monday, november 9, 2015 new

Nigeria closer to oil find in Chad Basin, says Kachikwu

L-R: Miss Nigeria 2015 1st runner-up, Kehinde Itunu Adeyemi from Jigawa; winner, Pamela Peter-Vigboro Leesi, from Cross River and 2nd runner-up, Asiana Mary, from Oyo, during the contest in Lagos, yesterday.

Ayo EsAn, Justin tyopuusu And REginA otokpA

At least, 12 people were feared killed in Wukari, Taraba

State, yesterday, following the ruling of the state's gubernatorial election pe-titions tribunal sitting in Abuja, which sacked Gov-ernor Darius Ishaku.

The tribunal had on Saturday removed Ishaku as governor on grounds that he was not duly nomi-

Chidi ugwuABUJA Group Managing Di-

rector of Nigerian National Petro-

leum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has in-

dicated that the country may well be on the verge of a significant oil find in Lake Chad, based on anal-

Vol. 5 N0. 1239 Monday, November 9, 2015 N150National Mirror Online @NationalMirror

FL

IGH

T S

CH

ED

UL

E

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS

TUESDAYS SATURDAYSTHURSDAYS

SUNDAYS

UPDATED 30/10/2015

DESTINATION FLT NO DEP ARR STOPS A/C

ABUJA TO LAGOS

VL2101 0900 1015 0 B737

VL2105 1400 1515 0 B737

VL2103 1500 1615 0 B737

VL2109 1715 1830 0 B737

VL2107 1915 2030 0 B737

ABUJA TO MAIDUGURI VL2108 1315 1430 0 B737

ABUJA TO YOLA VL2102 1050 1200 0 B737

ACCRA TO LAGOS VL0204 0800 1000 0 B737

ENUGU TO LAGOS VL2117 1750 2010 1 B737

LAGOS TO ABUJA VL2100 0700 0815 0 B737

VL2102 0850 1005 0 B737

VL2108 1115 1230 0 B737

VL2104 1200 1315 0 B737

VL2106 1715 1830 0 B737

LAGOS TO ACCRA VL0203 0715 0715 0 B737

LAGOS TO ENUGU VL2116 1600 1710 0 B737

LAGOS TO LONDON VL0209 1115 1710 0 B737

LONDON TO LAGOS VL0210 2210 0410 + 1

0 B737

LAGOS TO MAIDUGURI VL2108 1115 1430 1 B737

LAGOS TO PHC VL2110 1600 1820 1 B737

LAGOS TO YOLA VL2102 0850 1200 1 B737

MAIDUGURI TO ABUJA VL2109 1515 1630 0 B737


ABUJA TO LAGOS

VL2101 0900 1015 0 B737

VL2105 1400 1515 0 B737

VL2103 1500 1615 0 B737

VL2109 1715 1830 0 B737

VL2107 1915 2030 0 B737


ABUJA TO YOLA VL2102 1050 1200 0 B737



LAGOS TO ABUJA

VL2100 0700 0815 0 B737

VL2102 0850 1005 0 B737

VL2108 1115 1230 0 B737

VL2104 1200 1315 0 B737

VL2106 1715 1830 0 B737




LAGOS TO PHC VL2110 1600 1820 0 B737

LAGOS TO YOLA VL2102 0850 1200 1 B737



ABUJA TO LAGOS

VL2101 1000 1115 0 B737

VL2105 1400 1515 0 B737

VL2103 1500 1615 0 B737

ABUJA TO YOLA VL2102 1050 1200 0 B737



LAGOS TO ABUJA

VL2100 0800 0915 0 B737

VL2102 0850 1005 0 B737

VL2104 1200 1315 0 B737



LAGOS TO PHC VL2110 1130 1350 1 B737

LAGOS TO YOLA VL2102 0850 1200 1 B737

PHC TO LAGOS VL2111 1430 1540 0 B737

YOLA TO ABUJA VL2103 1300 1410 0 B737

YOLA TO LAGOS VL2103 1500 1615 1 B737


ABUJA TO LAGOS

VL2101 0900 1015 0 B737

VL2105 1400 1515 0 B737

VL2103 1500 1615 0 B737

VL2109 1715 1830 0 B737

VL2107 1915 2030 0 B737


ABUJA TO YOLA VL2102 1050 1200 0 B737



LAGOS TO ABUJA

VL2100 0700 0815 0 B737

VL2102 0850 1005 0 B737

VL2108 1115 1230 0 B737

VL2104 1200 1315 0 B737

VL2106 1715 1830 0 B737




LAGOS TO PHC VL2110 1600 1820 0 B737

LAGOS TO YOLA VL2102 0850 1200 0 B737



ABUJA TO LAGOS

VL2101 1230 1845 0 B737

VL2109 1500 1615 0 B737

VL2103 1730 1845 0 B737

VL2107 1930 2045 0 B737

ABUJA TO YOLA VL2102 1355 1505 0 B737



LAGOS TO ABUJA

VL2108 0900 1015 0 B737

VL2100 1030 1145 0 B737

VL2102 1200 1315 0 B737

VL2106 1730 1845 0 B737



LAGOS TO LONDON VL0209 1315 1910 0 B737

LONDON TO LAGOS VL0210 2210 0410+1 0 B737


LAGOS TO PHC VL2117 1430 1650 1 B737

LAGOS TO YOLA VL2102 1200 1505 1 B737


MAIDUGURI TO LAGOS VL2109 1300 1615 1 B737

PHC TO LAGOS VL2111 1730 1840 0 B737

YOLA TO ABUJA VL2103 1545 1655 0 B737

YOLA TO LAGOS VL2103 1545 1845 1 B737

TEL: 0700FLYMEDVIEWEmail: [email protected]://www.medviewairline.com


PHC TO LAGOS VL2117 1900 2010 0 B737

YOLA TO ABUJA VL2103 1300 1410 0 B737

YOLA TO LAGOS VL2103 1300 1615 1 B737


PHC TO LAGOS VL2117 1900 2010 0 B737

YOLA TO ABUJA VL2103 1300 1410 0 B737

YOLA TO LAGOS VL2103 1300 1615 1 B737


PHC TO LAGOS VL2117 1900 2010 0 B737

YOLA TO ABUJA VL2103 1300 1410 0 B737

YOLA TO LAGOS VL2103 1300 1615 1 B737

…targets $20bn investments inflow into NNPC in 2016

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>


Taraba: 12 die as APC, PDP supporters clash

Buhari swears in INEC chair, commissioners today

P.4

CAN opposes ban on school prayers

BUSINESSTHE SECTION

P.5Free inside

Gov Ishaku heads for Appeal Court

Kachikwu

ysis of recent seismic 3D data generated from the Chad Basin.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Corporation’s Group Gen-eral Manager, Group Pub-lic Affairs Division, Ohi Alegbe.

According to the state-ment, in a presentation to Petroleum Club, Lagos, over the weekend, titled: “Ongoing Reforms in the Oil Industry: Impact of NNPC Reforms on the Nige-rian Economy”, Kachikwu stated that the Corporation is injecting a lot of energy into the effort to ensure suc-cess in this regard.

“There are signs from the latest 3D seismic stud-ies that oil may well be very close to being found now in Lake Chad after very many years of trials.

“I think that this is very key; it is key both for the geographical balancing of oil production and it is also very key for the purpose of refinery placement in the north in terms of access to crude.

“I am optimistic that by the end of the year we should be able to announce something major on this,” the GMD said.

Kachikwu noted that in driving and developing Ni-geria’s oil and gas sector, certain key areas of urgent intervention have been iden-tified, including running production acreages with

transparent and profitable partnerships to bridge ca-pacity and funding gaps; en-courage investment inflow into oil and gas industry.

Others are engagement with local communities and driving regulation to develop the sector income-via encouragement of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, to clarify direction and encourage long-term investment in the industry.

Providing specifics on the intervention targets, Kachikwu stated that NNPC is projecting the in-

flow of $20bn in 2016 to en-able the Corporation fund major projects and improve its bottom line going for-ward. He described 2016 as a crucial year for the Cor-poration as it is expected to transit from historic loss environment to profit mak-ing domain.

In the area of engage-ment with host communi-ties, Kachikwu stated that in the years ahead, NNPC as the senior partner in the various Joint Venture arrangements must take leadership in fostering a

healthy and symbiotic host community engagement outlook, which must focus on what the communities want.

Commenting on PIB, the GMD noted that to achieve quick passage of the bill, it is crucial to isolate the fiscal regime from the cur-rent draft and move quickly to work on other pressing aspects of the proposed oil reform legislation.

He re-iterated that the Corporation under his watch is rigorously ex-ecuting “20 Fixes” project,

which identified 20 criti-cal issues that need to be addressed in order to re-position the 37 years old corporation on the track of efficiency and profitability.

The target include re-duce and audit cost, restruc-turing of the corporate cen-tre and staffing, renegotiate existing contracts, includ-ing PSCs, streamline sub-sidy management, boost pipeline security, enhance transparency and account-ability, achieving zero tol-erance for corruption, re-brand NNPP and unbundle

PPMC.Other initiatives in-

clude unbundling of the Nigerian Gas Company, reduce contracting cycle, restructure refineries, im-prove information tech-nology to drive business, embed staff and business performance manage-ment, restructure JV funding and reduce cash call, improve retail profit-ability, deploy and attract focused investments, re-kit NPDC, expand crude marketing and generate power profitability.

nated as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and declared Aisha Alhassan of the APC as winner of the April 11 gu-ber election in the state.

An eyewitness, Audu Joel told our correspon-dent on phone that he counted 12 dead bodies after the clash, saying the figure might be higher given the magnitude of the crisis which lasted for several hours.

He said: “APC support-ers who were celebrating the victory of their can-didate at the tribunal in the town suddenly started shooting around 1:00am and the gunshots later es-calated to other parts of the town.

“The gunshots stop

around 4:00am and re-sumed around 7:00am, when many people were in churches for Sunday morning service. I counted twelve bodies in my area alone, but the casualties may be higher because se-curity personnel restricted movement in the town and I couldn’t go to other ar-eas.”

A veteran journalist and media consultant, Mr. Dan-juma Adamu told our cor-respondent on phone from Wukari that though he did not know what caused the crisis, he started hearing gunshots around 1:00am and it lasted till noon yes-terday, when security men arrived the town.

Danjuma, who could not comment on the casualty figures, said many were

injured and houses burnt in the incident, which he blamed on APC and PDP supporters.

The state Police Com-mand, confirmed that nor-malcy had returned to the town.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, Mr. Joseph Kwaji, con-firmed in Jalingo, the state capital that the crisis broke out in the early hours of Sunday.

He said that though the police had not concluded their investigations, the crisis might not be uncon-nected with the ruling of the tribunal.

“Yes there was crisis in Wukari, but it is under con-trol now. Security men have been deployed to the area and normalcy has returned

to the town.“Investigation is ongo-

ing but it is likely that the crisis is in connection with the verdict of the governor-ship election petition tribu-nal of Saturday,” he said.

The command’s image maker, who said that fig-ures of casualty had not been ascertained by the po-lice, warned the people not to take the laws into their hands.

He said the state Com-missioner of Police, Mr. Shaba Alkali had moved to the area to ensure that peace was restored.

He warned that the com-mand would come hard on any one bent on fomenting trouble in any part of the state over the verdict of the tribunal under any guise.

Former Vice Chairman

of Wukari Local Govern-ment Council, Alhaji Tan-imu Danlele, said at least eight people lost their lives and more than 30 others were injured in the crisis.

He thanked security agents for ensuring quick return of normalcy to the area and urged them to be vigilant to forestall re-oc-currence.

Governor Ishaku, in his reaction called on the peo-ple of the state to remain calm and law abiding as he has already directed his lawyers to appeal the judge-ment.

The governor, who spoke through his Special Ad-viser on Media and Public-ity, Mr. Slyvanus Giwa in Jalingo described the tri-bunal ruling as ridiculous,

unacceptable and murder of justice.

He condemned the breach of peace in Wukari and said he had directed se-curity chiefs in the state to restore peace in the town.

In a related develop-ment, APC has described the tribunal judgement as the clearest indication yet that PDP has started harvesting what it sown in its years of impunity and recklessness, hence should blame itself for whatever tragedy has now befallen it.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Na-tional Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC said PDP has always been a party of anything goes, hence it is a matter

Nigeria closer to oil find in Chad Basin, says Kachikwu CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Atiku Abubakar (6th right), Adamawa State Governor Umar Bindow (5th right), Taraba State Governor-elect and minister-designate, Sen. A'isha Alhassan (8th right), with members of Taraba APC state executive, during a courtesy visit by the Governor-elect and party executive to Atiku’s residence, in Asokoro, Abuja, yesterday.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1





National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net2 Monday, November 9, 2015News

DID YOU KNOW?Eye drops now cure cataracts

Soft drinks can cause heart failure

Franka Osakwe

While it is true that problem with a woman’s fertility such as hormonal imbalance, cervical

weakness, infections, difficulty in im-plantation, among other factors, could contribute to miscarriages, researchers of infertility have found through various studies that miscarriage can also be due to poor sperm quality.

One of the studies, by The University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia, analyzed 23 couples, who have had a history of three or more miscarriages, and an additional 11 men who had recently become fathers, to act as the control. Semen samples were taken from all the men and checked for the following: Lipid peroxidation (an oxidation process, where free radicals ‘steal’ electrons from the lipids in cell membranes causing cell damage in the sperm), antioxidant capacity (this refers to how much antioxidant activity there is against free radi-cals), and Sperm fragmentation.

The 11 men with a history of recent fertil-ity had a higher percentage of sperm with good morphology (shape), motility (ability to swim), concentration (higher counts) and antioxident capacity than the 23 men whose partners had a history of recurrent miscar-riage.They concluded that the male factor of miscarriage should be taken into consider-ation and that sperm quality, or lack of it, was associated with miscarriage.

They concluded that the male factor of miscarriage should be taken into consider-ation and that sperm quality, or lack of it, was associated with miscarriage.

An earlier study in India also found the same results. Researchers from the Nation-al Institute of Health and Family Welfare looked at the cases of 35 women who had had recurrent miscarriage but had also been found to be reproductively normal in fertility tests. After these women were found to have no identifiable infertility condition, they turned their attention to the husbands.

Although the majority of the men had nor-mal sperm counts and motile sperm, 80% of the samples contained structurally detectives sperm

Scientists have developed a treat-ment for cataracts, which blight the lives of millions of pensioners.

The miracle therapy uses a chemical to destroy clumps of protein that cloud vision.The ex-periment shows that the debilitating con-dition - which affects 2.5 million people aged 65 or older - is reversible without surgery.

Eye expert professor Roy Quinlan, of Dur-ham University, said: “The discovery that cataracts are reversible is quite remarkable and offers hope to millions of people across the world who have lost their sight due to this

Men who drink two or more glasses sweetened or soft drinks a day may have a greater risk of heart

failure, a Swedish study suggests.Previous research has linked high con-

sumption of sugary beverages with several risk factors for heart failure, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, weight gain, diabetes and obesity, said study leader Susanna Larsson of the Karolinska Insti-tute in Stockholm.

To confirm the relation-ship between heart failure and sweetened beverages, Larsson and colleagues fol-lowed a group of about 42,000 men for an average of almost 12 years. To assess drinking habits, they asked the men how many soft drinks or

Monday, November 9, 2015National Mirror

www.nationalmirroronline.net

Good Health

PAGE3

treatable disease.The current gold standard treatment for

cataracts is surgery to remove the affected opaque lens and replace it with a plastic one, but 20 million people in the world are blind due to the lack of medical resources available to carry out this procedure.

“The findings potentially open the door for the development of drugs

that could improve the trans-parency of the lens, removing the need for surgery.”

In experiments on hu-man lens tissue and mice,

researchers found the com-pound dissolved destructive rogue

plaques, which proved the condition can be treated without surgery. The newly iden-tified chemical is the first that is soluble enough to potentially form the basis of a practical eye drop for cataracts which, if left untreated, leads to blindness.

sweetened juices they drank per day or per week.

To confirm the relationship between heart failure and sweetened beverages, Larsson and colleagues followed a group of about 42,000 men for an average of almost 12 years. To assess drinking habits, they asked the men how many soft drinks or sweetened juices they drank per day or per week.

Over the course of the study, there were about 3,600 new cases of heart failure.Men

who had more than two sweet-ened drinks a day had a 23 per-cent greater risk of developing heart failure during the study than men who didn’t consume these drinks.Even though the study was done in men, women should also be wary of sugary drinks, Larsson added.

Infertility: Men’s sperm can cause miscarriages ... male factors now account for 30 per cent of fertility problems

which would make a genetically weak embryo.The revelation is startling and will help

millions of women who are socially ridi-culed. This study proves that men should not blame women alone for recurrent mis-carriage. They are equally responsible”, Dr.

Misro, lead scientist at the Bio Medicine de-partment of the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, said.

Here in Nigeria, many women have been known to suffer maltreatment from their in-laws or husbands due to miscarriages. Some are called witches accused of eating their children in the womb while others are ac-cused of indulging in many abortions which has weakened their womb.

A Consultant Gynaecologist with Nordica Fertility Clinic, Lagos, confirmed that mis-carriages can also be traced to problem with sperm. According to him, from 45 years up-ward, the quality and count of a man’s sperm begin to reduce and he could start making

sperm with damaged DNA.“Men with sperm of poor quality make

weak embryos which can end up in miscar-riage. Damaged DNA can cause a pregnancy to end in miscarriage. It can also cause genetic disabilities or birth defects in the baby”, he said.

According to him, male as well as females are equally responsible for infertility issues. “Male factors now account for 30 per cent of fertility problems, the same as female factors. The remaining 30 per cent of cases is usually a combination of both male and female fac-tors, while unidentified factor accounts for 10 per cent of cases”, he said.

In recent times, sperm counts have fallen by almost half in the past 60 years according to studies. Many experts blame this fall on an increase in environmental chemicals which have weak oestrogen effects. Other things that can lead to low quality sperms, accord-ing to Dr. Ajayi, include environmental pol-lution, infections, trauma, alcohol, drug use, tight pants and steroid use.

“Not only are overall counts going down, but many men are producing large numbers of abnormal sperm and if current trends continue, many more men will find they are infertile,” said Professor Niels Skakkebaek, a Danish scientist who specializes in male reproductive health, at the University of Co-penhagen, describing the issue as important as global warming.

According to researchers, as many as one in five healthy young men between the ages of 18 and 25 produce abnormal sperm counts and only 5 to 15 per cent of their sperm is good enough to be classed as normal under World Health Organization rules - proving that infertility is not just a female problem.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net4 Monday, November 9, 2015

L-R: Assistant CSR Manager, Airtel, Chioma Okolie; Regional Operations Director, Lagos Region, Oladokun Oye; member, Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Abu Dorcas; Vice President, Licensing, Compliance and Carrier Relations, Airtel, Sola Adeyemi with a student of Oremeji Primary School II, demonstrating how to brush during the Airtel-Unilever Oral Health Hygiene programme, in Lagos, at the weekend.

L-R: Lola Okang, Captain George Kavourides, Miss Nneka Audu, Eji Semuri, Associate Vice President, Arik Air, Jide Alade and Elizabeth Ebute, during the presentation of an iPad Air to Miss Audu in the #ArikCares reward campaign, in Lagos, recently.

L-R: Group Managing Director, ARCO Group Plc, Mr. Alfred Okoigun; Chairman, Chief Joseph Akpieyi and Executive Director, Finance, Mr. John Nejoh, during the launch of new company’s logo in Lagos, at the weekend. PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

L-R: Team Lead, Clinical Services, The Bridge Clinic, Dr. Tayo Abiara; brand ambassador of the Association for the Prevention of Infertility and Promotion of Reproductive Health and Rights (ASPIRE), Mrs. Ifeoma Emekwue; Commercial Director, The Bridge Clinic, Dr. Dayo Omogbehin and ASPIRE PRO, Mrs. Lanre Kazeem-Abimbola, during the re-launch of the group in Lagos on Saturday.

National News

Rotimi FadeyiABUJA

President Muham-madu Buhari will officially preside

over the swearing in of ministers- designate and inaugurate a new Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Wednesday.

A statement issued yes-terday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the min-isters would take their oaths of office in the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa before

Buhari swears in INEC chair, commissioners today

Photo News

commencement of the in-augural session of FEC.

The swearing-in cer-emony is scheduled to begin at 10am and the ministers-designate are expected to be seated in the Council Chambers by 9:30am.

It is also expected that Buhari would announce

Muhammadu Bu-hari’s adminis-tration will strive

to deliver on its campaign promises to the people of Nigeria, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has assured.

Osinbajo gave the as-surance at the weekend at Ikenne, Ogun State, his home town, where he was Special Guest of Honour at the 39th Ereke Day celebra-

portfolios for the min-isters-designate at the event.

However, not all the 36 ministers-designate would get portfolios as the President had earlier said some of them may not be assigned portfo-lios.

According to him, the

tion.Ereke is an annual festi-

val organised in Ikenne, as a platform for addressing the town’s developmental challenges.

Osinbajo pointed out that the opportunity to address the nation’s nu-merous challenges and reposition the country for greatness is now.

He said All Progressives Congress, APC, admin-

constitution only made it mandatory for him to appoint 36 ministers but never made it compul-sory for him to have 36 ministries.

The ministers-desig-nate had last week attend-ed a retreat organised by the Office of the Secre-tary to the Government

istration would keep its promises, saying “the Pres-ident has no other business besides fixing the problems of the country.”

He cited corruption and stealing as some of the rea-sons why things had gone wrong in the country, add-ing “but it is time now to fix all that have gone wrong.”

He restated the commit-ment of the Federal Gov-ernment to address the

of the Federation, SGF, to prepare them for the challenges of governance and the expectations of the people.

Meanwhile, Buhari will today preside over the swearing-in of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of Indepen-dent National Electoral

challenges facing the coun-try.

He said: “We have to deal with unemployment of young people; we have to deal with infrastructure; we have to deal with bad roads; we have to restore power, the challenges are many.

“But I want to assure you that every single day that President Buhari spends in Abuja; that I spend in

Commission, INEC, and five others as national commissioners.

The five national com-missioners are Mrs. Am-ina Zakari, Mr. Solomon Adedeji Soyebi, Prof. Antonia Taiye Okoosi-Simbine, Dr. Muhammed Mustafa Lecky and Al-haji Baba Shettima Arfo.

Abuja, we will work hard to achieve the promises we have made.

“You can be sure of an honest and transparent government; you can be sure of hard work.

“You can be sure that ev-erything we promised, we will do.”

Osinbajo, who also spoke to newsmen at the end of the event, said President Buhari was working daily

President will fulfill campaign promises to Nigerians –Osinbajo on how to solve Nigeria’s economic challenges.

“The President you know has no other busi-ness; he is not doing any-thing else; this is his life commitment.

“And he has said this is what he is going to commit his entire life to, to ensure that the economic prob-lems are solved, employ-ment opportunities are cre-ated,” he said.

of time for the party to come to grief, first by tum-bling from the pinnacle of power and now by losing, incrementally, whatever remains of its crumbled empire.

It said PDP was only trifling by attributing the judgement to a supposed manipulation from the Presidency.

PDP national secretariat in its reaction to the judge-ment claimed that it was an evidence of executive interference in the judi-ciary.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, had, in a statement said ruling by the Taraba gubernatorial tribunal again brings to the fore the organised plan by the President Muhamma-du Buhari-led APC Federal Government to deploy all unorthodox means to deci-

mate the opposition.But APC said: “Presi-

dent Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the APC, are strong believers in the rule of law, as against the rule of impunity, hence will never manipulate the judiciary for whatever reason.

“The PDP is clearly aware of this, but has cho-sen to blame everyone but itself for the fate that has befallen it. PDP should have known that it will pay for its years of impunity and recklessness. For this party, the chicken has now come home to roost.”

The statement said if PDP is not blaming the judiciary, its favourite whipping boy; it is blam-ing APC, the Presidency or even Nigerians for its plight, warning it to stop shifting responsibility.

“PDP should leave the judiciary, the Presidency and the APC alone and ac-

cept responsibility for its actions. From the judge-ment of the Tribunal, it is clear that the impunity of the PDP cost it the elec-tion.

“Not only did the party breach Section 78 (b) (1) (2) of the Electoral Act con-cerning the organisation of party primaries, it was not even deemed to have participated in the April 11, 2015 gubernatorial election in Taraba State in the eyes of the law.

“Apart from not comply-ing with the Electoral Act, the election of the PDP can-didate, Mr. Darius Ishaku, in the purported primaries in Abuja was done after the stipulated time for party primaries had elapsed, ac-cording to the Tribunal.

“It is thus clear that the election result in Taraba was not annulled for any other reason but the im-punity and recklessness that permeated the life and

times of the cadaverous PDP.

“It is noteworthy that this is not the first time the court is ruling against PDP's impunity of violat-ing its own constitutional provisions and the Elector-al Act with regards to en-suring internal democracy in the conduct of primary elections.

“The first landmark judgment came from the Supreme Court when it ruled against PDP's impu-nity in 2007 and ordered that Rotimi Amaechi be installed as Governor of Rivers State, instead of Ce-lestine Omehia who was il-legally imposed.

“Secondly, the Supreme Court had also ruled against PDP in the case of Ifeanyi Ararume when the party took his mandate as validly elected guber candi-date and handed it over to another aspirant.

“It is instructive to note

that these judgments took place while the PDP was in control of the Presidency. The opposition parties then never questioned the in-tegrity of the judiciary by making wild and weighty allegations as the PDP is doing now,” it said.

APC also said PDP should blame itself for its gross impunity with re-gards to the conduct of pri-mary elections for Taraba State.

Meanwhile, a coalition of women groups under the aegis of Women of Grace and Agape Sisters in collaboration with FCT Women Empowerment Initiative have hailed the ruling of Taraba Guber-natorial Election Petition Tribunal, which declared Senator Alhassan as win-ner of the April election.

Addressing a press con-ference yesterday in Abu-ja, spokesperson of the co-alition, Mrs. Rachel Okpe

described the judgment as “democracy in progress”, even as she affirmed that Taraba would produce Nigeria’s first democrati-cally elected female gov-ernor.

She equally described PDP as a “divided king-dom” that cannot stand, noting that both the nation-al and state branches of the party have been singing dif-ferent songs on the tribunal judgment.

Okpe called on the peo-ple to rally round Alahas-san, even as she warned that flexing muscles as demonstrated by the PDP at the national level would not help the state.

Contrary to the posi-tion of Governor Ishaku, the women expressed con-fidence that the judgment would stand at the appel-late court based on the violation of the Electoral Act by PDP during its pri-maries.

5

Regina OtOkpaABUJA

Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has warned state govern-

ments and concerned au-thorities scheming to stop prayers and assembly devo-tion in primary and second-ary schools across the coun-try to have a rethink saying such thoughts were “evil and must not prevail.”

The association however commended Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, for reversing what it described “a wrong direc-tive of an ambitious perma-nent secretary on this mat-ter” and advised other state governments to take a cue.

CAN also kicked against implementing the sugges-tion for the establishment of grazing reserves for Fu-lani herdsmen in all parts of the country, saying move portends grave danger to national peace and security.

The position of CAN was contained in a communiqué signed by its General Secre-tary, Rev. (Dr) Musa Asake, issued to journalists yester-day at the end of its Nation-al Executive Council, NEC, meeting held in Abuja.

The communiqué reads: “CAN has received with great concern the news that some state authorities have either banned Assembly de-

votion in our primary and secondary schools or are contemplating doing so.

“This new trend is evil and must not prevail. While the society is working hard to inculcate good moral val-ues in our children at this tender age through Assem-bly devotion in our schools so that they can grow up to be good citizens, govern-ment policies like this will certainly draw the society several years back in moral decadence.

“The fear of bomb at-tack or any such danger being given by some state authorities as the reason(s) for school children not to gather in prayer and learn-ing is grossly misplaced and untenable.

“It is our candid opinion that government should provide adequate security where there are concerns of this nature.

“We commend the Gov-ernor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade for revers-ing a wrong directive of an ambitious permanent sec-retary on this matter and advise other state authori-ties involved in this ungodly directive to take a cue.

“CAN has observed with keen interest, the on-going national discussion over establishment of grazing re-serves for Fulani herdsmen in all parts of the country.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Monday, November 9, 2015 News

This proposal, if imple-mented portends very grave danger to our national peace and security.

“It is common knowledge that the herdsmen, under the guise of cattle grazing have caused fatal incidents in many parts of Nigeria currently.

“They have been associ-ated with violent deaths, le-thal injuries, kidnap cases, rape cases and destruction of properties, food crops, etc, in their host communities.

“They have transformed from herdsmen to merce-naries and armed bandits. They have converted the

farmlands of their host communities into slaughter farms. This is unacceptable and should be a cause of great concern to the Fed-eral Government and well-meaning Nigerians.

“As a way forward we suggest that the Federal Government should encour-age the state governments where these herdsmen are predominant to establish modern ranches for them, rather than allowing them to cause problem in other parts of the country.

“Establishing modern ranches for nomads is a worldwide standard best

practice and this will be of immense benefit to the herds-men and their families.

“The ranches will have schools, hospitals and other social amenities. The meat and other products from these ranches will be export-ed to other parts of the coun-try, thus creating lucrative business and employment for the citizenry.

“The idea of acquiring parcels of land in the 36 states of Nigeria and FCT for the sole purpose of pro-viding grazing area for the nomads and their herds of cattle should be dropped in the overall interest of na-

tional security.”Meanwhile, Inspector-

General of Police, IGP, Solo-mo Arase, yesterday denied that an order was issued banning Assembly devotion in primary and secondary schools anywhere in the country.

The IGP, in a statement signed by acting Force Pub-lic Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Olabisi Kola-wole, said the police only is-sued advisory notice, which was directed at states with insurgency activities to ap-ply caution in assembling pupils to avoid being targets for terrorists.

Orchestra of the Deeper Life Bible Church performing at Suleja Liberation Crusade in Niger State, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

CAN opposes ban on school prayers



National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net6 Monday, November 9, 2015 News

‘...if no meter after 60 days of payment’

L-R: Country Lead and Senior Policy Advisor, IPAS, Mrs. Hauwa Shekarau; Consultant/Lecturer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ibadan, Dr. Olutosin Awolude; Lecturer and Gynecologist, Dr. Odunayo Akinyemi and Director, Interna-tional Research, Guttmacher Institute, New York, USA, Dr. Akinrinola Bankole, during the launch and presentation of findings of a study on incidence of abortion in Nigeria, in Abuja, at the weekend. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Union cautions FG on railway privatisation

NERC exempts CAPMI customers from estimated electricity bills

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

Federal Govern-ment has been cautioned against

taking hasty decision on the planned privatisation of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, which may further deplete the fortune of the organisa-tion.

Rather, the govern-ment was advised to formulate, for guided implementation, a long-term rail trans-port investment policy that would achieve for the nation integrated transport development, which ultimately would guarantee major future infrastructure renew-als.

The Nigerian Union of Railway workers, NUR, stated these in a letter signed by its G e n e r a l - S e c r e t a r y, Comrade Segun Esan to President Muhammadu Buhari, copied the Vice President Yemi Oshin-

bajo and made available to journalists in Lagos.

The letter warned that the privatisation of the railway system by the government would only achieve in-creasing inequalities in the redistribution of wealth, which would deepen gap between the rich and poor.

Esan insisted that privatisation of railway negates the great expec-tation of the citizenry and the “Change your great political party, All Progressives Congress, APC, promised Nigeri-ans.”

He explained that privatisation was con-sistent with standard economic analyses where new private own-ers raise productivity and reduce costs in re-sponse to harder budget constraints and stron-ger drive for optimum profit generation and relegate safety to the background.

The letter further

Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus

Ezeokafor, has attributed the spate of protests by youths and civil disobe-dience to insensitivity of political leaders to the plight of the people.

Ezeokafor made the statement on Sunday dur-ing his pastoral visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka.

During the visit, the Bishop administered the Sacrament of Confirma-tion on 295 young Catho-

CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

Nigerian Elec-tricity Regula-tory Commission,

NERC, has exempted elec-tricity consumers who made payment for meters under the Cash Advance Payment for Metering Ini-tiative, CAPMI, but were not metered two weeks in excess of the required 45 days from further pay-ment of electricity bills.

Head of Public Affairs, Dr. Usman Abba-Arabi, in a statement yesterday said this was the highlight of the last Regulatory Meet-ing of the commission where it frowned at the rising incidence of elec-tricity distribution com-panies’ failure to abide by the guidelines for CAPMI scheme as many custom-ers who subscribed to CAPMI scheme were not metered within 45 days.

The CAPMI was initi-ated by the commission following complaints by most distribution com-panies over lack of funds to execute their metering plans. A study by the com-mission indicated about 50 per cent metering gap in the electricity market.

Under the scheme, will-ing electricity customers are allowed to pay into a dedicated account opened by the electricity distribu-tion companies for pur-chase and installation of meters 45 days after pay-ment. Such customers

Bishop blames youth unrest on political leaders’ insensitivity

should be refunded their money with interest over a period of time by discount-ing the fixed charged ele-ment of his monthly bills.

The NERC stated that there has been increas-ing number of complaints from electricity customers over failure of electricity distribution companies to install meters within the stipulated 45 days.

According to the state-ment, in a resolution af-ter the regulatory meet-ing the Commission said, “Customers who have subscribed to the CAPMI Scheme should be metered within 45 days. Therefore, there shall be no case of estimated billing for such customers from two weeks after the expiration of the 45-day time frame (60 days after receipt of payment for meter.”

Present methodology for calculation of esti-mated billing, which re-lies on clustering of areas or neighbourhood with similar social economic status, was retained by the meeting while calling on electricity companies to suggest alternative methodologies for com-mission’s consideration as some of them have been caught violating the meth-odology.

Abuja Electricity Distri-bution Company was re-cently sanctioned for such violation while others are awaiting outcome of inves-tigations against them over similar misdemeanour.

informed the govern-ment that despite the global spread of the privatisation doctrine, some countries still run their railway system as public transport, citing New Zealand, Spain and United Kingdom.

The letter added, “Your Excellency, we believe very strongly that privatisation of the railway industry will not achieve for the nation any meaningful result. Rather, we share in the conviction that alternative approach to repositioning the rail transport industry is through the renewed financial commitment and political will of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to the emanci-pation of the sub-sector.

“Your Excellency, in furtherance of the poise to reposition the corpo-ration, we implore your government to formu-late, for guided imple-mentation, a long-term

rail transport invest-ment policy that will achieve for the nation integrated transport development, which ultimately will guar-antee major future in-frastructure renewals/track modernisation; procurement of more lo-comotives to strengthen the motive power base of the Nigerian Railway through partnership with locomotive-manu-facturing countries like Brazil, US, United King-dom; procurement of more wagons and coach-ing facilities so as to op-timise the additive ad-vantage of the trains.”

Esan advised the gov-ernment to establish a Federal Ministry of Railways saddled with a detailed scope of adviso-ry and regulatory func-tions, maintaining that this would go signifi-cant mileage in achiev-ing for the country an effectively and efficient-ly viable rail transport sub-sector.

the solution.Administrator of the

Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Patrick Chukwuma, said youths re-main the future of any soci-ety and must be catered for.

He called on those who received confirmation to strive for godliness as they had been spirituality empowered to live a godly life of new innovation and strong character.

He prayed for the ̀ will of God’ to prevail in the lives of Nigerian youths and the country.

lics to symbolically receive the Holy Spirit as Chris-tians.

He appealed to political leaders in the country to create an enabling envi-ronment to generate em-ployment in order to keep the youths from being idle, which often leads to frus-tration.

Commenting on the protests by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Ezeokafor said it was an indication of discontent of the teeming masses with

lack of equity in the land.He recalled that Nige-

ria had experienced such other agitations like the Odua People’s Congress, OPC, Niger Delta mili-tancy, Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSSOP, Boko Haram and now IPOB.

The cleric urged the Fed-eral Government to utilise the abundant resources in the country to create em-ployment for the people, adding that the use of force had never and could not be

Soldier kills bus driver in RiversDENNIS NAKU PORT HARCOURT

A soldier yester-day reportedly shot dead a bus

driver around Rumuo-koro roundabout in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Eyewitnesses said the bus driver was running against traffic towards the busy Rumuokoro round-about and refused to yield when military officers at Bori Camp axis of Rumuo-koro tried to stop him.

The eyewitnesses also said the bus driver took ‘one way’ to beat traffic jam.

But it was said that sus-pecting danger, the officer

opened fire on the driver and shot him dead.

However, the incident led to violent protest within the scene of the in-cident, as drivers, bus con-ductors and sympathisers revolted.

The driver, whose name was identified as Michael Nweye, was said to be in his early 20s.

A family member, Chin-edu Okedi, in his account of the incident said it was unfortunate, adding that the killer-soldier will not go unpunished.

Okedi said, “He was taking one-way as usual, as they used to do in that Rumuokoro road. So, the soldier man chased him and blocked him.

Pastors praying during Deeper Life Liberation Crusade in Suleja, Niger, at the weekend. PHOTO: NAN

Robbers kill 2, steal 150 laptops in Ondo schoolOjO Oyewamide, AKURE

Armed robbers yes-terday invaded Olofin Grammar

School, Idanre, in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State, killing two security guards attached to the school.

The guards, who were killed at different spots in the school’s premises, were Akingbade Ad-ewoleoye and Akinjemi-yan Babayemi.

The remains of the de-ceased said to be in their

fifties, have been depos-ited at the State Hospital, Idanre.

The school’s principal, Adenuoye Fredrick Akin, said the hoodlums also carted away not less than 150 laptops in the robbery that occurred in the early hours of Sunday.

According to him, the computers were newly purchased by the state government.

Those who spoke with our correspondent la-mented that despite the school being about 200 me-tres near a police station,

there was no presence of policemen throughout the robbery.

Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, said the state executive council would meet today to discuss the incident.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Femi Jo-seph, confirmed the rob-bery, saying the command had commenced investi-gations into the matter.

He said: “Yes, we can confirm that there was a robbery incident in the school and we have start-

ed investigation. We will certainly arrest the hood-lums.”

Commissioner for Edu-cation, Jide Adejuyigbe, described the incident as unfortunate, saying gov-ernment would put se-curity measures in place to secure schools in the state.

“It is like armed rob-bers are laying siege on all our schools in Ondo State. This is a security challenge and we will definitely do something about it,” Adejuyigbe said.

Again, court restrains FRC from sanctioning KPMG, others

Virgin Atlantic explains sack of Nigerian crew

RRS arrests 3 more traffic robbersJigawa State, claimed that though he was not one of the robbers, he knew Edema as a mem-ber of the robbery syndi-cate operating in the area.

“Gambo Yunusa and I are innocent. We only sell second-hand goods at Under-bridge before government sent us away from there. In the evening times, we do relax under a tree in the field,” he said.

‘‘But every evening, this boy (pointing to Ede-ma) and his gang number-ing about 15, usually con-verge here. Some of them will even come with trav-elling and school bags but I don’t know the content. We will just be looking at them from a distance.”

Yunusa said they were not among the notorious guys snatching handsets, bags and other valuables from motorists and pass-ers-by in the area, adding that they were just vic-tims of circumstance.

According to RRS Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Olatunji Disu, “Following the com-plaints from members of the public of incessant in-traffic robbery attacks around the axis, our men laid ambush on them which led to the arrest of the suspect, while oth-ers managed to escape. When policemen combed the area, different weap-ons were recovered from

their hideouts.”The commander said

the aggressive operations to bring crime rate in the state to zero level will continue to yield positive results.

“Policemen are re-launching massive ag-gression on all criminal hideouts in the state. And these operations have since yielded positive re-sults as many in-traffic robbers had been round-ed up. We will continue this onslaught until we reach zero level of crime rate in the metropolis,” the Commander said.

Some of the weapons recovered from them in-cluded four cutlasses, axes and iron rod.

rights following FRC’s letter of October 26, 2015, which it called a final notice and its ‘regulatory decision’ con-veyed in another letter of October 30, on the financial statements of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc for 2013 and 2014.

The FRC in one of its regulatory decisions had suspended Othihiwa “until the investigation as to the extent of the negligence of KPMG Professional Servic-es is ascertained.”

Both KPMG and Othi-hiwa contend that the FRC decision was published and issued without informing or notifying them of the na-ture of the allegations made against them and inviting them to respond to the alle-gations.

The FRC’s decision, KPMG and Othihiwa claimed, not only violated their constitutional right to fair hearing, but also Sec-tion 62(2) of the Financial Reporting Council Act, which spells out the proce-dure to be adopted by FRC in investigating a professional body for any ‘complaint or dishonest practice, negli-gence, professional miscon-duct or malpractice.’

The section states that FRC shall “notify the pro-fessional whose conduct, act or omission is under in-vestigation of the nature of the complaint and it shall summon or hear the profes-sional.”

service with the airline.The airline had also in

2014 closed its Nigerian call centre and let go of all the Nigerian staff working in that department.

The communications manager explained that the primary purpose of having locally-based cabin crew was to provide cultural expertise, but customer feedback had shown the practice was no longer a requirement on the Lagos route.

She added, “The addi-tional complexity required to operate an international crew base where there are no foreign language re-quirement means it was no longer sustainable going forward.

“This announcement has no impact on our flying programme and we plan to continue flights between Lagos and London. After 14 years flying the route we remain committed to ser-vicing the Nigerian people, whether be it for business, family or education.”

GbenGa OGunbufunmi

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, presided over by

Justice Ibrahim Buba, has restrained the Financial Re-porting Council of Nigeria, FRC, and its Executive Sec-retary and Mr. Jim Osayan-de Obazee, from taking any action, sanction or measure against KPMG Professional Services and Mr. Ayodele Othihiwa, a partner in the firm, pending the hearing and determination of a suit filed by the applicants.

The interim order of the court granted Friday was sequel to an application ar-gued before the court by Mr Chuka Ikwuazo from the law firm of Aluko and Oye-bode, urging the court to re-strain the respondents from taking any action and also order an accelerated hear-ing of the suit, now fixed for November 12 when the respondents must have been served all the ‘originating processes’ in the matter.

The interim order was the second granted by the court against the FRC with-in 48 hours. On November 4, Justice Buba also ordered FRC to maintain the status quo in a related case filed by Stanbic IBTC.

The case is now pend-ing before the court. KPMG and its partner had filed an application for the enforce-ment of their fundamental

OluseGun KOiKi

One of the British air-lines flying into Ni-geria from London,

Virgin Atlantic Airways, yesterday denied alleged plan to quit the Lagos-Lon-don route.

Marketing and Com-munications Manager, Mrs. Kudirat Scott-Igbene, while confirming the sack of about 20 Nigeria-based crew of the airline, said the step was necessary in order to sustain its flight opera-tions on the route.

Scott-Igbene, in a terse e-mail to our correspondent, however, assured that the airline was not planning to quit the route it com-menced about 14 years ago.

Sunday Mirror had yes-terday reported that the giant British carrier was planning to stop flight op-erations following the sack of its Nigerian crew about three weeks ago without any severance package re-gardless of their length of

As part of efforts by the Rapid Re-sponse Squad

(RRS) of Lagos State Po-lice Command to reduce traffic robbery and crime in the state, the squad apprehended suspects al-leged to be members of a robbery syndicate ter-rorising commuters and motorists around Bour-dillon Street in Ikoyi, La-gos.

The suspects, Joseph Edema, 24, Jamilu Musa, 29, and Gambo Yunusa, 30, were arrested on No-vember 7, while perfect-ing plan for the day’s rob-bery operation.

While allegedly con-fessing to the crime, Musa, who hails from

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 7National NewsMonday, November 9, 2015

L-R: Members, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Kamil Oyedele; Waseeu Adebayo; Speaker, Hon. Najeem Salaami; President, Power House Evangelical Ministries (PHEM), Primates Ayobami Aofolajuwonlo; Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Timothy Owoeye; his wife, Bukunmi; members of the house, Tomilayo Aloba and Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, during Owoeye’s installation as Baba Ijo of PHEM in Ilesa, yesterday.

Wale IgbIntade

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered busi-

nessman, Chief Sunny Odogwu, and his two companies, Robert Dyson & Diet Limited and SIO Properties Limited to pay N26.2bn debt owed Dia-mond Bank Plc.

The loan was said to have been obtained about eight years ago.

In his ruling, Justice Saliu Saidu also granted leave to Diamond Bank to sell ‘Luxury Collection Hotels and Apartments (formerly Le Meridian

Grand Tower), located at 31-35, Ikoyi Crescent, Ikoyi, Lagos, belonging to Odogwu.

Diamond Bank had in a suit filed by its lawyer, Oluwakemi Balogun, SAN, urged the court to compel Odogwu and his companies to pay N26,229,943,035.22, they obtained to construct the hotel in Lagos.

Also joined as co-defen-dants are Corporate Af-fairs Commission, CAC, The Registrar of Title, Federal Land Registry and Leadway Trustees Limited, as fourth, fifth and sixth defendants, re-spectively.

The plaintiff, in an af-fidavit in support of the suit sworn to by Fanen Shambe, the bank’s Re-lationship Manager, averred that sometime in 2007, SIO Properties Limited, and Odogwu on behalf of Robert Dy-son & Diket Limited, ap-proached the bank for facility to construct the hotel.

The deponent averred that Chief Odogwu con-vened through the SIO Properties Limited to execute third party legal mortgage in favour of Di-amond Bank Plc, over the said property as security for the loan.

Court orders Odogwu to pay N26bn loan

FG may share ECA to states for capital projects

PDP accuses Aregbesola of withholding bailout funds

…Ekiti eyes N10bn

…We use it for payment of salaries –Govt

Lagos to recruit more LASTMA officials

abIodun nejoAdo Ekiti

There are indica-tions that the Fed-eral Government

may soon disburse the over $2bn remaining in Excess Crude Oil Ac-count, ECA, to state gov-ernments for execution of capital projects.

Ekiti State governor, who gave the hint at the weekend, said the move was necessary to enable state governments em-bark or complete some capital projects.

The governor, who spoke during a statewide programme: “Meet Your Governor”, in Ado Ekiti, said Ekiti could get about N10bn from the fund.

He lamented that mon-ey had not been going into the account for some time due to fall in the price of crude oil price.

He said: “Nothing is go-ing into the Excess Crude Oil Account again be-cause oil is selling lower than the envisaged price in the international mar-ket.

“That has badly af-fected all of us. The 2015 budget in Ekiti was predi-cated on oil selling at $65 a barrel, but it sells for over $40 now. That has left our

budget performing only in the area of recurrent ex-penditure.

“Ekiti is expecting about N10 billion when the ECA fund is shared. When it comes, I will tell everybody.

“The capital projects that we have embarked upon since we came on board are being executed because we are prudent, transparent and open, and also because we are lever-aging on goodwill with corporate bodies.”

The governor assured that the reconstruction of Erekesan Market in Ado-Ekiti would not deprive former shop owners as they would be given top priority in the allocation of the shops when the new market was built.

He said: “We have done the accreditation of trad-ers through the records with which we paid them compensation. So, there is no need to fear. We are going to build a five-star market with all the fa-cilities expected in such a market.

“We have paid compen-sation since June and we paid about N140m. I am assuring the people of the state that we won’t leave uncompleted projects be-hind.”

boladale bamIgbolaosogbo

Osun State chap-ter of the Peoples Democratic Party,

PDP, yesterday accused Governor Rauf Aregbe-sola of deliberately with-holding bailout funds rather than using it to pay salaries.

The party, in a state-ment issued by its spokes-person, Diran Odeyemi, in Osogbo, said the piece-meal mode adopted by the state government in pay-ing salaries was a further confirmation that the money had been fixed.

But reacting, consul-tant on information to the state government, Mr. Sunday Akere, debunked PDP claims.

He said: “PDP wants to

Lagos State govern-ment yesterday said it would soon re-

cruit more men and wom-en into the state’s Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, in a bid to im-prove traffic situation in Lagos.

Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr. Olanrewaju Elegushi, an-nounced this while speak-ing with newsmen in La-gos.

According to him, LASTMA has 2,300 per-sonnel, who are currently manning over 9,000 roads in the state.

“We are working on that and very soon, we will boost the workforce and you will see more reli-able LASTMA officials on our roads,” Elegushi said.

The special adviser promised that the state government would also improve the working con-

ditions of personnel of the agency.

Also speaking, Com-missioner for Transporta-tion, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said government would ensure that transporta-tion in general would be safe, reliable, accessible and comfortable for resi-dents.

“When you have reli-able and efficient buses, you will find that people will prefer to use them rather than the yellow and black commercial ve-hicles, the danfos and mol-ues,” he said, adding that the plan was not to make the commercial bus opera-tors jobless, but to incor-porate them into the sys-tem through good training and technical know-how.

The commissioner said the government was ready to make Lagos an efficient city that was liveable with good mobility.

“That is our primary aim and to do this, we have to develop public transportation system very well.

“We need to develop wa-ter transportation routes, mass transportation sys-tem with good buses and efficient rail system.

“All of them comple-menting each other will make a liveable city.

“So, it is all of these things that are going to change and we strongly believe we can get to that point,” Mobereola said.

On activities of touts on roads across the state, Mobereola said govern-ment would come up with a mechanism to eradicate the growing menace.

“The first thing we do not want is touts or union members collecting dues on the roads; it is a vio-lation of the laws of the state,” he said.

use our reaction to gain relevance. I am sure they have a copy of the MoU the state government signed with the workers.

“The bailout covered June and we have paid June salaries, we have paid July and August. We signed MoU with the workers and we have kept to the terms of the docu-ment religiously.”

PDP, however, insisted that from its findings, workers in the state were last paid half of their July salaries, alleging that all allowances be-ing hitherto enjoyed by civil servants had been removed

It stressed that retirees were also being treated in similar manner, with many of them still being owed up to 6 months.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net8 Monday, November 9, 2015South West

Shambe averred fur-ther that it was upon a duly executed agreement that the bank granted Odogwu and the two com-panies the loan in form of bridge finance to the tune of N26.2bn.

He said he believed the defendants are insolvent, otherwise bankrupt and unable to meet their fi-nancial obligation.

Justice Seidu, who had earlier ordered 19 com-mercial banks in Nige-ria not to allow Odogwu and his companies with-draw funds from their ac-counts, in his judgement held that the defendants admitted indebtedness and has not shown the court how the indebted-ness was liquidated.

The court, therefore perpetually restrained the third defendant from disposing, selling or alienating any of his personal assets, money, share, stock and other negotiable instrument until the judgment sum is fully liquidated.

The judge also or-dered Leadway Trustees Limited to surrender all the title documents in its custody in relation to the property and other docu-mentation connected and or pertaining to the ex-tant transaction of which the plaintiff is a benefi-ciary to the bank.

The bank had in its originating sum-mons urged court to enter judgment in the sum jointly or severely against the first to third defendants, being the outstanding sum as at September 30, 2014.

Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdul-Ganiy Agbotomokekeere (left) presenting staff of office to the BabasaleMusulumi of Ibadanland, Alhaji Abdul-Lateef Oyelade, during the Turbaning, yesterday.

Boladale BamigBolaOsOgbO

Osun State Gover-nor Rauf Aregbe-sola, has assured

that all ongoing projects, including mega schools, will be completed as scheduled.

The governor also called for support from well-meaning and wealthy Nigerians to complement government’s efforts in all sectors.

He made the call while commissioning the reno-vated Comprehensive Health Centre, Igbajo, in Boluwaduro Local Gov-

ernment Area of the state.The hospital, which was

renovated and equipped by Mrs. Yetunde Oyewola in commemoration of her 80th birthday, was said to have been abandoned for years by successive gov-ernments in the state.

Aregbesola, who gave the assurance on the ongo-ing projects after assess-ment tour at the weekend, in a statement by the Bu-reau of Communication and Strategy, signed by its Director, Semiu Okan-lawon, copy of which was obtained by National Mir-ror, directed that all con-tractors of the ultra-mod-

ern schools in the state should accelerate work in their various sites.

Speaking at the site of a mega school project in Il-esa, Aregbesola noted that it would be unfortunate and regrettable if the con-tractors handling school projects failed to complete and handover same to the state within the agreed pe-riod.

Pointing out that schools under construc-tion are financed with the Sukuk bond, the governor added that there is no ex-cuse for the contractors not to accelerate pace of work.

Aregbesola assures on projects completion

APC bemoans tax burden in Ondo

Lagos APC slams critics of Ambode

ojo oyewamideAkure

Chairman of All Pro-gressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State,

Isaac Kekemeke, has urged the state government to be sensitive to the economic hardship experienced by people of the state and re-duce their tax burden.

Kekemeke alleged that the state government had been exploiting the poor masses in the guise of taxes and indiscriminate charges.

He noted that as a politi-cal party, APC believes that citizens have the civic duty to pay taxes and rates in demonstration of their citi-zenship and in assisting the government in the discharge of its functions and duties to the people.

The chairman, however, said that for government to effectively collect taxes from the citizens, it must create wealth, provide employment and an enabling environ-ment for industries and pri-vate initiatives to grow.

Kekemeke in Akure yesterday said such action had not been creditably dis-charged in Ondo, adding that “what government does is tantamount to taxing pov-erty.

“If the state government sees you doing something worthwhile that could lead to employment generation for others, they promptly kill such initiative with a bar-rage of questionable taxes and levies thereby misusing the legitimate role of tax in development. This is not the right way to generate rev-enue for the state.”

Citing the newly intro-duced car emission charges, the chairman stated that there was no justification for such additional burden on the people.

He said: “Dr. Mimiko knows as I do that the ac-tivities contributing most to pollution in Ondo State are more of a consequence of failed leadership than the emissions from cars. Today, nearly every business and most homes in the state rely on diesel-burning gen-erators with their attendant health hazards.

“If the state government has invested in independent power projects during the period Ondo State experi-enced massive financial boom under Dr. Mimiko, the story might be different to-day. So if any government is sincere about tackling emis-sions, the best way to start is

Those taking the mag-nanimity of Gov-ernor Akinwunmi

Ambode of Lagos State for weakness are not only missing the point but mis-chievous, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has said.

The party alleged that some fifth columnists and agent provocateur have taken to the social media to smear the person of the governor, who they ac-cused of being slow in deal-ing with the myriads of problems in the Centre of Excellence.

In a statement at the weekend by its spokesman, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, APC said

the governor would rather think things through be-fore acting and not the other way round as envis-aged by the detractors, who he said have no honour to disclose their identities in their social media criti-cisms.

Ambode, the party said, has not only been working to uphold the legacies be-queathed to him, but striv-ing to add value in tandem with the progressives’ tra-dition in Nigeria’s econom-ic hub in the past 16 years.

It urged foresighted political leaders and well-meaning individuals to join hands with the governor in his effort in making Lagos

livable and conducive for its teeming residents in terms of free traffic flow, environmental aesthetics and crime fighting.

On the traffic situation, APC said the governor did no wrong by directing traffic wardens to give a human face to the enforce-ment of traffic rules and regulations in the state. It described as unfortunate that motorist took undue advantage of the magna-nimity to flout traffic rules with impunity.

According to APC, the law establishing Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, is to make enforcement correc-

South WestNational Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 9Monday, November 9, 2015

Earlier in the week, he also visited Commu-nity Elementary/Middle School, Dada Estate, Os-ogbo High School, Ataoja School of Science, Osog-bo and New Model High school in Ede.

He gave stern warnings to contractors against slowing work, noting that his government, despite the financial meltdown, was poised to fulfill its campaign promises.

He pledged not to leave any stone unturned at en-suring that all the ongoing school projects were deliv-ered in no distant time to enhance the reclassifica-tion exercise of the state government.

He then charged the contractors to keep the contractual agreement with the state government by using the recommend-ed materials for the school building project, noting that government would not shift ground on the set requirement for the proj-ects.

While chiding contrac-tors for what he described as slow pace of work on site, Aregbesola promised to continually pay un-scheduled visit to the sites to ensure proper monitor-ing of the projects.

He also expressed dis-pleasure at the handling of Osogbo and Ilesa High school projects.

tive and not punitive as ad-vocated by the social media critics, and urged support for the governor.

“Leaders hands are al-ways heavy and Governor Ambode needs the support and encouragement of ev-ery Lagosian irrespective of tribe and ethno-cultural background to do his job. Lagos has carried the bur-den of bad and irresponsi-ble leadership at the centre in the past 16 years and the huge human and vehicular traffic in Lagos today is part of the bigger respon-sibility and challenge to anybody privileged to be the governor of a state like Lagos,” it stated.

to lift the heavier logs first. “Yes, we agree there must

be increase in internally generated revenue. Yes, we agree that Ondo State must look inward for enhanced revenue. But we must never resort into placing grueling yoke of heavy taxes on the masses as the only way to get this done.

“This is not personal. Dr. Mimiko was part of us when we utilised information technology in Ondo State Executive Council of which I was a member, to increase revenue in this state without increasing rates payable by the people. Yes, our Council insisted that rates must not be increased.

“Today, lawyers are bat-tling the Chief Justice over outrageous fees. Several unions are fighting against the government. Civil ser-vants have protested ‘heavy yoke of taxes’. Motorbike riders who criminally and willfully destroyed public properties sometimes ago blamed it on heavy charges attached to the registration scheme. These are unneces-sary distractions.

“Had the state govern-ment embarked on pro-people strategies for raising revenue, this atmosphere of grief that pervades the state would not have existed. Re-sponsible governance places a duty upon all of us to con-sider the people first.”

Kekemeke called on the government to account for over one trillion naira claimed to have been collect-ed in revenue from the feder-ation account over the past six years as well as the N14.7 billion bailout fund given by the federal government to assist the state in paying workers’ salary arrears.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

…activists defy police order, march round Enugu

South East 10 Monday, November 9, 2015

EmmanuEl EzEhEnugu

Fear enveloped Egede community in Udi Local Government

Area of Enugu State, fol-lowing the alleged killing of an indigene by Fulani herdsmen.

It was gathered that the 42-year-old Chinwuba Ekwueme, father of three and a member of the Egede Neighbourhood Watch was reportedly murdered by AK-47 wielding Fulani herds-men.

The herdsmen were re-portedly grazing their cattle in the community.

The situation has height-ened tension in the area as community leaders make efforts to forestall reprisal attacks.

Chairman of Egede Neighbourhood Watch, Mr. Donatus Otie, who con-firmed the killing, said the deceased was murdered by the herdsmen after other vigilante members took to their heels.

According to him, the herdsmen came shooting at the community vigilante members.

The deceased was not however lucky as he was surrounded by the cattle men that eventually gave him severe machete cuts that led to his death.

Reacting, traditional

N5,000 stipend: SEPA threatens to sue Buhari, APC

Tension as Fulani herdsmen kill one in Enugu

Revamping infrastructure will douse Biafra struggle —APC

N5,000 to unemployed youths in the country.

This was made known in a statement titled “Our intention to sue President Buhari and APC over non-payment of N5,000 month-ly stipend to Nigerian un-employed youths”, signed by its President, Ebere Uzoukwa.

The group maintained that having successfully entered into a bond with Nigerians during their

ruler of Egede, Igwe Poly-carp Oyigbo, lamented the reoccurrence of nomads’ attack against his subjects and wondered why govern-ment had not been able to offer measures towards sav-ing them from the strangers’ brutality.

Igwe Oyigbo noted that the community leadership had been prevailing on youths to avoid reprisal at-tack, and expressed hope that the police would keep to their promise of bringing the culprits to book.

He said: “I do not know whether it would have been better to allow them to take laws into their hands; so, government should take ap-propriate actions to end the menace.”

President General of Egede Town Union, Ichie Clement Amuji, lamented the pain and sorrow the herdsmen had inflicted on his people.

He said: “The attack has become a menace to our peo-ple. We have been complain-ing to the government; we have written several letters to Udi LGA, and the DPO 9th-Mile.

“This has been happen-ing; they have been destroy-ing our crops, raping our women. They killed a young man from Umuanum about three years ago. It is very sad because it has repeated itself.”

FRSC Anambra Sector Commander, Mr. Sunday Ajayi (3rd right), leading other officers during a sensitisation campaign in Umunze, Anambra State, at the weekend.

President of the decayed and collapsed federal roads, the 2nd Niger Bridge, Enugu coal and other neglected fed-eral projects in the region.

“Revamping the South-East physical infrastructure will no doubt motivate Ndig-bo to join President Buhari in constructing a progres-sive Nigeria, and dissuade and douse the pro-Biafra agitators,” he added.

He also commended Mrs. Buhari’s visit to fiery Catho-lic Priest and founder of Catholic Adoration Minis-try, Rev. Fr. Mbaka.

Okechukwu said: “The South-East APC rates her thank you visit as a master stroke. Fr. Mbaka is a cou-rageous clergy, who speaks truth to power. Recall that Fr. Mbaka watered the ground for President Muhammadu Buhari's victory, when he delivered the prophetic 2015 New Year’s eve message.”

MASSOB vows to disrupt socio-economic activities if…

detention of Kanu by Direc-torate of Security Services, DSS, would cause civil un-rest that could worsen the security situation in the country.

Comrade Madu admitted that members of his group have been taking part in pro-tests so far in some parts of the South East, adding that they would continue with IPOB till their demand for Mazi Kanu’s release was achieved.

“For the sake of Biafra, love for our fatherland and the spirit of brotherhood, MOSSOB shall continue to identify with genuine and selfless Biafra agitations as showed with Nnamdi Kanu.

“Only some few disgrun-tled elements and Abuja er-rand boys from the Eastern region are always against Biafra. Ndigbo and South

South are wiser, united and hungry for Biafra now.

“MASSOB shall hold Igbo governors, National Assem-bly members, traditional rulers and opinion leaders heavily responsible if Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not released this week.

“We and other genuine groups are now ready to unleash violence, which in-cludes civil disobedience, civil unrest, non coopera-tion, civil/massive boycott as was done during the emanci-pation struggle of Gandhi of India and Martin Luther King Jnr.,” he said.

Meanwhile, in defiance to police order, hundreds of pro-Biafra activists stormed the streets of Enugu State yesterday protesting the de-tention of Kanu.

The protesters, made up of members of IPOB and

EmmanuEl EzEhEnugu

South-East Caucus of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has

advocated more attention to the zone as a way of dousing the various agi-tations for the creation of Biafra.

This is also as the party saluted wife of the Presi-dent, Aisha Buhari, for flagging-off her free medical pet project, Health Screening Initiative, in Enugu State.

Spokesman, South East, APC Leadership Caucus, Mr. Osita Okechukwu said: “Ha-jia Buhari's choice of Enugu State to flag-off her pet free medical project, in no uncer-tain terms demonstrates her pan-Nigerian outlook, politi-cal sagacity and uncommon patriotism.”

Mr. Okechukwu, however, implored her to remind Mr.

EmmanuEl EzEh and Chris njoku

Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign

State of Biafra, MASSOB, has threatened to join forces with other militant groups to unleash violence that would worsen the al-ready fragile security situ-ation in the country, if the Director of Radio Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is not released this week.

Leader of the factional group, Uchenna Madu, in a statement in Owerri, Imo State capital, yesterday, warned the Federal Govern-ment to immediately release Kanu now or face “a severe action that will bring Nige-ria to her knees.”

He said the continued

MASSOB, marched round major streets in Enugu me-tropolis.

They moved from one lo-cation to another, from early morning till evening, chant-ing anti-government slogans and declaring their opposi-tion to the incarceration of the IPOB leader, as well as demanding for a Sovereign State of Biafra.

As at the time of filing this report, they were peaceful as motorists were allowed to ply without any confrontation.

Some residents, who were going to different churches for Sunday worship, joined the protesters, holding their Bibles and chanting “Anyi amakwe” meaning “We will not agree.”

It was gathered that the police in Enugu State had earlier issued an order ban-ning such protest.

for better life under his ad-ministration.

Sadly, the group said the party has not been able to fulfill some of the cam-paign promises six months after their victory.

“We are rather shocked and surprised that Presi-dent Buhari and APC re-sorted to exhibiting cer-tain actions that evidently smell deceit and incompe-tence in governance,” it noted.

Chris njokuOwErri

South East Progres-sives Assembly, SEPA, yesterday in

Owerri, Imo State capital, threatened court action against President Mu-hammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, over the inability of the Federal Government to commence payment of the monthly

campaign promises, Presi-dent Buhari and APC owe the obligation to fulfill those promises, including the immediate payment of N5,000 monthly stipend to unemployed youths.

The group noted that Nigerians, especially the teeming youths shunned the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and embraced President Buhari and APC, with high hope and expectation

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net South South 11Monday, November 9, 2015

Oil theft: Navy hands over 6 vessels, 15 suspects to NSCDCDennis nakuPort Harcourt

Nigerian Navy yes-terday said it hand-ed over six vessels

and 15 suspected oil thieves to operatives of the Nige-rian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, for prosecution.

Executive Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Pathfinder, Capt. Oluse-gun Soyemi, disclosed that the suspects were arrested over alleged involvement in illegal bunkering.

Soyemi explained that one of the suspects (name withheld) was arrested while discreetly discharg-ing about 108,000 litres of diesel from a large wooden boat into five vessels with-out licence.

He said: “On October 20, we got intelligence report about an ongoing illegal

“While examining the vessel, we discovered that the cargo tanks had been emptied and cleaned with hoses connected to the cargo tanks indicating its readiness to load petro-leum products,” he said.

Soyemi explained that none of the crew members had any certificate and competency to justify them serving aboard the mer-chant tanker ship.

While urging oil thieves to desist from sabotage of oil and gas installations, he assured Nigerians that the navy would not rest on its oars until illegal bunker-ing activities were stopped.

Receiving the suspects and vessels, NSCDC Head of Anti-Vandal Unit, Riv-ers State command, Assis-tant-Commander Steven Morgan said thorough and forensic investigation would be carried out.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Cotosearch.com Ltd, Prof. Johnson Bade Falade; Secretary General, United Cities and Local Government of Africa, Mr. Jean–Pierre Elong–Mbassi and Ndutim Obong from Spaces for Change, during a press conference on Africities Summit slated for South Africa, in Lagos, at the weekend. PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Arase

House of Assembly aspirant shot dead in DeltaVice Chancellor-

ship aspirant in University of

Uyo, Prof. Effiong John-son, has challenged his disqualification by the Governing Council at the Federal High Court.

Johnson, a former Dean of Students Affairs, said in Uyo on Sunday that he was surprised that only his name was omitted from those in-vited for final interview to the office of the vice chancellor.

“As the university ora-

Vice Chancellor-ship aspirant in University of

Uyo, Prof. Effiong John-son, has challenged his disqualification by the Governing Council at the Federal High Court.

Johnson, a former Dean of Students Af-fairs, said in Uyo on Sunday that he was surprised that only his name was omitted from those invited for final interview to the office of the vice chancellor.

“As the university orator, I am not satis-fied with the treatment meted on me by the gov-erning council of which I have been a member for three terms.

“The advert declar-ing vacant the position of the vice chancellor of the University of Uyo came out in the Punch newspaper of April 28, 2015 and criteria for the person of the vice chancellor were clearly stated.

“This is my third term in the governing coun-cil; with that creden-tial, I am not a novice, neither do I fall short of the requirements for the vice chancellorship position.

“Item B which, among others, stated that the person of a vice chancel-lor, as advertised, should have had 20 years ex-perience in the univer-sity setting, 10 of which must be as a professor.

“I also heard rumour that the governing coun-cil may have had anoth-er interpretation to that particular criterion.

ers would further be inves-tigated by NSCDC.

According to him, 20 sus-pects who were arrested at the jetty had been released due to their non-involve-ment in the case.

Similarly, Soyemi also handed over a 3,000-metric tonne ship and its 14 crew members, which allegedly stood by to steal crude oil from a major pipeline in the state.

“On October 2, troops of NNS Pathfinder impound-ed a 3,000-metric tonne ship, MT Everest, which anchored (few metres away from a pipeline) without any official reason to do so.

“We discovered the ves-sel which had been in op-eration since 2007 had no certificate of registry and clearance from the Nigeri-an Ports Authority; and no single naval approval in all of its operations.

bunkering activity at a pri-vate jetty opposite the busy Slaughter market around Trans-Woji area in Port Harcourt.

“Our troops on arrival at the jetty accosted five vessels and a large wooden boat loading products sus-pected to be stolen diesel.

“The vessels, MV Denis, MV Faith, MV Lum VII, MV Eliora, and FP Comfort had no approval from naval headquarters for the trans-action,” he said.

Soyemi further ex-plained that the prime sus-pect who doubled as a mid-dleman for two companies fingered in the case had provided useful informa-tion during its preliminary investigations.

He said owners of the vessels were subsequently invited for questioning and had tendered their state-ments, adding that the own-

am not a novice, neither do I fall short of the re-quirements for the vice chancellorship position.

“Item B which, among others, stated that the person of a vice chancel-lor, as advertised, should have had 20 years ex-perience in the univer-sity setting, 10 of which must be as a professor.

“I also heard rumour that the governing coun-cil may have had anoth-er interpretation to that particular criterion.

“I clocked 10 years as

tor, I am not satisfied with the treatment met-ed on me by the govern-ing council of which I have been a member for three terms.

“The advert declaring vacant the position of the vice chancellor of the University of Uyo came out in the Punch newspa-per of April 28, 2015 and criteria for the person of the vice chancellor were clearly stated.

“This is my third term in the governing council; with that credential, I

Udom

VC aspirant sues UniUyo Governing Council

a professor on October 1, and the interview for that job was billed for October 15.

“So, I had to institute a case challenging the process of my not being invited in the Federal High Court,’’ Johnson said.

He said before the interview was conduct-ed, the university was served with an injunc-tion restraining the gov-erning council from con-ducting the interview.

He said despite the in-

junction, the university went ahead to conduct the interview without in-viting him.

Johnson said the fact that he was not invited for the interview was evi-dence that something was wrong which the court must unravel.

It would be recalled that on October 19, the university Registrar/Secretary to council, Mrs Edak Umondak, an-nounced that the govern-ing council had approved the appointment of Prof.

“I clocked 10 years as a professor on October 1, and the interview for that job was billed for October 15.

“So, I had to institute a case challenging the process of my not being invited in the Federal High Court,’’ Johnson said.

He said before the interview was conduct-ed, the university was served with an injunc-tion restraining the gov-erning council from con-ducting the interview.

He said despite the in-junction, the university went ahead to conduct the interview without inviting him.

Johnson said the fact that he was not invited for the interview was evidence that something was wrong which the court must unravel.

It would be recalled that on October 19, the university Registrar/Secretary to council, Mrs Edak Umondak, an-nounced that the gov-erning council had ap-proved the appointment of Prof. Enefiok Essien, as the new vice chancel-lor for the institution.

Enefiok Essien, as the new vice chancellor for the institution.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net12 North Monday, November 9, 2015

Apostle Dan-iel Aguocha of Mountain of Lib-

eration and Miracle Min-istries, Kaduna, yesterday predicted that Nigerians would reap positive re-sults from President Mu-hammadu Buhari’s ad-ministration by mid 2016.

Aguocha made the prediction while com-menting on the current economic hardship being experienced in the coun-try.

He called for patience, assuring that very soon “Nigerians will be smil-ing again.”

“Nigerians should be patient with the govern-ment of the day because good things are on the way and soon we will all have reason to rejoice.

“Things are a bit rough now because President Buhari is working to-wards a better Nigeria.

“He is working day and night to put in place necessary structures that will drive his administra-tion’s change agenda for

Clergy predicts better life for Nigerians by mid 2016

the good of the country and its people,” he added.

The clergy said all the forces working against the good intentions of Presi-dent Buhari would soon fall along the way.

Aguocha added that Nigeria was blessed with a good leader struggling to rid the country of all forms of corrupt practic-es “so that Nigeria will be great again.”

He therefore, called on Nigerians to intensify prayers for the success of the current adminis-tration in turning things around for the good of the entire nation.

Earlier in his message to the congregation dur-ing the day’s service, the clergy urged Christians to put God first in every-thing they do if they hope to receive more blessings from God.

He urged Christians to always look unto God in times of need and difficul-ties instead of patronising shrines and associating with demons.

Group wants CCT chairman sacked over alleged money laundering

Senator wants FG to equip nation’s airportsDeputy Leader of the

Senate, Ibn Na’Allah, has deplored the way

Nigeria spends more on ter-minal buildings rather than procuring equipment to de-velop its airports.

Na’Allah, who is also dep-uty chairman of the newly constituted Senate Commit-tee on Aviation, said this when he spoke with news-men in Abuja yesterday.

The senator was reacting to the ranking of Port Har-court Airport as the worst in the world.

He said emphasis must be

Doosuur IwambeAbujA

A group, Registered Trustees of Mission for Peace and Devel-

opment Initiative, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to prosecute Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, Mr. Danladi Umar, for allegedly receiving bribe from an accused.

The group also asked a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, to sack Umar over alleged money laundering, bribery and other vices.

The non-governmental or-ganisation in an originating summons filed on its behalf by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, wants the court to order Justice Umar to hands off the trial of any Nigerian, having confessed to corruption and admitted meeting with an ac-

(Justice Umar) and we are shocked at a grand cover up by powers-that-be who re-fused to prosecute him for receiving, N1.8mbribe out of N10m he demanded from an accused he was trying in his Tribunal, notwithstanding the clear instructions of the then AGF, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, that he should be prosecuted,” the affidavit stated.

It further averred that EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, on June 24, 2014 wrote to the AGF, where he concluded that there was sufficient evidence, even if circumstantial, that Umar collected money from an ac-cused person, Rasheed A. Taiwo through his persona assistant, Mr. Abdullahi, and that there was an attempt to cover up judicial corruption.

A date is yet to be fixed for the hearing of the matter.

placed on procuring equip-ment rather than remodel-ing terminal buildings.

The senator said equip-ment were affordable and available such that Nigeria should stop spending too much money on over-priced terminal buildings.

Na’Allah, an aviation expert and pilot, said the instruments for navigation and landing were even much more important than the terminal building.

“A passenger needs to first and foremost arrive safely at his destination,

L-R: Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong; his wife, Regina, and wife of Deputy Governor, Mrs. Abigail Tyoden, during the 2015 harvest and bazaar thanksgiving of St. Monica's Catholic Church, Jos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

11 professors for Dutse Varsity VC’s job

but failed and refused to file same till date for inexplica-ble reasons.

The plaintiff also wants an order that the AGF should cease from further regarding or according recognition to Justice Umar as the rightful chairman of CCT.

A nine-paragraph affida-vit in support of the origi-nating summons deposed to by one Ogah Columba, a human rights activist and anti-corruption campaigner, averred that in spite of the corruption cases hanging on the neck of Justice Umar, he could still sit, morally and legally to try any Nigerian citizen for any case of cor-ruption,

“That in consonance with the anti-corruption stance of the present government, we decided to dig into the ugly, murky cases of corruption against the 1st Respondent

before he can begin to talk about going to any terminal building.

“You see, we may argue about this matter here and there, but the most unfortu-nate thing is that we cannot delete what can be said to be the truth,” he said.

Acording to him, the ranking of the Port-Har-court airport was not some-thing that could be wished away as other airports in Nigeria were also lacking in equipment.

He recalled that a British Airways flight that arrived

Abuja last week at about 4:27 a.m. could not land until about 8 a.m. because of lack of necessary equip-ment.

He said the only solu-tion was for the nation’s airports to put in place the relevant equipment at a reasonable cost.

Na’Allah recommended that the airports should procure equipments like ground radar with which an air traffic controller could taxi an aircraft to park even without physi-cally seeing it.

Chairman, Govern-ing Council of the Federal Uni-

versity of Dutse, Jigawa State, Prof. Taoheed Ad-edoja, said the council had shortlisted 11 pro-fessors out of the 24 that applied for the post of vice-chancellor of the in-stitution.

Adedoja disclosed this yesterday in Dutse, while speaking with newsmen after inspecting ongoing projects in the univer-sity.

The tenure of incum-bent Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jibrila Amin, will end on February 16, 2016.

Adedoja said the pro-cess for shortlisting the applicants was rigorous, adding that at the end of the exercise, the best candidate will emerge.

He noted that the outgoing pioneer vice-chancellor had laid a solid foundation, which the next person would build upon, pointing out that the council was par-ticularly happy with the system and structures in the new university.

The chairman said the out-going VC had within

a short time moved the university to the perma-nent site, graduated its first set and also estab-lished a Faculty of Medi-cine and Allied Health Sciences.

It was leant that the applicants shortlisted include Prof. Abubakar Kundiri and Prof. Salisu Abdullahi from the insti-tution, Prof. Muhammad Abubakar from Abuba-kar Tafawa Belewa Uni-versity, Bauchi, and Prof. Haruna Birniwa of Usman Danfodio Univer-sity, Sokoto.

Others are Prof. Hadi Suberu of Federal Uni-versity, Lokoja, Prof. Sherifdeen Tella of Ola-bisi Onabanjo Univer-sity, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Prof. Yusuf Al-hassan of Bayero Uni-versity, Kano and Prof. Taiwo Olusegun Omobu-wajo also from Olabisi Onabanjo University.

Prof. Okechukwu Uka-ga of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Prof. Zakari Muhammad of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Prof. Zaccheaus Ap-ata of the University of Ilorin also made the list.

cused person standing trial before him in the absence of the prosecution and court of-ficials.

Joined as defendants in the suit filed on Friday are CCT, EFCC and Attorney General of the Federation, AGF.

The plaintiff wants the court to order the tribunal to halt further sittings or proceedings against accused persons brought before it, or currently standing trial be-fore it until it is reconstituted to exclude its present chair-man.

The organisation is also praying the court for an order directing EFCC to start pros-ecuting Justice Umar, having investigated and found him culpable of the offences of conspiracy, bribery, abuse of office and money laundering, which the commission had actually prepared a charge,

PoliticsNational Mirror

www.nationalmirroronline.net 13Monday, November 9, 2015

Garba Shehu

Before a skyscraper rises out of the ground and be-comes a towering edifice, the foundation must go deep into the ground, sometimes as low as 150ft.

Month after month, the labourers continue to dig and build, their diligent work taking place completely out of sight. In the same period it takes to complete the foun-dation of a skyscraper, several duplexes may spring up nearby. Concerned onlookers may wonder about all the time invested in an unseen structure and ask, “But why can’t we see the building you say you are building?”

During the past few months since he took on the mantle of CHANGE, President Muhammadu Buhari has been restructuring the foundations of the Nigerian government, which have disintegrated and putrefied over decades of mismanagement. He has been busy cleaning out debris and plugging loopholes, before lay-ing new and fresh blocks. When he spoke to them at the three-day retreat welcoming them to the cabinet, the President told the new ministers that “ we have already taken deliberate measures to plug leakages of govern-ment revenue and resources.”

The Treasury Single Account (TSA) is one example. Under this new system, all government revenue, in-come and payments are being handled via one single account which will be maintained by the Central Bank. This way, the government will have direct supervision of inflow and outflow. Cases such as that of Nigerian Maritime and Security Agency, NIMASA (currently under investigation by the EFFC) where billions of dol-lars were channelled for questionable purposes will be a thing of the past. Nigerians can expect more transpar-ency and less misappropriation of funds by agencies of government. Government will begin to realise her rev-enue in full measure and agencies will be able to spend only within their budgets.

Still on the issue of government revenue, the pros-pect of the Nigerian government generating more money through the Nigerian Customs Service is set to increase with the change of management that was ef-fected recently by the Buhari administration. With ac-countability and integrity at the top, Nigerians can ex-pect that revenue from that agency will double or triple.

The Ministry of Finance just got the customs to re-pair broken down scanners at the ports to ensure maxi-mum generation of revenue. Officers had left the scan-ners unrepaired, and in some known cases deliberately sabotaged them so that assessment is done manually to satisfy greed on their part.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has also begun to implement a programme of increased aware-ness among Nigerians regarding the payment of taxes. This is being followed by a strict programme of persua-sion and enforcement. Within a short while, the Nige-rian government will begin to realise a marked increase in revenue from VAT.

All these foundation blocks have been laid to ensure that the Nigerian government has enough revenue with which to make life better for every Nigerian, especially as the price of oil continues to look precarious.

These measures, taken together represent a major push by the President to increase internally-generated revenue, reduce over-dependence on crude oil earnings in a way that will bring stability and predictability in the financing of government programs.

abiodun nejoADO EKITI

The All Progressives Congress, APC has accused the state

governor of harping on the state indebtedness as a cover-up for alleged non-performance.

APC State Publicity Sec-retary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, alleged that the exagger-ated debt burden of the was a ploy by the governor to siphon state resources.

Olatunbosun said in a statement in Ado Ekiti yes-terday in reaction to the government’s posture on the state debt burden that “Ekiti people are not fooled by the recalcitrant postur-ing in government”, warn-ing the governor to stop treating Ekiti people as children with scant capac-ity for reasoning.

He said: “On assump-tion of office, Fayose told the world that former Gov-ernor Kayode Fayemi left N86 billion debt. Later, he sat up to reduce the debt to N56 billion and now, he has announced another figure of N252 billion that will be redeemed in 2036, all in an attempt to hide behind debt profile to deny people real development while liv-

The coming of Buhari’s change agents

Ekiti APC to gov: Debt burden, cover-up for non-performance

ing in private comfort as planned”.

Olatunbosun said the governor’s motive for his current lie was to deny the past political office hold-ers payment of severance allowances even though payment of severance al-lowances were captured in the bailout cash so that he can help himself with the cash thinking the unsus-pecting Ekiti people would not know.

“We want to make it abundantly clear to Ekiti people that Fayemi left a debt of N18.5b as he ex-plained to the whole world on the floor of the Nigeria Senate chambers during his ministerial screening session and this has not been controverted.

“Fayemi met N30 billion debt on assumption of of-fice in 2010, but he believed government is a continu-um and that didn’t handi-cap him from fulfilling his campaign promises to the people.

“It is gratifying that Fayemi did not borrow to pay salaries; he borrowed to implement development projects and the projects are there across the state for the people to see,” he said.

The situation of the economy is not an ordinary one. It is a crisis, a crisis itself inherited by the Bu-hari administration, and one that cannot be ignored. Two weeks ago, the International Monetary Fund, IMF predicted that the GDP growth in sub-Saharan Africa would fall to 3.75 percent in 2015 which is the lowest in the last six years.

Nigeria along with Angola, the leading oil economies on the continent have been hit hard by oil prices which have gone down by more than 50 percent in the last 12 months.

It is on account of this that the President warned the new ministers of what to expect:

“The work of restoration and renewal is urgent and immense. The expectations of Nigerians are high. Our determination to succeed and change the fortunes of our country must be equal to the challenge.

“I have invited you to join me in this urgent mission for our country. I am convinced that in accepting this invitation you are also equally determined to take part in this patriotic undertaking.

So finally, the underground work is coming to an end. With the inauguration of ministers taking place on Wednesday, it is now time for Nigerians to watch the edifice of CHANGE begin to rise out of a new and strong foundation. Our country’s season of austerity is coming to an end. Life will get better for every Nige-rian, in every geopolitical zone of our country.

As President Buhari said in the opening address during the retreat that took place last week, “You are coming on board the ship of governance at an interest-ing time. So much has been said about the state of our economy. It is expected that we make the running of Government at all levels as lean as possible, avoid waste and conserve resources. As ministers, you must be the vehicle that will administer the change.”

President Buhari, who shrugged off “experts”and their “scientific” predictions to receive a historic man-date- the first time that an opposition candidate defeat-ed an incumbent administration since independence

has been speaking of the huge popular expectation of Nigerians who gave this mandate. They are waiting, im-patient and agitated.

The new ministers will do well to pay heed to the President’s call for prudence, austerity through the avoidance of the type of extravagance that had weighed down the finances of government in the past. Under the past administration, some ministers had as many as 15 special assistants and so many policemen in tow.

Let the new ministers learn from the President who game a recent directive that he didn’t want have more than eight vehicles in his convoy.

Nigerians should get set to see and experience more of the CHANGE for which they voted overwhelmingly for the Buhari administration if the cabinet avoids mi-cromanaging specifics and kowtowing to God-father in-terests to join the President in putting policies in place to make the country a favored destination for investors both global and local.

There is little doubt that there is light at the end of the tunnel although it will take much hard work to make it a new dawn.

Buhari

Politics National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net14 Monday, November 9, 2015

Wale IbrahImLOKOJA

Kogi State chap-ter of the Peoples Democratic Party,

PDP has commended the decision of President Mu-hammadu Buhari to keep distance from his party’s governorship candidate in the November 21, 2015

L-R: Pastor Tokunbo Adesanya; Vice President Yemi Osibajo; children of late Mama HID Awolowo, Ambassador Tokunbo Awolo-wo-Dosunmu and Rev. Tola Oyediran, during a condolence visit by the Vice President to the family, in Ikenne, on Saturday.

Kogi APC rally: PDP lauds Buhari’s absence

Aregbesola provides succour for victims of inferno

UCLGA holds 7th Africities summit

PDP Senator’s motion on stipends for unemployed Nigerians, a mischief –Buhari

ayo esan

United Cities of Local Governments of Af-rica, UCLGA which

is the representative head of local governments across the continent has said that the 7th edition of the Africi-ties Summit will hold at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa from November 29 to De-cember 3, 2015.

The Africities Sum-mit, highly regarded as UCLGA’s flagship event, is now a permanent feature on the political calendar for all local governments across Africa.

Speaking at Africities Press Launch in Lagos Friday, UCLGA Secre-tary General , Jean-Pierre Elong-Mbassi said this year’s edition of the sum-mit which is being held every three years will cre-ate a platform for tackling issues affecting urban and economic development across the continent with a sharp focus on collab-orative partnerships, best practices, innovative and strategic thinking and so-lutions to the challenges of development and ur-banisation.

Elong-Mbassi said the summit will have in at-tendance more than 5,000 participants expected from across Africa and the globe, and over 25 open sessions for stakeholders

ayo esan

Government of Osun State has offered fi-nancial relief pack-

age of N31 million to the victims of a fire outbreak that engulfed Atakumosa Market, Ilesa.

The market, which is the biggest in Ilesa town, was caught by fire on Sun-day, August 9, 2015, leaving shops and goods worth mil-

KemI olaItanIBADAN

Senator representing Oyo North in the upper chamber of

the National Assembly, Fatai Buhari, has denied the claim by the opposi-tion, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP that All Pro-gressives Congress ,APC

ranging from the World Bank on one side, to slum dwellers on the other.

He said the theme of this year’s summit is “Shaping the Future of Africa with the People: Af-rica’s Local Government Contribution to the Africa 2063 Vision.”

He further said that the summit will be host to lo-cal and national govern-ment officials, heads of state, economists, city and financial planners and in-vestors and stakeholders.

According to Elong-Mbassi,the high on the agen-da at the summit will be the accelerating pace of urban-isation and migration, the urbanisation of poverty, and the disproportionate level of poverty and under develop-ment in Africa.

Other topics to be ex-plored according to UCL-GA Secretary General will include: public transport, urban agriculture, infor-mal trading, neighbour-hood development, green buildings, parks and open spaces, and public safety in urban settings.

“Unless people are ca-pacitated to own their own lives, to take part in the gov-ernance of their own lives, you cannot say that your country is liberated. This is why decentralisation and empowering local people is so critical. We thought it was good to celebrate the coming up of local authori-ties as the expression of the voice of the local people. We thought it was important to overcome the divide inher-ited by colonisation ... so we came together to say we are going to stop it; we are going to participate at the local level to unite this continent and we are going to work to-wards the empowerment of local people to take control of their lives... This is how Africities was born”, Elong-Mbassi explained.

lions of naira destroyed.Presenting cheques to

some of the victims running to hundreds last Thursday, the Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said the relieve package was aimed at cush-ioning the effect of the in-ferno on the victims and the economy.

Represented by the Chair-man, Ilesa West Local Gov-ernment, Alhaji Azeez Ad-esiji, the governor said the market would be rebuilt to

Senators were against the implementation of the promised N5,000, for the unemployed in the country.

Buhari who said this at the weekend while speak-ing with journalists at his Ogbomosho country home, stated that the PDP Senators knew that the money is not in the bud-

meet international standard.According to him, the

relieve package was offered to the victims due to the concern of his administra-tion to the plight of the citi-zenry and in line with its commitment to see to the peoples’ welfare.

He said: “In spite of the economic situation in Osun, we still consider it necessary to support the traders who were the vic-tims of the inferno.

“This government will continue to do everything possible to make lives meaningful to the people, no matter the distraction”, he said.

The Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon-ourable Timothy Owoeye who represents Ilesa East constituency commended the governor for showing concern to the welfare of the people in spite of the economic situation.

election in the state, Prince Abubakar Audu.

The party in a state-ment signed by its Public-ity Secretary, Bode Ogun-mola said the President has not allowed himself to be swayed by the political antics to support the aspi-ration of the All Progres-sive Congress, APC gover-norship candidate, Prince

Abubarka Audu.The statement described

as wise and commendable the decision of President Buhari to run away from getting tainted by the cor-rupt tendencies of APC candidate.

The party remarked that the body language of the president is quite obvious pointing out that a man like

President Buhari who is well known for his integrity, will not stake his name and integrity on a man standing trial for corruption.

In a swift reaction, the Head of Abubakar Audu Media Directorate , Dr. Tom Ohikere said that the absence of President Mohammed Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osin-

bajo who didn’t attend the rally because they were at-tending to national issues should not be politicized.

Ohikere who spoke with our correspondent on tele-phone maintained that the PDP’s view on the absence of the two elder statesmen was not correct and un-called for , saying their ab-sence was not because the APC candidate was He said with the former governor’s

antecedents it is clear that he is more sellable because he laid a good foundation for good people of the state between 1999 and 2003 in the state.

He pointed out that the statement was a mere pro-paganda to distract the at-tention of electorate from the issues of maladminis-tration and lack of infra-structural development in the state.

get, thus it is a mere mis-chief that the APC Sena-tors killed the campaign promise of the party.

He said, “I was in the chamber that day, I owned up and I am one of them. There is a problem or a mischief and a sensible senator will not stand aloof or akimbo when his or her party is being

discussed. It was Senator Philip Aduda who raised that beautiful motion on the issue of unemployed graduates in the coun-try and the motion was given a thorough hearing by both Senators from PDP and APC with all the prayers of the sponsors duly approved,

“Senator Aduda then

raised his hand to signify that he has another added prayer, when he brought the prayer, he said the Senate should urge the Federal Government to start paying the N5,000 the APC promised the unemployed Nigerians and immediately we no-ticed that the prayer was insincere.

NAWOJ visits Lagos Assembly, protests rape, violencerobert aWoKuse

Lagos State chapter of the National As-sociation of Women

Journalists, NAWOJ has protested against the in-cessant rape and violence recorded in the state in re-

cent time.The group which last

week took its protest to the Lagos State House of As-sembly complex lamented the despicable acts in dif-ferent shades.

Chairman of the group, Dupe Olaoye Oshinkolu said the protest became impera-

tive following the increasing cases of rape and other vio-lence against women in the state which are fast becom-ing worrisome.

“We came here to pro-test over incessant rape case and violence, because the rate at which rape is be-ing committed in the state

is alarming to us in NA-WOJ.”

The group further sought the amendment of the “violence against per-sons act 2015” that seeks prohibition of all forms of violence against the people regardless of age, sex and religion.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 15Monday, November 9, 2015 Views

UTUM ETENG

For the crisis ridden Cross River State chapter of APC, the nomina-tion of Pastor Usani Uguru Usani

as a ministerial nominee by President Muhammadu Buhari, hopefully should soothing balm for the members frayed nerves. Central to the crisis is who be-comes state chairman, a possible ladder to a minister in the Buhari’s cabinet.

However, with Pastor Usani Usani el-evation to the ministerial slot by God’s grace, the last must have been heard about this crisis. The national leader-ship of the APC should be encouraged to take prompt steps to reorganize the party in the state to give it the desired strength. The national leadership of the APC must give all the stakeholders in the state the opportunity to sort themselves out. In the circumstances, those parties that went to court against Pastor Uguru, the incumbent state chairman should be advised to discontinue their suit as the subject matter of the suit does no longer exist. All men and women of goodwill are, therefore, urged to congratulate and rally round Pastor Usani Usani to suc-ceed as a Minister of Nigeria.

The state’s local government election is by the corner, and the unity, serious-ness and invariably the legacy of hones-ty in the minds of party members would be tested and measured in the number

of council chairmen and councilors the APC would harvest after the local gov-ernment election.

Suffice it to opine that over the years, the PDP had enjoyed the monopoly of infiltrating the ranks of opposition par-ties with a view to swallow them, like it did to the former All People’s Party (APP) when it had 12 members if the state House of Assembly to the latte’s 13. The crisis in the former vibrant Action Congress (AC) and later Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was fueled by the PDP. The other style of the PDP is to sponsor possible party EXCO members and later spoil them with money to the point of be-ing stooges or molds in the colour of the opposition shirt.

It is common knowledge that Gov Ben Ayade in his usual boisterous and bom-bastic claims is openly creating the im-pression that he is fine and good. This to my mind is a well orchestrated ploy or strategy to weaken the state APC in order to gain an advantage for the PDP. It is still, however, not yet Uhuru for the APC in Cross River State in spite of the fact that the central government is APC controlled. The APC national leadership will have to do more by comprehensively following up claims that some big names in Cross River State political landscape are about to join the APC soon.

It is expected that the APC leadership should be guided by the recent Supreme Court judgment that an elected public of-

ficer remain with the people’s mandate in the same party he was elected or forgo his mandate if he crosses over to another party. The APC cannot await the pleasure of Ayade speculated move to decamp to the APC before putting its house in or-der. The APC leadership should, through its Strategic and Intelligence Committee, find out why Ayade resumed with vigour PDP stakeholders meeting at the Govern-ment House to counter the possible defec-tions of big names like ex-Gov Donald Duke, Clement Ebri, former Senate Lead-er Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), immediate past commissioner in the NDDC, Hon Paul Ada, Ntufam Peter Oti, Special Ad-viser on Budget to Imoke and Chairman of CRS, IRS and a host of others.

The national leadership of the APC should be aware that the PDP in Cross River is mocking Cross River chapter of APC with Ayade going above it reach APC national hierarchs to consummate the nomination of Pastor Usani Usani using Rotimi Amaechi. We see this as a decoy to further aggravate the bad blood

KOFAR NASSARAWA

Needless stating that Nigeria has had a succession of eminently qualified technocrats to run the na-

tion’s telecommunications sector since its liberalisation. Beginning from the pioneer executive Vice Chairmanship of Engr. Er-nest Ndukwe in February 2000, who served for two terms of five years each to the im-mediate past tenure of Dr. Eugene, Juwah whose term began in 2010, and the incum-bent, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who is just about settling down to a daunting task, these men have each paraded intimidating career profiles.

Ndukwe had the hard task of laying a working foundation for private sector driv-en, public sector regulated telecoms sector, an operation which for the sheer scale and dynamics of the Nigerian economy, was no mean task. Juwah took on the responsibil-ity of sustaining the gains and deepening the growth in the sector; and Prof. Danbat-ta is expected to prepare a blueprint that will aid the realisation of the broadband master-plan as well as straighten out many regulatory oversights that should deliver to Nigerians world class telecoms and ICT services.

Called to duty on August 4, 2015, Prof. Danbatta is a thorough-bred academic, well-grounded in the lecture theatre as well as in university administration. For 28 years he worked as a lecturer in the Depart-ment of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Bayero University Kano,

where he taught courses in telecommu-nications engineering and electronics. At different times, he held appointments as the Head of Department and Dean of the Faculty of Technology.

He also served as the Deputy and Act-ing Dean of Students’ Affairs, Administra-tor of the Works and Estate Department and Director of the Centre for Information Technology (CIT), the university’s ICT hub. A hands-on administrator, he was at various times chairman or member of more than 60 university committees and task forces.

Outside Bayero University, he served as chairman or member to over 20 com-mittees, prominent among which was the chairmanship of the Implementation Com-mittee of Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil, after which he was appointed as pioneer deputy and acting vice-chancellor when the university took off in 2001. It is from Science and Tech Uni-versity he got “poached” for a bigger na-tional assignment.

Born in Danbatta Local Government Area of Kano State, Prof. Danbatta obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Master

of Science and doctorate degrees from the Technical University of Wroclaw in Poland and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, United King-dom, respectively. He has tutored more than 60 PhD, MEng and BEng projects in the diverse areas of telecommunications and has also served as external examiner to seven universities and polytechnics.

He is an assessor, technical reviewer and editorial member to eight research journals. He is a recipient of 18 distin-guished awards and certificates of honour. A COREN registered engineer and mem-ber of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Prof. Danbatta, served two terms of five years as a member of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

He has to his credit more than 50 articles in journals, conference proceedings and technical reports. He is also the author of a six-chapter, 167-page book titled Elements of Static Engineering Electromagnetics. He was the Vice President of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), International Centre for Ad-vanced Communications Studies, which was established in 2004 by the Nigerian Commu-nications Commission (NCC) to build capaci-ty for the Nigerian/African telecom industry in the diverse areas of information and com-munication technology (ICT).

While at DBI Danbatta developed exper-tise in major areas of ICT implementation, policy and regulation including: Regula-tion of the Telecommunications Sector of the Nigerian Economy; Competition, In-terconnection and Price Regulations in a

Developing Economy; Issues concerning Authorization of Telecommunications Ser-vices in a Developing Economy; Strategies for ensuring Universal Access and Service to Telecommunications Services; Strate-gies towards Effective Spectrum Manage-ment in a Developing Economy; Issues on Institutional and Legal Framework for Ef-fective Regulation of Telecommunications Services; and New and Emerging Tech-nologies and Impact on Regulation of the Telecommunications Sector of a Develop-ing Economy.

Like his two predecessors, Prof. Dan-batta’s feet are primed for the shoes he now has to wear. To use a cliché, he is a square peg in a square hole. One’s optimism is also boosted by the fact that he has first-hand experience with the Digital Bridge Institute. This means that with the Nige-rian Communications Commission under his charge, there are possibilities for the greater involvement of local inputs in the ICT sector. It is, therefore, in order to wel-come Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta to his new assignment and wish him resounding success on the beat.

Kofar-Nassarawa, a businessman, wrote from Kano.

PROF. DANBATTA IS EXPECTED TO PREPARE

A BLUEPRINT THAT WILL AID THE REALISATION OF THE BROADBAND

MASTER-PLAN

THE SPECULATED ADVANCES BY AYADE

TO JOIN THE APC WITH PDP MANDATE

MUST BE TREATED WITH CAUTION

Still not yet uhuru for Cross River APC

Prof Danbatta: The right peg in NCC’s hole

Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: [email protected] [email protected] or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

in the APC family. However, it is pertinent to remind the

APC national hierarchs that Cross River State APC is anxious and determined to forge ahead and, therefore, needs to be encouraged to utilize the appointment of Pastor Usani Usani and subsequent ones to give the party a new face. The party is crying for a vibrant, experienced, mod-erate and independent person to lead the state chapter of the party. If as is posited that Ayade would soon join the APC, he should join an already stable and focused APC. The APC in Cross River State is not lacking in quality membership but only needs quality leadership to forge and avert the possible danger signals of ex-tinction by the likelihood of the PDP us-ing Ayade to undermine the party.

The APC is desirous of a honest legacy for its future members. The speculated advances by Ayade to join the APC with PDP mandate must be treated with cau-tion. Our elders say that a word is enough for the wise and that the wise-man hears and get wiser. Ayade is speculated to be warming up to join the APC; the same Ayade has a list of commissioner-nomi-nees across the 18 local governments of the state without an APC member.

I wish to repeat that the APC leader-ship should not fall prey to the antics of Ayade. This will portend danger to us, and I say boldly that at the fullness of time, Ayade will not key into APC vision.

Chief Eteng is a chieftain of APC in Cross River


BUT SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT SO

PREFER, IT SHOULD BE PREPARED TO GO THE WHOLE HOG TO RAISE SUFFICIENT REVENUE

TO SUSTAIN THE EXTRAVAGANCE

16 Monday, November 9, 2015 EditorialEditorial

On Enugu government’s Prado Jeeps’ bazaarA couple of days ago, organ-

ised labour in Enugu State cried blue murder to protest

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s Pra-do Jeeps’ bonanza for members of the state’s House of Assembly and other political appointees. The Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Enugu State wing, com-prising labour leaders drawn from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), in a letter they addressed to Governor Ugwuanyi, which they also leaked to the media, said it was unacceptable for the state admin-istration to buy official vehicles of over N11 million each for the said officials, when its workers were not only receiving meagre salaries and allowances, but were being owed backlogs of gratuity and pension.

The letter credited to the State Chairman and Secretary of the JPSNC, Comrades Igbokwe C. Igbokwe; and Theo Obasiana, respectively, condemned the ges-ture as ‘the harvest of Prado Jeeps’, whereas the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), officially approved N5.3 million as car loan for each state assembly member. “We also call on His Excellency to pay all outstand-ing workers demands, as what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander”, Igbokwe and Obasi-ana stated.

But no sooner had organised

labour slammed the Sports Util-ity Vehicles (SUVs) bonanza than Enugu State information manag-ers stormed the media to paper over the cracks. In one report in defence of the act, the SUV galore was dismissed as a calculated attempt by political foes to tar Governor Ugwuanyi’s image and incite the state’s workforce against his administration. In another breath, it was claimed, how despite the dwindling revenue profile of Enugu State, Ugwuanyi’s admin-istration had ensured workers received their salaries on the 25th of every month. Nonetheless, the state is yet to settle an inherited debt of N32 billion in outstanding salaries for non-permanent staff, pension and pension arrears and subventions for parastatals, etc. But the governor was said to have not just made arrangements to ac-cess the N4.2 billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) bailout fund to offset the state’s liability to work-ers, but have personally invited and consulted organised labour on how the fund would be utilized, a development tagged as “a new beginning for Enugu State work-ers”, among other pro-Ugwuanyi arguments.

In addition, were claims by the Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Godwin Udeuhele; and the House Leader, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, that the Toyota Prado

SUVs were not procured for the legislators as personal property, but were assigned to them from government vehicle pool for their committees, on the condition that the vehicles would be returned to the pool at the end of their tenure. Indeed, the JPSNC was said to have withdrawn its hard-line position on the matter. Igbokwe, for instance, was quoted as saying on behalf of the workers: “We met with His Ex-cellency, who gave us clarifications on the scheme of the project; and at the end of the day, we discussed and reconciled the issue. Let me commend His Excellency’s modus operandi because each time there are issues, he makes out time to bring people to make explanations. The governor discussed extensively with us and we are satisfied with his explanations”.

There is no basis as yet to doubt the integrity of Igbokwe and his team, since they alone enjoyed the entire details of the explanations as

a special privilege. But there could be no smouldering smoke without fire underneath. Ours seems a country where public office holders appear congenitally and unrepen-tantly married to frivolities and obscene profligacy at the expense of public coffers. It is not quite long that one of the oil-bearing states in the Niger Delta, said to be indebted to the tune of N500 billion, was accused of prodigally frittering away N3.7 billion to celebrate its 28 anniversary.

Presently, most states are at their wits’ end struggling to stay afloat, as the country is dangerously dangling on the brink of economic recession. Some others are in dire financial straits that they cannot meet their salary obligations to their workers, even with the bail-out funds the Federal Government has doled out to them. And Enugu State seems no exception, consid-ering the N32 billion outstanding salaries’ yoke the Ugwuanyi gov-ernment inherited. It will therefore be the height of tomfoolery for the Ugwuanyi administration to seek to rob Peter to pay Paul in the ap-plication of Enugu State resources. But should the government so prefer, it should be prepared to go the whole hog to raise sufficient rev-enue to sustain the extravagance. This seems the only panacea for industrial peace in the state in the long run.

Letters to the EditorLetters to the EditorLetters to the Editor

x

Suicide bombers attacked three hotels in Amman, Jordan, killing at least 60 people and injuring 115 oth-ers. The explosions at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the Radis-son SAS Hotel, and the Days Inn started at about 20:50 local time (18:50 UTC) at the Grand Hyatt. The three hotels were often frequented by foreign diplomats. The bomb at the Radisson SAS exploded in the Philadel-phia Ballroom during a wedding.

November 9, 2005 November 9, 2012

At least 27 people were killed and dozens others wounded in conflicts between inmates and guards at Welikada prison in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The riot broke out during a search for illegal arms. This prison riot was the worst in Sri Lanka’s history since the 1983 riot, also at Welikada Prison, which left 53 prisoners dead. Welikada Prison which houses around 4,000 prisoners has witnessed a number of violent riots in its history.

November 9, 2007

The German Bundestag passed the controver-sial data retention bill mandating the storage of citizens’ telecommunications traffic data for six months without probable cause. This implies the storage of call detail records (CDRs) of telephony and internet traffic and transaction data (IPDRs) by governments and commercial organizations. In the case of government data retention, the data stored is usually of telephone calls, etc.

ON THIS DAY

All the Facts, All the SidesAll the Facts, All the SidesA PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD

BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR PUBLISHER

SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO

BEN MEMULETIWON ACTING DAILY EDITOR

GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR

AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR

DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD

CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

OBIORA IFOH ACTING ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netMonday, November 9, 2015A2 18 Business CourageCourage

Cover

UDO ONYEKA, CO-ORDINATOR

BUSINESS [email protected]

c Global Media Mirror Limited

Insurance Sector: Stakeholders advocate corporate governance, best practice for growthThe increasing level of non compliance to regulations by insurance firms, lack of infrastructure, poor technological adoption among other challenges may continue to hinder the industry from optimal performance. Udo Onyeka reports

The revelation by Na-tional Insurance Com-mission, NAICOM, that few weeks to the end of

2015, many insurance compa-nies even the big organisations such as AXA Mansard, Cus-todian And Allied Insurance; Leadway Insurance; Royal Ex-change Insurance Company among others have not submit-ted its 2015 third quarterly, Q3, returns to the Commission, shows that the insurance sector to a large extent do not comply to regulatory provisions.

The commission which dis-closed this in a notice posted on its offi cial website said that be-tween October 13 and 21, 2015, only eight Insurance fi rms sub-mitted their 2015 Q3 returns.

The companies listed on the website as having submitted 2015 Q3 returns are Corner-stone Insurance; ARM Insur-ance; FBN Life; Fin Insurance; KBL Insurance, Lasaco As-surance; Oasis Insurance and Wapic Insurance.

Aside the fi rms that have complied; over 50 other insur-

ance fi rms are yet to submit their 2015 third quarter Annual Accounts and Returns to the commission.

According to NAICOM there are even those who are yet to submit second quarter, Q2 fi -nancials. Some of the fi rms in this category include Alliance

Kari okezie

Daniel

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net Monday, November 9, 2015 A3 19Business CourageCourage

& General Insurance, Goldlink Insurance; Spring Life Assur-ance Plc among others, adding that the three fi rms mentioned above and some others have also not submitted fi rst quarter, Q1 returns.

However it was gathered that failure by any of the fi rms to submit fi nancial returns to the commission as at when due at-tracts a fi ne of N5,000 daily.

Stakeholders especially shareholders have said that the level of contraventions by insurance fi rms show that many of them may be lacking good corporate governance. President Progressive Share-holders Association of Nige-ria, PSAN, Boniface Okezie told Business Courage that it would be diffi cult for the in-surance companies to give out good dividends to their share-holders after paying so much to regulatory authorities for con-traventions.

“It is worrisome at the rate which insurance fi rms fail to comply with NAICOM’s dead-line on submitting returns. This issue here is that these operators and managers of these defaulting companies at the end of the day deep their hands into the company’s fund to pay these fi nes which in most cases are avoidable”, he said. Okezie lamented the colos-sal waste to the companies and their shareholders as the fi nes run into millions of naira. Many watchers of the indus-try say the delay by insurance fi rms to submit returns to NAI-COM has become a recurrent issue.

For instance nine underwrit-ing fi rms were unable to sub-mit their 2014 accounts for approval, fi ve months after the deadline given to them to do so. To this end, the affected un-derwriting fi rms are now pay-ing monetary fi nes to the Ni-gerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC and NAI-COM, for their failure to meet their deadline given to them by these regulatory agencies. NAICOM had put its deadline for full year account submis-sion to 30th of June, while NSE required listed underwriters to submit their accounts to it lat-est by 31st of March of which these fi rms were unable to com-ply with.

Also as at July 30, 2014, the insurance regulator, had re-vealed that 40 insurance com-panies under its supervision were yet to secure approvals for their fi nancial reports for the year ended December 31, 2013, six and half months into (2014), the current year.

This was in breach of the June 30, 2014 deadline set for the submission and approval of fi nancial reports for the preced-ing year.

Out of the 57 insurance and 2 reinsurance companies li-censed by NAICOM, only 19 have had their 2013 fi nancial reports approved by the com-mission as mandated by rel-evant insurance laws as at July 9, 2014.

NAICOM had said 19 others were at various stages in the approval process, while 21 in-surers were yet to make initial submission of their 2013 fi nan-cials to the regulatory body as at July 7, 2014.

Assistant Director, Corporate Communications at NAICOM, Mr. Salami Rasaaq, made this known recently in a statement titled, “Submission Status of 2013 Financial Statements of Insurance Companies as at July 9, 2014”.

As at that date, only 19 in-surers have had their 2013 fi -nancials approved by NAICOM including the life and general subsidiaries of Custodian and Allied Insurance, Wapic Insur-ance and Zenith Insurance re-spectively.

Other insurers who have se-cured regulatory approvals for their 2013 fi nancials were com-posite companies, Mansard In-surance, Leadway Assurance, AIICO Insurance, Niger Insur-ance and Continental Reinsur-ance Plc.

Two life insurers, FBN Life As-surance and UBA Metropolitan Life Assurance have had their 2013 fi nancial reports approved by the commission as well as general insurers, Sovereign Trust Insurance, Cornerstone Insurance, NSIA Insurance (formerly ADIC Insurance), Re-gency Alliance Insurance, Law Union & Rock Insurance and Oasis Insurance.

The 2013 fi nancial reports of two companies, Royal Ex-change General and Royal Pru-dential Life were being reviewed by the commission.

The reports of fi ve other insur-ers have been queried and their responses were yet to reach the commission as at that date. They are Lasaco Assurance, Lasaco Life Assurance, Linkage Assurance, Nem Insurance and Nigeria Reinsurance Corpora-tion”, Rasaaq, had said.

Also 2012 fi nancial reports by insurance fi rms were also delayed. NAICOM had stated that with less than fi ve days to June 30 submission dead-line required for insurance companies to submit their 2012 fi nancial statement, 41 companies are yet to comply. The insurance regulator had noted that only three compa-nies, which include Mansard Insurance Plc, ADIC Insurance and Wapic Insurance Plc, have submitted and gotten approval on their 2012 fi nancial state-ment.

The commission reported that fi nancial statements of companies such as FBN Life Assurance Ltd, AIICO Insur-ance Plc and Oasis Insurance Plc are presently been queried and are as such awaiting their responses.

NAICOM has maintained strict reporting standard in the fi nancials of insurance compa-nies.

Immediate past Commis-sioner for insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel had said the commis-sion would never approve any account that fails to meet the required standard.

Apart from the issue of good corporate governance which

many alleged are in short sup-ply in the insurance industry, experts have said low adoption of modern technology and lack of adequate infrastructure are some major challenges of the sector.

Commissioner for Insurance, NAICOM, Alhaji Mohammed Kari recently called on stake-holders and especially in insur-ance to invest in technology for economic growth, noting that such adoption will positively impact the operations of all sec-tors of the economy.

Speaking at the maiden con-ference on Management, Tech-nology and Development of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Uni-versity, ATBU, in Bauchi, Kari said technology and its applica-tion was one of, if not the the main driver that can fast track any meaningful development.

The NAICOM boss added that there is no denying that the changes in technology have af-fected most industries world-wide, adding that globalisation, which dominates the world to-day, was infl uenced mainly by information technology.

According to him, Information technology, IT, has transformed the process of production, product design, raw materials sourcing, transport, manufac-turing, health care, marketing, service delivery and even gen-eral management.

He further said industrial competitiveness has enabled countries to increase their presence in international and domestic markets whilst devel-oping industrial sectors and ac-tivities with higher value added and technological content.

Stating that incentivising and facilitating businesses, par-ticularly Small to Medium En-terprises, SMEs, to effi ciently adopt new technologies can further lift innovation, produc-tivity growth and competitive-ness, he noted that improving collaboration in Nigeria, be-tween businesses and publicly funded research institutions in-cluding the universities, would signifi cantly enhance innova-tion. International collabora-tion, according to him, was also critically important, adding that domestic and international col-laboration would improve the productivity and competitive-ness of Nigerian technology-based fi rms.

He noted that technologi-cal innovation is key to build-ing industry competitiveness, through increasing productivity and reducing costs, realising commercial opportunities from research investment, and cre-ating new areas of competitive advantage.

He also called on the authori-ties of the university to reach out to insurance sector and en-sure some relationship is devel-oped.

According to many stakehold-ers the partnership between NAICOM and the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, would to tackle fake insurance cer-tifi cates, enhance revenue gen-eration and ensure a hitch free settlement of claims.

The duo entered into the agreement when a delegation led by Commissioner for Insur-ance, NAICOM, Mr Mohammed Kari, visited the Comptroller General, NCS, retired Col. Ha-meed Ibrahim Ali in Abuja.

Kari said the partnership would enable NAICOM to advise and guide customs properly so that the insurance industry could increase the services pro-vided to importers and users of NCS services in Nigeria.

The commissioner said NAI-COM was mandated by law to provide advice to government and its agencies on matters of insurance.

“Our role is to advise MDAs free of charge on the best way to package insurance, what to insure, how to price insurance and identify a very good inter-mediary to place businesses through, and ’’he said.

Kari urged the customs to al-low the commissions have ac-cess to its electronic portal to enable them identify and track down fake insurance certifi -cates issued to importers.

“There are a lot of fake cer-tifi cates out there, and the cer-tifi cates need to be confi rmed as genuine. The custom service just arbitrarily charge 1.5 per cent of the imported goods for marine insurance for importa-tion through the water ways and they charge 0.5 per cent for importation through the air ways,” he stated.

Unfortunately, he said those premiums charged are not transferred further to the in-surance industries, as they are kept in the customs services.

Experts however have said that insurance sector globally is indeed going through diffi cult times. The experts, who spoke at an AM Best event in the UK capital, warned insurance buy-ers that service levels may fall as a result of recent market consolidation.

Executive Deputy Chairman of XL Group, Mr Stephen Cat-lin, said that a number of fac-tors are currently at play in UK that could result in the erosion of insurer capital.

“In my view we are in a very unstable situation,” Mr Cat-lin told delegates at AM Best’s European Insurance Market Briefi ng. Yet we continue to kid ourselves of where we are at, he said.

Catlin painted a picture of today’s competitive insurance market, noting that it faces the prospect of increased losses, lower reserve releases and con-tinued low investment returns.BC


News

L-R: Director of Customs Department of Trade, Customs and Free Movement, ECOWAS Commission, Mr, Salifou Tiemtore; Chief Client Engagement Offi cer, Ecobank Nigeria, Jolone Okorodudu; Acting Deputy Managing Director, Corporate Bank, Ecobank Nigeria, Ms Foluke Aboderin; Assistant Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Anthony Ayalogu and Managing Director, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), Adebisi Shonubi at the Ecobank Corporate Bank Trade Forum in Lagos recently

Ndulue

Intels, Orleans raise $6.7bn in revenue for FG

Integrated Logistics Services, Intels, Ltd., a major oil and

gas cargo handling company and its holding company, Or-leans Invest, has raised about $6.7bn or N1.31trn for federal government in 30 years.

Mr Isidore Sambol,spokesperson of the company disclosed in Lagos that Intels and Orleans con-tributed immensely toward the economic growth of the nation.

He said the revenue was generated through separate development activities of the companies at the Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone in Rivers.

Apart from revenue genera-tion, Sambol said Intels and Orleans Invest had also attract-ed a 7 billion-dollar ,N1.37trn, worth of Foreign Direct Invest-ments ,FDIs, into the country.

He said Intels, which began operations 33 years ago in Ni-geria had created about 8,000 direct employment and 15,000 indirect employment opportuni-ties.

Sambol said Intels had achieved substantial transfer of technology with strict adher-ence to the Nigerian content development policy.

He said that not less than 170 other companies had been carrying out various kinds of businesses at the Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone and supporting the upstream and downstream sectors of the country’s oil and gas sector.

Sambol said the 170 compa-nies had generated a total of 20,000 direct employment op-portunities and 50,000 indirect job opportunities.

He said the zone had contrib-uted so much in the efforts to put the country in the oil and gas map of the world.

According to Sambol, the zone has been adjudged as the single largest and fastest grow-ing free trade zone dedicated to the oil and gas industry globally.

The Intels spokesman said that part of the infrastructure development project was being carried out in the zone.

Sambol said this would soon lead to the inauguration of Onne Port Multi-Centre of the Orlean Invest.

According to him, this will comprise a 120-bed fi ve star accommodation facilities; a 1,200 seating capacity interna-tional conference auditorium and 200-seater meeting rooms, a training academy and an exhibition hall.

Sambol said the other infrastructure development projects in the zone include the standardisation and expansion of Phase 4B of the Onne Port Complex.

He said these include: dredg-

ing and reclamation works for the construction of an addi-tional jetty with 12 to 19 berths and a 12-metre draft at low water tide.

Union Bank unveils new banking solutions at Lagos fair

Following the recent unveil-ing of Union Bank’s new

identity and in its bid to make banking simpler and smarter for customers and prospects, the Bank has announced that it is participating in the 2015 edition of the Lagos Interna-tional Trade Fair to showcase its simpler and smarter bank-ing solutions and also its rebranded service delivery.

According to Union Bank Group Head, Retail Cluster, Lagos Island, Nwamaka Mike Nwoke the trade fair provides the bank the opportunity to demonstrate its simpler, smarter banking solutions to the general public.

“The solutions range from instant account opening with immediate account number issuance, instant debit card issuance, robust e-banking solutions and quick and easy access to loans”, she said.

Nwoke also said that a new product tagged UnionKorrect, is being offered at the Trade Fair.

UnionKorrect is a savings product which is aimed at helping customers develop a savings culture. UnionKor-rect allows customers to save towards a goal and gives them the opportunity to win extra cash of up to N1m in quarterly draws while they save.

Also speaking on the Bank’s participation in the Trade Fair, the Head of Corporate Affairs & Communication at Union Bank, Ogochukwu Ekezie-

Ekaidem said “One of our criti-cal focus areas as a Bank is to signifi cantly improve our cus-tomer experience at all touch points.Our product and service offerings is one of the fi rst phases of improvementand this has clearly yielded the desired results with high subscription recorded with the UnionKor-rect product launched recently. The Union Bank mini branch at the fair will offer customers and prospects all the banking products and services available at the banking halls. Visitors to the Union Bank stand will enjoy high quality service and improved customer experience.” She said.

Organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and In-dustry, the Lagos International Trade Fair is the largest Trade Fair in the West African Sub-region and attracts more than a hundred thousand business visitors over a ten day period. It offers a unique exposition for manufacturers, suppliers, buy-ers and users of a wide range of goods and services as well as opportunities for investment and trade promotion.

This years’ edition has the theme “enhancing value addi-tion in the non-oil economy”.

Arik Air rewards passengers with gifts

Arik Air, a leading carrier in West and Central Africa, is

rewarding passengers with sur-prise gifts mid-fl ight in what the company calls the Arik-Cares Special Give-Away.

The gifts to be given out ac-cording to the airline includes a number of iPad Air 2, iPhone 6S, Beat by Dre headphones, laptops, 20-megapixels/1080p cameras, 3D Smart TVs and 3D Blu-ray Home Cinema

Systems.The statement from the com-

pany further explained that the campaign is designed to endear passengers to the airline and it will run from November 4, 2015 to January 30, 2016, adding that a lucky draw will be done using ticket numbers of passengers onboard every fl ight. The ticket number to be pulled out goes home with a gift handed out in mid-fl ight.

Commenting on the initia-tive, Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue said:

“This year Arik Air turns nine. We have grown to be the largest airline in Nigeria and West Africa on the strength of the trust and loyalty of the millions of travelers who have chosen Arik Air as their pre-ferred carrier. It is only fi tting that we recognize such deep loyalty and reward it. That is the whole essence of the #Arik-Cares Give-Away.”

Jide Alade, Associate Vice President – Marketing & Com-munications, added further: “Nothing you do for your customers can be too much. So, while giving out an iPhone 6S or a 3D TV mid-fl ight seems pretty cool, a smile of satisfac-tion on a passenger’s face is worth much more than a mil-lion 3D TVs to us. ”

Eni confi rms new gas discovery offshore Congo

Oil giant Eni has reportedly made a new discovery of

gas and condensates offshore Congo, in the exploration pros-pect of Nkala Marine.

The fi eld is located in Marine XII block, about 20 kilometers from the coast and 3 kilometers from the Nene Marine fi eld, already in production.

The fi nding, realized through the Nkala Marine 1 well, is expected to have a potential of 250-350 million barrels of oil equivalent in place.

During the production test, the well provided over 300,000 standard cubic meters per day (sm3d) of gas and associated condensates.

The well, drilled in a water depth of 38 meters, encoun-tered a major gas and conden-sates buildup in the pre-salt clastic geological sequence of lower Cretaceous age, crossing a hydrocarbon column of 240 meters.

Eni will be starting the evalu-ation of Nkala Marine through new delineation wells.

In the meantime, together with the joint venture partners, the company will start studies for its commercial development which is framed in a context of optimized exploitation of the oil and gas discoveries in the Marine XII permit.

The exploration of the pre-salt sequences continues to deliver new discoveries all along the West Africa’s margin and confi rms Eni’s exploration tech-nologies effectiveness, given the technical complexity of these plays.

Eni estimates the resources in place of oil and gas discover-ies made in the pre-salt Marine XII block to be approximately 5.8 billion barrels of oil equiva-lent (bboe). The production of the block, begun last Decem-ber, is increasing and it cur-rently stands at around 15,000 boe per day.

Eni, through its subsidiary Eni Congo, is the operator of Marine XII block with a 65 per-cent stake.

The other partners are New Age, with 25 percent stake, and the Congolese state company Societé Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), with 10 per-cent stake.

Eni has been present in Congo since 1968 and its cur-rent production in the country is about 110,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Eni has also been present in Sub Saharan Africa since the ’60s and has been operating in exploration and produc-tion projects in Angola, Congo, Ghana, Gabon, Mozambique, Nigeria, the Republic of Congo, Kenya, Liberia, Ivory Coast and South Africa.

L-R: One Day Deputy Governor Abdullaidi Faaizi, One Day Governor Ifeoluwa Sonoiki, Public Relations & Events Manager, Dufi l Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju and Indomie Marketing Manager, Mrs. Zara Khan during visit of the One Day Governor to the corporate head offi ce of Dufi l Prima Foods in Surulere Lagos recently

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Monday, November 9, 2015 A5 21Business CourageCourage

BCAkinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Governor

LCCI urges FG on diversifi cation of economy

The President, Lagos Cham-ber of Commerce and

Industry, LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello,has advised the Federal Government to explore the potential in non-oil sector to diversify the economy.

He made the call at the open-ing ceremony of the 2015 Lagos International Trade Fair in Lagos on Friday.

Bello said that the economic challenges in the country which arose from the dwindling prices of crude oil had made diver-sifi cation of the economy very crucial now.

He said that reports from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, showed that the non-oil sector drove the growth of the economy with a contribution of 90.20 per cent to the GDP in the second quarter.

The LCCI President said that with the theme of the fair: “Enhancing Value Addition in the Non-oil Economy”, atten-tion would be drawn to devel-opment of non-oil exports as a way of improving the country’s earnings.

He said that the fair would provide a platform for exposing the alternatives and their value addition to the growth of the economy.

Bello urged the govern-ment to fi x impediments to the growth of non-oil economic activities and also focus on opportunities in value addition business to boost growth.

Mr Jani Ibrahim, the Vice-President of NACCIMA, urged the government to develop young entrepreneurs from the university so that that they could add value to the coun-try’s economy.

‘RUFIN facilitates disbursement of N1bn to rural dwellers’

The Rural Finance Insti-tution Building, RUFIN,

programme has facilitated the disbursement of one billion naira to rural dwellers since the inception of the programme in 2011.

The Deputy National Coordi-nator, Mrs Unekwu Ufaruna, disclosed this during a courtesy call on the Deputy Governor of Imo, Eze Madumere, in Owerri on Friday.

She said the disbursement was facilitated through groups’ lending methodology, which ex-tended credit facilities to these groups without collaterals.

”Since we started, about a billion naira has been extended to the rural poor; we have formed over 500 groups and 280 are women groups.

``Some members of the group have access to loans for about 10 times without defaulting; they are expanding their busi-nesses and employing more hands.

`Ìn Imo, about 1,200 jobs had been created in the last two years.

``We also emphasise on sav-ing culture among the groups and over N500, 000 internal servings had been mobilised, `` she said.

Ufaruna explained that under RUFIN, there is a loan agree-ment programme between the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricul-tural Development, IFAD.

According to her, the objec-tive is to build informal rural fi nance institution known as ‘esusu’ or Village Savings Groups and link them to formal Microfi nance Institutions to ac-cess funds.

She said this was targeted at establishing viable rural fi nancial institutions in rural areas to boost agriculture and commercial undertakings in the rural communities.

The deputy national coor-dinator blamed rural poverty situation on lack of access to credit facilities, and not due to poverty of ideas.

Also speaking, the leader of the supervision mission, Mr Suandip Sahin, stated that the mission was to evaluate prog-ress made over the years and recommend areas for improve-ment.

He said evaluation of the project was crucial as it was standing at a vital position with one year and six months to the close of the fi rst phase.

Sahin noted that micro fi nance banks are viable tools to empower the rural people to realise their economic potential.

The leader of the mission urged the state government to contribute the required

counterpart funds to enable the project achieve its aim of promoting fi nancial inclusion in the state.

Responding, the deputy governor appreciated RUFIN’s intervention, saying that many rural dwellers had benefi ted from several capacity building workshops organised by the programme.

He said facilitating access to micro fi nance for rural dwell-ers was in line with the state government’s “factory factory factory, job job job” campaign promises of Gov. Rochas Okorocha.

The deputy governor can-vassed for the inclusion of Imo in the second Phase of RUFIN programme, saying that the present administration would be more focused in contributing its counterpart funds.

Lagos plans to manage agricultural wastes – Offi cial

The Lagos State Government on Friday said that it was

planning coordinated efforts to effectively manage agricultural wastes from its rural communi-ties.

Special Adviser to the Gov-ernor on Community Develop-ment and Communications, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos.

Bamigbetan said that the existing waste disposing system in the rural areas was bad and pose health hazard to people in the communities.

According to him, the state government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, would support community agriculture and help to coordinate the dis-posal of wastes generated from agricultural activities.

``Communities that are prac-ticing home agriculture have been in existence for a long time.

`Òn a street you can have about ten people practicing fi shing and poultry farming in a communal manner.

``Liquid and solid wastes are generated from such farms and are often released into the en-vironment thereby making the community unhygienic.

``What that means is that such wastes can endanger the health of the rural dwellers,’’ Bamigbetan said.

He also disclosed that many farmers in the state were being registered to be able to benefi t from the government agricul-tural support programmes.

According to him, the state Ministry of Agriculture will work closely with farmers, especially those in poultry sec-tion, to keep production fi gures with a view to tract productivity of the state agriculture sector.

Bamigbetan noted that the state has invested a lot in the poultry section to be able to lead other states in production of eggs.

He expressed the hope that the effort would stem the importation of eggs and other poultry products from neigh-bouring countries.

Customs to reopen Gamboru Ngala, Banki posts

The Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col.

Hameed Ali, said the organisa-tion would consider reopening the customs posts at Gamboru Ngala and Banki to fi ght arms infl ux and curtail insurgency.

Ali said this at the sideline of his courtesy visit to defence for-mations, including the Defence Intelligence Agency ,DIA, Nige-rian Air Force and Nigeria Police last week-end in Abuja.

The comptroller-general said that for customs to achieve its target, it needed the support of the military, police and intelli-gent agencies.

Ali said that smuggling of small arms and ammunition had to be prevented in view of the current insurgency in the country.

He said that the essence of the visit was to further strengthen synergy between the police, intelligent agencies, service chiefs and customs, to have a safer country and a vi-able economy.

Ali said that customs would consider reopening the border posts due to the request by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

``Why not, we will consider the post. We are here to know what their ,military, challenges are, what they want us to do as much as we want them to do certain things for us.

`Ìf the post will provide the enabling environment for people to operate, we will consider that.

``Small arms importation or smuggling is endemic; it is a problem to all of us and the mil-itary. We are doing everything to make sure we stop this thing.

`Òur biggest problem is insurgence and this thing has gone beyond small arms; now people import big arms, machine guns, rocket propel grenade launchers through the ports and water side.

``So we have responsibility to stop this people from coming in; if we can reduce the number of arms that gets into the country, we can assure Nigerians that there will be safety by the secu-rity,’’ Ali said.

The customs boss called for the cooperation of the service chiefs to curb the infl ux of small fi re arms and explosives across the over 4,000 kilome-tres borders in the country.

Ali requested for training of customs offi cers on aircraft surveillance piloting, security intelligence, maritime logistics and army cooperation from the service.

Buratai had requested for the reopening of the border posts at Gamboru Ngala and Banki to clear the activities of insur-gence.

We‘ll continue to support aviation sector – MedviewThe Managing Director of

Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole has said

the airline has made signifi cant contribution to build capacity in the sector.

Bankole who assessed his air-lines input in stabilising the sec-tor said it has extended so much in terms of capacity building in the aviation industry, stating that he is doing his utmost and would continue to train aircraft captains, fi rst offi cers, engineers and other technical staff needed in the sector.

He said he has lost many pilots to poaching noting however that

the sector is experiencing dearth of manpower and poaching.

Bankole however observed that it is an industry where air-lines feed each other while these pilots and engineers move on to greener pastures but stated that one sure way to counter loss of manpower is by continuous training.

Nigeria started shorting out on qualifi ed technical personnel after the liquidation of National carrier, Nigeria Airways.

Many professionals, stake-holders are of the strong opin-ion that when the defunct car-rier was still fl ying it accounted

for the training of almost of the technical staff that most airlines these days boast of and there is palpable fear that if this genera-tion passes Nigeria will face a se-rious shortage in personnel.

This according to experts im-plies that Nigeria would turn to expatriates that would cost the country a lot of capital fl ight add-ing to existing trend in aircraft and spare parts acquisition as well as maintenance of aircraft.

Bankole, also a product of the defunct national carrier stated that he is not deterred as his air-line is fi lling a void left open by the demise of the national carrier

and stated that Medview Airline will continue to train and retrain and churn out pilots and engi-neers.

“We will continue to train, most of our pilots have been poached but that will not stop training. On airline already has eight (8) of my pilots, my captains and we will continue to train because that is the only way to sustain this industry.”

Medview’s Director of Train-ing Captain Ade Ayeni, who fl ew in the airline’s Boeing 767-300 stated that they keep training in-house and improving the quality of services.


Companies & Markets

Stanbic IBTC: FRC appeals court’s ruling

BC

BCBC

Lamudi celebrates 2nd anniversary

Stories by Udo Onyeka

The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRC, has lodged an appeal,

being dissatisfi ed with the or-ders of a Federal High Court restraining it from interfering in activities of the Stanbic IBTC Bank.

In a notice of appeal the counsel to the FRC disagreed with the entire decision of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Ibrahim Buba in suit no FHC/L/CS/1596/15.

According to the FRC coun-sel, Idowu Sofola & Co, the honorable court erred in law by allowing the plaintiff to amend their Originating Summons in such a way that introduced new matters, thereby breathing life to a dead issue.

The FRC also faulted the de-cision restraining the FRC from holding meeting with the Board of Directors of Stanbic IBTC, saying the decision purported to stop an action which time had already passed.

According to a statement by FRC “The date of the ‘agreed’ meeting conveyed in the let-ter of invitation and which was sent to the First Respondent, FRC, for which they failed to at-tend had passed as at when the application for amendment was fi led, which renders the matter to be no more than an academic

Keystone Bank empowers women entrepreneurs

BC

As part of its continuous ef-fort in supporting female entrepreneurs, Keystone

Bank, through its Pink Network organised a training program aimed at growing the businesses of women entrepreneurs.

The training, which held in Lagos, was termed PinkPreneur and it’s the fi rst edition of ses-sions that would be held regu-larly. Various facilitators taught on effi ciently using social media to promote businesses, business education and importance of creating a sustainable business structure as well educating the

participants on the benefi ts of the fl agship Pink Account.

One of the facilitators, the founder, Masterpiece Resource Development Centre, Mrs. Mod-ule Oyekunle spoke on dis-covering and developing their business and career ideas, gave participants business tips on properly setting up a business in Nigeria and the basic structures one must put in place to be able to succeed as well as using the Pink Marketplace to sell and ex-pand their customer base.

Speaking at the training, the Divisional Head, Product and

Marketing Support, Keystone Bank, Temitayo Olutoye said the bank is committed to supporting female entrepreneurs, which was the strategic reason for creating the Pink Network and the train-ing sessions.

On the benefi ts of the Pink Account, she said it is about fi -nancial inclusion and making it possible for women to express themselves.

“It is also a simple account that speaks to the need of every woman. It is about speaking to the needs of women and bring-ing us together and letting us ex-

press ourselves, “she said.She also urged the partici-

pants to take advantage of its Ecommerce platform as well as the other benefi ts offered by this account to ease and encourage female entrepreneurs.

“We also have mentors on the platform and those interested in shopping can go to the mar-ket place. Also, those interested in life materials can go to the resource centre. It is a unique platform and it is part of what the brand stands for. For us, it’s about passion, convenience and reliability”, Olutoye said.

L–R: Director, Dangote Sugar Refi nery Plc, Ms. Bennedikter Molokwu; , Executive Director, Business Development, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri; , Ag. Group Managing Director, Dangote Sugar Refi nery Plc, Engr. Abdullahi Sule and Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Dangote Sugar Refi nery Plc, Mrs. Chioma Madubuko, at Closing Gong Ceremony at the NSE

Leonard Okachie

Nigeria’s leading real es-tate portal, Lamudi recently marked her

second year of doing business both both globally and in Nige-ria.

The company, in a recent press briefi ng, discussed her exceptional growth in the Nige-rian Real Estate Market as well as highlighted her focus for the coming year.

Speaking on the theme, “Im-proving the quality of ours ser-vices”, the Managing Director of Lamudi Nigeria, Mr. Obi Eji-mofo disclosed that the compa-ny recently carried out a sur-vey which measured its user’s impressions of the quality of their website, mobile applica-tion and search features of the platform.

According to him, over 90 per cent of users polled voted favourably for the design of the website, while more than 80 per cent of users surveyed in-dicated that they were pleased with the search and fi lter op-tions of Lamudi’s online prop-erty platform

Ejimofo noted that with in-novative features such as Nige-ria’s fi rst toll-free property hot-line, Dial4Home, and its recent online mortgage calculator, Lamudi has continually sought to make fi nding a dream home easier, quicker and more con-venient for Nigerians.

He, however, stated that for the company to maintain its position as Nigeria’s leading real estate portal, it must pay special emphasis on providing quality customer solutions at every touch point.

“Steps taken so far to attain this goal include strengthening the quality of Lamudi agents. 15 per cent of our site users believe the response time from our agents is poor,”Ejimofo re-vealed, even as he stressed that the focus would set Lamudi apart from its competitors and solidify its market position by providing transparency and consistency to its users.

exercise”, the FRC held while declaring that it is trite law that court should not engage in aca-demic exercise.

“The FRC also based its ap-peal on the fact that the ”Court wrongly laid too much empha-sis on the Central Bank of Ni-geria letter dated 2nd Novem-ber, 2015 which was irrelevant to the application before the

Court”.The FRC also faulted prayer

C of the applicant which it de-scribes as nebulous.

It therefore prayed the Ap-pellate Court to grant an Order setting aside the decision of the Federal High Court, Lagos Ju-dicial Division contained in the Ruling of Honourable Justice Buba delivered on the Novem-

ber 4, 2015. The Federal High Court had

granted the prayers of the plaintiff, STANBIC/IBTC, in-cluding an interlocutory in-junction restraining FRC and its offi cers from “interfering with, or otherwise impeding, obstructing, molesting, harass-ing or hindering” the plaintiff’s operations.

The court also ordered the FRC not to prevent the plaintiff or its subsidiaries “from carry-ing on with their lawful busi-nesses.”

The court further restrained the council from inviting the bank’s board of directors to any meeting in connection with the defendant’s statutory investiga-tion of the plaintiff’s.

ticket while every additional N5,000 deposit increases the number of e-raffl e draw tickets.

The Bank’s Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Mr. Shina Atilola explained that the New Sterling Plus is a hy-brid offering with the promise of many goodies and freebies such as free Lenovo smartphones pre-loaded with cool fi nancial and entertainment applications and cash rewards amongst oth-ers for individual customers.


Ani-Mumuney

Companies & Markets

BC

BC

More millionaires emerge in Sterling Bank’s promo

BC

Access Bank’s conference to support economic dev.Access Bank has said that

its 2nd international lead-ership conference would

provide an opportunity for young entreprenurs and youths to learn from international busi-ness leaders that have been billed for the event.

Speaking to Journalist on Fri-day in Lagos, Executive Director Personal Banking Division, Ac-cess Bank, Victor Etuokwu who said that the fi rst step to achieve great things is having an idea, noted that fi rst as big player in the fi nancial sector stands to gain if the country’s economy grows beyond the level it is now.

“Access Bank is glad to play our role as important players in national affairs in terms of gen-eration of ideas for the develop-ment of the country.

“The conference we will gather expressional leaders in pri-vate and public sector. All around leadership as usual, we will gather the best around the world. This year’s theme is very timely not only for us as individ-uals but for our country”, Etu-okwu said.

He said life-changing innova-tion popping up in unexpected places around the globe with

breakthrough development in sectors such as nanotech, bio-tech, artifi cal intelligence, ro-botics and more, will affect ev-ery sector of the global economy in such a way that businesses will have nowhere to hide.

The Executive Director said that the theme of this year’s conference is ‘Leading in a transformational world-the im-perative of innovation’ and the inspirational leaders from the global private and public sec-tors will be discussing the major themes facing Africa, the world

economy and the social trans-formation created by changing technology.

According to him, innovation means big change and even big-ger opportunities for those who decide to be part of it.

“As we are all experiencing it, innovation is moving at a speed that’s never been witnessed. With two billion internet users worldwide and 50 billion con-nected devices by 2020, innova-tive technology is defi nitely the defi ning trend for today’s busi-ness, he noted.

Stories by Udo Onyeka

Mr. Abdullahi Haruna Babba from Kano and Mr. Umezinwa Philip

Nonso from Lagos at the week-end respectively won N1 million each in the on-going New Ster-ling Plus Cash Reward Scheme.

According to the Bank this brought to three the number of customers who have be-come millionaires through the Scheme.

The Bank also said Mr. Ereku Luck Torise and Mr. Tarinabo Allagoa also won N500, 000 each at the draw attended by representatives from National Lottery Regulatory Commission, NLRC, Consumer Protection Council, CPC and the Lagos State Lotteries Board, LSLB.

“The customers were select-ed via an electronic raffl e draw held at the corporate head offi ce of the Bank in Lagos.

“The New Sterling Plus Cash Reward Scheme was introduced by Sterling Bank Plc in 2015 in fulfi llment of the Bank’s promise to reward customer loyalty, en-courage saving culture among Nigerians and promote fi nancial inclusion”, A statement by bank said.

In his response in Lagos, Mr. Umenzinwa Nonso commended the Bank for fulfi lling its prom-

ise of rewarding customer loyal-ty adding that “this will remain memorable to me as long as l live as this will be a great sup-port to my business”.

“One can only imagine what is happening to me as this is a big surprise, in fact it can only be God. I found it very diffi cult to believe the news when l got a call from Sterling Bank that

l won a Million Naira. In fact, l couldn’t rejoice, I was just calm. I was still in doubt until this was reconfi rmed to me when l got to my branch. All the same, l thank Sterling Bank for this gesture and assure that l will remain a good ambassador of the brand”, he said.

To be part of the reward scheme, customers are required to maintain a minimum balance of N5,000 and to qualify for an electronic raffl e ,e-raffl e draw

Egbin Power station to establish industrial cluster

FirstBank restates commitment to entertainment, supports COSON

BC

First Bank of Nigeria Lim-ited, through its First@arts initiative has part-

nered the Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, to hosting the on-going COSON Week 2015.

According to by the Bank, partnership is in line with the Bank’s initiative to drive per-ception change, grow brand affi nity among the youth and the upwardly mobile segment with great support for capac-ity building in the creative and performing arts industry.

This year’s COSON Week which kicked off on Sunday, November 1, came to an end on Saturday, November 7, 2015.

The statement also said the COSON Week 2015 attracted leaders and key players in the nation’s entertainment indus-try and raised-the-bar of enter-tainment in Nigeria. COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji said “COSON was established to put value to the intellectual property rights of Nigerian ar-tistes and others who invest in the music industry. Lagos was lit up for seven days in a myriad of colours, and each of the seven back-to-back events will continue to be memorable in the minds of Nigerian enter-tainment lovers”.

According to the Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Com-munications, FirstBank, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, the partnership with COSON Week 2015 accentuates the Bank’s, and indeed, the FBNHoldings Group position to drive enter-prise in the Nigerian economy and promote the development of creative and performing arts industry. “FirstBank is par-ticularly interested in Arts and Culture and has established First@arts initiative as a plat-form dedicated to promoting arts and culture events”, she stated.

L-R: Best Dressed Female, Miss Chidinma Odemina, wife of the Managing Director, Daroc Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Jumoke Hayat and the Best Dressed Male, Mr. Ikenna Nwachuckwu during the presentation of prize to the best dressed couple at the Denim Launch Party held recently in Lagos

The bank said the confer-ence which the second edition will hold December 10, 2015 in Lagos would feature represen-tatives from around the world including Chris Hughes ,Face-book Co-founder, Steve Woz-niak ,Apple Co- founder and Tony Fernades , founder and CEO of Air Asia .

Key note speaker and Access Bank Chief Executive, Herbert Wigwe said he is delighted to welcome such a distinguished line-up of individauls to the Ac-cess Conference 2015.

Owners of Egbin pow-er plant in Lagos are planning to build an

industrial cluster that will guarantee stable power supply to industries.

The hub will be provided with basic infrastructure to reduce overhead cost in the manufacturing chain.

Kola Adesina, chairman of the company said in Lagos that the concept will take the shape of existing Export Pro-cessing Zones, EPZ, which

provides exporters and manu-facturers the opportunity to conduct business in a seam-less and cost effi cient manner.

“We intend to do this to sup-port basically the Small and Medium Enterprises ,SME’s and this platform will guaran-tee steady supply of electricity which will certainly bring cost of production down signifi cant-ly” he explained.

Adesina also informed that the company is planning its training institute to reduce expenditure

in training personnel abroad.“We want to start rehabilita-

tion of facilities in-country and boost local capacity by ensur-ing that all we need to bring in from outside and done locally” he said.

He also said that apart from conventional power genera-tion, the company is investing in renewable energy.

“We want to run our hous-ing estate with solar power to boost renewable energy in the country” he assured.

BC


Global News

OER offsets $100m Afrexim loan facility

Oando Energy Resources, OER, Inc with focus on

oil and gas exploration and production in Nigeria has an-nounced a $91m upsizing of its senior secured facility from $215m to $306m.

The company also an-nounced the repayment of its $100m African Export-Import Bank subordinated loan facili-ties, which were utilized in the fi nancing of the $1.5bn acqui-sition of the ConocoPhillips Nigerian Oil and Gas Business in July, 2014.

The $91m RBL Upsize was arranged by Standard Char-tered Bank and African Export-Import Bank (“Afrexim”) as Mandated Lead Arrangers (“MLAs”) with participation from Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and Natixis.

The proceeds from the Up-size, along with cash on hand, were used to repay the $100 Million Afrexim Facility.

Following the completion of these transactions, OER has total debt outstanding of $546m.

The breakdown include, $306m outstanding under its RBL Facility, and $240 Million outstanding under its Corpo-rate Facility.

Combined with cash on hand, OER’s net debt position is $500m as of October 26, 2015, down 44 percent from $900m outstanding at the completion of the ConocoPhil-lips acquisition in July 2014.

Commenting, CEO Oando Energy Resources, Pade Du-rotoye, said “The upsizing of the RBL loan is a true testa-ment to the quality of the as-sets we acquired in July 2014.

The cash fl ows from these assets have continued to pay down the Company’s post acquisition debt with the assistance of the value real-ized from the resetting of our hedge instruments, leaving a debt:equity ratio of 0.57 today, compared with 0.91 in July, 2014. OER remains focused on its fi nancial and opera-tional goals of strengthening its Balance Sheet and maintain-ing stable production levels through production optimiza-tion in these times of reduced oil prices and limited capital investment.”

Obama rejects Keystone XL pipeline in win for greens

U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday rejected

the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada in a vic-tory for environmentalists who campaigned against the project

for more than seven years.“The pipeline would not

make a meaningful long-term contribution to our economy,” Obama told a press conference. He said it would not reduce gasoline prices, and shipping “dirtier” crude from Canada would not increase U.S. energy security.

The denial of TransCanada Corp’s more than 800,000 bar-rels per day project will make it more diffi cult for producers to develop the province of Alber-ta’s oil sands. It could also put the United States in a stronger position at global climate talks that start in Paris on Nov. 30 in which countries will aim to reach a deal to slow global warming.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who determined the pipeline was not in the coun-try’s interest before Obama’s fi nal decision, said approv-ing Keystone “would signifi -cantly undermine our ability to continue leading the world in combating climate change.”

Keystone XL would have linked existing pipeline net-works in Canada and the United States to bring crude from Alberta and North Dakota to refi neries in Illinois and, eventually, the Gulf of Mexico coast.

TransCanada fi rst sought the required presidential permit for the cross-border section in 2008 but the proposal pro-voked a wave of environmental activism that turned Keystone XL into a rallying cry to fi ght climate change. Blocking Key-stone became a litmus test of the green movement’s ability to hinder fossil fuel extraction in Canada’s oil sands.

Mauritius tourist arrivals rise to 10.4 pct in 10 months

The number of tourists visit-ing Mauritius rose to 10.4

per cent in October from the same period last year, with more arrivals from Asia, fi gures showed on Friday.

Tourism is an important component of the economy and a key source of hard currency for the Indian Ocean island

state, best known for its luxury spas and beaches.

Arrivals increased to 912,770 during the period, the minis-try of Tourism said. Numbers from Asia rose 24.1 per cent to 166,487, with visitors from China up 42.4 per cent.

“Barring any unexpected cir-cumstances, we should attract an additional 100,000 tourists this year,” Xavier-Luc Duval, the minister of Tourism said in a statement.

Last month Duval told media in an interview that a major focus was boosting numbers during the island’s winter sea-son, by drawing more visitors from India, China, Africa and Russia.

This period runs from June to September.

The number of tourists visiting from Europe, which ac-counts for two-thirds, rose by 9.9 per cent to 487,487.

Despite the rising numbers, central bank fi gures suggested tourist revenues in the fi rst half had fallen by 3.5 per cent.

The tourism minister said hotels had not seen a revenue fall and the central bank has said it is reviewing its fi gures.

Exclusive: Verizon weighing $10 billion sale of enterprise assets – Sources

Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N) is exploring a sale

of its enterprise assets which could be worth as much as $10 billion, according to people familiar with the matter, as the largest U.S. wireless carrier seeks to focus on its core busi-ness.

The sale would include the business formerly known as MCI, which provides landline and Internet services for large business customers, as well as Terremark, its data center unit, the people said this week.

The businesses have strug-gled to keep up with advances in cloud computing, and faces fi erce price competition from players such as Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) and Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O).

Verizon’s enterprise assets might not be easy to separate and any potential buyer would likely have to sign commercial agreements with the com-pany, some of the people said. Verizon is still considering how some of these asset sales could best be structured and no deal is imminent, the people added.

Wireline provider Centu-ryLink Inc (CTL.N) was in talks with Verizon earlier this year to buy some of the assets but could not agree on terms, the people said. In a strategy shift, CenturyLink announced this week it would instead explore options for some of its data

centers, including possibly sell-ing them.

Citigroup Inc (C.N) has been advising Verizon on the pos-sible sale of the assets, which have estimated annual earn-ings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of around $2 billion, the people added.

The sources asked not to be identifi ed because the matter is confi dential. Verizon, Centu-ryLink and Citigroup declined to comment.

The enterprise telecommu-nications industry has had to adapt in recent years to corpo-rate customers seeking more sophisticated and cheaper of-ferings to manage their data.

AT&T Inc (T.N) has been exploring a sale of its data center assets for some time, while Windstream Holdings Inc (WIN.O) sold its data center business for $575 million to TierPoint last month.

Verizon Chief Financial Offi -cer Fran Shammo said, during the company’s third-quarter earnings call on Oct. 20, that it continues “to work through secular and economic challeng-es” with its global enterprise division, which posted a 4.9 percent decline in revenue in the quarter ended Sept. 30.

Verizon’s $8.4 billion acquisi-tion of MCI was completed in 2006 following a fi erce bidding war with Qwest Communica-tions, which is now part of CenturyLink. It acquired Ter-remark Worldwide Inc in 2011 for $1.4 billion.

Verizon has been looking to sell other non-core assets as well. In February, it announced the sale of residential landline assets to Frontier Communica-tions (FTR.O) for $10.54 billion, and unloaded its tower portfo-lio for more than $5 billion.

VW to foot tax bill for carbon emissions blunder

The multi-billion-euro costs facing Volkswagen

(VOWG_p.DE) rose on Friday when the German carmaker said it would foot the bill for extra taxes incurred by drivers because it understated the car-

bon dioxide emissions of about 800,000 cars in Europe.

VW’s ability to push through its plans to make big spending cuts to pay for the emissions scandal was challenged by its works council, signaling an internal battle is looming at a company already assailed by regulators, investors and customers.

The crisis, which erupted in September when Volkswagen admitted it had rigged U.S. tests for nitrogen oxide emis-sions, deepened this week when it said it had also under-stated the carbon dioxide emis-sions and fuel consumption of vehicles in Europe.

In a letter to European Union fi nance ministers on Friday that was seen by Reuters, Chief Executive Matthias Mueller asked countries to charge VW rather than motorists for any extra taxes incurred in places where taxes were related to fuel usage or CO2 emissions.

Some analysts have said that Volkswagen, Europe’s biggest carmaker, could face a bill as high as 35 billion euros ($38 billion) for fi nes, lawsuits and vehicle refi ts in the biggest business crisis in its 78-year history.

To help meet some of those costs, VW has announced a 1- billion-euro program of spend-ing cuts.

The head of its powerful works council said the an-nouncement of the cuts had broken strict rules in Germany on consultation with workers, and demanded immediate talks with company bosses.

“Management is announcing savings measures unilaterally and without any foundation,” works council chief Bernd Osterloh said in an emailed statement.

VW also confi rmed a third senior executive was leaving the company, following the departure of the former chief executive and the manager who had been designated to run VW’s North American busi-ness.

Volkswagen said award-winning design chief Walter Maria de Silva, responsible for the Golf G7 and Audi A5 among other models across the group, was retiring at the end of November. It did not name a successor.

German business daily Handelsblatt, citing company sources, had earlier said the company planned to cut costs in de Silva’s department, which spends around 100 million euros a year. VW did not com-ment on the report.

‘HIGH PENALTIES’Since the emissions scandal

began, Volkswagen has been criticized by lawmakers, regu-lators, investors and custom-ers frustrated at the time it is taking to get to the bottom of a crisis that has wiped almost a third off VW’s market value.

Obama

Maria de Silva

Chi introduces handy packs for consumers


Brand Watch

BCBC

BC

Dangote at Lagos trade fair, showcases brands

Legend Extra Stout empowers promo winner

BC

David Audu

Chi Limited makers of Chivita range of fruit juices has introduced a

new Can Pack of the juice into the market.

According to the Managing Director, Chi Limited, Deep-anjan Roy, “the new and at-tractive 315ml can pack has a genuine consumer appeal and the feedback from the mar-ket has been fantastic. At the cost of N100, we are confi dent that the affordability, accessi-bility and convenience of this trendy, handy and On-the-Go Can packs would ensure that our consumers continue to get the same refreshing taste and nourishment”.

According to Chi Limited, “the new Juice Can Pack which is

targeted at hip, trendy and On-the-Go consumers is designed in a dynamic prismatic shape with an attractive cap that is well blended into the pack. Its handy size allows consumers to take it along with them wherev-er they go and fi ts into the life-style of young upwardly mobile consumers”.

Explaining further, the mo-tive for the introduction of the packs, Roy said, in “an ever dynamic market, innovation is crucial to differentiating a brand from the crowded pack. For a brand that has grown to become the market leader in Nigeria’s Juice and fruit drink market, it is imperative that innovative ideas drives the production, packaging and marketing of its products. CHI Limited recent introduction of

the “Can Pack” for their juice like Chivita 100%, Chivita Ac-tive and Chi Exotic is a refer-ence point to how the brand has leveraged on consumer feedback to drive innovative and affordable packaging that suits their lifestyle”.

He said consumers have ex-tolled the Can Pack size for its elegance, convenience and shelf appeal. “They particularly ap-preciate its advantages over aluminum can packaging be-cause it is easy to hold, pour from, and is far more environ-ment friendly” Mr. Deepanjan stated

With its range of high quality fruit juices like Chivita 100%, Chivita Active and Chi Exotic in the Can Pack, the story can only get more interesting for a brand that truly places pre-mium on consumer needs and satisfaction

Malta Guinness launches ‘You Vs ...’ campaign

the economy pack which will contain household products like Dangote sugar packets, Salts, Dangote seasoning, Dan-sa Fruit juic products range would be combined in a pack at a giveaway price.

As part of strategies to grow market share and expand customer reach,

companies under the Dangote Group are storming the Lagos International Trade Fair which kicks off at the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, last week Friday and two other centers, all in La-gos.

Companies from the Group that are exhibiting at the fair in-clude Dangote Sugar Refi nery, Dangote Agrosacks, NASCON Allied Industries Plc (Dangote Salt), Dangote Rice limited, Dangote Cement Plc, and Dan-sa Foods Limited among others.

Some of the products dis-played at the fair include Dan-gote sugar, Dangote salt, Danq (seasoning), tomato paste, vari-ous ranges of fruit juice prod-ucts and bottled water from

Dansa Foods. Dangote Sugar will be offering customers dif-ferent sizes of granulated sugar packs at the fair.

A statement from corporate communications unit of Dan-gote Group, said the fair has become a veritable venue for introduction of new innovations to Dangote products and that visitors to the group pavilion at both fairs will have the opportu-nity of buying products of these companies at reduced prices.

A unique offering from the Group in this year’s Lagos Trade Fair is the Dangote Com-bo pack. The pack contains products from the stable of dif-ferent companies within the Group and is offered to partici-pants at the fair at a reasonable discounted price.

The statement indicated that,

The combo pack, it stated further will offer participants at the fair an opportunity to pur-chase all consumable product range in Dangote Group in a single buy which demonstrates the company’s slogan of meet-ing peoples’ needs.

Dangote Group is of the view that the trade fair is coming at an appropriate time which af-fords traders and dealers the opportunity to stock their shops for the fast approaching Christ-mas season while end consum-ers can also buy and stock for the season.

Subsidiaries like Dansa Foods and NASCON will be hosting students on specifi c days. The student-visitors to the stand will get special gifts like pens, pencils, erasers and notebooks.

Roy

Dangote

Malta Guinness has launched a new cam-paign tagged: ‘You

vs...’to celebrate the everyday Nigerian who takes on typi-cal everyday challenges with a smile and a spring in their feet.

The campaign kicked off with commuters and several oth-er road users woke up to fi nd scores of BRT buses from Malta Guinness to help get them to their respective place of work for free.

The fun didn’t stop there, as people on the buses were en-tertained by A-list comedians Elenu, Pencil and a host of others. In addition, the brand took the energy and excitement to the UBA Park at Apongbon market in Lagos to inspire peo-ple at market to take on their day and go about their activities with a can-do attitude. Perform-ing at the event was Whayasay crooner Patoranking and Amin crooner Dammy Krane who gave the audience a lot of musi-cal goodness.

The Marketing Manager Malta & APNAD, Mr. Uche On-wudiwe, while explaining the signifi cance of the campaign said the ‘You vs...’ campaign is Malta Guinness way of cele-brating and inspiring Nigerians to keep up the can-do-spirit that enables them do more on a daily basis. We attempted to help relieve some of the chal-lenges experienced in everyday life as was evidenced with the You vs. the Traffi c earlier in the day; Traffi c morning blues amongst other every day to day challenges.

According to Onwudiwe, “Malta Guinness has been en-ergising Nigerians for 25 years with natural goodness as they take on life’s everyday chal-lenges. Whether it is traffi c, the commute or the 8-5, whatever challenges life throws up, Malta Guinness is there to give you the energy and vitality to deal with it. Let’s Go Naija!”

Currently broadcasting across Nigeria on national tele-vision, the new TV commercial: ‘You vs...’ which was launched alongside the campaign...’ fea-tures a modern day, Burna Boy version of the 80s classic hit, Pump Up The Jam, and it is purposely designed to excite Ni-gerians who take on every day with a smile as they tackle their everyday work life, inspiring ev-eryone to take up the can-do spirit.

The new television commer-cial will be accompanied by a new inspirational outdoor and radio as well as a number of on the ground activities to inspire people with that can do spirit, so Nigerians get ready!!!

More winners emerge in the on-going Legend Extra Stout Taste and

Tell campaign as Abdulrahman Shehu, a motorcycle operator became the latest winner of a generator.

Speaking in Ilorin he said he will restart his barbing shop with his winning.

Narrating his experience be-fore winning the generator, Shehu said after his internship as a barber a couple of months back, there was no money to buy a generator to power his barbing shop. Hence, he veered into riding commercial motor bike, Okada, to raise money to buy one for his trade..

There were many winners but 26 year-old Shehu appeared to be the happiest because a

pressing need had been met. Speaking in an interview with journalists, he said he was deeply touched by the fortune that came his way. “I am very happy today because I have always wanted a generator for my barbing shop. Power is not constant and because of that, if you don’t have a generator, you can’t do the type of busi-ness I do. So I decided to lease and ride okada to raise money for the generator but today be-cause of Legend I now have a generator for my business”, he enthused.

He said he was excited to go back to his shop given the risks he had been exposed to while riding commercial motor-cycle. Abdulrahman expressed appreciation to Legend Extra

Stout for empowering him via the Taste and Tell campaign. He said the unique consumer reward scheme has saved him from the hazards of okada busi-ness and pledged to continue patronizing the brand. Abdul-rahman, alongside Ayo Samuel was able to taste and correctly identify Legend Extra Stout from three unmarked glasses containing three different stout brands in the Taste and Tell game. Ayo Samuel won a refrig-erator for his effort.

Similarly, other participants who correctly answered ques-tion relating to the brand in a question and answer session that night won prizes included LED television sets and other consolation prizes.

The market activation offered

The 315ml Juice Can Packs are currently available in Chi Shoppe, departmental stores, Open Markets, Hotels and neighbourhood shops across Nigeria and retail at an afford-able cost of N100.

quality entertainment and re-laxation for residents of Ilorin who trooped to Savannah hotel to witness the event.

The Harmony Cultural Group displayed the rich cultural heritage of the Emirate with the Baalu dance. According to Music Director of the group, Dosu Babalola, the dance was specially performed to high-light and extol the qualities that make Legend Extra Stout Nige-ria’s fastest selling stout brand. One of Nigeria’s fi nest music artists May D was on hand to thrill the crowd with a medley of his hit songs. The music act who was accorded a rousing welcome by the charged crowd kept them dancing and singing for a considerable period at the event.


Energy Review

Stakeholders restate new refi neries’ role in tackling products’ scarcity

BC

Consumers of petroleum products, particularly pet-rol, could not have antici-

pated any problems in fuel sup-plies and prices, barely less than two months to Christmas and New Year, both of which are usu-ally characterised by high demand because of increased movement of persons and goods from one part of the nation to another for some reasons.

First, the present administra-tion had assured marketers that their N413 billion outstanding fuel subsidy claims would be paid.

Second, the promise was ex-pected to raise hope, thus leading to stability in fuel supply.

Third, it was also expected to encourage operators with fi nancial muscles to fund fuel importation or get loans to do so.

But this may not to be the case after all even when the Federal Government made good its prom-ise last Wednesday by paying the outstanding N413 billion to prod-uct importers.

Investigations by National Mir-ror last week showed that the level of importation had dropped signifi -cantly, mainly because many mar-keters claimed that they lacked funds to import petrol anymore.

Financial institutions, it was learnt have been reluctant in granting new loans because op-erators lack the capacity to pay back.

Consequently, while those with-out commercial stocks have de-cided to close their retail outlets, others decided to sell in excess of N100 per liter instead of the Fed-eral Government N87 per liter reg-ulated price. Expectedly, the De-partment of Petroleum Resources, DPR maintained that it was moni-toring the operations on marketers in order to sanction culprits.

“The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) wishes to inform the General Public that it has set up a 24 hours surveillance moni-toring team of petrol stations na-tionwide to ensure unhindered

sale of petroleum products at gov-ernment regulated prices. This is in response to reported cases of panic buying in some Petrol Sta-tions across the country. The DPR wishes to state that the cur-rent stock level of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in depots nationwide is about 365million litres and we are also expecting over 800million seaborne litres to be discharged before the end of the week. This translates to a stock level for thirty (30) days’ supply.’’

“To further ensure the supply of products, DPR has fast tracked the grant of product import permits and vessel clearing process to aid rapid stock build up for import-ers. We hereby appeal to all De-pots and Petroleum Product Retail Outlets nationwide to ensure that products are sold at government regulated price as the DPR will not hesitate to enforce necessary sanc-tions against any erring marketer. The General Public is hereby ad-vised not to engage in panic buy-ing as there is adequate supply of petroleum Products nationwide,’’ it added.

Also, the Nigerian National Pe-troleum Corporation, NNPC indi-cated that it has stepped up mea-sures to eliminate fuel queues in some petrol stations across major

cities in the country with the injec-tion of additional volumes of pre-mium motor spirit, PMS to enrich product availability in the affected areas. The Corporation main-tained that in line with its drive to ensure zero fuel queues ahead of the forthcoming yuletide and be-yond, the Corporation is working assiduously with its downstream subsidiary company, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Compa-ny, PPMC and other downstream players to consolidate the prevail-ing stability in the supply and dis-tribution of fuel nationwide.

However, many stakeholders have renewed their calls for the es-tablishment of new refi neries in the nation. One of them is the National President of the Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Colman Obasi who traced the travails of the nation to its inability to meet domestic fuel needs.

“Many previous administrations did not do much to construct new plants. The present government should give priority to building new refi neries. This is the only way we can add value to our crude oil before it is exported to other na-tions. We cannot afford to export a bulk of our crude oil while import-ing refi ned products from other nations.”

“If we continue to do so, we will be assisting to impoverish our people who pay high prices for the imported fuel. Moreover, we will be continuing to create many multiplier effects, especially em-ployment, capacity building and adaptation of new technologies in other nations, “he added.

The Chairman of International Energy Services Limited, Dr. Diran

Fawibe, maintained that the na-tion’s environment has not been made attractive to investors as lo-cal and foreign investors can only invest in environments that can guarantee adequate returns on their investments. Fawibe indicat-ed that investors would not invest in new refi neries because the Fed-eral Government still regulates the prices of many products, including petrol, a fi scal regime that is con-sidered risky to long term invest-ments in the sector.

“The environment is heavily reg-ulated. It is not like deregulation will solve all our problems, but it is very critical. The regulatory envi-ronment will stifl e any investment and so I don’t see anybody invest-ing to build refi neries until we ad-dress those fundamental issues.”

“We are making effort, but we have not provided the right envi-ronment yet. In terms of power, you know we are not getting power right. In terms of regulation, we are still grappling with the Petroleum Industry Bill. In terms of funding, most Nigerian banks do not like to invest in long term projects, “he added.

More than that, a Port Harcourt-based energy analyst, Mr. Bala Zaka, stressed that a lot could be done to change the situation. The energy analyst maintains that the government can invest part of its huge funds currently used in paying fuel subsidy to establish new refi neries in selected parts of the nation and later sell them to private investors. Zaka indi-cated that this strategy should be adopted because it is a very fast approach to ensuring that huge funds are staked in the sector for

the overall benefi t of the nation.He stressed that it would be

better to sell such plants later as government offi cials have not yet demonstrated their competence to manage state assets, adding that the involvement of govern-ment offi cials should not be pro-longed to prevent them from run-ning down such investments.

The energy analyst canvassed the need for government to de-regulate the downstream sector so as to allow market forces to determine prices. “It is impera-tive that the government should deregulate the sector in order to attract local investors with ad-equate resources and technology to invest in Nigeria. We need to at-tract investors with deep pockets to stake huge funds in the sector through deregulation.”

Zaka indicated that the deregu-lation becomes necessary in order to encourage investors, including the Dangote Group to invest in the sector. The group has started preliminary work on refi nery con-struction with a projected $8bil-lion to build 400,000 bpd plant by late 2016. The proposed oil refi nery situated in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos is expected to be functional by the fi rst half of 2018, with an estimated production template of about 500,000 barrels per day.Already, Honeywell technology is said to have been selected to run the largest refi nery in Africa.

Senior Vice-President and General Manager of UOP’s Pro-cess, Technology and Equipment business, Pete Piotrowski, main-tained in a statement that: “UOP has been designing state-of-the-art refi neries and petrochemical plants for more than a century, so we are well-equipped to help Nigeria develop a massive new installation to meet its domestic needs. This project will enable Dangote to improve Nigeria’s oil refi ning capabilities, reduce the country’s dependence on imports, and work to revive and transform the Nigerian economy.”

While some observers are elat-ed about the pace of progress so far, others remained unmoved, probably because of their experi-ences. Investigations showed that previous efforts of other investors were not successful despite the granting of government licenses to them. For instance, in 2002, the government issued licenses to 18 investors to build new plants. These included Akwa Ibom Refi n-ery and Petrochemicals, Tonwei Refi nery, Badagry Petroleum Re-fi nery, Clean Water Refi nery, IIaje Refi nery and Petrochemicals and Niger Delta Refi nery and Petro-chemicals.

Others included, the NSP Re-fi nery and Oil Services and Ode Ade Refi nery, Orient Petroleum Resources Limited, Owena Oil and Gas, Rivgas Petroleum and Energy, Sapele Petroleum, South-land Associates, Southwest Re-fi neries and Petrochemicals Com-pany, Starex Petroleum Refi nery Ltd, The Chasewood Consortium, Total Support Refi neries and Union Atlantic Petroleum.

Since then, not much has been done to change the situation.

Obasi

Nigerian refi nery

Despite the efforts of stakeholders, especially the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, some oil marketers still sell petrol at arbitrary prices. Udeme Akpan however reports that analysts believe that there is a growing need for new refineries in order to reduce abuses that have characterized the downstream sub-sector over the years.

‘‘We cannot afford to export a bulk of our crude oil while importing refined products from other nations.If we continue to do so, we will be assisting to impoverish our people who pay high prices for the imported fuel


BC

Isaiah Erhiawarien

There is an upsurge of digi-tal economy in Africa, and Nigeria is in control of

that upsurge as more business-es are adhering to the clamour digitilse to monetise.

According to Magnus Nmon-wu, Regional Director for Sage West Africa companies in Ni-geria and the rest of the region who do not embrace the digital world will be at a serious disad-vantage to their competitors.

The call of the enterprise soft-ware expert refl ects a latest re-port by Ipsos, an IT research fi rm on behalf of PayPal, which revealed that 84 per cent of on-line shoppers in Nigeria already shop online from outside of the country or expect to start doing so in the future.

The fi rm interviewed a repre-sentative quota sample of 500 adults (aged 18 - 55) in Nigeria who have used a PC, laptop, mobile or tablet to access the internet in the past six months and found that the number of online shoppers in the country is expected to skyrocket.

Base on that study, PayPal and Nigerian ecommerce ven-ture MallforAfrica (MFA) went into partnership to offer con-sumers the benefi t of additional payment options.

MFA, which has facilitated access by Africans to US and UK consumer retail sites for four years, said teaming up with PayPal will facilitate pay-ments through the internet and on mobile and “improves the shopping experience” for Afri-can consumers.

Chief Executive Offi cer and Founder of MallforAfrica, Chris Folayan, said “We are thrilled to collaborate with PayPal, one of the world’s most popular online payment solutions.”

To further strengthen the current digital economy, Sage West Africa said that enter-prises in the region that want to keep pace with a changing consumer, employee and busi-ness landscape need to invest in the right business manage-ment solutions that will enable them to digitise their business processes,.

Nmonwu warned that compa-nies in Nigeria and the rest of the region who do not embrace the digital world will be at a serious disadvantage to their competitors.

His comments follow the re-cent Connect Commerce Con-ference where Netplus Advi-sory said that e-commerce and online businesses in Nigeria

attracted investments worth US$200m over the past three years.

“With more than 93 million Internet users in Nigeria alone (Nigerian Communications Commission statistics), the re-gion’s people form a formidable digital marketplace. In Nigeria, Facebook has more than 15 million monthly active users,” said Nmonwu.

“These Internet users want the speed, simplicity and con-venience of buying goods and services right from their mo-bile phones. As employees, they want mobile and Web tools to help them do their jobs from anywhere at any time.”

He added, “Businesses that don’t keep up with changing consumer and employee behav-iour will lose ground to their competitors.”

According to Nmonwu, com-panies that want to stay ahead of the trend towards online business need to put modern business solutions in place that are ready for the mobility, the Internet of Things, analytics, and other digital technologies that are transforming the busi-ness environment.

He added that with the rapid growth of the mobile web, e-commerce and social media in West Africa, leading employers are thinking about how they can use technology to engage with their workforce.

He said further that progres-sive enterprises are implement-ing employee self-service to

automate business processes while making life more conve-nient for employees.

An HR package that includes employee self-service function-ality enables employees to ap-ply for leave, fi le business travel expenses, access payslips and update their personal infor-mation from their computers, smartphones or tablets. This saves employees, managers and the HR department a great deal of time and paperwork, while also integrating all these activi-ties into the fi nancial functions of the company, Nmonwu said.

“With the move to an online world, businesses need to think about how they will adapt,” he added noting that “This means that they need to become more agile, access data for improved decision-making and interact with stakeholders in a more personalised manner. In addi-tion to thinking about how they will prepare for mobile custom-ers, West African organisations also need to be ready for digital employees. Those that do the necessary groundwork will be in a strong position to attract, retain, and develop the best tal-ent.”

He also gave examples of

continued interest in Nigeria’s ecommerce space, which in-clude the unifi cation of global payment platform PayPal and Nigerian ecommerce venture MallforAfrica (MFA) to offer con-sumers the benefi t of additional payment options.

Recently MTN announced the offer to subscribers of free access to select tech startups within the Africa Internet Group (AIG) network, including Jumia, online marketplace Kaymu and hotel booking platform Jovago.

MTN subscribers who engage with these startups and utilise their app services can do so without being charged for data.

Further fast-tracking the up-surge are statistics from the Ni-gerian Communications Com-mission (NCC) which revealed about 1.6 million new mobile internet subscribers in the month of March.

According to the NCC, the number of mobile internet sub-scribers in Nigeria exceeded 87 million saying there were 87,055,484 mobile internet us-ers at the end of April, up from 85,467,970 users in March.

The statistics showed that there was an increase of 1,587,514 internet users dur-

ing the period for the Global System for Mobile Communica-tions (GSM) and the Code Divi-sion Multiple Access (CDMA) networks.

According to the NCC’s report Globacom had 19,690,526 sub-scribers surfi ng the net with its network in April, a signifi cant rise from the 18,617,607 us-ers in March, indicating that the network gained 1,072,919 additional internet users on its network during the period cov-ered by the report.

This increase translates to 67.58 per cent of the total num-ber of new internet subscriber fi gure of 1,587,514 for the tele-com networks for the month under review.

Also Airtel Nigeria had 17.2 million internet users in April, as against 16,603,147 custom-ers recorded in March.

But MTN lost 384,487 inter-net subscribers in April, after it recorded 39,520,285 us-ers, down from 39,904,772 in March 2015.

According to MOBOfree, the trade in second hand goods rose from a 274 per cent yearly increase in the total value of goods on their platform in Nige-ria. The current value of goods is $1.97 billion (N394 billion), up from $526million (N102.5 billion) last year. This impres-sive growth outperforms the forecasted fi gure for 2015 by 30 per cent.

MOBOfree attributed this huge increase in the value of goods to the safety of the MOBOfree platform, to an in-creasing number of repeat cus-tomers and to a renewed focus on the automotive and real es-tate categories of classifi ed ad-vertisements.

“Customers are going to the site because they are confi dent that buyers and sellers have been vetted. Once they experi-ence the ease of use and add-ed security, customers come back and use the site and are reassured on each occasion,” said MOBOfree CEO Cristobal Alonso.

MOBOfree has invested heav-ily in safety and security with a recently launched ID verifi ca-tion programme in addition to a dedicated quality control team which manually reviews every single advert before launching it live.

“This increase is indicative of a growing number of Nigerian consumers willing to buy, sell and swap stuff with people they can trust, MOBOfree makes this process easier and safer,” added Alonso.

Nigeria leads in Africa’s drive towards digital economy

Nmonwu Folayan

‘‘With more than 93 million Internet users in Nigeria alone (Nigerian Communications Commission statistics), the region’s people form a formidable digital marketplace. In Nigeria, Facebook has more than 15 million monthly active users


BC

BCBC BCBCBCBC

with Esther Ozue

([email protected]) 08059234648 (sms only)

TechnotalkTechnotalk

BC

Ogunsanya

Chen

Airtel bags ATCON Merit Award

Blackberry tackles secure threat with new technologyBlackBerry will integrate

Good’s software solutions and services with its own soft-ware suites to offer the indus-try’s most complete end-to-end solution that secures the entire mobile enterprise, across all platforms and applications while protecting personal pri-vacy.

With the acquisition of Good, BlackBerry has expanded its ability to offer a unifi ed, secure mobility platform with appli-cations and services for any mobile device on any operating system supported by secu-rity that has been certifi ed by governments around the world embedded in every component of the mobility infrastructure.

“The Good and BlackBerry solutions are very complemen-tary. Combined, BlackBerry solves one of the biggest chal-lenges for CIOs – to securely manage all types of deployment models for any device operat-ing system platform, whether on-premise or in the cloud,” said John Chen, BlackBerry Executive Chairman and CEO. “We are creating a higher-value solution with the capability to extend across enterprise mobil-ity management, collaboration and application enablement in order to provide customers with the best and most secure products, services and support to meet their enterprise mobil-ity objectives.”

“BlackBerry’s completion of the Good acquisition brings two leading companies in the

mobile security space together to offer a secure cross-platform EMM solution,” said Stacy Crook, research director, En-terprise Mobility at IDC.

“Good brings additional value to the BlackBerry platform by offering strong application containerization on iOS and Android, and will provide solu-tions to containerize custom and third-party applications.”

BlackBerry and Good have natural platform synergies that will be integrated, offering the best of containerization and enterprise mobility manage-ment (EMM), and will leverage BlackBerry’s global network infrastructure. Customers and partners can expect easily managed migration options and seamless, uninterrupted integration with the combined platform. Customers can look forward to:

The broadest set of options

Stories by Isaiah Erhiawarien

Telecommunications ser-vices provider, Airtel Nige-

ria, has been honoured with a Merit Award by the Associa-tion of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), as the body recently marked its 21st anni-versary with a colourful event in Lagos.

President of ATCON, Engr. Lanre Ajayi, noted that Airtel Nigeria deservedly earned the Merit Award because of its pioneering investment in the Nigeria’s mobile telecommuni-cations industry.

Sokoto State Governor and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal presented the award to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Offi cer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya who was represented by the company’s Director of Corpo-rate Communications & CSR, Emeka Oparah.

While speaking on the AT-CON Merit Award, Ogunsanya dedicated the award to staff and customers of the company,

noting that it served as an im-petus for Airtel to continuously contribute towards building a robust telecommunication in-dustry in Nigeria with its array of innovative solutions.

Ogunsanya and many other distinguished Nigerians who had served as Minister of Com-munications were also appoint-ed by ATCON into the Telecoms Advisory Council. ATCON also used the occasion to unveil it code of ethics.

The Airtel team at the event led by Emeka Oparah com-prised Director, Regulatory Af-fairs, Justin Damsa and Digital & Public Relations Manager, Erhumu Bayagbon.

Other telecommunication fi rms, internet service provid-ers and notable personalities such as ex-Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; former Board Chairman, Airtel Nigeria, Oba Otudeko; ex-Exec-utive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Earnest Ndukwe and other dignitaries were also bestowed with ATCON Merit Awards.

Formally inaugurated on December 10, 1993 with the aim of bringing all companies in the telecoms industry and auxiliary services together for the purposes of sharing indus-try information, networking, associating and enhancing the relevance of the telecommuni-cations industry, ATCON is a professional, non-profi t, non-political umbrella organisation of indigenous and multination-al telecommunications compa-nies operating in Nigeria.

to meet the full cross-platform needs of an enterprise for EMM, including support for iOS, BlackBerry, Windows, and Android including Sam-sung KNOX™ Workspace and Android™ for Work.

Support for varying deploy-ment models such as bring-your-own-device (BYOD); corporate owned, personally enabled (COPE); corporate owned, business only (COBO); as well as environments with multiple user interfaces and operating systems.

The most secure container solution in the market; used on millions of devices around the world to meet the highest se-curity requirements,protecting data independent of device, app, user or location.

The widest portfolio of secure enterprise productivity applica-tions in the industry, including over 2,000 Independent Soft-ware Vendor (ISV) and custom applications with software development kit (SDK) support.

Secure mobile applications such as WatchDox for secure sync and fi le share, AtHoc for crisis communication and BBM Protected for messaging.

Secure mobile collaboration applications like Good Work, Good Access, and Good for Salesforce1 CRM.

BlackBerry anticipates the acquisition to be accretive to earnings and cash fl ow within the fi rst year after closing.

BlackBerry also hopes to realise about $160 million in GAAP revenue from Good in the fi rst year, including the im-pact of an expected write-down of certain deferred revenue of Good.

BC

Is your organisation exploring mobile Business Intelligence option?The future of business intelligence is in mobile technolo-

gies. Business intelligence and mobile technologies are quickly becoming connected due to the advent of smart

phones, mobile tablets, faster phone internet service, and great mobile applications.

Business intelligence is the framework that enables organi-sations of all sizes to make faster, better-informed business decisions. Mobile business intelligence puts the emphasis on the application of mobile devices such as smart phones or tab-let computers. Therefore, one can say that the fundamentals remain unchanged. Mobile BI is the enabler that, if designed, implemented, and executed effectively, can help organisations drive growth and profi tability.

The pace of mobile adoption across devices and applications is accelerating. More people own cell phones and mobility is no longer a nice-to-have option. Instead, it has become a must have for business leaders. With this paradigm shift comes the natural extension of business intelligence (BI) to mobile busi-ness intelligence (mobile BI).

However, the way organisations go about realising the true value of mobile BI may depend on the state of their enterprise mobility (for example, whether or not a formal mobile enter-prise strategy and a road map exist).

Mobile BI is more prevalent and more relevant today be-cause the gap between the experience of traditional BI content consumed on a desktop PC and that accessed on a mobile device is disappearing rapidly. We now talk about the gap be-tween a smartphone and a tablet device. The tablet devices are getting smaller both in size and weight to compete with smart phones. Rapid growth in areas such as the cloud, in-memory technology, big data, and predictive analytics are fueling this innovation cycle. As a result, companies are looking for ways to harness the power of mobile BI through innovation.

As businesses face more challenges and are compelled to deal with more complex business situations, they increasingly require greater mobile access to more processed data coming from both structured sources such as sales data, and unstruc-tured sources like social media or email data that can’t be eas-ily queried with traditional tools and technologies. Companies at the leading edge seek to gain the advantage to exploit mobile BI to support a workforce that is becoming more and more mobile.

Benefi ts of mobile Business IntelligenceBusiness models that rely on insight through outdated or

limited capabilities can no longer compete in an ever-increasing global market, which simply dictates mobile execution.

Organisations must deliver more for their customers and stakeholders. In this context, mobile BI can become a key dif-ferentiator in helping organisations cope with both the com-plexity and the real-time challenges they face with the execu-tion of their strategy.

Where mobile Business Intelligence can add value to your organisation

Is there a CEO in the world who can say “We have access to all the data we need about our customers”? A 360 degree view of customers is something every company seems to be chasing. Though it might seem like an elusive goal, you can take the fi rst steps by integrating data from your customer relationship management (CRM), accounting and customer support sys-tems into your BI dashboards and reports to enable analysis of customer growth, profi tability, and lifetime value which will help you identify opportunities to cross-sell, up-sell or simply target them more effectively.

While BI has traditionally been used to look at historic data, more than ever it is incorporating predictive analytics. You can use past data to project future performance and make better decisions based on more accurate forecasts.

In conclusion, as you establish your enterprise mobile strat-egy and goals, add more business intelligence to your overall mobile strategy because in today’s customer-centric world, customer interactions and personalisation are critical to busi-ness success from all performance assessment parameters.


Continued on pg A14

Ausbeth Ajagu:

In the Nigerian entrepreneur-ship terrain, especially in the billionaire club in which many of big and known entrepre-

neurs in the country belong, Dr. Ausbeth Nnamdi Ajagu’s name might not easily ring a bell. But to a large extent, this renowned political economist and industri-alist’ credentials remain quite in-timidating. Ajagu is an academic, business colossus and political economist, who has contributed immensely to advance the cause of economy in Nigeria.

As a matter of fact, his humble background where discipline and moderation remain the watch-word might have prompted his be-ing described by his close associ-ates as a ‘silent billionaire.’

“I‘m from a humble back-ground, my parents never joked with discipline. I remember then in Secondary school, I disobeyed my senior and was fl ogged and given punishment of washing the toilet for two weeks; I ran home thinking my parents would sup-port me, they pursued me back to school and at the end, I washed the toilet for three weeks instead of two.. That is why now I can wash toilets and do anything at home without looking back, as a matter of fact, I teach my house girls how to clean up and all that when they are newly employed, with my wife, I was also taught how to cook and do all the house chores.”

Though a political economist and industrialist of great accom-plishments, Dr. Ajagu is more reputed for his transformational leadership qualities in corporate governance in Nigeria. Like all patriotic Nigerians, his political sagacity is not defi ned by a Ma-chiavellian approach to politics. Rather, it is the way and manner he touches lives that stands him out.

His meteoric rise in his profes-sion is, therefore, not a surprise, because according to him, “dili-gence comes with a divine promise that we will stand before kings.” In the private sector of the Nigerian economy, Ajagu led an intellectual revolution in entrepreneurship and has built a legacy in what has become a reference point in professionalism and political dis-course.

The last child in a family of eight, Ajagu was born on October 26, 1965 at Asaba, though he hails

The multi-talented entrepreneur He does not belong to the league of well known industrialists, business moguls and billionaires, but he is richly endowed with some of the best principles of entrepreneurship. He has combined both scholarly and practical disposition to entrepreneurial development to attain a higher ranking in Nigeria’s industrial landscape. Dr. Ausbeth Nnamdi Ajagu, Chairman, Betcy Group of Companies is indeed, the master entrepreneur

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

Ajagu

generation.Betcy Power Tractors which

have been certifi ed by the National Centre for Agricultural Mechani-zation (NCAM) Ilorin as the most improved technology over all for-mer power tractors ever imported into Nigeria is operator-driven. According to NCAM reports, “the break system is very effi cient and the comfort of the operator is guar-anteed.”

The company also provides after sales services as the power tractors are backed with guaran-tee, full after sales service, and to-tal technical support.

For Ajagu, his Betcy Media is another arm which has remained one of the cash cows for the group. Betcy Media as a subsidiary com-pany of Betcy Group of Companies engages in media related activities both print and electronic. Under its print media activities, Betcy Media engages in professional book publishing and undertakes editorial work on manuscripts.

Producing books of diverse in-terests and subject matters, from conceptualization to writing, and production, its core interests in book publishing include, Chil-dren’s Books (Fiction, Reality, Spir-itual, Education, etc.), Motivation-al Books (Self -help, Inspirational, Vocational), Biographies (Writing & Publishing), Biographies ( Writ-ing, Publishing and Consulting), Novelettes, Plays, Playlets, Poetry & Prose, and so on.

Other areas of its core com-petences include Public Speaking (Motivational talks, specialized papers’ presentation, women and youth based talks, professional speeches for groups - private and corporate) as well as organising and packaging seminars, corpo-rate and private events.

An industrialist, entrepreneur, author, public policy analyst, Aja-gu is also a revered motivational/conference speaker, who has to his credit over 300 published ar-ticles and library works which in-clude the best-selling books titled “The Entrepreneur”, “Roadmap to True Greatness”, “Building A Virile Nation… The Private Sector Perspective” and “The Secrets of Winners”.

As a prolifi c writer, his thoughts have covered all imagin-able problems that any country in the process of building is likely to face. Given his wealth of expe-rience, in one of his high-selling books, Building a Virile Nation: The Private Sector Perspective, he attempts a systematic approach to harnessing the resources of a nation and galvanizing such to propel the country to a respect-able status among the comity of nations.

The best-selling book charts a course for sustainable economic development of nations as well as for propelling individuals to suc-cess in any endeavour. This col-lection is a major guide for gov-

its being a major engineering con-sortium that has successfully ex-ecuted Civil/Structural, Electrical, Mechanical and Water Engineer-ing Projects/Services as well as providing oil fi eld equipment and spares to the Nigerian oil sector, public and private sectors.

Betcy Industries Limited is well noted in the area of assembling and supply of mechanized farm-

ing tractors. Betcy Industries Ltd has over the years been the choice of most farmers with its range of power farm tractors

Betcy range of tractors backed by the latest Asian technology was manufactured to ease the diffi -culties experienced by farmers in agricultural production as well as make room for massive produc-tion of agricultural produce at “a most effi cient cost”. Betcy range of Power Tractors as attested by most of its customers is rugged, durable and highly affordable. They can be tailored to meet various needs which include: Clearing /Crush-ing, Tilling /Ploughing, Cultiva-tion, Harvesting, Bush clearing, Weeding, Irrigation and Electricity

from Nimo in Njikoka in Anambra State. He attended Oneh Primary School, Asaba, Delta State from 1971 to 1976 while he later at-tended Osadedenis High School from 1976 to 1981; Federal School of Arts and Science, Sokoto, 1981 to 1983.

In pursuant of further educa-tion, the young Ajagu attended then Bendel State University (now Ambrose Ali University) Ekpoma, 1984 to 1987 and later the Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos from 1995 to 1996 and 1996 to 1997 where he obtained Masters Degree in Legal Studies, specialising in Administrative Law.

He won the Overall Best Grad-uating student (Masters Degree) at the Lagos State University in 1997 and later proceeded for a Ph.D in Business Administration in Cali-fornian Coast University, United States.

Trained in Political Science, Legal Studies and Business Ad-ministration, Ajagu started his working career with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) where he worked as an administration offi cer from 1988 to 1989. He also had a stint with Hiuna Nigeria Limited before be-coming the business manager of Fafi nc Nigeria Limited from 1991 to 1992. His journey into the en-trepreneurship world began with the establishment of Betcy Group of Companies where he is the group executive chairman.

Betcy Group of Companies has interest in oil and gas, construc-tion, engineering, manufacturing (Assemblers of farm Power Trac-tors), properties, real estate and the hospitality industry. He owns the Oak Hotels, Lagos and Oxford Hotels, Abuja. He is equally the Executive Chairman, Oak Hotels, Lagos, Oxford Hotels, Abuja and Goldfi sh Insurance Brokers Lim-ited.

The Betcy group comprises Betcy Investment, Betcy Proper-ties and Betcy Industries as well as Betcy Media. While Betcy In-vestment is an arm which deals in Civil / Structural, Electrical, Mechanical and Water Engineer-ing Consortium; On & Off Shore Technical Services, its noted for

‘‘Betcy range of tractors backed by the latest Asian technology was manufactured to ease the diffi culties experienced by farmers in agricultural production as well as make room for massive production of agricultural produce at “a most effi cient cost”


BC

ernments and policy makers at all levels as well as budding and practicing business executives. It is expected that the readers shall be challenged, inspired, and em-powered by some of the issues raised.

Dr. Ajagu is a National Council Member and past alternate Chair-man, SMI Committee of Manu-facturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chairman of Amuwo-Odo-fi n Industrial Group as well as 2-Star Paul Harris Fellow of Ro-tary International.

Between 2000-2002, he was the Chairman, Anambra State Oil Palm Development Agency Board; Member, Presidential Technical Committee on Road Maintenance (2002-2003) and was until recent-ly, a board member of the Nige-rian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and National Inland Waterways. He is also a Director Standard Alliance Capital Ltd.

Dr. Ajagu, is also the Chair-man, Board of Trustees of Youth & Gender Network, a renowned and famous NGO;s a member of the National Technical Working Groups of the Vision 20:2020, The Presidential Job Creation Com-mittee, as well as a member of Ni-gerian Economic Summit Group. He is also a board member of the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM).

A fellow of the Institute of Di-rectors’ (IoD) Nigeria, Institute of Corporate Administration of Ni-geria; Institute of Cost Manage-ment, Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Finance Consultants he also served as Chairman of Institute of Directors Industry Committee (2003 – 2007); and fel-low; Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies, Nigeria (AES).

He was awarded the presti-gious national honour of a Mem-ber of the Order of the Federal Re-public (MFR) in December, 2007 by late President Umaru Musa Yar’dua.

Ajagu belongs to the perfec-tionist school. His belief that things should be done in the right way has seen him not compro-mising mediocrity as he believes “if you plan well you save ninety percent of failure.”

Though a trained lawyer, Ajagu never practiced as one. He however admitted his admiration for the legal profession. “I had al-ways admired lawyers. Besides, there was the need for me to ad-vance my knowledge. That was why I decided to study law. If I have my way, I would know every-thing in this world. But that is not possible. When you are knowl-edgeable in many areas, you talk authoritatively and give incisive analysis of whatever topic you want to discuss.

“While political science broad-ened my knowledge of what goes on in government, how govern-ments are formed, how they are run, the dynamics, power inter-play, all the gimmicks and chal-lenges, the politiking, election-eering, and all that; legal studies helped me a lot. Before I studied law, I was not able to do my le-gal agreements. There were some pronouncements that were alien to me. But with my knowledge of law, I have to read in between the lines when you bring any le-gal thing for me to sign and I will be able to defend myself logically. It added a lot to my impetus as a

man and as a business man,” he said.

For Ajagu, there are two areas of Nigeria’s national life that seem to be his major concern. These are the state of manufacturing and educational sector. While he feels that the manufacturing sector is yet to take its pride of place as the engine of growth, the educational sector, he believes, has come to a stage whereby the Federal Gov-ernment needs to declare a state of emergency in order to return it to the enviable height it once en-joyed in the past.

“The manufacturing sector is supposed to be the engine of growth as it were than any other sector, especially in developed world, but in Nigeria, I don’t know if it is the right thing or so because with due respect to the economy and Nigerians, the economy has been largely made up of imported goods.

“Short of saying that Nigeria is a dumping ground. For any coun-try that desires growth, desires industrialisation and production in terms of reducing poverty, that country must take manufacturing seriously by promulgating laws that will encourage local manu-facturing and also support the pa-tronage of locally made products. Unfortunately in Nigeria that is not the case,” he lamented.

On the educational sector, he observed that the level of educa-tion is on a downward trajectory, which is neither healthy for the country nor the manufactur-ing sector. “These days, you can hardly see a graduate who can write. In every ten graduates, only two can write. The graduates we are churning out now with due respect are not employable. We are not interested in paper qualifi cation but what you have up there.

“And to a large extent, you don’t even blame the students. A situation where somebody is supposed to graduate within four years but because of ASUU and trade union strike he graduates after seven years he has lost track. He has become disillusioned and discouraged so at that time, he is not thinking of how to benefi t in terms of information given to him by the lecturer but how he was going to graduate and leave the school”

As a multi-talented entrepre-neur, his horizon appears limit-less. For instance, he initiated the establishment of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies, Nigeria (AES), collaboration between the organised private sector and pub-lic sector in line with the govern-ment Public/Private Partnership initiative.

AES is involved in leadership, entrepreneur studies and train-ing. Principally, the inspiration for the academy, according to him, came as a result of the fact that entrepreneurship education in Ni-geria was becoming too expensive for the ordinary man. Thus, it was

founded to deliver quality busi-ness education at very affordable costs, given the present high costs in some business schools.

According to Ajagu, the AES project was borne out of the con-viction that quality business edu-cation is of an absolute necessity for any nation that deserves to expand its fortunes and be devel-oped. “I saw the potential and in-vited others to join hands to make it a reality. AES is a means of add-ing value to God’s creation. It is a means to help put smiles on the faces of human beings.

“We need to help reduce the unemployment rate in the coun-try, because, being a manufac-turer for over 10 years and being a strong member of the Manu-facturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, I was also the Chairman of the Industry Committee of the In-stitute of Directors (IOD) of Nige-ria, I know that there is a lacuna, a void that needs to be fi lled. Peo-ple go into business without fi rst studying the business and sooner or later they close shop and they become depressed. Some commit suicide, some resort to all kinds of obnoxious and criminal activities. But, if they can be schooled, then they will be better off in the enter-prise,” he said.

Ajagu’s belief is that though not everybody can or has the brain to go through the rudiments of a university or polytechnic educa-tion, he reasoned that “even those people who went through the four walls of a university or polytech-nic do not necessarily have the prerequisite practical experience because, the skills one gathers in school is completely different from what obtains out there, “

“Most of the textbooks in en-trepreneurship, before I came up with mine, were tailored on Eng-lish or American societies and did not take cognisance of the

peculiarities of the Nigerian situa-tion. Coming from a background where things work, some of their postulations would not work in Nigeria. So when we study these principles and ideas, they do not work here. Thus, I felt there was need to localise the principles of leadership and entrepreneurship and that was what gave birth to the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies. I went further to write a book, which, as we speak, is the only book on entrepreneurship endorsed and marketed in Nigeria by the IOD.”

No doubt, the AES project has been a huge success. Since its coming, it has been able to deliver the same quality of education in leadership and entrepreneurship to the generality of Nigerians at very affordable rates. So far, AES has trained over 9,000 people from the private and public sectors.

“Suffi ce it to say that it is one of the leading institutes for leader-ship and entrepreneurship train-ing in Nigeria, under the initia-tive. We impact positively through quality training, mentorship, et cetera but more importantly, we make sure that we entrench the spirit of enterprise, excellence, hard work in them. We also en-sure that best practices are ad-hered to, all targeted at positively changing their mindset. We be-lieve so much in leadership by ex-ample, so we inculcate this, too, in them. Aside from that, we also use the institutional network to grow the right calibre of Nigerians we need for now and in the future,” he stressed.

As at present, the AES has three categories of membership, namely Associateship, which is meant for non-graduates and un-dergraduates in universities and other tertiary institutions and people who have been into entre-preneurship, but without formal qualifi cations. The Full member-ship category is made up of gradu-ates and people already practising entrepreneurship in Nigeria while the third category is the Fellow-ship Category, which is comprised of people who have distinguished themselves in their chosen profes-sions.

However, with the AES gaining more credibility and acceptance, the need to have more members in its fold prompted the estab-lishment of AES Excellence Club principally to fast-track national growth as well as be a think tank for the Nigerian project.

“We found out that, after a few years of our existence, there were people who felt, as it were, they are above these categories. These are the ministers, the governors, and chief executives of banks, in-surance companies and the likes. So, we came up with an idea that since we are ready and able to still train these people at their level by inculcating the same best practic-es, there was a need to institute an intellectual club. That was how we gave birth to the AES Excellence Club, principally to fast-track na-tional growth as well as be a think tank for the Nigerian project.

“It is Nigeria’s intellectual club and it is not for all-comers. The en-try criteria are stringent. Prospec-tive members must have good and unquestionable character, they must be excelling in their chosen profession, and, above all, they must be patriotic and passionate

about the Nigerian project,” he stressed.

Indeed, Ajagu’s AES has been able to record tremendous prog-ress. The likes of President and the Vice are members as well as are some state governors and ministers and chief executives of organisations, opinion leaders, vi-sion shapers, et cetera are notable members.

Goldfi sh Insurance Brokers Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading independent insurance brokers is another brainchild of Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu. Founded in 2002, Goldfi sh Insurance Brokers Limited has been rewriting the standards for service and quality in the com-plex risk management industry. Through the Ajagu’s uncommon way of doing things, Goldfi sh aspiresto be a client’s broker of choice by consistently exceeding expectations.

“We are not just another in-surance company. With years of experience in the business and an established client base throughout the country, we pride ourselves on our professional approach as well as our independence and are committed to remaining so.”

As a leading insurance broker, it is noted for its being fast, fl ex-ible, open and responsive to all customers’ insurance needs. It uses all of its resources, people, experience, wit and courage to deliver outstanding results for all its clients, regardless of their size, their insurance requirements or location.

Goldfi sh Insurance Brokers has been repackaged by some dy-namic and successful Nigerians with the corporate objective of not only creating a standard service network but also restoring the confi dence in the brokerage industry.

Led by Ajagu, the board of directors is made up of highly reputable and dedicated entre-preneurs who have distinguished themselves in different fi elds of human endeavor.

Ajagu has maintained that Nigerians should imbibe the cul-ture of perseverance, courage, and respect for the dignity of men and women if we do not wish to confi ne ourselves to the level of mediocrity. Through scholarly work, newspaper articles, public lectures and other kinds of inter-ventions, Ajagu has contributed regularly to the national policy dialogue in the fi nest tradition of the public intellectual, seeking not to appear clever for the moment, but to illuminate, advise, admon-ish and throw up alternatives.

A man with progressive politi-cal conviction, he canvasses his views on policy, economy and democracy. He argues consis-tently that leadership at all lev-els should be fair, just and rea-sonable and not parochial and greedy. He maintains that leader-ship should be responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of the Nigerian masses and create the enabling business environment that will promote and sustain de-mocracy.

In one of his well-known inter-ventions in academic discourse, titled: “Roadmap to True Great-ness”, he argued that greatness and success come only by the ob-servance of sacrosanct and time-tested values and ideals that can-not be compromised.

Ajagu

‘‘With the AES gaining more credibility and accep-tance, the need to have more members in its fold prompted the establishment of AES Excellence Club principally to fast-track national growth as well as be a think tank for the Nigerian project


ThebuddingEntrepreneurs

Motivational Business Quotes

To waken interest and kindle enthusiasm is the sure way to teach easily and suc-

cessfully. – Tryon Edwards

Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning. – Bill Gates

Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable. – Coco Chanel

The competitor to be feared is one who never bothers about you at all, but goes on making his own business better all the time. – Henry Ford

The good or ill of a man lies within his own will. – Epictetus

I have known not a few men who, after reaching the summits of business success, found themselves miserable on attaining retirement age. They were so exclusively engrossed in their day to day affairs that they had no time for friend making. – B.C. Forbes

The cynic says, “One man can’t do any-thing”. I say, “Only one man can do any-thing.” - John W. Gardner

I feel that luck is preparation meeting op-portunity. – Oprah Winfrey

If there is such a thing as good leader-ship, it is to give a good example. – Ingvar Kamprad

B U S I N E S SMamora is a system thinker and advisor whose belief and activator leadership strengths are directed towards improving workers perspective for city and enterprise development. e-mail: [email protected]

K L I N I CWith Mamora Victor In business, salt

sense matters

‘

‘

BC

BC

It is worrisome for an entrepreneur to complain that his community economy is poor. The poverty in the land is the opportunity for every entrepreneur

Often time I eat egusi soup prepared by people of Ijebu in south west of

Nigeria, it makes an interesting lunch. No doubt, the soup is de-licious, nutritious and indeed has a message for entrepreneur.

The soup is prepared with a mix of blended seeds of melon, palm oil, pepper and spices in the immediate but tasteless until addition of salt at boiling point. In my thinking, these mixed ingredients do have right to “complain” that the soup is not delicious but the moment salt “complains” that the soup is not sweet, then hope is lost. Why the lost of hope? This is be-cause the core responsibility of salt is to sweeten the delicacy.

Dear friend, just as it is wor-risome for salt to complain that soup is not sweet, so it is wor-risome for an entrepreneur to complain that his community economy is poor. The poverty in the land is the opportunity for every entrepreneur.

As an entrepreneur, you are the salt of your community. Live above fear, go and sweeten it.

I think we should remind ourselves the implication of fear. Fear creates double problems. It prolongs problems confronting the society due to inaction and enhances negative emotion in the person.

Fear delays progress for peo-ple and society. The opposite of fear is faith and it means execu-tive courage in imperfect condi-tions.

Taking action in hope of pos-itive outcome is a critical factor for any budding entrepreneur who desires success.

In the year 1999, the fi rst company I worked with, as four months volunteer, prior to my university education had a managing director who was wishing for a contact to prospec-tive client in the town of ijebu ode south west Nigeria. When I joined the work team and the managing director mentioned it, immediately I proposed we visit the client, a public fi gure. We summoned courage, although not on appointment, and we came out with a deal that com-pared to total annual turnover of the company previous year. In any enterprise, it is the exec-utive power that counts and not the fear that paralyses.

Plans and dreams of entre-preneur will remain just dreams

until action to make it a reality. An entrepreneur is an execu-tive and not a mere dreamer. Although it is impossible to be an entrepreneur without a dream but action makes dream come true. The active stage is the execution stage where you release accessible values to the consumers, create wealth, and then known as chief executive offi cers. This means you are the chief among workers who are taking actions to solve prob-lems, create values, and enjoy the reward of your actions.

To succeed you must be an executive. An executive is not just a person with well-tailored suits seated on brown polished

mahogany chair and table. An executive is someone with dreams for better society, who plans her services and products development, daily building re-lationship and communicating, and executes the plans along with her team. An effective ex-ecutive gets the right thing done with fulfi lling reward.

Dear budding entrepreneur, this is the best time to review and act on your business plan. Live above the fear and step out in courage. Step in and make our society sweet and interest-ing for all of us. Challenge your mind and exercise your poten-tial. Your choice to start the business, in the fi rst place, is a

good mental model.Two mental models could

keep a budding entrepreneur motivated as value creator for the general society. These are salt paradigm and light para-digm.

1. Salt paradigm:In our part of the world, Ni-

geria, we appreciate salt for its role as a fl avouring agent and food preservative. Human has used salt to preserve food for many thousands of years, but salt also plays other roles in food we eat. Salt is an essen-tial nutrients, it provide fl avour, texture, and enhance food color.

Likewise, as a budding entre-preneur your business is about preserving local economy. Your acts keep the economy from de-pression. An entrepreneur sim-ply gives fl avour to humanity.

The same way that salt coun-ter act bitterness, an entrepre-neur counter act the bitterness of joblessness in our society. Be the salt of your community.

2. Light paradigm:One of the key attribute of

light is that it enhances fl ow of activity. It is a source of energy for productivity. Light enhances orderliness and alertness.

Along this thinking, an en-trepreneur build business and it enhances fl ows of economic activity. That business becomes a source of energy for workers who have passion to contribute towards development of the so-ciety. The potential of an aver-age worker for responsibility be-comes empowered as they show up to work and have opportuni-ty to serve. As an entrepreneur, when you employ you enhance orderliness within the society.

You are a light of our busi-ness world. Please have this at the back of your mind and let it keep you in business.

My encouragement is that you step out to act on the busi-ness plan and dream. There is more you contribute to our so-ciety every time you open the workshop, offi ce and distribute the product than make money. Your action to grow the com-pany, gives hope to prospec-tive employees, keeps investors’ confi dence high, attracts people to our economy, and putting smile on the faces of many fami-lies. Cheer up, you will achieve your dream.

Salt


ThebuddingEntrepreneurs

Management Principles

The Commandments of Retail Sales

Retailers must be on top of their game. They are all experiencing intense competition for the consumer and shrinking margins. Con-sumers will not tolerate sloppy sales approaches and a poor expe-

rience. If retailers want to be effective, they must vow to serve the customer with these 10 retail commandments.

1. Thou shalt not believe anyone is “just looking.” A customer can “just look” on their tablets, smartphones and home computer. Disregard this idea that any buyer is just looking and re-spond with: “90 percent of the people that come here start off by having a look. Why did you come today?” Show them specials, updates and other inventory choices that may not appear on your website.

2. Thou shalt never ignore the customer. They come to buy. Don’t make them hunt for a sales associate. It is better to pester a customer with offers of help than it is to ignore. Seems pretty basic, but how many times have you seen sales associates congregating at a register or zoned-out folding a pile of shirts?

3. Thou shalt aggressively sell. In highly competitive times, set higher sales targets. Selling be-yond ordinary expected levels requires a commitment to aggressively selling to every customer and making the most of every opportunity. Begin with a team meeting that sets targets and objectives. Then provide the tools to accomplish them.

4. Thou shalt never let the customer wait. When customers wait they become agitated, rest-less and uncertain. No customer should have to wait for anything. If your payment system is not effi cient, you put the entire sale at risk. Make sure your sales process is fast, friendly and easy to move through. Waiting for an open cash register should be a thing of the past with card readers and swipers.

5. Thou shalt treat every buyer like they came to spend money. Don’t qualify the customer’s ability to make a purchase. Treat anyone who enters your store as if they have money to spend regardless of what they say or how they act.

6. Thou shalt greet every customer at the front door. I once went to a major retailer and it took

Unlike many of her largely dependent peers, Chizo-ba Imoka, in her early

years chose not to place her sur-vival on the shoulder of anyone.

Burdened with the desire to secure a better future and iden-tity for herself and perhaps, several other teenage Nigerians deserving a functional coun-try, Chizoba, while in her third year at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, founded the Unveiling Africa Founda-tion (UVA), a non-profi t making organization. UVA, as she ex-plained, is focused on providing a platform for African and glob-al youths to learn and engage about global issues affecting Africa as well as build relation-ships needed to facilitate youths’ future role as major players in her nation’s development.

Perhaps, what triggered the initiative really, was rude awak-ening about what it meant to be a Nigerian and an African while schooling in Canada. According to Chizoba, being associated with the Nigerian identity, especially while living outside the country wasn’t always a thing of pride for her. “I was disgusted about the fact that I learnt more about my Nigerian /African history when I moved to a foreign country. I did not understand how I did not re-alize or think Nigeria had such a big development problem when I was in the country. I found it in-sulting on behalf of Nigeria that all these realizations came when I moved out of the country. My Canadian friends and acquain-tances just couldn’t understand how Nigeria had so many re-sources in human, fi nancial and potential wise but had little to show for it. Everything we heard about Nigerians in the news then

A change agentAt 19, Chizoba Imoka founded the Unveiling Africa Foundation (UVA) in faraway Canada as an undergraduate student at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. UVA, as she puts it, was designed to provide the platform to rally African in The Diaspora to be change agents. Now, seven years after, Chizoba, now 26, has brought the UVA dream to Nigeria, tutoring thousands of teenagers in entrepreneurship, leadership skills and mentoring them to become change agents

By Adejuwon Osunnuyi were scams, violence or corrup-tion related,” she said.

Not enough, Chizoba lament-ed that when she gets to class too; it’s another African night-marish conversation about how the West needs to come and help Africa. “You get to student union, you are bombarded with student groups trying to build villages and raising money for Africans. Whereas, when you get to Nigeria, you hear and see politicians raising billions in one night and spending N400 mil-lion to buy rice for a whole vil-lage just so that he/she can win electoral votes. I was sick and tired of the whole situation, it was very clear to me how things could turn around and I knew that being able to identify all these issues came with a burden to do something about them. Starting UVA was my platform to do something I strongly be-lieved was obtainable and to cre-ate a movement of people willing to drive the society in a different direction.” She added.

Shortly after she graduated with a BA in Economics in 2007, she started work as Research In-tern at the Offi ce of Traffi c Safety at the Ministry of Transporta-tion, Alberta Government. As an intern with the Offi ce of Traffi c Safety, Chi-Chi, as she is fondly known, analyzed vehicle, opera-tor, and enforcement statistics to provide data to support and evaluate existing programmes created to facilitate the achieve-ment of the Alberta Traffi c Safe-ty Plan targets.

Chizoba also had the op-portunity to lead or work as a team member on several com-plex policy projects such as the Distracted Driving Legisla-tion Amendment Project (which recently became law), Alberta Community Mobilization Evalu-

Aside being the Chief Execu-tive Offi cer of Unveiling Africa Foundation, Chizoba also runs a pharmaceutical company in Lagos where she is involved in the day-to-day management of the factory as well as assisting in business development, orga-nizational and production plan-ning, stock and risk manage-ment. She plans to move into sales and marketing to assist in refi ning the company’s sales and marketing plan. “My experience at the U of A and my Economics degree defi nitely gave me a solid platform to be able to merge my passion for development and the acquired skills from my econom-ic degree,” she said.

Indeed, Chizoba’s Unveiling Africa Foundation has inten-sifi ed the crusade to turn the Nigerian teen into the model citizens. Within a short period, UAF has given away millions in educational scholarships, ran successful essay contests and have many of her mentees fully engaged in different trade.

In recognition of her efforts, Chizoba was last year nominated for ‘The Future Award’ in the ad-vocacy category.

For Chizoba, the vision for UVA has been for it to become a powerhouse that produces and infl uences the calibre of Africans that the nation would be entrusting its future to and becoming employers of labour. “More importantly, beyond be-ing ‘charitable’ as an organiza-tion, what we are really trying to do is to introduce an alternative model of development that is fo-cused on treating the fundamen-tal issue and not its manifesta-

ation Project, Alberta Respon-sible Host Behavior Project, and the Alberta High Risk Driver Project amongst others.

But after three success-ful years of organizing speaker series, debates, conferences, fundraisers, cultural shows and artistic showcases, she knew it was time to move back home to where the real issues existed and where her education, experience, and passion could be used to aid the development of her country.

In August 2010, Chizoba re-turned to Nigeria to kick start her initiative and to launch the Nigerian Teenagers Nation Building Project, a project fo-cused on educating and engag-ing Nigerian teenagers on their

roles in Nigeria’s development by exposing them to critical think-ing, community activism and problem solving during their de-velopmental years while encour-aging patriotism and passion for Nigeria.

To warm her way into the mind of the key elements of the Nigerian society which were the prime target of her project, Chizoba wrapped up two Lagos state-wide teenagers’ Essay con-tests on May 27, 2010. Shortly after this, Unveiling Africa Foun-dation rolled out the First Ever Teenagers Conference in Nige-ria. That maiden conference at-tracted over 600 teenagers from 50 secondary schools across La-gos and Abuja.

Imoka


ThebuddingEntrepreneursPersonal Finance

BCBC

over 17 minutes before being acknowledged. Appoint a greeter who makes the customers feel welcomed and directs them to the department they need. “Thanks for coming. What can I help you with or what department can I direct you to?”

7. Management shall engage with every customer. One way to increase both the customer experience and customer loyalty is to make sure management engages with every customer. This sepa-rates your business

from the competition and increases value to the customer.8. Thou shalt provide the best solution, not just the lowest

price. People buy things to solve problems. Salespeople must ask the right questions, listen to the customer and know available

inventory to provide the best solution. “Why did you come here to-day?” or “What are you looking for here that you didn’t fi nd online?” should be asked of every customer.

9. Thou shalt attempt a second sale. Every product purchase creates an opportunity for another product sale. Wait until the fi rst product is all but rung up and offer other products that would best support the fi rst purchase. “We have great gloves to match that coat. Let me show you.” People are open to buying more to justify their fi rst purchase. Product saturation not only increases profi ts, it en-sures customer loyalty.

10. Thou shalt help customers extend beyond their budget. Never believe a customer when they say they can’t afford something. They can and will buy beyond their budget and do so every day. Almost every household including the government extends beyond their budget.

Acknowledge the idea of a restricted budget and keep showing them your products, services and solutions that are more valuable than the budget that is restricting them.

Great retailers must look for ways to go above and beyond for customers and provide an exceptional customer experience leading to loyalty and referrals. Retailers should treat every customer like a millionaire who is ready and able to buy today. Retailers who do this will see how easily they win over cynical customers and turn them into loyal, frequent shoppers.

tion alone. So for example, in my opinion, Nigeria’s problem isn’t the fact that our roads are bad or ba-sic needs are luxuries that even the rich cannot afford but that the so-ciety has produced people and val-ues that perpetuate and reinforce a system where basic needs are not available, corruption are a way life and priorities and values are mis-placed.”

She believes that to sustainably solve Nigeria’s problems, the focus ought to be on changing the mind-set and mentality of the people that drive and create the society.

Though she admits that this al-ternative model is not an idea that is mainstream, convenient or easy to understand or do, she however said that the model remains an important vision of UVA “to lead a movement of purpose driven im-pactful people who subscribe to this model while understanding the power they have to create, infl uence and sustain progressive ideologies.”

Choosing education as her main advocacy tool and teenagers as her target group, she said, has been de-liberate. “Our logic is simple! If you go back to the basics; the question we all must begin to ask ourselves is what is it about our system and society that has produced the cali-bre of leaders that we all seem to complain about? What is it about our society that seems to produce leaders and followers that choose to compromise the future of the gen-eral good for a temporary gratifi ca-tion for a few people? Why is it that our government policy framework is not people centred? Why is hu-man life not valued in the country? Why are the provisions of qual-ity amenities which appear to be a common sense matter for the west-

erners not a common sense matter in Nigeria? If you attempt to think about these questions and pos-sible solutions critically, the ideal solution for our problem has to be embedded in a process that pro-duces the people of the society. To solve the problem, the process that seems to be producing people with the wrong attributes and skills as it relates to our country’s develop-ment must be reviewed and re-en-gineered to produce better citizens. This process, for us is Education. When we say Education, we mean the formal education, popular edu-cation and mentorship education. I am personally thrilled by the power of education especially formal edu-cation; through a simple change in national curriculum, you can change the future of the nation,” she explained.

Running UVA in Nigeria, she admits, has been very challenging. “Big dreams, non-existent resourc-es!, it has been vibrantly challeng-ing. Nigeria is a real special place

to do anything in. With the inces-sant power challenges, high cost of low quality internet, small pool of qualifi ed skilled workers, high cost of getting around, high cost of maintaining relationships with our stakeholders and the limited/non-existent resources, it has re-ally been very challenging. Many times, it feels like we are in a glass house that is in the middle of a playground where kids are playing with stones. We have learnt to op-erate with strategic caution while keeping our eyes focused on our mission and program intent,” she said.

Despite the teething challeng-es, Chizoba says UAF has created an indelible mark in the develop-ment story of Nigeria and has im-pacted over 3000 lives and deliv-ered its programmes to over 2000 teenagers. It has given out over N1.3 million in educational schol-arships across Nigeria, raised over N1 million for several community initiatives, mentored/trained over 80 teenagers and produced teen-agers who have become commu-nity change leaders and have suc-cessfully gained entry into world class teenage institutions such as African Leadership Academy and United World College.

UAF has also successfully provided an exciting platform for teenagers to start acquiring fun-damental skills such as problem solving skills, critical thinking and passion for social change through our Community Action Series Ini-tiative.

According Chizoba, under the initiative, students of Yaba Col-lege of Technology were able to raise over N100,000 by forfeiting their lunch for a week to buy food items for the members of the La-gos Cheshire Home Mushin, made effort to raise N1 million to buy a bus for the home. Besides, Co-rona Secondary School Students also championed the engagement and feeding of students in a poor school in Ogun State where they will work under the UAF School Club umbrella to fundraise for the school’s borehole and toilet, act as a peer pressure group and engage the students according to identi-fi ed needs.

Students of Redeemers Sec-ondary School innovatively raised N200,000 to part-fund the UAF Community Soup Kitchen in Aje-gunle and participated in the Bake For Change (BFC) Scholarship Drive, aimed at providing quality education to children at Oregun Remand Home. Chizoba is hoping that in the next fi ve years, the foun-dation would be seen becoming a global brand for everything teenag-ers, innovation, and development. “Within the next fi ve years, we hope to have provided a platform for our teens to earn a recognized identity in relation to their contri-bution to nation building. I also see UVA’s entire core programs be-coming self sustaining, teen driven and delivered outside Nigeria. More importantly, I see UVA becoming a fully established social enterprise,” she said.

How to fi nance your dream business

When it’s time to fi nance a business, there can be substantial work involved to facili-tate this critical step. Every business situ-

ation is different, and businesses in different indus-tries and sectors have different ways of going about getting credit, as well as different kinds of costs. But for the core process of securing the fi nancial assis-tance that a business leader needs for a start up, some basic guidelines and principles will help create effective programs to fi nance a business.

Steps1. Assess credit. The person who is trying to

start up the business will have to look at his own credit situation, as well as what he can get for a new business in terms of credit.

Find out about credit scores and ratings. In many cases, the initial business loan will be based on the borrower’s own personal credit score. However, in some cases where a business is already operational, a business plan and other documents can provide for a different kind of credit specifi cally for the con-tinued operations of that enterprise.

2. Shop around for different lenders. There are a variety of lenders who may or may not be will-ing to issue new business loans, and all of these po-tential lenders have their own terms and conditions. Talk to various lenders and ask them about what kinds of loans are available.

Evaluate loans by timeline. Lenders will offer vari-ous short-term, long-term or revolving-credit loans to business owners. Look at which ones suit the needs of a startup the best.

Look at secured and unsecured business loans. Secured loans actually use existing assets as col-lateral. For example, the person trying to start a business can use his or her home, or other property, as collateral and get lower interest rates for the loan. However, this leaves the assets vulnerable to seizure in cases of nonpayment. Unsecured loans rest solely on the borrower’s credit score. See which of these types of loans best matches desired risk.

3. Select the best deals. When the startup leader has gone to different lenders and has a variety of possible loan agreements at hand, he can select the ones with the lowest interest rates and most favorable terms for repayment.

4. Make payments through revenues. Be sure to make the correct periodic payments on fi nalized loan agreements, using the revenue from business operations to fund repayment of loans.

Look into decreasing overhead as necessary. If the loan payments are not easy to make, the busi-ness startup leader will need to look at cutting costs. This complicated task often includes going through a business budget line by line in order to identify costs that can be cut without harming future profi tability. Cuts may need to be done in order to meet the needs for loan repayment, which is most often the core requirement of continuing in a business and avoid-ing bankruptcy. BC


Behind d WheelsThis page is open to sponsorship

Adejuwon Osunnuyi

The 2015 Kia Sedona re-emerged at the just con-cluded New York interna-

tional auto show in a redesigned outfi t that the makers must have chosen to make an impres-sion on the sophisticated class of CUV lovers with the claim that It’s bold and sporty new look was meant for it to be seen.

Needless to say the rede-signed Sedona strives to hold its own in a vehicle segment that has been dominated by Toyota’s Sienna and Honda’s Odyssey with its all new swagger of so-phistication and array of mod-ern technology.

As the fi nal chapter in Kia’s design-led transformation story which began in 2009 and has seen a comprehensive makeover of Kia’s entire model line under the direction of chief design of-fi cer Peter Schreyer, the Sedona advances value to new levels of sophistication with a host of segment-leading new technol-ogy and upscale features, all of which will be offered in a new premium trim level SXL.

The completely redesigned midsize multi-purpose vehicle raises the bar in the segment with innovative technology, available driving-aid technolo-gies, style and added safety fea-tures. With its modern appear-ance and CUV-like cab-forward design, the all-new Sedona is

available in seven- and eight-passenger confi gurations.

In addition to innovative European-inspired design, the 2015 Sedona also delivers the exceptional interior volume buy-ers expect in the segment with ample passenger and cargo room and a quiet and comfort-able cabin.

The car makers boasts that the Sedona also is the only ve-hicle in the segment outfi tted with standard fabric technology to provide anti-microbial protec-tion from spills, anti-static pro-tection from irritating electrical shocks as well as stain-repelling and stain-releasing fabric char-acteristics appreciated by any-one who leads an active lifestyle.

Bold ExteriorTranscending mundane

functionality, the Sedona’s wide stance exudes a modern, CUV-like exterior appearance high-lighted by a front fascia and cab-forward design that project confi dence and strength. The Se-dona’s muscular face and clean, smooth look is highlighted by a fully integrated version of Kia’s signature grille and headlamps with LED positioning lights.

The wheelbase is 1.6-inches longer than its predecessor, and the side profi le, with its re-duced front and rear overhangs, combines with the deeply swept windshield and available 19-inch alloy wheels to create a

distinctive look. Meanwhile, the rear design layout, with LED taillights, integrated bumper guard and standard roof spoiler, gives it that broad and stable bearing.

Roomy and confi gurable In-terior

the redesigned Sedona De-spite its overall width and height remaining virtually unchanged, provides more front shoulder room, greater leg room in the front, second and third rows, as well as a slightly higher hip-point, improving outward vis-ibility for the driver.

The horizontal design cues across the instrument panel create a greater sense of width, and the generous use of soft-touch materials adds to the all-new Sedona’s premium ambi-ance. The Sedona’s proportions provide fl exible seating in both seven- and eight-passenger con-fi gurations and a multitude of storage options. The front cen-tre console is unique to the seg-ment and allows for generous and cleverly convenient storage space between the front seats.

Second row Slide-n-Stow tracked seating slides and folds upright to allow for “on-the-go” cargo hauling while eliminat-ing the hassle that comes with removing heavy and cumber-some middle seats. The all-new Sedona also offers the choice of second row “First Class” lounge

seating that can be positioned rearward for astonishing leg-room and provides retractable lower leg rests.

And while some confi gura-tions feature segment-unique second-row seat cushion heat-ers for added comfort, all 2015 Sedona models offer a third-row that provides the convenience of a split folding 60/40 in-fl oor re-tractable design.

The Sedona’s sophisticated interior design theme is brought to life with a modern colour pal-ette featuring solid or two-tone colour options in beige, gray and burgundy for a warm and invit-ing atmosphere.

The top-line SXL trim fea-tures standard ultra-soft Nap-pa leather seating surfaces throughout the cabin, the same Chromium-free leather found in the K900 luxury sedan.

Technology & EntertainmentBuilding on the

next -generat ion UVO Infotainment & Telematics sys-tem, the all-new Sedona will be the fi rst Kia vehicle to offer four new eServices features: Geo-fencing, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert and Driving Score. Additionally, with the introduction of the Kia App store, select apps can be

downloaded for free from iTunes or Google Play.

The Kia app connector is now available for partnership with the content community, including Pandora, iHeart Ra-dio and Yelp. Many more new technologies for comfort and convenience are featured in the new UVO system, including Siri “Eyes Free6” and Local Search powered by Google for fi nding locations, addresses and points of interest.

Sirius XM Travel Link7, of-fering access to traffi c, weather, fuel prices, sports scores, stock information and movie times, makes the Sedona the perfect companion for those who live their lives on the road with fam-ily and friends.

Driving Dynamics and SafetyThe 2015 Sedona is built on

an all-new chassis with static


Autocare

Behind d WheelsThis page is open to sponsorship

BC

torsional stiffness that is 36-per cent greater than its closest seg-ment competitor. The body is 76 per cent ultra high strength steel (press hardened) or high strength steel, which provides exceptional rigidity, durabil-ity and collision protection in a lightweight design.

For enhanced roof strength, the Sedona has been engineered with reinforced pillars that dis-tribute impact loads with ultra-high-strength steel tubes that run inside the A-pillars. Exten-sive use of adhesives and large diameter welds also add to Se-dona’s overall structural integ-rity and strength.

The 2015 Sedona makes use of Amplitude Selected Dampers ASD to strike an optimal balance of ride comfort and handling. The platform also has revised rear cross-member bushings, an isolated rear sub-frame with longer trailing arms and added rear strut reinforcement, all of which combine for improved dy-namic ride characteristics.

Additionally, thanks to wheel-house padding, double seal slid-ing doors and an expanded use of sound-deadening foam in the engine compartment, reducing noise and perceived harshness over rough pavement the 2015 Sedona is expected to be among the quietest in the segment.

Under the hoodA new Lambda Gasoline Di-

rect Injection GDI 3.3-litre V6 engine replaces the 3.5-litre V6 found in the previous gen-eration Sedona. The 3.3-litre engine, which is also found in the Sorento CUV and Ca-denza premium sedan, delivers more power than its predeces-sor, boasting 276 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, and it has been tuned for enhanced mid-range torque, offering 248 lb.-ft. at 5,200 rpm.

A three-step Variable Induc-tion System VIS improves en-gine “breathing,” automatically adjusting the volume of the air pulled into the combustion chamber to create the optimal air-to-fuel mix under different engine load conditions.

Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing CVVT combines with a piston-cooling oil jet to improve engine cooling effi cien-cy, while engine components, including piston rings, piston skirts, valve tappets, timing chain guide and valve springs are all of a low-friction design.

Finally, the new 3.3-liter V6 engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission tuned for balanced control, power and effi ciency.

Smart & Convenience Fea-tures

From front to back the Sedo-na offers numerous convenience features, including Kia’s fi rst

application of the newest high-power (2.1 AMP) USB charging port and a 115-volt AC outlet to charge small electronics as well as a dual glove box that offers a cooled lower storage area.

For easier parking and ve-hicle maneuvering, the Sur-round View Monitor8 provides real-time images from camer-as placed around the vehicle. Smart Welcome, automatically illuminates the door handles and unfolds the power retract-able side mirrors when a vehicle key fob is detected.

A hands-free “Smart Tail-gate” opens the rear lift gate au-tomatically when the key fob is sensed for three seconds, and its programmable function can be tailored to the user’s height preference.

Safety Features and Driver Technology

All Sedona models come standard with active safety features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC)8, Trac-

tion Control System TCS, Brake Assist System BAS, Hill-start Assist Control HAC, Electronic Brake Force Distribution EBD and Antilock Braking System ABS.

Additional technologies such as Roll over Mitigation ROM and Cornering Brake Control CBC also were added as standard equipment for improved dynam-ic control and safety.

New optional driver tech-nology, including Vehicle Sta-bility Management VSM; For-ward Collision Warning System FCWS; Smart Cruise Control SCC; Blind Spot Detection BSD and Rear Cross Traffi c Alert to help provide drivers with a more convenient and secure daily driving experience.

According to Kia Motors’ vice president, product planning, Orth Hedrick, “Throughout the development process, our en-gineers in the U.S. and Korea focused on adding the element of desire to the all-new Sedona with improved driving dynam-ics and power and the incorpo-ration of modern styling cues, premium materials and tech-nology.”

He believes that with the combined host of active and passive safety features and technology, the completely re-designed Sedona has success-fully retained the functionality the nameplate has always been known for, while rising to meet the diverse needs and tastes of today’s consumers.

Indeed the all-new Sedona’s CUV-like styling and propor-tions offer all of the functional convenience of the segment while defying its design limita-tions. Sales are scheduled to begin in the late third quarter or early fourth quarter of this year.

Car battery care tips

The most crucial component of a car, the battery, which gets it moving is often ignored or over-looked. This can prove to be costly and trouble-

some on the road. Do not take a car battery for grantedThe battery in a car cranks the engine when the key

is turned in the ignition. So, no matter how well the car is maintained. If the battery is not treated correctly, the car will not get on the road. Taking care of the battery is simple, easy and inexpensive. Read the following tips to keep the battery in your car always ready to crank.

* Turn off electric devices in the car. Take the key out of the ignition

* Prior to handling your car batteries, remove all kinds of metal accessories from your body such as watches with metal straps, metal jewellery like bracelets, bangles, rings, etc. to prevent short-circuit if these items by chance touch the positive terminal of the battery.

* Clean the top of the battery with solution of a cup of water and a tablespoon of baking soda. Use an old tooth-brush to remove corrosion and build up from the battery posts and cables.

* A battery meter can be used to test the voltage of the battery; if it reads 12.5 volts the battery is fi ne. If it’s lower the battery is undercharged and needs to be charged.

* Remove the covers of the battery cells, and make sure that the wells are at least half full with electrolyte fl uid. If the fl uid is low, fi ll the wells up with distilled wa-ter. Let the distilled water mix with the electrolyte fl uid for a while before starting the car.

* Use only distilled water as tap water will eventually reduce the battery’s potential.

* If the headlight beam turns yellowish, it’s time to charge the battery or have it replaced all together.

* If the ignition takes a while to crank the car and the key has to be held in the start position for a bit before the engine starts, it’s time to get a new battery.

The following steps will ensure long battery life* Do not leave the headlights on for a long time after

the engine has been turned off.* Do not leave the key in the ignition of the car over-

night as some electrical devise may remain on and can discharge the battery by the morning.

* Never let rust remain on the battery terminals for too long.

* Do not leave interior lights on overnight, make sure all lights have been turned off and any other electrical accessories have been turned off before locking the car.

* Car batteries have a limited life span. Check the lifespan of your car battery and have it replaced before the lifespan comes to an end.

* If the car is not going to be used for a long time. Disconnect the battery from the car, hand remove it from the car altogether. This ensures that the battery will not get discharged when the vehicle is not used.

Maintaining a battery and monitoring the health of the battery will ensure that there will never come a situation when the car will not start at the traffi c lights and cause you embarrassment. Or worse, get you stuck in the middle of nowhere and help is not at hand. Never ignore the importance of maintaining a car battery as it will cost more to buy a new battery rather than main-taining an old one. BC

Ibrahim


BC

REGULATORS

BC

NDIC advocates judicial process for fi nancial system stability

BC

BC

The Nigeria Deposit Insur-ance Corporation (NDIC) has reiterated that the Ni-

gerian Judiciary is a critical in-stitution towards achieving the NDIC core mandate of depositor protection andits contribution to fi nancial system stability.

The Managing Director of the Corporation, Alhaji Umaru Ibra-him, stated this at the opening ceremony of the Corporation’s 2015 Sensitization Seminar for Judges of States and Fed-eral Capital Territory (FCT) High Courts in Abuja.

A statement by Head, Com-munication and Public Affi ars Unit of the Corporation, Mallam Hadi Birchi, quoted the Manag-ing Director as saying that no matter how robust the NDIC’s extant laws, the Corporation needed the legal support from the judiciary to achieve its man-date, adding that the Corpora-tion would continue to seek the

cooperation and understand-ing of the judiciary, given that the Judiciary is constitutionally vested with the powers of inter-pretation of statutes and laws in the Federation.

Represented by the Execu-tive Director Operations, Prince Aghatise Erediauwa, at the sem-inar with the theme “Challenges to Deposit Insurance Law and Practice in Nigeria”, Ibrahim said that the forum was intend-ed to address the challenges be-ing faced by the Corporation in its bid to successfully discharge its mandate.

The deposit insurance expert listed some of the major chal-lenges to include, the menace of protracted and complex bank liquidation related litigations as well as their attendant conse-quences, the execution of court judgments against the assets of the Corporation as the liqui-dator of failed banks and lack

of proper understanding of its proper legal status on its role as a Deposit Insurer which is dis-tinct from its status as a bank liquidator.

He urged the participants to critically examine these chal-lenges with a view to proffering a lasting solution in order to empower the Corporation to ef-fectively discharge itsmandate.

While declaring the seminar open, the Chief Justice of Nige-ria and Chairman, Board of Gov-ernors of the National Judicial Institute, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, noted that some of the esoteric legal issues bor-dering on the established rights of creditors, shareholders and depositors of failed fi nancial in-stitutions were genuine matters before the courts.

The CJN therefore called for a clear and proper understanding of the concept and operation of bridge banks as well as the ex-

MAN rejects NSC re-introduction of CTN

NPA boss lauds LADOL on maritime sector

The Manufacturers Associa-tion of Nigeria, MAN, has challenged the Nigerian

Shippers’ Council plan to re-in-troduce the Cargo Tracking Note.

The system has previously been jettisoned by the Federal Government on the request of the operators within the Nige-rian manufacturing sector in 2013.

MAN Director General, Remi Ogunmefun, said in a statement that the CTN, if reintroduced,

will drive up the cost of cargo clearance at the nation’s ports and have a negative trickle-down effect on businesses.

The statement said, “In the in-terest of the manufacturing sec-tor and the Nigerian economy, the Nigerian Shippers Council and by extension the Federal Government should jettison the re-introduction of the CTN as currently crafted until the issue of where the cost burden of its implementation will rest.”

According to him, despite weighty reservations expressed by manufacturers at different forum and at a special meet-ing with the management and Governing Board of NSC and a follow-up technical review ses-sion on August 11 and 20, 2015, respectively, NSC was bent on re-introducing the CTN.

“This position was reached based on observed limitations, and other yet to be addressed observed lapses that motivated the call for its cancellation few years ago.

The rationale for our dissat-isfaction was expressed at the afore-mentioned meetings and formally communicated in writ-ing to the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council on September 15, 2015.”

Consequently, he said that manufacturers recommended that NSC should convene a broader stakeholders’ forum that will afford all operators on the maritime value chain, espe-cially those that would carry the cost burden of CTN to techni-cally x-ray its proposal to re-in-troduce CTN and agree on a mu-tually benefi cial implementation guideline.

He noted: “The NSC is yet to address the concerns of manu-facturers or those raised by other stakeholders, amend ob-served lapses, provide alter-native remedies or convene a maritime stakeholder’s forum but has resorted to the pages of the newspaper expressing the plans to go ahead with the re-introduction.

NSE worried over Oando’s late submission of results

The Nigerian Stock Ex-change, NSE, has ex-pressed deep concerns

over Oando Plc’s late submis-sion of its 2014 fi nancial re-sults.

The NSE is therefore review-ing the situation and has no-tifi ed the Securities and Ex-change Commission, SEC on the matter.

A statement by the Exchange noted, “The Exchange is re-viewing the situation regarding the delayed fi lings of the Au-dited Financial Statements of Oando Plc for the year ended 31 December 2014 and its Q1 and H1 delayed fi lings.

The Exchange is greatly con-cerned about the delayed fi l-ings and the signifi cant losses

which were posted for the 2014 fi scal year and the fi rst three quarters of 2015.

The NSE said it was “great-ly concerned” by Oando’s late release of its’ 2014 annual re-sults and that it was reviewing the situation and notifi ed the SEC.

Companies listed on the bourse are meant to announce full-year numbers within 90 days of the period ending.

Oando, the biggest indig-enous oil and gas producer in Nigeria also listed on Jo-hannesburg Stock Exchange ,JES, recently announced impairments of N185bn ($938m) for the fi nancial year ended December 31, 2014 even as the value of its assets

ecution of assets of failed bank-swithin the context of deposit insurance system (DIS).

According to him, this would facilitate better appreciation of the legal issues by the judiciary and eventually lead to more in-formed court judgments.

He urged the participants to actively utilize the knowledge gained at the seminar in the course of their duties and also enjoined them to continue to uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity.

Ogunmefun

Abdullahi

The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Mallam Habib Abdullahi

has commended the Manage-ment of Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base, LADOL, for its contributions to the develop-ment of Maritime Industry and the economy.

Abdullahi who was speaking shortly after inspecting LADOL’s facilities along Badagry chan-nel, Lagos harbours assured the company of the Authority’s support and collaboration in the areas of security, pilotage, and safe channels among oth-ers.

The Managing Director noted that if there are other companies in Nigeria that have contrib-uted immensely to the Nation’s economy like LADOL, Nigeria’s economy would have developed more than it has today.

“I am very impressed and very proud as a Nigerian that a company owned by a Nigerian is doing well. As a landlord and technical regulator, NPA will

continue to encourage all other companies in the maritime sec-tor undertaking similar ven-tures,’’ he said.

Earlier, the Managing Direc-tor of LADOL, Dr Amy Jadesi-mi told the Managing Director and his entourage that LADOL is Nigeria’s fi rst and only whol-ly owned indigenous Nigerian Deep Offshore Logistic Base which provides world class so-lution in areas of deep off-shore support for maritime and gas projects, agriculture and fabri-cations.

She added that the com-pany has a vision of providing next growth opportunity that is aimed at changing the en-tire economic landscape of the country through the provision of

5,000direct jobs and 50,000 in-direct jobs for Nigerians, there-by helping Nigeria to join the G20 group of nations.

Dr Jadesimi expressed appre-ciation to the Management of NPA for its support and cooper-ation over the years, which she said has given LADOL the op-portunity she enjoys presently.

The Managing Director listed ongoing projects in LADOL to include a passenger Terminal with an emergency response fa-cility with a capacity to accom-modate 1000 passengers which is due to be completed in 2017 .She also mentioned an inte-grated Quay wall with a built design of13.5Metre draught and 500metre long due for comple-tion in February 2016.

dropped amid plunging crude prices.

The energy company an-nounced the wrote down of N130bn in its exploration and production division and N36bn in its services arm because of a decline in the value of its oil rigs, Chief Executive Offi -cer Wale Tinubu said in a let-ter dated Oct. 29, which was posted on the NSE’s website on Tuesday.

Oando also took a N19bn hit for foreign exchange losses.

“With global upstream play-ers forced to record signifi cant reductions in the fair value of their asset portfolios in the last 10 months, we are no excep-tion,” Tinubu wrote in the let-ter.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Monday, November 9, 2015 A21 37

Market Indicators for Week Ended 06-11-15All-Share Index 30,141.06 pointsMarket Capitalization 9,988,292,838,512.17

Business CourageCourage

BC

Stock market last week

NSE trading hall

Equities

A turnover of 1.949 billion shares worth N17.336 billion in 15,762 deals

were traded last week by in-vestors on the fl oor of The Ex-change in contrast to a total of 1.358 billion shares valued at N14.722 billion that exchanged hands last week in 14,772 deals.

The Financial Services In-dustry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.714 billion shares valued at N10.770 billion traded in 9,378 deals; thus contributing 87.93 per cent and 62.13 per cent to the total equity turnover vol-ume and value respectively. The Conglomerates Industry fol-lowed with a turnover of 73.433 million shares worth N173.733 million in 908 deals. The third place was occupied by the Oil and Gas Industry with 62.711 million shares worth N2.702 billion in 1,688 deals.

Trading in the Top Three Eq-uities namely – Access Bank Plc, Zenith International Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc.(measured by volume) ac-counted for 1.276 billion shares worth N8.340 billion in 2,782 deals, contributing 65.45 per cent and 48.11 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

ETPs: Also traded during the week were a total of 7,291 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N437,490.20 executed in 35 deals compared with a total of 330,708 units val-ued at N1.616 million transacted the fortnight week in 53 deals.

Bonds: There was no trans-action recorded on bonds this week. However, a total of 400 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N423,765.35 were transacted last week in one deal.

Index Movement: The NSE All-Share Index depreciated 0.01 per cent while Market Capitalization appreciated 0.02 per cent to close the week at

29,175.35 and N10.029 trillion respectively.

Similarly, all other Indices fi nished lower during the week with exception of NSE Premi-um, NSE 30, NSE Insurance, NSE Oil/Gas, and NSE Pension indices, while NSE ASeM Index closed fl at.

Summary Of Price ChangesTwenty-four equities appreci-

ated in price during the week, higher than 12 equities of the preceding week. Forty-three equities depreciated in price, lower than 51 equities of the preceding week, while 123 equi-ties remained unchanged, lower than 127 equities recorded in the preceding week.

1 OUTSTANDING OFFERS AND BIDS ON NASD OTCOutstanding deals since August, 2015.

Security Industry Nominal value (₦) Last Offer Date Volume offered Last Offer Price Last Bid Price Volume Bidded Last Bid DateSDACORN PETROLEUM PLC Oil & Gas 0.50 30-Oct-15 290,000 0.39 - - -SDARM LIFE PLC Financials 0.50 - - - 0.50 300 28-Oct-15SDARM PROPERTIES PLC Financials 0.50 28-Oct-15 90,000 2.49 - - -SDAFRILAND PROPERTIES PLC Financials 0.50 - - - - - -SDBGL PLC Financials 0.50 - - - - - -SDCAPPA AND D'ALBERTO PLC Industrials 0.50 17-Aug-15 68,700.00 69.99 - - -SDCENTRAL SECURITIES CLEARING SYSTEM PLC Financials 1.00 27-Oct-15 55,000 5.70 5.11 285,000 14-Oct-15SDDUFIL PRIMA FOODS PLC Consumer Goods 0.50 - - - - - -SDFRIESLAND CAMPINA WAMCO NIGERIA PLC Consumer Goods 0.50 28-Oct-15 3,779 220.00 - - -

SDFOOD CONCEPTS PLC Consumer Services 0.50 25-Jun-15 1,900,000.00 0.78 0.67 50,000 28-Oct-15

SDFREE RANGES FARM PLC Consumer Goods 1.00 - - - - - -SDFUMMAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES PLC Consumer Goods 0.50 - - - - - -SDGEO-FLUIDS PLC Industrials 0.50 20-Oct-15 1,053,333.00 0.47 - - -SDGOLDEN CAPITAL PLC Financials 0.50 - - - - - -SDINDUSTRIAL & GENERAL INSURANCE PLC Financials 0.50 - - - - - -SDJAIZ INTERNATIONAL PLC Financials 1.00 - - - 1.42 500 9-Oct-15SDNIGER DELTA EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION PLC Oil & Gas 10.00 16-Oct-15 48,200.00 166.17 - - -SDPARTNERSHIP INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC Financials 0.50 8-Oct-15 3,235,900 0.79 - - -SDRESOURCERY PLC Technology 0.50 13-Oct-15 950,000.00 0.45 0.43 500 9-Oct-15SDRIGGS VENTURES WEST AFRICA PLC Industrials 0.50 - - - 0.95 1,000 9-Oct-15SDSPRING MORTGAGE PLC Financials 0.50 - - - 1.20 700 9-Oct-15SDSWAP TECHNOLOGIES AND TELECOMMS PLC Technology 0.50 - - - - - -USTRUSTBOND MORTGAGE BANK PLC Financials 1.00 2-Aug-15 3,000,000.00 0.81 - - -

2 DEMATERIALISATION AND CUMULATIVE TRADE IN OTC SECURITIES30-Oct-15

Security Industry Introduced by Company Registrars Year endTotal Share Capital

'000Volume

Dematerialised%

Dematerialised DEALS VOLUME VALUE (₦) SDACORN PETROLEUM PLC Oil and Gas Meristem Securities Limited CardinalStone Registrars Limited 31/Dec 2,000,000,000 57,740,146 2.89% 97 5,161,956 2,034,190.02 SDARM LIFE PLC Financials APT Securities & Fund Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc 31/Dec 5,785,673,000 606,000,000 10.47% -SDARM PROPERTIES PLC Financials Mega Equity Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc 31/Dec 1,900,000,000 28,515,023 1.50% 35 91,330 253,976.80 SDAFRILAND PROPERTIES PLC Financials APT Securities & Fund Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc 31/Dec 1,249,000,000 60,924,957 4.88% 114 26,535,798 62,920,558.43 SDBGL PLC Financials Nigerian Int. Securities Ltd Unity Registrars Limited 31/Dec 12,000,000,000 9,620,957,533 80.17% 5 6,300 18,900.00 SDCAPPA AND D'ALBERTO PLC Industrial UBA Stockbroking Firm African Prudential Registrars Plc 31/Mar 196,875,000 2,624,671 1.33% 27 110,469 8,324,234.60 SDCENTRAL SECURITIES CLEARING SYSTEM PLC Financials Greenwich Securities Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc 31/Dec 5,000,000,000 726,194,190 14.52% 334 526,678,019 2,884,589,925.65 SDDUFIL PRIMA FOODS PLC Consumer Goods Anchoria Investment & Securities Limited Nnenna Ejekam Associates 31/Dec 6,753,333,334 - 0.00% - - - SDFRIESLAND CAMPINA WAMCO NIGERIA PLC Consumer Goods Capital Bancorp Plc First Registrars Limited 31/Dec 976,335,936 182,990,364 18.74% 649 139,446,695 43,672,686,924.13 SDFOOD CONCEPTS PLC Consumer Services Stanbic IBTC stockbrokers limited Meristem Registrars Limited 31/Dec 5,650,000,000 100,148,195 1.77% 89 29,819,199 21,703,952.02 SDFREE RANGES FARM PLC Consumer Goods CSL Stockbroking Limited Meristem Registrars Limited 31/Dec 519,999,631 - 0.00% - - - SDFUMMAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES PLC Consumer Goods Integrated Trust & Investment Limited PAC Registrars Limited 31/Dec 3,600,000,000 69,369,303 1.93% 4 1,400 2,012.00 SDGEO-FLUIDS PLC Industrial Icon Stockbrokers Limited Meristem Registrars Limited 31/Dec 4,257,668,000 567,197,596 13.32% 41 11,125,571 16,283,733.95 SDGOLDEN CAPITAL PLC Financials Sterling Capital Market Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc 31/Dec 1,170,324,536 252,255,056 21.55% 12 4,800 5,040.00 SDINDUSTRIAL & GENERAL INSURANCE PLC Financials Greenwich Securities Limited GTL Registrars Limited 31/Dec 14,231,238,000 1,019,968,270 7.17% 77 144,193,775 114,397,006.00 SDJAIZ INTERNATIONAL PLC Financials APT Securities & Fund Limited African Prudential Registrars Plc 31/Dec 11,829,700,000 302,072,809 2.55% 27 2,108,481 2,526,549.84 SDNIGER DELTA EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION PLC Oil and Gas FCSL Asset Management Co. Limited United Securities Limited 31/Dec 181,408,000 18,015,633 9.93% 172 13,375,720 2,855,039,842.56 SDPARTNERSHIP INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC Financials APT Securities & Fund Limited First Registrars Limited 31/Dec 2,875,595,000 197,337,494 6.86% 25 6,831,600 5,808,480.00 SDRESOURCERY PLC Technology APT Securities & Fund Limited EDC Registrars Limited 31/Dec 2,576,686,039 517,000,000 20.06% 43 448,254,880 224,180,686.40 SDRIGGS VENTURES WEST AFRICA PLC Industrial APT Securities & Fund Limited Mainstreet Bank Registrars Limited 31/Dec 880,394,000 - 0.00% - - - SDSPRING MORTGAGE PLC Financials Primera Africa Securities Limited PAC Registrars Limited 31/Dec 7,138,199,210 - 0.00% - - - SDSWAP TECHNOLOGIES AND TELECOMMS PLC Technology Signet Investment and Securities Limited PAC Registrars Limited 31/Dec 2,705,378,000 1,355,788,000 50.11% 33 1,178,410 1,375,528.30 USTRUSTBOND MORTGAGE BANK PLC Financials Prominent Securities Limited United Securities Limited 31/Dec 10,945,334,000 115,389,505 1.05% 21 14,760 12,845.70

104,423,141,686 15,800,488,745 15.13% 1,805 1,354,939,163 49,872,164,386.40

If you do not see your unquoted Plc on this list or for further enquirys consult your NASD OTC participating broker or visit our website at www.nasdng.com

Offers Bids

DEMATERIALISATION INFORMATION TRADE INFORMATION (JAN 2015-TILL DATE)

NASD OTC REPORT


Guinness: Performance driven by new products, aggressive marketingGuinness Nigeria, a

subsidiary of Diageo Plc fi rst quarter of

2015 result recorded an as-tonishing growth of 47 per cent coupled with a 17 per cent increase on its net sales for the quarter in review.

This growth has been at-tributed to the wide accep-tance of the company’s new brand, Orijin, by consum-ers in the Nigerian market alongside adept adverts and wide market penetrations.

Guinness Nigeria report-ed that the company had a “17 per cent increase in sales for the quarter, year on year and a 47 per cent growth in operating profi t when compared to the same period last year.”

According to former Managing Director, Guin-ness Nigeria, John O’Keeffe Guinness recorded a strong performance in the quar-ter driven by the continued success of Orijin and par-ticipation in the value seg-ment of the market through Satzenbrau along with the improving performance of Guinness stout, adding that the company was reporting a double digit net sales growth in the period.

A statement by the Com-pany had disclosed that high fi nance costs in a high interest rate environment negatively impacted over-all profi tability of the brew-er. “Despite the challenges highlighted, the company assured of continuous in-vestment in all its brands in order to enhance their route to their customers”, it said.

Also, Chairman, Guin-ness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Baba-tunde Savage, remarked: “We have had an encourag-ing year so far and we be-lieve that we are in a posi-tion to fi nish the year well in spite of the challenges of the operating environment.

2014 half year resultGuinness Nigeria record-

ed another poor fi nancial performance for the half year ended December 31, 2014. The brewing company posted growth in top line but decline of 32 per cent in bot-

tom line, due to high oper-ating expenses and fi nancial charges.

Specifi cally, the company recorded revenue of N55.3bn in 2014, up from N52.7bn recorded in the correspond-ing period of 2013. Its cost of sale rose from N27.5bn to N29.5bn, leading to a mar-gin increase in gross profi t which grew from N25.3bn to N25.8bn.

Marketing and distri-bution expenses also grew from N12.5bn to N13.2bn, while administrative ex-penses similarly jumped from N4.9bn to N6bn. Oper-ating profi t fell 15 per cent, from N8.22bn to N6.97bn. However, fi nance charges increased 35 per cent to N2.71bn, from N1.95bn, which led to the company ending with a profi t after tax of N3.39bn, compared to N4.99bn in 2013.

Analysts at FBN Capi-tal, said the second quarter profi t after tax fell 41 per cent to N1.9bn. Although sales grew 13 per cent to N34.2bn, a combination of factors including a gross margin contraction of 442 basis points to 44.4 per cent, a 20 per cent rise in operat-ing expenses and a 34 per cent growth in interest ex-pense resulted in profi t be-fore tax declining by 41 per cent year-on-year to N2.7bn.

“On a sequential basis, while sales increased by 63 per cent quarter-on-quarter, similar factors responsible for the year-on-year de-cline in earnings (mainly a

gross margin contraction of 567 basis points quarter by quarter, a 45 per cent quar-ter by quarter rise in oper-ating expenses and a 28 per cent quarter by quarter rise in interest expense) resulted in profi t before tax and profi t after tax growing slower by 37 per cent q/q and 29 per cent q/q respectively. Com-pared with our estimates, sales beat by seven per cent,” they said.

Business StrategyThe company has been

reaping the benefi ts of new products such as Origin Bitters and Origin Ready to Drink, introduced into the

market recently with the im-provement in revenue.

On a quarterly basis, the company’s revenue of N34.2bn in the second quar-ter to December 2014 is higher than N21.05bn and N30.35bn posted in the fi rst quarter of the review period and second quarter of the previous year respectively by 62.6 per cent and 12.8 per cent.

Similarly, the latest quar-ter’s revenue is higher than the eight quarter average of N28.3bn by 21.1 per cent. “It also exceeded our esti-mate of N32.1bn by 6.6 per cent. If the improvement in revenue can be replicated in the quarters ahead, there will be positive impact on the full year numbers,” ana-lysts at DLM Securities, an investment fi rm, said.

Operating expensesThe company cost of

sales increased despite de-cline in the prices of major inputs. For the review pe-riod, the company posted an increase of 7.4 per cent in cost of sales year-on-year to N29.5bn, compared to N27.5bn recorded in the cor-responding period of 2013. The higher increase in cost of sales relative to revenue

led to an increase in cost of sale/ revenue ratio to 53 per cent relative to 52.1 per cent recorded the preceding year.

Contrary to expectation, cost of sales was up in spite of decline in the prices of grains in the global commod-ity market which are major inputs in brewing both alco-holic and non-alcoholic bev-erages. For example, barley and corn traded at average prices of $127/ tonne and $174/tonne in the review period. Also, the average prices of wheat and sorghum declined 15 per cent year-on-year and nine per cent year-on-year respectively.

Operating profi t declined due to increase in running costs. For the review period, the company’s operating ex-penses of N19.2bn was up 9.8 per cent year-on-year, compared to N17.5bn re-corded the preceding year. The higher increase in op-erating expenses relative to revenue led to a higher operating expenses/ rev-enue ratio of 34.7 per cent to 33.1 per cent recorded the preceding period. On the whole, total cost rose to N48.7bn, up 8.3 per cent from N44.9bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2013, while total cost/revenue ratio stood at 88.1 per cent relative to 85.2 per cent in the half year of 2013. Therefore, operating profi t was down 15.1 per cent to N6.98bn, compared to N8.22bn posted in the same period of 2013. The operat-ing margin dipped to 12.6 per cent relative to 15.6 per cent recorded in the same period of 2013.

Company backgroundGuinness Nigeria was es-

tablished in 1962 and was the fi rst country to have a Guin-ness brewery built outside of the British Isles. Nigeria now represents the largest mar-ket for Guinness by Net Sales Value in the world. Products from the brewer’s stables in-clude Guinness Foreign Ex-tra Stout, Malta Guinness, Harp Lager beer, SNAPP, Ori-jin Bitters and ready-to-drink amongst others. BC

Peter Ndegwa, new Guinness boss

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Monday, November 9, 2015 A23 39

STOCKWATCH

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC 0.50 9,140 0.64 0.50 2,200,000,000 0.10 N/A 0.50OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. 28.82 261,540 107.81 20.92 476,955,000 2.29 -0.69 29.02PRESCO PLC 30.50 107,996 41.14 8.24 1,000,000,000 7.55 0.00 30.50Fishing/Hunting/Trapping ELLAH LAKES PLC. 4.26 70 4.26 4.26 60,000,000 0.00 N/A 4.26Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. 1.41 1,249,104 7.18 0.68 1,199,549,736 0.07 -11.88 1.60CONGLOMERATES Diversifi ed Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. 1.02 100,150 2.08 0.71 2,191,895,983 0.11 -0.97 1.03CHELLARAMS PLC. 3.76 300 6.43 4.15 963,900,300 0.16 N/A 3.95JOHN HOLT PLC. 0.96 17,558 5.89 1.07 389,151,408 1.09 N/A 0.96SCOA NIG PLC 4.16 512 4.16TRANSNATIONAL CORP. OF NIG.PLC 1.94 6,693,406 5.89 0.50 821,666,666 0.09 N/A 1.81U A C N PLC. 27.73 2,658,148 71.10 28.00 1,600,720,323 4.38 N/A 26.48CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. 5.04 375 26.00 5.05 148,500,000 0.33 N/A 5.04CAPPA & D’ALBERTO PLC. NT 3 95.49 95.49 196,876,000 4.50 N/A NTBuilding Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. 0.50 807,550 2.66 0.72 920,573,765 0.00 N/A 0.50G CAPPA PLC 14.46 217 14.46 14.46 125,000,000 0.00 N/A 14.46Non--Building/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. 39.50 27,437 83.75 19.86 1,200,000,000 6.74 1.78 38.81ROADS NIG PLC. 6.60 1,832 10.60 6.61 20,000,000 1.69 N/A 6.60Real Estate Development PINNACLE POINT GROUP PLC NT NT 7.28 7.28 0.00 N/A NTUACN PROPERTY DEV 6.61 324,368 20.90 8.82 1,375,000,000 2.20 -5.97 7.03Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC 100.00 93 100.00 100.00 20,000,000 5.82 N/A 100.00UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INV 45.22 100 50.00 50.00 250,019,781 0.19 N/A 45.22UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST 10.00 6,350 10.50 0.00 10.00CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC 0.50 5,016 0.50 0.50 4,772,528,415 0.00 N/A 0.50Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. 4.17 54,992 19.48 3.13 900,000,000 0.00 N/A 4.35GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. 0.97 8,132 0.68 0.68 272,160,000 0.00 N/A 0.97GUINNESS NIG PLC 143.24 28,374 297.41 209.10 1,474,925,519 8.66 14.59 125.00INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. 16.00 172,515 30.00 5.34 2,112,914,681 0.63 N/A 16.00JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. 1.51 50,000 9.09 0.81 562,000,000 0.00 N/A 1.51NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 136.02 1,808,302 179.40 91.10 7,562,562,340 5.03 -0.61 136.85PREMIER BREWERIES PLC 2.95 513,550 0.97 0.93 126,000,000 0.00 N/A 2.95Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. 191.01 24,150 75.90 38.12 640,590,362 4.46 N/A 196.00Food Products BIG TREAT PLC NT NT 0.50 0.50 2,000,000,000 0.00 N/A NTDANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC 2.31 224,970 10.68 3.85 5,000,000,000 0.00 -9.41 2.55DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC 6.50 1,588,435 12.85 3.26 12,000,000,000 0.81 -6.07 6.92FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. 21.80 187,271 109.24 50.00 1,879,210,666 3.38 3.02 21.16HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC 2.40 952,850 4.11 1.83 7,930,197,658 0.34 -6.98 2.58MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC 0.50 53,816 1.21 0.50 3,722,493,620 0.00 N/A 0.50N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. 8.99 159,011 29.70 17.51 178,200,000 0.00 N/A 8.99NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC 7.18 2,835,920 14.00 3.65 1.05 2.57 7.00P S MANDRIDES & CO PLC. 5.35 2.08 124,000 5.94 5.35 40,000,000 0.08 N/A 5.35U T C NIG. PLC. 0.50 50 0.93 0.50 1,233,375,004 1.13 0.00 0.50UNION DICON SALT PLC. 11.84 100 13.31 4.22 360,000,000 0.00 N/A 11.84Food Products--Diversifi ed CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. 20.10 5,725 64.53 8.33 3,129,188,160 1.57 -0.25 20.15NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. 814.00 390,319 1250.00 400.00 792,656,250 28.34 -1.33 825.01Household Durables BETA GLASS CO PLC. NT 25,333 15.58 10.03 3.90 N/A NTNIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. 29.78 100 36.19 32.27 63,360,000 13.92 N/A 29.78VITAFOAM NIG PLC. 5.39 187,845 5.54 2.91 819,000,000 0.71 1.13 5.33VONO PRODUCTS PLC. 0.92 15,000 2.88 0.57 300,000,001 0.00 N/A 0.93Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. 24.32 156,973 56.00 21.02 3,176,381,636 1.34 1.33 24.00UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. 31.43 119,119 76.00 27.60 3,783,296,250 1.42 -18.74 38.68Textiles/Apparel UNITED NIG. TEXTILES PLC. NT NT 0.97 0.57 843,284,027 0.00 N/A NTFINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. 4.47 20,610,779 12.39 4.70 17,888,251,479 1.61 -2.83 4.60DIAMOND BANK PLC 2.62 1,358,484 7.85 1.92 14,475,243,105 1.71 0.00 2.62ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INC. 18.50 5,746,153 17.51 9.90 9,873,614,567 3.67 -0.54 18.60FIDELITY BANK PLC 1.38 4,669,271 3.47 1.13 28,974,797,023 0.68 -2.82 1.42FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC. NT NT 8.30 3.04 16,271,192,202 0.60 #VALUE! NTGUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. 23.20 11,491,149 29.99 13.02 29,146,482,209 3.08 0.48 23.09INTERCONTINENTAL BANK 13.50 13.50SKYE BANK PLC 1.94 5,074,965 7.05 2.65 13,219,334,676 0.97 -2.51 1.99STERLING BANK PLC. 2.00 2,601,379 3.05 0.80 12,563,091,545 0.63 -2.44 2.05U B A PLC 3.60 11,173,106 9.60 1.64 32,334,693,693 1.70 2.86 3.50UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 5.60 1,469,943 15.30 2.34 13,509,726,273 0.44 -3.45 5.80UNITY BANK PLC 1.26 359,359 1.16 0.50 33,675,576,085 0.18 0.00 1.36WEMA BANK PLC. 0.99 1,128,531 1.88 0.50 12,821,249,880 0.00 2.06 0.97ZENITH BANK PLC 17.71 9,778,427 27.40 11.96 31,396,493,790 3.30 0.62 17.60Insurance Carriers, Brokers & Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INS. COY. PLC 0.50 200 0.50 0.50 20,585,000,000 0.00 N/A 0.50AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 0.90 1,627,718 1.42 0.50 7,809,391,256 0.19 0.00 0.85CONFIDENCE INSURANCE PLC NT NT 0.64 0.61 211,626,000 0.00 N/A NTCONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INS. PLC 0.50 9,140 0.52 0.50 6,000,000,000 0.05 N/A 0.50CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 1.05 1,882,960 1.45 0.58 10,372,624,157 0.15 0.00 1.00CORNERSTONE INS. COY. PLC. 0.50 62,000 0.72 0.50 8,820,010,363 0.02 0.00 0.50CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INS. PLC NT 9,054,578 2.44 1.08 5,100,846,808 0.24 0.00 NTEQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. 0.50 4,754 0.50 0.50 8,847,298,420 0.01 N/A 0.50GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 0.53 NT 0.69 0.50 4,549,947,000 0.00 N/A 0.53GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC 0.50 42,003 0.60 0.50 3,827,485,380 0.03 N/A 0.50GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. 0.50 165,731 0.50 0.50 720,000,000 0.01 N/A 0.50INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INS. PLC NT NT 2.50 0.50 5,061,804,000 0.00 N/A NTINTERNATIONAL ENERGY INS. PLC 0.50 698,304 2.50 0.50 6,420,427,449 0.00 0.00 0.50INVESTMENT AND ALLIED ARN. 0.5 NT 0.50 0.50 28,000,000,000 0.02 N/A 0.5LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 0.50 14,710 0.50 0.50 7,323,313,227 0.00 N/A 0.50LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. 0.52 100 0.61 0.50 3,437,330,500 0.00 N/A 0.50LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC 0.50 220 0.50 0.50 4,083,713,569 0.02 0.00 0.50MANSARD INSURANCE PLC 2.60 23,600 2.87 1.06 10,000,000,000 0.25 -1.89 2.65MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. 0.50 1,319,465 0.63 0.50 7,998,705,336 0.00 N/A 0.50N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. 0.66 10,579,013 1.01 0.50 5,332,830,881 0.37 -5.71 0.70NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 0.50 52,100 1.11 0.50 5,649,693,923 0.02 N/A 0.50OASIS INSURANCE PLC NT 1,654,611 0.50 0.50 5,003,506,791 0.04 N/A NTPRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. 0.50 27,973 1.24 0.50 2,508,315,436 0.06 0.00 0.50REGENCY ALLIANCE INS. COY PLC 0.50 5,028 0.53 0.50 6,668,750,000 0.04 N/A 0.50SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 0.50 100 0.59 0.50 5,203,757,266 0.09 0.00 0.50STANDARD TRUSTASSURANCE PLC 0.50 1,650 0.50STANDARD ALLIANCE INS. PLC. 0.50 161,547,689 0.50 0.50 8,493,173,450 0.00 N/A 0.50UNIC INSURANCE PLC. 0.50 25,000 0.50 0.50 2,581,733,505 0.00 N/A 0.50UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC 0.50 200 0.50 0.50 13,000,000,000 0.02 N/A 0.50UNIVERSAL INS. COMPANY PLC 0.50 518,140 0.50 0.50 16,000,000,000 0.00 N/A 0.50WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 0.50 1,368,084 1.55 0.50 0.07 0.50Micro Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 5.42 10,000,000 6.60 0.00 1.18 5.42NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC 0.98 584,766 1.22 0.72 0.19 0.98Mortgage Carriers, Brokers &Services ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC 1.25 500 1.65 1.37 4,200,000,000 0.03 N/A 1.25ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 0.50 500 0.50 0.50 8,679,148,676 0.02 N/A 0.50INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC 1.42 500 1.42RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC 0.50 220,000 0.50 0.50 13,175,732,404 0.30 N/A 0.50UNION HOMES SAVINGS&LOANS PLC 5.23 4,570 0.99 0.50 7,812,500,000 0.00 N/A 5.23Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS 2.57 313,164 2.1 0.5 0.63 2.65CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INS. PLC 4.10 369,250 4.20CRUSADER ( NIG) PLC. NT 500 0.61 0.50 3,778,005,975 0.00 N/A NTDEAP CAPITAL MGT & TRUST PLC 0.58 5,000 2.02 2.02 1,333,333,333 0.15 N/A 0.58FBN HOLDINGS PLC 5.10 8,812,914 21.50 8.57 32,632,084,358 2.45 -14.00 5.93FCMB GROUP PLC 2.01 27045923 5.70 2.90 1.23 2.19ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. 0.50 1,050,953 1.33 0.50 3,608,657,661 0.13 N/A 0.50STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC 20.87 3,807,836 20.72 10.64 18,750,000,000 1.53 -9.26 23.00SIM CAPITAL ALLIANCE VALUE FUND 103.24 465 103.24 98.33 103.24NIGERIA ENERGY SECTOR FUND 552.20 100 552.20UBA CAPITAL PLC 1.30 1,926,013 1.70 0.00 0.29 1.37HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. 3.72 170 5.05 4.32 498,600,908 0.13 N/A 3.72UNION DIAGNOSTIC &CLINICAL PLC 0.50 40,000 0.50 0.50 3,553,138,528 0.00 N/A 0.50Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. 1.73 100 10.54 7.39 152,178,750 0.00 N/A 1.73Pharmaceuticals

NOTE NT=Not Traded on 06-11-15 N/A=Not Avialable

EVANS MEDICAL PLC. 0.54 74,488 4.80 0.50 486,473,856 0.58 -8.47 0.59FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 2.81 1,444,640 2.50 0.61 1,500,000,000 0.24 -6.33 3.00GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER PLC 37.07 66,411 69.00 18.97 956,701,192 3.07 -7.30 39.99MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 1.20 163,454 3.38 1.23 980,000,000 0.09 -1.64 1.22NEIMETH INT PHARM PLC 1.03 251,300 1.76 0.58 1,925,717,268 0.00 0.00 1.03NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. 4.91 100 8.59 7.36 153,786,012 0.00 N/A 4.91PHARMA-DEKO PLC. 2.14 572,185 3.50 1.83 100,000,000 0.00 N/A 2.14ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SLN PLC 0.50 37,000 0.96 0.50 2,960,000,000 0.11 0.00 0.50Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC 0.50 100 0.50 0.50 2,941,789,472 0.00 N/A 0.50Electronic Communications Services MTECH COMMUNICATIONS PLC 0.91 NT 0.91 0.91 4,966,666,668 0.00 N/A 0.91IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC 2.67 400 2.67NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. 11.02 100 18.70 13.12 108,000,000 0.00 N/A 11.02TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. 1.69 5,460 2.94 2.07 492,825,600 0.03 N/A 1.69Processing Systems CHAMS PLC 0.50 27,420 0.50 0.50 4,620,600,000 0.04 N/A 0.50E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC 2.70 1,080 4.97 3.13 4,200,000,000 0.04 N/A 2.85Telecommunications Services IHS NT NTHIS NIGERIA PLC 2 NT NTHIS NIGERIA PLC 1 NT NTMTI PLC 0.5 100 0.50 0.50 4,893,594,400 0.00 N/A 0.5INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC. 2.59 2,000 2.86 2.86 260,000,000 0.07 N/A 2.72ASHAKA CEM PLC 22.50 1,557,197 29.98 8.01 2,239,453,125 0.80 -2.17 23.00BERGER PAINTS PLC 9.60 40,673 12.20 6.82 217,367,585 0.91 -7.16 10.34CAP PLC 38.00 20,474 67.50 13.78 560,000,000 1.66 0.00 38.00CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC 7.93 1,514,719 12.99 4.00 1,241,548,285 1.12 -0.38 7.96DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 163.00 1,167,463 210.01 102.00 15,494,019,668 5.77 -0.01 163.01DN MEYER PLC. 0.70 40,890 3.54 0.50 242,908,200 0.06 N/A 0.70FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC 0.50 600 0.75 0.50 2,109,928,275 0.00 N/A 0.50IPWA PLC 0.50 6,000 1.34 0.50 513,696,000 0.00 N/A 0.50PREMIER PAINTS 10.93 60 10.93LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. 94.00 109,667 110.00 39.80 3,001,600,004 6.83 -3.59 97.50PAINTS & COATINGS MANFACT.PLC 1.14 50,000 2.41 0.50 792,914,256 0.36 N/A 1.20PORTLAND PAINTS & PRDT NIG. PLC 3.53 72,650 7.22 2.27 400,000,000 0.43 N/A 3.53Electronic and Electrical Products AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC 2.09 100 2.00 2.00 0.05 N/A 2.09CUTIX PLC. 1.45 220,132 2.39 1.20 510,396,608 0.19 -13.69 1.68NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. NT 100 0.73 0.50 2,220,000,000 0.00 N/A NTPackaging/Containers ABPLAST PRODUCTS PLC. NT NT 3.98 3.98 25,000,000 0.00 N/A NTAVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS 1.52 561 5.94 1.71 683,974,528 0.00 N/A 1.52BETA GLASS CO PLC. 48.51 1,361 13.18 9.04 3.23 45.15GREIF NIGERIA PLC 9.37 100 13.28 12.68 42,640,000 0.90 N/A 9.37NIG. BAGS MANFACT. COY PLC NT NT 3.60 1.60 6,215,000,000 0.24 #VALUE! NTPOLY PRODUCTS (NIG) PLC. NT NT 1.86 1.05 240,000,000 0.22 N/A NTW A GLASS IND. PLC. 0.63 NT 0.63 0.63 199,066,550 0.00 N/A 0.63Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC 7.46 100 8.69 8.26 265,409,280 0.00 N/A 7.46NIG SEW MACH. MAN. CO PLC. NT 200 NTSTOKVIS NIG PLC. NT NT 0.14 0.14 2,918,000 0.00 N/A NTNATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. 4.18 10,000 9.35 5.68 393,120,000 0.76 0.00 4.18Metals ALUMACO PLC 7.75 320 7.75 7.75 75,600,000 0.00 N/A 7.75ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. 9.84 100 12.39 10.55 100,000,000 0.24 N/A 9.84MINING SERVICES MULTIVERSE PLC 0.50 100 0.50 0.50 4,058,989,226 0.01 N/A 0.50Paper/Forest Products HALLMARK PAPER PRODUCTS PLC. NT NT 3.22 3.22 50,000,000 0.04 N/A NTTHOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. 0.64 4,050 1.38 0.67 220,000,000 0.00 N/A 0.64OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SER. PLC 0.50 1,408,720 1.02 0.50 6,262,701,716 0.00 0.00 0.50Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC 7.72 4,924,248 24.80 9.32 2,262,711,568 1.24 -22.49 9.96Petroleum &Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC 0.5 10000 0.5CONOIL PLC 27.41 2,577,516 76.00 16.96 693,952,117 2.69 0.00 27.41ETERNA PLC. 1.61 2,541,040 4.87 1.32 1,249,162,828 0.61 -5.85 1.71FORTE OIL PLC. 290.00 412,758 115.64 7.73 1,080,280,628 1.43 0.00 290.00MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. 138.99 22,164 146.00 106.00 300,496,051 9.93 -9.75 154.00MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. 49.66 167,074 59.00 16.20 253,988,672 1.04 N/A 49.66TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. 143.00 43,476 190.01 118.75 339,521,837 12.91 -4.67 150.01Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVT. CO, LTD. 230.04 306,355 28,677,671 234.50SERVICES Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC 0.50 200 0.72 0.50 4,035,497,307 0.00 N/A 0.50Apparel Retailers LENNARDS (NIG) PLC. 3.15 100 3.48 3.48 0 N/A 3.15Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. 0.51 209,933 2.45 1.00 980,294,400 0.00 -3.77 0.53Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC 4.20 2,572,000 5.10 2.19 589,496,310 0.52 -1.18 4.25TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. 1.02 3,000 3.45 0.73 198,819,763 0.00 N/A 1.22Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. 0.50 4,059,547 1.64 0.85 865,808,912 0.00 N/A 0.50Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC 0.50 1,500 0.75 0.50 3,211,627,907 0.00 N/A 0.50Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL 4.07 100 4.07IKEJA HOTEL PLC 3.20 599,750 1.72 0.64 2,078,796,396 0.00 -6.98 3.44TOURIST COY NIG PLC 3.51 1,000 3.88 3.51 3.51TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC 6.42 2,800 10.00 10.00 6.42Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC 0.50 1,000 0.51 0.50 8,000,000,000 0.43 N/A 0.50Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS 0.59 16500 0.59LEARN AFRICA PLC 0.68 224,498 3.09 1.39 771,450,000 0.00 N/A 0.81STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. 2.30 20 2.78 2.52 0.00 N/A 2.30UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. 5.73 20,800 5.77 3.00 425,641,111 0.61 0.00 5.73Road Transportation ABC TRANSPORT PLCPLC 0.51 955,140 1.29 0.50 1,507,000,000 0.21 N/A 0.51Specialty INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC 4.21 6 5.15 4.90 236,699,511 0.00 N/A 4.21SECURE ELECTRONIC TECH.PLC 0.5 40,000,700 1.88 0.80 5,631,539,736 0.00 N/A 0.5Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 1.91 111,000 5.90 1.27 634,000,000 0.50 N/A 1.85NIG. AVIATION HANDLING COY PLC 4.37 246,274 8.81 5.08 1,230,468,750 0.43 -0.68 4.40SUPPORT AND LOGISTICS CAVERTON OFFSHORE GROUP PLC 2.76 189044 3.05ASeM CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Property Management SMART PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC NT 60 1.43 1.04 45,000,000 0.12 N/A NTCONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC NT 100 2.26 1.02 201,885,335 0.00 N/A NTOIL AND GAS CAPITAL OIL PLC NT 100000 NTNAVITUS ENERGY PLC NT 1000 NTPersonal/Household Products ROKANA INDUSTRIES PLC. NT NT 0.60 0.60 30,000,000 0.00 N/A NTHEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals AFRIK PHARMACEUTICALS PLC. NT NT 0.50 0.50 24,898,850 0.00 N/A NTINDUSTRIAL GOODS Electronic and Electrical Products NT NT NTADSWITCH PLC. NT NT 1.88 1.63 125,005,250 0.00 N/A NTNATURAL RESOURCES Metals W.A. ALUM. PRODUCTS PLC. NT NT 0.50 0.50 6,650,000 0.00 N/A NTFood/Drug Retailers and Wholesalers NT NT NTJULI PLC. NT 1,000 3.05 2.76 194,700,000 0.00 N/A NTETF’s Sector ETF LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NT NTNEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND NT 41 2,706 2,003 #VALUE! NTVETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF NT 10 49467 NT

PRICE 52 WK 52 WK SHARES MOV.SECURITY (=N=) QUANTITY HIGH LOW OUTSTANDING EPS (%) Previous

PRICE 52 WK 52 WK SHARES MOV.SECURITY (=N=) QUANTITY HIGH LOW OUTSTANDING EPS (%) Previous

Stock Exchange weekly equities summary as at Friday, Nov 06, 2015

Business CourageCourage


DO YOU WISH TO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE

APAPA, VICTORIA ISLAND

WE HAVE OUR CLIENT’S INSTRUCTIONS TO SELL, BUY,MANAGE AND HELP YOU OUT IN THE AFOREMNTIONED CITIESPLEASE CONTACT US TODAY AT NICON PROPERTIES3RD FLOOR NIGERIAN REINSURANCE BUILDING, 784aHERBERT MACAULAY WAY CBD, ABUJA08067770999 & 08033203414Email:[email protected]

WE HAVE OUR CLIENT’S INSTRUCTIONS TO SELL, BUY,MANAGE AND HELP YOU OUT IN THE AFOREMNTIONED CITIESPLEASE CONTACT US TODAY AT NICON PROPERTIES3RD FLOOR NIGERIAN REINSURANCE BUILDING, 784aHERBERT MACAULAY WAY CBD, ABUJA08067770999 & 08033203414Email:[email protected]

NICON PROPERTIES LTD

xx

[email protected]

46

41National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net

Monday, November 9, 2015

‘’A trial is not an investigation and investigation is not the function of the court’’

JUSTICE MODIBBO ALFA BELGORE, FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA

Law & Justice

2011 oil spills: Chinese court orders US oil firm to pay $266,000

How Ejigbadero was convicted, hanged for murder 45

42

CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed INEC boss, Professor Mahmood Yakubu

Within the last few weeks, not less than three governorship election results have been annulled by election tribunals as a result of electoral violence in the country. WALE IGBINTADE reports that lawyers were unanimous that electoral offenders should be prosecuted and those found culpable should be punished.

Electoral offenders should be tried, punished –Senior lawyers

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Notwithstanding the provi-sions of the laws empow-ering the Independent

National Electoral Commis-sion (INEC), the police and the Attorneys-General to prosecute electoral offenders, electoral vio-lence still persists in the country unabated.

It is on record that since the advent of democracy, successive elections in Nigeria, starting with the first republic, have been marred by stuffing and snatch-ing of ballot boxes, violence and intimidation, yet those respon-sible for this terrible conducts and their godfathers are yet to be charged to court.

Because the violence during elections still persists, the Chair-man of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi

Odinkalu, advocated that those responsible for electoral offences during the 2015 governorship election in Rivers State should be jailed.

He noted that the Rivers State Election Petitions Tribunal up-turned the victory of Nyesom Wike as Rivers State Governor and ordered a rerun within 90 days as a result violence in some parts of the state.

According to Odinkalu , the tribunal’s ruling, that a fresh election be conducted, was not enough adding that those behind the violence at the polls should be

unmasked and prosecuted. According to him “In May 2015,

the NHRC recommended 117 per-sons for prosecution over crimes of electoral impunity. In one week, Nigerian courts have nul-lified two governorship election results in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states. We must ensure that those responsible go to jail. Electoral fraud doesn’t just happen; people do it. Wherever elections are nullified by the courts, someone should be held accountable.”

Consequently, the NHRC boss asked the Federal Government to ensure that those that engaged

in electoral offences at the gover-norship poll face the wrath of the law’’.

It would be recalled that, the Ahmed Joda-led Transition Com-mittee had also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure those responsible for election fraud and violence during the 2015 polls are punished.

The committee said such of-fenders should be swiftly sanc-tioned as part of immediate steps to reform Nigeria’s electoral process and that the last general elections in Nigeria showed the

NUC, Council of Legal Education should close down wobbling law faculties —Osipitan

It would be unfaIr to allow people that have thwarted the wIll of electorates through rIggIng

electIons to walk away free

42 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netMonday, November 9, 2015Law & Justice

NUC, Council of Legal Education should close down wobbling law faculties —Osipitan

How will you react to the recent mass failure in the Nigerian Law School?

It is becoming fashionable for every fed-eral or state university and indeed private universities to want to have faculties of law. They see their universities as incomplete without faculties of law. But, what you have is that whereas there is clamour for estab-lishment of faculties of law, majority of these faculties don’t have seasoned and expe-rienced law lecturers. The rate at which you have faculties of law is not been matched by the rate at which you produce law lecturers. Many of the senior law lecturers have either died or retired. But, we have not been able to replace them in a way that we will have enough lecturers to go round.

Consequently, you have some lecturers teaching in three or four universities at the same time. There are only 24 hours in a day, out of which you must rest. So, they are left with about 12 working hours. Sometimes, these lecturers have to travel far and near from one university to the other. By the time they get to their destination they are already spent. The next day they are rushing back to another university and they are tired. So, it is an issue of manpower, they do not have enough lecturers to drill and grill the students. So, what some universities do is to pass them out of the university and send them to the Law School. It is when they get to the Law School, where things are done prop-erly that the effect of lack of proper founda-tion are felt.

What is the solution? I will suggest that the Council of Legal Ed-

ucation and the NUC must be bold and cou-rageous to close down as many law faculties as possible that don’t have sufficient man-power to cope with what they have. I think for now, they should also put on hold the es-tablishment of law faculties in Nigerian uni-versities. I believe we have had enough for now, pending the time things will improve, there is need to do some surgical operations in terms of closing down law faculties that are not viable and also put on hold approval for new faculties no matters who is involved.

How do you see the clamour by some Nigerians demanding that public offi-cials must make their assets publicly?

I don’t think it is an offence for somebody to choose to become a public officer. It is not an offence to serve the nation whether at the federal level as a minister or as a commis-sioner at the state level. I believe public of-ficers are accountable for the resources and property they have. Essentially, it is between them and the Code of Conduct Bureau. The Code of Conduct Bureau has been in exis-tence for a long time and public officials from time to time, before they take oath of office always had to declare their assets.

There is no provision in the Code of Con-duct Bureau Act or the constitution that com-pels you as a public official to make public your assets after declaring them to the Code of Conduct Bureau. I think it is an invasion of peoples’ privacy. Mind you you’re not only to declare your assets you are to declare that of your spouse and your children who are above a particular age. I think it’s carrying the joke too far by insisting that those things must be made public. I think we should give ourselves breathing space and respect the privacy of public officers. The fact that the Head of State has chosen to declare publicly and also that the Vice- President has done the same thing is not a reason for any person who does not want to do it to be compelled to do it. There is no provision that makes it mandatory. Neither the President nor a gov-ernor can compel a public officer to declare his asset publicly. If we want that, then we

should amend the constitution and the Code of Conduct Act.

Recently, the CJN challenged senior lawyers to come up with names of cor-rupt judges. How do you see this?

It a good challenge, mind you, the CJN is not saying there is no corruption in the judi-ciary. He has not said so and he will never say so. We all know that there is corruption in the judiciary but what the CJN is doing is like a clarion call that ‘you guys help us to fish-out corrupt ones in the judiciary, so that we can deal with them decisively’. Unless there is a report of corruption and evidence of corrup-tion before the CJN, he cannot embark on a house- cleaning exercise. So, I believe it is a challenge and a call to lawyers to be coura-geous. The CJN is saying, if you have cases of corrupt judges and you are sure of your facts, you need to come and make the allega-

tion and also substantiate the allegation.

How will you react to the call by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) that corrupt public officials should face capi-tal punishment?

Well, I believe it’s like killing a fly with a sledge hammer. That somebody is corrupt today, does not mean he or she cannot turn a new leave tomorrow. I have never believed in capital punishment, eye for an eye, or what-ever. It depends on the school of thought which you belongs to. Even for more hei-nous crimes there are ways of doing it than embarking on capital punishment. Look at the issue of capital punishment; someone who knows that he would die, if he is proved to be corrupt. He has an option of not releas-ing the ill-gotten wealth. You kill him, but does that deterred other people from doing the same thing. I think what we should do is to strengthen the law enforcement agency to be able to detect corruption at the earliest opportunity and be able to trace the proceeds of corruption. Also, they should be able to embark on forfeiture of proceeds of corrup-tion. If those things are forfeited and repatri-ated back home to Nigeria and brought back into the economy, it would be for the common good of all. But the moment you kill that per-

Osipitan

Prof.Taiwo Osipitan, a renowned scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is versed in Commercial and Public Law. In this interview with WALE IGBINTADE, he speaks on the proliferation of law faculties in the country’s universities and the public declaration of assets, among others.

Unless there is a report of corrUption and evidence of corrUption before the cJn, he cannot embark on

a hoUse cleaning exercise.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 43Monday, November 9, 2015 Law & Justice

NUC, Council of Legal Education should close down wobbling law faculties —Osipitan son, the money he has taken out of the coun-try stays there and for the benefit of foreign countries not for the benefit of Nigerians. We should make corruption unprofitable.

Some have argued that senior lawyers often hinder the fight against corrup-tion. Do you agree?

I don’t really agree with you. In Nigeria, the prosecution fights its cases on the pages of the newspapers most of the time. In Ni-geria today, I can tell you that there are only few seasoned prosecutors and I can count them on my finger tips. These are the few who know what to look for. Most of the cases prosecuted by EFCC and ICPC are lost be-cause those who are prosecuting don’t even know what they are prosecuting. I have been involved in oil subsidy cases and defending them. I begin to show prosecutor that he doesn’t even know the dynamics of oil sub-sidy.

The investigators don’t even know what material to look for. Where you have a pros-ecutor and you also have an investigator who does not know what to look for and you are matching him or her against a seasoned de-fense lawyer, the result is predictable. In for-eign countries governments spend money in hiring the best people to prosecute. If I pros-ecute a case which I believe in, because I am also a defence lawyer, I know where the loop-hole is. I don’t even need forty or fifty count charges to convict.

I need just two or three solid counts and stop wasting the time of the court. It is a matter of the people who are prosecuting and investigating, knowing the ingredients of the offences they are charging and know-ing the relevant evidence to use. So, govern-ment must be prepared to spend money on assembling a crack-team of prosecutors. Preferably, people who have defended before and who know where the loophole is. If you employ them to join in the prosecution team, and they believe in the case, yours truly the tide will change.

Most EFCC prosecutors are senior lawyers and the commission pays heav-ily to hire them. Why are they not get-ting desired results?

How forensic are they? I don’t want to be personal, except Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) who knows what he is doing; I am yet to see high-ly forensic and technical prosecutors in the country. It is very unfortunate that I am be-ing personal but we must give it to him. He is a seasoned prosecutor, but he is overworked. That you are a senior lawyer does not mean you are an expert in criminal law and evi-dence. Because, Jacobs has done it over and over again, he knows what to look for unlike somebody who is doing some other cases. Maybe he is involved in chieftancy matters, and other cases, even if that individual is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria; it does not mean he is solid in investigation and analysis of cases and prosecuting cases. We all have our areas of strength and weakness.

What is your take on the demand by lawmakers for the rank of SAN?

Quite honestly, they must be jokers. Would that also qualify people who are in the assem-bly, who also make laws but are not lawyer for SAN? Because they also make laws but they are not lawyers. So, their argument is pedestrian, it would be that every member of the assembly, whether a lawyer or not is qualify to be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. If you give it to only lawyers, where you have a doctor as President of the Senate, are you not discriminating against him, because he also makes laws? Any lawyer who is serious about this business, whether he is in the as-sembly or not, should have done enough work in court or classroom to qualify him as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. It is not a chief-tancy title, when they get it in the assembly, after leaving assembly what happens? It is a serious business and not for all comers. So, whoever desires to be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria should come out and practice? If he is not practicing, he should go to university and profess. He should write books that could be cited as authorities in courts.

I have not seen it in England where law-makers are given Queens Counsel merely because they make laws in the parliament. There is no jurisdiction where honour is con-ferred to you professionally because you’re playing the role of a lawmaker. They should just forget about it and face their business of

law making.

Are you comfortable with the number of law lecturers that are conferred with the rank of SAN on yearly basis?

How many in a year? Maybe two or three, I think we can do better in terms of the num-ber. Mind you, I did not become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria through academic line. I was already a professor and I came in as a practitioner based on cases I did at the Su-preme Court, at the Court of Appeal and at the High Court. That is the route I chose to follow but I believe that if you give 12 people Senior Advocate of Nigeria, if you give three or four slots to academicians is not too bad. At the year you decide to give 21, let have it about five or six as opposed to the constant two or three.

So, as you are expanding the scope of peo-ple coming into the inner Bar, the slot you al-locate to academicians should be increased. But as I said, my take on it is that advocacy means advocacy, if you really want to be an advocate, you should come out and argue your cases.

Recently, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) mentioned you and others as having taught Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) at one point or the other. How do you feel seeing your former student be-coming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria?

I feel excited, he is not the first and he will not be the last. I have some of them who became senior advocates even before me. In the last set of senior advocates, not less than

five or six of them passed through me. For ex-ample, Dr. Dapo Olanipekun was my student and I also mentored him before he became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. We still have a cordial relationship till now. He along with about five of six others were my students at different times.

I still hope by God’s grace to welcome many of them in years coming. It is my joy and pleasure to see many of them growing ei-ther as SANs or on the Bench. On the Bench, I have so many of them as judges in the high court of Lagos, Oyo state, Osun State and Ekiti state. Some of them are Chief Judges in their respective states. Some of them are also at the Court of Appeal and one of them by the grace of God is at the Supreme Court. I give God the glory.

There are some lawyers who are emi-nently qualified for the rank of SAN but are left out. How do you see this?

Well, the criteria for elevating people to the rank of SAN are being worked upon from time to time. Where we identify lapses, suggestions are made to the Privileges’ Com-mittee and the CJN on how to address those lapses and these suggestions are being fol-lowed. I must tell you that it is the Almighty God that decides who to crown and when to crown. In other words, when he says it’s time for you to arise and shine nobody can stop it. So, my plea to such people is that they should not be discouraged, their time will surely come. They should keep faith in the profes-sion and at the right time they will be singled out for elevation.

There is no provision in The Code of ConduCT Bureau aCT or The ConsTiTuTion ThaT Compels you, as a puBliC offiCial, To make puBliC your asseTs afTer deClaring

Them To The Code of ConduCT Bureau.

Osipitan

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net44 Monday, November 9, 2015Law & Justice

Sowemimo AdegboruwaQuakers

‘Empower election petitions tribunal to try offenders’ strength and weakness of the institutions, necessitating the need to reform.

In its report, the committee recommend-ed a six-item good governance initiative, to include Electoral reform, Public Service reform, Police Service reform, judicial re-form, Military reform and Constitutional amendment.

To dispense justice in cases of electoral offences, the Joda Committee recommend-ed the immediate establishment of an Elec-toral Offences Tribunal.

Speaking on the need for electoral of-fenders to face the wrath of the law, Lagos based lawyer, Mr. Seyi Sowemimo , SAN said that it would be unfair to allow people that have thwarted the will of electorates through rigging elections to walk away free.

‘’Where we find people who have done the wrong thing, who have intentionally gone to register more than once, or at-tempted to vote more than once, such ones should be charged to court.”

According to him, ‘’there is need for Ni-gerians to acknowledge that there is more to the current approach to electoral vic-tory, through violence and crimes, and that the consequences are far too overreaching than what seemingly appears.

‘’It is no longer good enough simply to show sympathy to victims of electoral vio-lence; or to even brush aside other electoral malpractices and offenses committed dur-ing elections as if they were norms. There is need for those violators of the law to face the full wrath of the law’’.

Commenting of the issue, Norrison Quakers, SAN said ‘’If there were violence, we must have police report on who are the culprits. There must an investigation and arrest must have been made. The people involved must have been put in detention’’.

‘’It is one thing to put before the election tribunal that the election was flawed with violence; it is a different thing to establish

those who are involved in the violent Act’’. According to him, electoral offenders

ought to have been arrested before they are prosecuted.

He said ‘’If you look at the Electoral Act, once the allegation of violence is es-tablished, the next step is for the police to commence prosecution of the offenders. The National Human Rights Commission can write to the Inspector General of Po-lice for the prosecution of named persons in relation to the violence perpetrated in the election’’.

He stated that where the Inspector Gen-eral of Police refuses failed to respond to the demand of the Commission, an order of court can be obtained to mandate the po-lice to perform their statutory duty.

He added that the success of investiga-

tion and prosecution of electoral offenders is entirely up to the police.

In his view, human rights lawyer, Mr.Ebun Adegboruwa said ‘’I generally believe that those who perpetrate electoral violence should be brought to book to serve as deterrent and to sanitise our electoral process.

According to him, there should be a Commission of Enquiry set up to monitor and document names and particulars of those involved in such violence for the pur-pose of prosecuting them.

He however said except the nation changes the current Electoral Act, it would be difficult to prosecute anybody in respect of violence.

‘’it is presently very difficult to pros-ecute anybody in respect of violence in re-


lation to election because as we see in the case of Rivers State Electoral Commission, the Court of Appeal has struck out the names and particulars of everything relat-ing to violence in that case on the grounds that those who were alleged to be involved in the violence were not named as parties in the case. Once, that has happened, it has limited the powers of prosecution.

So, the National Assembly should amend the Electoral Act, to be able to con-fer criminal jurisdiction upon the Elec-tion Petition Tribunal such that in the cause of hearing a petition, the tribunal can simultaneously handle the guilt or otherwise of persons alleged to have com-mitted electoral violence. That is the only solution because as it is now, we have to separate the work of the tribunal from the work of the regular court empowered to handle criminal cases.

In his view, a Lagos lawyer, Mr. Ike Uko said ‘’ It is proper that whoever commits a crime should be punished. However, I am also of the view that prevention is better. So, we should create an environment that will make it difficult for people to commit electoral crimes.

There should be a Commission of enquiry seT up To moniTor and doCumenT names

and parTiCulars of Those involved in suCh violenCe for The purpose of proseCuTing

Them.

The New client A new client had just come in to see a famous

lawyer.“Can you tell me how much you charge?”, said

the client.“Of course”, the lawyer replied, “I charge $200 to

answer three questions!”“Well that’s a bit steep, isn’t it?”“Yes it is”, said the lawyer, “And what’s your

third question?”You’re late The lawyer wandered home at 3 AM. His wife

became very upset, telling him, The lawyer replied, “I’m right on time. I said I’d

be home by a quarter of twelve.”My honest opinion Lawyer: “Let me give you my honest opinion.”

Client: “No, no. I’m paying for professional advice.” The parked BMW A lawyer returns to his parked BMW to find

the headlights broken and considerable damage. There’s no sign of the offending vehicle but he’s relieved to see that there’s a note stuck under the windshield wiper. “Sorry. I just backed into your Beemer. The witnesses who saw the accident are nodding and smiling at me because they think I’m leaving my name, address and other particulars. But I’m not.”

Culled from Bar Jokes at BrainDen.com

How defendant’s limb was jailed A lawyer defending a man accused of burglary

tried this creative defense: “My client merely in-serted his arm into the window and removed a few trifling articles. His arm is not himself, and I fail to see how you can punish the whole individual for an offence committed by his limb.”

“Well put,” the judge replied. “Using your logic, I sentence the defendant’s arm to one year’s impris-onment. He can accompany it or not, as he chooses.” The defendant smiled. With his lawyer’s assistance he detached his artificial limb, laid it on the bench, and walked out.

Appeal Immediately Many years ago, a junior partner in a firm was

sent to a far-away state to represent a long-term client accused of robbery. After days of trial, the case was won, the client acquitted and released. Excited about his success, the attorney telegraphed the firm: “Jus-tice prevailed.” The senior partner replied in haste: “Appeal immediately.”.

BarJokes

Bar

Jokes

zzzzlEgal tips

There is a strong tradition in the legal system that favours compromising –often called

‘’settling out of court’’. *Put the other way,’’ out-of-court

settlement ‘’ is usually a claim between private parties, or claims between a party and or government, state or fed-eral for the resolution of disputes.

*This is done through one of the types of the Alternative Dispute Reso-lution (ADR) called negotiation.

*Negotiation is indeed the most commonly used method of settling disputes. It is a formal discussion or communication between two or more parties towards reaching an amicable settlement of their disputes.

*Negotiators perform a valuable service to parties in dispute simply by keeping them out of court.

*Trials take a long time to reach after a dispute arises, and are costly.

Out-of-court settlement of cases Negotiation as a type of ADR there-fore ensures prompt resolution of disputes and speedy dispensation of justice.

*Even if the dispute cannot be settled by compromise and a suit is filed, except in rare cases negotia-tion never ends.

*It continues right up to and dur-ing the trial and through the process of apple, if there is one.

*Although not all negotiators need be lawyers, all lawyers should be capable negotiators if their cli-ents are to be well served.

*When negotiation fails, the last option is the hearing of the suit on merit by the court.

Written by Francis Famoroti, Head, Judiciary. We welcome feed-back and reactions from readers via our e-mail: [email protected]

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 45Monday, November 9, 2015 Law & Justice

Justice Idigbe Justice Bello

Ilori, then DPP

Forty years ago, Jimoh Ishola a.k.a. Ejigbadero was charged with the murder of Raji Oba in Alimosho area of Lagos State. He was subsequently tried, convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. After the pronouncement of a Lagos High Court, Ejigbadero, was widely reported to have asked ‘Emi ni won nwi naa? ’ meaning ‘what is the court’s verdict?’ FRANCIS FAMOROTI, Head, Judiciary writes.

Jimoh Ishola a.k.a Ejigbadero was a notorious land grabber in Mushin and Agege environs of Lagos State

in the early 1970s.His fame rose considerably to the extent

that he became one of the celebrated fans of a popular Juju musician and praise singer in the society.

Indeed, the fear of Ejigbadero was the be-ginning of wisdom in Papa Ajao, Mushin, Agege and Alimosho areas of the state as he was known to have clashed with several vil-lagers over land and violently dispossessed many of their property. He was Lord unto himself, had a strong link with the Police, and he commanded a retinue of thugs, which he often paraded as his works men.

Anyone who resisted his moves had to pay the supreme price of death and hence this cruel fate befell Raji Oba at Alimosho village on August 22, 1975. Despite his low level of literacy, Ejigbadero hatched this plan on the day he had the naming ceremony of his in-fant child.

While the child-naming party went on in his house, Ejigbadero arranged six of his thugs, who joined him in his Peugeot 504 sta-tion wagon and proceeded straight to Alimo-sho village.

Their mission as decreed by their leader-was to kill Raji Oba.

As the Chief Executive of Jimsol Nigeria Limited, a company that specialised in nail manufacturing on Matori Road, Mushin, at the time, Ejigbadero also had strong link with land speculators in various parts of the state.

While Raji Oba was relaxing outside his building, the killer-squad arrived Alimosho village about 8.00 pm on August 22, 1975. Ejigbadero, who led the team, wore a French Safari suit and tucked a gun in his pocket. Be-lieving that nobody was lurking around, he quickly shot the man and fled the scene.

As he fled, the deceased’s wife, Sabitu Raji Oba recognised him. The woman raised the alarm that Ejigbadero had killed her hus-band, thereby attracting neighbours in the village. The notorious suspect was arrested by the police and later brought to justice.

Specifically, Ejigbadero was charged with a two-count information for the offences of conspiracy together with other persons un-known and for the murder of Raji Oba. No fewer than 24 prosecution witnesses testified against the land grabber.

The deceased’s wife was the first prosecu-tion witness (PW) and the court was highly impressed by her evidence and her consis-tency in recounting how her husband was killed.

Among those who gave evidence was the second PW, one Nimota Kelani, who testified that after the deceased’s wife raised alarm, she also saw Ejigbadero running towards the bush with a gun.She said there was moonlight and was able to identify him even though she had only a ‘’fleeing glimpse ‘’ of

the convict from the back. Sumbo Kelani was the third PW, who

equally testified that following the sound of a gun-shot in the village and Sabitu Raji Oba’s alarm, she came out and saw the deceased ly-ing on the ground as he bled from his head.

There was also the evidence of the fourth PW, Mann Elson Ofongo, who helped to con-vey the deceased to the hospital at about 8.30 pm. Unfortunately, Raji Oba died on the way to the hospital.

The testimony of the 18th prosecution wit-ness, Kehinde Yekini, a guard in the appel-lant’s factory, who said about three weeks af-ter his employment, Ejigbadero, in company of four others had told him that he intended to kill Raji Oba. Yekini was to be part of the operation but he refused to follow his boss to carry out the satanic task.

Ejigbadero used the naming ceremony party in his house ostensibly as a shield and he pleaded alibias a defencein the law court.

He had claimed that he never left the party night for any place as the ceremony lasted from 6.30 pm till the early hours of the morn-ing on August 23, 1975. He also called three persons in support of his defence of alibi.

This defence however failed. Justice Isho-la Oluwa before whom he was arraigned-minced no words in concluding that ‘’there was no mistake by any of the witnesses as to the identity of the person they recognised, by the moonlight, holding a gun and running

towards a nearby bush.’’ Ejigbadero was therefore found guilty as

charged for the offences of conspiracy and murder of Raji Oba. He was subsequently-convicted and sentenced to death. The judge was emphatic that he would be hanged as his punishment.

He never really understood the import of this pronouncement and he had cause to ask his lawyers what the court verdict was.

On appeal against the judgment of the high court, the Federal Court of Appeal comprising Justices Mamman Nasir, Ad-etunji Ogunkeye and Ijoma Aseme affirmed Ejigbadero’s conviction for murder and dis-missed his appeal.

The convict’s lead counsel, Chief Sobo Sowemimo lodged a further appeal to the Supreme Court. The then Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Samuel Ilori (later Justice) also led the team of state attorneys who argued against the appeal.

The Supreme Court members that heard the appeal were, Justices Darnley Alexander, Atanda Fatayi-Williams, Ayo Irikefe, Mo-hammed Bello and Chukwunweike Idigbe.

After a consideration of the appeal, the Supreme Court on September 22, 1978 dis-missed Ejigbadero’s appeal. The apex court reserved the reasons for its judgment till Oc-tober 22, 1978.

Giving detailed reasons for judgment,

Justice Idigbe in his lead pronouncement declared that the appeal lacked merit and he dismissed it.

Part of the judgment reads, ‘’On the 22nd day of August, 1975, Sabitu Raji Oba, the wife of the deceased who testified as PW1 returned to the village in the night from the market.

‘’ She has just seen them on her way back to the house; it was a moonlit night. As she was giving the husband this warning there was an explosion from a gun. The deceased groaned and fell down from his chair he sat on; he had been fired at and he sustained inju-ry in the region of the head from where blood was seen to ooze.’’

The Supreme Court said it was satisfied with the finding of the lower court that im-mediately the gun powder exploded and the thick smoke enveloped the scene, some prose-cution witnesses sighted Ejigbadero and five others running away towards a nearby bush.

How Ejigbadero was convicted, hanged for murder

FAMOUS CASES

While the child-naming party Went on in his house, ejigbadero arranged six of his thugs,

Who joined him in his peugeot 504 station Wagon and proceeded straight to alimosho

village.

46 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netMonday, November 9, 2015Law & Justice

Court suspends jail term of exotic fish smuggler

A Singaporean man, who smuggled 176 endan-gered fish into Adelaide

, Australia earlier this year, has avoided spending any more time behind bars.

Kuok Weai Alex Chang, 45, pleaded guilty to importing a disease or pest for commercial advantage, and spent about 50 days in jail after his arrest be-fore being released on bail.

The District Court heard customs officers stopped Chang in February with 176 Arowana fish.

The fish ranged from seven centimetres to 20 centimetres in size and were hidden in two bags.

Inside the two bags were 41 plastic bags filled with water,

AUSTRALIA

Redefining African democracy, response to multi-ethnic politicsFrancis Famoroti Head, Judiciary

Eminent Nigerians, including the cream of the legal profession and elder statesmen in the country con-

verged in Lagos recently at this year’s Aelex Lecture series. Aelex, a leading law firm in the country has been in the vanguard of or-ganising the annual lectures since the past 10 years.

At this year’s annual lecture with the theme: ‘African Countries: Politics, Democ-racy and Ethnicity’ the Chairman of the oc-casion, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (rtd) set the tone of the discussion succinctly when in his opening remarks, he asked among oth-ers , whether African values are compatible with Western democratic culture.

He believed that ‘’ethnicity is behind the emergence of sit-tight syndrome in many African states’’ and observed that the Jus-tice Idris Kutigi-led National Conference had provided solutions to most of the teem-ing problems on issues of democracy and ethnicity in the country.

He therefore urged the Muhammadu Buhari-led government and the National Assembly to implement faithfully the 2014 National Conference report without delay.

Former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, who was the guest speaker at the occasion, in his 19-page paper, justified why a two-party system is the best option to put an end to ethnic politics in the country.

He noted that the principle of rotational presidency between the North and South has crept into African politics adding that ‘’African states have in one form or another adopted these norms.’’

These, he said, included the power shar-ing in Tanzania from the Julius Nyerere era, Ali Mwinyi, to Benjamin Mkapa and in Kenya, from Jomo Kenyatta era, Arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and now Uhuru Kenyat-ta.

Having traced the ethnic configuration

He said there was no evidence to suggest that African governments have not been sincere in addressing the issues, even in the face of clear evidence of the continuing cri-sis posed by the issues.

According to him, ‘’A major factor affect-ing these issues is the presence of these is-sues internationally. Africa was lucky that in the 60s to the 70s, the United Nations and the world were hostile to fractionalization and to that extent subscribed to’’ the doc-trine of uti posidetis’’.

He explained that this attitude provided the breathing space for emerging African States to consolidate its independence and territorial integrity.

The guest speaker said by the 1990s, the UN and the international community had become more flexible in its interpretation of the doctrine of self-determination, where the self is not restricted to the state but ex-tended to ethnic nationalities.

. He said ‘’ the most vivid examples of this

new trend are a break-up of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. This new international atti-tude has presented Africa with new realities and challenges which have resulted in the break up of Sudan and Ethiopia.’’

In the end, Akinyemi maintained that ‘’I believe that a two-party system, whether imposed by the constitution or evolving naturally is the best antidote to the invidiousness of ethnic politics. It has been really difficult to gauge the level of attachment of people to ethnic politics as it appears that the political elite regard it as the equivalent of a water faucet to be turned on and off to satisfy the whims and caprices of the political elite. ‘’

Akinyemi’s lecture was punctuated by series of applause from the audience. However, the discussants, a Senior lec-turer, Department of Political Science, Bayero University, Kano, Dr. Saidu Ah-mad Dukawa and the Executive Direc-tor, Enough is Enough Nigeria, Ms. Yemi Adamolekun took their turns to x-ray the paper.

They pointed the areas of their dis-agreement with Akinyemi’s postulation why the guest speaker himself later justi-fied his position from academic point of view.

Earlier, the Managing Partner of the law firm, Mr. Theo Emuwa, said the an-nual lecture was part of the firm’s con-tributions to corporate development and democratic governance in the country.

In the past, Aelex, legal Practitioners and Arbitrators, had previously organ-ised lectures that had attracted Prof. Don Wallace from the USA; Judge, French Su-preme Court, Prof. Frederic Jenny; Judge Mervyn King from South Africa; former Finance Minister, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu and Dr. Ali Mazrui among others as guest speakers.

The Nigerian law firm is ranked among top in firms in Chambers Global 2014, the Legal 500 in 2015 and also listed as firm of the year 2015 in WWL Awards.

Notable personalities at the lecture are; former Federal Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN) ; Chief Opral Benson; and a number of senior advo-cates.

in Europe, the diversity of ethnic-nation-alities, the emergence of political parties in Africa and the African states’ response to multi-ethnic politics, the ex-Minister re-called that ‘’the First World War was trig-gered off by shots fired by a Serbian na-tionalist in Sarayero, shots which killed the Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian Empire. ‘’

‘’Even now, is has become an open de-bate how long the United Kingdom would remain united in the face of a resurgence of Welsh and Scottish nationalism. Of 73 Prime Ministers in the United Kingdom has had, England has produced 64, Scotland has produced 7 and Wales has produced one and Ireland one. ‘’

Pointing out that an going war in Ukraine has ethnic overtones, Akinyemi said the war started when the President of Ukraine who was from Western Ukraine was forced to abdicate and replaced by a new President from Eastern Ukraine. ‘’ The Ukrainians who are of ethnic Russian origin then de-clared independence.’’ he added.

The ex-Minister observed that ‘’ the in-ter-relationship between African politics, democracy and ethnicity is a very complex one. ‘’

Mr. Soji Awogbade, Partner, AELEX Mrs. Funke Adekoya (SAN) Partner, AELEX

2011 oil spills: Chinese court orders US oil firm to pay $266,000

Chinese President Xi Jinping

A Chinese court has ordered a United States oil firm,

ConocoPhillips (COP.N) to pay compensation to nearly two dozen aqua-culture farmers who live-lihoods were hurt by oil spills off China’s north-eastern coast in 2011.

The U.S. oil company was told to pay 1.68 mil-lion yuan ($266,000) to the 21 farmers, who did not participate in a pre-vious settlement reached in 2012 with ConocoPhil-lips and its partner, Chi-nese state-owned oil major China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), the Tianjin Maritime Court said in a statement on its website.

joint exploration project by the two.

The leaked oil spread across as much as 6,200 sq km of water in Bo-hai Bay, according to court documents. The spills were sealed in Oc-tober 2011, and the field, with daily production of about 160,000 barrels, was restarted in Febru-ary 2013.

ConocoPhillips has a 49-percent stake in the field, which is 51-per-cent owned by CNOOC Ltd (0883.HK), the Hong Kong-listed flagship of CNOOC.

The court laid respon-sibility for compensa-tion solely with Cono-coPhillips, the operator of the oilfield.

The two companies previously agreed to give one billion Yuan in compensation for losses in the fishing industry, and 1.68 billion Yuan for ecological damages in a settlement with Chinese authorities. Roughly 4,500 affected households signed onto the settlement, the court said.

ConocoPhillips could not immediately be reached for comment.

Another maritime court, in the coastal city of Qingdao, said in July that it would hear a land-mark case brought by a nonprofit organisation against ConocoPhillips and CNOOC over the spills.

BEIJING

The farmers were seeking more than 141 million Yuan ($22 mil-lion) from the two oil companies over leaks that were first discov-ered in June 2011 at the Penglai 19-3 oilfield, a

and some of the colourful fish from South-East Asia were dead.

The fish had a market value of just over $235,000.

The court was told Chang was supplying an aquarium shop owner, who is also facing charges.

He met his co-accused at a training session for aquar-ium shop owners in Ade-laide in August 2013 and the men became good friends.

Chang had qualifications in aquaculture, worked for a fish farm and Judge Ste-ven Millsteed said he was “aware of the risks associ-ated with live importation”.

He faced a maximum penalty of 10 years’ jail.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 47Monday, November 9, 2015

TO BE CONTINUED

The limits of legislators’ powers in determining their emolumentsLaw & Justice

CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

Items Amount StatusAnnual Basic Salary (BS)– 2,484 245.50 Hardship Allowance (50% of B.S) – 1 242 122.70 Constituency Allowance (200% of B.S) – 4 968 509.00 Furniture Allowance (300% of B.S) – 7 452 736.50 Newspapers Allowance (50% of B.S) – 1 242 122.70 Wardrobe Allowance (25% of B.S) – 621 061.37 Recess Allowance (10% of B.S) – 248 424.55 Accommodation (200% of B.S) – 4 968 509.00 Utilities (30% of B.S) – 828 081.83 Domestic Staff (75% of B.S) – 1 863 184.12 Entertainment (30% of B.S) – 828 081.83 Personal Assistance (25% of B.S) – 621 061.37 Vehicle Maintenance Allowance (75% of B.S) – 1 863 184.12

Leave Allowance (10% of B.S) – 248 424.55 Severance gratuity (300% of B.S) – 7 452 736.50 Motor Vehicle Allowance (400% of B.S) – 9 936 982.00 In Four YearsSenators’ salary per month – N 2, 456, 647.7Total = N 29 479 749 * 109 SenatorsGrand Total = N 3 264 329 264.10

Bashir ramoni

Current emoluments of the National Assembly members

By the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Hold-ers Act, 2002 which was later amended in 2008, there are nine-teen items that constitute the annual salaries, allowances and other benefits for public and political office holders. In fact, recently, it was published through http://community.van-guardngr.com/profiles/blogs/what-a-senator-earns-in fig-ures attached to each of the nineteen items as follow:Annual Who has the power to determine the emoluments of

L-R: Representative of Chief Judge of Enugu State, Mrs. Chinyere Ani; Guest Speaker, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo(SAN) and Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Nigerian Weekly Law Reports, Mr. Ayo Olanrewaju

L-R: Justice Helen Ogunwumiju; Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN); Representative of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour; Deputy Editor- in- Chief, Nigerian Weekly Law Reports, Mr. Ayo Olanrewaju; Justice Amina Augie, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, and other guests, during the 30th Anniversary of the NWLR in Lagos, recently. PHOTOS: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

L-R:Mr. Nnaemeka Amaechina; Assistant Director, Corporate Affairs Commission/ member Editorial Board, NWLR, Mr. Moses Adaguusu; General Manager Editorial, Mr. Agwu Okorafor and Managing Director, Nigeria Law Publication Limited (NLPL), Mr. Mojeed Ajao.

L-R. A judge of Ogun State High Court, . Justice Abiodun Akinyemi; Mr. Dele Awokoya and Mr. Wemimo Ogunde (SAN)

EVENT

the national assembly membersBy virtue of Sections 70, 84(1), 111, and 124(1) of the 1999

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the emolu-ments of every political and public office holders shall be determined by the RMAFC. See the case of RMAFC v A.G. Federation & Others (2014) (LPELR - 24105) (CA). By Section 80(4),every money to be spent and/or allocated from the Con-solidated Revenue Funds must be appropriated by an Act of the National Assembly. Note that the emoluments of the political, public and judicial office holders are charged to the Consolidated Revenue Funds. This presupposes that before any amount fixed as emoluments for the members of the Na-

tional Assembly to be paid to them, an Act of the National As-sembly must have been passed to that effect. Fundamentally, Section 84(1) of the Constitution provides as follows:

“There shall be paid to the holders of the offices mentioned in this section such remuneration, salaries and allowances as may be prescribed by the National Assembly, but not exceeding the amount as shall have been determined by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commis-sion”.

Section 70 categorically states that the power to determine the emoluments of the members of National Assembly. It provides:

“A member of the Senate or of the House of the Repre-sentatives shall receive such salary and other allowances as the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission may determine”

The use of “may” gives rmafc discretion in determin-ing the Public & Political office holders’ remuneration

In an enactment where the word “may” is used in terms of powers conferred on a person or a body, it suggests that the person or body so conferred with the power has discretion in exercising the power. The use of the word may in this Section 70 of the Constitution speak volume. In the case of Amasike v Registrar General, CAC (2010) 13 NWLR (Pt. 1211)337 at 399, the Supreme Court interpreting the word “may” in relation to the power of a statutory body had this to say:

“…the word may when used in a statute may be inter-preted as directory or permissive or may be interpreted as imperative depending on the context in which it is used. The context in which the word may appear in the statute must be looked into because it is the controlling factor whether the word is mandatory or directory. The community reading of Section 32(1) and 677(1) confirm the absolute discretion given to the Commission in the registration of proposed name”

In reinforcing the powers of the RMAFC to determine the legislator’s emolument in the above provision, Item N Para-graph 32 of the Third Schedule, Part I of the 1999 Constitu-tion unequivocally provides amongst others thus:

“ The Commission shall have power to:- determine the remuneration appropriate for political of-

fice holders, including the President, Vice President, Gover-

nors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators and the holders of the offices men-tioned in Section 84 and 124 of this Constitution”

See the case of A.G. Rivers States v A.G. Akwa Ibom State (2011) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1248) 31 at 131.

The items that constitute the emolument and the amounts attached to each of the items fall within the prerogative of the RMAFC. If the RMAFC determines that certain items shall not form part of the items listed above in the current emolu-ment, so be it; the National Assembly has no power to include any such strange items under any guise. In A.G. Abia State v A.G. Fed (2002) 6 NWLR (Pt. 763) 265 at 487, the Supreme Court espoused the law on the interpretation of Constitutional pow-er of the National Assembly per Kalgo JSC as follows:

“Where the National Assembly has the power under the Constitution to legislate on a matter, it can only do so within the provisions and in full compliance with the provisions of the Constitution. Any legislation which is inconsistent with those provisions is null and void and inoperative. Section 1(3) of the Constitution”

The Court went further to put a cap on the exercise of the legislative powers of the National Assembly especially when it was insinuated that legislators have inherent powers. The Court held on page 422 of the law report that:

“The National Assembly does not have any inherent pow-ers to make laws. It is a creation of the Constitution and it can only exercise such powers as conferred on it by the Constitu-tion.”

It suffices therefore to say that the Revenue Mobilization and Allocation Fiscal Commission is the only constitutional body that has discretion to deal with the items and amounts to be paid to political and public office holders including the members of the National Assembly. National Assembly’s leg-islative power does not extend to determination of its own emolument under the 1999 Constitution. Since the Constitu-tion has already conferred the power on RMAFC, it cannot even be imagined and/or conceived that an aberration such as unilateral determination of their own remunerations can be part of the privileges of the Legislators.

Yam sellers decry harassment by Ondo youths

Ekiti approves N5m revolving loan for drivers’ spouses

Community MirrorNational Mirror

www.nationalmirroronline.netMonday, November 9, 201548

Land tussle: Senator alleges police connivance with land grabber

Disputed parcel of land at Abraham Akinola Estate, Onipetesi-Ikeja area of Lagos State.

NURTW crisis: Oshodi chairman sues for peace

not members of NURTW in the area. They are hood-lums and touts.

“They frequently take undue advantage of our members whenever they are returning from busi-ness trips. They extort money from us and dis-possess us of our goods when we refuse to accede to their demands. This has happened on several occa-sions.”

Ogunmolu warned that such an act could result in inter-communal clash and shatter the peace and unity among Ondo, Ikale and Ilaje people if the is-sue was not addressed ur-gently.

But Liisa of Ondo king-dom, High Chief Simeon Oguntimehin, denied knowledge of the incident, explaining that nobody had come to report the matter to him or the Ose-mawe-in-Council.

“I expect the traders to come and lodge complaint to us for immediate and appropriate action. If they had done that, the matter would have been resolved. It is our responsibility to maintain peace as tradi-tional rulers.”

Senator Fajinmin noted that he bought the land in 1981 from Pa Abraham Akinola and has no issues with it until recently, when Tokunbo purportedly claimed that he inherited the land from his father.

The letter reads in part, “I write to report that this same land grabber has gone to maliciously de-stroy my property yet and again, at my site despite being warned against such deeds.

“You will recall that this case was first reported to the police post in our estate at Ajakaiye Street, and also at Shasha Police Station on Saturday, Au-gust 12, 2015, by my staff led by Abiola Fawole and

followed by a call from me.“Similarly, on Saturday,

19, September, 2015, he came with officers from Shasha Police Division led by ASP Timothy, to arrest me at 12 midnight with-out any incident reported at the station’s register, which the DPO confirmed when I put a call to him at the station,” he said.

“I have provided over-whelming evidence under the Land Use Act, that the land belongs to me, where-as, he has not shown any genuine papers nor good survey papers to point to his ownership nor can he point to any other house owner in the estate that sold the land to him.

“To convince the po-

lice further, I had told you that I have three (3) plots of land in the area with another one on the same street as the land he want-ed to grab with the aid of the police.

“I have all my land pa-pers, including C of O as prescribed by the Land Use Act with me and origi-nals of which has been tendered with my state-ment to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.

“I will therefore, appre-ciate it if this culprit is brought to book as soon as possible and this case referred to the X-Squad and the Lagos State Com-missioner of Police, Ikeja for prompt action,” he pleaded.

Following the botched election of Lagos State chapter of

the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, held last month, the state treasurer of the union and Oshodi branch chairman Alhaji Musil-iu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo, has appealed to warring fac-tions of the union to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign.

The crisis came in the wake of an alleged manipu-lation of the election by the

former state chairman of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, who was reported to have allegedly conducted the poll before the sched-uled time to his advantage.

Agbede’s tenure and oth-er executives had ended the day before the fixed elec-tion.

It was gathered that the said election was scheduled to hold at 10am on October 19 but was rescheduled to 6am by Agbede without the knowledge of other mem-bers.

Speaking with journal-

ists, Akinsanya urged all members to maintain law and order by not fomenting trouble capable of disrupt-ing the peace of the state.

Akinsanya noted that Agbede despite efforts in checkmating his excesses continued to toe the path of lawlessness following his dissolution of the executive perceived not to be loyal to him in all the branches and imposing caretaker com-mittees loyal to him.

Akinsanya, however, assured that the situation was under control, adding

OjO Oyewamide, AKURE

Yam sellers in Ok-itipupa Local Gov-ernment Area of

Ondo State have called on Inspector General of Po-lice, IGP, Solomon Arase, to save them from unwar-ranted harassments by some youths in Ondo town.

They also urged Os-emawe of Ondo, Oba Kiladejo Victor, to prevail on the youths to desist from the act.

Chairman of Yam Sell-ers in Okitipupa area, Dare Ogunmolu, yesterday told journalists in Akure that their members were fre-quently harassed and mo-lested by the youths when-ever they were returning from business trips.

Ogunmolu said the hoodlums often waylaid their vehicles at Ife-Ondo road and demanded outra-geous ransom before they could be allowed to pass through the town.

He said: “This has be-come a regular occurrence and source of concern to us. This incident happens around Ondo along Ife-Ondo road. The youths are

In recognition of the need to create an enabling environment and enhance the ease of doing business in Lagos State, we have established the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment (also called Lagos Global) directly under my office.

–GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE, AKINWUNMI AMBODE

abiOdun nejO,ADO EKITI

Ekiti State Govern-ment has approved a five million naira

revolving loan for wives of drivers in the state.

The approval followed the request by members of the National Union of Road Transport Work-ers (NURTW) in the state to improve the qual-ity of lives of their wives through boosting their economic activities.

The governor during a meeting in Ado Ekiti with NURTW members prom-ised a bus each for NURTW and the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in the state if they marked a year free of violence.

While cautioning the drivers that no one was above the law, the gover-nor urged them to be law-

abiding to avoid having is-sues with law enforcement officers.

He told the new NURTW leadership in the state that Nigeria would only prog-ress if the leaders hum-bled themselves and came down to the level of the people they govern.

He described driving as a noble profession, saying: “Driving is a noble profes-sion, if you don’t need a driver, you can use your legs, if you don’t like driv-ers, you can climb on oka-da, I am not going to be that governor who is celebrated all over the world and not celebrated at home, I want to remain with you in and out of office.”

NURTW state Chair-man, Mr Clement Adekola assured the governor of the union’s cooperation and promised that his tenure would be violence free.

dare akOgun

A former senator from Osun West senatorial district

in the 7th Senate, Sena-tor Sunday Fajinmin, has alleged police complic-ity with a purported land grabber in Abraham Akinola Estate, Onipetesi, Ikeja area of Lagos State.

In a petition to Lagos State Commissioner of Po-lice, a copy of which was made available to Commu-nity Mirror, he alleged that one Rasheed Adetokunbo Yusuf has been threaten-ing him with thugs and some mobile policemen over the land.

that a new election would be conducted and due pro-cess would be strictly fol-lowed.

He further called on Gov-ernor Akinwunmi Ambode and other relevant authori-ties to as a matter of urgen-cy call Agbede to order so that the state would not be plunged into chaos.

The affected branches are Alimosho branch D, Ikeja branch D, Onig-bongbo branch A and the Motorcycle Operators As-sociation of Lagos State, MOALS.

L-R: Members, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Kamil Oyedele; Waseeu Adebayo; Speaker, Hon. Najeem Salaami; President, Power House Evangelical Ministries (PHEM), Primates Ayobami Aofolajuwonlo; Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Timothy Owoeye; his wife, Bukunmi; members of the house, Tomilayo Aloba and Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, during Owoeye’s installation as Baba Ijo of PHEM in Ilesa, yesterday.

Wale IgbIntade

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered busi-

nessman, Chief Sunny Odogwu, and his two companies, Robert Dyson & Diet Limited and SIO Properties Limited to pay N26.2bn debt owed Dia-mond Bank Plc.

The loan was said to have been obtained about eight years ago.

In his ruling, Justice Saliu Saidu also granted leave to Diamond Bank to sell ‘Luxury Collection Hotels and Apartments (formerly Le Meridian

Grand Tower), located at 31-35, Ikoyi Crescent, Ikoyi, Lagos, belonging to Odogwu.

Diamond Bank had in a suit filed by its lawyer, Oluwakemi Balogun, SAN, urged the court to compel Odogwu and his companies to pay N26,229,943,035.22, they obtained to construct the hotel in Lagos.

Also joined as co-defen-dants are Corporate Af-fairs Commission, CAC, The Registrar of Title, Federal Land Registry and Leadway Trustees Limited, as fourth, fifth and sixth defendants, re-spectively.

The plaintiff, in an af-fidavit in support of the suit sworn to by Fanen Shambe, the bank’s Re-lationship Manager, averred that sometime in 2007, SIO Properties Limited, and Odogwu on behalf of Robert Dy-son & Diket Limited, ap-proached the bank for facility to construct the hotel.

The deponent averred that Chief Odogwu con-vened through the SIO Properties Limited to execute third party legal mortgage in favour of Di-amond Bank Plc, over the said property as security for the loan.

Court orders Odogwu to pay N26bn loan

FG may share ECA to states for capital projects

PDP accuses Aregbesola of withholding bailout funds

…Ekiti eyes N10bn

…We use it for payment of salaries –Govt

Lagos to recruit more LASTMA officials

abIodun nejoAdo Ekiti

There are indica-tions that the Fed-eral Government

may soon disburse the over $2bn remaining in Excess Crude Oil Ac-count, ECA, to state gov-ernments for execution of capital projects.

Ekiti State governor, who gave the hint at the weekend, said the move was necessary to enable state governments em-bark or complete some capital projects.

The governor, who spoke during a statewide programme: “Meet Your Governor”, in Ado Ekiti, said Ekiti could get about N10bn from the fund.

He lamented that mon-ey had not been going into the account for some time due to fall in the price of crude oil price.

He said: “Nothing is go-ing into the Excess Crude Oil Account again be-cause oil is selling lower than the envisaged price in the international mar-ket.

“That has badly af-fected all of us. The 2015 budget in Ekiti was predi-cated on oil selling at $65 a barrel, but it sells for over $40 now. That has left our

budget performing only in the area of recurrent ex-penditure.

“Ekiti is expecting about N10 billion when the ECA fund is shared. When it comes, I will tell everybody.

“The capital projects that we have embarked upon since we came on board are being executed because we are prudent, transparent and open, and also because we are lever-aging on goodwill with corporate bodies.”

The governor assured that the reconstruction of Erekesan Market in Ado-Ekiti would not deprive former shop owners as they would be given top priority in the allocation of the shops when the new market was built.

He said: “We have done the accreditation of trad-ers through the records with which we paid them compensation. So, there is no need to fear. We are going to build a five-star market with all the fa-cilities expected in such a market.

“We have paid compen-sation since June and we paid about N140m. I am assuring the people of the state that we won’t leave uncompleted projects be-hind.”

boladale bamIgbolaosogbo

Osun State chap-ter of the Peoples Democratic Party,

PDP, yesterday accused Governor Rauf Aregbe-sola of deliberately with-holding bailout funds rather than using it to pay salaries.

The party, in a state-ment issued by its spokes-person, Diran Odeyemi, in Osogbo, said the piece-meal mode adopted by the state government in pay-ing salaries was a further confirmation that the money had been fixed.

But reacting, consul-tant on information to the state government, Mr. Sunday Akere, debunked PDP claims.

He said: “PDP wants to

Lagos State govern-ment yesterday said it would soon re-

cruit more men and wom-en into the state’s Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, in a bid to im-prove traffic situation in Lagos.

Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr. Olanrewaju Elegushi, an-nounced this while speak-ing with newsmen in La-gos.

According to him, LASTMA has 2,300 per-sonnel, who are currently manning over 9,000 roads in the state.

“We are working on that and very soon, we will boost the workforce and you will see more reli-able LASTMA officials on our roads,” Elegushi said.

The special adviser promised that the state government would also improve the working con-

ditions of personnel of the agency.

Also speaking, Com-missioner for Transporta-tion, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said government would ensure that transporta-tion in general would be safe, reliable, accessible and comfortable for resi-dents.

“When you have reli-able and efficient buses, you will find that people will prefer to use them rather than the yellow and black commercial ve-hicles, the danfos and mol-ues,” he said, adding that the plan was not to make the commercial bus opera-tors jobless, but to incor-porate them into the sys-tem through good training and technical know-how.

The commissioner said the government was ready to make Lagos an efficient city that was liveable with good mobility.

“That is our primary aim and to do this, we have to develop public transportation system very well.

“We need to develop wa-ter transportation routes, mass transportation sys-tem with good buses and efficient rail system.

“All of them comple-menting each other will make a liveable city.

“So, it is all of these things that are going to change and we strongly believe we can get to that point,” Mobereola said.

On activities of touts on roads across the state, Mobereola said govern-ment would come up with a mechanism to eradicate the growing menace.

“The first thing we do not want is touts or union members collecting dues on the roads; it is a vio-lation of the laws of the state,” he said.

use our reaction to gain relevance. I am sure they have a copy of the MoU the state government signed with the workers.

“The bailout covered June and we have paid June salaries, we have paid July and August. We signed MoU with the workers and we have kept to the terms of the docu-ment religiously.”

PDP, however, insisted that from its findings, workers in the state were last paid half of their July salaries, alleging that all allowances be-ing hitherto enjoyed by civil servants had been removed

It stressed that retirees were also being treated in similar manner, with many of them still being owed up to 6 months.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net8 Monday, November 9, 2015South West

Shambe averred fur-ther that it was upon a duly executed agreement that the bank granted Odogwu and the two com-panies the loan in form of bridge finance to the tune of N26.2bn.

He said he believed the defendants are insolvent, otherwise bankrupt and unable to meet their fi-nancial obligation.

Justice Seidu, who had earlier ordered 19 com-mercial banks in Nige-ria not to allow Odogwu and his companies with-draw funds from their ac-counts, in his judgement held that the defendants admitted indebtedness and has not shown the court how the indebted-ness was liquidated.

The court, therefore perpetually restrained the third defendant from disposing, selling or alienating any of his personal assets, money, share, stock and other negotiable instrument until the judgment sum is fully liquidated.

The judge also or-dered Leadway Trustees Limited to surrender all the title documents in its custody in relation to the property and other docu-mentation connected and or pertaining to the ex-tant transaction of which the plaintiff is a benefi-ciary to the bank.

The bank had in its originating sum-mons urged court to enter judgment in the sum jointly or severely against the first to third defendants, being the outstanding sum as at September 30, 2014.

The problem with medical marijuana is there is a lot of anecdotal evidence about how well it works for certain conditions.

–US DEMOCRATIC PARTY PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL, HILLARY CLINTON

Panic and speculation spread Saturday night when a bright white light shot through the night skies in Southern California.

Residents posted a flurry of videos on social media, together with theories of aliens or meteors. Others made panicked calls to law enforcement officials.

But U.S. military officials said it was a planned missile test.

“The Navy Strategic Systems Programs held a scheduled missile test flight at sea from USS Ken-tucky, which is a ballistic missile submarine. The test was con-ducted off the coast of Southern California,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

“Launches are conducted on a frequent, recurring basis to ensure the continued reliability of the system. Each test activity provides valuable information about our systems.”

Russia said yesterday that it has flown 11, 000 tourists home from Egypt in the past 24 hours, and more will return on Sunday.

Moscow announced on Friday that it was suspending all flights to Egypt after a Russian plane crashed in Sinai-having initially dismissed suspicions that a bomb brought down the jet.

Dozens of special flights were put on for tourists wanting to go home.

A remembrance service was held in St Petersburg for the crash’s 224 victims, most of whom were Russian.

The main bell of the northern city’s St Isaac’s Cathedral tolled 224 times-once for each of the victim.

The Indian Prime Minister, Nar-endra Modi, has admitted defeat for his governing BJP in a key regional election in Bihar state.

The BJP was running against an alliance of parties linked to main opposition Congress party in the state assembly.

Modi won a convincing victory in last year’s national elections, but this poll was seen as a referendum on his economic programme.

However, a spokesman for the Hindu-led nationalist party rejected suggestions the result for the state assembly was a personal blow for Modi, saying the BJP “managed a creditable performance”.

The prime minister had been hoping a victory in Bihar would boost his party’s strength in In-dia’s upper house of parliament, which made up of representa-tives of state legislatures and where he lacks a majority.

AfolAbi GAmbAriWITH AGENCY REPORT

Votes were being counted late yesterday in Myan-mar’s first openly contest-

ed national election for 25 years.Turnout is thought to have

been 80 per cent in the poll-seen as a further big step away from decades of military rule.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) is expected to win the most parliamentary seats, although she is barred from the presidency.

The military-backed Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP) has been in power since 2011.

Voting was generally smooth, observers said, with some isolated irregularities.

Crowds of excited supporters appeared outside NLD headquarters in Yangon as darkness fell, apparently expecting the hear results. Instead a party official read out a message urging them to calmly wait at home.

The first official results are expected to be issued from 09:00 local time (15:30 GMT) today.

As polls opened yesterday, long queues formed at some polling booths, with reports of people

waiting from before dawn.Smiling voters emerged

after casting their ballots, some

during the Ebola outbreak.He said his government did

at the time what it could do and did not have the knowledge to fight the disease.

Neighbouring Liberia was declared Ebola-free in September following 4, 800 deaths there.

A handful of cases are still being reported in neighbouring Guinea. Sierra Leone has said it will take heightened security and health screening measures at their shared border.

Bright light scares Californian residents

Sinai crash: Russia flies tourists home

Indian PM suffers election setback

A Myanmar voter showing off her marked finger yesterday

Rwandan President Paul Kagame

Ebola: S/Leone gets WHO’s clean bill

Kagame condemns Burundi killings

Myanmar election: Vote counting starts after landmark poll

World News

WORLD BULLETIN

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Monday, November 9, 2015 49

displaying fingers stained with purple, the official sign that they had voted.

“When I cast my vote I was very excited and so worried that I might do something wrong that my hands were shaking,” Kay Khine Soe, in Suu Kyi’s Kawhmu constituency, said.

About 30 million people were eligible to vote in the election in Myanmar, also known as Burma.

More than 6, 000 candidates from over 90 parties vied to be elected to the 664-seat parliament in the first national elections since a nominally civilian government took power in 2011.

However, 25 per cent of seats are reserved for unelected military representatives, who are expected to side with the USDP.

Suu Kyi, a former Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is barred from the presidency as the constitution disqualifies anyone with foreign offspring-her children are British.

The NLD must take 67 per cent of all contested seats in order to gain a majority.

Sierra Leone has officially been declared free of Ebo-la by the World Health Or-

ganization (WHO).Thousands of people took

to the streets of the capital, Freetown, at the stroke of midnight- marking 42 days without a single declared case of the disease.

There were further cheers when the WHO local representative made the official announcement later early yesterday.

The outbreak killed almost 4, 000 people in Sierra Leone over the past 18 months.

Many gathered around a giant cotton tree in the centre of the city. Some lit candles in

A country is considered free of human-to-human transmission once two 21-day incubation periods have passed since the last known case tested negative for a second time.

Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma is due to address crowds in the city later.

On Friday, he blamed the WHO for delaying Sierra Leone declaring a state of emergency and restricting movement

Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, has condemned the upsurge in violence in

neighbouring Burundi.“People are being killed every

day, bodies are found on the streets. Leaders are spending time killing people,” Kagame, whose country shares border with Burundi in a statement broadcast in Kigali yesterday.

On Saturday, nine people were shot dead in a bar in the capital Bujumbura as people began fleeing before a government deadline to hand in illegal firearms.

A cycle of violence began in April with protests against Mr Nkurunziza’s controversial decision to stand for a third term.

He argued that his first term as president did not count towards the constitutional two-term limit as he was chosen by lawmakers.

“It is sad that the African continent has a disease, to an extent that I will be blamed for meddling in another country, that I should be diplomatic about it or I deal with it politically. But that can’t be, I am being frank and open,” Kagame added.

Jubilant Sierra Leoneans yesterday after the Ebola clean bill

51National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Monday, November 9, 2015

CHANGE OF NAME

WOHA: formerly known and addressed as MASTER WOHA WILLIAM, now wish to be known and addressed as WOHA WILLIAM KENENNA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that Peters Chinalu Loveth and Ayoka Chinalu Loveth refer as one now Peters Chinalu Loveth. All former documents remain valid general public take note

This is to confirm that Okoronkwo Godwin, and Okoroukwu Godwin Iheanyi refer as one person now Okoroukwu Godwin Iheanyi. All former documents remain valid. general public take note.

Yoruba movie star, Muyiwa Ademola, tackles FG on education

Buhari congratulates Nigeria’s world scrabble champion, Falconets

Yoruba movie star, Muyiwa Ademola, has admonished

the Federal Government to provide necessary in-centives and put in place mechanisms that will make Nigerian university graduates self reliance in future and compete fa-vourably with their coun-terparts in the world.

Muyiwa who made the assertion in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during the maiden edition of cool global interlinks scholar-ship award programme, advised Preseident Mu-hammadu Buhari to make education development the priority of his govern-ment.

At the end of the pro-gramme, 17 year old Omo-tola Aiyegbusi from Ekiti State emerged the lucky winner.

The movie star said many Nigerian students prefer to study abroad because most Nigerian universities do not have what it takes to make their products compete on the

world stage Muyiwa said Nigeria as

the giant of Africa should be at the forefront of edu-cational development and be a good example to other nations of the continent.

He lauded the manage-ment of Cool Global Inter-links for initiating such programmes which he said would afford many Nigerian students par-ticularly the indigent ones the opportunity to study abroad and make their dreams come true.

The movie star who said he abandoned educa-tion to take up acting as a career at the early stage of his life, however regret-ted that he did not have the opportunity then to further his education or study abroad because of the poor financial status of his parents.

Muyiwa explained that he later went back to university for his degree programme when he dis-covered that the little edu-cation he had then could not sustain him or meet

President Muham-madu Buhari was on the phone early

Sunday evening to Perth, Australia, felicitating with a Nigerian who has emerged World Scrabble Champion, the first ever from Africa.

Wellington Jighere, 36, defeated Lewis Mackay of Cambridge, England,

by 448 points to 426 to win the championship which was competed for by 450 players from round the world.

“I called to rejoice with you over your per-formance. You have done the country proud, and we are very happy. Please, pass my congrat-ulations to other mem-

bers of Team Nigeria,” President Buhari told Jighere.

Jighere was delighted at the phone call from the President, and pledged to bring more glory to his fatherland.

The five other Nige-rian representatives fin-ished in the top 50 scrab-ble players in the world

bracket. Shortly after President

Buhari got off the phone, news got to him that the Under-20 female football team, the Falconets, have qualified for the Wom-en’s World Cup Tourna-ment after beating the Basetsana of South Af-rica by a lone goal in an away game.

CHANGE OF NAMECHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAMEThis is to confirm that ABDULLAHI ABDULAZIZ Is the same person as ABDULLAHI OLASUNKANMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ADENEKAN: : Formerly known and addressed as ADENEKAN BASIRAT BUKOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as BALOGUN BASIRAT BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MUSILIU: : Formerly known and addressed as MUSILIU BABATUNDE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEKUNLE KOLAWOLE OLUSUNKANMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirmation that I, JUBRIL MUHAMED YANKO is one and the same person as MAHMUD JIBBRIL AND MUHAMMED MAMUD. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

KALEJAIYE : Formerly known And Addressed As ILEMOBAYO KALEJAIYE, now wish to be known and addressed as ILEMOBAYO ADELUWOYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known as AKPAK JOSEPH A. Now wish to be known as AYIM BENJAMIN A. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ALHAJI MUDASIRU LUKUMAN OWODUNNI, now wish to be known and addressed as ALHAJI MUDASIRU ISHOLA LUKUMAN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known as CHIDI JONIS. Now wish to be known as CHIDIEBERE JONATHAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ODEBODE: : Formerly known And Addressed As ODEBODE SAMIAT BOLANLE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEOTI IBIDUNNI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as miss Awotedu Feyisayo Ayomide now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Idowu Agida Feyisayo Ayomide. All former documents remain valid shoreline power company and general public take note.

THANKGOD: Formerly known and addressed as GABRIEL ODO ONYICHE now wish to be known and addressed as GABRIEL THANKGOD ONYICHE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

WOHA : Formerly known and addressed as MASTER WOHA VICTOR, now wish to be known and addressed as WOHA VICTOR CHUKWUDI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that Chinyere Gift Okorie and Chinyere Gift Chinedu refer as one now Chinyere Gift Chinedu. All former documents remain valid general public take note.

This is to confirm that Nnachi Okoro Coleman and Nnachi Okoro Prince refer as one person now Nnachi Okoro Prince. All former documents remain valid general public take note

Paul Adekpe Ogbudu A. Is the one and same person as Paul Igiri and henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Paul Adekpe Ogbudu A. All former documents remain valid. First bank, Union bank and general public take note.

MARTINS: Formerly known and addressed as MARTINS VICTOR KENNY now wish to be known and addressed as KAYODE ABAYOMI MATHEW. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Okafor Protus Ndubuisi now wish to be known and addressed as Egbunonu Protus Ndubuisi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Mr Jonathan Uduaka Johnson now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Joshua Usen Jonathan. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS GERALDINE OKEKE now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. GERALDINE CHUKWUEMEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to confirm that Mr Osaro Adodo is one and the same person as Mr Moses Ali. All former documents remain valid general public to take note.

Formerly known and addressed as miss Okeowo Adebukunmi Ayomide now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adedeji Adebukunmi Ayomide all former documents remain valid NYSC and general public take note.

NCHUKU: I, formerly known and addressed as ANGELA EBEBE NCHUKU now wish to be known, called and addressed as ANGELA DIVINE NCHUKU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHINWENDU: I, formerly known and addressed as CHINWENDU UKAPI now wish to be known, called and addressed as OKPORIE NNACHI UKAPI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known as MR. BUCHI KELLY EGWUONWU. Now wish to be known as MR. BUCHI CHIZOBA EGWUONWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Abudu Adewale Olugbenga now wish to be known and addressed as Adesanya Micheal Adewale. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ABU: I, formerly known and addressed as ABU FEMI now wish to be known, called and addressed as AFEEZ MUKLITAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onwunma Gospel O. now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Onyema Gospel O. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as miss Apalara Elizabeth Funmilayo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Awonusi Florence Funmilayo all former documents remain valid Celestial Church of Christ and general public take note.

OKEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as EMEKA HENRY OKEKE now wish to be known, called and addressed as EMEKA HENRY CHUKWUEMEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NDUKAKU: I, formerly known and addressed as NDUKAKU OKIKE NJOKU now wish to be known, called and addressed as NDUKAKU SAINT NJOKU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Jerry Luke Ayuba is one and same person as Dimin Jerry Ishaya henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Jerry Luke Ayuba. All former documents remain valid, First bank, Skye bank and general public take note.

MUSA: Formerly known and addressed as MISS GRACE MUSA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS GRACE YERIMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Formerly known as AVIKPE BENEDICT AKPOGHENE, now wish to be known as MACAULAY BENIE AKPOGHENE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS UDOH UDUAKOBONG GLORIA,now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADELOLA UDOH UDUAKOBONG. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly called Miss BUKOLA IGUNNUMAIYE now wish to be addressed as Mrs. BUkOLA OLUWAMAIYE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known as ADISA ADEWALE SARAFADEEN. Now wish to be known as ADISA ADEWALE OLATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS MONALISA MUWAHEN ORIAKHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MONALISA ORIAKHI IFECHUKWUDE. All former documents remain valid. University of Lagos and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAMECONFIRMATION OF NAME







CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

MEYER : Formerly known as Miss Meyer Bernadette Golda, now wish to be known and address as Mrs Onyesoh Bernadette Golda. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Mr. Akintunde Akinkugbe,Now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Micheal Amadin . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.


up with the challenges of his life.

“I graduated almost at a belated stage of my life. I couldn’t further my education when I left sec-ondary school because my parents were not that rich. I later went back to university because of the importance of education. I discovered that the little education I had could not sustain me and meet up with the challenges of my life. Education is the key of life and the secret of

human success. For you to be somebody in life you must be educated. States and federal government should pay more atten-tions to education and ensure that educational institutions in Nigeria are well funded to make their products compete favour-ably on the world stage.” He advised.

The movie star prom-ised to feature the benefi-ciary of the award Mr. Ai-yebusi Omotola in his next movie, part of which he

said would be shot in the United States of America, Ghana and Australia

In his address at the occasion, the chairman of Cool Global Interlinks, Mr. Ismail Kolade Oba, disclosed that the agency had sponsored several Ni-gerian students to study in Cyprus in the last five years.

Ismail said the pro-gramme was initiated to serve as a motivation and encouragement to Nige-rian students wiling to

study abroad but whose parents could not afford the required expenses.

Ismail advised Nigerian students studying abroad to be good ambassadors of their country and ensure that they return to Nige-ria after their courses to contribute their quota to national development

He said the winner of the programme, seventeen year old Master Aiyegbusi would be 100% sponsored by the agency to study in Cyprus

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 51Monday, November 9, 2015 North

L-R: Chief Justice of Nasarawa State, Justice Suleiman Dikko; Deputy Governor Silas Agara and representative of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Suleiman Galadima, during the 21st edition of Chief Justice of Nigeria Sports Competition, in Lafia, on Saturday. PHOTO: NAN

Ubong Ukpong, ABUJA

Erstwhile Living Faith Church Bishop, and Founder of Good

Tidings Bible Church, Dayo Olutayo, yesterday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to do everything lawful to recover all funds looted from the country’s treasury.

Olutayo, while address-ing journalists at his church’s headquarters in Abuja during its 11th an-niversary, also asked the president to come up with a clearer economic plan to save Nigerians from the present state of abject pov-

erty and insecurity.Speaking after his ser-

mon on Sunday, the cleric, who noted that the coun-try was experiencing seri-ous economic and security hard times, said there was hope, and that the nation would surely rise again in line with the vision of the founding fathers.

Olutayo said Nigeria was not poor but suffering from activities of few heartless persons who diverted funds meant for programmes aimed at economic emanci-pation of the citizens.

“Every country has its challenges, but what Ni-geria needs is a national vision. Economies cannot

develop without a vision. The leader should tell us what his national vision is so that we know where we are going.

“Nigeria is not poor. We are rich in people and resources. Wealth is not going round because of the distribution system. Only a few persons sit down and take away the wealth of others. That has to change,” the cleric warned.

He expressed hope in the ongoing efforts of the president to tackle corrup-tion, which he insisted was the cause of the high pov-erty level in the country.

While asking for a na-

James DanJUma, KATSINA

A committee on economy and in-vestment set up

by Katsina State govern-ment has lamented high rate of poverty in the state.

The committee, chaired by former depu-ty governor of the state, Tukur Jikamshi, la-mented that about 82 per cent of the people were living under poverty line in the state.

In 2005, the state’s es-timated population was a little over 6.4 million people, which would translate to more than five million people living below poverty line.

tional economic direction and good business envi-ronment, Olutayo urged that Nigerians embrace hard work and unite to ensure the much needed change in the country.

“We need to go back to hard work. No country will build Nigeria for us, only Nigerians will build Nigeria. No nation can grow without unity. We need to be united. You are first of all a Nigerian be-fore you are a Hausa or Yo-ruba man. You are first of all a Nigerian before you are a Christian. We must be patriotic and selfless in serving this country,” he appealed to the gathering.

Both National Bureau of Statistics, NBC, and World Bank had in past given near-similar fig-ures, which indicated that poverty level was high in the state.

The committee chair-man said people of the state needed to be eco-nomically empowered to minimise poverty and make them self-reliant.

He said the committee would work hard to at-tract investments to the state so as to generate more revenue for govern-ment.

He, therefore, called on the elite, head of min-istries and parastatals to assist the committee in discharging its responsi-bility.

NEMA donates to Benue flood victims

Manufacturers renew call for oil subsidy removal

Kaduna wins UNAIDS health prize

Panel decries poverty rate in Katsina

gloria Usman, ABUJA

Following the recent flood that devastated communities in nine

local government areas of Benue State, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, at the week-end delivered relief items to Governor Samuel Ortom for distribution to more than 32,000 persons affected by the flood.

Presenting the relief items to Ortom in Makurdi, Director-General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, ex-pressed satisfaction with the positive response of most state governments to the flood warning alerts is-sued by NIMET and NEMA, thereby averting more loss-es.

He, however, urged the governors to sustain aware-ness on the risk of flood in communities living along

Economy: Cleric demands clearer vision, loot recovery

river plains as well as per-manently relocating them to higher grounds.

The director-general, who was represented by NEMA’s Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr Eu-gene Udemezue Ezeh, said a joint assessment carried out by NEMA and Benue State Emergency Manage-ment Agency indicated that more than 32,000 persons were affected by the flood.

He also said the relief items delivered were based on the identified needs of the affected persons and aimed at complementing support from the Benue government.

Receiving the items, Gov-ernor Ortom appreciated NEMA for the prompt re-sponse in coming to aid of the flood victims. While as-suring that the items would be distributed to the desired beneficiaries, he called on the Federal Government

to urgently address the fre-quent occurrences of flood along the River Benue by constructing a buffer dam to collect excess water from Lagdo Dam and fast-track the dredging of the river.

The governor immedi-ately handed over the items to the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency

Management Agency, Mr Boniface Otise, for distribu-tion to the affected persons.

Executive Secretary of Benue SEMA, Otise, con-firmed the items received from NEMA as made up of large quantities of food and non-food items including bags of rice, maize, building materials and mattresses.

James abraham, JOS

Ma n u f a c t u r e r s Association of Nigeria, MAN,

has renewed the call for the Federal Government to discontinue the policy of subsidy on petroleum products in the country.

The fresh call was coming just as the Fed-eral Government recently approved payment of N413bn subsidy claims to fuel importers in the country

Vice President of MAN, North East zone, Mr Jona-than Onigbinde, hinged the fresh call for removal on the need to liberalise the sector and grow the economy.

He also told National Mirror at the weekend in Jos that the continued re-tention of subsidy on pe-troleum products has sub-jected the sector to much underdevelopment and bred so much corruption

in its administration over the years, hence the need for the present APC ad-ministration under Presi-dent Muhammadu Buhari to end the policy in line with its change mantra.

Onigbinde, who cited the recent experience of Nigeria with the com-munication sector added: “When we see the advan-tage of zero subsidy, no-body would want to go back to the days of subsi-dy. The refineries will defi-nitely come on board and the nation will no longer depend on import to ser-vice the needs of the local people.”

He noted that the manu-facturing sector in Nige-ria was faced with a lot of challenges including inad-equate power supply and other infra structural defi-cits but added that with enabling environment and favourable govern-ment policies, the sector was capable of driving the economy.

aza msUe, KADUNA

Kaduna State has been selected as best per-forming state during

the first phase of the 2015 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, MNCH.

A statement by Gover-nor Nasir el-Rufai’s Special Assistant, Media and Pub-licity, Samuel Aruwan, said the prize was conveyed in

a letter signed by Dr. Bilali Camara, country director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS.

According to him, the letter, which was addressed to the governor, said Ka-duna State won the prize because during the MNCH week its hospitals coun-selled and tested 84,000 pregnant women for HIV, and referred everyone that

tested positive to a treat-ment facility.

UNAIDS said the letter to the governor and the prize awarded “serve to witness this unparalleled nationwide MNCH Week’s success in Kaduna State.” It noted that the state ad-vanced the objective to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Aruwan said the state’s healthcare system also got

a boost as MTN Foundation selected five state hospitals to benefit from its mater-nity ward support project, MWSP.

The beneficiary hospi-tals are Yusuf Dantsoho Hospital, Kaduna, Gen-eral Hospital, Kafanchan, Jubrin Maigari Hospital, Birnin-Gwari, Hajiya Gam-bo Sawaba Hospital, Zaria and Dabo Lere Memorial Hospital, Saminaka.

…as MTN selects five hospitals for support


CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAMECHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME


CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME




CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME


CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

PUBLIC NOTICE

Monday, November 9, 201552

ANAEME: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANAEME JUSTINA ONYEMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OBIEME JUSTINA ONYEMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known as REV. SISTER OKOH JANE PHILIA AMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as REV. SISTER OKOH MARYJANE AMAKA. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service and general public please take note.

ADEDIJI: formerly known and addressed as MISS BUKOLA OLUWATOSIN ADEDIJI. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BUKOLA OLUWATOSIN ADEWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known as OGUNDARE SEYI EMMANUEL, now wish to be known as OLUWADARE OLUWASEYI EMMANUEL. All Former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Fasasi Olanrewaju Moruf ,is the same person known as Olanrewaju Moruf now wish to be known and addressed as Fasasi Olanrewaju Moruf. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OKPALA ROSELINE EZIGBO, now wish to be known and addressed as IKWUEME ROSELINE EZIGBOCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

This is to inform the general public that I, Okoye James Tochukwu, is the same person as Mbonu, Okoye James Tochukwu as obtained in some documents bearing these names. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Jimoh Moses Sunday, now wish to be known and addressed as Jimoh Sunday Starry. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Uzomah Theresa Mary, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogunkoya Mary Theresa. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I Formerly known as. Akinniranye Grace Oseyemi, but which to be known and addressed as PONMILE GRACE OSEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ERO: I, formerly known and addressed as ERO CHUKWUDI JOHN, now wish to be known and addressed as NWEKE EMEKA JOHN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MAKINDE TITILOPE DEBORAH, now wish to be known and addressed as SHUAIB OMOLOLA RAIMOT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that Ibitayo Kehinde is the same one person as Ibitayo Kehinde Florence, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as Ibitayo Kehinde Florence. All former documents remain valid, Osun State Polytechnic Iree and general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Aguguom Priscilla Chidinma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Igbonekwu Priscilla Chidinma . All former documents remain valid. general public take note

Formerly known and addressed as DIALA Kate Ogadima, now wish to be known and addressed if IWU Kate Ogadima. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ERNEST: I, formerly known and addressed as ERNEST CHIAMAKA LIOUS, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAOSU CHIAMAKA LIOUS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS FALAE CECILIA AINA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. APATA CECILIA AINA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed ARIYO FOLASHADE ZAINAB, now wish to be known and addressed as OKE FOLASHADE ZAINAB. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Prince IK Joseph, now wish to be known and addressed as Prince Ikechukwu Eneh . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly bear ADENIGBA FRANCIS MAYOWA and FRANCIS OJO MAYOWA, is the same and one person as FRANCIS OJO MAYOWA. That henceforth, now wants to be called and addressed as FRANCIS OJO MAYOWA. All former documents remain valid. All authority concerned and general public to take note.

Formerly known and addressed as DANJUMA SALISU GEORGE, now wish to be called and addressed as SAMUEL DANJUMA SALISU ODEY . All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public to take note.

Former known and addressed as Agbo Emmanuel Chukwuma, now wish to be known and addressed as Edeh Emmanuel Chukwdi. All former documents remain valid. general public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ota Catherine Enyidiya now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uchechukwu Catherine Kalu. All former documents remain valid. general public take note

Formerly known as Miss Ijeh Esther Osas Uzochukwuamaka, now to be known as Mrs. Erigha Esther Osas Uzochukwuamaka. All former documents remain valid. UBA, First Bank of Nigeria, Skye Bank, Diamond Bank, GTBank and general public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS EKPO JULIANA NELSON, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. SODUNKE JULIANA NELSON. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Okparaeke Ngozi Rose line,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nnamuka Ngozi Roseline. All former documents remain valid. general public take note

This is to confirm to the general public I, NOAH FASASI, is the same person as FASASI AMOO and FASASI AMAO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IBEJU-LEKKI DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATIONThis is to inform the general public that the above named-named non-governmental organization has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C”of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2014.

Names of Trustees are as follows:

1. Dr. Ademuyiwa Oniwonlu - President2. Mr. Akeem Isiaka - Secretary3. Mr. Oluniyi Afolabi - Treasurer4. Mrs. Adegoke Oniwonlu - Welfare5. Mr. Adewale Adeleye - P. R..O

Aims and Objectives:

1. To foster peaceful co-existence of members, their welfare and development.2. To pursue the physical and structural development and improvement of the community.

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

Signed: Trustees

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs Afagun Abosede Bolajoko, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Oseni Abosede Bolajoko. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as STALLON FRANK, now wish to be known and addressed as UMEH FRANCIS TOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as TINUKE OGUNDAIRO, now wish to be known an addressed as ATINUKE ABASS. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known as LBE DAVID, now wish to be known as UMAHI BASIL OGONNAYA. All Former Documents Remain. General Public take note.

ANAEME: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANAEME EUCHARIA OBIAGELI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NZERIBE EUCHARIA OBIAGELI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

UGWUEZE: I, formerly known as MR UGWUEZE MICHAEL EZE, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. UGWU MICHAEL EZE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss COMFORT OMOBOLANLE ATUNBASE, now wish to be known an addressed as Mrs COMFORT OMOBOLANLE POPOOLA. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Atanda Oluwayomi Olapeju, now wish to be known and called MRS. BIYA OLUWAYOMI OLAPEJU. All former documents remain valid. TESCOM Oyo State and general public should please note.

Formerly known and addressed as JOY JOHN, now wishes to be known and addressed as JOY AKPAH. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWEKE: I formerly known and addressed as MISS NWEKE ISIOMA JOY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHUKWUKA ISIOMA JOY. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MONDAY TOCHUKWU, now wish to be known an addressed as EMMANUEL OKECHUKWU NNAMANI. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

The general public is hereby informed that IZUNNA IWUJIORA HYGENUS and IZUCHUKWU IWUJIORA HYGENUS belong to one and the same person. All former documents bearing the names shall remain valid. General public take note.

Deji.Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifeyinwa MaryConstance Ezegbunam, now Mrs. Ifeyinwa MaryContance Patrick. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Formerly known and addressed as MR. Chinlong Maley Manlat, now wish to be known and addressed as Chinlong Matthew. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADIMA RUTH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ISRAEL RUTH OMATSOLA. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as NWABU FRANK MUOEDUM, now wish to be called and addressed as NWANNE FRANK MUOEDUM . All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezenwafor Adaora Chizoba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chukwunonso Adaora Chizoba. All former documents remain valid. general public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chika Chinaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Pretty Chika. All former documents remain valid. general public take note

This is to confirm that I, DAVID ABBA MONDAY, is the same person as DAVID AROME MONDAY as contained in my documents. All former documents remain valid. STANBIC IBTC Bank, GTBank and general public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Mrs.Adenekan Olusola Amoke, is the same person known as Mrs Adenekan Olusola Pachent, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adenekan Olusola Amoke. All former documents remain valid. STANBIC and FIRST BANK PLC and General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chima Akudo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akudo Victoria Chidi. All former documents remain valid. general public take note

Formerly known and addressed as OKOH GODDY OKOLIE, now wish to be known and addressed as OKOH GODWIN OKOLIE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME


Formerly known and addressed as KUMCHAK LOHJUL KINGDOM, now wish to be known an addressed as DAMINA KUMCHAK LOHJUL KINGDOM. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known as OASIS CORNELIUS SAINT, now to be known as MR. OGUNMILADE TEMIDAYO SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss ODEDEYI OPEYEMI BUKOLA, now wish to be known an addressed as Mrs ADERIBOLE OPEYEMI BUKOLA. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm to the general public that I, DADA BAMIDELE ABIDEMI am the same person as DADA BAMIDELE SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ANIAGO : Formerly known as Aniago Francisca Chioma, now wish to be known and address as Aniago Francisca Nwazu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Funmilayo Folashade Adetunji, now wish to be known and addressed as Funmilayo Folashade Aondowase. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWOBODO: I, formerly known and addressed as NWOBODO CHIJIOKE DAVID, now wish to be known and addressed as AGHA GODSWILL CHUKWUJIOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MAKINDE TITILOPE DEBORAH, now wish to be known and addressed as SHUAIB OMOLOLA RAIMOT, All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

NDUBISI : Formerly known as Miss Ndubisi Adaobi Grace, now wish to be known and address as Mrs Ogbogu Adaobi Grace. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Ameh lily Ameh, now wish to be known and addressed as Augustine Yahiaya. All former documents remain valid. general public take note

Formerly known and addressed as Dimkpa Alex Chimeme ThankGod Basil now wish to be known and addressed as Alex Basil. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWAOZOR: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. REGINA UCHE NWAOZOR, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. REGINA UCHECHUKWU EZEONUEGBU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Emezie Okoroibe now wish to be known and addressed as Abig Chimezie Kennedy Nwankwo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MAKWE: I, formerly known as MISS MAKWE ESTHER IVO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AJAH ESTHER IVO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known as PHILLIP FUNMILAYO ARIKE, now wish to be known as PHILLIPS FUNMILAYO GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME




CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME


CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

PUBLIC NOTICE RIVER OF LIFE APOSTOLIC REDEEMED CHURCH INT’L

This is to inform the general public that the above named Church has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C”of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2014.TRUSTEE1. PASTOR MICHAEL AKINLOLU FOLUSO ADEJIMI………… President/founder2. PASTOR JOSEPH OLATUNJI OLUWATUYI3. LADY EVANG. (MRS) CATHERINE OMOBOLA ADEJIMI

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1.To preach and proclaim the Gospel of Christ2. To preach salvation to all3. To acquire and Hold properties for and on behalf of the churchAny objections to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Area II, Garki, Abuja, within 28days of the publication.

SIGNED : PRESIDENT

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAMEI formerly known and addressed as ADERINOLA AJIBOLA THOMAS now wish to be known and addressed as ADIKA OLALEKAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known as ASIWAJU MADINAT BOLA, now wish to be known as SEMIU MADINAT BOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Sport–LEICESTER MANAGER, CLAUDIO RANIERI

I just want to attain 40 points and then see what happens afterwards

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 53Monday, November 9, 2015

55

Igbo’s dominance in Nigerian football

Nigeria’s U-20 female team, the Falconets, earned a ticket to the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s

World Cup on yesterday when they beat South Africa 1-0 in Johannes-burg.

The fixture was delicately poised after the Basetsana got a penalty in added time that they scored in the first leg in Nigeria, reducing the Fal-conets win to 2-1.

However, Falconets Coach, Pe-ter Dedevbo’s game plan worked as he sent out an attacking side at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa – venue of the Super Falcons’ triumph in the African Women Champion-ship in 2004.

Nigeria dominated the early ex-

South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana contests the ball with Falconets’ Oluwatosin during the second leg of FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match played yesterday at the Makhulong Stadium, South Africa. Falconets won 0-1

Falconets qualify for 2016 FIFA U-20 World Cup

changes and it was no surprise when striker Chinwendu Ihezuo (top scorer at the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan) scored from a pull –out by defender Mary Ologbosere in the 16th minute to increase the Fal-conets’ aggregate advantage.

South Africa continued to fight but the Falconets held on till the end, and will be one of Africa’s two flag bear-ers at next year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea.

“Our ability on the African conti-nent has never been in doubt. We had a game plan and stuck to it till the end.

“Our objective now should be to start preparing towards winning the World Cup next year, Dedevbo said”

Buhari congratulates Nigerian World Scrabble Champion, Falconets tooPresident Muhammadu Buhari yes-

terday felicitated with a Nigerian, Wellington Jighere, who has emerged

World Scrabble Champion, the first ever from Africa.

A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said Buhari was on the phone early yesterday evening to Perth, Australia, venue of the event.

The statement said Jighere, 36, defeated

Lewis Mackay of Cambridge, England, by 448 points to 426 to win the championship which was competed for by 450 players from round the world.

“I called to rejoice with you over your performance. You have done the country proud, and we are very happy. Please, pass my congratulations to other members of Team Nigeria,” Buhari was quoted to have told Jighere on phone.

The statement said Jighere was delighted at

the phone call from the President, and pledged to bring more glory to his fatherland.

The five other Nigerian representatives finished in the top 50 scrabble players in the world bracket.

The statement further said shortly after Buhari got off the phone, news got to him that the Under-20 female football team, the Falconets had qualified for the Women’s World Cup Tournament after beating the Basetsana of South Africa by a lone goal in

an away game.The Falconets had walked a tight rope af-

ter scraping just a 2-1 win over South Africa in Nigeria two weeks ago.

With the away goal counting double rule, all that South Africa needed today was a single goal, but the Nigerian girls turned the table.

“This is a clear case of the indomitable Nigerian spirit. Such will soon be evident in all aspects of our national life,” Buhari said.

54 Sports National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netMonday, November 9, 2015

Enrique sees Ronaldinho traits in NeymarBarcelona coach Luis En-

rique believes Neymar is following in the footsteps of

fellow-Brazilian Ronaldinho after he sealed another two-goal display with a fabulous individual effort as Barca beat Villarreal 3-0 on Sun-day.

Neymar has now scored 11 times in just 10 La Liga appearances this season as he and Luis Suarez have dragged the European champions through a six-week spell without the injured Lionel Messi relatively unscathed.

Ronaldinho won two league ti-

tles, a Champions League and the 2005 Ballon d’Or during his time in the Catalan capital.

Enrique played with Ronald-inho towards the end of his Barca playing career, but, in contrast to his former teammate, was quick to laud Neymar’s work-rate as well as his brilliance near the opposition area.

“I had the luck to play with Ron-aldinho and I remember how we were struck before the games just watching him strike the ball. The same type of thing happens with Ney.

“We are talking about unique, special players and, I repeat, I can highlight his goals, his attacking play but also the running he does defensively and the solidarity he has with the rest of the team.”

Neymar’s sensational form in 2015 is likely to see him named among the three finalists for the Ballon d’Or for the first time in De-cember.

But Enrique insisted his sights should be on more trophies after lifting the treble last season than beating Messi or Cristiano Ron-aldo to individual awards.

Former Olympic figure skater and physician Debi Thomas was the first African-Amer-

ican athlete to win a medal at the Winter Games.

Debi Thomas’ life isn’t what it used to be.

The former Olympic figure skater and physician made history when she became the first African-American athlete to win a Winter Games medal when she took home the bronze at the 1988 Olympics.

She recently revealed she is now broke, unemployed and living in a bed bug-infested trailer.

“(I feel) frustrated,” Thomas said in the emotional episode of “Iyan-la: Fix My Life” that aired Saturday on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

Thomas turned to life coach Iyanla Vanzant after “crippling life challenges” that stemmed from a

pair of divorces that financially drained her and forced her to close her medical practice in Virginia. The two-time U.S. national cham-pion is now living in a mobile home in the Appalachian Mountains with her fiancé and his two children. She lost custody of her 13-year-old son.

“Today I meet you in a trailer that’s overcrowded and infested with bed bugs,” Vanzant told Thom-as in a preview clip. “Are you aware that your life has become unman-ageable?”

Thomas started a GoFundMe page in December 2014 with the hopes of raising $10,000, though she managed to collect only $3,763. She additionally laid out a num-ber of prospective projects, one of which included starring in her own reality TV show, to help reach her donation goal.

London 2012 medallists are among suspected Russian drugs cheats who escaped bans

when bribes were allegedly paid to the heads of world athletics.

The Sunday Times claims it has obtained a list of eight athletes who officials recommended should be banned in 2011.

But it is alleged Lamine Diack,

then head of athletics’ world govern-ing body the IAAF, and Dr Gabriel Dolle, the ex-anti-doping chief, re-ceived payments.

On Wednesday the pair were placed under investigation by French pros-ecutors.

Diack, who was in charge of the International Association of Athlet-ics Federations for 16 years until the

82-year-old stepped down in August, is alleged to have received one mil-lion euros in payments in 2011. An additional 200,000 euros was alleged-ly paid to Dolle, to cover up positive doping tests.

Diack, Dolle and the former’s le-gal adviser, Habib Cisse, face pre-liminary charges of corruption by France’s financial prosecuting body.

Diack also faces charges of money laundering.

New IAAF president Lord Coe, who has offered to co-operate with French police, gave his first response to the sport’s latest crisis on Satur-day evening. He said: “That people in our sport have allegedly extorted money from athletes guilty of doping violations is abhorrent.”

TP Mazembe claimed a fifth CAF Champions League title following

a 2-0 win over USM Alger on Sunday afternoon as the Dem-ocratic Republic of Congo gi-ants won 4-1 on aggregate over two legs.

Mbwana Samatta and Roger Assalé found the back of the net for the hosts in Lubum-bashi. The ‘Red and Black’ ended the game with 10-men with Zinedine Fer-hat sent off seconds before the final whis-tle.

With eight first teams regulars either injured or suspended, USMA boss Miloud Hamdi had the huge task of assembling a competi-tive team leading up to the game.

Star goalkeeper Mohamed Zemmamouche was the most notable absentee with the club again having to do with-out top scorer Youcef Belaïli who has been handed a hefty ban after testing positive for a banned substance.

Mazembe on the other hand were without the influ-

ential Rainford Kalaba with the Zambian midfielder see-ing red in the first-leg.

F o l - l o w i n g t h e

d r a m a t h a t ensued in Algiers last week, the reverse fixture got off to a rather un-eventful start with chances few and far between during the opening 45.

Patrice Carteron intro-duced Daniel Adjei and As-salé after the break with the French born coach eager for his side to gain the ascen-dancy.

The game finally opened up after hour mark with Ad-ama Traoré blazing his shot inches wide from the edge of the area.

The ‘Ravens’ were unlucky not to open the scoring in the 69th minute with Boubacar

Diarra seeing his volley at-tempt cleared off the line after Ismaïl Mansouri parried the initial clear-ance.

At the other end of the park Brahim Boude-bouda saw his header over the crossbar from

close range.Mazembe were handed

a golden opportunity to open the scoring on the day after Farouk Chafai was ad-judged to have fouled Assalé inside the area.

Samatta duly slotted the ball into the back of the net from 12 yards for his seventh goal of the tournament.

Assalé wrapped things up in second-half stoppage time after Samatta broke free on goal.

Mazembe will subsequent-ly participate in the 2015 Fifa Club World Cup in Japan later this year.

Mazembe win fifth CAF Champions League title

Ex-Olympian lives in bug-infested trailer, broke, unemployed

Athletics doping: London 2012 medallists ‘suspected cheats’

Rainford Kalaba

Neymar

Debi

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 55SportsMonday, November 9, 2015

NPFL: Enyimba seal record seventh titleEnyimba won their seventh

Nigerian league title yes-terday after drawing 0-0

with Warri Wolves in a feisty con-test decided in Aba.

The People’s Elephant cre-ated the better of the opening exchanges but failed to put away any of the early chances at the Enyimba International Stadium.

Both sides defended stoically when they had to as the much-hyped Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) contest ended 0-0.

Daniel Etor was sent off for an off-the-ball foul on Gbolahan Sa-lami in the second half but Eny-imba failed to get fazed by the nu-merical disadvantage to claim the

point they needed to send their fans into delirium.

Dolphins came from a goal down to beat Heartland 2-1 at the Port Harcourt Liberation Sta-dium.

NPFL legend, Victor Ezeji gave the visitors the lead in the 15th minute but the Port Harcourt club roared back Christian Weli and Chinwendu Ali to claim max-imum points.

In another development, Sun-shine Stars came from a goal down to beat relegated Bayelsa United 2-1 in Oghara with the Akure Gunners’ goals coming through Medrano Tamen and Lu-ther Iyorhe and Jafar Buhari had

put the hosts in front.Charles Okoro scored the only

goal of the game as Giwa FC tame Shooting Stars Sports Club 1-0 at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos.

El-Kanemi Warriors beat Wik-ki Tourists 1-0 thanks to a Chine-du Ohanachom goal while Antho-ny Agbaji and Anthony Okpotu netted as Lobi Stars eased their relegation worries with a 2-0 win over Enugu Rangers in Makurdi.

FC Taraba won a thrilling con-test 2-1 against Abia Warriors while a Rabiu Ali penalty proved the difference between Kano Pil-lars and Akwa United as the de-throned champions won 1-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

Aderonke ogunleye-Bello

Growing up in a family with deep love for foot-ball has shown me a lot

about the great footballers we have ever had in Nigeria.

I recall the likes of Samuel Ok-waraji, Jay Jay Okocha, Nwank-wo Kanu, Christian Chukwu, Emeka Ezeugo, John Mikel Obi, Onyekachi Apam and Uche Oke-chukwu, among others.

The above named footballers are Igbo, as most of the footballers of such caliber to have ever come out of Nigeria are from the tribe.

When observing trending is-sues on the social media some-time last week, I was privy to dis-cussions and arguments by some stakeholders and learned sport enthusiasts on how the Igbo dom-inate the national male and fe-male teams. While some accused the team handlers of partiality in their squad selections, others pos-ited that the players merited their invitation to the teams.

Nigerians are interesting peo-ple on matters tribal. But truth be told, the Igbo dominated and are still dominating football in Nigeria and they deserve this ac-knowledgement.

Nonetheless, as a proud Yoru-ba, most of my friends are Igbo. Therefore my choice of topic is in order.

Who can forget Sunday Mba who scored the winning goal for Nigeria at the AFCON 2013 final where Mikel Obi and Kenneth Omeruo also combined with the now retired Emmanuel Emenike to give Eagles ultimately glory.

Statistically, about 70 per cent national participation goes to the Igbo players while the remaining 30 per cent is shared among the other tribes. Critically, players from other tribes fade away so soon while the Igbo players stand the test of time with lengthy foot-

IfeAnyI eduzor

Fortune Academy of Os-hodi has won the second edition of the annual VCN

U-15 soccer challenge.In an entertaining finals de-

cided yesterday at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, the team defeat-ed hard fighting Tao Academy of Igando/ Ikotun by 2-0 to win the giant trophy at stake and a cash prize of N200,000.

The third place match saw Bora Fc recording a 3-1 pen-

alty victory over Smart Fc after their game ended 0-0 at regula-tion time..

Presenting the trophy to the winning team, sponsor of the tournament, Chief Victor Nwa-ribeaku commended participants for exhibiting spirit of sports-manship throughout the dura-tion of the championship just as he expressed hope that talented footballers discovered in the tour-nament would go on to represent the country at various levels as well as play for some of the best clubs both in Nigeria and abroad.

According to him, his plans to

discover tomorrow’s stars today in the mold of Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Henry Nwosu , Tahudeen Disu, Etim Esin and Brenda Alada informed the deci-sion of his sports kits marketing company to sponsor the grass-roots football tournament , prom-ising that next year’s edition will be more glamorous.

Organizer of the competition , Prince Adewale Atiba of Atico Global Concept told Sunday Mir-ror that the championship has lived up to expectation as many talented players were discovered in the tournament.

IfeAnyI eduzor

The annual Friesland Campina WAMCO Cup Final Season 10 ended

Saturday, November 7 at the Agege Stadium, with Team Peak (Sweetened Condensed Milk) de-feating Team Three Crown Pow-der by 1-0 to lift the giant trophy and gold medal donated by the company.

The match which attracted a capacity crowd, including top management of the company saw both teams displaying some good football artistry to the de-light of the fans.

Following a goalless first half, Felix Odili scored the win-ning goal for Team Peak SCM (Sweeteened Condensed Milk)and all efforts by their oppo-nents to cancel the goal proved abortive.

Earlier in the day, Team Peak

WAMCO tourney ends in Lagos

Igbo’s dominance in Nigerian football

Fortune Academy wins VCN U-15 tourney

Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO (FC WAMCO) Mr. Rahul Colaco and his wife, Sangeeta, with their sons Karan and Neil, flanked by ex-Super Eagles stars Henry Nwosu (left), Mike Onyemachara and Henry Amatok-wu, celebrate with Team Peak SCM, winners of the 2015 FC WAMCO Cup held in Lagos.

ball careers.It is not unlikely that this lon-

gevity derives from the love of the Igbo for football as well as the encouragement they get earlier in their careers.

Physical prowess also ac-counts for this advantage, as they are genetically sturdier than the other tribes. In addition, they are encouraged by successful Igbo players, just as their enterprising nature affords them the ability to foresee the riches that lie in wait for them in the future.

Meanwhile, Hausa girl hardly engages in football while her Yor-uba counterpart takes time to de-cide if football is worth pursuing as a career. This could be blamed on their leaning on religion and culture.

The Igbo cannot be written off when it comes to their contribu-tion to Nigerian football at the na-tional and league. It is only a mat-ter of time before they get their deserved recognition in full dose.

Ndigbo Kwenu!

Ogunleye-Bello is an Abuja-based international award-winning journalist, speaker, change agent, sports for devel-opment enthusiast, advocacy

Powder beat Team Peak Evap 3:1 to win the third place match.

The third place match was swiftly followed by a novelty match , which pitched the Man-aging Director, Rahul Colaco, company directors, managers, drivers, office and factory work-ers against themselves. It was entertaining and was decided by penalty shoot-out in favour of Team Red

Tony Udungu of Team Peak Powder scored the highest num-ber goals of the tournament to emerge as the Most Valuable Player while Ani Gabriel of Team Peak SCM emerged Best Goalkeeper.

The tournament kicked off September 19 and featured eight teams representing FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s key brands using the knock out format for the 2015 champions to emerge.

According to the manag-

ing Director of the company, an active player himself, “The field of sports is a great place to display many values of FrieslandCampina WAMCO with the objective of winning together.

Ike Uche

WORLD RECORD

Emenike

[email protected]

HeartBeatCallistus Oke

[email protected] 08054103275 (SMS ONLY)

GOOD LEADERS WORK VERY HARD TO FORGE

NATIONAL UNITY, THEY DO NOT WISH IT

A senator’s Jonathanphobic campaigns Last Tuesday morning when going

through the papers, one news report in the front cover of this newspaper

titled, ‘Former president behind new Biafra agitation – Shehu Sani (a rider to a main story), got me momentarily frozen. The thrust of the report is that Senator Shehu Sani fingered former President Goodluck Jonathan as the mastermind of the new pro Biafra agitation. The Kaduna State senator asserted that the agitators were only execut-ing the ‘Plan B’ of pro Jonathan forces, add-ing that the plot was meant to destabilize the administration of Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari.

Ordinarily, the development should have passed for a normal engagement by a concerned Nigerian, in the exercise of his constitutional right to freely express his opinion, on a very unsettling issue border-ing on national security. But extending

such engagement to a troubling dimension that involved weighty allegation against a former president, especially when con-crete evidence is not offered on his alleged culpability, is extending freedom of speech too far.

I have always respected the profundity of Shehu’s analyses and his courage to take a position on any national issue from very altruistic and nationalistic motive, which explained why I had in the past reached out to him for interviews on national issues when I ran the Abuja office of this news-paper before it change ownership in 2008. I will regrettably say this time around the Sani that spoke on the pro Biafra agita-tion issue has disappointed exceedingly. He passes for a turn coat with a shrinking status from his past detribalized one. How could he have spoken so blandly on such a weighty issue with the forcefulness of a soothsayer, when in actual fact he was only involved in conjectural extrapolation?

If indeed, Senator Sani has succumbed to the virus of ethnocentrism so soon after he had moved higher in the rung of the nation’s political ladder, I really fear for the prospect of Nigeria’s continuing together-ness. As it was in the past and even now, we as a people have been seduced by the vain-glorious mantras of “unity in diversity” and “indivisibility and indissolubility” in reference to a warped reality that noth-ing can harm the cohesion and unity of Nigeria, meaning Nigeria’s perpetual unity has the signature of God. But on daily basis

certain elements within the ruling elite em-bark on actions that undermine the very basis of that unity seemingly cherished by all.

Jonathan as president manifested some mind boggling failings, which must be traced to his psychobiological composition. This explained his humanist disposition to matters of the exercise of political power, especially its use as a restraining force. However, what nobody can take away from him is the fact that he is a true patriot, one of the few in the nation’s political class. It is his love for the country that made him to concede defeat even before the full results of the last March 28 presidential election were released. That concession was one of the noblest acts in the annals of political Nigeria. By that very act Nigerians were spared the fulfillment of the prophecy of disintegration that hung menacingly in the horizon before the 2015 general elections.

So, for Senator Sani to link the resur-gence of pro Biafra agitation, an agitation that has been kept alive by the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MAS-SOB) for many years even before the birth of the Fourth Republic, to imaginary “pro Jonathan forces that lost the 2015 election”

is a big disservice to the former president. Unless the Kaduna-born senator has uncontroverted evidence of such dubious engagement by the former president or those directly linked with or manipulated by him, he should spare the nation such histrionics.

In the nation’s political relations, only the privileged members of the power class preach the political gospel of the indivis-ibility and indissolubility of Nigeria. Such puerile assertion is the power elite’s own way of consolidating their own hold on state power. I do not want to believe that Senator Sani’s short spell as actor in the nation’s political loop has sedated him to a point of disconnection from our objective reality as a nation.

Contemporary Nigerian political history has been defined more by contentious inter-rogation by the constituents of the federa-tion of its lopsidedness. This explains the volatility of subsisting national conversa-tions and the free use of words seeping with unfairness, unequal exchange and injustice. Let our distinguished senator tell us what has given vent to usages like “re-source control”, “marginalization”; “fiscal federalism”, “discriminatory appointment, etc?

What human history teaches us is that leaders that hold their nations together display uncommon sagacity and statecraft. Such good leaders work very hard to forge national unity, they do not wish it. The his-tory of Nigeria has been one of geopolitical particularism and jingoism, prebendalism, and ascendancy of centrifugalism over centripetalism. Ours has been a situation of one Nigeria, many nationalities, where the “us versus them” syndrome holds sway in the socioeconomic and political relations among her constituent units.

So, the raging pro Biafra agitation is one of the fruits of our political exclusionism. The northern power oligarchs (Senator Sani is one of the newest members) should know this. Jonathan has nothing to do with it.

Vol. 05 No. 1239 Monday, November 9, 2015

w

Athletics faces a “long road to redemption” over allegations of

bribery to cover up doping vi-olations, says IAAF president Lord Coe.

An independent commis-

sion set up by the World Anti-Doping Agency will report its findings today.

The report into claims of cover-ups and money-laun-dering will show “a different scale of corruption” even

compared to Fifa, says co-au-thor Richard McLaren.

“These are dark days for our sport,” Coe told BBC Ra-dio 5 live’s Sportsweek.

“The day after I got elected, I started a massive review. Un-

derstandably, in the light of the allegations that have been made, that review has been accelerated.

“I’m more determined than ever to rebuild the trust in our sport. However, this is a

long road to redemption.”Lamine Diack, 82, the ex-

president of the International Association of Athletics Fed-erations, is under investiga-tion on suspicion of corrup-tion and money laundering.

Athletics faces long road, says IAAF president Sport Extra

Most people to pass an eggThe most people to pass an egg is 259 and was achieved by °C-ute and

their fans (all Japan) at Akasaka Blitz in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, on 22 August 2014.N150

Printed and Published by Global Media Mirror Ltd: Head Offi ce: Mirror House, 155/161 Broad Street, Lagos Tel: 07027107407, Abuja Offi ce: NICON Insurance House, Second Floor, Central Business District Area, Abuja Tel: 08070428249, Advert hotline: 01-8446073, Port-Harcourt Offi ce: Suite 115, NICON Hotel, 6, Benjamin Opara Street, Off Olusegun Obasanjo Rd, GRA Phaze 3, Phone: 07032323254 Email: [email protected].

Acting Editor: BEN MEMULETIWON. All correspondence to PMB 10001, Marina, Lagos. Printed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja and Akure. ISSN 0794-232X.

Lord Coe