalung

businesses, goods, natural endowments, cuisine, music and entertainment.

He tasked the committee to source and make available to Nigerian sports enthusiasts and participants alike, relevant information, games tickets, events timing and direction to venues, among others.

Asked what prompted the pruning of the committee to seven-man, the minister replied, “No doubt financial challenge and the need to re-strategise on efficient use of human resources in order to achieve good results was reason for the scaling down of member.”

Earlier in his remarks, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, called on the members to spare no effort to make sure the project is very successful.

Responding, the committee’s chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi, assured of their readiness to carry out the duty assigned to them.

Obu joins Abia Warriors’ crew

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he immediate past Team Manager of National League Division One side, Bussdor United of Port Harcourt, Sam Obu, has joined Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia as the Assistant Coordinator/Welfare Officer.

Sam, who is the elder brother of Nigeria’s former National U-17 and U-20 coach, John Obu, moved to Umuahia after serving in Bussdor for about three years.

In a statement yesterday, Abia Warriors said the former Vasco Dagama of Enu-

gu, Spartans of Owerri and Sharks of Port Harcourt attacker, who later travelled to the United States where he played for the Atlanta Chiefs while studying Estate/Industrial Management at the Fort-Valley State University, Georgia, has already settled down to his new assignment at Umuahia.

Sam, who owns the Mben United Football Academy, Aba, told Abia Warriors website that he decided to join the Warriors to enable him contribute his quota towards the club’s dreams of lifting the league diadem for the first time.

NOC, NFF mourn Akoja

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resident of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr.

Habu Gumel, has consoled the Sports Minister, Barr.

Solomon Dalung, and his staff over the death of Mr. Olu Akoja, a Deputy Director in-charge of Elite Athletes in the NSC’s Federations Department.

Akoja died last week at the National Hospital, Abuja. Gumel expressed shock at the death of Akoja who he described as “diligent, trust-worthy and hardworking officer.”

“I’m most pained to hear of the death of a meticulous and hardworking young man who worked directly with me when I was in service,” the NOC president said.

Similarly, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has commiserated with the National Sports Commission over the death of

Late Akoja

Olu Akoja.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, led the NFF team that included Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme (Deputy General Secretary), Mr. Bola Oyeyode (Ag. Director, Competitions), Mr. Ademola Olajire (Asst. Director, Communications), Mr. Abdulrafiu Yusuf (Asst.

Director, Technical), Barr.

Okey Obi (Chief Legal Officer), Mr. Nasiru Jibril (Personal Assistant to NFF President) and Daniel Musa (Security Officer) to the NSC.

WORLD RECORD

Largest collection of stickers Vol. 05 No. 1295

N150

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

The largest collection of stickers belongs to Nidhi Bansal (India) and consists of 102,317 stickers as of 16 Se ptember 2013, in Bassi Pathana, Punjab, India.

The law vs impudence of Tompolo

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lato it is who says: “Mankind must either give themselves a law and regulate their lives by it or live better than the wildest of the wild beasts.”

This implies that the existence of the law ensures peaceful co-existence, harmony and justice. Before justice could be enthroned in a given society, state institutions and individuals alike must be seen to be equal before the law, and succumb to the dictates of it. Consequent upon his vehement refusal to appear before a Lagos Federal High Court presided over by Justice Ibrahim Buba on charges bordering N34 billion fraud preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a warrant of arrest has been issued on Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo. By this order, Tompolo who is a fugitive in

Guest Columnist the eyes of the law, shall be compelled by the relevant law enforcement agencies to appear before the court willy-nilly.

We must all ensue that the sanctity of the courts is respected and upheld at all times.

The impudence of Tompolo is unheard of in any sane clime, and it must be dealt with accordingly. As a Nigerian, he is duty bound by law to obey court orders. The law on the other hand should equally protect him against any infringement on his fundamental human rights. However, Tompolo’s right to institute any action or pursue an existing one against EFCC on the same matter relating to the case in contention is not enough ground for him the court. It is not in the interest of the nation for him to shy away from the course of law and justice.

From every indication, the temple of justice has become a “whip” for settling cheap political scores in recent times. For this reason, people no longer have confidence in the ability of our judiciary, which is the last hope of the common man. The sanctity of our judicial system shall only remain intact when it detaches itself from becoming a partial umpire for the mighty and powerful in the country. Instances abound where government and its security agencies, especially the Department of State Service (DSS) and EFCC have treated the law and court orders with utter disdain.

The apparent non-compliance of federal authorities with the bails granted Nnamdi Kanu and Sambo Dasuki are celebrated cases of government’s deliberate interference

City to miss Kompany for two weeks

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anchester City’s injured captain, Vincent Kompany, will return to the team ahead of schedule, but will miss today’s League Cup semi-final against Everton, manager Manuel Pel-

Sunday O. Eze

legrini said yesterday.

City’s influential Belgian centre-back has endured an injury-plagued season, with his latest setback ruling him out of action since December 26.

Kompany’s return from

THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION SHOULD BE HOLISTIC, AND MUST PERMEATE

ALL DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES AND MINISTRIES OF GOVERNMENT with and defiance of the court. The bail conditions of both accused were met only for them to be re-arrested within the premises of the court and rammed again into detention. When Tompolo defied EFCC and court summons to appear before it, many did not bath an eye lid. Should one not admit that Tompolo was keenly watching the government as it batters the court? Government should show cause why people should not believe Nigeria is receding into a Hobbesian state of nature, where life is nasty, short and brutish, or an Orwellian state, where some animals are more equal than the others.

Government must be seen to lead by shining example at all times.

The avowal to bring sanity and ensure probity and transparency in the business of governance is cardinal to the administration of Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari. In fact, the president’s aversion for graft, crimes and criminality are known facts. It is not

surprising that the $2.1 billion arms scandal featuring former national security adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) and other corruption cases are vigorously pursued. For too long, the nation has existed without citizens paying due regards to the extant laws of the land. For quite some time a dangerously structured dam of corruption has blocked the flow of social progress in Nigeria.

With President Buhari, the appointed time to interrogate the stewardship of our past and present leaders is right here with us. The apparent lack of the will power by those in positions of authority to check the sources of ostentatious living of our past leaders is the bane of our nation. Therefore, the ongoing arrests and prosecutions of some political big wigs in the country on account of fraudulent diversion of our national resources to selves and cronies is a welcome development. Every well-meaning Nigerian should ensure it succeeds. Those who the court genuinely finds guilty of robbing us all of our common patrimony should be made to face the consequences of their actions.

However, this assignment must be carried out with utmost diligence and sincerity.

It should not be seen as a selective political vendetta to punish some supposed “thieves” or potential political enemies. The current media sensationalisation of the prosecution of the suspects is already negatively telling on effort of government; such sensationalisation should not interfere with the diligent role of our courts. Without fairness, it will be an effort in futility our current drive to rid our nation of corruption and corrupt tendencies. The fight against corruption should be holistic, and must permeate all departments, agencies and ministries of government. Our eyes will open to the level of rot in the polity, when we begin the search for looted funds, at least from 1985 till date.

The looting of our common patrimony did not just begun now.

Eze, a media and communications specialist, wrote via sunnyeze02@yahoo.com and can be reached on 08060901201

Sport Extra

a persistent calf injury in two weeks instead of six will come as a relief to a team who always seem to struggle defensively in his absence.

City have kept clean sheets in seven of the nine

Premier League games that Kompany has featured in this season, compared to just four in 14 without him.

“I don’t think Vincent will be out for six weeks – he will return in a couple of weeks,” Pellegrini told

reporters.

“We are doing all we can to review Vincent in different places with different doctors. I hope that now when he comes back he will be fit until the end of the season.”

Kompany

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