NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,503
WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY, 2016
www.tribuneonlineng.com
Nigerian Tribune
@nigeriantribune
Nigerian Tribune
N150
Despite court order, labour begins strike TribuneOnline
•Walks out on FG negotiating team •Ajaero faction, TUC back out of strike •ASUU joins strike •No work, no pay, FG tells workers •Senate backs N145/litre price of petrol —P2 Militants' attacks raise global crude oil price to $50 per barrel —P2
Senate withdraws anti-social media bill —P6
A cross-section of members of Joint Action Front (JAF) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), protesting increase in fuel and electricity tariff, in Lagos, on Tuesday.
Again, PDP breaks into 2
•Modu Sheriff faction holds convention in Port Harcourt, Gana group in Abuja •Court nullifies South-West PDP zonal congress •PDP, myself were impersonated in suit against convention —Sheriff —P5 •No court order stopping PDP convention —Wike
Diezanigate: EFCC arrests Kaduna ex-Gov Yero —P4
I was under serious influence during Tinubu's trial —CCT chairman —P6
2
news
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
Despite court order, labour begins strike Taiwo Adisa, Kunle Oderemi, Ayodele Adesanmi, Soji-Eze Fagbemi, Sunday Ejike, Tunde Ogunesan and Clement Idoko - Abuja
D
ESPITE the court order, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Tuesday, asked its members nationwide to commence indefinite strike effective from midnight of Tuesday. The NLC stormed out of the meeting with the Federal Government representatives and promptly declared nationwide strike to commence by 12.00 a.m. today. The Federal Government team was led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal. However, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joe Ajaero-led faction of the NLC, in disagreement with their NLC counterpart led by Comrade Ayuba Wabba, called of the strike and agreed with the Federal Government to embark on certain measures to mitigate the impact of petrol price hike on Nigerians. While the NLC left the meeting, saying that they had reached a dead end and strike would commence as scheduled, the TUC concluded the process with the Federal Government’s representatives. Wabba, while addressing journalists on their resolve to back out of the meeting, said “on this specific policy of increase of the pump price of petrol, which has resulted to about 67.8 per cent increase, we have to take time to go and discuss at our National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and we came back to still look at the issues. “The mandate that we have is to the effect that the generality of Nigerian workers feel that the pump price of N145 per litre is too outrageous and out of proportion and in view of the current economic situation, it is difficult for them to go by it, especially in the context of the quantum of the increase.
“Even the attempt to see how this can be mitigated was not actually made possible at that meeting and we thought that we shouldn’t continue in the process where we think the end product has not been able to meet our minimum expectations to be able to have a point where there will be succour to the larger Nigerian public. “There was no assurance whether this increase will also mean price stabilisation. Therefore, there was a lot of uncertainty whether it will be sustained or whether in the near future, we pass through this same path. “It is on that premises that we thought that there will be no necessity to continue in the process. The mandate given to us by the NEC is that there should be reversal of price for us to have meaningful dialogue,” he said. When asked if the strike will go on today, he said: “Certainly, strike continues. The meeting was a dead end since the demand we made could not be met in the context of the mandate we have from NEC of NLC.” On the court ruling, Wabba said NLC has never been served with any court order stopping the strike. He, however, said the NLC was still open to negotiation with the government if invited. Earlier on Tuesday, the National Industrial Court (NIC) had stopped the NLC and the TUC from embarking on its planned nationwide strike. President of the NIC, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, granted the Federal Government’s ex parte application moved by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. The court further granted an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the defendant/respondent from demonstration or engaging in any action that may disrupt the economic activities of the country, pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons filed by
the Federal Government. Justice Adejumo, while granting the ex parte order, urged the Federal Government and the NLC to take to an amicable settlement of the dispute. He regretted the absence of the NLC and TUC in court and added that the court would have advised them to go for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Meanwhile, the case has been assigned to Justice Benedict Kanyie of the Lagos Division of the court, which is expected to sit on the matter in Abuja. The matter has been adjourned till May 24.
Ajaero-faction, TUC back out of strike The Joe Ajaero-led faction of the NLC, however, agreed to back out of the strike. Briefing newsmen after the meeting with the faction, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said both parties had agreed to set up a framework to review the new fuel pump price, national minimum wage and address other issues involved. The meeting, according to him, also agreed to set up the board of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), because it was part of the issues in contention. The organised labour had declared the price increase illegal, because the only body vested with the legal power to increase fuel pump price is the PPPRA board, which had not been put in place for some years now. “We have had exhaustive discussion as a follow-up to yesterday’s (Monday) meeting. You will recall that when we adjourned, the comrades promised to consult with their constituency and come back for yet another meeting to share with us their position on issues involved. “We have listened to one another this evening and we have all agreed,; that is labour and representatives of the Federal Government, under
the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. “Part of the agreement is to work towards setting up a framework for the review of the national minimum wage, because we all agreed that this has to be a tripartite body. “For us to deal with this and other matters, a committee comprising representatives of the organised labour and of the Federal Government, under the chairmanship of nominees of the Federal Government would meet and within two weeks, resolve these and other relevant issues, including the setting up of the PPPRA board, which you all know what its responsibilities are in relations to the issues under focus,” Oshiomhole said. In his remark, Comrade Ajaero confirmed the presentation of Governor Oshiomhole, adding that “when we spoke with you yesterday (Monday), we insisted that there was no way we could mobilise, sensitise, and even start an action tomorrow (today), that we rather negotiate and it is only when negotiation might have collapsed that we take the option of going into any action.”
ASUU begins indefinite strike National President of Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, on Tuesday night, directed members of the union to proceed on total and indefinite strike, in compliance with the earlier directive of the NLC. Professor Ogunyemi, in a text message sent to members nationwide, stated that the just concluded NEC of NLC, on Tuesday evening, resolved to continue with the strike effective midnight Tuesday. He said the strike would continue until the Federal Government reverts the price of petrol. “Good evening Comrade. We just rose from the NLC NEC meeting where it was
Militant’s attacks raise global crude price to $50/barrel Sanya Adejokun - Abuja with Agency Reports DISRUPTIVE activities of Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), along with supply disruptions in Canada and other producers that are eroding a persistent glut sent oil prices to a sixmonth high of around $49 a barrel on Tuesday. This has fueled apprehension by Nigerians that there could be a further hike in the price of petrol, which was last week increased to N145 per litre from N86.50. Minister of State for Petroleum Development, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said in Abuja, on Monday, that activities of
militants in the Niger Delta had reduced oil production by over 800,000 barrels to just over 1 million barrels per day. Prices eased from the highs after Libyan factions agreed in principle to have one oil organisation, potentially bringing higher output a step closer. Also, traders were eyeing the restart soon of some of the shut Nigerian output. Brent crude traded at a sixmonth high of $49.47 intraday and at 1018 GMT was down seven cents at $48.90. United States crude was up 14 cents at $47.86, having earlier reached $48.42, the
highest since October. “Globally, there are still a lot of supply disruptions and this comes on top of natural declines,” said Olivier Jakob, oil analyst at Petromatrix. “It does bring forward the expected rebalancing in the second half,” he added. Beside unplanned outages, supply from non-OPEC countries is expected by the International Energy Agency and other forecasters to fall this year and output in some OPEC nations such as Venezuela is suffering because of a cash crunch. “Profit-taking by some investors could be prompting
some weakness in prices on Tuesday, but further gains are likely, given the supply losses,” Commerzbank said. “I expect prices to take a shot at $50,” said Carsten Fritsch, analyst at Commerzbank, adding that “the outages in Canada and Nigeria alone are probably enough to leave the global oil market undersupplied at present.” Oil is still only half its level of mid-2014, when concern about excess supply prompted prices to begin a decline from over $100 and high inventories have limited the response of prices to the outages.
resolved that we should proceed with total and indefinite strike as earlier proposed. The action begins by midnight tonight (Tuesday). A people united can never be defeated,” the text message read.
OPC to join strike —Fasehun Founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr Fredrick Fasehun, on Tuesday, demanded the resignation of President Buhari if he was not ready to revert to the old price of fuel. This was as he listed the increase of the pump price of petrol among eight perceived policies of President Buhari Nigerians should immediately rise up to challenge. Fasehun, who addressed newsmen in Lagos, described the 67 per cent hike in petrol price as not only dangerous and illegal, but also reckless, insensitive and irresponsible. He urged all Nigerians to heed the call by civil society and the organised labour for national strike from today, stating that OPC members would not be left out.
No work, no pay, FG tells workers The Federal Government has directed all ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies to invoke the provision of “no work no pay” in respect of workers who participate in the planned strike by a faction of NLC. The SGF gave the directive on Tuesday, while advising workers to shun the exercise in their own interest. Lawal also called on security agencies to beef up security and ensure that protesters did not prevent workers from gaining access to their offices. “The attention of all public officers is drawn to the notice issued by the NLC to embark on an indefinite strike from Wednesday, May 18, 2016. “This notice is regrettably given in spite of an order by the industrial court against the strike. Government, therefore, calls upon and advises all workers to respect the laws of the land and to desist from participating in an illegal strike action. “Government undertakes to guarantee the safety of workers and their work places, and expects that normal work will continue in the interest of the nation,” Lawal said in the statement. Accordingly, security agencies had been directed to ensure unimpeded access to offices, work places and markets.
Senate backs N145/litre petrol price The Senate, on Tuesday, resolved to back the decision
of the Federal Government to hike the price of petrol, but called on the government to cushion the effect of the price hike through palliatives. Coming from a closed session which lasted for one hour at its resumption on Tuesday, the Senate resolved to support the move by the government to hike the petrol price. The chamber also urged the Federal Government to immediately start implementing palliatives measures contained in the 2016 Appropriation Act to cushion effects of the fuel price increase. In the resolutions read by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, the Senate also called on the Federal Government to continue to engage the organised labour and other stakeholders to resolve issues related with the oil sector. “The Senate, in a closed session, deliberated on the increase in the pump price of PMS by the Federal Government and the threats by the organised labour to embark on a nationwide strike over the matter and resolved as follows. “That we sympathise with ordinary people of Nigeria on the hardship they are going through, the Senate will engage the Federal Government to find sustainble ways of improving the welfare of the people of Nigeria. “That we call on government to continue to engage the organised labour and other stakeholders to resolve issues in other not ground the system and impose more hardships on our people,” he said. But at a separate briefing after the day’s sitting, vice chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Murray Ben Bruce, told newsmen that the crisis in the petroleum sector was caused by lack of thinking by the people in government. He said what government was supposed to be subsidising over the years in Nigeria, as practiced in other countries of the world, is the cost of transportation and not the price of fuel. According to him, “no citizen of South Africa, Sweden and United Kingdom knew what a litre of fuel cost in his/her country but the cost of transportation from one place to the other, which are highly subsidised and regulated by government.” He specifically declared that what Nigeria needed was mass transit policy with a regulatory agency. “Here is my argument: The minister of labour and productivity, minister of transport, minister of petroleum resources should sit in a room and come up with a mass transit policy like they have in other parts of the world with a regulatory authority,” he said.
3
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
4 news
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
Legislators against gender equality live in Stone Age —Ajimobi
Mandates Oyo assembly to pass bill this month By Wale Akinselure
T
HE Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has described arguments in legislative houses against gender equality as those of persons who still live in the Stone Age. This was he noted that such arguments usually hinged on fears that the passage of the Violence Against Women Bill would remove men’s superiority cum rights over women. Ajimobi made these observations at a high level meeting on Female Genital Mutilation, organised by the Access to Basic Medical Care Foundation, an initiative of wife of the state governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, on Tuesday, in Ibadan, the state capital. He noted that it was high time women were seen as having the same rights as men. Speaking against the backdrop of statistics which show that Oyo State had the third highest prevalence of
female genital mutilation/ cutting in Nigeria (69.7 per cent), Ajimobi highlighted measures of the state government to stem the tide to include pushing for the pas-
sage of the Violence Against Women Bill and prosecution of persons involved in mutilation. He derided female genital mutilation (FGM) as archa-
ic, an evidence of inequality between sexes and discrimination against women. Consequently, Ajimobi mandated the state House of Assembly to ensure that
the Violence Against Women bill, currently at the committee stage, was passed by the end of the month. Assistant Representative, United Nations Population
Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, welcoming chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of Tribune titles, Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran, to high-level meeting on female genital mutilation, held at Western Hall, House of Assembly complex, Secretariat, Ibadan, on Tuesday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU
Diezanigate: EFCC arrests ex-Gov Yero Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Monday night, arrested the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, for allegedly collecting N700 million from the $115 million (about N23.29 billion) deposited in Fidelity Bank by the Minister of Petroleum Resources in immediate past administration, Mrs Diezani AlisonMadueke and disbursed by the bank on her instruction. The fund, which had been a subject of investigation by the anti-graft agency, was said to have been distributed to officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), certain individuals and interest groups shortly before the 2015 presidential election. The money, which some oil barons were alleged to have contributed up to $88.35 million, was allegedly given to the beneficiaries, with a view to compromising the 2015 presidential election in favour of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was the candidate of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Nigerian Tribune gathered that Yero’s arrest followed his implication by some suspects already arrested and investigated by
EFCC on the electoral sleaze. The suspects, an EFCC source informed, were the ones who revealed Yero’s involvement in the loot, telling the commission that the former governor collected the sum of N700 million from the fund. The source informed that Yero was detained at EFCC’s zonal office in Kano, where he spent the night and allegedly confessed to collecting the said amount, which he was said to have claimed was shared among PDP members in his state ahead
of the presidential election. As of the time of filing this report, it was not certain if the former governor would be granted administrative bail by the commission. EFCC had since moved against some of the beneficiaries of the fund, with a view to making them refund the money they allegedly collected. The anti-corruption commission had arrested the Managing Director and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo
and some officials, including its Head of Operations, Mr Martins Izuogbe, for allegedly receiving the $115 million from Mrs AlisonMadueke. When contacted, EFCC’s head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest of the former governor, saying “I can confirm he had been with us since Monday.” Meanwhile, it was learnt that the Principal Private Secretary (PPS) to former President Jonathan, Hassan Tukur, was also arrested
Arms deal: Metuh sought to know source of payment, witness tells court Sunday Ejike - Abuja A witness in the ongoing trial of the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, on Tuesday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja, that Metuh sought to know from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), where the N400 million paid to him for the political campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came from. The witness, Colet Odenigbo, a former United States Naval Officer and a consultant to the office of the PDP spokesman, said he accompanied Metuh to honour
the invitation to meet with a panel of the ONSA, where it was agreed to pay him N400 million to fund the party’s campaign activities for the 2015 general election. Odenigbo, the second defence witness, told the court when led in evidence by Metuh’s counsel, Emeka Etiaba, that Metuh, in that meeting, “asked of the source of the payment for the funding of the PDP’s campaign activities, but he was not told; rather, they said they will get back to him, which they never did until he (Metuh) was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).” The witness, a resource
management consultant, further told the court that the PDP spokesman told the ONSA panel that he would refund the money if he (Metuh) found out that the source of the money was not from the campaign fund of the party. He told the court, under cross examination by the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, that he rendered consultancy services to Metuh, in his capacity as the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, pointing out also that he had never had any dealing with the ONSA, except the day he accompanied Metuh to the meeting, where the issue of payment was discussed.
by the commission Monday evening, in Abuja. As of the time of filing this report, Nigerian Tribune could not ascertain for what reason Tukur was arrested, but a source stated that he was one of the top officials of the Jonathan era being investigated by the antigraft commission for their involvement in fraudulent acts while in government. When Uwujaren was asked for confirmation of Tukur’s arrest, he declined to confirm it, saying “that one, I cannot confirm.”
Fund, Mr Osaretin Adonri, called for a shift away from cultural practices that advanced FGM. He chided as erroneous, defences by some Nigerians that genital cutting reduced promisuity and preserved chastity of women and girls. Keying into Ajimobi’s charge to the state House of Assembly to pass the Violence Against Women Bill, Adonri noted the imperativeness of legislations across all states banning FGM, as well as the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Act 2015 in states. Wife of the Oyo State governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, noted that FGM was “a gross violation of the rights of women against discrimination, cruelty and torture.” Wife of Osun State governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola and her Ekiti counterpart, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose, called for behavioural change on the part of parents, traditional birth attendants to stem the high prevalence of circumcised women in the country. They especially called for collaboration among government, the people among other stakeholders in advocacy and sensitisation of their communities against FGM. Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran, expressed disgust at the staggering statistics of FGM in the country, calling for a stop. Noting that FGM was brutal and an abuse of human beings, she said the implementation of relevant legislations at national and state levels, banning FGM, would guarantee the healthy wellbeing of the female- child.
5
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
Again, PDP breaks into 2
Modu Sheriff faction holds convention in P/Harcourt, Gana group in Abuja, same day From Jacob Segun Olatunji, Leon Usigbe, Dapo Falade, Dare Adekanmbi, Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin
J
UST as it happened in 2014, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday, again, broke into two factions, thus re-enacting the factionalisation widely believed to have sealed its fate in the 2015 elections. The two factions in the party have resolved to hold parallel national conventions in Abuja and Port-Harcourt, this Saturday While the main PDP under the chairmanship of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, after its 71st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, resolved to hold its convention in Port-Harcourt on May 21 as scheduled, the Concerned PDP Group, being coordinated by Professor Jerry Gana, which also inaugurated its steering committee, resolved to hold its own convention in Abuja same day. It will be recalled that the PDP broke into two factions in 2014, namely the PDP and the New PDP, with the rival factions led by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and Alhaji Kawu Baraje, respectively. The latter had the G5 governors that left the PDP platform and merged with the All Progressives Congress (APC). The new development was unfolding despite the truce said to been reached on Monday, following the intervention of governors, members of the Board of Trustees (BOT), members of the National Assembly and key stakeholders of the party. Barely 24 hours after the Monday meeting, the Concerned PDP Stakeholders inaugurated steering committee to plan for its national convention, which they planned to hold in Abuja. Professor Gana, who was at the Monday’s BoT meeting, was made national coordinator of the new group, while the 36 steering committee members were mandated to mobilise members of the party for the Abuja convention. Gana group held its parallel meeting in the Abuja premises of DAAR Communications, while journalists were not allowed into the venue. A source at the meeting confirmed that the group would be meeting today in Abuja to fine-tune arrangements for the convention. However, in a communiqué read by the PDP national chairman, Senator Sheriff, at the end of the NEC meeting held at the PDP national secretariat, Abuja, the party challenged the Federal Government to extend the ongoing probe of the 2015 campaign funds of the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Senator Modu Sheriff also announced that the PDP NEC approved the conduct of fresh congresses in seven states where controversies trailed the conduct of the exercise. Among the states affected are Sokoto, Zamfara, Lagos, Yobe and Anambra. He did not disclose the two other states. In the resolution of the NEC, it was agreed that the chairmanship of the party would be zoned to the South after the emergence of the presidential candidate in 2018.
Court nullifies S/West zonal congress The congress held on Saturday by the South-West zone of the PDP has been declared null and void by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos. Justice Ibahim Buba, on Tuesday, ruled that the congress was held in defiance of a restraining order made by him on May 11. The judge held that the court had to firmly stand in support of its own order to prevent litigants from turning court cases into a of game of chess. The PDP South-West zonal secretary, Chief Pegba Otemolu, had, on May 11, approached Justice Buba with an ex parte application, urging the court to restrain the PDP from going ahead with the scheduled congress in the South-West. The matter was adjourned till June 8.
‘Prof Oladipo holding PDP national secretary position’ The newly elected SouthWest zonal legal adviser of PDP, Mr Ojo Williams, has questioned the legality of the continuous occupation of the office of the national secretary of the party by Professor Olawale Oladipo, declaring that “since the January 11, 2013 judgment of Federal High Court presided over by Justice Abdul Kafarati was nullified by the Appeal Court on November 6, 2013, he ought to have vacated the office.” Williams, in a release issued in Osogbo, Osun State, on Tuesday, said it was time things were done rightly in the party, by telling Professor Oladipo that he should stop parading himself as the PDP national secretary, since the Appeal Court judgment invalidating the Federal High Court judgment that paved the way for his assumption of office was yet to be set aside by a superior court. Williams said with the Appeal Court judgment of November 6, 2013, which reinstated Oyinlola as the national secretary, and Oyinlola’s defection to the APC, the
deputy national secretary of the PDP was the rightful person to have assumed the office of the national secretary in an acting capacity.
We were impersonated in suit against convention –Sheriff A new twist has emerged on the order of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, which restrained the PDP from electing officers into the offices of the national chairman, national secretary and auditor at its convention scheduled for Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday. The interlocutory order was issued on Monday by Justice I.N Buba in the suit number FHC/L/CS/613/2016, purported to have been brought before him by the acting national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, national secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo and the national auditor, Alhaji Fatai Adeyanju. But in a letter dated May 16, 2016 and signed by him, Sheriff said neither the PDP nor himself filed the said suit upon which the order was predicated. He explained that his name and that of the party were “used as plaintiffs” in the suit. The PDP chairman added that he and the party did not authorise anyone to file any suit and asked the Justice Buba to, with immediate effect, expunge him and PDP from the suit.
No court order stopping PDP convention –Wike Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has declared that there is no valid court order stopping the national convention of the PDP scheduled to hold in the state on Saturday. The governor made this known during his special appearance on a television programme monitored in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, adding that the PDP national convention would hold as scheduled. He said a shift would be dangerous, since there would be no National Working Committee (NWC) of the party after that date, adding that he had not been served any such order stopping the convention.
6
news
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
I was under serious influence during Tinubu’s trial —CCT chairman Sunday Ejike - Abuja
T
HE chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Yakubu Umar, on Tuesday, said he was under external pressure to convict the former Lagos State governor, Senator Ahmed Tinubu, who was charged with false declaration of assets and operation of foreign accounts by the Federal Government in 2012. Umar swore that he will resist similar pressure if it comes in respect of those
being tried currently and described as false, insinuations that he was being influenced to see the conviction of the senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki. The tribunal chairman said this at the resumed trial of the senate president on Tuesday,, adding that, “During Tinibu ‘s case, we were under influence to convict him but we did the right thing. “I swear by the Almighty Allah to do justice. On our part, the insinuation that we are being influenced to see the conviction of the
accused is false. During Tinubu ‘s case, we were under influence to convict him but we did the right thing”, he said Umar, who was reacting to the number of counsels representing Dr Saraki observed that records of the tribunal showed that there were about 100 counsels standing for the defendant and held that all the counsels may not be allowed to cross examine the witness to ensure orderliness,. He said all the other lawyers can assist the leader of the defence team, Chief
Kanu Agabi , adding that only the lead counsel, Agabi, can do the cross examination. “For purpose of the records of the court, it will be tidy for only the lead counsel to do the cross examination,” he said . In his response, Agabi reminded the court that all the people in the case will account to God and they should all be worried by that fact. But Umar maintained that there was nothing that he has done to distort the records of the court . “Are you surprised that
those who come before you are afraid? People come here and they are ruled by fear of prejudice. Prejudice ought not to have a place in this court but we are afraid”. On his part, the other member of the tribunal, Atedze William, said the issue had been settled and that an accused person is entitled to as many lawyers as he wanted, adding that the chairman’s remark was only to ensure that there was order in court . He said the concern of the tribunal in the proceedings, is national interest.
New fuel pricing regime: Buhari had no choice –Osinbajo Leon Usigbe - Abuja VICE-PRESIDENT Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday, said President Muhammadu Buhari did not want prices of petroleum product to go up, adding that with the present economic challenges in the country, the president had no other option. “If there is one person in Nigeria that believes that petroleum prices should not go up by N1, it is President Buhari,” Osinbajo asserted at a public presentation of “Anatomy of Corruption in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Solutions,” a collection of essays edited by Yusuf O. Ali, in Abuja. He queried: “In the absence of foreign exchange and you have to import your refined petroleum, what are you left with?” adding that even if the nation’s refineries were in operation, they could only produce 40 per cent of the petrol requirement, hence the need to continue to import. He lamented that the present administration was investigating the theft of about $15 billion from one sector alone. According to him, this was an indication that much more would have gone on in the country in terms of corruption over the period. “When you consider that today, Nigeria’s reserves stands at about $27 billion and we are investigating $15 billion from one sector alone, that is over half of the entire reserves of the country.
“We are investigating cases which shows that over $15 billion was lost in one type of contracts alone. We are not talking of oil contracts, we are talking of security-related contracts alone. We have not talked at all about oil contracts, several billions. “We cannot look at it the same way as if it is just petty stealing. This is not just
stealing the resource of the country, it is stealing the future as well. “Let me just state one clear example. All through the period when Nigeria was earning over $100 to $115 in proceeds of oil for a period of almost five years, the external reserves of Nigeria remained much the same. It did not (significantly) increase at all, despite the very
high earnings. “That is why we have the situation that we find ourselves today. It is the external reserves that a country resorts to as a last resort in protecting its currency,” he said. Speaking at a separate function, a public presentation of Professor Ladipo Adamolekun’s autobiography, “I Remember,” he
Senate throws out anti-social media bill Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja THE Senate, on Tuesday, unanimously rejected the Bill for an Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and other matters connected herewith, otherwise known as anti-social media bill. The rejection was due to the report of the Committee on Judiciary,Human Rights and Legal Matters, which reported to the Senate that most provisions of the bill were already captured in other legislations. The bill, sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah and read for the first time on November 2015 on the floor of the Senate, had caused an instant uproar in the social media circles. Chairman of the committee, Senator David Umaru, who presented his report on Tuesday, disclosed that most of the provisions of the bill had already been covered by other extant laws of the federation and could not be duplicated. Consequent upon the advice from the committee, the Senate resolved to reject the bill.
Senator Umaru, who read the report of the committee, stated that although the bill was innovative and laudable, its passage in its current form would hinder the anticorruption war which was a focal point of the current administration. “Some of our extant Acts, such as the Penal Code, the Criminal Code, the Cybercrime Act, etc‚ have suffi-
cient provisions to address the issues that the Frivolous Petitions (Prohibition, etc) bill 2015 seeks to address,” he said. Senator Dino Melaye, in his contribution, insisted that the bill would impugn on the information gathering of the police, adding that it was also against the anticorruption war of this administration.
gency, as happened amid the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, and the current surge in neurological disorders linked to the spread of Zika virus in the Americas. WHO spokesman, Tarik Jasarevic, told AFP that the meeting had been called to underscore the severity of the yellow fever outbreak
Senator Shehu Sani admonished people in position of authority to be more tolerant of critics from Nigerians, using whatever social media platform they deemed fit. Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekwerenmadu, who presided over the plenary, said the withdrawal of the bill had demonstrated the beauty of the Senate and the National Assembly.
LG workers lament 30% salary payment in Nasarawa Godwin Agwam - Lafia LOCAL government workers in Nasarawa State have raised the alarm over the payment of only 30 per cent of their monthly salary in recent times. One of the local government workers, who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune, on condition of anonymity, said for some months, local government employees in the state, have been receiving only 30 per cent of their salaries. He lamented that “the situation is so bad that some of us receiving N30,000 as our monthly salary end up going home with N9,000 in the face of the current economic hardship facing the country.” Meanwhile, the president of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), in the state, Abdullahi Abubakar,said the payment of workers in percentage is as a result of the economic crisis .
US supports NDLEA operations with $11m equipment Shola Adekola - Lagos THE United States government has provided training to 1,580 officers and sup-
plied equipment worth over $10 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The United States Con-
sul General, Mr John Bray, said this on Tusday, while presenting 11 operational vehicles to the chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of
SSANU threatens showdown with UI, others Over planned sack of staff school teachers Biola Azeez - Ilorin THE Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has threatened a showdown with the authorities of the University of Ibadan and other universities over planned dis-engagement of teachers in staff schools.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Tuesday, the national president of the association, Samson Ugwoke, said over 2,000 teachers were already affected. The SSANU leader, who said that the vice chancellors in the affected universities, had gone ahead to sack “the
WHO calls emergency meeting on yellow fever outbreak THE World Health Organisation (WHO) will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow on the yellow fever outbreak that has hit hardest in Angola, but risks spreading further if vaccinations are not ramped up. Such meetings from the UN agency are often held before the declaration of an international health emer-
explained why many states were unable to pay workers’ salaries, blaming it on less resources coming into the Federation Account. “When we came into office, we tried to settle many of those debts, but the Federation Account is lower and we are unable to find the resources to shore up the Federation Account,” he said.
“When someone says one member is not contributing enough,, does he want us to be fighting here? “We have our differences and they are settled in chambers. We will not destroy the tribunal. This is about Nigeria,” Atedze William said. In his contribution, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, said he made the point that all Dr Saraki’s counsel can speak through the lead counsel, but Atedze interjected, describing Jacobs’ position as insincerity of the bar.
and to re-emphasise the need for mass vaccination against the viral disease. As of May 12, Angola had reported 2,267 suspected yellow fever cases and 293 deaths in an outbreak that began in December and most heavily concentrated in the capital, Luanda. The Democratic Republic of Congo had registered 44
suspected cases, both from a local outbreak and from patients who carried the virus from neighbouring Angola. Eleven people tested positive for yellow fever in China after returning from Angola, highlighting “the risk of international spread through non-immunised travellers,” WHO said.
teachers, despite the judgment on the matter being awaited in the National Industrial Court (NIC), added that the UI also said their teachers would be delisted on its pay roll on June 1. “It’s about five months when the Federal Government took the decision, involving over 2,000 workers. Uthman Dan Fodio disengaged its teachers about two years ago. No salary. You can imagine what’s happening to them, the family of those also affected in the University of Ilorin, Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure. We told the vice chancellors that it’s wrong. You can’t be the accuser and judge at same time. UI is also threatening to disengage them on June 1.
the agency, Colonel Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd), in Lagos. Speaking on the occasion, Bray said: “Since 2013, the U.S. Consulate in partnership with the US Africa Command and the Bureau International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, has sponsored over 100 training courses for the NDLEA, as well as provided training to 1,580 officers. The agency has received training in intelligence, evidence collection, management skills, tactical skills and instructor training. In addition to the training, the US has provided computers, luggage scanners, digital drug analyzers, tactical equipment, radios and vehicles to the agency”. The United States envoy, who promised to increase support to the NDLEA in drug control, said “Today, we are donating 11vehicles to assist the agency in their counter narcotic efforts. We will continue to support the agency and Nigeria to combat the proliferation of drug trafficking and drug abuse”.
7
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
Lagosmetro Flood! Flood!! Flood!!!
Nigerian Tribune
Edited By
Lanre Adewole
olanreade@yahoo.com
0811 695 4647
7 injured, 8 vehicles burnt, 15 vandalised as Igbo, Yoruba traders clash at Ladipo Market
•Only 4 wounded — Police
Vandalised vehicle, after the clash at Ladipo, on Tuesday. INSET: Another vandalised vehicle.
LAGBUS finding its way on Ojota Bridge.
Olalekan Olabulo
T CBD road, Alausa, after Tuesday’s downpour.
Oregun road, on Tuesday.
HERE was palpable tension around Ladipo Auto Spare Part Market on Tuesday afternoon as no fewer than seven people were injured in a clash between Yoruba and Igbo traders at the market. There was heavy shooting as the two factions battled each other, while security operatives attempted to put the situation under control. Goods worth millions of naira were in the process destroyed with 15 vehicles vandalised, and eight others set ablaze. It was gathered that prior to the Tuesday clash, Yorubas and Igbos in the market had been in supremacy battle over collection of levies at the market. Lagos Metro gathered that Yoruba traders had re-
goods displayed by the Igbo traders,” Famas added. Both factions freely used various dangerous weapons on each other, leading to injuries to no fewer than seven people and millions of naira worth of goods destroyed. Policemen from Area D Police Command and Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) were drafted to forestall further breakdown of law and order. The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos, in her reaction, insisted that the police had taken total control of the area and also added that only four people were injured.
Landlord’s son breaks tenant’s nose, jaw with fist Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin
Flooded pedestrian bridge with a cleaner seen draining the rain water, on Tuesday.
portedly accused their Igbo counterparts of collecting levies at portions that belong to them (Yorubas). A trader who identified himself as Famas, told Lagos Metro that: “the problem on Tuesday started when Igbo traders reportedly ordered Yoruba traders not to display their goods, until after the weekly sanitation exercise. The Yoruba people accused them of displaying their own goods, while preventing the Yoruba traders from doing so. That was when a serious misunderstanding ensued.” “The Yoruba traders mobilised one another and started throwing away the
A man, Nurudeen Oseni, has been accused of beating and injuring his father’s tenant and is being tried for breach of peace and assault before an Ikeja Chief Magistrate Court. According to the police, Oseni unlawfully, assaulted his father’s tenant, one Mr Olaide Afolabi, by punching him in the face, which caused harm to his mouth. The accused had gone to the complainant’s room
accusing him of hitting the wall of his room. “The accused accosted the complainant, and attacked him for hitting the wall of his room. The complainant in response told the accused that he was neither a boxer nor a mad man that he will be hitting a wall and that he was not the one. The accused got angry and descended on him, giving him thorough beating and in the process caused damage to his nose and mouth. The accused gave the complainant
several punches in the face, which resulted to a cut from his nose to his upper lip,” the police said. Oseni, a resident of 26, Ayoola Sehinde Street, Mafoluku in Oshodi, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him. Magistrate A. A. Adesanya granted him N500, 000 bail and also ordered that the accused should produce two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case to June 1 for mention.
8
south-westnews
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
My life under threat, Ogun monarch cries out
Cleric counsels govt on masses’ problems
Olayinka Olukoya-Abeokuta
THE Ikogbo-Ejila Awori, in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Nurudeen Osoja, has cried out over alleged assassination attempt over his life by a suspected land grabber (names withheld) over a land dispute. Oba Osoja, who led members of the community on a peaceful protest in the town, on Tuesday, said the activities of land grabbers in the area could jeopardise the peaceful coexistence of the town. The traditional ruler said that different petitions forwarded to security agencies and the state government on the activities of the land grabbers were unattended to. Oba Osoja said that property worth millions of naira have been destroyed while many residents of the area have sustained varied degrees of injury allegedly inflicted by the land grabbers. He said “ It is worthy of note to state that these hoodlums are intimidating my people, locking everybody up , threatening everybody in the town, attempting to bribe people to tell lies against my personality and finally attempting to assassinate me. “All these and many more have been reported to the Nigeria Police Force till date, the principal players have not been brought to account for these acts.
From right, Chief (Mrs) Oprah Benson, presenting an appreciation award to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, while the President/Chairman in Council, Institute of Directors (IOD), Mr Samuel Yemi Akeju, Director-General, National Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Sally Mbanefo and the Commissioner for Tourism, Lagos State, Folorunsho Folarin-Coker, watch during the 2016 Tourism and Hospitality Forum, at Eko Hotel, Lagos, on Tuesday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.
2 brothers kill community leader in Ondo Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure
A
62-year-old community leader, Chief Joseph Omasuyi, has been killed by two brothers in Ilu Titun, in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State over a domestic quarrel. The two brothers, who have been arrested by the men of the state police command, were alleged to have hit Omasuyi on the chest during an argument which eventually led to his death. According to a source, the deceased, a member of the same family with the brothers, was presid-
ing over a family meeting at Agitifor area of the town when an argument ensued and the two brothers were alleged to have hit the retired school principal on the chest. He said the community leader slumped and lost consciousness and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead while the matter was reported at the police station in the area. He said the death of the retired principal almost caused crisis in the area, as youths from the community went on the rampage to avenge the death of the deceased who was said to be loved by his people.
Salary deduction: Workers give Fayose 24 hours to pay Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti
THE labour unions in Ekiti State, on Tuesday, gave 24 hours ultimatum to Governor Ayodele Fayose to pay workers’ salary deductions for the month of December, 2015 or face industrial action. The amalgamation of trade unions in Ekiti expressed regret over the delay in the payment, saying this was moreso despite the agreement reached with the government at the stakeholders’ meeting of May 9, 2016. This threat was contained in a statement signed by the chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ade Adesanmi, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Odun-
ayo Adesoye and Secretary of Joint Negotiating Council, Mr Oladele Blessing. The workers according to the statement took the decision at their meeting of May 16, 2016, held in Ado Ekiti. The statement said: “It must be noted that the state government has collected state allocation for the period of December, 2015, January, 2016, February and March, 2016 with internally generated revenue inclusive and yet government is running away from its responsibility on payment of workers’ monthly gross salary, which is far from our expectation from a worker friendly governor. “In view of this, we are constrained to request for
the payment of the 2015 December workers’ deduction within 24hours, so as to avoid industrial unrest in Ekiti State,” it concluded.
He, however, said that it took the quick intervention of the security men and community heads in the area to persuade the youths to sheathe their sword after being assured that the suspects would be brought to book. Confirming the development, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Femi Joseph, said the two men had been arrested, while investigation had commenced into the matter. He said, “I don’t know the extent of their involvement but at present, those are the two suspects we have in our custody over the incident, we are still investigating.” The police spokesman also disclosed that the matter had been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Akure. Meanwhile, the PPRO also said the command has been working round the clock to secure the freedom of two Reverend Sisters,
who were kidnapped by gunmen in Kajola, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state. The two Sisters and the driver of their vehicle were reportedly abducted in Benin, on Sunday, while their whereabouts remained unknown but police spokesperson said the command had been on the trail of the hoodlums, saying no one had been arrested in connection with the incident. Joseph said, “We are still on the trail of the kidnappers but for now, all I can tell you is that we are investigating and very soon they would be released and the abductors would be arrested.” However, the Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Rev Father Leo Aregbesola said the Vicar-General of the diocese had met with the state commissioner of police, Mrs Hilda Harrison, over the abduction of the trio.
Osun assembly recommends reinstatement of sacked lecturers Oluwole Ige-Osogbo
OSUN State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, recommended the reinstatement of some sacked teaching and non-teaching staff of the state-owned tertiary institutions. The Speaker of the state legislature, Hon Najeem Salaam, dropped the hint during the presentation of the report of the house ad hoc committee investigating the disengagement of some teaching and non-
teaching staff of the institution at the plenary. The management of the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree; Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke; Osun State colleges of Education, Ilesa and IlaOrangun, have disengaged about 204 lecturers and non-teaching staff of the institution. The Assembly subsequently set up ad hoc committees to investigate the circumstance surrounding the actions, the report
of which were presented to the house and adopted, following a motion by the Leader of house, Timothy Owoeye and seconded by the Chief Whip, Folorunsho Bamisayemi. Salaam said, the reports have been deliberated upon at the executive session and justice has been done to them, saying, the lawmakers would follow it to the letter to ensure that the recommendations of the house were implemented.
FOUNDER and Spiritual head of Shafaudeen In Islam Worldwide, Professor Sabit Ariyo Olagoke JP, has reiterated his call on federal and state governments to address the problem of the masses just as he commended the Federal Government for its proposal to introduce palliatives to cushion the adverse effects of petroleum subsidy removal. Professor Olagoke, who is also the President of Ajagun Esin Consultative Forum (AECF), gave the advice while speaking on “Security Challenges and Sustainable Peace: The Way Forward” at Oodua News Lecture and Award Ceremony which took place at NUJ Press Centre, Ibadan recently. In his 11-page speech, Olagoke warned on the repercussion of government neglect of the interest of the masses, adding that the proposed palliative to cushion the effect of oil subsidy removal was a welcome step if saboteurs would allow it to work.
Pa Adenuga for burial PA Samuel Dandy Adenuga of Idoko Quarters, Okun-Owa, in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State is dead. He was aged 72 years. Pa Adenuga died on January 20, 2016, during a brief illness. The burial activities for the deceased, as announced by the family, kicks off on Friday, May 20, 2016 with a Christian wake-keep at No 3, OPC Avenue, Town Planning, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, by 4.00p.m. while the burial service is on Saturday, May 21, 2016, at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Winners Model Sanctuary Parish, Zone One, Imere, Ago – Iwoye, Ogun State, by 10.00a.m. Interment follows immediately at the residence of the deceased, Onabamiro Estate, Ijesa Road, Ago – Iwoye, Ogun State. Entertainment of guests is at Imere Moslem Primary School, Imere, Ago – Iwoye. Pa Adenuga is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
Pa Adenuga
9
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
10
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
PEOPLEs DEmOCRATIC PARTy (PDP) POwER TO THE PEOPLE
Motto: Justice, Unity and Progress
National Secretariat: Plot 1970, Wadata Plaza, Michael Okpara Street, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja. Tel: 09-7822806, 09-7822781
PDP NATIONAL CONVENTION PORT HARCOURT, 2016 The National Convention Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party welcomes the Acting National Chairman of PDP Sen. (Dr)
Ali
Modu-Sheriff, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), Deputy Senate President, PDP Governors, Senate Minority Leader and PDP Senators, Minority Leader and PDP Members of House of Reps, Members of National Executive Committee (NEC), Members of Board of Trustees, PDP Speakers and Hon Members of States House of Assembly, all other National Delegates, and Party faithfuls to the 2016 PDP National Convention holding on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at The Sharks Stadium, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State at 10am. May God bless you as you come. SigneD:
Hon. inuwa Bwala
For and on behalf of the National Convention Committee
11 news
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
State your case in one day, ECOWAS court orders FG, Dasuki Sunday Ejike -Abuja
T
HE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court, on Tuesday, ordered the Federal Government to justify the detention of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (retd) in one day. The court also gave Dasuki one day to prove his case against the Federal Government, challenging his detention since December last year. The presiding judge of the
ECOWAS court, Justice Friday Chijioke Nwoke, gave the order in Abuja, at the resumed hearing of the suit filed by Dasuki challenging his alleged unlawful detention, unlawful seizure of properties and infringement on his fundamental rights to freedom of liberty. Justice Nwoke, while ruling on a motion by the Federal Government seeking to lead oral evidence against Dasuki to justify his detention, said the regional court, having granted expeditious hearing in the case of alleged abuse of fundamental rights, would
not do anything to defeat the accelerated hearing order. In the ruling, the presiding judge granted the request of the Federal Government to call two witnesses who were security operatives to lead oral evidence against Dasuki, but ordered that the defence by government must be done within one day. He subsequently ordered Dasuki to make out his case of the abuse of fundamental rights against government today (May 18, 2016) and that the Federal Government should put its
defence at the disposal of the court on tomorrow. “Having listened to parties in this matter and the parties, having filed and put all necessary documents and exhibits at the disposal of this court and having granted accelerated hearing in this matter, it is in the interest of justice that this case must be expeditiously dealt with. “In this regard, the plaintiff is, hereby, ordered to make out his case on Wednesday, May 18 and the defendant to ventilate its defence the following day, May 19, after which
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Honourable Abike Dabiri Erewa (middle); Member of Parliament representing Edmonton and Chair, All Party Parliamentary Group and Shadow Minister, Women and Equalities, United Kingdom (UK) Parliament, Kate Osamor (left) and others, at the UK Parliament, where Honourable Dabiri Erewa was a guest speaker on “Partnerships and Engaging Nigerians in Diaspora,” at the House of Commons, recently.
FG releases fund to NYSC
As 2016 Batch ‘A’ Stream II orientation commences Adetola Bademosi -Abuja BARELY few hours after the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Zakari Kazaure, raised the alarm over insufficient funds, the scheme has confirmed the prompt intervention, approval and release of funds to accommodate the 2016 Batch ‘A’ Stream II orientation course. This is as it affirmed the commencement of the exercise as scheduled. In a statement issued by the Head of Press Unit, Mrs Abosede Aderibigbe, in Abuja, on Tuesday, the scheme urged prospective corps members to print their call up letters online/ collect from their various institutions as the case may be. The statement read: “The management of the National Youth Service Corps wishes to express its profound gratitude to the Federal Government for its
prompt intervention, approval and release of funds to accommodate the 2016 Batch ‘A’( Stream II) Orientation course. “Management also wishes to use this medium to inform and assure prospective corps members, parents, guardians and
the general public that the 2016 Batch ‘A’ stream II Orientation course holds as scheduled from Saturday, May 21 to Monday, June 6, 2016 while the swearing-in ceremony of the 2016 Batch ‘A’ Stream II corps members holds on Monday, May 23, 2016.
“Prospective corps members are by this notice directed to print their call up letters online/collect from their various institutions of graduation as it may be. “We wish the 2016 Batch ‘A’(Stream II) corps members successful orientation course and service year.”
IGP orders persons in possession of prohibited firearms to surrender them CONCERNED about the proliferation of prohibited firearms that threatens security in parts of the country, and as part of initiatives aimed at ensuring adequate protection of lives and property of citizens, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase has directed all commissioners of police in state commands and the FCT to activate mechanism for the mop-up of prohibited firearms within their areas of responsibility. He listed the prohib-
ited firearms under the firearms Act to include artillery, apparatus for the discharge of any explosives or gas-diffusing projectile, revolvers and pistols, machine guns and machine pistols, rocket weapons and military rifles, including those with calibre 7.62mm, 9mm, .300 inches and .303inches. The IGP urged persons in possession of non-prohibited firearms to immediately obtain or renew their licences before July,
2016 by following the process on the requisite web link of the Nigeria Police Central Information Centre (NCIC) on www.npf. gov.ng He emphasised that the intelligence and operational assets of the Force would soon be deployed to fish out, arrest and bring to justice any person who failed to voluntarily surrender prohibited firearms in his/her possession or who failed to obtain/renew requisite licenses for nonprohibited firearms.
we will adjourn for judgment,” the judge held. Dasuki had dragged the Federal Government before the ECOWAS Court praying it to intervene in his detention without trial since December last year. The former NSA asked the court to void the detention, the seizure of his properties and to bar the Federal Government from further detaining him without a lawful court order. In the action instituted by his counsel Mr Robert Emukpoeruo, Dasuki asked the court to award him the sum of N500 million as compensatory damages for his alleged unlawful invasion of his house, detention, seizure of properties and infringement on his rights. He claimed that government had put him on trial in three different high courts on corruption charges where he was granted bail and that, after his bail, he was re-arrested on December 29, 2015 and has since been held incommunicado without a lawful court order.
Dabiri speaks at House of Commons SENIOR Special Adviser to the President on Foreign affairs and Diaspora, Honourable Abike Dabiri Erewa, was at the UK parliament on the invitation of Member of Parliament (MP), Kate Osamor, Nigerian-born British Parliamentarian, representing Edmonton and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary group and Shadow Minister on Women and Equalities The highly interactive event was well attended by MPs, policy makers, business leaders and Nigerian professionals from all walks of life, during which Honourable Dabiri articulated the plans of the Buhari-led administration to tackle security, corruption and the economy, among others. Honourable Dabiri appealed to the British parliament to strengthen their anti-money laundering and banking laws to prevent Britain from being a safe haven for looters. She urged Britain to adopt the “unexplainable wealth policy,” which had been adopted by seven countries, including France, Canada, New Zealand Australia, which forfeits assets of foreigners and firms with questionable wealth.
Edo 2016: Ize-Iyamu assures women of representation Banji Aluko -Benin City A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has assured women in the state of adequate representation if voted into office. He made this pledge in Benin, on Tuesday, when a group of PDP women from the three senatorial zones in the state paid him a solidarity visit and demanded that the party presented a female as deputy-governorship candidate in the forthcoming September 10, 2016, governorship election. Ize-Iyamu, who noted that it was difficult to promote female candidates in the past, said things had changed, as women were now in the forefront and constituted a very significant number of the voting population. He commended the women for coming together for one objective of having a female deputy governor in the state, describing them as very serious-minded people, adding that, “if you are looking for people who are loyal, faithful and committed, it is difficult to omit women.”
Lady pharmacists hold 12th biennial conference By Doyin Adeoye THE Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPS), Lagos State chapter, recently had its 12th biennial conference, tagged Eko 2016, with the theme: ‘The Lady Pharmacist in Strategic National Development.’ The event, which was held at the Airport Hotel Ikeja, Lagos, between May 10 and 14, attracted various professional female pharmacists across the country. Speaking on the theme of the event, the wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, who was represented by Dr Arinola Oluwo, wife of the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, lauded the efforts of the members of the association, adding that she was highly impressed with the association’s community outreach programmes, which include sensitisation on health issues such as screening for women affected with cancers, HIV, Hepatitis and other diseases.
12
businessnews
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
Inflation, health of banking sector worry CBN Chima Nwokoji-Lagos
F
RESH facts emerged on Tuesday that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is concerned that inflation might continue to rise in months to come and that any investment at the moment will yield a negative real return for the investor, with attendant consequences on the health of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs).
UBA appoints 5 executive directors UNITED Bank for Africa PLC announced the appointments of Ayo Liadi, Oliver Alawuba, Ibrahim Puri, Uche Ike and Chuks Nweke as executive directors of the bank,subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). According to the bank, all appointees bring considerable experience to the Board and, as a sign of the depth of internal talent and the group’s commitment to fostering promotion of its own human capital , all have been promoted from within the bank. Congratulating the new directors, the Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu said: “These appointments will greatly assist in the plans we have to transform the UBA Group into a truly customer led bank and the foremost financial institution in Africa. These are exciting times for UBA. And with this leadership, I have no doubt that the Bank will continue on its strong growth trajectory.” The new directors join Kennedy Uzoka, who was appointed as the incoming Group CEO in March 2016. Kennedy will assume his role on August 1, on the retirement of Phillips Oduoza.
This was contained in the personal statements of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) members released on Tuesday by the apex bank. The Deputy Governor, Economic Policy CBN, Dr Sarah Alade, in her submission, expressed concern that the sudden upsurge in inflation will need to be monitored to ensure that inflationary pressure is contained. She acknowledged that staff projection suggests a further increase in inflation in the coming months, before moderating towards the end of the year. “Therefore, in the short to medium term inflationary Pressure is a major concern and monetary policy must respond appropri-
Olatunde Dodondawa-Lagos
Uche Chibuike said a disturbing development that MPC was faced with was the issue of rising inflation. According to him, with inflation rate now officially above Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), there is very little room for maneuver, because any investment at the current MPR will yield a negative real return for the investor. “This has negative consequences for both the competitiveness of our financial instruments and the health of our banking sector in general. Unfortunately, this inflation problem may get worse when Government begins to implement its 2016 deficit budget,” he regretted. Chibuike, therefore, sug-
gested that there is now a strong case for monetary policy tightening. But in following the above route however, he said there is need for extreme care especially given the fact that the resultant higher interest rates is likely to negatively impact on the stability of the Nigerian banking system. “This is especially so because for some time now we have been witnessing a slow but consistent rise in the nonperforming loan portfolio of banks in the country. Tightening monetary policy at this time will therefore further increase the pressure on the Non Performing Loans (NPLs) of Nigerian banks,” he emphasised.
From left: Kola Ayeye, Executive Director, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), explaining a point to Rahul Savara, Group Managing Director, Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, when the latter paid a visit to AMCON in Lagos on Tuesday. With them are Deji Opeola, Head Strategy, AMCON (second left) and Sumit Jain, Chief Financial Officer, Agrobusiness.
Nigeria, France sign N14bn MoU on power THE Federal Government and France have signed a N14 billion loan agreement for capacity-building and upgrade of power training facility in Nigeria. This was contained in a statement issued on Tues-
Fuel price liberalisation may attract $3bn investment THE Federal Government has stated that fuel price liberalization may attract $3billion investment in refineries within a year. The ministry of petroleum resources stated in a statement on Tuesday that, “Nigeria will only stop importation when it attains local production sufficiency and the government is working on key initiatives towards boosting local refining capacity. The overreaching objective is to create a competitive downstream market in Nigeria and be a net exporter of petroleum products by
ately,” she stated. On foreign exchange, she said its scarcity is affecting economic activities and impacting growth. While the Central Bank is making all efforts to meet all legitimate foreign exchange demand, reduced inflow is making foreign exchange scarce. “It is important for the Bank to implement policies that will encourage inflows and increase supply of foreign exchange to meet import demand and reduce Current Account Deficit (CAD) which has been widening. The lack of liquidity in the interbank market is fueling capital outflow and currency weaknesses outside the interbank market,” she said. Another MPC member,
2019.” “In the absence of available foreign exchange, it is clear that unless immediate action is taken to liberalise the petroleum supply and distribution, the queues will persist, diversion will worsen and the current prices will spiral out of control,” it stated. The statement noted that the Federal Government has an ongoing strategic plans and investments to ramp up the country’s refineries to attract investors and in the long term become a net exporter of petrol.
day by Olivier Delefosse, Country Director, French Development Agency (AFD). Delefosse said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the recent visit of President François Hollande of the France to Abuja to attend the Second Regional Summit. According to him, the agreements were signed
between AFD and the Ministry of Finance in the presence of Hollande and President Muhamadu Buhari. “A 46.2 million U.S. dollars (about N13bn) subsidised loan granted by AFD to the Government of Nigeria, to enhance vocational training in the power sector, was signed. “A 100 million U.S. dollars (about N248bn) subsidised line
of credit granted by AFD to Zenith Bank, dedicated to the financing of investments of electricity distribution companies (DisCos), was signed,” he said. Delefosse also said that additional and paired financing agreements were signed by Laurence Breton-Moyet, AFD Chief Operating Officer and a member of the AFD Executive Board.
Power: Discos’ revenue shortfall hit N300bn Olatunde Dodondawa-Lagos
POWER industry revenue shortfall has hit N300billion, the Electricity Distribution Companies in Nigeria said, while urging all power consumers, including the government agencies, to pay up their debt. Speaking on behalf of power discos in Nigeria at the World Press Conference in Lagos on Tuesday, the Executive Director, Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors
(ANED), Sunday Oduntan, said the revenue shortfalls adversely impacted the ability of the discos to make capital investment in metering, network expansion, equipment rehabilitation and replacement that are critical for service delivery improvement. “Industry shortfall is massive and growing. It is now N300billion. This is a cash liquidity crisis that threatens to completely undermine the electricity value chain and its abil-
ity to continue to serve its consumers. MDAs (Ministry, Department and Agency) debts plus interest now stands at N93billion and yet to be paid. The industry cannot survive with this high level of debt,” he said. He added that shortages of foreign exchange contributed negatively to aggregate industry performance, saying “the ability of the industry to meet its service delivery obligation is severely constrained by lack of access to foreign exchange.”
Nigerian Tribune
Equities halt 3-day gain by 0.61% Kehinde Akinseinde-JayeobaLagos
EQUITIES trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), on Tuesday ended on a downward trend, halting the three-day gains as All Share Index (ASI) depreciated by 0.61 per cent to close at 26,655.48 basis points, compared with the 1.13 per cent appreciation recorded previously. Also market capitalisation dipped to N9.17 trillion from N9.23 trillion recorded on Monday, just as Year-to-Date (YTD) returns currently stands at -6.94 per cent. Market breadth closed negative as Conoil Plc led 14 gainers against 31 losers topped by Vitafoam Plc at the end of today’s session, an unimproved performance when compared with previous outlook of 27 gainers and 25 losers. Market turnover closes positive as volume moved up by 23.37 per cent against 43.45 per cent decline recorded in the previous session. Access Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc were the toast of investors as they were the most active to boost market turnover with total of 163,593,005 volume of shares.
‘Double taxation not responsible for Lagos Q1 N100bn IGR’ Chukwuma Okparaocha-Lagos
THE over N100billion recently realised by the Lagos State as its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the first quarter (Q1) of 2016 has been attributed to the ability of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to block financial leakages, not multiple taxation of residents, as alleged in some quarters. This was the view of the Chairman of the Committee on Finance in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Oluyinka Ogundimu, in a chat with Nigeria Tribune, in Lagos, where he argued that the financial ingenuity of Ambode, who is a seasoned accountant, had played a huge role in the impressive IGR figures recorded so far. “The Governor has blocked many leakages and he has been able to discover many others coupled with an effective supervision by the Lagos State House of Assembly; all these have helped the system,” he said.
13
editorial
S
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
Nigerian Tribune
The killings in Rivers
HORTLY before the 2015 general election and ever since then, Rivers State has been embroiled in untold violence of epic proportions. This has culminated in serial killings of citizens and security agents, a situation that negates the statutory function of the state to protect the lives of citizens and their property. The security agencies have for the most part been helpless in a violence that has even claimed the lives of soldiers. Left to fester, the violence has worsened with the involvement of the cult groups in the state and the cases of killings have brimmed to a level that threatens to rob the state of all civility, as innocent lives are being wilfully and wantonly terminated by the criminal gangs in the state. Matters have definitely not been helped by the mutual distrust between the Federal Government and the state government. While the Rivers State government has alleged that the Federal Government has not cooperated with it in tackling the orgy of violence, the Federal Government has seemingly left the state to stew in its proclivity for violence to prove a political point. Meanwhile, innocent lives are being wasted without restraint. In a particular case, the death toll reportedly reached 60, giving the impression that Rivers is endless at war with itself. But the trajectory of this mindless violence was the desperation for the possession of the soul of the state after the estrangement between erstwhile Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the current Governor Nyesom Wike who used to be allies before things went awry between them. Must the gladiators assuage their mutual animosity with the innocent blood of the citizens of Rivers State? Why can’t the state and federal governments find the common imperative of statutory state functions of protecting lives and property expedient enough to enforce peace? How many people must die before peace returns to Rivers? It is disconcerting, if not absolutely shameful, that those who pride themselves on being leaders would rather waste the lives of the citizens and destroy their property than back down on their egos.
Political power, especially as conceived by the politicians in the backwater states of the world including Nigeria, has never meant anything more than the means to confront the existential proclivities of the political actors even if these include pillaging the public till. Unfortunately, it has been impossible to distinguish between murder and political killings in terms of prosecution, conviction and punishment. Many political killings in which prominent citizens have been victims in the country have gone unpunished partly because of poor and unprofessional investigation. And so what happens when the victims are people who, though not so prominent, are fed to the fury of party stalwarts in moments of rage? The state has been implicated all through. From poor policing and proliferation of small arms to complicit and compromised security arrangements, it would have been a pleasant surprise if anything else but these killings had ensued. However, these killings in which both the state and the federal governments pretend as if all is well are not acceptable. We think they should both rise above petty politics and embrace statecraft by all means. It is even disgusting that things were allowed to deteriorate to this level before reining in the primordial emotions which request for blood compulsively. It is certain that there is no telling when and how this detestable carnage will stop if it is not promptly checked. The likely effects on other states with similar problems of seething political discontent are scary to even contemplate. For Rivers State, this issue is regrettable, especially considering the level of development in the state in spite of its much touted oil wealth. This is also true of other states that have the penchant for violence and bask in social disruptions. If this violence is not properly handled and controlled, it is likely to blow over to other states, and that will be dangerous in view of the national experiences of terror and other forms of political instability. Development is actually impossible in the social context of acrimony, disruptions and violence and we think this should obvious and elementary enough to require any emphasis from us.
AFRICAN NEWSPAPERS OF NIGERIA PLC Founders: Chief Obafemi Awolowo GCFR, SAN (1909 - 1987)
Chief (Dr) H.I.D Awolowo CON (1915 - 2015)
Chairman Rev. (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran Co-Chairman Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Edward Dickson Controller (Business Development) Fola Oke Chief Accountant Oluremi Olufisayo, ACA
Ibadan Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08077227269; 08034135733 Lagos Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08055333067; 08033013177 South South Regional Office: No. 50 Ikwerre Rd., Mile 1, Diobu, P/Harcourt, Rivers State
Snr. Manager (Advertisements) Kayode Titiloye Sales Manager Omotayo Lewis, Ph.D Consultant/Director Segun Olatunji, Ph.D
GOT NEWS?
Abuja Office: Suites G2. 05-07, PEB04 Plaza, Plot 2027, Dalaba Street, Beside NAPTIP Headquarters, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja Advert Hot Lines: 08033199716; 08078891797 Kaduna Office: AN 20, Lagos Street, by Keffi Rd., Kaduna. Ikeja Marketing Office. Block C, First Floor, Motorways centre, Opp., 7up Alausa, Ikeja.
Contact: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com or call:08055069471, 08116954630
14 LETTERS TO THE
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
editor
Letters to the editor should be sent to letterstribune@yahoo. com or by sms to 08054005323. It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.
NLC’s illogical protest
T
HE hackneyed modus operandi of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which has turned the union into the poster boy of tepid industrial actions, and which has in no way contributed to national development, should be condemned by all. Even the most uninformed mind knows that the Federal Government had no choice on the deregulation of the down stream sector, so why can’t the NLC use the Freedom of Information Bill to engage both federal and state governments in transparency tests? Wouldn’t that be more beneficial to workers than an inordinate strike action? Where was NLC for almost one year of the painful peregrination of this administration on the national economy. The NLC preferred to play the ostrich as it waited for
government to get to the point of no return before declaring the strike action. This very strike is so unnecessary and should bring about resistance from workers themselves. Whereas the protest ought to address the none payment of salaries in about 27 states of the federation, the NLC is calling out workers on a wild goose chase to morph into matter of remote nexus with the national workforce. Perhaps, they sensed the governors are too insular to consider any audience with them. Strikes and irascible industrial actions have been our labour union’s policy signature. A proactive NLC, armed with the Freedom of Information Bill, could have prevented Dasuki-gate and other tectonic malfeasance that brought us to this point. Rather than proceed on a
meaningless strike, workers should ask NLC to publish its account to be sure it is approaching equity on a clean slate. What has become of the transport arm of NLC, or is there any transparency in the man-
agement of union dues? Has NLC carried out any useful developmental research in fulfillment of its mandate? Is the umbrella union not as clueless as the government that orchestrated this conundrum?
Nigerians must ask questions on the integrity of the strike-loving union before sheepishly acceding to it. Lastly, is the NLC discountenancing the saving of N16.4billion paid to the ubiquitous marketers ev-
ery month? It is time to think out of the box. •Bukola Ajisola, Oyin Jolayemi street, Victoria Island, Lagos. bukymany@yahoo. com
Open letter to President Buhari MOST beloved Mr. President, please do me some favours. Firstly, give me my share of the 2016 budget now that you have signed it and it is ready for disbursement. To calculate what is due to me from the budget, simply divide the N6.06 trillion budget by the country’s estimated current population. Another thing that I want you to do for me is to give me my share of our country’s land area. My share of this can also be obtained by dividing the country’s total land area
by our estimated current population. Thirdly, give me in cash what belongs to me from what previous budgets have been spent to provide, such as roads, bridges, airports, seaports, railways, trains, government buildings, offices, hospitals, vehicles, farms, factories, electricity, water and other structures and facilities. You will wonder, Mr. President, that I have all the while been talking of Nigeria’s assets and my share of them. Be sure that I am not unaware of
the fact that our country also has liabilities. But, as for these, my reaction is that I should have no share of them just because I did not contribute in any way to the manner in which they were incurred. Those to blame for our country’s heavy liabilities are corrupt individuals and governments. So, what Mr. President should do is to try to identify these individuals and governments and take appropriate action. Fortunately, Nigerians now know most of them and will gladly assist you in their identification. After you have graciously acceded to my requests, identify a location in a virgin forest anywhere in Nigeria and build there a small house and a food store containing food, water and other necessi-
ties that can last me for a year. You can deduct the cost of these from my shares of our country’s assets. Then, order the men of the State Security Service (SSS) to take me secretly to the location by night. Finally, Mr. President, describe my location in the virgin forest to foreign investors, preferably Americans or British. Under no circumstances should my location or the amount of money given to me be disclosed to any Nigerian, and foreign investors coming to my location should not be accompanied by a Nigerian. To be continued... •Dr. A.O. Faniran, Department of English and Literary Studies, Lead City University, Ibadan.
PDP, unite for 2019 THIS is the right time for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unite ahead of the 2019 general election. Having ‘married two husbands,’ Nigerians now know the better husband between the two. With the economic situation in the country, this is the appropriate time for the PDP to mount a strong opposition to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and then challenge the ruling party for the presidency in 2019. With the economic situation in the country, the prospect is bright for the PDP to reclaim the presidency; however, the only hurdle before the party is the lack of unity among members. The PDP has now been factionalised; everybody wants to control the struc-
ture of the party. It is high time members came together to fashion out ways towards rescuing Nigerians from this current government. The PDP needs a leader who will unite warring members. When the APC was in the opposition, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, was the party’s arrowhead. He united the party and the rest is history now. The PDP also needs a leader like that. If the party fails to challenge the ruling party in the 2019 election due to its internal wrangling, then the APC will consolidate its hold on power and the PDP will fizzle out. •Ubong Etudor, Eket, Akwa-Ibom State.
opinion Nigerian vandals and an American example 15
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
By Ikeogu Oke
W
HO does not know Theodore Kaczynski, that mix of genius, anarchist and sociopath who once terrorised America? A mathematical prodigy and Harvard graduate who earned a PhD in mathematics from the University of Michigan and became an Assistant Professor at the University of Berkeley in 1967, at age 25, he later became disaffected with America, his country, and with modern technology. Suffice it to summarise his subsequent activities with these quotes from Wikipedia: “In 1971, he moved to a remote cabin without electricity or running water, in Lincoln, Montana, where he lived as a recluse while learning survival skills in an attempt to become self-sufficient.” And: “Between 1978 and 1995, Kaczynski engaged in a nationwide bombing campaign against people involved with modern technology, planting or mailing numerous homemade bombs, ultimately killing a total of three people and injuring 23 others. He is also known for his wide-ranging social critiques, which opposed industrialisation and modern technology while advancing a nature-cantered form of anarchism.” His bombs were dispatched specifically to universities and airports across the United States, prompting the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to use the coinage “UNABOM” (which stands for University and Airline Bomber) to identify his case before his identity was known. The press later modified the coinage to Unabomber. However, what makes Kaczynski’s case most relevant to what I refer to as an American example in the title of this piece is how he was eventually identified before his trial and imprisonment for life, which saved his country from the threat he posed as a domestic terrorist. It was his brother, David Kaczynski, who revealed his identity to the FBI with his wife’s encouragement, having identified his writing style in a 35,000-word essay entitled “Industrial Society and Its Future,” which the FBI abbreviated to “Unabomber Manifesto,” whose publication in a major newspaper of journal, preferably the New York Times, he gave as a condition for him to “desist from terrorism.” By that extraordinary gesture, the brother placed the love
of country and the safety of other human beings above the bond of blood, and saved America from a terrorist threat to its security, economy and educational system, and to its values as a country that believes in modern technology, whose embrace and cultivation partly accounts for its greatness as a nation. Now, there is a parallel – which I note here in passing – between the motivation of Kaczynski’s terrorist acts and that of Nigeria’s Boko Haram. For Kaczynski, it is hatred for modern technology while it is hatred for Western education for Boko Haram, which makes both anti-knowledge and explains why their terrorist acts partly targeted educational institutions like schools and universities. Also – and more relevant to this piece – there is a parallel between the impact of Kaczynski’s terrorist attacks and the type of attacks being executed by vandals who bomb gas and oil pipelines in Nigeria. For while Kaczynski’s attacks on airports undermined America’s aviation business and by implication its economy, those by the Nigerian vandals achieve the same purpose in Nigeria by undermining power generation and the production of oil which are critical to the economy. However, there is a notable difference in the attitude of the average American and his Nigerian counterpart to fighting terror as reflected in the gesture by Kaczynski’s brother and his wife and the response of some Nigerians to the recent remark by Mr. Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser (Media and
Publicity) to President Muhammadu Buhari, that Nigerians complaining about poor electricity should hold the vandals responsible. Some Nigerians criticised him for the remark, insisting that it is government’s responsibility to fish out and deal with the vandals and not the citizens’. Indeed, the Unabomber might have remained elusive like the Nigerian vandals if some American patriots did not choose to fulfil their moral obligation to protect their country and his potential victims by revealing his identity to the authorities. Mr. Adesina’s remark may have been tactless, the result of his frustration with the citizens’ apathy in what should be a joint effort with the government in tackling the vandals whose activities threaten the entire nation. But it made sense as a disguised clarion call – which I consider it to be – to Nigerians to assist the government by revealing the identity of the vandals who apparently are not unknown to them. Incidentally, what we have witnessed in Nigeria in the last decade or so is the unwitting implementation of a selfdestructive credo: “If there is no crisis, create one.” And so the citizens of the country have, during that period, created – and generated crisis through – the O’odua People Congress (OPC), the Arewa Congress, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND); and through their other creations like the Niger Delta militants, Boko Haram, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Shiite Muslims, Fulani herdsmen, and the Niger Delta Avengers. And due to the activities of these groups, it has failed to lift the boulder of stagnation off its shoulders, like a country doomed to engage in Sisyphean toil. This crisis-generating process seems to have turned full cycle with the recent bombing of gas pipelines by the Niger Delta Avengers, threatening the country’s economy and power supply. And Nigerians should realise from the example of Kaczynski’s brother – and need I mention the courier who revealed Osama bin Laden’s hideout to the American authorities? – that governments usually combat such threats posed by the vandals most effectively with the help of citizens willing to volunteer information regarding the culprits. •Oke, a public affairs analyst, lives in Abuja.
The hope of Nigerian youths By Funmilayo Olagunju
not built in a day, it did not take forever to build Rome either. There must be a blue print that a builder should follow. Your blue print is your passion. What do you like to do? What keeps on coming to your mind constantly in terms of what you can do to make life better for someone else? Find out who has done what you are passionate about. How did they succeed, or what made them fail? Evaluate the cost of it. Is it worth dying for? Weigh the cost versus value. Will this cost more than its worth? Gone are the days when having college education means having a white collar job. In 1960, South Korea was one of the poorest nations on earth. Today, South Korea is one of the wealthiest countries. How did it happen? The educational success of present day South Korea is not a matter of curriculum and educational technique only, but how education is embedded in the fabric of the Korean society, and this is a great lesson that any developing country should emulate. The educational system in South Korea does not simply reflect a practical need to train an efficient work force; rather, the education tends to define “self” in relationship to the groups — family, lineage, and nation.” If Nigerian youths can believe that their position is to help revitalise the economy of the nation by what they can do to help the whole group instead of accumulation of wealth for their own benefits, or for the benefit of their immediate family, then there is hope for them. The second thing I want to highlight is the perceptions of our youths about the nation and about themselves. If the whole world believes in you and you do not believe in yourself, it amounts to nothing. Many Nigerian youths run away from the country because of poor management of resources by our corrupt leaders. However, what the youth do not understand is that they are in better position to turn things around. He
,
ACCORDING to Webster dictionary, hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. It could be termed as aspiration, desire, wish, expectation, ambition, aim, goal, plan, design, and much more. There is hope for Nigerian youths because they are very ambitious, resilient, intelligent and rugged. Nigeria has about 182 million people and about 60 percent of the population are youths. What an advantage both to youths and to the nation at large! Nigerian youths have a great opportunity to roll the dice to themselves in terms of political involvement, economic advantage and social promotion of the country. To all Nigerian youths, both at home and abroad, I would like to affirm you and to let you know that the eyes of the world are on you to turn Nigeria from a developing country to an advanced one. According to President John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” For Nigerian youths to have a sustainable hope, they must understand three things: their position, perceptions, and promise. My father was my icon. He always prayed I would be useful to God, to the country, to our town, Eruwa, and to the family. I did not understand then why he had to place the country before the family, but as I travel around the world, I could see the importance of having a good name. No wonder the Bible says, ‘a good name is better than silver and gold.’ I am proud to be a Nigerian. Making my country proud is making my family proud. One depends on the other. So it has been embedded in me that I have to be useful for God, and to be useful to the nation. I made it a point of duty to help within my capacity to make my community better than I met it, both in the United States of America and in Nigeria. Nigerian youths are very creative. They must position themselves as dreamers and visionaries, but in order to position themselves, they must first build. By nature, human beings are builders. We build cities, families and relationships. To build anything in life, it is imperative to have a design. We have to consider the needed materials and how long it will take to build, which is the time frame. While Rome was
who has the pipe dictates the tune. The youth should perceive themselves as being able to dictate the tune. Do you perceive yourself as an element of change or not? If you are not a part of solution, you are definitely a part of the problem. Standing aloof and condemning the government is not the solution. Do you get involved in governance? President Barack Obama, a man of purpose, who turned down a higher paying job because he wanted to help a poor community in Chicago, is a good example. He strategicallypositioned himself for the opportunity to locate him one day. Nigeria has issues with electricity. There are dams that youths can pull resources and talents together to build in other to solve the problem of electricity in the country. During the great depression in the United States, when people were killing themselves because they had lost hope of recovering from their loses, Mr. Hendson Ford, against all odds, started an automobile company. He decided that every man — rich or poor — should be able to own an automobile, and that decision dropped the cost of the automobile significantly. Mr. Ford had interest in mechanical engineering while he was in school, he married his passion with his ability and when opportunity arose, it collided with his passion. He did not wait for government to do things for him; he rather helped the government by providing jobs for the people, which in return, helped the economy of the country. Can you get involve without being paid? If you cannot serve others, you cannot serve yourself. Considering a right material for building a structure is paramount. What type of material are you? Are you the material that will solidify the structure, or the one that will burn the structure down? What type of people do you move with? Birds of the same feather flock together. As a youth, you have a better chance if you move with people of like minds. Nigeria is a land that you can sow your talent and your resources. In conclusion, the hope of Nigerian youths lies in having 100 per cent literacy, which would enable them to position themselves for opportunities. Also, youths should perceive themselves as the hope of the country, and they need to see the country as a promising land. •Olagunju sent the piece from New York, USA.
16
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
tribune cartoons
Adeeko Olusegun adeeko.olusegun@yahoo.com 0811 695 4638
GIANT IN THE TROPIC OF AFRICA
SEGELUULU
CHURCH BOY
FUNOLOGY
Toyin Falola •
Born on the 1st of January, 1953 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
•
He is a Nigerian historian and professor of African Studies. He is currently at the University of Texas, Austin. He joined the university in 1991. He has also held shortterm teaching appointments at the University of Cambridge in England; York University in Canada; Smith College of Massachusetts in the United States and Australian National University in Canberra, Australia .
•
Falola earned his B.A. and Ph.D. (1981) in History at the University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), in Nigeria.
•
Toyin Omoyeni Falola, well-known for historiography in Africa, is author and editor of more than 100 books, and he is the general editor of the Cambria African Studies Series.
THERE ARE 10 DIFFERENCES IN THE CARTOONS BELOW. THE DIFFERENCES SHOULD BE MARKED IN B
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
A
B
17
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
inside
Femi Olukunle Coordinating Editor 08158610216
nigerdelta
300 ghost workers uncovered in Bayelsa LGs Austin Ebipade-Yenagoa
T
HE ongoing verification in the Bayelsa Civil Service has uncovered 300 ghost workers, drawing salaries from government coffers in the stare. Making the disclosure, the Chairman of the Ekeremor Local Government Council, Chief Thompson Okorotie, regretted that the local government had been reduced to salary payment point with little or nothing left for development. He lamented that the 1976 reform gave councils autonomy and empowered them to accelerate development at the grassroots, but that Bayelsa councils had remained underdeveloped because allocation from the Federal Government had been siphoned to individual pockets. Okorotie blamed leaders for the rot in the civil service, noting that they had been in the forefront of abetting criminal activities, particularly payroll fraud in the grassroots. Continuing, he bemoaned the assignment of leadership responsibility to young graduates with little or no experience as local government council chairmen. According to him, most of these chairmen see governance as an opportunity to enrich themselves at the expense of the people. He reiterated that the verification team finding revealed that children and secondary school students were in the council’s workforce, while others schooling abroad were receiving salaries as well. Okorotie called for the sanitisation of the system and recommended that government should discourage workers from using affidavits to declare their age, adding that most civil servants due for retirement had often hidden under this guise to defraud government. He advised government to reappraise
Man sues Benin based Chinese firm N30m over factory accident Banji Aluko-Benin City FOLLOWING an accident that occurred to him while working in a Benin City based Chinese steel company, a 24-year old man, Destiny Igbinoba, is asking for the payment of the sum N30 million damages Destiny, whose left hand was amputated, said the accident occurred in December, 2015, while operating a machine in the company’s factory. He said he would not have lost his hands if he had received medical attention early at the hospital he was taken to, adding that it took 20 hours for a surgeon to arrive. He said, “I have worked there for over one year. I earned over N50,000 a month. Unfortunately, the hospital does not have a surgeon. I was only given a sort of first aid treatment until about 20 hours later when a Surgeon came. “The Surgeon said it has taken too long and that he could no longer save my hand. He said there was no pulse in the hand. My hand was later amputated. The company paid the bill.
Bayelsa LG workers during a recent protest at the state secretariat. because dead men were also receiving salaries from the councils, even as he called for the transfer of some of the senior staff perpetrating payroll fraud, adding that being at a council for too long gave rise to nefarious activities. “The situation is not different in other council’s, the problems bedeviling growth
at the grassroots are age falsification, inclusion of children and secondary school students on government payroll, undergraduate receiving salary abroad without study permit, dead workers on payroll and padding pay sheet with ghost names by senior staff in the eight constitutionally recognised local government in the state.
Okorotie reasoned that it was injustice for those not working to the earning salaries from governments to the detriment of genuine workers, adding that for the governance to run smoothly, government must as a matter of urgency do everything possible to sanitise the operation of local government in the state.
Stop further attacks on oil facilities, community leader warns militants Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri MEMBERS of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) have been asked to stop, forthwith, the bombing of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region. General Secretary of Egbema and Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, Mr Jude Ebitimi Ukori, made the call on Monday in Warri, Delta State. He warned those involved in the recent bombings of oil facilities owned by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) in Warri South West Local Government Area to halt further attacks.
Ukori noted that there were other lawful ways of agitating for one’s right that would make the government listen, but not through violence and bombing of the nation’s oil assets. According to him, the reasons for the recent agitation through attacks on oil facilities may be right, but the method being applied is not only wrong, but also condemnable. “I don’t see anything good for someone to embark on destruction of oil facilities in the name of fighting for freedom,” he conjectured. Ukori who said bombing of oil facilities
C’River youths to herdsmen: You can no longer graze in our communities Anthony Ubong-Calabar FOLLOWING the wanton killings of Nigerians in some parts of the country by Fulani herdsmen, youths of Cross River State have vowed not to allow the herdsmen graze in any community in the state. Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter, Prince Ndiyo Ndiyo, disclosed this in an interview with InsideNigerDelta shortly after a thanksgiving service at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Esin Ufot Efut parish, Calabar, held to thank God for a successful transition to the council’s new state executive. He said youths of Cross River were currently monitoring the activities of these herdsmen and would resist any attempt by the herdsmen to cause mayhem in any
community in state. Ndiyo said: “On the issue of Fulani herdsmen, we have given instructions that no youth of Cross River State should allow them into their communities and we intend to follow that up. “They’ve not done anything wrong, but from the experience in Enugu and Delta State, we don’t want to take chances; it’s a time bomb, so we have agreed with ourselves that no Fulani should bring any cattle into any community in Cross River State, that’s our stand.” On the role youths play in the incessant communal clashes among communities in Cross River, Ndiyo said the youth body had been holding talks with youths of affected communities and security operatives with a view to bringing the menace to an end.
would only add more pains to Nigerians who were already passing through a lot of hardship as a result of the fall in oil price. The community leader advised the people of Egbema and Gbaramatu Kingdoms that bombing of oil facilities would never bring anything good to the people of the area. “It is criminal to destroy Federal Government property in any circumstances”, he said. “Youths should desist from being part of this crime and refuse to listen to anyone who would want to use them to destroy oil facilities for selfish gains because it is our environment because it is the economy of this nation that will be destroyed. The destruction of oil facilities is purely criminal and we the people of Egbema and Gbaramatu reject attempt to label it otherwise. I want to advise all my people to be vigilant and keep watch of any strange movements on oil facilities to avoid further attacks on oil installations in our area,” he admonished
CREW
Dapo Falade -Port Harcourt 08078891924 lasep09@gamil.com Ebenezer Adurokiya -Delta 08060113609 ebenezeradurokiya@gmail.com Banji Aluko - Edo 08067030572 adebanjialuko@yahoo.com Alphonsus Agborh 08035838703 Austin Ebipade - Bayelsa austinebipade@gmail.com
18
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
Nigerian Tribune
By Wale Ojo-Lanre 0803 349 0986 waleojolanre@gmail.com THE executive chef of West 14th steakhouse, Clive Pereira, has been named Gastronomic Superstar at the inaugural Leaders in Hospitalityt Awards, on top of an impressive shortlis of talented chefs from around world of the beating several worthy candidates to clinch the title. Pereira, who was recently appointed to the high profile role, was recognised for his culinary talent, which included a total revamp of the menu at the popular Manhattan style grill and bar. He triumphed over tough competition from fellow professionals Suzi Massetti of Masso at The Palace Boutique Hotel, Bahrain and Ryan Wadell, head chef at The Black Lion at Dubai’s H Hotel to win the accolade. Judge Daniel During, principal and managing director, Thomas Klein International said: “We had some fantastic candidates in this category but Pereira stood out for his ability to deliver such a marked impact in a relatively short space of time. The award was designed especially to recognise a culinary raising star who is consistently challenging the norm and Pereira’s creative ideas for new dining concepts and dishes that produced tangible results encapsulated everything the judges were looking for.” The annual award ceremony, hosted by
14th executive chef awarded prestigious culinary star
Clive Perira and friends.
Hotel News ME, took place at the St. Regis Dubai on 19 April and was attended by more than 200 industry figures. Overall, there were 19 categories covering all aspects of the hospitality industry. “We received hundreds of nominations and the standard of the competition was incredibly tough, which demonstrates the strength of the industry across the Middle East at the moment. To beat such stiff competition shows how highly regarded Clive is
across the industry,” said Sophia Soltani of BNC Publishing, organiser of the awards. During his short tenure at West 14th, which is located at the Oceana Beach Club on Palm Jumeirah and is under the management of the soon-to-open DUKES Dubai hotel, Pereira has spearheaded a number of innovations that have resulted in significant business growth. Among his achievements include an additional 228 covers generated by the new
Friday BBQ Brunch; 42 new diners thanks to the introduction of the Sunday Roast Beef Night promotion; and an amazing 705 additional covers at the Arabic Saturday Brunch. “The quality of food at West 14th has always been exceptional and being able to put a personal stamp on what is already a hugely successful product is a privilege. I am honoured to receive this award and look forward to taking the restaurant to the next level in the coming months,” said Pereira.
NCPC launches win a trip to Israel in Taraba THE Nigerian Christian pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has launched the ‘Win a Trip to Israel’ Promo in Taraba State. Governor Ishaku Dairus, who launched the raffle draw, commended the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, John Kennedy Opara for his visionary leadership style and the innovations he has brought to bear in the Commission. The governor further said that the “Win a Trip to Israel” was a laudable programme as it would help government to withdraw from sponsorship of intending
pilgrims. Governor Dairus affirmed that he would try as much as possible to encourage Christians to go on pilgrimage, adding that the benefits of pilgrimage is enormous. In his words, “I was really blessed during the 2015 A Day with Jesus in Israel”. He paid for 16,000 tickets for the 16 Local Government Areas of the State. According to him, “Each local government would share 1000 tickets, to enable those who cannot afford the cost of pilgrimage to Israel to benefit from the draw”.
The governor promised to sponsor 100 youths to participate in the Commission’s Youth Pilgrimage to enable the youths in the state to benefit from the Skill Acquisition Programme. According to him, “I know the youths will learn skills that will make them independent”. The Executive Secretary of the NCPC, John Kennedy Opara, in his remark, stressed that the idea of the ‘Win a Trip to Israel’ was born out of the need to afford many Christians the opportunity to embark on Holy pilgrimage
to Israel in view of the economic situation of the country, at no cost to the state or federal government. The two lucky winners that emerged in the ‘Win a Trip to Israel’ raffle draw were Miss Sapdira Bem and Mr. Woburi Ezekiel. The win a trip to Israel in Taraba is powered by the ‘Fortune Game Nigeria Limited’, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC)” and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Oguntoye Twins promote Nigeria’s cultural tourism in Mojiang,
T
HE sleeping town of Mojiang, South-West China’s Yunnan Province recently experienced unprecedented display of Nigeria’s cultural attire when Nigerian twin brothers, Oguntoye Taiwo and Kehinde, the only twins representing the African continent, joined other twins from Scotland, India, Russia, United States of America, Nepal, among a host of other countries at the annual Mojiang International Twins Festival, which is the largest gathering of twins in Asia. Mojiang is the home to the Hani minority, an autonomous county of Pu’er occupying a pleasant position among subtropical mountains somewhat near the Vietnamese boarder, is known for producing agricultural products such as tea, rubber and walnuts because of its year round warm weather. Mojiang is not a well known tourism hotspot because of the local architecture or traditional dances, except for its twinning phenomenon, the region’s exceptionally high percentage of twin births although far lower than what is obtainable in Igbo-Ora, Oyo State, Nigeria. The yearly twins festival is certainly a time for fun and cultural celebration, but it is also a much welcome second source of income for the commu-
nity. Twin births in China are a legal loophole to over three decades of the country’s one-child policy. The significant of twins in China is much more than simple curiousity; it is a social status elevator for parents because special attention is given to parents with twins. At the beginning of every month of May, during China’s three-day Labour Day holiday, Mojiang plays host to thousands of twins from China and abroad who gather to celebrate the twins festival. The presence of Oguntoye Taiwo and Kehinde at this year’s event, gave a new look and glamour to the festival as the cultural display of Africa attire on stage as well as all featured activities was magnificent. The duo, who are the world initiators of twins-tourism and the first twins in Africa to jointly co-host Tourism programmes on radio, were adored by all at the festival which started with the Hani National traditional show and bonfire welcome party at the Sun Square. The visit to the Twins Well was another significant attraction of the festival. Unlike Igbo-ora land in Nigeria, where the high rate of twinning is attributed to a yam species (ikokoro agida) and Ilasa (okro leaf soup), Mojiang twins birth rate is attributed
to drinking from a ‘Twins Well’. This ‘Twins Well’ is fully developed and had turned to a Mecca for scores of tourists who pay some amount to gain entrance and drink from the well and as such, increases one’s chances of giving birth to twins in the future. Also, among other activities witnessed by all twins was the Hani Long gourmet tasting otherwise called Long table dinner at the Custom Walking Street. This was a chain of more than 1,000 set of long tables, which spans for about 1.3kilometres in total length, ar-
The Ogundoye Twins and other twins in China.
ranged end to end for a communal feast full of different varieties of assorted local foods and drinks for twins to dine with local families in good friendship. Visiting twins were expected to eat from all the foods and drinks provided on the table among traditional drumming, singing and dancing. The climax of the festival, which had earlier featured a black face wiping revelry, was on the final day when the Nigerian twins, as well as other twins from the world, boarded festooned vehicles in a parade ride around
19
tourism
TOURISM stakeholders and Entrepreneurs have applauded the efforts of the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Mrs Sally Uwechue-Mbanefo, for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cote d’Ivoire Tourism Board to boost and develop domestic tourism across the African region. This assertion was made known during Cote D’Ivoire Economic Forum held recently in Lagos State. Speaking at the event, Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation said, “Our country needs to improve its production capacity and must invest in labour intensive sectors like tourism, agriculture and manufacturing. It is the only way to create jobs for the small and medium scale entrepreneurs, youth and women. We have also been holding talks with Ghana’s tourism board as well as the South African tourism board. Two years ago, we signed an MOU with the Gambia Tourism board. Immediately we signed the MOU, the first batch of my staff were approved for training and best practice exchange. We will not stop until we achieve a West African Tourism Brand, so that when a tourist begins his trip in one African country, they can conclude it in Nigeria to get a holistic approach to tourism in West African. The Director General added, “we want to encourage other African countries that have best practices for cocoa production, textile and fashion industries to collaborate with Nigeria to create jobs for youth. If our manufacturing and Agriculture industries are reawakened tourism would have contributed to job creation through such synergies with Cote D’Ivoire and other African countries where we can emulate their industry best practices”. Mrs Mbanefo further emphasised that: we must encourage mechanised farming and industrialisation; I’m happy associations like Manufacturers Associations of Nigeria (MAN) whom I worked very closely with when I was in Lafarge Cement are here. The Fashion Industry is also a great opportunity to empower youth with skilled labour and grow small and medium scale enterprises. According to the NTDC Boss, Mrs Sally Mbanefo said that the Corporation has
China the streets of Mojiang filled with crowds bringing vehicular traffic to a standstill. The parade led to the climbing of a small mountain after a group photograph to visit the shade of the ‘Tropic of Cancer Park’, which commands nice views of the town. The event was concluded with a televised talent competition which featured an international cast of identical siblings competing in front of a huge audience. Hotel managers, Taxi drivers, and restaurant owners alike, say the weekend was a boom for business as they smiled to bank in terms of sales which was about ten times their usual. According to one of the organizers, Mr Wang Dongping, who adjudged the festival as the best event ever said, “More than 1,000 pairs of twins attended our 2016 event and were joined by an estimated 190,000 tourists eager to catch a glimpse of at least a few twins, triplets and quadruplets in addition to the attractive display of Hani ethnic minority traditions in Mojiang while the twins and massive crowd come and go for just a few short days, the town typically rakes in unprecedented benefits. This year, we think total tourist revenue for Mojiang will surpass 30 million RMB (US$ 4.63million)” he concluded.
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
Nigerian Tribune
NTDC signs MOU with Cote D’ivoire tourism
been collaborating with Cote D’Ivoire Tourism Board for the past three years “They have been coming to the Corpora-
tion for collaboration between the two countries, the MOU signed today will unite us together and help to achieve the
ECOWAS Tourism Brand Regional Alliance which NTDC has been working on with other African countries. Tourism DG says is a value chain that touches every sector in the economy, for example tourism is leaving your house to seek business, leisure, sports, cultural or religious adventure the vehicle you use is either a car, bus, plane or train that is manufacturing benefitting, fuelling it benefits oil and gas sector and going to a bukka or restaurant to eat, benefits the Agricultural sector. The Director General opined that NTDC is the apex Tourism promotion and marketing agency in Nigeria, our job is to market and promote the beautiful products of Nigeria like Cultural festivals, arts, Nollywood and our musicians and numerous eco-tourism products and link it up to the rest of Africa.
Why we sited KOMT hotel in Ido Ekiti Mrs Modupe Ogunbusuyi, is the Chief Executive Officer of the newly inaugurated KOMT Hotel in Ido Ekiti. She speaks with HAKEEM GBADAMOSI on the hotel and her dream of adding value to the tourism and hospitality world. Excerpt. THIS type of hotel can be sited in Port Harcourt and other big cities and will rival any of the hotels there, it can be sited in Ado Ekiti, even Akure; why the choice of Ido-Ekiti? The founder of this place, my husband, late Elder Joshua Temitope Ogunbusuyi, a native of Ido-Ekiti, so loved his town to the point that if possible, all the workers here would come from this town. He always wanted something that would make people gain from him; he was a cheerful giver and benefactor to many. He encouraged us to keep sourcing and patronising artisans within the community such as the bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, tilers and everyone you see working here are sourced and engaged within. This was my late husband’s philosophy about developing his people. He believed that we had to come back home and start doing something to make our home habitable for people to come and stay. In this kind of environment, who are the likely clients of the hotel? When we came in, we discovered that proximity was a plus for us, business wise. What we needed to do was to put all structures on ground that would drive people in. We factored in some things that would attract people, like our Convention and Resort centre. If you go round now, you will find out that we have a reserved and carved out an arena, good for picnic and children’s play-ground. We have a resort and we have a very big hall that is good for meetings and seminars, where people can converge to have their parties too. Any other facilities? We also have 50 lavishly furnished rooms of different categories, such as; Standard,
Standard Double, Deluxe, Royal Deluxe, Executive Double, and Royal Suites. Replicating the taste we got through experience and professionalism over the years is not only made to reflect on rooms alone, but also on restaurant and bar services. We have all recreational facilities such as swimming pool and all that can keep you busy here. So, we can really be proud of this place and what we have here. No hotel in the entire Ekiti State, even in the SouthWest, located in a remote area has the kind of facilities we have I am saying this with all conviction, if we have to go by my experience in hotel management. I have gone round the hotels even in the South-West to make sure that no hotel can be compared to this. We are not resting on our oars, we will continue to expand and further inject other amenities that will drive and move people in to this place. Why the choice of hospitality business when there are other investments that can yield more profit? People need hospitality. The present situation of our country requires giving yourself the required rest when necessary. One needs to occasionally break away from the hustling and bustling of life to rejuvenate in a serene environment like ours where everything that could take you out to relax your nerves is present. The question is like asking me why you really need to laugh or smile, when these acts are essential for longevity of life and perfect mindset. There is a missing gap in terms of hospitality in Ekiti, which is what we are bridging by the establishment of this monumental edifice. Against every option before us, we have decided on coming here and by what we have on ground, we are waiting to receive you. We have all it takes to make you feel
Mrs Modupe Osunbusuyi
at home even when you are far away from home, you can hold your AGM and conventions here. Our well treated swimming pool, gymnasium and games are there for your recreation, before you later retire to your room for a well deserved rest if you are a guest on accommodation. One area that is also missing is this issue of tourism. How would this hotel enhance tourist potentials in Ekiti? Many tourists would have loved to visit Ekiti State to have a feel of all the tourist attractions they have heard about but for lack of good hotels in the rural settlements. With KOMT Hotel in this area, there is no doubt about the fact that people will now give a thought to visiting all our tourist sites in Ekiti State. To make your visit to Ekiti memorable, we serve your delight just as you want it; there is both local and international cuisines in this place. So, if you are here, you will surely get a robust and satisfactory service that will make you feel at home. We can serve different 50 people with different cuisines under this roof. Do you think tourism can rival oil as the foreign exchange earner in this country? Tourism has been on ground for a very long time. It has been there since the inception of this world. It is a natural endowment just like the mineral resources, it’s just that we have not explored it well enough to rival oil. Nigeria is blessed with several thousands of tourist attractions spreading across the length and breadth of the country but our government is so uni-directional in nature; giving attention to oil and gas alone and neglecting other sources; the earlier we start creating resorts around our tourist attractions, the better it will be for our economy. Several countries that I know of and have visited derive the highest percentage of their revenue generation from tourism. If their tourist potentials had not been developed, will they be able to earn from it? I strongly believe tourism can rival oil if government shifts its focus towards developing tourism and encourages private investors by bringing down interest rate on loans and creating opportunities for partnership.
20 with Doyin Adeoye
m:08038000394 e:doyinadeoye@tribuneonlineng.com t:@kreatif_ink
Lessons from Ogun State Investors’ forum: Why Nigerian companies
need to go green By Doyin Adeoye WITH the theme; ‘Environment, Agriculture, Transportation: Ogun State Emerging Economic Power House,’ the recently concluded Ogun State Investors’ forum focused on drawing attention to the opportunities in the environment, transportation and agriculture sector of the state economy. In one of the sessions, focused on ‘Environment: Sustainable Development – A luxury or an imperative of emerging economies,’ the Minister of Environment, Ms. Amina Mohammed, called on the private sector to examine its relationship with the people and how it affects the environment. There is a need to balance economic gains against environmental price, where corporate and individual actions will be consciously taken to curb the harmful effects on the environment through consumer habits and lifestyles. It may be difficult to cultivate the habit of ‘going green’ in Nigeria, as the country is confronted with several challenges which make a green agenda appear unattainable. And to many Nigerians, the concept is strange and understandable, especially considering the socio-economic realities that an average Nigerian
grapples with on a daily basis. However, despite this, there is a pressing need for more Nigerian companies to go green, as it has variety of benefits for business owners. Applying green processes to the workplace creates a healthy environment for employees, reduces unnecessary waste and recognises the role that businesses play in leading the way for social change. There are many ways companies can go green. They may seem simple, but they contribute immensely towards environmental sustainability. Some of these include reducing the use of lights in the office to a minimum, ensuring that they are turned off when they are not needed; buying energy-saving light bulbs; eliminating waste in printing, or going digital. Using natural, biodegradable cleaning products also reduces exposure to harsh toxins and other chemicals and reduces the introduction of these substances into the environment. The office can also literally be made green with plants, as they absorb airborne pollutants, which are rampant with off-gassing office furniture. Also more companies can also support environmental campaigns and projects through their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR).
Figueres applauds outgoing UNEP head, as Erik Solheim is elected new ED By Doyin Adeoye UNITED Nations’ top climate change official, Christiana Figueres, has welcomed the confirmation of Norwegian, Erik Solheim as the new Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and applauded the work of the programme’s outgoing head. The confirmation was announced last week by the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon in New York, after his nomination was elected by the UN General Assembly. Speaking, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Ms. Figueres said “The world is facing unprecedented environmental challenges, demanding serious, capable leaders on many fronts. The United Nations has such a leader for its top environment post in Erik Solheim. “Also the United Nations and
21
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
indeed everyone who cares for this planet, owes huge appreciation to the outgoing UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner.” Elected for a four-year term, Solheim succeeded Steiner of Germany, whom during his 10-year tenure, managed to inspire and lead significant transformation of UNEP into a strategically powerful and substantively confident organisation.
Solheim
ecoscope ing the environment and safeguarding human health. Among critical policy areas for Africa to be covered by the UNEA-2 are Natural Capital Management, which Africa can leverage to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), illegal wildlife trade out, of which Africa loses $10.9 billion annually, and implementing the Paris Agreement through which Africa could unleash the potential of its catalytic sectors i.e. clean energy and EBA driven agriculture.
Africa’s show of global environmental leadership, commendable — Munang
Dr Richard Munang is the Africa Programme Coordinator on Climate Change at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). He speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE on Africa’s adaptation strategies to climate change and how the undeniable changes on our environment is affecting the continent, among other issues.
So how can Africans truly adapt to the undeniable changes on our environment? This can be achieved by integrating climate resilience at both policy level and operational processes of its most catalytic economic sectors, as well as ensuring that ecosystems which are foundation of productivity of its economic highly vulnerable sectors is conserved and enhanced. Also, combating poverty is crucial to adaptaHAT is at stake for Africa in terms tion, so consequently, Africa should prioritise of climate change? sectors that simultaneously enhance ecosysThe continent stands out as one of tems while combating poverty. Optimising the most vulnerable regions to climate agriculture sector by linking Ecosystems change with its major economic sectors including agBased Adaptation (EBA)-driven agriculture to riculture, infrastructure, energy, healthcare and water resources being highly climate sensitive, and its adaptive clean energy for sustainable industrialisation provides the most catalytic formula for Africa capacity, relatively weak. Among impacts recorded is in agriculture which will be to adapt to climate change. For instance, the World Bank reports that hit by up to 40 per cent yield decline and this will result in Africa, a 10 per cent increase in crop yields in a 25 to 90 per cent increase in incidences of undertranslates to approximately a seven per cent nourishment, putting 50 per cent of Africa’s population under risk of undernourishment, not to mention massive reduction in poverty. So growth in agriculture is at least two to four times more effective in economic losses, given that the sector employs up to 64 per cent labour and contributes up to 34 per cent to GDP reducing poverty than in other sectors. Embracing EBA for on-farm production can on average. enhance yields by up to 128 per cent, lower Also, Africa is projected to experience a sea level rise climate induced crop failure risks, enhance which is 14 per cent higher relative to global average, along the Indian and Atlantic Ocean coastlines by 2100. ecosystems that underpin long-term productivity and enhance farmer incomes at lower And this will put over 10 million people at risk of floodenvironmental and financial cost. ing in large coastal cities by 2050, not to mention the ensuing damage to infrastructure and disruption in food Many African leaders in recent times supply to coastal urban areas, exposing populations to are more committed to environmental elevated food prices. In terms of energy, increasing temperature is projected sustainability. However, are we doing enough as we should? to impact cooling systems of thermoelectric power Africa is showing global environmental leadplants, which represents up to 80 per cent electricity ership and this is commendable. generation in the continent. And this is particularly In the lead to Paris, the 15th African Ministealarming considering that frequent power shortages rial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) already cost African economies one to four per cent in lost GDP annually. So it is obvious that climate change is was concluded with the Cairo Declaration, a socio-economic issue for Africa and all is at stake if the which underscored the urgent imperative to combat climate change by ensuring global polcontinent does not adapt.
W
The only way forward, if we are going to improve the quality of the environment, is to get everybody involved — Richard Rogers
icy focus to keep global average temperature rise to below 1.50 Celsius and parity between adaptation and mitigation actions. This also saw launch of the 2nd Africa Adaptation Gap Report, which provided policy directions on sustainable financing for climate change among others. Decision 5 of the declaration pushes for the continental wide formal adoption of the African Union (AU) climate change strategy latest January 2017. The strategy is a comprehensive, major continental blue print to combat climate change. And by the time the globe was headed for COP21, Africa had achieved nearly 80 per cent (43 of 54 countries) submission of the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), capturing both adaptation and mitigation targets, one of the highest submission rates for any region globally, if not the highest, thus showing leadership and pro-activeness in the global fight against climate change. In Paris, the Africa group negotiated successfully to ensure parity between Adaptation and Mitigation and launched two major initiatives, one on Adaptation: the Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI) and the other on Mitigation: the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), showing strong commitment for both adaptation and mitigation. Going forward, countries need to prioritise domestication of provisions in these high level policy positions, as well as prioritise investments for implementation of the flagships AAI & AREI. The second session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2) is starting in a few days. What does the sitting intend to achieve? UNEA is the global parliament for the environment. It aims to set the global environmental agenda for the next two years on policies towards building sustainable future, protect-
What are your expectations towards the programme? My expectations for Africa are high. At the COP21, Africa launched the AAI and the AREI; at the 6th AMCEN special session, ministers adopted the AMCEN declaration of Africa’s Natural Capital, which prioritises Africa’s natural capital to contribute financially, economically, environmentally and socially towards actualising the SDGs. The session also adopted the Ecosystems Based Adaptation for Food Security Assembly (EBAFOSA) as the continental policy framework and implementation platform for adaptation and food security in Africa, where it recognised EBAFOSA as among priority mechanisms to facilitate the domestication and implementation of the AMCEN’s decision on Natural Capital. So these strategic positions will be carried over to UNEA-2 to ensure global support for these continental priorities. So how do you think the recently launched EBAFOSA would help in tackling the issue of food crisis in Africa? The problem in Africa is not always in a lack of solutions, but rather a lack of adequate investment in large-scale implementation of known solutions, including EBAdriven agriculture. This is what EBAFOSA targets. EBAFOSA convenes and actualises mutual partnerships between stakeholders in government, policy makers, private sector, academia, individual professionals and citizens, United Nations’ agencies and other development partners, to bridge gaps in policy processes,
Growth in agriculture is at least two to four times more effective in reducing poverty than in other sectors.
techniques, commercialisation, financing and markets towards developing policy and action solutions to actualise climate resilient food systems in Africa and solve the continents perennial food security problems. What do you think are the major drivers of food crisis in Africa? Inefficiencies along Africa’s agrovalue chains are the basis of food problems in the continent. For instance, lack of value addition, including adequate market linkages, adequate storage, processing and value addition at source etc., means the continent loses food worth $4 billion to $48 billion annually as post-harvest loss. Degraded ecosystems cost the continent $68 billion annually and account for 6.6 million tonne loss of potential grain harvest. Then climate change stands out with up to 40 per cent of yield declines. Hence, these inefficiencies need to be eliminated and these are what EBAFOSA targets. Many have opined that agriculture could be a saving grace for many African nations. Do you also think that agriculture can truly be an alternative to oil income in the continent? Absolutely, and recent global events provide further warning. Since 2014, oil prices have headed remorselessly downwards, with a decline of over 40 per cent, resulting in between $63 to $88.2 billion loss in continental revenue, with accompanying effects including rising inflation, thousands in job losses, currency depreciations, slashed development budget among critical impacts directly threatening the continents growth. The message is clear, that the continent needs to diversify beyond oil, to inclusive, sustainable economic sectors aligned with contemporary opportunities. Africa should invest current oil revenues to such inclusive sectors. EBA-based agro-industrialisation powered by clean energy is a sure winner. Increased global interest and investments in clean energy provides further impetus for Africa to capitalise on clean energy based agro-industrialisation. Agriculture is the most inclusive sector employing on average 64 per cent of the contents work force. Enhanced earnings in this sector will therefore have the highest poverty-reducing impact. Growth in agriculture is at least two to four times more effective in reducing poverty than in other sectors. In addition, Africa is highly endowed with agriculture potential. It holds 65 per cent of the world’s arable land, 10 per cent of internal renewable fresh water sources and when optimised, the sector can create as many as 17 million jobs annually and catalyse an agro-sector worth an estimated $1 trillion by 2030.
Birds can protect Nigeria from health, economic problems — NCF By Tunde Ogunesan BECAUSE they play vital roles in the ecosystem by forestalling exposure to anthrax, rabies, tuberculosis and other deadly diseases in the society and also render free sanitation services valued at several millions of naira, Nigerians should make efforts to protect birds. Birds such as vultures, which may be considered non-useful to many, should also be accorded such protection as they are “natural environmental sanitation officers.” These assertions were made by the Director General of Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Mr Adeniyi Karunwi, in Lagos, through a press statement during the event marking this year’s World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) with the theme: ‘And when the skies fall silent? Stop the illegal killing, taking and trade.’ According to Karunwi, a single vulture provides a scavenging benefit valued at around N2, 308,200 ($11,600) over its lifetime, but sadly, birds are sometimes illegally hunted, targeted for sport shooting and trapped in their numbers for pets and meat, leading to a marked decline in all species of migratory birds. He lamented the fact that the skies “are almost silent in Nigeria because of the over 90 per cent
ecofact
ELEPHANTS are large mammals scattered throughout sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia. They are herbivorous and can be found in different habitats including savannahs, forests, deserts and marshes. African elephants are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), while the
decline in our vulture population,” adding, “vultures clean up carcasses and waste from our urban centres and landscapes that would have been harmful. They are equipped with an immune system that allows them to breakdown waste and carcasses without any harmful effect to them and without any risk of passing diseases to the human populace.” He observed that bird scavengers are replaced by dogs and other domestic animals and their proximity to humans makes the risk of exposure to these diseases higher because they are not equipped to process carcasses and waste in a non-harmful way. Because of the decline in the number of birds, “they are no longer able to perform their function and other biota, which are ill-equipped for such tasks, are called into action with a potential lethal consequence on the human population,” he explained. Nigeria is home to migratory birds as it lies along the Afro-Eurasian Flyway, “cutting across the coastal areas and other parts of the country. Birds migrate southwards from Europe to winter in Africa and pass through dangerous terrain to get to their wintering ground (in Nigeria and other African Countries). They are sometimes illegally hunted, targeted for sport shooting, and trapped in their numbers,” said the statement.
Asian elephant is classed as endangered. One of the biggest threats to elephant populations is the ivory trade, as the animals are poached for their ivory tusks. Below are some fun facts about the elephant: • Elephants can hear one another’s trumpeting calls up to eight kilometres away. • Elephants normally only sleep two or three hours each day. • It takes a female elephant two years from conception to give birth. • Elephants can live to be over 70 years old. • Elephants can swim. • Elephants express grief, compassion, self-awareness, altruism and play.
22
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
with Tunde Dodondawa m:08029370304 e:mrdodondawa@yahoo.com
From right; Managing Director, NIPCO Plc, Mr Venkataraman Venkatapathy; receiving the Chairman, House Committee on Downstream Sector, Mr Joseph Akinlaja, and others, during a courtesy visit to the premises of NIPCO in Lagos, recently.
Deregulation, devaluation bane of double standard in Nigeria’s oil sector The global oil and gas sector is under severe challenges as crude price volatility is making the terrain difficult for stakeholders to survive. However, the Chief Executive Officer, Oilserv Limited, Emeka Okwuosa in an interview with OLATUNDE DODONDAWA, explained how indigenous operators have been faring and suggested strategies on how to survive the volatility.
T
HE announcement by the Petroleum Minister and the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Ibe Kachikwu, that the downstream sector has been deregulated and that marketers are expected to source for foreign exchange from the parallel market have been met with mixed reactions. Firstly, many asked why government fixed pump price of the product when it has been deregulated. Professor Adeola Adenikinju of Centre for Energy and Economic Policy stated that pegging of price will hinder investment. “Investors’ participation will be hindered and there will be lack of confidence because they will say the government has not left the market. You can’t cap a product in a liberalised market except it is a natural monopoly like electricity,” he said. Secondly, they also asked why the government publicly directs marketers to source for foreign exchange at the parallel market. The Head of Research, Afrinvest Limited, Ayodeji Ebo, argued that because they are massive users of foreign exchange, buying at the parallel market may not be too good for their business. “Despite the naira sliding further to around N370 to a dollar on the parallel market, they deal in volume and they
can’t buy at that price. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), should introduce some liberalisation and remove all restrictions so that we can have single dollar market,” he said. Prior to the announcement of new pump price on Wednesday, May 11, 2016, Brent
“Currency devaluation is mainly to promote export. But refusal to devalue will continue to widen the spread between the official dollar rate and the parallel market rate. Landing cost of petrol on the side of marketers will continue to soar and may soon get outside the N145 per liter as recommended by the Federal Government.
was around $45 per barrel. But as at 11.45am on Monday, May 16, 2016, Brent was selling around $48.72 per barrel, from a record low of $28 per barrel earlier in the year. By implications, as the crude price appreciates and moves towards $50 per barrel, there are strong indications that landing cost may soar higher except the government devalues the Naira. According to a source who preferred anonymity, the CBN has not devalued the Naira. He argued that Naira devaluation cannot be done in secrecy because it has international trade and investment implications. “Currency devaluation is mainly to promote export. But refusal to devalue will continue to widen the spread between the official dollar rate and the parallel market rate. Landing cost of petrol on the side of marketers will continue to soar and may soon get outside the N145 per liter as recommended by the Federal Government. “This may either worsens the hardship experienced by Nigerians or force the CBN to officially devalue the Naira in order to close the spread between the official and unofficial rates,” he said. Conclusively, it will amount to double standards if the NNPC, on behalf of the Federal Government, imports about 50 per cent of second quarter import allocations (Q2) using foreign exchange from the CBN sourced at an official rate of N198/ dollar while marketers will use foreign exchange sourced from the parallel market at closed to N400/ dollar to import the same Q2 products allocation which will be sold at the same Nigerian market.
Nigerian Tribune
House Committee Chairman supports deregulation of downstream sector THE Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Downstream Sector, Hon. Joseph Akinlaja, has joined millions of Nigerians who have called for the deregulation of the downstream sector as the only way out of the fuel scarcity challenges. Hon. Akinlaja gave his supports during a recent inspection of facilities of a leading indigenous oil and gas company, NIPCO Plc, in Lagos. He maintained that the solution to the frequent fuel scarcity in the country is deregulation of the downstream sector, “a policy that will not only give equal opportunity to all operators but also allow market forces to guide the sector.” Akinlaja said regulation in a society that is not well disciplined will continue to breed corruption as the common man which the policy seems to protect may be worse off at the end of the day. While commending the numerous contribution of the company either informs of additional investment or social support through its plethora of corporate social responsibility, Hon. Akinlaja enjoined NIPCO to continue to keep up the memento in the overall interest of Nigerians. “What I have seen here today is akin to what operates in developed countries of the world that I have been privileged to visit in my over 35 years experience in the oil and gas industry,” he said. He noted that the terminal built by the company is world class by any indices with an unequalled contribution by any indigenous operator and has remained a pacesetter in the industry especially taking into consideration its pioneering efforts in the realm of promoting cleaner energy with natural gas. The Downstream Committee chairman in the green chamber said the contribution of the company especially in the fuel scarcity period has gone to confirm the dream of the promoters to propel the organization to be a reliable partner in fuelling the nation. According to him, “the company had not only come to the aid of the nation through its thru–put for the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) but had also gone ahead to import petroleum products to meet the nation’s fuel needs.” He explained further that as pioneer member company, he feels fulfilled with the accomplishments of the organisation in barely 12 years of operations. In his remarks, the Managing Director, Nipco plc, Mr Venkataraman Venkatapathy said the company will continue to support government to achieve meaningful growth in the oil industry as the main stay of the nation’s economy. “We remain very resolute about the resilience of the Nigerian economy and the ample opportunities therein which we hope to continuously be part of for a very long time,” he declared. According to him, “the great upbeat in the nation’s economy explained the increase in the level of investment by the company in the realm of natural gas utilization either as Liquefied Natural Gas or as Compressed Natural Gas for powering of vehicles and machines.”
23
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
From left, Territory Manager, South West Sales Area, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, Mr Odunuga Babatunde; Area Manager (South) Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, Mr Chiezie Megwa; Nation Vice Chairman, NURTW, Alhaji Gboyega Olugbodi, Chief Rafiu Olaore, Chairman, Mr Kayode Dagiloke M.D and former Speaker of the House of Assembly Osun State, Hon Adejare Bello, during the commissioning of Mobil filling station, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, recently. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE.
Experts urge FG to focus on cost reduction, domestic refining
I
NDUSTRY experts have called on the Federal Government to focus more on cost reduction, reducing contracting cycles and promote domestic refining capacity in order to boost the oil sector of the economy. Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune during the conference, the Chief Executive Officer, SEPLAT Petroleum Development Plc, Mr Austin Avuru, stated that “Our common enemy is cost, it is not about sharing formula on whether government should take 82 per cent or 78 per cent. That’s not as relevant as cost reduction because cost of production in Nigeria has gone up from $2 per barrel in 1985 to $30 per barrel in 2016.” He said the industry must collaborate with the Federal Government to spend more time looking at channels for revisiting cost so that the country can operate competitively. “You can see that as crude oil price dropped below $30 per barrel, the Arab world has lots of headroom than us. We are struggling against shale producers and deep offshore producers in terms of cost whereas if half of our production comes from the onshore, our overall average cost should not be more than $12 per barrel. We shouldn’t be talking about $30 per barrel cost. The focus should shift from sharing formula to concerted efforts to address the cost issues,” he said. On the restiveness in Niger Delta region, he canvassed for peaceful resolution by stressing that the region must be restful and friendly to investors. “The Niger Delta region must be friendlier. The unfriendly nature of the region adds more than 30 per cent to cost of business. People talk about cost of security, not because cost of security on per barrel basis is something else. “If you look at the multiplier effects, the fact that contractor mobilizes workers to do work in the region will cost you three times more than same amount of work being done in a more peaceful environment. “We can’t continue to think that the problem is with the Niger Delta itself because that has been the mindset for the entire life of the industry thinking that all they need to do is to contain the nuisance value of the Niger Delta and that has not worked,” he said. He advised the operators and the government to adopt the models being practiced by the Nigeria LNG. “Let’s use the NLNG as an example. There must be something they are doing well for 16 years they have been operating without disturbance from the host community. “We must come up with a structure that will enable the community that hosts us to feel sufficient sense of ownership of the
business. If we do such, they would rather support us than disturb us. “I don’t think the Bonny community will watch you disturb NLNG. They have too much at stake than to allow that. It is not about giving handouts to the community, it must involve an operating structure that will make them work with us because they have sufficient interest at stake,” he concluded. On his part, the immediate past chairman of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oildata Nigeria Ltd, Mr Emeka Ene, opined that more efforts much be channeled to promote domestic refining capacity especially now that crude price is at low prices. According to him, “I think with the drop in crude oil prices and the constraints we have on locally produced petroleum products, it is actually important to develop our domestic refining capacity because it helps us to develop and re-think our process. Already, we have been seeing a lot of steps in that direction. “Modular refineries have been licensed, many of them have completed their detailed engineering, and moving ahead to start construction very soon. There is a big refinery that is being planned and they are moving forward with it. There have been lots of engagements with the petroleum marketers on finding better flexible models for bringing in products. There is emphasis on getting old pipeline to work so that pipeline distribu-
tion can be more efficient. All of these things couldn’t have happened if we didn’t have this crunch. However, this is not enough, we need to follow through.” “To a large extent, what Nigeria needs now is regional refining. If you are refining in Lagos and have to supply to Sokoto State, you will still have the same problem. But if you are refining in the region, you have modular refineries all across the region, then you find out that if one goes down, the other one is up. So we are not going to have this kind of extreme situation where the country doesn’t have petroleum products. “And we can say the same thing for power. If we have regional power plants across the country, and an efficient transmission lines, we won’t have a situation where you will have power blackout across the country. PETAN is encouraging modular refinery growth to emerge. The reason is because modular refinery processes small quantities of crude. As an aggregate, they can be a potent force. Therefore, if government is going to give consensus or make it easy to establish modular refinery, it has to be done on a platform. What we are seeing is emergence of modular refiners group that will help to advocate for conditions that will make it easy to establish modular refineries,” he said. On how to effectively solve Nigeria’s domestic refining challenges, he said “the fact of the matter is that for the refining problems to be solved, it has to be home-grown.
Nigerian Tribune
Think about it. When the power was being privatised, there were road shows all around the world. When the chips were down, the people who came to the table to privatise were Nigerians. Ultimately, the solutions lie inwards. “PETAN has demonstrated it several times that solutions to our problems lie inwards. The refining problems can be solved and most importantly, modular refining issues are being discussed by Nigerian technocrats. What we need to do is to integrate that process, to have a way in which service industry is brought in as partners into the process. “That way, we can deliver the project in time and on budget because people are on the ground. If the idea is to import technology and import expatriates, it is going to crash simply because it is not sustainable. Nigerian environment is rugged and not a greenfield nice comfortable place where the solutions are found on the street. It requires expertise; it requires thinking outside the box. Nigeria service companies have been on it for the past 40 years and they are in the best position to make it happen.” Speaking on the way forward for sector, he stressed that Nigerian government must look beyond oil. “Looking beyond oil, we need to look at coastal developments. What is happening is that people are striking in different direction and is not coordinated. Manufacturing, agriculture and trade constitute over 50 per cent of our GDP. We can leverage on oil industry to be able to push through regional development through industrial parks, free trade zones that are emerging across the county in a coordinated manner. “In a way that says all our well heads, we want to produce all of them. How do we do that? Components that make that up will come from different industrial parks and they supply into a supply chain that will deliver in the next two years. With that, it makes sense. Now we can go beyond oil but it must be coordinated. Asking everyone to go back to farm is not going to work. “A lot of investment needs coordinated efforts even within the industry. Secondly, processing is important. The Niger Delta corridor is a concept that we have talked about. There is a way we can promote the Niger Delta corridor into a processing zone where oil is not simply extracted and evacuated from the country but goes through some level of processing which is going to capture over 40 per cent of its value locally. You can imagine the volume of work this would create. It will eliminate our unemployment challenges because we are processing locally. But if we are going to continue with the process of extracting oil and send it abroad, then we are going to have the same vicious cycle that will perpetuate itself for the next 30-40-50 years,” he said.
BEDC completes migration to new billing system IN a bid to provide better billing information, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) said it has completed the migration of its customers to a new billing system. The company disclosed this in a statement made available to Nigerian Tribune. Already, BEDC said that the new billing format had commenced for customers in Edo effective March 2016,” for all Maximum Demand (MD) customers and all other categories of customers. “In order to provide better billing information to customers, BEDC has commenced migration to a new billing system named Electricity Billing Management System (EBMS). Effective March 2016, the new billing format commenced for all Maximu Demand (MD) customers and all other categories of customer in Edo. Customers in Delta, Ondo and Ekiti have been moved to the new billing format since April 2016,” the company said. Sensitising the customers on the new billing system, the BEDC said reading of
customers’ meter is expected to be done monthly or at least once in three months. But whenever a reading is not done in any month, an adjustment will be used with the subsequent reading. Also, where a customer’s meter is found to be obsolete or incorrect, the meter reading will be suspended and direct/estimated billing will be utilised prior to the replacement of the meter. Such suspension will be notified to the customer via a letter. “All customers under estimated billing will have their estimation done based on NERC approved cluster billing average methodology. Where bypass is noticed during meter reading and, or billing period, the read information may be suspended and customer billed appropriately on Direct/Estimated using NERC cluster billing methodology,” the statement said. The programmes of the company including its billing system had earlier received accolades from customers including civil society activist, Reverend Olu Martins. Martins had at the forum, explained to res-
idents of communities in Egor area of Benin, Edo state, that the reason why they are experiencing power outages arising from inadequate supply, was that BEDC is facing challenges due to inability of Generating Companies (GenCos) to generate more electricity for domestic and industrial needs. Rev Martins, who made the assertion during a town hall meeting held in Ugbowo, said there was a great challenge of power in Nigeria with less than 5,000MW to a population of 170 million, stressing that the current energy output of 1,500 was a reflection of the perennial energy crisis that was yet to be addressed. He explained that the power sector had been starved with investment since 1984 whereas the country has increased in population and infrastructure. The Civil Society activist added that current operators of BEDC spent huge amount to purchase the company and “it is only natural for them like businessman to get their returns on investment and equally make profit, hence they are to give services only to those who will pay for it.”
24
Wednesday,18 May, 2016
Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor taiadis@yahoo.com
Occupy Nigeria: The battle this time By Abiodun Awolaja
E
XACTLY a week ago today, the Federal Government proved bookmakers wrong by jacking up the price of premium motor spirit from N86.50 to N145 per litre. The move has been interpreted nationwide as the official ending of the regime of fuel subsidy which has proved contentious in the polity. Admittedly, the decision came as a shock to many Nigerians by virtue of its historical antecedents. In 2012 when the Goodluck Jonathan administration attempted to remove fuel subsidy as a way of tackling the perennial corruption in the system, it was up against the then opposition parties, notably the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the organised labour and civil society groups. Prominent Nigerians, including Pastor Tunde Bakare, human rights lawyers and the leadership of the NLC and TUC floated Occupy Nigeria, a move aimed at forcing the government to revert to the previous N65 fixed price of PMS but which also called for a revolution, forcing the organised labour to release a statement explaining that its agitation did not include a demand for a change of government. At designated venues, but most notably Ojota, some Lagos, popular musicians entertained the surging crowds, and speaker after speaker took turns to berate the former administration. According to them, subsidy was a shame invented by the government to fleece Nigerians. For days, Occupy Nigeria virtually grounded the country but there were also protests in the UK and USA, with protesters saying “Kill corruption, not Nigerians.” The then National Leader of ACN and unofficial leader of the opposition in the country, said: “First, government needs to clean up and throw away the salad of corruption in the NNPC, then, proceed to lay the foundation for a mass transit system in the railways and road network with long term bonds and fully develop the energy sector towards revitalising Nigeria’s economy and easing the burden any subsidy removal may have on the people.” On his part, General Muhammadu Buhari, then a chieftain of the CPC, said he fully backed the Occupy Nigeria protests because subsidy was no more than a ploy by the last administration to rip Nigerians off. His words: “Nigerians are being deceived on the issue of fuel subsidy. The Federal Government takes out fuel for refining, only to come back and talk of removing the subsidy. That is nonsense and an attempt by a clique with the PDP-led Federal Government to siphon the proceeds to be realized from the removal of oil subsidy.” What is more, with Buhari’s emergence as president in 2015, a former Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Professor Tam David-West, promptly predicated that “the president-elect will reduce the fuel pump price to N40 per litre.” Given this backdrop, it was no surprise that many Nigerians felt betrayed by last week’s decision. Although a new explanation was quickly invented by supporters of the policy, namely that the past administration would have embezzled the funds realised from subsidy removal if it had succeeded in its plan, there was no such claim in 2012. Rather, the protesters said that subsidy was a sham, or that the government ought to have put palliatives in place before removing it. Still, unlike 2012, there are ample indications that the battle this time may not be as successful as the 2012 Occupy Nigeria. For one, in a swift reversal of fortunes, the leading lights of Occupy Nigeria (2012) are now in power, being members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or believed to be sympathetic to it. For another, the 2012 move was believed to have been sponsored by politicians with key investments in the media and so had massive media support. Again, the cash crunch of the present times may preclude elaborate demonstrations with top musicians entertaining the crowds. Contrast this with the 2012 scenario when leaders of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) admitted that they spent millions per day on the protests. But perhaps the most potent factor against the current planned protest is the seeming mas-
sive division among critical stakeholders, following the gruelling experiences of fuel scarcity in recent times. For and against Expectedly, National Leader of the APC, Tinubu, tagged the new policy “a better deal for Nigerians,” appealing for understanding. On their part, PENGASSAN and NUPENG threw their weight behind the policy. On the social media, the “I Stand for Buhari” advocates are backing the move. A group, under the aegis of Arewa Defence League (ADL), said the increase was aimed at ensuring availability and sustainability of the product. This position was endorsed by the Joint Action Committee of the Northern Youths Association (JACOM), which said it “noted with satisfaction the position of PENGASAN and NUPENG which expressed support to this historic step , as we call on NLC to cue on this direction, just as a group, Igede Pathfinders, also called on labour to stop misleading and deceiving Nigerians into believing that the action of the government was anti-people. However, the Nigeria National Summit Group (NNSG), led by its the Executive Secretary, Mr Tony Uranta, rejected the move, as “Nigerians are over burdened by the current economic situation.” Again, a non-governmental
Perhaps the most potent factor against the current planned protest is the seeming massive division among critical stakeholders, following the gruelling experiences of fuel scarcity in recent times.
organisation, the Centre for Global Solutions and Sustainable Development (CENGSSUD), rejected the Federal Government’s decision, saying that it was marred by wrong timing and methodology. In a statement by its Executive Director, Adebowale Adeniyi, CENGSSUD said even though it was not unaware of the long-term economic benefits of subsidy removal, it condemned the timing and the manner of removal. Pointing out that that there are three faces to development, namely the government, private sector and the civil society, the body said it was unacceptable for government to take action without carrying the other two sectors along, especially the civil society. It added that “at a time when the standard of living of Nigerians is reducing and income insufficient, a time when more people are drawn into the pool of poverty and hunger due to the unexplainable situations, the government should rather think of urgent fixes to salvage those situations .” Also, the Osun State chapter of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), in a statement jointly signed by its chairman Alfred Adegoke and state secretary, Kola Ibrahim, rejected the policy, which it tagged the latest government’s onslaught on Nigerians. Its grouse was that “Currently, Nigerians are facing one of the worst economic challenges of their lives as all economic indices have nosedived.” It said: “According to the Minister of State for Petroleum, government is removing fuel price because the marketers cannot procure foreign exchange to import. We then ask; what is the foreign currency reserve, running to over $30 billion, being used for?” SPN asked for immediate reversal the original price of fuel and massive investment in refineries, storage and distribution facilities for fuel and other products. On its part, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), in a statement jointly signed by its national chairman, Alhaji Balarabe Musa and the secretary general, Chief Willy Ezugwu, warned Nigerians not be deceived by the organised labour, whom it alleged had been compromised, He also accused the labour unions of using the strike as a ploy to scuttled genuine actions against the increment in pump price as they did in 2012. For now, though, it a game of wait and see.
25
politics&policy
Wednesday, 18 May , 2016
Which way South-West PDP? By Kunle Oderemi
B
Y last Saturday, all the six zonal chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ought to have concluded congresses to pave the way for the national convention of the party scheduled for next Saturday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Though the exercise held, it was not without a number of hitches, especially in the South-East, South-West and the North-East. In the South-East, a slight scuffle characterized the zonal congress that took place in Enugu, the Enugu State capital. Security operatives attached to one of the governors from the zone moved swiftly to stave off a possible confrontation with PDP leaders on the high table and an aggrieved party member. There was a semblance of drama at the zonal congress conducted in the North-Central , as some PDP faithful from the Middle Belt were reportedly angry over the process that surrounded the zonal congress. While the exercise produced discordant testimonies in Southwest, it was nearly marred by fracas in South-East, where supporters of a rival candidate clashed with some persons said to be loyal to the preferred candidate of Ebonyi State governor. However, the situation in North-East and South-South were relatively hitch-free. In North-East in particular, the new party officers emerged through consensus, with the erstwhile zonal chairman, Senator Girgiri Lawan, stating that the decision to “ share all the elective positions among the North-East states” was based on agreement arrived at after series of meetings and consultations that lasted for several hours on the eve of the congress. An Modu Sheriff, who is from the zone, used the opportunity to expatiate on his decision to vie for the position was necessitated by the clarion calls from the North- East and the country at large. South-West PDP Almost all the state chapters in the zone are contending with internal conflicts, with at least two factions at each other’s throat. The disagreements have defied reconciliatory moves from the national headquarters and elders of the PDP. The height of the conflict was the uncertainty that surrounded the zonal congress on the eve of the exercise. A Federal High Court in Lagos had issued an interlocutory order restrained the party and its officials from going ahead with the zonal congress held on Saturday in Akure, Ondo State. the order was consequent upon a suit filed by PDP’s South West secretary, Pegba Otemolu, seeking among other reliefs, the suspension of the congress. Joined in the suit were the Independent National Electoral Commission, PDp acting national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and the national secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo. The plaintiff averred that it was wrong for the party and its national officers to contemplate organizing a zonal congress for the South West since the Zonal Executive Committee members were elected on October 11, 2014.He said that since members of the zonal executive were elected to serve four years tenure, their term would end on October 11, 2018. However, the congress took place, with quite a number of PDP stalwarts from the zone in attendance. They included Governors Segun Mimiko of Ondo State and his Ekiti State counterpart, Mr Ayodele Fayose. Others included members of the Board of Trustees of the party. Aside declaring the congress as illegal, the PDP national auditor, Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju, accused the conveners of impunity. He threatened that the PDP would descend heavily on the arrowheads of the congress. “It is the height of indiscipline and political rascality for any PDP member to claim ignorance of the Order or participate in such futile exercise. Why would they encourage such impunity in our party. If the party has abided by the court order there is no reason some persons should still go ahead with such exercise. The party has no hand in it. Those that went ahead with the exercise despite the court order will have to answer to the court when the time comes. We confirmed to them that we have received the court order at the national leadership and we communicated to them to stop the exercise. We are a law abiding party and we will not condone the disobedience of a court order,” he said. Somehow, the position of the national auditor might be likened to the biblical hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob. He is widely believed to be among the the
Kashamu
Fayose
Bode George
Modu Sheriff
leaders of another PDP faction in the South-West-the Senator Kashamu Buruji-led camp, which called off its planned parallel zonal congress scheduled for the same day in Ijebu-Igbo. The loyalists of the group premised the cancellation on the interlocutory injunction given by the Lagos court. Thus, a number of PDP heavy weights from the zone, among them, former governors and ministers and BoT members stayed away from the Akure congress, and indeed team up with like-minds under the Concerned PDP stakeholders to expand the ranks of PDP leaders opposed to the leadership
The division in the South-West PDP is largely about Sheriff, who is seeking to secure a mandate of substantive national chairman.
of Modu Sheriff. These influential politicians include Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Chief Olabode George, Dr Doyin Okupe, Professor Tunde Adeniran, to name a few. So, the division in the South-West PDP is largely about Sheriff, who is seeking to secure a mandate of substantive national chairman thereby foreclosing the wish of most PDP faithful in the zone that the post ought to come to the area. Right now, the prevailing scenario in the PDP in the South-West has led to a number of teasers. One of the critical questions is if the zone will be able to cover some lost grounds occasioned by the current division, in case the centre begins to hold in PDP? It should be recalled that the Alliance for Democracy (AD) competed favourably on the political turf when the country restored civil rule in 1999. Its base was the South-West, where it sweep the polls. But its fortunes soon nosedived such that today, the AD is almost an orphan in the zone. No thanks to internal combustion that damaged its engine leading to the exit of its leading lights to seek political relevance in PDP or floated the Action Congress (AC), which later transformed to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which became one of the legacy parties that formed the All Progressives Congress (APC). Will the PDP go such way?
26
communitynews
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
We’ll make LGs vibrant to deliver democracy dividends —Ambode •Says 114 LG roads’ll be ready in June Bola Badmus-Lagos
L
agos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday, said his administration will make Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) vibrant in delivering the dividends of democracy to the various communities in the state. The governor gave the assurance while commissioning a road and an ultra-modern court complex as well as other projects at Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government and Ifelodun Local Council Development Area. According to him, his government would continue to support the council areas in order to provide basic infrastructure for the people of the state. Governor Ambode, who was represented by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, said the state government supported the 20 local governments and 37 LCDAs in the state to construct 114 roads (two per council area). “The feat is unprecedented in the history of Lagos and this has provided employment to over 9,000 citizens directly and indirectly within the year. Counterpart funding of more than 60 per cent has been committed by the state to ensure speedy completion of the projects before the end of June, 2016,” he said. According to Governor Ambode, the projects that were being commissioned in different council areas across the state were a few of the many being undertaken within the last one year by the “revitalised local government system despite declining resources from the Federation Account.” The Executive Secretary of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, Honourable Tajudeen Ojora, in his welcome address, expressed appreciation to the governor for his commitment to grassroots development. He listed some of the projects completed by his administration in the council in the last one year to include the construction of roads and drainages at Kukoyi Street, Okunowa Street, Prince Rabiu Adio Street and others. Also, the Executive Secretary of Ifelodun LCDA, Honourable Wahab Adigun, lauded Governor Ambode for his belief in grassroots development, saying aside from the road being commissioned, his admin-
istration had constructed and completed many other roads. The council boss reiterated
the importance of giving adequate attention to communities in the local government, noting that the topography of
the area was below sea level thus, making flooding a perennial problem. Some residents of the
council areas, who spoke with Community News, expressed joy over the commissioned projects
even as they thanked Governor Ambode and the executive secretaries for the projects.
Speaker challenges Ogun West on quest for power The people of Ogun West Senatorial District in Ogun State have been challenged to immediately begin a process of building strategic linkages and reconciliation with other districts as well as embarking on enlightenment and empowerment programmes for them to take their shot in the administration of the state. The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Suraju Adekunbi, gave the challenge at the launching and public presentation of a book entitled: “Ogun West: The Dawn of a New Political Era”, in Abeokuta. Adekunbi, in a statement issued by the Assembly Head of Information, Mr Lawal Jamiu, said power was never served on a platter of gold, noting that the people needed to struggle and work hard for it. He counselled the people not to suffuse the quest for
power in an ethnocentric exclusive approach, as no sub-group could achieve power in isolation. According to him, “I sound a note of warning here; the quest to realise the Ogun West of our dreams should not be suffused in ethnocentric exclusive approach as no sub-group can do it alone.” Adekunbi who lauded the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, described it as “being fair to all and sundry.” He added that the emerging leadership from the area had been mending the cracks, building bridges of understanding and striving to forge a common agenda towards actualising the aimed of creating immense socio-economic development of the area and the state at large. On his part, Governor Amosun, represented by the state Commissioner
for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko, said
government would intensify efforts at bringing governance closer to the grass-
roots, assuring the people of more development programmes and projects.
Fayose charges councillors on harmonious relationship with LG chairmen Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has urged councillors in the state to work in harmony with local government chairmen to ensure the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people in the grassroots. He said this at a meeting he held with the 177 councillors from across the 16 local government areas of the state. In a statement in AdoEkiti on Tuesday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor also admonished council bosses
not to keep the councillors in the dark in the running of the affairs of their councils. “I want you to do well and you must remember that there is always a tomorrow. Consider yourself lucky to be in the position you are occupying. I want you to be patient with the government bearing in mind the economic situation of the country. “Don’t rebel against the party. You got to where you are now courtesy of the party. I am admonishing you to be loyal to the party. You
should also not rebel against your chairmen. I want the local government chairmen to also be transparent in their dealings with you. As councillors, the chairmen should also let you know what comes to the councils,” he said. Governor Fayose also advised the chairmen to ensure regular meetings with councillors and party leaders at ward level. He added that all of them must ensure the protection of what the party now has in the state.
Kwara women farmers cry out herdsmen invasion Biola Azeez-Ilorin
Women farmers in Kwara State, under the aegis of Smallholder Women Farmers Association, have cried out over incessant invasion of their farms by herdsmen, saying the development had resulted in their low agricultural production. Speaking during the annual citizens dialogue on the 2016 agriculture budget organised by the Civil Society Coalition on Women in Agriculture, supported by the Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEPE)/Actionaid in Ilorin at the weekend, the women said herdsmen always led their cattle to their farms in the night to eat up their crops. The women farmers, who are from Ilorin South, Ilorin East, Moro, Baruten Kaiama and Edu Local Government areas of the state, also said that many of them had sustained injuries in the process of resisting the herdsmen’s invasion of their farms. The women also complained of their inability to access loan for farming activities as well as tractors, herbicides, fertilizer and other farm inputs.
According to Iyabo Babatunde from Gbago in Asa Local Government Area ,many women farmers in the area have abandoned their farms for fear of attacks by the rampaging pastoralists. “The invasion of our farms by herdsmen and their cattle has taken its toll on our production. Many of the women farmers are no longer interested in farming again. Hence, they have abandoned their farms. We urge the state government to intervene by protecting us and our farmlands from these herdsmen,” she added. In his earlier presentation, the Programme Officer of CCEPE, Mr Abdulrahaman Ayuba, had urged the state government to allocate “an amount not less than five per cent of the total state budget to the agriculture sector and progressively increase it to meet up with the 10 per cent 2003 Maputo Declaration.” He added that the state government should continue with the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS), saying that “though the scheme had several challenges, but enough experience has been gained to improve its operations.”
From left, Bishop, Ilesa Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Right Reverend Dr Olubayo Sowale and other bish-
Right Reverend (Dr) Olubayo Sowale (middle) and other dignitaries, cutting the cake for the annual conference.
27
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 08111845048
features
Delta: After 25 years of neglect, Cable Point comes alive When it rained, all the water drained into Cable Point and due to the absence of drainage, the situation became pathetic. But today, the story has changed
Gov Okowa
Founded over a century ago, Cable Point area of Asaba, Delta State once was an economic nerve centre in the state. However, for over 25 years, it relapsed into a ghetto because of the lack of basic facilities and amenities. ALPHONSUS AGBORH reports how today the story of that area has changed for the better today with the construction of a new road network.
B
efore the construction of River Niger Bridge linking Onitsha with Asaba in 1965, vehicles and human beings were ferried across the river through the pontoon at Cable Point. It was called Cable Point because of the number of communication cables dumped by the river side. Asaba, having served as the capital of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate, was full of activities then and anybody travelling to the East from the West or vice versa must pass through the pontoon at Cable Point. So the area became a commercial nerve centre of sorts. Warehouses became common there. It was, indeed, a point where goods exchanged hands, motorists relaxed and travellers could sleep with two eyes closed at night. Succinctly put, Cable Point was a traveller’s delight. But soon after the construction of Niger Bridge, things changed. The road diversion through Osadebey Way to main Asaba robbed Cable Point of its glory. The area was abandoned by subsequent governments of the Midwest Region, Bendel and now Delta State. They did not do much to upgrade facilities that meant to add values to the residents in the area despite the popular cable market where
A section of the rehabilitated road at Cable Point. farm produce were sold relatively cheaper than in any other market around the state capital. History has it that prominent Asaba indigenes have their roots in Cable Point. For over 25 years, the major road leading to Cable Point in Asaba, Delta State has remained impassable. Its deplorable state caused many commercial vehicles to cease operating on this route. Whether in rainy or dry season, the dilapidated state of roads, stinking gutters and shanties that dot the area hardly changes. For motorists, there were tales of woes while traders paid high fees to get to the market in the through ferries. “When it rained, all the water drained into Cable Point and due to the absence of drainage, the situation became pathetic. “But today, the story has changed and as we can see, the road is not only dualised with drainage and walk ways, but the work is of high quality.” That was the testimony of a resident of the area, Mallam Habu Abubakar, who comes from an older generation of people who have spent decades in the area. Cable Point is predominately populated by people of Northern extraction popularly called the Arewas. As far back as 1880, some Northerners had settled in the area. Majority of them
were traders and a significant number of them became very successful. In fact, some of their children and grandchildren became councillors and aides to governors. The master plan of the area has been a campaign slogan of politicians, both at the local and state governments levels, with the promise to make the roads motorable while providing water for the inhabitants. These promises never came to limelight as the people prayerfully hoped for a better life. Nevertheless, providence seemed to have smiled on the people when the present governor of the state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, took the bull by the horn. During his campaign, he did promise to work on the Cable Point Road, and as it used to be, the people did not take him serious. The people were, however, taken by surprise when in October last year, Dr. Okowa reiterated his plan to commence work on the road. Like a dream, the contract for the dualisation of the 2.1km was signed. It was actually the first contract to be signed and awarded by the Okowa administration. It was all cheers and praises for the governor when he came to inspect work on the road recently. Women at Cable Point Market could not hide their feelings when they trooped out in large numbers to
appreciate the gesture by the government. Senator Okowa had barely veered off the road project to inspect a parcel of land for the construction of a motor park at the market when the women recognized him and thronged him as they sang to express their happiness that the dream of many years had been realised. Traders along the road and inhabitants of the area soon joined the women to hail Senator Okowa and his team. “This man Okowa has put his foot print on the sand. We will not forget him. What many could not do, this man has done it; though they say there is no money. We are very happy,” one Monica Duru, a yam seller, said during the inspection. The governor, while addressing the traders, said the project was so dear to the administration that it decided to engage a Chinese firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), to handle it. He told the people to have confidence in his administration as it has brought good life to this part of the state capital that had been neglected for long. “My people thought it was a magic when Governor Okowa told them that he was going to change Cable Point as a whole with good roads and gutters to channel water in Asaba to the River Niger. “My people even danced “naked” because they have seen what they have not seen before,” Special Assistant to the governor on Non-indigene Affairs, Alhaji Muktar Usman said. According to him, Jarret Road and Lagos Street, which were impassable before are now motorable, adding that to come into Cable Point from these axes was difficult before. The aide said that following the rehabilitation of the roads, the value of properties in the area have started to go up. “For instance, there were houses put up for sale for over 20 years and nobody came for them. But today, people are taking a second look at them for the purpose of acquiring them. This is due to the fact that Cable Point is coming up, and fast too,” Muktar stated, describing the state governor as a grassroots politician.
28
features
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
A
s an entrepreneur, how has it been surviving in this economic environment; what has been your motivation? Basically, every business thrives within an environment, but as it is now, we need to take it from the global environment. The challenge that we have in this country is that we are a mono-product economy, we are trying to realise that and we are trying to get out of the wood as a mono-product economy. And also, this economy is extremely import-dependent, so now that we have a glut which has resulted in the price of crude dropping to about $40 per barrel in the international market, we have the problem. What is the problem? The problem is that when we had the boom days, we were not saving for the rainy days, we spent all what we earned, and not only that, we spent on mostly non-productive ventures. If we had spent the money judiciously, we wouldn’t have been in this kind of mess. So between the time that the economy would pick up, we would have a bridge that can sustain the country. But now, we don’t have any bridge that can sustain the economy. So the systems are defective and for us to move forward in this country, we need to have a near-perfect system. What other thing do you think is responsible for the situation we find ourselves in today? The main problem is this, as long as anybody in this country can be above the law, the system cannot be right. That is one. Two, as long as there is no accountability, then we can never have a perfect system. As long as you have people who are above the law, it can only lead to irresponsible leadership. As long as you don’t have people who are accountable to the masses who had voted for them, and then they continue to pass policies that are at variance with the interest of the average Nigerian, that can lead to irresponsible leadership. That is why you see people go to the National Assembly to pass laws that would benefit only their families and not their respective communities. So I believe that every member of the Senate is representing certain constituencies, so those constituencies must have an impact
Partnership with China’ll boost Nigeria’s economy — Dr. Ayodeji
Dr Taiwo Ayodeji is a business entrepreneur, marketing consultant, and an advertising practitioner with focus on brand development, among others. In this interview with BOLA BADMUS, Dr Ayodeji, who is also an economist and once practised journalism, speaks on issues of national interest. Excerpts: from their representatives in the Senate. Also, we don’t have accurate data base to plan. We don’t plan, even if we plan, there are some procedures, processes and what have you to put up a correct planning framework for the economy for the masses, for infrastructural development, for rural development and for urban development. We need to have solid data base. We don’t even know how many people we have in each local government in the country. We don’t know how many people are earning x,y,z income, so our tax
system is defective. The present day government is trying to fight corruption and he who comes to equity must come to equity with clean hands. Once you are pushing corruption with some reservations, we might have some slight problems. Also, if you are fighting corruption, you must be able to know that the system that is corrupt will fight back. Don’t you think this is happening not because the people are against war against corruption, but due to the
fact that people have not seen the efforts of government translating into meals on their tables 11 months after Buhari took over power? Let me tell you something, for you to see the impact of a new government, the infrastructure must be right, the systems must not be totally-corrupt and the systems must be functioning. There weren’t any functioning system when this government took over. The economic crisis has started ever before it took over. When they took over, they found out that they were in deep mess because the treasury was almost empty, but the mistake they made is this; as long as you are recouping some funds from people, you need then to provide the data base of funds that you have recouped. Government needs to look at the various emergencies that can be applied to the people to feel the impact of governance. You want to look at what can you do to generate and increase the revenue base of local governments; you want to look at what is called inward generation of incomes, outward generation of incomes; that is looking beyond the shores of Nigeria. Can we have your take on the president’s recent visit to China? It is a very good move because, if we are trading in Yuan, we would have shifted focus away from dollars and with time, the naira will be able to regain its value. Once we go into partnership with the Chinese in terms of boosting the production capacity of the various sectors in this economy, then we will be able to get our growth back and then the naira will have value. So for us to get there, it is going to take time. There is no magic that the present day government can do overnight that can turn the economy around. During the Idiagbon days, there was what we called WAI (War Against Indiscipline); we need to discipline ourselves. If we don’t discipline ourselves, the system will not be right, and if the system is not right, there is a problem. We must have war against corruption and also war against indiscipline; the two must go together. Everybody must have the attitude of being responsible. If we have irresponsible citizens, the problem of Nigeria cannot be resolved.
NGO restates commitment towards women empowerment By Oluwabunmi Ajayi
IN today’s world, women face different challenges in almost every area of life, and if they don’t get the necessary support, then it will be difficult for them to thrive in the society. It is, therefore, the need to provide support for the womenfolk that a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Life Changing Group, was established. The NGO, under the leadership of Chief (Mrs) Fadekemi Komolafe, aims towards providing the necessary support in order to bring women out of poverty. According to Chief (Mrs) Komolafe, women need all the support they can get, and that is why we at the Life Changing Group have taken it upon ourselves to provide this support. “However, we have people of substance who have been assisting the organisation towards making its work easier, and we are really grateful to them all,” Chief (Mrs) Komolafe said, and in appreciation of these people of substance, the organisation recently recognised the contributions of some of them to the support being given to lessprivileged women in the society. The event, which was held at the
From left, founder, Life Changing Group, Chief (Mrs) Fadekemi Komolafe; Registrar, Lead City University, Ibadan, Dr Oyesola Ayeni; General Manager, News and Current Affairs, Raypower FM, Mrs Funke Fadugba and another guest, during the NGOs meeting recently. Jogor Centre, Ibadan, had in attendance kind-hearted people who have taken it upon themselves to liberate women economically and financially, which Chief (Mrs) Komolafe believes, will assist in bringing about a better society. “When women are economically and financially liberated, then they wouldn’t have to depend on their husbands for everything; they can
also, out of their economic pursuits, maintain the household by feeding the children, and buying other basic items in the house. “It is when women are useful economically that their husbands respect them more, and this is how we believe the society can truly develop by assisting women to be economically independent,” Chief (Mrs) Komolafe said.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Director of Raypower/Faaji FM, Ibadan, Mrs Olufunke Fadugba, expressed her happiness with the efforts of the organisation towards empowering women in the society. “As earlier said, when women are empowered economically, it will definitely reflect on the society; they will have the means to assist in taking care of their children, and it
won’t be the husband who is doing everything. “We need to stop poverty among women in this country, and the only way to do it is through what the Life Changing Group is doing,” Mrs Fadugba said. In her remarks on the occasion, the Registrar of the Lead City University, Ibadan, Dr (Mrs) Oyekola Ayeni, who is one of the founders of the organisation, said the idea of the NGO is one that makes it possible for privileged women in the society to assist the less-privileged ones. “We can’t continue to wait for wealthy people in the society to assist less-privileged women, as there is something we can do on our own; so this is the idea behind the organisation,” Dr Ayeni said. While admitting that women are strong characters, the president of the organisation, Mr Akinola Rotimi Tope, said women have the zeal to succeed. “Even when the men of the house are not performing their responsibilities, you find women taking over the role, so it is as a result of this that I believe women who are finding it difficult to survive economically need to be assisted,” Mr Akinola said.
29 news
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
Niger Delta: Don’t repay violence with violence, Clark cautions Buhari •Says Jonathan not behind ‘Niger Delta Avengers’ Leon Usigbe-Abuja
C
HAIRMAN of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Ijaw National Council (INC) and former Minister of Education, Chief Edwin Clark, has disowned the “Niger Delta Avengers,” which has recently restarted militancy in the Niger Delta, but has warned President Muhammadu Buhari against carrying out his threat to quell the group’s activities with maximum military force. Addressing a news conference in Abuja, on Tuesday, he also absolved former President Goodluck Jonathan of blame on the formation of the group, which had blown up oil installations in the region in recent times. Noting that there were reports of human rights violation in the area, Clark stressed that dialogue was the best way out of the fresh crisis. He, therefore, advised Buhari to emulate his predecessors who brought exmilitants to the negotiation table with positive effect on the nation’s economy. President Buhari has given the armed forces orders to move into the region and deal with the new militant group.
However, noting that the destruction of the goose that lays the golden egg was not a viable option, he said: “In my many years of leadership at various levels in this country, I know that any resurgence to violence and insecurity only leaves a trail of tension, neglect, pain and wanton violence in the areas concerned. “Even when security forces move in with intention of restoring law and order, it is the innocent villagers, particularly the women, children, and
the old, that suffer most. “The Niger Delta is yet to recover from the season of violence which we experienced between 2005 and 2009.” “I, hereby, strongly call on the Niger Delta Avengers and any others of like mind, to desist, forthwith, from their activities, and embrace dialogue as the best means of having their grievances assuaged,” Clark pleaded. The foremost Ijaw leader said even though some of the points being made by the Niger Delta Avengers
were valid, including the Maritime University and unjust allocation of resources by the previous administrations, they must adopt a non-violent means to press home their demands. “My response to this their battle cry is, yes, but these are ongoing issues, for which more destruction is not the answer. The answer is in the implementation of the national conference for an all-in-inclusiveness based on equity and fair play,” he added.
5 oil workers: Delta communities give Chevron 72 hours Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri HOST communities to facilities of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) have given the company 72 hours to facilitate the release of five persons arrested by members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) last weekend in connection with pipeline bombings in Delta State. The communities said contrary to military reports in the media, the five alleged militants arrested by the JTF were actually contract workers of the American oil giant. The arrested staff were said to be inspecting earlier bombed pipelines ahead the
visit of the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) team, which was billed to inspect the extent of damage, when soldiers swooped on them. The communities stated that the workers were with their identification cards and were ferried to the site in Chevron’s boat when they were picked up. They added that the explanations given by the arrested persons that they were sent for inspection fell on deaf ears, as they were arrested and whisked to the military base at Koko in Warri North Local Government Area of the state where they had been in detention since last
Saturday. The communities have, therefore, given Chevron 72 to effect the release of the said oil workers else they would withdraw all the surveillance workers, among other workers working for oil firms in the area as their safety were no longer guaranteed. They accused Chevron of paying lip service to the arrest of the five community workers. The communities also expressed worries over the continued harassment and intimidation community residents and oil workers faced.
30
south-westnews
Military pensioners seek presidential intervention By Kehinde Adio and Vera Onana
A
pressure group of military pensioners stormed Tribune House on Tuesday, demanding for the prompt intervention of the presidency in the disbursement of pension arrears. Speaking with reporters, chairman of pressure group, Chief Gabriel Oaikhena said, “Right now, we are being owed three and half years of arrears, but we have been told that we are going to be paid only 12 months by the cabals in the military pension board. “We want President Muhammadu Buhari and Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun to move very quickly so that we will not be cheated out of our full entitlements by some clever rogue.” Oaikhena stated that military pensioners have been maintaining their cool, but added “when a man comes into your house and tries to take away your wife, you must use any weapon to fight back.” He, however, explained to the reporters that military pensioners nationwide have come currently
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Bakare Dupe Elizabeth now MRS. AGBOLADE DUPE ASUNLE. All former documents remain valid. Police Command and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Ogunleye Christiana Olufunmilayo now MRS. ADEWOYE CHRISTIANA OLUFUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Abodunrin Felicia Olanike now MRS. OLABIYI FELICIA OLANIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Motunrayo Ola now ADEBAYO MOTUNRAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Taiwo Yanmife Abigael now TAIWO OLUWAYANMIFE ABIGAEL. All former documents remain valid. NECO, JAMB, LAUTECH, NYSC and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Popoola Adebola Mariam now AKINMOYE ADEBOLA OMOLEYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
I, OLANREWAJU OLUFEMI KOLAPO am the same person bearing ELIJAH OLUFEMI OLANREWAJU. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.
in that position. “In 2014, according to Oaikhena, military pensioners protested in Abuja about 10 times for the release of the pension funds, but now that it looks like the money is about to be paid, a cabal in defence and military pension board is allegedly trying to corner the fund.” He reminded the government that the peace the nation enjoys is as a result of the sacrifices made by military personnel, “they seem to have forgotten the help we gave to Nigeria from 1967 to 1970. Several soldiers were lost and nobody was compensated. The money former President Goodluck Jonathan allocated to military personnel in 2010 was paid in bits and pieces by the military pension board instead of the bulk arrears.” “We restricted Biafra, but we are living in abject poverty - we cannot pay house rents or finance the schooling of our children. This current administration has seen our pain as well and made provision for us in the 2016 budget but the clever rouges in the system are trying to hijack the money.”
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Mr. Faleti Oladiran D. now MR. FALETI OLADIRAN ADEFEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CORRECTION OF NAME
I, Jimoh Wasiu Gbenga, my name was erroneously written as Jimoh Nimota Wasiu Gbenga instead of Jimoh Wasiu Gbenga. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as JIMOH WASIU GBENGA.All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Badejo Anuoluwapo Yewande now MRS. ADEDAYO-BADEJO ANUOLUWAPO YEWANDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016 CONFIRMATION OF NAME
I, Sekinata Oyeniyi Sulaimon am the same person bearing Sekinata Sulaimon Oyeniyi. Now, I wish to be known as SEKINAT OYENIYI SULAIMON. All documents bearing these names valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Okolo Tunde Nwachukwu now MR EMMANUEL O L A T U N D E OLATOMIWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Moses Iyabo Now MOSES IYABO IYADUNNI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I,formerly Ayo Afolabi Sunday now AYO AFOLABI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Miss Animashaun Opeyemi Adenike am the same person bearing Mrs Olatunji Opeyemi Adenike. Now, I wish to be known as MRS OWOLAWASE OPEYEMI ADENIKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Tijani Abiodun Risikat now TIJANI ADUNOLUWA RISIKAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Akinro Idowu Deborah now MRS OJO IDOWU DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I,formerly Miss Enyi Patience Olubunmi now MRS FALEGAN PATIENCE OLUBUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Miss Temilade Sakirat Adegoke now MRS AZEEZ TEMILADE SAKIRAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Salami Abiodun now MRS SHOWEMIMO ABIODUN AFOLAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Miss Tawakalitu Omotayo Obe now MRS OMOTAYO TAWAKALIT JOSEPH-OGIOLU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Boladale Remilekun Abiodun now ADEBAYO FATIMOH KIKELOMO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Adeloye Abosede Christiana now MRS ALAKE ABOSEDE CHRISTIANA. All former documents remain valid. Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Janet Ninma Bako now MRS JANET NINMA OLADEJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Owoeye Olabisi Esther now MRS FORTUNE OLABISI ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME/ CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH
I, Jimoh Ganiyu Yakubu am the same person bearing Yakubu Ganiyu, Alhaji G. Jimoh, Alhaji Ganiyu Jimoh and Ganiyu Arolowo Yakubu. Henceforth, I wish to be known as JIMOH GANIYU YAKUBU. My correct date of birth is 1st January, 1932 not 12th May, 1930. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Odeyemi Bukola Funmilayo now ODEYEMI IYABO OLUWABUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Ayanyelu Dorcas Oluwafunmilayo now MRS ADENIYI DORCAS OLUWAFUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Taiwo Tosin Aremu now MRS TAIWO TOSIN AREMU YINUSA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Odukoya Olurotimi Omobusola now MRS TEMIYE OLUROTIMI OMOBUSOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Oshosanya Olukunle Oluwatobi now OSHOSANYAENIOLA OLUKUNLE OLUWATOBI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ogeh Oluchi Ogba now MRS ONASANYA OLUCHI ORIAKU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Samuel Akinropo now SAMUEL OLUSEGUN AJAYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Muritala Shakirat Abisola now MRS HASSAN SHAKIRAT ABISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Abiodun Abolade Aderibigbe now ADERIBIGBE ABIODUN ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, Mercy Adenike Yinka Adebayo am the same person bearing Mercy Adenike Adebayo and Adebayo Adenike Yinka. Now, I wish to be known as MERCY ADENIKE YINKA ADEBAYO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Alatise Barakat now ALATISE BARAKAT OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Olagboye Rashidat now MRS RAFIU RASHIDAT. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc, FCMB Plc and general public take note.
I, Michael Sunday Adekola Adeaga Lawore am the same person bearing Michael Adekola Adeaga Olawore, Sunday Adeaga Lawore and Michael Sunday Adeaga Lawore. Henceforth, I wish to be known as MICHAEL SUNDAY ADEKOLA ADEAGA LAWORE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Dawood Silifat Ayoke now MRS EKUNDAYO SILIFAT AYOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Samuel Ekuwhovwve now SAMUEL MISTERKAY. All documents former names remain valid. General public take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Motunrayo Busari am the same person bearing Ibironke Atere. Now, I wish to be known as IBIRONKE ATERE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Oluwatosin Laide Adeniji now MRS OLUWATOSIN LAIDE ADENIJI-ADEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Miss John Rebecca now MRS MBA JULIET. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Miss Adetunji Adamo Olawumi now MRS AJIBOYE ADAMO OLAWUMI. All former documents remain valid. Staff of SUBEB, Osun State and general public take note.
This is to inform the general public that I formerly Olorunfemi Folasade Arise hereby correct and change my name to Olorunfemi Folasade Esther. That henceforth, I want to confirm that I am the one bearing OLORUNFEMI FOLASADE ESTHER . All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Esonu Oluomachi Caroline now ESONU OLUOMACHI CAROL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Miss Adesina Oluyemisi Omobola now MRS VICTOR-ADEDOKUN OLUYEMISI OMOBOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Mr Popoola Ishola Abayomi now MR POPOOLA ABAYOMI LATEEF. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Olatunde Temitope Seun now MRS OGUNLEYE TEMITOPE SEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, Elutadebo Ronke Rebecca am the same person bearing Elutadeso Ronke Rebecca as mistakenly put in my certificates. Now, I wish to be known as ELUTADEBO RONKE REBECCA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, WAEC, NECO and general public take note.
I, formerly Miss Owaboye Victoria Romoke now MRS FAYEMI VICTORIA ROMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Ayanbamijii Lukman Alaba am the same person bearing Ayanbamijii Lukman. Henceforth, I wish to be known as AYANBAMIJII LUKMAN ALABA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Miss Oyelami Naimot Taiwo now MRS NAIMOT TAIWO OYELAMILAOYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Miss Dahunsi Olabisi Ruth now MRS EGBESOLA RUTH OLABISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CORRECTION OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Isaiah James am the same person bearing Oluwafemi James. Henceforth, I wish to be known as ISAIAH JAMES. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Okekunle Mary now OKEKUNLE MORUFAT ADEBIMPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Bukola Precious Ajibade now MRS BUKOLA PRECIOUS SAM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Adebiyi Olufemi Olalekan now ADEBIYI OLUFEMI OLALEKAN PETER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Abdulraheem Ruqayah Odunayo now MRS OGUNLANA RUQAYAH ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid. SUBEB, Oyo State and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Mr Solomon Olorunrotimi now MR IKUPOLATI ADESHINA FRANCIS. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Lamidi Sheriff Iyanda now LAMIDI SHERIFF OMOGBENUSOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ehiagwina Stella now EHIAGWINA STELLA EBOSATALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adesina Funmilayo Ruth now OJO FUNMILAYO RUTH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Oniyide Funmilayo Deborah now MRS EGUNGBOHUN AYINLA FUNMILAYO DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Omolara Kemi Oyateru now MRS OMOLARA KEMI AREMU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Ajibola Blessing Patience now MRS TOPE-FATUKASI BLESSING PATIENCE. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Ogunberu Abigeal Abosede now MRS OLATUNBOSUN ABIGEAL ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Adesioye Ibukunoluwa Tinuade now MRS ESO-OLADIPUPO IBUKUNOLUWA TINUADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Adeloye Adekunle David now ADELOYE ADEKUNLE SAMSON. All former documents remain valid. OSCOTECH, Esa-Oke and general public take note.
31 CONFIRMATION OF NAME
I, Eze Mmaduabuchi am the same person as Eze Mmaduabuchi Chukwudi and Eze Abuchi in different documents. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as EZE MMADUABUCHI. Documents bearing these names are mine and valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Esther Itata Jackson now MRS. ESTHER UMOH MICHAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. RECONCILIATION OF NAME
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Akinyooye Taiwo Iyabo now AKINYOOYE PAM TAIWO IYABO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Ukperi Benjamin now BENJAMIN SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Miss Afolabi Tope Funmilayo now MRS. SAKARIYAU KABIRAT TOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, Omasan Oritsgbemi Omatsone am same person as Oritsgbemi Omatsume, Omason Omatsone, Oritsgbemi Omatsone, but now wish to be known as OMASAN ORITSGBEMI OMATSONE. All former document remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Ojo Adedayo Femi now OJO ADEDAYO OLUFEMI. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc., Jericho and general public take note.
I, formerly Miss Folarin Modupe Oluwatosin now MRS. ADEPOJU MODUPE OLUWATOSIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Ogedegbe Gloria Tolulope now MRS. ADENITAN GLORIA TOLULOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Ojo Oyinlola Odunayo now MRS. ADEBAYO OYINLOLA ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Akinpelu Adeyinka Adedayo now AKINPELU ADEYINKA ADEDAYO ADEKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Bamigboye Bukola Oyinlola now MRS. BABATOPE BUKOLA OYINLOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Miss Olowu Abosede Hebron now MISS OLOWU ABOSEDE OMOBOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Afolayan Dupe now OJO MODUPEOLA MARY. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Aderonke Abosede Olawuyi now MRS ADERONKE ABOSEDE JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Oladipupo Omolara Akanke now OLAEWE OMOLARA AKANKE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.
I, formerly Opadiran Olukola Taiwo now OPADIRAN JOSEPH TAIWO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Funke Christiana Fapetus now FUNMI CHRISTIANA FAPETUS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Mr Adeniji Saheed Olalekan now MR AZEEZ SAHEED OLALEKAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Onyezoba Ebere Tessy now MRS. OKENWA EBERE THERESA. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc., and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Olugunojin Ayotunde Joel now KEHINDE AYOTUNDE CLARENCE JOEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Arowolo Adebusola Odunayo now ADELEYE ADEBUSOLA ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Moshood Fatiat Omowumi now MRS. SHITTU FATIAT OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Hospital Management Board and general public take note.
I, formerly Alabanla Aishat Folashade now ABIODUN AISHAT FOLASHADE. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank Plc., and general public take note.
I, formerly Oladapo Victor Simon now MURANA VICTOR SIMON. My correct date of birth is 13th November, 1996 and not 13th November, 1995. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, Oni Oluwaseun Ebenezer am the same person as Oni Boluwatife Oluwaseun. Henceforth, I want to be known as ONI OLUWASEUN EBENEZER. All documents bearing these names remain valid. UBA Plc., and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, HANAFI GARBA ADEKUNLE am the same person bearing HANAFI ADEKUNLE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc., and general public take note.
I, formerly Taiwo Ezekiel now TAIWO EZEKIEL JOSEPH. All documents bearing former name remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Miss Ige Hilda Oyefunmilayo Alake now MRS. AKINLAJA HILDA OYEFUNMILAYO ALAKE. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc., and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Mr. Akinola Emmanuel Oluwaseun now MR. AKINTUJOYE AKINOLA EMMANUEL OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, Oyelade Akintunde S. am the same person as Akintunde Oyelade S. and Oyelade Tunde. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OYELADE AKINTUNDE S. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank Plc., and general public take note.
I, formerly Miss Adegbola Adebukola Olufunke now MRS. DAGUNDURO ADEBUKOLA OLUFUNKE. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service and general public take note.
I, formerly Opeseitan Folakemi Dorcas now ALUKO FOLAKEMI DORCAS. All former documents remain valid. SUBEB, State of Osun and general public take note.
I, formerly Miss Sulaimon Elizabeth Teniola now MRS. AKEMU ELIZABETH TENIOLA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.
I, Adegun Nafisat Bolaji am the same person as Adegun Bolaji Nafisat and Adegun Nofisat (as wrongly written by WAEC). Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ADEGUN NAFISAT BOLAJI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Muhammad Asmau Ango now MRS. IBRAHIM ASMAU ANGO. All former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public take note.
CORRECTION OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Akinbode Kehinde Oluwafunke now MRS. ADEWOLE KEHINDE OLUWAFUNKE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, OLAWALE OLANIYI JOHN FREDRICK am the same person as OLAWALE OLANIYI JOHN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. EcoBank Plc., and general public take note.
I, formerly OLUWOLE DANIELS now OTOBIJA JOHNWAYNE BEST. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, Ganiyu Fatai Taiwo am the same person as Ganiyu Olaniyi Taiwo. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ALHAJI GANIYU OLANIYI TAIWO. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.
I, formerly Adeyemi Rafiu Adegoke now SAKA RAFIU ADEGOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Miss Olugbeja Lateefat Abiola now MRS ADEGOKE LATEEFAT ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Tope Okunola now TEMITOPE NIKE DORCAS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Mrs. Balogun Taibat Shola Adekale now MRS. ADESINA TAIBAT SHOLA ADEKALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Shoyinka Omolola Olabisi now DR. MRS. ANTHONY OMOLOLA OLABISI. All former documents remain valid. UCH (University Teaching Hospital) and general public take note.
I, formerly Miss Adeleke Adebimpe Ajoke now MRS. DARE-DAVIDS ADEBIMPE AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Favour Inyang Akpan now FAVOUR COLLINS BASSEY. All former documents remain valid. Institutions and general public take note.
I, formerly Enaifoghe Emmanuel now ENAIFOGHE EMMANUEL OLUWAFEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Babatope Omotola Omowumi now MRS. ONIYIDE OMOTOLA OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Olowe Olamide Rebecca now ADETONA OLAMIDE REBECCA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
I, Rasheed Iyiola am the same person bearing Rasheed Iyiola Olabode. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as RASHEED IYIOLA OLABODE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Skye Bank Plc., and general public take note.
I, formerly Abuh Unekwu now IDRIS ABUBAKAR UNEKWU. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc., GTBank Plc., and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Oniyesan Mofe Oghenerume now DIGHEREJI STANLEY OGHENERUME. All former Documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
I, Patrick Charles Sunday am the same person bearing Patrick Charles Orinya. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as PATRICK CHARLES ORINYA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Ganiyu Rasaq Adekunle now ABDULGANEEY ABDULRASAQ ADEKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. United Bank for Africa Plc., and general public take note.
I, formerly Miss Ekundayo Yemisi Blessing now Mrs Olanipekun Yemisi Blessing. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Folake Olayide Amoo now FOLAKE OLAYIDE FAOLA OYEKANMI. All former documents remain valid. Ibadan South West Local Government, First Bank Plc., and general public take note.
I, Olabode Okunlola am the same person as Kosamotu Adeniyi Okunlola. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OLABODE OKUNLOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Miss Busola Ponle now MRS. BUSOLA AKASILI. All former documents remain valid. Believers’ Love World Inc., and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Jummai Yakubu now MISS AKINWANDE COMFORT ADESHOLA. All former documents remain valid. Central Primary School, Pandogari; Madaki Primary School, Minna; Maryam Babangida Girls’ Science College, Minna; Federal University of Technology, Minna; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
This is to notify the public that I, Miss. Omoigiade Enorragbon Ruth am the same person as OMOIGIADE IFUEKO ENORRAGBON. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Liadi Taiwo Hassan now YUSUFF TAIWO HASSAN. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc., UBA Plc., First Bank Plc., and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, Remi Yusuf am the same person bearing Yusuf Remilekun Ronke. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as YUSUF REMILEKUN RONKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Orodokun Mosadoluwa now ARASI IDRIS A. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Miss Nwagwunor Linda Nneka now MRS. AWORENI LINDA NNEKA. All former documents remain valid. GTB Plc., and general public take note.
I, formerly Miss Rabiat Bolanle Hassan now MRS. BOLANLE RITA OKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Ogunsanya Fehintola Omolara now MRS. FALADE FEHINTOLA OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank Plc., Zenith Bank Plc., and general public take note.
I, Ebohon Charles Cornelious am the same person bearing Ebohon Raymond Cornelious. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as EBOHON CHARLES CORNELIOUS. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Dr. Amaanwi Wanki Christa-Glory Bih now DR. MRS UWAGIE-ERO CHRISTA-GLORIA BIH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Oladipo Taiwo, Oladipo Taiwo Oladipo, Oladipo Taiwo Olusegun now wish to be known and addressed as OLADIPUPO TAIWO OLUWASEGUN. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc, SUMAL Food Ltd and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Nwajagu Gloria Chijioke now OKOYE NGOZI GLORIA CHIJIOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Maleek Kafayat now MRS ADELEGAN KAFAYAT OLADUNNI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adisa Akeem now LATEEF FARAYADE AKEEM. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank Plc and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Idowu Sherifat Oriyomi now MRS. ARAROMI SHERIFAT ORIYOMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Adisa Ojo Shefudeen now ADISA SHEFIU OJO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Ogunyoyin Dorcas Jumoke now MRS ALAKE DORCAS JUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and general public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Mrs. Naomi Erobosa Ayavoro now MISS NAOMI EROBOSA UKOKO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Muyide Folakemi Abisola now MRS. AWELEWA FOLAKEMI ABISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Miss Olawemo Bukola Dorcas now MRS. SHOBOYEJO BUKOLA DORCAS. All former documents remain valid. GTB Plc., Fidelity Bank Plc., and general public take note.
I, formerly Miss Olanrewaju Aishat Abiodun now MRS. OLUPITAN AISHAT A. OLANREWAJU. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.
I, formerly Miss Adeyemi Modupe now MRS. AKINWUMI SHAKIRAT TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
I, formerly Mrs. Jemilat Abiola Morakinyo now MRS. JEMILAT ABIOLA AJIBADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
I, Oluigbo Ignatius Chukwunonyerem am the same person bearing Oluigbo Ignatius Chinoyerem. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OLUIGBO IGNATIUS CHUKWUNONYEREM. My correct date of birth is 2nd June, 1976 and not 27th July, 1976. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly Peter Destiny Friday now ONWUNA DESTINY EDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
32
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
33
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
34
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
35
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
36
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
37
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
38 HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM), ORGANISED BY WIFE OF THE OYO STATE GOVERNOR, MRS FLORENCE AJIMOBI, ON TUESDAY.
From left, Country Representative, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Mr Osaretin Adanri; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Michael Adeyemo; wives of Osun and Ekiti governors, Sherifat Aregbesola and Feyisetan Fayose; Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; his wife, Florence and the Oyo State deputy governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo, at the high-level meeting on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), held at Western hall, House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Ibadan, on Tuesday.
From left, Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; his wife, Florence; wife of Osun State governor, Sherifat Aregbesola and the wife of Ekiti State governor, Feyisetan Fayose, at the event.
Dignitaries at the high-level meeting.
Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi (right), his deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo and the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Michael Adeyemo, having a chat at the event.
Wives of the three state governors, from left, Feyisetan Fayose, Florence Ajimobi and Sherifat Aregbesola.
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
39
Wednesday, 18 May, 2016
corporatesport
With Niyi Alebiosu adeniyi70@yahoo.com 08116954642
Savannah Conference wins DStv Basketball All Stars Championship By Olawale Olaniyan
S
avannah Conference All Stars last weekend retained the championship they won last year as they defeated Atlantic Conference All Stars in the 2016 DStv Basketball All Star Championship decided at the indoor hall of the National Stadium, Abuja. The Savannah team made up of stars from Kano Pillars and members of the national team fought hard to beat the Atlantic team by only four points as the game ended 81-77. Savannah All Stars led in the first and second quarters of the championship before they drew 69-69 in the third quarter. Spectators were kept on the edge of their seats while the game lasted as it was full of exciting action where the Savannah stars eventually secure four points lead in the final quarter. The championship spiced with the Best 3-point Shooter, Skill Challenge and Slam Dunk, among other contests saw the best from Anita Apata, Suleiman Owolabi and Lucky Subel. Romeo Wilfred won the Most outstading player of the championship, as Best 3-point Shooter award was won by Apata, Suleiman Owolabi triumphed in the Skill Challenge, while Subel won the Slam Dunk contest. The Most Valuable Player of the tournament went to Dele Ademola of Kano Pillars after he dunked in 18 points with six rebounds. In his remarks, the General Manager, Marketing MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho said he was impressed with the turn out of spectators despite holding the event in Abuja for the first time. “An event that is coming to Abuja for the first time, I think the attendance was good with the high profile of guests who were here starting from the Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, Justice Nasiru Ajanah, Engineer Habu Gomel, House Committee Chair-
man on Sports, Honourable Lawal Bukar, Nigeria Tennis Federation President, Engineer Sani Ndanusa and to various commissioner, coaches and to the fans of the basketball, I think it is a wonderful experience. “The standard of play on the court lived up to the expectations and kudos to other media that joined us to support the development of sport especially basketball. “Our expectations are definitely met, we expected it to be lively and we are hoping that the next outing in Lagos for basketball and with all other sports that we support, we will see a lot of people in terms of attendance but I believe I will like to see more in our next championship. “Taking the game round the country is part of our startegies, the mandate for the Basketball Federation, for the football federation and for the boxing administrator in the country, our mandate is to reach all the 36 states of the federation and the FCT. “Abuja All Stars games was a successful programme and we will soon together with the basketball administrator (NBBF) decide where we are to go next season. As football is going to various states already, we will do our analyisis and decide where to hold the championship next year,” Mabutho said.
President, Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Tijani Umar; General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho presenting 3-point Shooter trophy to Akpara Akita during the DStv Basketball All Star Game 2016, held at the indoor sport hall of the National Stadium, Abuja last Saturday.
2016 Nnpc/Shell Cup hots up The zonal preliminary matches which took place at the township stadium Katsina produced two schools for the quarter finals of this year’s NNPC/ Shell. The quarter finialists are: Government Secondary School, Kwankaso, Kano and Government Day Secondary School, Samaru Ibrahim, Gusau while Fosla Academy secondary
School, Abuja emerged from the Minna zone of the preliminaries. Government Secondary School, Goniri booked a quarter final ticket from Jalingo zone at the expense of schools from Gombe, Borno and Adamawa states. At Ilorin, Bauchi state represented by Government Secondary School,
Darazo emerged as qualifiers for the quarter finals just as Excel Education Centre, Port Harcourt also defeated all her opponents at the Uyo zone to clinch the quarter final ticket. Owerri zone produced National Grammar School, Nike, Enugu State as the champions of the zone and booked a ticket to play at the quarter finals.
18th Nestle Milo Basketball Championship:
Adamawa, Kogi land in confluence q/finals Kogi State’s representatives in the girls category have booked a quarter final ticket in the ongoing Nestle Milo Secondary school Basketball Championship at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Lokoja Stadium, Kogi State. Harmony Secondary School, Lokoja, defeated Government Girls Unity Secondary School, Gwaram, Jigawa State and Government Girls Unity Secondary School Damaturu, Yobe State by 27-09 and 24-04 to advance to
the quarter final stage, while Government Secondary School Numan, Adamawa State thrashed Government Secondary School Gindiri, Plateau State and Government girls Secondary School Jogona, Kano State with 32-11 and 14-12 respectively. In the boys cadre, General Murtala Muhammad Yola, Adamawa State progressed to the next stage by defeating Giwo Science Academy Bauchi State with 45-12 points, while
Darusalam Science Academy Maiduguri, Borno State made away with a 34-23 points victory over Cocin Comprehensive College Gindiri, Plateau State. In another encounter, the hosts, Crowther Memorial College Lokoja beat Government Unity Secondary School Ringim, Jigawa state by 43-24. The elated coach of Crowther Memorial College, Rizama Sheneni (Jnr.) said after the match, that he feels great to make it to last
eight and that his players achieved it through hard work. ”We had our game plans and all we needed to do was keep our focus and continue the way we began. ”We were not under pressure. We were confident from the onset that we were going to qualify from the group stage and we are happy to have done that in the end. ”The next thing for us is to prepare well for our next game.” Rizama said.
Other quarter finalists are: St. Marys High School, Ifitedunu, Enugu State, Pakoto High School, Ifo, Ogun state and Asegun Comprehensive High School, Ibadan, Oyo state that qualified from Ughelli, Osogbo and Akure zones respectively. Meanwhile, the quarter finals have been scheduled to take place in four centers, namely: Katsina, Ilorin, Benin and Osogbo from May 21st – May 24th. Quarter Final Fixtures Centre One – Katsina GSS, Kwankwaso, Kano vs Fosla Academy Secondary School, Abuja Centre Two – Ilorin GSS Goniri, YobeVs Govt. Senior Sec. Schl, Darazo vs Govt. Day Sec.Schl, Gusau. Centre Three – Benin Excel Education Centre, P/Harcourt vs St. Marys High School, IfitedunuVs National Grammar School, Nike, Enugu. Centre Four – Osogbo Pakoto High School, Ifo, Ogun state vs Asegun Comprehensive High School, Ibadan, Oyo State.
SIDELINES
NO 16,503
WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY, 2016
N150
The Benue State government is still looking for a Vicar General of Otukpo Catholic Diocese, Rev Father Adeyi, who was abducted on the Enugu-Otukpa road on April 24, 2016. Pray, do those who kidnap clerics think about how hard it will be for them to make heaven?
NFF crisis: Reps summon
minister, NFF officials, others Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel-Abuja
T
HE House of committee on sports will interface with officials of the Nigerian Football Federation, the minister of sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung as well as other sports stakeholders in the country are expected to report back to House within two weeks for further legislative action. The House resolution was sequel to a motion of urgent
public importance on the need to intervene in the lingering crisis rocking the NFF, sponsored by Honourable Prestige Ossy. According to him, the NFF is currently facing serious leadership tussle between two factional groups led by Mr Amaju Pinnick and Mr Chris Giwa. He told the House that, the power tussles arose from the NFF’s presidential election held on 30th September, 2014 during which Mr Pinnick was declared winner.
The lawmaker however told the House that since April 8 High court judgement that nullified Mr Pinnick’s election and declaration of Mr Giwa as the winner there had been in fighting between the duo. He also informed the House that it took the timely intervention of officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force to prevent a total breakdown of law and order at the NFF on April 12. The lingering crisis in the NFF he said led to Nigeria’s painful elimination at hands of the Egyptian national team during the next African Cup of Nations. To this end, he said that, if the crisis is not resolved on time, Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the next FIFA World Cup in Russia 2018 may be jeopardised.
Fans demand 3SC GM’s resignation
Chairman, organising committe, Walk For Life Programme organised by Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Mr Bala Yesufu; Prince Gbenga Lufadeju, Vice President, Lagos Lawn Tennis Club and Mr Shina Atilola, Group Head, Strategy and Communications, Sterling Bank Plc at the press conference organised by Sterling Bank for the LLTC Walk for project in Lagos.
Ambode to kick off LLTC walk for life programme GOVERNOR of Lagos State, Mr. AkinwunmiAmbode will on Saturday, flag off the 2016 edition of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club programme tagged ‘Walk for Life’. Sport enthusiasts both in the private and public sectors and representatives from other clubs- Ikoyi Club, Yoruba Tennis Club, Club Arcade, Island Club, Civil Service Clubs such as the VGC Tennis and Police Mess will also be in attendance for the 15 Kilometer walk. Disclosing this at the press conference organized by Sterling Bank Plc for the event, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the event, Mr. BalaYesufu said the event is organized yearly to promote healthy living among Nigerians. He also stated that the Club will also use the opportunity of the Walk to unveil its new world class Gym Equipment donated by Alhaji. AliuSa-
laudeen for Aerobics and physicl fitness. Mr. Yesufu stated that participants at the event will converge at the LLTC car park opposite the Tafawa Balewa Square Bus Terminal and walk onto Outer Marina, Bony Camp, OzumbaMbadiwe, Law School interchange on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi and then back to the LLTC.
In his remarks, the Group Head, Strategy & Communications of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Shina Atilola emphasized that as a corporate responsible organization committed to enriching lives, the backing of the financial institution has indeed demonstrated its commitment to programmes that would have positive impact on the generality of Nigerians.
Mr. Atilola who disclosed that the Bank is already coming up with a very strong health desk that would address health related issues across the value chain also assured that Sterling Bank will continue to sustain its long standing relationship with the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club especially in the areas of providing good health through sport.
Mourinho rules out Man Utd move
Mourinho
JOSE Mourinho has again denied he has a deal in place to take over at Manchester United this summer. The Portuguese has been out of work since he was sacked by Chelsea last December following a poor defence to the Premier League title, but he has suggested more than once that a return to management is on the cards ahead of the 2016-17
season. Mourinho has been heavily linked with a move to United, with Louis van Gaal’s future still under scrutiny, while more recent speculation has suggested that the former Real Madrid manager is in talks with PSG. However, Mourinho is adamant that he does not have an agreement in place with any club.
FOLLOWING the dismal performance of the team, fans of troubled Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Ibadan, have demanded for the resignation of the club’s general manager, Rasheed Balogun for allegedly mismanaging the club. The fans alleged that for the past three years the players of the Nigeria premier league club do not have contracts, they have been on half pay and are sacked at will. They also claim that only six players are owned by the club with the rest of the squad on loan. These players include; Taofeek Adepoju, Seun Akinyemi, Ibrahim Babalola, Diran Oyelade and Ajani Ibrahim. “Balogun should follow Ikhana and leave our club,” demanded one of the angry fans who craved anonymity. “The government monthly allocation to Shooting Stars is now 14 million naira and even when they were in division two they were getting 20 million naira two years ago. Why then should they be crying over lack money when all the players are paid a flat rate salary of 140,000 Naira?” Another fan who do not want to be mentioned told AfricanFootball.com that current Plateau United goalkeeper Danladi was sacked for being a “destablising factor” at the club after he demanded to be giv-
en his contract last season. “What we have is that the club prefer verbal agreements with the players and when they cannot clear the monies they owe a player, they prefer to give him a free clearance,” he accused. “The club desperately need a focused and competent manager who can work outside what government gives the club. If there is one club who can do that in Nigeria, it will be Shooting Stars with their large fan base going beyond the country.” The players are owed salaries running to six months. It was further understood that veteran coach, Kadiri Ikhana quit his post because of broken down working relationship with Balogun. 3SC languish second from bottom of the table with 17 points in the 17-week-old league.
Balogun
Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 18/5/2016.