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•Police uncover ploy by sect to recruit school pupils

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ROTIMI FADEYI AND LIVINUS MENEDI United States Per-

manent Represen-tative to the United

Nations, Ambassador Samantha Power, yester-

day said Nigeria urgently needed a viable military action to end activities of Boko Haram.

The African Media Hub

DOOSUUR IWAMBEABUJA

The Federal High Court sitting in Abu-ja, yesterday, ordered

that founder of Daar Com-

Terrorism: Lagos bans public procession, street carnivals

Nigeria qualifi es for Rio 2016 Olympic Games

FRSC deploys 36,000 personnel on patrol for Xmas

P.8

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P.45

Court remands Dokpesi

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Traders’ expectation of bumper Christmas sales dampened

Vol. 5 N0. 1262 Thursday, December 10, 2015 N150National Mirror Online @NationalMirror

EFCC’ll recover all stolen money, says Magu

Chairman of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi after being arraigned at the Federal High Court by EFCC on alleged N2.1billion received from the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

US calls for viable military action against Boko Haram

…market loses 64% of foreign portfolio investments P.2

Nigerian stocks drop 3-year low as oil prices tumble

Olonisakin

TeoCsd

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National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Thursday, December 10, 2015

Christmas shopping at Dosunmu Street, Lagos PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Reps decide on privatisation of refi neries in four weeks P.6

$2.1bn armsgate


National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net2 Thursday, December 10, 2015News

$2.1bn armsgate: Court remands Dokpesi

L-R: Deputy Country Director, International Rescue Commitee (IRC), Joan Wuya; Country Director for Nigeria, Sarah Ndikumara; IRC President, Rt. Hon David Miliband ; President Muhammadu Buhari; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyema and Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Kyari, during the visit of the IRC President to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO:STATE HOUSE

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JOHNSON OKANLAWON

Nigerian stock mar-ket took a stiff hit yesterday, shedding

2.4 per cent to hit a new three-year low after global oil prices tumbled to their lowest in more than six years.

The oil prices tumbled to a seven-year low, spark-ing a sell-off in energy stocks that helped wipe out a chunk of rallies recorded between Friday and Mon-day.

The stock market, which has the second-biggest

weighting after Kuwait on the MSCI frontier market index, fell for the second day on thin volumes to lev-els not seen since Decem-ber 2012.

The bourse, which is down 20.6 per cent year-to-date, broke below the psychologically key 27,000 point line.

Banking shares fell the most, down 3.1 per cent as investors sold off relatively liquid financial stocks.

On Tuesday, Brent crude touched its lowest levels since February 2009. Oil plunged after OPEC last week failed to agree a cut

in production quotas in the face of slumping prices and a mounting global sup-ply glut. Brent traded at $40.68 yesterday.

Analysts forecast that the market might continue on the downtrend as inves-tors weigh their options amidst macroeconomic concerns and expected first half earnings.

For instance, SCM Capi-tal, former Sterling Capital Markets, noted that “most foreign investors are dis-content by Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s, decision to delay the much anticipated devaluation of the Naira

which is holding back their investments positioning in stock and bond markets.”

Similarly, United Capi-tal, an investment research company, pointed out that the bearish sentiment con-tinued to overwhelm the equities market due to the free fall of crude oil prices, flickering fiscal and macro-economic concerns.

“Thus, sell offs ensued in bellwether stocks, driv-ing the benchmark index to a three-year low of 27,004.50 points.

“With oil price staying bearish consequent on sup-ply-demand dynamics with

OPEC decision to abandon its quote, coupled with re-duced Foreign Portfolio Investments, FPIs, partici-pation and weak apathy by domestic investors, it is un-likely a complete reversal of sentiment will occur in the near term.

“However, attractive val-uation and possible specu-lation may usher in mild bargain hunting in value stocks,” United Capital pre-dicted.

Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Lim-ited, Malam Garba Kurfi, in a telephone interview

munications Plc., Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpe-si, be remanded in the cus-tody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commis-sion, EFCC, pending the determination of his bail application today.

Dokpesi, who is the own-er of African Independent Television, AIT, and Ray-power Radio, was docked before the court by the Fed-eral Government which brought a criminal charge of N2.1bn money launder-ing crime against him.

Dokpesi had earlier pleaded not guilty to the 6-count criminal charge, which also involved breach of public trust and procure-ment fraud.

Dokpesi had been in cus-tody of EFCC in the past

eight days facing interro-gation from operatives of the anti-graft agency on the huge sums he allegedly col-lected from the office of the former National Security Adviser, NSA.

In the charge sheet, signed by Aliyu Yusuf, Deputy Director, Legal and Prosecution Department of EFCC, the accused was alleged to have between Oc-tober 2014 and March 2015 conducted procurement fraud by fraudulently re-ceiving N2,120,000,000 into the account of Daar Invest-ment and Holding Compa-ny for the funding of media activities for the 2015 presi-dential election campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The alleged offence is

contrary to section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and punishable under section 58 (6) and 7 of the same Act.

Part of the 6-count charge reads: “That you Dr. Raymond Dokpesi and Daar Investment and Hold-ing Company Limited be-tween October 2014 and 19 March, 2015 in Abuja, con-ducted procurement fraud by means of fraudulent and corrupt act, to wit: receipt of payment into the ac-count of Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited with First Bank of Nigeria Plc. of public funds in the sum of N2,120,000,000 from the account of the of-fice of National Security Adviser, NSA, with the Central Bank of Nigeria

for the funding of media activities for the 2015 presi-dential election campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and you thereby committed an offence con-trary to section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 58 (6) & (7) of the same Act”.

“That you Dr. Raymond Dokpesi and Daar Invest-ment and Holding Com-pany Limited between Oc-tober 2014 and 19 March, 2015 in Abuja, entered into a purported contract on presidential media initia-tive and received payment in the sum of N2,120,000,000 into the account of Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited with First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

from the account of the of-fice of National Security Adviser, NSA, with the Cen-tral Bank of Nigeria on ac-count of the purported con-tract without a ‘Certificate of No Objection to Contract Award’ duly issued by Pub-lic Procurement Bureau and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sec-tion 16 (1) (b), (4) & (5) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 58 (6) of the same Act.”

Attempt by counsel to the accused, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, to move application for his bail yes-terday was unsuccessful as the prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, in-sisted that he had just been served with a copy of the

bail application.Jacobs told the trial

judge, Justice Gabriel Kola-wole, that he needed time to study and react to the fun-damental issues raised by the accused person in the bail application.

By consent of the two lawyers, Justice Kolawole fixed today for argument on whether to grant the bail to Dokpesi or not.

However, the trial of the charge has been fixed for January 17, 18 and Febru-ary 2 and 3, 2016.

Meanwhile, EFCC has vowed to recover all public funds siphoned under the guise of arms procurement by prominent Nigerians now in its custody.

The commission’s acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, who gave this hint at events to mark this year’s interna-tional anti-corruption day in Abuja, said his men were working hard to recover the stolen funds, even as he disclosed that substantial amount of money had been recovered from fraudsters.

“I can assure you that the commission is on top of that investigation. We will spare no effort to ensure that we recover every kobo of public funds that have been stolen in the guise of arms procurement and the culprits brought to justice,” he said.

Magu, who declared at a seminar organised by the Inter-Agency Task Team, a common platform for anti-corruption and account-ability in the country, dis-closed that the commission had secured 78 convictions from 280 cases filed in court this year, while 1,881 cases were investigated.

Besides, he said several interim and final forfeiture orders were given by courts even as funds were being recovered.

The new EFCC boss, as many other speakers, praised the President Mu-hammadu Buhari’s admin-istration for creating an enabling environment to fight sleaze and promised that the commission would fight corruption in a firm, fair, accountable and trans-parent manner.

The anti-corruption crusader said he had em-barked on internal cleans-ing of the commission to improve efficiency and re-position it to deliver on its mandate.

He listed the implemen-

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 3Thursday, December 10, 2015

...refer document for thorough scrutiny

Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi (right) with Niger State Governor Abubakar Sanni Bello, during a cortesy visit to the governor In Minna, yesterday.

L-R: Executive Director, Large Scale Enterprises, Bank of Industry (BoI), Alhaji Mohammed Goni Alkali; Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju; Chairman/CEO, Kam Industry, Dr Kamaldeen Yusuf; Managing Director/CEO, BoI, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa and Presedent, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Frank Udumba Anthony, during 2015 BoI Award presentation ceremony in Lagos, recently.

Ubong Ukpong AbujA

House of Repre-sentatives yester-day raised seri-

ous concern over likely contravention of Nige-ria’s 1999 Constitution as amended, by President Muhammadu Buhari on his Medium Term Economic Framework, MTEF, proposal.

The House, which com-menced debate on the matter at its plenary, eu-logised the social welfare plans in the proposal, but however, expressed fears that Section 318 of the constitution does not seem to protect the MTEF proposal as it is.

House Majority Lead-er, Femi Gbajabiamila, had brought a motion on the 2016-2018 MTEF and Fiscal Strategy Paper,

MTEF: Reps express fear of constitutional breach

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni (left) with Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, during the Employee Knowledge Series organised by Airtel Nigeria for its staff, in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris; Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Operations, Mr. Sulaimon Barawu and CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, at the public hearing on Abuse and Mismanagement of Treasury Single Account at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net4 Thursday, December 10, 2015 Photo NEWS

National News

FSP, which was submit-ted to the House of Rep-resentatives on Tues-day, December 8, by the President.

Gbajabiamila in his motion told the House that the document brought by the presi-dent enumerated a pro-jection and assumption upon which govern-ment intends to do busi-ness in the next three years, asking the House to speedily pass it to en-able government bring the actual 2016 budget, which is predicated on the MTEF.

He told the House that Section 11 (3) of the Fis-cal Responsibility Act 2007, stated that the Me-dium Term Framework shall contain, among other things, ‘A Macro Economic Framework setting out the Macro

Economic Projections for the next three finan-cial years, the under-lying assumptions for those projections and the evaluation and analysis of the Macro Economic Projections for the pre-ceding three financial years’.

He said also that Sec-tion11 (2) of the Act provided that the MTEF shall be considered for approval with such mod-ifications, if any, as the National Assembly finds appropriate by a resolu-tion of each House of the National Assembly.

Leading debate in the motion, the Majority Leader said government has made a conscious effort in the MTEF to di-versify the economy and improve collection of non-oil revenues, lead-ing to the increase in the

margin of expected in-come even in the face of dwindling oil price.

Hon Sadiq Buba, while contributing to the de-bate, said the MTEF was a wonderful idea, which if passed, would provide opportunity to improve macro economy and drive to get revenues from non-oil sectors.

He said that interest-ing thing in the MTEF was the huge amount provided for social wel-fare, which is good for the country, as it would directly impact on the lives of ordinary Nigeri-ans.

House Minority Lead-er, Leo Ogor, engaging the MTEF in the debate commended the efforts and spirit of the presi-dent, but said that wor-risome in it was the loan and debt profiles in the proposal.

He insisted that the relevant committees to

handle the MTEF must scrutinise it very well and do justice to the debt profile.

Ogor, who raised the constitutional issues of Section 318, indicated that the MTEF as it were, may be offending the constitution.

He pointed out that financial year as stipu-lated by the law meant any period of 12 months beginning from January or any other period as the National Assembly may approve within the ambit of the law.

Consequently, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, who pre-sided, acknowledged his constitutional position, taking notice of same as the MTEF was a three fi-nancial years plan.

Dogara in taking no-tice of this insisted that the country must begin to strictly adhere to the rule of law in all its en-gagements.

Also contributing, Os-sai Nicholas Ossai said the House must take note in passing the MTEF to ensure that no govern-ment ministry, depart-ment or agency breaches the Fiscal Responsibility Act, just as other speak-ers insisted that the ex-ecutive arm must be ad-equately engaged over this document.

In seeking to pass the motion, the Speaker stressed on the needs for members to be patient, saying that the commit-tee would still bring re-port on the document to the plenary for their con-sideration.

The motion therefore, enjoyed overwhelming support and was referred to the committees on Finance, National Plan-ning and Economic De-velopment, and Legisla-tive Budget and Research for scrutiny and recom-mendations to the House.


$2.1bn armsgate: Court remands Dokpesi

US calls for viable military action against Boko Haram CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

L-R: Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi; CEO, Stanbic IBTC Plc, Mr Yinka Sanni; with Minister of State, Solid Minerals, Hon Abubakar Bwari, during a visit by management of the Bank in Abuja, yesterday.

of the U.S. Department of State in a statement said Power also called for a re-gional strategy to disrupt Boko Haram’s hideouts, weapons’ flow and means of recruitment.

“The repeated attacks by Boko Haram, which have killed 27 in the Lake Chad region, require vi-able military action and a wider regional strategy to disrupt their safe havens, weapons flow and recruit-ment.

“It’s also essential that the socio-economic condi-tion in the areas being ex-ploited by Boko Haram be addressed and that their dire humanitarian con-ditions be addressed as well,” she said.

The statement also said that it was imperative for government to ensure that the rule of law was returned to the affected parts of the North-East of the country.

It added that the U.S. envoy also stressed the

importance of “decisively combating and defeating armed groups” in Nigeria.

The statement also said perpetrators of violence and terrorism in the coun-try needed to be held ac-countable, while the Inter-nally Displaced Persons, IDPs, kept in safe places.

“It is really important for leaders to begin to look at the welfare of their so-cieties.

“They should ensure stability and inclusive governance to ensure that basic dignity and human rights are protected,” she said.

In a related development, police in Adamawa State said it had uncovered plots by Boko Haram to recruit young pupils in schools and initiate them as members.

The state police com-mand, which raised the alarm in Yola, through a statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Othman Abubakar, said the ploy involved the distribution of items such

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tation of its strategic plan and other institutional reforms as measures to in-crease the capacity to fight corruption.

He solicited the co-operation of all civil so-ciety organisations and other critical stakehold-ers in the battle against corruption as part of the Commission’s concerted effort to surmount all hindrances.

Earlier, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, expressed re-gret that corruption had stunted the capacity of the country to attain eco-nomic development even

as he restated the resolve of the present govern-ment to purge the nation of the cankerworm.

Specifically, he identi-fied a linkage between good governance and economic development and bemoaned the pov-erty level in the country despite its potentials.

“There is a wide gap between revenue genera-tion, appropriation, utili-sation, public officials’ transparency, probity and the effect on the na-tion’s development,” he stated.

The minister, who was represented by Barris-ter Sylvester Imanhobe, lamented that the coun-

try’s profile was worri-some, listing high cost of doing business owing to poor power supply, official corruption and high crime rate; high maternal mortality and large number of children out of school; high illicit capital flight and 800,000 deaths on the highways every year.

“The problem of cor-ruption in Nigeria is not in the inadequacy of penal laws, sanctions or lack of institutional framework. Rather, atten-tion must be directed at strengthening the capac-ity of the enforcement agencies to detect and prosecute offenders,” the

chief law officer said.However, he promised

to expedite action on three laws, including the National Financial Intel-ligence Center Bill, Pro-ceeds of Crime Bill and Whistle Blowers Protec-tion Bill, designed to re-inforce the fight against corruption.

Ms. Lilian Ekeanyan-wu, head of the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-corruption Reforms, organisers of the forum, said the anti-corruption day had been marked in the country since 2009 as a strategic approach to measure the fight against corruption and make it all-inclusive.

as sweets, dates palm (Dabi-no), sugar cane, coconut to schools and young persons under the guise of philan-thropy with the view to ini-tiate them into Boko Haram and cultism.

The police therefore alerted parents, principals and proprietors of schools to caution their children and wards from receiving anything from strangers and to report such immedi-ately to the force.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari yes-terday declared that the re-turn of persons displaced by Boko Haram insurgency to their home communities would begin in earnest next year.

A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and

Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said Buhari spoke at an audience with a del-egation from the Interna-tional Rescue Committee, IRC, led by former British Foreign Minister, Mr. David Miliband.

The President said his administration would do all within its powers to fa-cilitate the quick return and resettlement of over two million internally dis-placed persons in their towns and villages.

The President told Miliband that the Federal Government would wel-come the support of IRC and other local and inter-national non-governmental organisations for the reha-bilitation of internally dis-placed persons.

“In 2016, the return of

the IDPs will start in ear-nest. They will return to their communities to meet destroyed schools and other infrastructure which have to be rebuilt.

“With agriculture being moribund in the region in the last two years without cropping, hunger is already manifest. We will welcome all the help we can get to as-sist the returnees,” Buhari said.

Responding to a request by Miliband for the Federal Government’s priorities as to the nature of assistance required for the IDPs, the president said there was an urgent need for support in the areas of agricultural inputs, health, nutrition, water and sanitation.

Buhari urged IRC and other international agen-

cies to work with the Presi-dential Committee on the North-East and the Nation-al Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, which, he said, were already doing a lot to cater for the IDPs and restore some basic infra-structure in communities affected by terrorism and insurgency.

In his response, Miliband assured Buhari that IRC would intensify its ongo-ing work in Nigeria which had assisted over 350,000 displaced persons, mainly in Adamawa and Borno states.

He called for an in-creased security presence in recovered towns and ter-ritories, saying that most prospective returnees still feared for their safety on their return home.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 5 Thursday, December 10, 2015 News

with our correspondent attributed the persistent downward trend to the exit of some foreign investors and pressure on the na-tion’s currency at the for-eign exchange market.

He said foreign inves-tors, who were supposed to play the market had developed ‘wait and see’ attitude due to develop-ments at the foreign ex-change market, pointing out that many things were working against the mar-ket, noting that there was no activity at the nation’s economy.

Data from the Nigerian Stock Exchange website showed that total foreign inflow in the month of October is the lowest in-vestment by the investors since the beginning of year 2015.

According to polls trad-ing figures from major custodians and market operators on their foreign portfolio investments, FPI dropped significantly by N26.50bn translated to 50.90 per cent when com-pared with N52.06bn in-vested in October 2014.

However, FPI inflow fell by N3.70bn compared to

N29.26bn inflows during the month of September.

Consequently, foreign investors pulled N28.64bn out of the market in Octo-ber higher than N25.56bn they invested during the same month.

In comparison to the same period in 2014, total FPI transactions decreased by 64.64 per cent, whilst total do-mestic transactions in-creased by 141.25 per cent.

FPI outflows out-paced inflows which was consistent with the same period in 2014.

Overall, there was a 38.98 per cent decrease in total transactions in comparison to the same period in 2014.

The country on Mon-day agreed a N6trn bud-get proposal for 2016, up by N1.5trn on last year’s, despite low oil prices.

Budget and Planning Minister, Mr. Udoma Udo Udoma, said the cabinet was assuming a conserva-tive oil price of $38 a barrel and oil production at 2.2 million barrels per day.

Lawmakers passed the 2015 budget at $53 a barrel in April.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net6 Thursday, December 10, 2015News

Fuel scarcity: FG approves immediate payment of N407bn to oil marketers

OPEC daily basket price hovers around $35.30pb

CBN to curtail naira depreciation –Director

Reps decide on privatisation of refi neries

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (right) with the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Nigeria, Dr Abdulaziz Alsharrah, during a courtesy call on the former Vice President at his Asokoro residence in Abuja, yesterday.

CHIDI UGWUABUJA

Minister of Fi-nance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun

has confirmed payment of N407,076,805,386.30 for sub-sidy claims to oil market-ers so as to end the linger-ing fuel situation.

According to a stste-ment by Director of Press in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Marshall Gundu, the minister stated that the President has directed that payments be made im-mediately in order to bring to a quick end the linger-ing fuel crisis which has caused great suffering to

Nigerian families and busi-nesses.

She also said that de-spite dwindling revenues, the government is commit-ted to ensuring continuous availability of fuel to Nige-rians.

The payments include arrears from the 2014 fi-nancial year as well as for

the current year. It is expected that the re-

cipients would ensure ade-quate supply of fuel to end the persistent fuel shortage in the country.

With this action which shows that government is fully committed to meeting its financial obligations in respect of fuel subsidy, the

minister further implored major oil marketers to re-ciprocate the action by do-ing all they can to bring the fuel scarcity to an end.

Details of the approved payments under the sub-sidy scheme will be pub-lished in the national dailies as has been the practice.

UDEME AKPAN

Price of Organisation of Petroleum Export-ing Countries, OPEC’s

basket of 12 crudes stood at $35.30 per barrel on Tuesday, compared with $36.45 the previous day, according to OPEC secretariat’s calcula-tions.

The new OPEC Reference Basket of crudes (ORB) is made up of Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and

Merey (Venezuela).The prices of other crude

oil grades also remained low in the global market.

For instance, the price of WTI crude oil and Brent stood at $39.97 and $43.00 re-spectively, yesterday.

Investigations showed that prices would not leap soon in the volatile market because of low demand and

excess supply.The conference of OPEC

observed during its recent meeting that global eco-nomic growth was at 3.1 per cent in 2015 and is forecast to expand by 3.4 per cent next year.

In terms of supply and de-mand, it was noted that non-OPEC supply is expected to contract in 2016, while global

demand is anticipated to ex-pand again by 1.3 mb/d.

It agreed that member countries should continue to closely monitor devel-opments in the coming months.

For instance, the previ-ous meeting of OPEC in Vi-enna, Austria, on November 27, 2014, did not also make much impact on the market.

UBONG UKPONGABUJA

House of Representa-tives has resolved that it would in four

weeks from yesterday take its position regarding the privatisation of all the na-tion’s refineries.

This is even as it consid-ers an amendment to a mo-tion proposing the removal of fuel subsidy, which was earlier noted during debate that about N2.5 trillion has so far been spent on petrol subsidy between 2012 and today.

The House, which is worried that the nation was operating the refiner-ies at a loss, is moving to have them discontinue op-

eration due to heavy debts and get the Federal Gov-ernment to privatise them to those willing to operate them.

The House has there-fore, asked its committees on petroleum resources, upstream and downstream, to investigate the matter about the non-functionality of the refineries and report back to it in four weeks with recommendations on whether or not to urge the Federal Government to pri-vatise them.

This followed a motion brought on the matter by Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, calling for discontinuation of operations of Nigeria’s refineries due to heavy debts incurred by the refin-

eries and the need for the Federal Government to pri-vatise the refineries.

He is worried that in spite of the huge debts in-curred by the refineries, the capacity utilisation of the Warri and Kaduna refining and petrochemi-cal companies in Septem-ber was said to be zero per cent as both plants did not process crude oil in that month, while the Port Harcourt refining com-pany was reported to have produced at 4.15 per cent capacity, which is a far cry from its installed capacity.

The mover of the motion noted that Nigeria’s four re-fineries were constructed primarily to refine crude oil for local consumption

and export to generate rev-enue for the country, add-ing that over the years the refineries have had series of challenges and so huge resources have been in-vested on their turnaround maintenance. TAM.

Ogbeide-Ihama remind-ed the House that the Port Harcourt and Warri refin-eries were once sold to pri-vate investors by the gov-ernment of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, which was reversed by the admin-istration of the late Presi-dent Umaru Yar’Adua.

The House expressed worry that the Kaduna Re-fining and Petrochemical Company, Port Harcourt Refining Company and Warri Refining and Petro-

chemical Company were reported by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corpo-ration, NNPC, to have in-curred debts amounting to about N129.07 billion in Au-gust and September 2015.

While their combined revenues in August was N146.617 billion, their ex-penditure was N207.287 bil-lion in September.

Leading debate on the motion, Ogbeide-Ihama said in August, the Kaduna refinery was said to have lost N6.5 million; and in September, the Port Har-court refinery lost N11.3 million, stressing that the essence of these refineries are not being met.

Minority leader, Leo Ogor, said it was instruc-

tive for government to pri-vatise the refineries and stop losing money as Nige-ria is spending so much to maintain other countries’ economies in the name of subsidy.

He therefore, said it was appropriate for gov-ernment to refine at home and stop spending on sub-sidy, considering the huge amount provided for it in the 2015 supplementary budget.

However, majority lead-er, Femi Gbajabiamila, who was not opposed to priva-tisation, said there was no need to remove subsidy and at the same time privatise the refineries as doing so would bring untold hard-ship to Nigerians.

WOLE ADEDEJIILORIN

Central Bank of Ni-geria, CBN, says it is employing appro-

priate strategies to prevent depreciation of the naira against major currencies of the world like the American dollar and the British pound to boost the manufacturing sector and Nigeria’s export potentials.

Assistant Director, De-velopment Finance Depart-ment, Central Bank of Ni-geria, CBN, Mr. Babatunde Ogunlaja, said this in Ilorin at the opening of a two-day

fair organised in Ilorin, Kwara State.

He said as at last Satur-day, the naira had crashed to N251 to a dollar in the paral-lel market, adding that it was imperative to increase na-tional productivity, block fi-nancial leakages, stop influx of banned foreign goods and encourage indigenous pro-duction and exports to shore up value of the naira and achieve currency stability.

The fair, he said, was organised to create sensiti-sation, enlightenment and awareness among users of CBN products, adding that the fair was also intended to make banking clients know their rights and get a feed-back system so that the apex bank could have a certain level of customer satisfac-tion.

His words: “We have a core mandate. That is cur-rency stability. So, part of what the bank (CBN) is try-ing to do is to float policies to promote stability. You can see what is happening to the monetary policy rate. You can see the decisions that are taken to be sure that leak-ages are blocked.

“These are things to safe-guard our foreign exchange from further depletion, and in addition, to be sure that at least we do not get to a state where we enter into more de-valuation. We must close our borders and stop leakages and in doing that we hold on to what we have and, of course, we stream down. We should all be worried about the crash of the naira.

•Oyegun calls for ‘carrot and stick’ approach to crisis

Buhari didn’t cause Biafra agitation –NOA

Reps to probe NDLEA over corrupt practices

L-R: Celebrant, Prof. Uduogie Ivowi; Director, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof. Ismail Junaidu; Chairman of the event, Vice Chancellor, Caleb University, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju, and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Uduo-gie Ivowi Educational Foundation, Prof. Union Edebiri, during 19th annual lecture to mark Prof. Ivowi’s 74th birthday, yesterday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Shun corrupt practices, Osinbajo tells Nigerians

Six perish in Kogi road crash

GeorGe opara, ABUJA

House of Representa-tives has resolved to investigate the

activities of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, over alle-gation of connivance with drug cartels, release of hun-dreds of drug suspects, ma-nipulated auction process and dubious remittances to the federation account.

Also, NDLEA was urged

ment was not caused by Buhari, adding that every part of the nation is affect-ed in one way or the other by the many challenges the government is currently battling to resolve.

He maintained that the quest for secession by some section of the country is not a solution to the challenges confronting the country.

Omeri challenged com-munity leaders and the elite in the country to make a point of visiting their villages regularly, adding: “Nature abhors vacuum, where the elite neglect to pay regular visits to their village in order to play the role of opinion moulders and offer community lead-ership, hoodlums will take over and lead communi-ties into violence and may-hem.”

Meanwhile, National Chairman of the All Pro-

to stop further destruction of seized drugs and the impending auction of the seized assets and properties of drug offenders pending conclusion of investigation.

While presenting his mo-tion yesterday before the House, Hon. Muhammad Musa Soba, representing Soba federal constituency of Kaduna State stated that NDLEA since inception and particularly in the last 10 years has not given ad-equate account of seized

gressives Congress, APC, John Oyegun, has advo-cated the use of ‘carrot and stick’ approach in address-ing the agitation of the In-digenous People of Biafra, IPOB and the Movement for the Actualisation for the Sovereign State of Nigeria, MASSOB in the South East.

Oyegun, who spoke at the party’s National Secre-tariat in Abuja on Wednes-day, dissociated the party from killings that had re-sulted from the protest.

According to him, it would be unthinkable for anybody to associate the party with the protest or killings in the South East.

The MASSOB had al-leged last week that the APC government was re-sponsible for the killings in the South East protest, noting that members of the party had infiltrated the group.

drugs, assets and proper-ties of offenders whose total value was about N35 billion.

However, it could be recalled that NDLEA was established in 1989 to eradicate the cultivation, processing, sale, traffick-ing and use of hard drugs and to investigate persons suspected to have dealings in drugs and to dispose of assets and properties of drug offenders.

In consideration of the activities of the agency,

But in quick response yesterday, Oyegun denied the allegation as he said, “Please perish that thought. What is the involvement of APC? Why would the APC feel any desire to be involved in any way what-soever? Is MASSOB PDP? It was a clean clear secu-rity situation and no gov-ernment worth its salt will watch any group whatsoev-er make life impossible for the rest of the society.”

Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, had few days ago advised the government on the need to employ a diplo-matic approach to the up-rising.

On the protest by IPOB and MASSOB, Soyinka on national television had called on the federal gov-ernment to take the protest of Biafra serious and nego-tiate with the South East geopolitical zone.

the House was of the view that NDLEA has not per-formed effectively with an estimate of about 90 percent of the youths into various forms of criminal activities majorly influ-enced by drug consump-tion.

However, the House has mandated its committee on drugs and narcotics to thoroughly probe the al-legations and report back to it for further legislative actions.

obiora ifoh and Joel aJayi

Director-General of the National Orien-tation Agency, NOA,

Mike Omeri, yesterday dis-agreed with those linking the ongoing agitation for a republic of Biafra to Presi-dent Muhammadu Buhari, saying each section of Nige-ria is affected by the prevail-ing economic situation.

Omeri, who spoke in Abuja during a press con-ference on the Threat of Secession, Herdsmen ver-sus Farmers’ clashes, com-munal clashes and violence across Nigeria, however noted that the government is working tirelessly to ad-dress the situation.

According to him, the economic and infrastruc-ture backwardness, politi-cal neglect and unemploy-

Chidi UGwU, ABUJA

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that if Nigeria must

conquer in the war against corruption, every Nigerian citizen must play their in-dividual roles by not only refusing to give bribes but also endeavour to report acts of corruption.

Osinbajo, who spoke at a seminar organised by Inter-agency Task Team comprising anti-corruption agencies to commemorate the International Anti-Corruption Day yesterday, noted that corruption will continue to thrive as long as Nigerians continue with the attitude of ‘see no evil, hear no evil.’

The Vice President, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Presidential Inter-agency Task Team on Corruption, Prof. Sadiq Radda, regretted that cor-ruption has become one the major hindrances to eco-nomic growth and develop-ment in Africa as it weak-ens the trust of the people in government and institu-tions as well as escalates poverty and insecurity.

The UN secretary-Gen-eral, Ban Ki-Moon in his submission, noted that the global attitude towards corruption has changed dramatically nowadays, stressing that where once bribery, corruption and il-licit financial flows were often considered part of the cost of doing business, now corruption is widely and rightly understood as criminal and corrosive.

He stated that corruption has disastrous impact on development when funds that should be devoted to schools, health clinics and other vital public services are instead diverted into

the hands of criminals or dishonest officials.

Ki-Moon called for united efforts to deliver a clear message around the world that firmly rejects corruption and embraces principles of transparency, accountability and good governance as the world marks the international day for corruption.

Also, the Acting Execu-tive secretary of the Nige-rian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, said the anti-graft agency has so far conduct-ed five cycles of audit in the oil and gas sector, three in the solid minerals industry and one that tracked the revenues shared among the three tiers of government and how these resources were used.

According to Orji, NEITI has so far recovered $2.4 bil-lion into the federal govern-ment coffers.

Orji urged the feder-al government to beam searchlight in the direction of solid minerals sector, stressing that the absence of synergy among agencies of government has created situation where records of revenues on exported solid minerals were poor.

He called for an urgent check on the incessant smuggling of solid min-erals products out of the country through deliber-ate creation of boarder markets at strategic border points across the country.

Also, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Com-mission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, said no effort would be spared to ensure the re-covery of public funds al-legedly stolen in the guise of arms procurement, add-ing that all culprits would be brought to book.

wale ibrahim, LOKOJA

At least three six peo-ple were yesterday confirmed dead in

a ghastly road crash in Lo-koja, the Kogi State capital.

The accident that in-volved three vehicles, one 18-seater bus and two tip-per trucks, were said to have brushed side by side on Jimgbe river near Sa-lem University in Jimgbe village, 10 metres from a bus with registration no GKP 12 YN that was trying to overtake the tipper with registration number UNN 702 XA right on the Jimgbe bridge when they brushed,

forcing both off the bridge, thereby killing six of the occupants of the mass tran-sit bus including the driver.

The other on-coming tip-per with registration num-ber LKJ 690 XA also veered into the bush while trying to avoid a head-on coalition with either vehicle.

A six months old baby and drivers of both tipper trucks survived and were being taken to a Specialist hospital as at press time.

When contacted, the Po-lice Public Relation Officer, Mr. Willians Aya, could not confirm nor deny the inci-dent, saying he was yet to receive detail of any such accident.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 7NewsThursday, December 10, 2015

L-R: Oyo State Deputy Governor Moses Alake-Adeyemo; Head of Operations Capacity Development, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Mrs. Zoumana Bamba; Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; Deputy Director-General, IITA, Dr. Ken Dashell and the institute’s Head of Communication, Mrs Katty Lopez, during a courtesy visit to the Governor’s Office, Ibadan, yesterday.

Arase

Lagos seals 53 worship centres, hotelsFrancis suberu

Lagos State govern-ment yesterday sealed 53 churches,

mosques and hotels at dif-ferent locations across the state over noise pollution and other environmental offences.

Briefing journalists after sealing the premises, Gen-eral Manager, Lagos State

as a church or mosque.”According to him, no-

body is allowed to make noise above 55 decibel dur-ing the day in residential areas and only 45 decibel is allowed in such area at night.

He explained that in the industrial areas 90 decibel of noise is allowed during the day while the noise rate must not exceed 80 decibel at night in such areas.

Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, Engr Adebola Shabi, said the agency was inundated with complaints from residents and neighbours of the shut premises.

Shabi explained that some of the affected facili-ties had been served abate-ment notices before the eventual closure, adding that the growing rate of worship centres calls for se-

rious regulations, especial-ly in area of noise pollution.

He noted that some of the noise-making worship cen-tres are usually makeshift structures.

Shabi said: “You cannot have makeshift and say you want to be conducting ser-vices or night vigil there. Definitely, you will be dis-turbing your neighbours. So, the government won’t allow the use of makeshift

…bans public procession, street carnivals

Owo FMC workers protest abduction of colleague

Execute corrupt public officials –Oyebode Wale igbintade

Former Vice-Chan-cellor, University of Ado-Ekiti, Pro-

fessor Akin Oyebode, has advocated the Chinese formula in addressing the problem of corruption in the country.

According to the profes-sor, Nigeria should adopt Chinese method, adding that those found guilty of stealing public resources should be executed by firing squad.

Oyebode, who currently lectures International Law and Jurisprudence at the University of Lagos, stated this yesterday in his keynote address titled “Towards Combating Corruption and the Protection of Human Rights’’ delivered at the Hu-man Rights Summit organ-ised by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Lagos branch.

According to the profes-sor, if the country adopts stiffer penalty for the offence of corruption, perhaps, things would be different.

He added that emulating the Chinese attitude to cor-ruption or borrowing from the examples of Hong Kong or Singapore would have ensured greater success in the nation’s anti-corruption combat.

He described as worri-some that successive Chief Justices of Nigeria have had to bemoan the fact that judg-es themselves are not im-mune to corruption virus, saying; “if the physicians cannot heal themselves, it would be no exaggeration to declare that in Nigeria, the

war against corruption could well be dead on arrival.”

He said: “Perhaps, if Ni-geria had overhauled its sub-stantive and adjectival laws on corruption by opting for the inquisitorial instead of the adversary and accusato-rial approach and prescrib-ing stiffer penalty for the of-fence, perhaps things would be a lot better.”

He said the nation cannot continue to embrace the “nu-ances of our inherited pro-cedural jurisprudence and hope to succeed in creating a new Nigeria.

Oyebode added that cor-ruption was a Damocles’ sword dangling over Nige-ria’s head, warning that for the nation to survive, it must engender a novel attitude to contain the scourge.

According to him, to the extent that corruption entails misappropriation of public resources by private persons, it can be said that corruption constitutes a gross violation of collective rights of mem-bers of the community.

He urged lawyers to be active in the fight against corruption and be ready to defend the less privileged without demanding for fees.

In her speech, Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Funmilayo Atilade, stressed the need for the Bar and the Bench to work together and ensure that corruption cases are speedily tried.

Represented by Justice Morenike Obadina, the chief judge, however, cautioned that “in the fight against cor-ruption and other economic crimes, and in a bid to ensure that there is speedy trial, the rights of suspects must be protected by the court.”

OjO OyeWamideAKURE

Workers of Fed-eral Medical Centre, Owo, un-

der the auspices of Joint Health Sector Workers Unions, JHSWU, yester-day threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if their colleague, Mrs. Queen Ehizogie Adeyeye, is not released by kidnap-pers.

The workers gave a 24-hour ultimatum to both Ondo State and Federal governments to ensure the release of the woman, say-ing failure to rescue her

He also said the use of knockouts, bangers and other fireworks will not be allowed during the season.

The commissioner said though Lagos was not under any special threat to war-rant any panic, measures and strategies are in place to guarantee security of lives and properties; even as he assured Lagosians of un-wavering security.

Owoseni said: “We all know that Christmas and New Year is fast approach-ing. If we look at all we have on ground in terms of strat-egy and in terms of logistics, the council is convinced and we are reassuring the people of Lagos that yuletide would be celebrated without hin-drance.

“Most importantly, we have also looked and con-sidered some intelligence reports that are flowing in from different people. Apart from the terrorists, there is information that some peo-ple wanted to come out un-der different kind of names to foment trouble and we feel we should tell members of

the public that with all the situation on ground now, carnivals and public proces-sions should cease.

“If anybody should be holding a town hall meeting or whatever meeting, those meetings should be limited to the venue or enclosure in which the meeting is tak-ing place. The situation we have now would not allow us or permit such meetings to hold on the road.”

The commissioner also stressed the readiness of government to enforce the ban on the use of fireworks popularly known as “Biscoe and Banger” due to the po-tential hazard of the device to the people and the envi-ronment.

would lead to an industrial action starting from today.

Adeyeye, who is a phar-macist working with the health centre, was on Sat-urday morning kidnapped at her residence while com-ing from church where she went for prayers to mark the first anniversary of her husband’s death.

Her whereabouts is still unknown at the time of fil-ing this report.

The workers marched round the streets of the ancient town of Owo, chanting different solidar-ity songs.

They also carried plac-ards with various inscrip-

Francis suberu

As global terrorism threat increase dai-ly, Lagos State gov-

ernment through the state Police Command has rolled out measures to counter any act of terrorism, law-lessness or violence during

the yuletide season.Briefing journalists yes-

terday after an emergency State Security Council meeting, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Com-mand, Fatai Owoseni, said part of the measures put in place was the banning of street carnivals and public procession of any sort.

tions such as ‘Say no to kidnapping’, ‘Save health workers’, ‘Bring back our staff ’, ‘ We demand the re-lease of Adeyeye’, among others.

Chairman of the union, Omoniyi Joseph, who spoke with journal-ists during the protest, described the kidnap of Adeyeye as “unacceptable and barbaric”.

He said it was unfortu-nate that security agen-cies in the state had no clue about the where-abouts of the victim five days after she was abduct-ed.

He said: “If by today

(Thursday) our colleague is not released, all the workers of FMC would begin an indefinite strike.

“As far as we are con-cerned, nothing has been done to secure the release of our colleague from the kidnappers’ den by government and security agents.

“If in the next 24 hours our colleague is not re-leased, we will withdraw our services and it is go-ing to be indefinite. We are now calling on the Ondo State government and the security agents to make sure Adeyeye is freed.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netSouth West Thursday, December 10, 20158

9National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Thursday, December 10, 2015

Christmas shopping at Dosunmu Street, Lagos PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net10 Broad Street Diary Thursday, December 10, 2015

Traders’ expectation of bumper Christmas sales dampened hats as well as other gifts items includ-ing hampers which contains assorted beverages, wines and other items which are usually used and sent out as gifts for appreciating each other for existing rela-tionship that lasted during the year.

Even items such as electronics, fashion wares, footwear, clothing and furniture that usually witness large sales during the Christmas period have witnessed low patronage this year, while demands for foods was said to have remained weak.

Shoppers and retailers, who spoke to National Mirror, said the situation might not be unconnected to the high exchange rate of foreign currencies to naira. They said those items were imported and were too costly for majority of the Nigerian consumers to purchase.

One of the shoppers, Afeezat Ilori, who spoke with National Mirror, said people are being meticulous of their spending this time around, cutting away items that were not of primary importance to their needs.

Ilori, who said shop owners were opti-mistic in the run up to Christmas.

“This week and next few weeks are supposed to be the most important trad-ing period of the year and key indicators are pointing in the right direction. But peoples’ income is not, in fact, many Ni-gerians are jobless, while many of those that are working can’t get their salaries

paid, making consumers to be more care-ful about their spending,” she said.

A survey by National Mirror in Lagos Island indicated that many shoppers are making use of the online shopping plat-form this year because people have found online purchase to be easier, convenient and more cost effective and this has made many high profile sale points to key into the online trading platform.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AfrikGold Technologies Limited, Mr Osuolale Bello, has listed eight ways to improve Christ-mas sales and these strategies can greatly assist traders in the Lagos Business Dis-trict during this yuletide.

He said: “It is few days to Christmas and that it can be a frightening thought if you’re the one cooking the jollof rice this year. On the other hand, if you’re a business owner, there’s plenty to be mer-ry about. Now is the time to think about Christmas sales ideas that can help you capture the attention of your target audi-ence over the festive season.

“Without doubt, Christmas online shopping in Nigeria has increased over what it was last year. So, a well-targeted, well-planned Christmas campaign could help boost your sales by attracting new customers and encouraging existing cus-tomers to spend more.

“There are some offline and online

Christmas marketing tips and ideas that can be implemented to have a Christmas season as profitable as last year’s season or even better.”

Some of the strategies Bello posited, in-clude: Pay Per Click Advertising; Email/Bulk SMS Campaigns and Loyalty Pro-grams; Social Media Contests; 10 days of Christmas’ Business Promotion; Enter-tain Your Customers; Radio and TV Ad-vertising; Special Offers; as well as Help-ing a Church to Raise Funds

According to him, a business owner can contact local churches offering to help them raise money if they make use of Church bulletins.

“The Church that agrees will have to inform their members that they will get some discount and freebies if they shop at your store. All they just need to do is to bring the current church bulletin along with them whenever they want to shop at your store during the festive season.

When they make a purchase, the ca-shier would take the bulletin and write on the cover, the total amount of the pur-chase. The store would then add up the to-tal purchases made through each church, and donate 10% of the purchases to the church. As a store owner, you could eas-ily tell which churches promoted their participation, from the donations you will make to them” Bello said.

–Abolaji Adebayo

Just two weeks to Christmas and New Year celebration, traders on Broad Street and adjoining markets like

Balogun, Idumota, Ebute Ero Breadfruit among others, are groaning over low turnout of costumers expected to buy during the yuletide.

Before now, commercial activities on Lagos Island, being the commercial hub of the state, had been at the low ebb due to many factors affecting business activities generally in the country. However, many traders had hoped that they would recoup lost grounds during the yuletide period when many people would buy gift items for their love ones.

What lead to the optimism by these traders, is that this is the period of the year when corporate organisations and government agencies including individu-als normally buy Christmas kits such as Christmas light to decorate their offices.

However, the traders’ hope for this year seems not to be as they expected, as cus-tomers’ turnout at the different markets on the Lagos Business District has been very low, compared to what it used to be in the years past.

The expectation of increased Christ-mas sales had made many traders divert their lines of businesses into selling items that go with Christmas, such as bangers, balloon, fireworks, Christmas hats, deco-ration lights, ribbon, Christmas tree, toys,

A trader selling Christmas hats at Martins Street, Lagos. PHOTO: ADEMOLA AKINLABI

...Expert lists strategy to increase sales

Bayelsa guber: APC protesters demand Southern Ijaw result

L-R: Public Relations Officer, Edo State Police Command, DSP Stephen Onwochei, Commissioner for Transport, Edo State, Mr Isimeme Iriogbe, Zonal Commanding Officer of FRSC RS5, Benin, Mr. Shehu Zaki and Government Services & Alcohol in Society Manager, Guinness Nigeria, Mrs. Nkiru Ogburuche, at the flag-off of Guinness Nigeria’s Operation Sanity, during the Ember months campaign launch in Benin, Edo State, on Tuesday.

How we uncovered fraud in pensions payment —Oshiomhole

Police nab 4 kidnap suspects in Delta

already sent the state’s Head of Service, Mr Jerry Obazele and Permanent Secretary, Information and Communications Technol-ogy Agency, Mr Dan Aig-bavboa, on retirement and directed members of the State Pensions Board to report to the State Civil Service Commission for proper investigation and disciplinary action in ac-cordance with Civil Ser-vice Rules, said: “Govern-ment is aware that quite a

been involved in an accident with their Vento Volkswagen car marked LEH 339 LS.

Although investigations were still on, the statement said three of the hoodlums identified as “Avueferoye Ifowodo ‘m’, aged 25 yrs, Ogh-enemine Bright ‘m’, aged 32 yrs, and Nwabuwa John ‘m’ aged 28 yrs” were appre-hended the same day, while the fourth, Uzuke John ‘m’ aged 24 yrs, was arrested two days later.

“Fortunately for the vic-tim, the suspects got involved in an accident with the Vento car, snatched another Kia Jeep, marked LEH 339SL from one Vincent Onwo ‘m’ but equally had accident with the Jeep at Iyede Isoko, where they abandoned the vehicle and the victim and escaped,” the statement read.

‘Bitter leaf’ delays onset of cancer, enhances treatment, says expert

py.’’The expert said the ex-

tract from bitter leaf had also been proved to have anti-diabetes and anti-HIV properties.

On the prevention of cancer, he called for reg-ular screening and con-sumption of fruits and vegetables.

He added: “There is a huge relationship be-tween the consumption of fruits and vegetables and the onset of cancer.

“Also, we should go for regular screening; men above the age of 40 years should be screened for prostate cancer.

“The World Health Or-ganisation, WHO, has rec-ommended that women should do regular breast and cervical screening.’’

He stressed that “if de-tected early, cancer can be cured.’’

A professor of Growth Biology and Biochemis-

try, Ernest Izevbigie, has said that Vernonia Amyg-dalina, commonly called ‘bitter leaf ’, “delays the onset of cancer and im-proves treatment of the disease.’’

Izevbigie told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Benin that it had been scientifically proved that extract from the plant was able to in-hibit the growth of can-cerous cells.

He said: “There is sci-entific evidence to prove that bitter leaf can inhib-it the growth of breast cancer cells.

“If one already has cancer, the extract from the leaf can stimulate the production of white blood cells, which is im-portant in chemothera- celled the Southern Ijaw

election, which results had already been collated, re-maining to be announced because Sylva won in SILGA by a landslide.

They said all hell would let loose if the commission failed to announce the poll results from Southern Ijaw as they were, and return Sylva as governor-elect of Bayelsa.

The protesters said INEC must declare Southern Ijaw results or cancel the results of Ekeremor, Sagbama and Yenagoa, which they claimed were also marred by extreme violence and irregularities.

The protesters further demanded the sacking of the Resident Electoral Com-missioner, REC, Mr. Baritor Kpagih, alleging that he was a bad influence and an elec-tion rigger.

The protesters, who con-ducted their demonstra-tion peacefully, brandished banners and placards with inscriptions such as “The

Resident Electoral Commis-sioner does not have the pow-ers to cancel election already declared by the returning officer”, “INEC must dis-qualify Governor Seriake Dickson for personally mov-ing to Southern Ijaw to or-der violent attacks on APC members.”

Others bore the inscrip-tions: “Mr. Baritor Kpagih, INEC REC, should be sacked”, “We demand INEC to declare the Southern Ijaw results”, “Bayelsans reject cancellation of Southern Ijaw results”, “Ijaw people reject and also say no to dic-tatorial and draconian lead-ership of Dickson.”

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, an APC chieftain, Mr. Famous Danaumougha, said they had come to send a message to the commission that election was conducted in Southern Ijaw and that the results should be an-nounced.

He said APC was leading in that election, wondering why INEC refused to an-nounce the results, adding that the electoral officer that cancelled the results had no reason to do so, as the results had been collated for an-nouncement.

“The REC was too much in a hurry to cancel that election. If it had been the Returning Officer, we would not have raised eyebrow. The REC was so biased. We de-mand the announcement of that result,” he said, adding that their appeal was very simple; the results should be announced to avoid escala-tion of crisis in the state.

dents of the metropolis joined the protesters, who were under the cover of anti-riot policemen, singing solidarity and war songs, as they made their way through Yenagoa-Mbiama Road, Img-bi Road, en route INEC office.

They were, however, pre-vented from entering INEC premises by scores of secu-rity operatives that mounted guard at the entrance, who asked them to wait outside the premises while the com-mission officials attended to them.

They were unanimous in their requests: “INEC, give us our votes in Southern Ijaw and declare our leader and candidate of APC, Chief Ti-mipre Sylva, governor-elect.”

They accused the state’s Resident Electoral Commis-sioner of fraud, claiming he subverted the collective will of the people on Saturday and Sunday by cancelling the result of an already held elec-tion.

They said the REC can-

OsahOn JuliusYENAGOA

Commercial and eco-nomic activities were temporarily put on

hold for hours in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, as hun-dreds of aggrieved support-ers of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday took to major streets in pro-test against cancellation of Southern Ijaw poll.

Comprising youths and persons with disabilities, the protesters began their march at the party’s secretariat in Kpansia area of Mbiama-Yenagoa road, from where they marched to the state of-fice of the Independent Na-tional Electoral Commission, INEC, on Swali Road.

There was heavy traffic gridlock for hours as the state capital was almost locked down by the angry protest-ers, who trekked over five kilometres to the INEC head-quarters.

At one point, some resi-

ElO OgwaraWARRI

Delta State Police Command has ar-rested four kidnap

suspects in Isoko South council area of the state.

In a statement made avail-able to pressmen in Warri, DSP Celestina Kalu, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), disclosed that the arrests were due to failed attempt by the suspects to abduct one Dr. Idodo Umeh over a week ago in Olomoro, Isoko South council.

The statement added that the victim was abandoned in Iyede, Isoko North, after the suspects got involved in a second accident with a Kia Jeep, which was snatched from one Vincent Onwo.

Earlier, the suspects had

number of our senior citi-zens, particularly the ones who were in the employ of local governments, covered by the Local Government Pensions Board, for some reasons, have not received their pension for a couple of months.

“I need to make the point clear, because when I see their comments, it seems to state that the government is responsible for the pay-ment of their pensions.

“It is true that state gov-

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, has revealed how his

administration uncovered fraud in pension admin-istration in the state, say-ing while some pensioners were unable to get their gratuities, others had two vouchers in their names.

He therefore, ordered the scrapping of the State Pen-sions Board and creation of a bureau to oversee pay-ment of pensions, just as he announced that the govern-

ernment has some level of responsibility to supervise and watch over the conduct of local governments. How-ever, the local governments remain the 3rd tier of gov-ernment and their roles and responsibilities are fully spelt out in the Consti-tution.

“Since I assumed office, Edo State government under my stewardship has never and will never interfere with the funds of local govern-ments.

ment will immediately key into Contributory Pensions Scheme as a way of stem-ming the incidence of fraud in pension payment.

The governor also as-sured that within two weeks local government pension-ers would be paid as steps have been taken to ensure that henceforth, regardless of the amount of money ac-cruing to local governments, provisions would be made to pay council pensioners.

Oshiomhole, who has

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Thursday, December 10, 2015 11South South

…issue 7-day ultimatumArarume’s son among Okorocha’s commissioner-nominees

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Copen Group, Rev. Ugo Chime; Managing Director of the Group, Mrs Chinelo Chime; Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr Ifeanyi Okoye, at the commissioning of Elim Plaza, in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

FMC crisis: Youths warn health workers

Infant mortality drops in Anambra

While receiving the sealed envelope contain-ing names of the nomi-nees, the Speaker, Acho Ihim, promised to unveil the names on the floor of the Assembly during its plenary session. It also assured that the House would speed up screening and confirmation of the nominees.

The commissioner-nominees include Law Eb-eruo (Ideato North), Barr

Nlemadim (Oguta), Udo Agoha (Owerri North), Vi-talis Ajumbe (Ikeduru), In-nocent Eke (Owerri West), Ifeanyi Ararume (Jnr) - Isi-ala Mbano; Emma Ibediro (Onuimo), Engr. Chidi Ibe (Ahiazu) and Gertrude Oduka (Ideato South).

Others are Ngozi Njoku (Nwangele), Obinna Mbata (Owerri Municipal), Ajae-lu Rodney (Ihitte Uboma), and Josephine Udoji (Idea-to North).

Chris NjokuOWERRI

As the number of ca-sualties increase at the Federal Medi-

cal Centre, FMC, Owerri, due to incessant strikes embarked on by workers, Imo State chapter of the Supreme Council of Niger Delta Youths, yesterday gave the workers a seven-day ul-timatum to resume work or resign their positions.

The workers, comprising the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Mid-wives, NANNM, the Nige-rian Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP, and Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, had resumed their suspend-ed strike but downed tools again few days after a probe panel of the Federal Govern-ment gave the Medical Direc-tor, Dr Angela Uwakwem, a clean bill of health on the allegation of corruption and highhandedness leveled against her by the workers.

But angered by the high rate of casualties in the hos-pital, the Niger Delta youths stormed FMC premises and accosted the protesting health workers, lamenting that since the workers em-barked on strike from Janu-

FraNCis EkpoNEONITSHA

National Demograph-ic Survey conducted by the Support to Na-

tional Malaria programme, SuNMap-Nigeria, has shown a significant drop in infant and maternal mortality rate attributable to malaria in Anambra State.

The SuNMap Technical Director in Anambra, Dr. Tony Okoye, disclosed this to newsmen yesterday during flag-off of the second round of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health week, MNCHW, at Obeledu Primary Health-care Centre in Aniocha Local Government Area.

He noted that the partners applied the distribution of the Long Lasting Insecticidal Net, LLIN, and the use of Sul-phordoxine mimetamine as two key preventive therapies for malaria in pregnancy.

Earlier in his address, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike, noted that

Rescue Umudike varsity, ASUU implores Buhari

ary this year, the state has lost more than 75 patients at the hospital as a result of fre-quent closure by FMC work-ers.

Addressing the striking workers, chairman of the Supreme Council of Niger Delta Youths, Thaddeus Nwachukwu, stated that as stakeholders and Imo youths, “the council has observed with concern the incessant strikes going on at FMC Owerri since the begin-ning of 2015, resulting in the closure of the hospital and disruption of health services to Imo people. The prelimi-nary investigations carried out by our members showed that the incessant strikes at FMC Owerri were taking serious negative tolls on resi-dents of Imo State.”

He regretted that due to regular strikes at FMC Ow-erri, “our people have been denied services and a lot of avoidable deaths and other unpleasant consequences re-corded in some communities in the state.”

Nwachukwu gave the striking workers and those behind the closure of the hospital seven days from De-cember 8, 2015, to resume full services to Imo people or re-sign their employment with the hospital.

Dr Vitalis Ajumbe, to the House of Assembly for screening.

Secretary to the Gov-ernment of Imo State, Sir Jude Ejiogu, who submit-ted the list to the House yesterday, stated that while the government had done its best by selecting qualified individuals for the job, the House was ex-pected to expedite action on the screening of the nominees.

autonomy of the Nigerian university system and the sanctity of the 2009 FGN- ASUU agreement, Edogha was busy running the uni-versity as his personal es-tate.

Part of the misdeeds of the VC, ASUU claimed, in-cluded his flagrant abuse of the conditions guiding appointments and promo-tions in the university, stressing that in 2015 alone the VC employed over 1,000 staff after collect-ing N3,800 from over 2,000 unsuspecting job seekers, which the union frowned at because employment in Nigerian public system is not for sale.

“In the same 2015, Prof. Hilary Edogha scandal-ously promoted over 30 unqualified individuals to the rank of professor without recourse to expe-rience, publications and qualification, which are the tripod on which pro-

motion in the university rests,” Ndaghu said.

The union, while de-crying the watering down of academic standard by Edogha, said it was sur-prised that “people who have spent less than six years in the university were appointed professors, more so, these were mostly people who had no univer-sity experience prior to their engagement in Mi-chael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.”

The union, which also regretted the VC’s han-dling of TETFUND spon-sorship, accused him of using it to reward loyalists and associates by send-ing them to multiple con-ferences and workshops around the globe, adding that the amount approved for such trips or trainings depends on one’s proxim-ity to the Vice Chancellor.

“We call on the Visitor to the University, Presi-

dent Muhammadu Bu-hari, the National Univer-sities Commission (NUC), the Economic and Finan-cial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Indepen-dent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to, as a matter of urgency, inter-vene and save the univer-sity from the clutches of Prof. Edogha before it is too late,” the ASUU state-ment read.

It further stated that its appeal to Buhari had become imperative since it has exhausted all inter-nal avenues for peaceful resolution of the impasse, which has characterised the administration of Edogha.

The union also stated that if the visitor to the university fails to accede to its call to intervene and rescue the institution, it would have no other choice than to approach the courts.

Chris NjokuOWERRI

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has finally sent the list of

commissioner-nominees, which includes the son of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, former governorship aspi-rant of the Peoples Demo-cratic Party, PDP, and for-mer National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Progressives Alliance,

LiviNus MENEdiYOLA

Academic Staff Union of Nige-rian Universities,

ASUU, has implored Presi-dent Muhammadu Buhari to rescue the Michael Ok-para University of Agri-culture, Umudike, against the abuse of power, im-punity and maladminis-tration allegedly being perpetrated by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hilary Edogha.

The union, which di-rected all its 13 zonal branches to bring to light the alleged scandalous and destructive activities of Edogha, urged the Presi-dent to set up a visitation panel to the institution.

Addressing journal-ists in Yola yesterday on behalf of ASUU, Dr. Au-gustine Ndaghu alleged that despite that the union fought very hard to ensure

MNCHW was a bi-annual event that aims at sensitis-ing people on the poor statis-tics of women that die dur-ing pregnancy and newborn babies under five years.

Akabuike attributed the untimely death of pregnant women to bleeding, infection and hypertensive condition, while children, according to him, die mainly of diar-rhoea and other preventable ailments.

He further explained that malaria was the most signifi-cant health problem in Nige-ria, adding that it accounts for 25 per cent of under 5 mortality, 30 per cent child-hood mortality and 11 per cent maternal mortality.

While appreciating Gov-ernor Willie Obiano and the partners, UNICEF, SuNMap, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Christian AID, World Health Organisation and others for their support in health care delivery in the state, Aka-buike.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netSouth East Thursday, December 10, 201512


Politics

Buhari and the Nigeria democracy

Since 1999, Nigeria has witnessed 16 years of uninter-rupted democratic rule, which was a clear departure from the long military dictatorship which lasted for

several years in the countryWith the entrenchment of civilian rule came demo-

cratic institutions and entrenchment of norms and tenets of democracy which brought about different approach to governance as well as challenges that such system of gov-ernment also bring along with it.

The Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary are the three arms of government that are needed to work to-gether for proper functioning in a democratic system that is commonly defined as government of the people, by the people and for the people.

However, in recent time, the three arms of government have been facing various challenges that have continued to cause ripples in the country and even portends danger for democracy.

The National Assembly took off in an atmosphere of crisis with regard to the emergence of its leadership shortly after the handover of power on May 29 by former President Goodluck Jonathan to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC favoured Senator Ahmed Lawan as Senate President as opposed to the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki even though both of them are from the same party.

Similarly in the House of Representatives and contrary to the expectation of the party, the preferred candidate of the APC, Femi Gbajabiamila could not secure the posi-tion of Speaker rather it was Yakubu Dogara that became Speaker.

This development generated a frosty relationship be-tween the legislature and the executive while the ruling party made spirited attempt to ensure that Ahmed and Gbajaniamila take over leadership in the Senate and the House of Representatives but to no avail and therefore had to accept the situation.

The economic reality in the country also had negative effect on the finances of both the Federal and State gov-ernments as salaries of workers could not be paid and the President had to announce a bailout package for the states to offset backlog of salaries owed workers.

For the judiciary, there had been allegations of corrupt practices by judicial officers in the dispensation of justice and the delay in the determination of cases which have negative effect on the entire justice system.

With the prevailing situation, there are concerns on the future of democracy in the country and anxiety as to whether the expectations of the people in terms of better living conditions would be met.

Though the challenges may be considered normal un-

Buhari Saraki

With the three arms of government facing the challenges of governance, many Nigerians have expressed concerns that the present democracy could be under threat. ROTIMI FADEYI, UBONG UKPONG, GEORGE OPARA AND DOOSUUR IWAMBE examine the challenges and their effects on the expectations of the people in the change agenda.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

The economic realiTy in The counTry also had negaTive effecT on The finances of

boTh The federal and sTaTe governmenTs as salaries of workers could noT be paid and The presidenT had To

announce a bailouT package for The sTaTes To offseT

backlog of salaries owed workers

der a democratic setting but the effects on governance in the country and the lives of the people are issues of con-cern which must be addressed to preserve democratic structures.

Highpoints of activities of Buhari’s administration Since he came to power on May 29 , about 30 years after

he left office as military Head of State in 1985, President Muhammadu Buhari had always emphasised that the focus of his government would be on ensuring security, fighting corruption and job creation.

Shortly after he took charge as President and Com-mander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Buhari effected change in the leadership of the armed forces by sacking the Service Chiefs inherited from former President Jona-than by appointing new Service Chiefs to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency which has led to the loss of thousands of lives and destruction of valuable property in the North East states of the country,

Also sacked along with the Service Chiefs was retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, the National Security Adviser that

was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan. As a replacement, Buhari appointed Babagana Mongunu.

Following the appointment of the new Service Chiefs, Buhari issued ultimatum to the military to put an end to insurgency by December, this year and flush out the Boko Haram sect. This is an ultimatum that the military is still trying very hard to meet ..

Buhari had also travelled out to other countries in Af-rica, Europe, America to woo investors and also seek sup-port towards ending insurgency in the country as well as cooperation to ensure development in all areas of the economy.

His four-day trip to the United States on July 19 in his ef-fort to strengthen international relations with other coun-tries could be said to be of great significance as Buhari was the guest of President Barack Obama

Buhari, who was accompanied on the trip by some state governors and other senior government officials was invited by Obama for talks that would help strengthen bilateral relationship between both countries as well as on how the United States could support the fight against Boko Haram sect

The two leaders discussed several issues relating to security, economy, trade and bilateral co-operation with Obama declaring loud and clear the commitment of his country to assist Nigeria. overcome the challenges it was presently facing.

Before leaving the United States, the President sought the assistance of Obama in locating and returning $150 billion stolen in the past decade and held in foreign bank accounts on behalf of former corrupt officials.

Since then Buhari had also visited other countries seek-ing their support in the fight against insurgency, recovery of stolen funds and assuring foreign investors of favour-able business environment in the country.

Four months of Buhari’s government without Minis-ters

For about four months after his inauguration as Presi-dent, Buhari did not constitute his cabinet, he was receiv-ing regular briefings from Permanent Secretaries about the activities in the ministries .

It was not until the end of September this year that Bu-

14 Politics National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, December 10, 2015

Metuh said that the investigation was also

aiMed at weakening PdP ahead of 2019 elections

and also weaken the legislature and Prevent it froM effectively carrying

out its constitutional role of checks and balances in a

deMocracy

Buhari and the Nigeria democracy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13hari forwarded the first batch of the list of his 36 ministers to the National Assembly for screening and confirmation.

Buhari later sent the last batch of ministerial list to the National Assembly early October after which they were all confirmed and it was not until November 11 that the President formally constituted his cabinet and assigned portfolios to them.

Before Buhari appointed ministers, there were agita-tions by Nigerians who called on him to respect the provi-sions of the constitution by appointing ministers from the 36 states of the country.

They argued that the cabinet needed to be constituted so that the government can start to function with techno-crats and experts at the helm of affairs in the ministries and key government agencies.

Since last month when Buhari administered oath on the ministers, they have keyed into the change agenda of the present administration and ensuring that the policies of government are implemented.

Allegations that Buhari’s anti-corruption war was a witchhuntThe Peoples Democratic Party, PDP had accused the

Presidency and leader¬ship of the All Progres¬sives Congress, APC, of willful blackmail, hound¬ing and ha-rassment of its elected members, using the Economic and Finan¬cial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to cow and force them to join its fold.

Specifically, PDP National Public¬ity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh at a press confer¬ence in Abuja said investi¬gation of Godswill Akpa¬bio, the Senate Minority Leader, by EFCC was po-litically motivated.

Metuh said that the investigation was also aimed at weakening PDP ahead of 2019 elections and also weaken the legislature and prevent it from effectively carrying out its constitutional role of checks and balances in a democ-racy.

According to him, the fight against corruption had been selective and focused against PDP members,

The spokesman said the best example of the curious na-ture of the war against corruption is the fact that former PDP gov¬ernors and ministers are being hounded and arrest¬ed over apparently orches¬trated petitions, while their APC counterparts, who have more damaging peti-tions, are being nomi¬nated for ministerial posi¬tions.

But the Presi¬dency dis¬missed PDP’s allegation when Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Ad¬esina said there was no truth in Metuh’s allega-tion that the President’s anti-corruption war was one-sided.

He said Metuh has always been saying the same thing all the time and which has made him to sound like a bro-ken re¬cord.

The challenges before the judiciary in the present administra-tion

The increasing reliance by Nigeria polity on the court to decide major issues and public interest has brought it into sharp focus. Informed opinions on the Judiciary in Nigeria varies between those who believe that the “Judi-ciary is dead” or that it is “on trial” and the more compas-sionate view that it is a “beast of burden” or a “sacrificial lamb”. These remarks derive from observations of the al-leged or actual behaviors of the judges and their indepen-dence, impartiality and integrity. While the above meta-phors may be subject to various interpretations, they do raise consideration, curiosity and interest as to why any Judiciary should attract such comments and perhaps to what extent the concepts are justified.

The present administration came with a lot of prom-ises to fight corruption, reposition the country and several other promises but all these promises will be futile if not backed by law.

According to the president of the Nigerian Bar Association,NBA, Augustine Alegeh, in every democracy, it is the law that drives the democracy by having legal frameworks on issues. Funding of the judiciary has to be addressed via constitution amendment. There should be changes in the legislative arm of government and the way we appoint judges and Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJN).

The enforcement of fundamental human rights and the rule of law is paramount There is need for serious reform of the justice sector, and we have been very lucky that our

Dasuki Buratai

chief justices in the last couple of years have taken this matter seriously. It is a good thing that the government should support the judiciary in this quest; especially our criminal justice system must be upgraded to meet the modern times.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Alhaji Yusuf Ali said, there is need for government to strengthen the issue of ob-servance of the fundamental human rights and the rule of law. There is going to be serious need to reform our police system, that is, total re-orientation and rehabilitation of the Nigeria police. The men of the police must appreciate the fact that they are answerable to all their actions. The same thing goes for the armed forces; there must be criti-cal orientation for us to have good observance of the rule of law. All these and others, will help in reforming of our justice system.

No modern society can survive without the rule of law; this administration must ensure that all are equal before the law. The independence of the judiciary must also be pre-served and all justice sector reforms embarked upon by the out-going administration must be steadfastly continued and implemented. Justice must reach the grassroots.

Corruption in the Judiciary

The former Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar on assumption of office acknowledged that there were indeed bad eggs in the nation’s judicial system with a promise to cleanse the bad eggs out of the judiciary. With her sanitizing efforts, judges were indeed put on their toes during her reign as the CJN. Recently at

the swearing in ceremony of 30 new High Court Judges, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mo-hammed expressed worry over the increasing attacks on the judiciary by politicians and some lawyers noting that it amounted to disparaging the integrity and reputation of the judiciary.

He further called on anybody who has evidence of cor-ruption against any judge to submit same to the National Judicial Commission, NJC so as to remove such judge from the bench. Justice Mohammed said it was not enough for those making such allegations to say the judiciary was corrupt and look the other way while thugs beat up judg-es. He said the fight against corruption is a collective one, especially among public officials, particularly governors who are the chief security officers of their states.

The disobedience to court order in the case of Dasuki

It is standard practice everywhere in the world that when people commit crimes, they are arrested, charged and prosecuted. People are also wanted by the police for various crimes committed either in their own jurisdic-tions or even on an international level. No matter how heinous the crime that is committed, their prosecution follows basic rules and principles that are in place to protect the suspect’s fundamental human rights. These principles go a long way in ensuring that a suspected criminal is treated with respect and dignity and that af-ter his conviction or acquittal, the person may be able to pick up the pieces of his life. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides in Article 10 that everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal in the determi-nation of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

It also states in Article 11 that: “everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent un-til proven guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defense”

These rights are there to ensure that all people are treated with dignity and fairly no matter what crime has been committed by them. These rights have been incorporated into the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in section 36(5) where it states that: “every person person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until he is proven guilty”

The former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sam-bo Dasuki is currently undergoing criminal trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja for offences that bears organ-ic link with insecurity and corruption. The ex-NSA has

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 15PoliticsThursday, December 10, 2015

AlreAdy, there Are protests by citizens, online

publishers, bloggers Amongst others, who Are sAying no to this

move which is inimicAl to democrAcy vAlues

Buhari and the Nigeria democracy

MohammedDokpesi

pleaded not guilty to the counts as contained in the charge.The allegation against Dasuki was that he had the pres-

ence or likely presence of criminal items in his houses in Abuja and his father’s house in Sokoto. The houses were thoroughly searched by the DSS, in spite of protests of Al-haji Ibrahim Dasuki, Snr.

Justice Ademola then granted Dasuki bail on self-recog-nition but ordered that his passport and other travel docu-ments be deposited with the Deputy Court Registrar while the case was adjourned to October 26 and 27 for the hearing.

But when the court sat on October 26, 2015 however, M.S. Labaran, appearing for the prosecution announced instead that the one count charge was now being expanded to include additional charges bordering on illegal posses-sion of various amounts of local and foreign currency in his Abuja residence and family house in Sokoto contrary to Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011. Since then, that order has been disobeyed.

One of the school of thoughts also suggest that Dasu-ki’s travails may not be unconnected with a suggestion he made in London, that the 2015 elections be postponed for security reasons.

However, many Nigerians urged the President to settle down to face the challenges of governance rather than in-dulge in the practice of witchhunt which would not lead to a better life for the average Nigerian.

The agitation by Pro-Biafra group for relevance, autonomyAnother contemporary issue of concern is the agita-

tion by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and MAS-SOB. The continued detention of the IPOB leader, Nnam-di Kalu and clamour for secession of Biafra from Nigeria gave steam to the agitation of the group.

However, the core reasons that underpin its agitation are: structural imbalances especially the country’s geo-political imbalances and lopsidedness in the number of states, LGAs, senatorial districts, federal constituencies. Federal roads, fiscal allocations and geopolitical composi-tions of the field formations and headships of the Army, Police, Air force, Navy, DSS, NIA, FRSC and Customs.

In the area of federal public office holders, it was al-leged that it was drawn from the six geo-political zones, the southeast zone was said to be abysmally represented. All this, IPOB said are due to age-long

deliberate policy designed to retard the citizens of the southeast extraction. So, it sees secession as the best alter-native option.

Boko Haram attacks and December deadline to end insurgency For over six years now, the insurgency orchestrated by

the Boko Haram terrorists group has taken the country by ransom causing huge number of deaths, injuries as well as destruction of property.

The insurgency persisted during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan making the country quite ungovernable.

The then opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, and its Presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, all made the insurgency a political issue, failing to give the then administration and military the necessary support and encouragement to end insurgency.

Former President Jonathan was labelled clueless and lacking the potentials and knowledge on how to go about ending the Boko Haram menace.

Upon taking over power on May 29, President Buhari began the war by asking military high command to relo-cate to Maiduguri, Borno state, added with his travelling to several countries in search for help.

Furthermore, he gave a three-months deadline to the military to end insurgency by December ending.

Over six months now into his administration, insur-gency is becoming more threatening by the day, with more parts of the north experiencing attacks.

Apart from the Boko Haram, there have been more groups like Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, causing unrest in the nation and threatening its democracy.

There have been doubts that the military is capable of achieving this deadline, judging from the daily attacks by

the insurgents and the fact that terrorism is an unconven-tional war.

However, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mo-hammed, said recently that the assignment given to the military was achievable, asking them to keep going about it.

The military has also said that it was focused on achiev-ing this deadline, been a presidential directive.

However, the President, however had assured that he would grant extension if the needs arise.

Move by National Assembly to gag social mediaNational Assembly of a country is the symbol of de-

mocracy, where citizens’ views are represented and their rights upheld. But as it were, this seems to be fast going down with the moves by lawmakers to gag the social me-dia and this is already getting knocks from the public.

Last week while the House of Representatives was en-tertaining a motion to gag the social media, the same day, the Senate was also deliberating on the same issue with a resultant bill for an Act to stop the social media.

This has been seen as a great danger for democracy as the Nigerian Guild of Editors , NGE asked the Senate to stop action on that bill which seeks to breach the constitu-tional rights of the people, given their freedom of expres-sions, to hold opinion and disseminate same.

Apart from seeking to control the excesses of the so-cial media users, it is believed that there are underlying motives intended someday seeking to regulate the main-stream media, which is the fourth estate of the realm and the pride of democracy.

Already, there are protests by citizens, online publish-ers, bloggers amongst others, who are saying no to this move which is inimical to democracy values.

However, president Buhari was reported to have already distanced himself from the Bill saying that he would not grant it assent.

Nigeria sliding back to dictatorship?One of the things that worked against Buhari’s presi-

dential ambition in his last three attempts was his back-ground as an army General.

As a former military Head of state, as at 1984, Buhari was known for his dictatorial policies most of which were not media friendly.

Upon his expression of interest to stand presidential election, many Nigerians were interested in his candida-ture given his strong stance against corruption, but the fear was that he is a dictator.

Buhari and his campaign team did their best to con-vince Nigerians that he was influenced by military system and had since changed, and would be influenced by demo-cratic norms, laws and values.

For the first time, he began to wear dresses from other tribes and region, including English wears for campaigns, visit churches during campaigns, tried to consult deeply with party leadership and chieftains in taking decisions, which all in turn endeared him to many Nigerians.

Now that he is in power, many Nigerians are beginning to worry that the country is gradually sliding back to dic-tatorship in democracy.

Although it is said that a good leader must have ele-ments of dictatorship, which many believed former Presi-dent Jonathan lacked, and that made him unable to stand firm in decision making, there are worries that in trying to be firm, Buhari is gradually making the country to go back to dictatorship.

He has now made it clear that he cannot handle the country as he did then with decrees as a military dictator, but that he would put laws in place and make use of all available laws in administering the country.

Opposition leaders issue threatsIn the face of ongoing anti-corruption war, opposition

leaders believe that Buhari is out on a vendata mission, to pull down all his perceived political enemies and those in opposition.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP chieftains have con-tinued to accuse Buhari of targetting his anti-corruption war at them and their members in view of all the arrests made so far.

Only last week, Chairman of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi was picked by the EFCC as Sam-bo Dassuki was picked by DSS over arms purchase scam and the PDP chieftains are issuing threatening statements.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh was emphatic that with the way the APC led government was going, the country’s democracy was go-ing down.

Politics National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, December 10, 201516

Court of Appeal reserves ruling in Ladoja’s suit against Ajimobi

Lalong’s choice of commissioners best for Plateau –Datti

Bauchi APC cautions opposition over attack on Abubakar

We must all unite in the fighting corruption –Lagos NOA

Kemi OlaitanIBADAN

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, yesterday reserved

ruling in the appeals filed before it by Senator Ra-sheed Ladoja and Accord party, through their coun-sel, Chief Robert Clark, SAN, and Prince Aderemi Olatubora.

Ladoja and Accord in the suits no CA/IB/EPT/GOV/31/2015 and CA/IB/EPT/GOV/31A/2015, are challenging the judgment delivered on October 27, 2015 by the three-man Oyo State Election Petitions Tribunal headed by Justice

ayO esan

The Lagos State Di-rector of the Na-tional Orientation

Agency, NOA, Mr. Waheed Ishola has said that the responsibility of combat-ing corruption in our so-ciety should not be left to the government alone say-ing every Nigerian must be committed to the cru-sade against corruption in whatever capacity they find themselves.

Speaking while deliv-ering his opening remark at the Lagos State Stake-holders Forum on the War Against Corruption: Im-perative for National De-velopment’ organised by the Lagos State Directorate of NOA in Ikeja , the Lagos State capital , Wednesday, Ishola said parents, educa-tional institutions, market/commodities associations, Non-Governmental Organ-isations, youth associations, transport owners/operators among others have critical role to play in the crusade against corruption.

He said the Stakeholders’ forum organised by NOA is a platform to sensitize the citizens to contribute to the collective responsibility of fighting the menace

He further said that the NOA has been working as-siduously to ensure that Nigeria internalize appro-priate attitudes and values that will take Nigeria to greater heights, discipline, patriotism, hardwork and law-abiding.

“The present adminis-tration , its attitude, lan-guage and disposition to corruption is zero toler-ance. Empirical studies

Muhammed Maiyaki.During yesterday’s sit-

ting which lasted for over five hours and presided over by Justice H.M. Ogun-jimiju with four other judges, Justices H.S. Tsam-mani, Uchechukwu Oy-emenam, J.O.K Oyewole and M.L. Shuaibu, each counsel was allotted 15 minutes each to argue their briefs.

Clark who is the lead counsel to Ladoja, prayed the court to dismiss the

judgment of the tribunal against his client, arguing that the lower court ex-cluded the evidence of the principal witness.

He insisted that the tribunal excluded the evidence of the principal witness (PW1) (Bimbo Adepoju), which was vi-tal to the petition, adding that the PW tendered 129 exhibits within five days which were not objected to by the counsel to the re-spondents.

The Senior Advocate then wondered why evi-dences provided by the PW were not catered for in the judgment.

According to him, the tribunal was wrong to state that the documents were merely dump on the court and that the PW1 was not

L-R: Vice Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, for Lagos West Senatorial District, Chief Funso Ologunde; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and Lagos APC Chairman, Chief Henry Oladele Ajomale when members of Lagos House of Assembly paid courtesy visit to the Lagos APC Secretariat on Tuesday.

an expert.He made reference to the

fact that there were many Appeal Court judgments which never stated that one need to be an expert before inspecting electoral materi-als.

Clark hinged his argu-ments on the fact that PW1 holds a Masters’ degree in Statistics contrary to the judgment of the tribunal which referred to him as a mere farmer.

He then urged the appe-late court to allow the ap-peal brought before it and dismissed the judgment of the tribunal.

He said, “the fundamen-tal issue is the rejection of the evidence of pw1 which is the foundation of our case. Once you rejected the evidence which you your-

James abrahamJOS

Former Commission-er for Information in Plateau State, Mr.

Yakubu Dati, has lauded Governor Simon Lalong over the choice of com-missioners lists which he sent to the state House of Assembly for confirma-

tion describing the lists as well considered and one bound to inspire confi-dence on the ability of his administration to deliver the dividends of democ-racy.

Dati, in a statement in Jos on Wednesday said that the list showed that the Lalong administration is well-focused and has not

chosen the commissioner based on political patron-age, tribal or religious incli-nations.

He said, “The list is a mixed bag of professionals and technocrats who would help drive the process of governance in Plateau State.”

Dati added, “The list avoided the mistakes of the

ezeKiel titusBAUCHI

Bauchi state chapter of the All Progres-sive Congress, APC

has urged those who are attacking the state gover-nor, Barrister Mohammed Abubakar to toe a path of honour and desist from

have revealed that cor-ruption is detrimental to development in all ramifi-cations political, social or economic. Consequently, this awareness forum is designed to: promote trans-parency and accountability in governance; Sensitize the public on the effects of corruption on our national security and development; Mobilize national support for the government’s cru-sade against corruption; and promote democracy, rule of law and dignity of labour”, he said

Also speaking at the fo-rum, the chairman , Ikeja Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, Barrister Yin-ka Farounbi said Nigerians must support the anti cor-ruption crusade of the pres-ent Federal Government.

He commended Presi-dent Muhammadu Buhari for providing leadership by example saying all Ni-gerians must be partners in progress in this attitude.

Farounbi said if not for discipline the country would have gone down com-pletely .

“The government should look forward all the times and ensure that the fight against corruption is con-tinued, without that we are going to be in for it. It is be-cause corruption is being fought that we are where we are today otherwise we would have collapsed. In the past six months you know the revenue has been dwindling but because of discipline , because of fight against corruption ,money have been coming from where we didn’t even think it would come and that is why we are still strong to-day.

act that is capable of dis-tracting good governance and the blueprints of APC which is aimed at improv-ing the lives of the people.

The state Publicity Sec-retary of the party, Auwal Aliyu Jallah who made this known in a statement he made available to Na-tional Mirror said the

past because the nominees were chosen by their people and presented to the gov-ernor who simply acceded to the people’s wish. This is what democracy is all about. We now expect the commissioners to sit down and actualise the dream of the administration in rec-reating an indivisible and united Plateau.

party has viewed with to-tal dismay some sponsored advertorials in some media outlets in an attempt to cre-ate confusion .

It described the devel-opment as disheartening and urged the perpetra-tors of such evil motive to stop – “further disparaging of the personality of our

self admitted, it means you not ready to look into the merit of the case. Be-cause the important thing is that he did not only give oral evidence, he submitted documentary evidence and we felt even if you say that there are contradiction in his evidence, the document speaks for it selves and they should have looked into the document.

“We based our brief on three grounds. First, PW1 evidence which was reject-ed by the tribunal. We feel the tribunal was wrong in excluding his evidence hav-ing admitted them in the procedures and late on not giving credibility to it.

“ Secondly, the tribu-nal claimed that PW1 just dumped all the exhibits he brought on them and did

not give evidence which belies the record that we have presented before the court today and thirdly, The evidence submitted by PW1 were procured during the pendency of the tribunal and which law does not apply to this particular type of civil matter.”

However in his re-sponse, counsel to Ajimobi, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, maintained that the evidence of PW1 was ir-relevant, noting that there were contradictions in the evidence during cross ex-amination, an area which the appellant failed to ap-peal against.

He added that the PW1 was not even the leader of the team that inspected the material.

amiable governor through mudslinging mercenary, slanders and malice for perceive scores.

The statement further warned the people not to make utterances that they could not account for espe-cially those linking to gov-ernment policies and pro-grammes.

Adadevoh: Late hurray to Ebola heroine ELEANYA ISIGUZO

Many people wondered why in the twilight of his administration immediate past President Good-

luck Jonathan did not deem it fit to give a posthumous national award to late the Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, who gallantly sacrificed her life while preventing the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), thereby saving the nation from an endemic catastrophe.

But before recalling the patriotic work of this national heroine, let us give kudos to Rev. Chris Okotie’s Household of God Church for giving this year’s prestigious Karis Award to the late doctor, whose prompt action during her rounds at the First Consultants Hospital, Lagos, while treating index EVD case in Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian diplomat who brought the deadly EVD to Nigeria, led to her death.

This award to Dr. Adadevoh, whose name became synonymous with Nigeria’s battle against the rampaging epidemic, once again brought to the fore the ques-tion of the relevance of national sacrifice in our decimated society. The amiable doc-tor, whose bravery saved the nation from a possible calamity, paid the ultimate price when the cold hands of death snatched her away a few weeks after that unfortunate en-counter. It is this question of oversight that the Karis Award 2015, with which she will be honoured during this year’s G.R.A.C.E. programme, answers emphatically.

THIS AWARD TO DR. ADADEVOH…ONCE

AGAIN BROUGHT TO THE FORE THE QUESTION

OF THE RELEVANCE OF NATIONAL SACRIFICE IN OUR

DECIMATED SOCIETY

Today is the International Human Rights Day, which is marked in December 10 of every year. I have chosen the controver-

sial Social Media Bill, a human rights related theme, to commemorate the day.

The Nigerian Senate is seriously engaged with a bill now popularly referred to as Social Media Bill. The bill aims at checkmating what the lawmakers perceive as undue maligning of innocent persons through the social media. The bill, which has the long title: “A bill for an Act to prohibit frivolous petitions, and other matters connected therewith”, is double-edged, as its focus goes beyond social media to conventional journalism. Thus, publication of any material adjudged offensive through print, television or radio broadcast, as well as in the social media, is punishable under the bill.

On social media, the bill states “Where any person, through text message, tweets, What-sapp or through any social media post any abusive statement knowing same to be false with intent to set the public against any per-son and group of persons, an institution of government or such other bodies established

Social media bill and freedom of expressionPARADOXICALLY AND MOST INTERESTINGLY,

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

HAS DISSOCIATED HIMSELF FROM THE

CONTROVERSIAL BILL

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by law, shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction shall be liable to an imprisonment for two years or a fine of N2 million or both fine and imprisonment.”

This all-encompassing bill was sponsored by, a member of the governing All Progres-sives Congress from Kebbi State, Bala Ibn Na’allah.

Several stakeholders group are already kicking against this bill for its anti-freedom of speech nature. The Nigerian Guild of Edi-tors instance has opposed the bill and urged the Senate to suspend all the proceedings with respect to the bill unconditionally. The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has de-fended the bill, saying that it only seeks to stop the activities of irresponsible people.

Against all the above-background, it is im-portant to say that the rationale behind the bill leaves much to be desired. The position of those claiming that the bill is purporting to stymie freedom of expression cannot be faulted. It is really a shame that after 16 years of uninterrupted democracy, we are still grappling with basic issues like freedom of expression.

The argument that the bill would check irresponsible journalism or misguided, viru-lent or defamatory statements on social me-dia does not hold water. To start with, there are enough laws within our legal framework that already cater for such areas like defama-tion (comprising libel and slander), treason, sedition, incitement etc, therefore, coming up with another Act of National Assembly on the selfsame subject may be rightly construed as an attempt to muzzle free speech.

What is there in free speech that makes

many leaders fret and shiver? Well, most leaders have things to hide and the re-gime where freedom of expression is not curtailed is most inimical to shady gover-nance they would have preferred.

It is the notorious former dictator of Uganda, Idi Amin, who was quoted as saying, “I can guarantee freedom speech, but I can’t guarantee freedom after speech”. That statement is a confir-mation that every dictator, in spite of all arms, ammunition and terrifying at his disposal, always fear free speech.

But is this how things are supposed to be in a liberal democracy? Capacity to absorb criticisms and manage dissen-tient voices of all sorts without resorting to any oppressive measures is part of my own definition of good governance. If this bill succeeds, the relative freedom of expression we have been enjoying would be grievously undermined.

The 1999 Constitution (as amended) itself gives the media the power to oper-ate with unfettered professional latitude within the confines of law, when it pro-vides in its Section 22 thus: “The press,

radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to up-hold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibil-ity and accountability of the Government to the people”. Furthermore section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution gives freedom of expression to every citizen, including those commenting on social media, when it provides thus: “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, includ-ing freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”

Paradoxically and most interestingly, President Muhammadu Buhari has disso-ciated himself from the controversial bill. According to his Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity), Mr. Garba Shehu, the President is committed to upholding the freedom of expression of Nigerians, among other human rights and freedoms.

“President Buhari is not averse to law-ful regulation, so long as that is done with-in the ambit of the constitution, which he swore to uphold. The president said free speech is central to democratic societies anywhere in the world.

“The President explained that without free speech, elected representatives won’t be able to gauge public feelings and moods about governance issues”, Shehu stated.

This evidently is reassuring from the President as he gives Nigerians the hope that the Presidency is at least apparently not afraid of free speech.

Ketefe may be followed on twitter @Ketesco.

The award was announced by Rev. Oko-tie recently in the build-up to the annual event, which will hold in the church’s premises on Sunday, December 13, 2015. With this posthumous award, Dr. Adade-voh joins a long list of eminent Nigerians, who have been so honoured for their self-less, but often unrequited service to the nation. The Karis Award, which was insti-tuted in 1996, is the main attraction in the church’s charity outreach, the G.R.A.C.E. programme, which is in its 25th year.

G.R.A.C.E., which is an acronym for God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense, will as usual support some charitable organiza-tions: The Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted; the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria; the Strong Tower Mission, and the Sunshine Foundation, with donations to the tune of N1 million each to support them in their service to humanity. Household of God also backs the Gideon’s Bible ministry annually.

Rev. Okotie, who introduced the award, said: “The Karis Award, which carries a cash prize of N1 million is borne out of patriotism and the need to foster national

unity and zeal, but it is without any religious, political, geopolitical or eth-nic or social bias. The substantiation of this can be seen from the diversity of the previous Karis Awardees, the chairmen and special guests of hon-our of the G.R.A.C.E. Events because Nigerians from different walks of life, different faiths, ethnic groups, political leanings, geo-political zones and social backgrounds, had either been con-ferred with the Karis Award or chaired or graced the Events in past”.

Prominent Nigerians, who have been so honoured with the award include Mr. Taiwo Akinkunmi, designer of Ni-geri’s national flag; the late statesman, Mallam Aminu Kano; the late Oba Fun-sho Adeolu; former deceased head of state, Gen Murtala Ramat Muhammed; retired Police D.I.G., Chris Omeben; renowned mathematician, Prof. Chike Obi; political activist, the late Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro; politician and na-tionalist, the late Sir Akanu Ibiam and Chief Thomas Osigbemhe JP. Others are political stalwarts and activists, Chief (Mrs) Margaret Ekpo and also Hajia Gambo Sawaba; Air Commodore Habiba Ruth Garba (Rtd), one-time na-tional goalkeeper, Emmanuel Okala, and first female enlisted police woman, the late Mrs Beatrice Ibeneme.

The church’s conceived the event as its way of giving back to the society, and recognizing those who have con-tributed to national development, one way or the other. It also seeks to encour-

age patriotism and excellence in national development. So, as the church celebrates the 25th anniversary of the G.R.A.C.E pro-gramme and the 19th anniversary of the Karis Award, it is fitting that a woman of Dr. Adadevoh’s stature, who could easily be identified with the strong character and courage she demonstrated, be chosen for this year’s honour.

One commentator once said: “G.R.A.C.E. programme and the Karis awards at this auspicious time in Nigeria is relevant be-cause it places emphasis on reward of in-tegrity in any sphere of Nigerian life, and highlighting the fact that service, personal integrity and honour are still valuable and recognizable attributes, at a time when the nation is grappling to correct its pitiable image as a corrupt nation, and upturn the belief that crime and corruption pays”.

To mark the 25th anniversary of the G.R.A.C.E programme this year, the popu-lar Queen Esther costume pageant, another highlight of the event in which contestants parade costumes based on female Bible char-acters, takes a different look this year, as some past winners and runners-up will come together in a parade of queens.

Isiguzo wrote from Port Harcourt, Riv-ers State.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 17Thursday, December 10, 2015 Views

KAYODEKETEFE

[email protected] 08032147720 (SMS only)

CRITICAL STROKES

18 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Senate versus CCT chairman

The life of Nelson Mandela was celebrated in a memo-rial service at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (July 18, 1918 – De-cember 5, 2013) was a South African anti-apartheid revo-lutionary, politician and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was South Africa’s first black chief executive, and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election.

December 10, 2012December 10, 1948

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declara-tion arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled. It consists of 30 articles which have been elaborated in subsequent international treaties, regional human rights instruments, national constitutions and laws.

Four Kokubunji branch employees of the Nihon Shintaku Ginko bank transporting 294,307,500 yen (about $817,520) in the trunk of a company car were conned by a fake uniformed officer who stopped them and warned that a dynamite about to explode was planted in the transport car. When the four employees stepped aside for safety, the con man entered the car, drove off and disappeared with the cash.

ON THIS DAY

The Senate last month in-tensified its move to probe allegations of corruption

against the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar. Reports said the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, gave the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Pe-titions two weeks to conclude the investigation prompted by claims of fraud, bribery and inflation of contracts a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Anti-Corruption Network, said to be the brainchild of Senator Dino Melaye, a core Saraki loyalist, among others, made against Jus-tice Umar.

It was alleged that the judge spent N1 million in July 2011 from the coffers of the CCT to sponsor his wedding; used an-other N15.2 million to purchase a Toyota Prado Sports Utility Vehicle without following due process; awarded contracts for the supply of office furniture and fittings worth the sum of N11.3 million in March 2011, which were executed by a supposedly engineering company and not a furniture or supply company; and paid N4.2 million for the purchase of welfare items in a contract executed by a private individual, et cetera.

Another NGO, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), in the same last

month also petitioned the two chambers of the National Assem-bly demanding the immediate probe of an alleged N10.6 mil-lion bribery scandal against the CCT chairman and his personal assistant (PA), Mr. Ali Gambo Abdullahi. On November 6, the registered trustees of yet another NGO, Mission for Peace and De-velopment Initiative (MPDI), filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking to compel Justice Umar to vacate his position as the CCT chairman. The suit, in addition, sought to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry out the instruction of a former Attorney-General of the Federa-tion and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, to prosecute Umar for allegedly collecting a bribe of N1.8 million through the bank account of his PA.

Umar, reports claim, has been in the news since 2014 following an investigation carried out by the EFCC into allegations made by a retired Comptroller of Cus-toms, Mr. Rasheed Taiwo, that the CCT chairman demanded N10 million bribe to quash a case against him (Taiwo). Even a cur-sory look at the said allegations would agitate any sane mind. They are weighty, indeed.

It is common knowledge, how-ever, that the Senate President, before the intervention of the

Supreme Court, which gave him temporarily relief lately, was standing trial before Justice Umar’s-led CCT in respect of a 13-count charge of alleged false declaration of assets as con-tained in the form he filled in his capacity as Kwara State gover-nor in 2003. This has fuelled the suspicion that the Senate, over which Saraki presides, is all out for a tit-for-tat with Justice Umar because of the latter’s insistence on subjecting Saraki to a rigor-ous trial on the alleged false asset declaration palaver. Not even the claim by the chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Sam Anyanwu, that Saraki would not interfere with the up-per legislature’s probe of Justice Umar has diminished this fear.

We recall, for example, that the Senate also initiated a simi-lar probe against former EFCC chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Lam-orde, shortly after the anti-graft agency’s grilling of wife of the

Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, roughly six months ago in connection with allegations of suspicious in-flow of funds into companies, where she had huge stakes when her husband served as Kwara State governor. Lamorde’s probe followed a peti-tion to the Senate by the Chief Executive of Public Alert Secu-rity Systems, Mr. George Uboh, in which the ex-EFCC head was accused of diverting N1 trillion worth of assets recovered from high-brow suspects of corrupt self-enrichment.

Our thinking, therefore, is that the Senate’s conflict of inter-est in its probe of Justice Umar would vitiate the integrity of the final outcome of the investiga-tion, as the probability of bias is visibly very high. Besides, the probe assignment may end up an exercise in redherring and waste of scarce public funds since the Senate, at the end of it all, can only pass its findings and recom-mendations to the appropriate authorities for further action. Consequently, the Senate should face more pressing legislative tasks instead of being distracted by revenge missions. The Nation-al Judicial Council (NJC), which recommends the appointment and removal of judges to the President, seems in a better posi-tion to do the probing, if Justice Umar has truly infracted the law.

THE NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL…

SEEMS IN A BETTER POSITION TO DO THE PROBING, IF JUSTICE

UMAR HAS TRULY INFRACTED THE LAW

December 10, 1968

Thursday December 10, 2015Editorial

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

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CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

OBIORA IFOH ACTING ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

AUGUSTUS IMEKAN ACTING HEAD, GRAPHICS

‘‘

ABUAD: Re-defi ning engineering education standard in Nigeria

‘UK/Nigerian teachers’ training scheme will boost service delivery ‘

232126

...says ‘I never had a girl friend’Best UI graduand wins 31 awards


AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY,ADO-EKITI (ABUAD)

AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY,ADO-EKITI (ABUAD)

In ABUAD, You Get It All —Dr Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State Governor.

Education TodayIN CONJUNCTION WITH

TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE

Sadiq Olayinka Olamide was the cyno-sure of all eyes at the recent gradu-ation ceremony of the University of

Ibadan. This was because of his outstand-ing academic performance which was re-vealed to the public during the event.

Sadiq, 23, who graduated with First Class honours in Veterinary Medicine, is the over-all best graduating student of his set in the university. He is also the best in his faculty- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - and in his department.

But that’s not all. He is equally the best in 28 other subject areas considered for award by the university’s governing council. Each of these won him an award for which he was called to the podium 31 times to collect his prizes.

The Iragbiji, Osun State born-graduand scored distinctions in eight out of a possible 11 subjects.

He had distinctions in Veterinary Anato-my, Physiology, Microbiology, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Surgery, Pathol-ogy and Parasitology.

This result, according to the university is the best so far in the history of the 52-year-old Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the university. And based on this outstanding outing, Sadiq equally won in addition, the Nupemeco Prize, Liman Ciroma Prize, Coomasie Prize, Professor D.H. Hill Prize, Gamaliel Onosode Scholarship Scheme, Professor O.A Durojaiye Prize in Virology, Professor Joseph Apkokodje Prize for the best final year student in veterinary repro-duction as a subject, Olagoke Oladini Prize in veterinary medicine as a subject and United Bank for Africa Departmental Prize, among others.

But Sadiq getting to this level was not by accident. He had, in his academic pursuits from primary school up to the university, been coming top in most exams.

“And when I gained admission into this university six years ago and got my bearing right as an undergraduate, I never looked back. I gave my studies deserved attention,” he recalled. “And I knew I was going to lead my class but not my entire set.”

Identifying some of the factors that helped him for the accomplishment, he said he must first of all acknowledge God’s favour and assistance not only now but also from the beginning of his academic journey.

“I must also say that I didn’t entertain any form of distractions not even from friends or the opposite sex. I did not attend

ASUU threatens showdown at MOUA

social functions anyhow and I did not also have any girlfriend or what you may refer to as a lover because I knew having one would come with distraction here and there. So, I married my book by concentrating on my studies and I thank God for crowning my effort with success.”

Sadiq, who also acknowledged the strong support and cooperation of his parents and family members towards his studies and other needs however argued that it was like 24 hours of the day were not enough for students studying veterinary medicine particularly in UI because of the enormous work that the course re-quired.

He said, “Going to class from Mondays to Fridays between 8:00am and 5:00pm, doing extra-classes on weekends and numerous tests from various lecturers re-quired a lot of effort, dedication and com-mitment.

“So, the routine is basically from hostel to class and then back to hostel and to the Mosque, as a Muslim, for prayers.”

Interestingly, Sadiq had wanted to study medicine and surgery but he couldn’t make the cut off point with his average performance in the Unified Ter-tiary Matriculation Examination con-ducted by the Joint Admission and Ma-triculation Board in that year for the course.

“I was surprised at my low mark in the exam and instead of evaluating candidates’ scores together with our Ordinary Level results as the practice be-fore then, the university used only the UTME result to deter-

mine the candidates’ scores. Because of that, I had only 27.5 points on the average and this was

considered too low for medicine. So, veterinary medicine was neither my first nor second choice but an alternative to nothing due to what I would call irregularities by the university so as not to stay at home.”

Even at that, Sadiq said though there were hard times, God took total control and therefore had no regret for taking that decision as what he now believes is to remain focused and committed in the path he is treading.

Now, Sadiq’s next line of action is to go for the one-year mandatory national youth service corps scheme after which he said he would en-rol for a postgraduate studies in diagnostic medicine hopefully in the United States.

According to him, “diagnostic is a key aspect of medi-cine and to sustain good health in both humans and

animals we must take the field very seriously as a country.”

He is however not sure yet whether he would come back to take teaching appointment with the university, at least to reproduce his kinds.

“But I know I would contribute meaningfully to the field of medicine and humanity when I settle down for work,” he said.

The 67th foundation day and 2015 convoca-tion event of UI was not all about Sadiq alone. A total of 2,362 students graduated during the ceremony. The breakdown showed that 53 made first class, 494 made second class up-per, 822 obtained second class lower division, while 185 were in the third class category.

Earlier at the event, the vice-chancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole who is now the Min-ister of Health congratulated Sadiq for his exemplary performance and all his mates for the successful completion of their various courses, asking them to go and make a positive change as they move on.

Represented by the acting VC and deputy vice-chancellor (administra-tion) Prof. Eniti Olorunda Aiyelari, Adewole also urged them to remain good ambassadors of the university wherever they find themselves, say-ing the university has equipped them with the right knowledge, skills and character that would help them to achieve their aspirations for life.

He disclosed that the 53 first class graduates had become UI scholars, adding that the university would bear the cost of their studies up to doctorate (PhD) degrees.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net20 Thursday, December 10, 2015Education Today

Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, (left) receiving the certificate of his Honorary Fellowship Award from the President of Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Engr. Ademola Olorunfemi, FNSE; during the professional body’s 2015 National Engineering Conference, Exhibition and Annual General Meeting held in Akure, Ondo State, recently

ABUAD: Re-defining engineering education standard in NigeriaTajudeen Kareem

Striving to square up with other developed nations of the world, Nigeria, seems

determined accelerate infra-structural development and speedily achieve the golden aim within the shortest possible time.

This concerted drive among the stakeholders in the engineer-ing world, which is the cradle for all sustainable infrastruc-tures, necessitated the theme of the 2015 National Engineering Conference, Exhibition and An-nual General Meeting where Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, among other distinguished 56 citizens together with four other institu-tions bagged the 2015 Presidential Award.

The event, with the theme: “National Integrated Infrastruc-ture Master Plan (NIIMP) 2015: Strategies for Implementation,” bears positively on the new drive, said President Muhammadu Bu-hari, who commended the Nige-rian Society of Engineers (NSE) for the choice of the theme to cata-lyze the new drive.

“Engineers all over the world are recognised in their capacity and quest for providing the nec-essary technical support to the governments in bringing about sustainable infrastructural de-velopment,” Buhari said in an address read by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal

During the event, the NSE singled out the Engineering pro-grammes offered by one of Ni-geria’s towering private univer-sities, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) worthy as template for engineering educa-tion in Nigeria.

This is not farfetched; the declaration is predicated upon the quantum of the modern, so-phisticated and state-of-the-art equipment and teaching facilities sourced from the US, Spain, Eng-

land and Germany as well as the quality personnel of internation-al repute manning the universi-ty’s engineering programme.

Eminent lawyer, economist and educationist, Aare Afe Ba-balola, who is also the founder of the university, together with few notable Nigerians, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir La-wal, the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Chairman of Innoson Industries, Chief In-nocent Chukwuma were recently honoured by the NSE.

While Babachir bagged the NSE professional fellow-ship award, Aare Babalola, Dr. Mimiko, and Chief Chukwuma were made honorary fellows.

The university did not just attain the rating. ABUAD was built within eight months on 130 hectares of land, admitting 240 pioneer students in January 2010 and currently has over 6, 200 stu-dents with modern facilities, ICT centre with 3,000 desktop comput-ers and 500-capacity auditorium.

“ABUAD is now a reference point for the NUC. They helped us to raise the quality bar for pri-vate universities. Those coming after the university will have a higher hurdle to scale,” said the National Universities Commis-

CNN launches English learning solutions provider

NUC laments poor maintenance of equipment by tertiary schools regina OTOKpaABUJA

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has lamented the poor utilisa-tion and maintenance of equipment

by the various tertiary institutions in the country.

Expressing the commission’s worry at a seminar on Science and Engineering Equip-ment, Functionality, Procurement and Pro-cesses in Nigerian Universities, organised in conjunction with Eagle Scientific Ltd in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie, revealed that more than 50 per-cent of laboratory equipment at the institu-tions were not operational.

According to him, an independent study carried out by the Commission and the World Bank to assess the impact of equip-ment maintenance programme in selected universities in the country, revealed that only 47.65 percent of laboratory equipment were functional, 28.69 percent were non-functional while 23.66 percent were completely obsolete.

While noting the commitment of the im-mediate past government towards enhanc-ing quality education, Okojie maintained that tertiary institutions needed to cultivate a habit of procuring and maintaining equip-ment, given their direct link to ensuring production of high quality professionals in diverse disciplines.

He said: “ Each of the new federal univer-sities established during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was giv-en N300 million to purchase equipment for their technical laboratories. Our priority as a regulatory body will be to step up monitor-ing to ensure that these equipment are main-tained, but we have a very poor maintenance culture which we must try to address.

“The high percentage of non-functional and obsolete equipment in the Nigerian uni-versities attests to the fact that poor attitude to maintenance was still lingering in the sys-tem.

In his remark, Tim Johnsen, an equip-ment expert, said the workshop was aimed at addressing shortcomings associated with physical structures for laboratory and work-shops.

sion’s boss, Prof. Julius Okojie.In the same vein, the NSE

President, while speaking after a facility tour of the univer-sity’s vast College of Engineer-ing built on 2.5 hectares of land which was inaugurated by for-mer President Goodluck Jona-than in 2013, confessed that what he met on ground in the univer-sity, in terms of equipment, was far more in excess of what was contained in the report submit-ted by the combined team of the NUC and NSE that came for the accreditation of the Univer-sity’s Engineering programme in January 2015.

As a result, at the end of the accreditation visit by Council for the Regulation of Engineer-ing in Nigeria (COREN) in January 2015, all the univer-sity’s seven Engineering Pro-grammes: Chemical Engineer-ing, Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Elec-trical Engineering and Comput-er Engineering as well as Civil Engineering were accorded full accreditation.

The success of that exercise was indeed an impeccable feat for the university and for Aare Babalola who has not hidden his passion to return the nation back to the path infrastructural

L-R: PhD Accounting graduands from Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State, Dr. Mary Josiah; Dr. David Isiavwe, General Manager Union Bank; Prof. Tonye Okorie; Dean, School of Graduate Studies & Research; Dr. Beshiru Sanusi and Dr. Betty Ali-Momoh during the recent graduation ceremony of the institution.

renewal, using the template of the engineering programmes the university has to offer.

A visibly elated President of NSE, Engr. Olorunfemi won-dered that despite the large number of sophisticated equip-ment, about 50 per cent of which are exclusive to the institution, the founder of the university keeps on adding more almost on a daily basis.

In fact just recently, Babalola paid the sum of $4,000 to ship in additional engineering equip-ment worth more than $250,000.

He encouraged the institu-tion to take maximum advan-tage of the pool of the sophisti-cated equipment to partner with some industries nationally and internationally.

Responding, Aare Babalola in his keynote address during the conferment of the award said the infrastructures on ground in the university were evidence which trailed the commitment of his hard-earned resources and goodwill tailored to the Col-lege of Engineering and the uni-versity generally, in view of his determination to produce engi-neers and other professionals that will be able to be relevant in the contemporary competitive job market.CNN International Commercial is ex-

panding the CNN brand and gener-ating additional revenue streams in

the areas of English language learning and international money transfers through two new partnerships.

Working with Germany-based learn-ing solutions provider Papagei.com, CNN is launching a dynamic English language learning service – CNN Learn English. Available on desktop and mobile, the sub-scription-based digital service will facilitate English language learning by overlaying CNN video content with Papagei.com’s unique translation and learning aids. Con-tent is focused on finance and business, spanning a range of subject matters and a variety of dialects.

Tailored to enable the learning of busi-ness-level English, CNN Learn English will be available globally to consumers directly or to companies wishing to boost its work-force skills.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 21Education TodayThursday, December 10, 2015

UK\Nigerian teachers’ training scheme will boost service delivery —Sawyerr

Bauchi to prioritise technical education —Gov

OAU honours Alex-Duduyemi

EzEkiEl TiTusBAUCHI

The Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar has reaffirmed his administra-tion’s commitment to prioritise technical and

vocational education. He gave the assurance during the 4th national

conference and inauguration of ASUP office com-plex at Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi State.

The belief according to him is that getting vibrant technical and vocational education will afford the vulnerable youths in the state a better future in the face of current economic doldrums in the country.

While assuring that his government would equal-ly invest in other areas of education, the governor promised to always supporting the polytechnic in the areas of needs including getting their courses accredited.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of Academic Staff of Polytechnics (ASUP) of the branch, Abdullahi Yelwa identified corruption as one of the major fac-tors affecting education development in the country.

“This ill practice” he stressed “oftentimes leads to mass youth unemployment, insecurity and poverty.”

He however appealed to the governor to assist the polytechnic in constructing road network, course accreditation and reviewing of house allocation, among others

ASUP boss promised that his association would do everything humanly possible to support the gov-ernment in its policies and programmes where nec-essary.

In recognition of his remarkable contribution in entrepreneurship and philanthropy to humanity, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) will on

its 41st convocation ceremony, confer elder statesman and renowned entrepreneur Oyekunle Alex-Duduy-emi (Aro-Asiwaju of Ife) with a Doctor of Business Management (DBM) Honoris Causa of the institu-tion.

The event is slated for Saturday, December 12, 2015 at the Oduduwa Hall of the university.

A letter from the institution with a title ‘’Confer-ment of Honorary degree’’ signed by its Vice-Chan-cellor, Prof Bamitale Omole hailed Duduyemi for his outstanding input in building the nation’s economy.

Part of the letter reads ‘’ the award is for your outstanding achievements in the world of business, contributions to public, national and international spheres as well as your sustained philanthropic ges-tures and positive interest in the progress and devel-opment of the university’’

In accordance with the University laws, the honor-ary degree cannot be awarded in absentia and it was gathered that Duduyemi who is a lawyer by training, has indicated in writing his acceptance for the award.

Through his philanthropic gestures, Duduyemi has helped many to rediscover lost destinies and find hope for daily living.

The story of Aro of the world (as popularly called by friends and well-wishers) is one of resilience, com-mitment, doggedness and of course, grass to grace.

The octogenarian who clocked 80 last August is a shrewd multi-dimensional personality and highly in-dustrious with ability for multi-tasking.

He had a brief stint with the politics of the First Republic where he was a quintessential and cerebral politician, very eloquent with the gift of the garb.

As a parliamentarian, he represented the Ife Cen-tral Federal constituency and was Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

He was a member of the Nigerian Delegation to the 20th session of the United Nations General As-sembly in New York, 1965.

What is your project all about and what informed your company partnering with Mark Tailor from the UK?

The initiative was conceived by Mark Tailor Partner-ship in the United Kingdom. He has done a lot of work with Nigerian students in the UK. He is a lawyer. Their own fo-cus is on students’ immigration and so he has come across many Nigerian students in the UK schools and he has come to Nigeria many times. So, Mark Tailor considered coming to Nigeria to train alongside with Nigerian teachers. To do the training as many Nigerian youths have gone to study abroad and come to our environment and work along with teachers. Of course, they contacted me because my com-pany is well-known in the industry. Our company is focused on Nigerians studying abroad. So, so many people have gone to study in the UK, Canada, the USA and so on through us. Some are also still in those countries studying. So, the com-pany contacted me about the initiative and asked if my com-pany could go into partnership with them as a local partner. Of course, I could have said no because I wasn’t paid for it but in another way round, I believe training of teachers is a good thing. Training can never be too much. I don’t even think our teachers get enough let alone to be too much. I was excited about it because I saw it as a unique opportunity. If I had turned the offer down, the good things from it might not have happened or if happened, wouldn’t be through me. So, I embraced the initiative and since we talked about it three months ago, I didn’t look back even at the expense of my personal engagement and I have never mind that. As we have to go all out to some schools to become the benefi-ciaries of the project. We have been to International School, Regent School, British Nigerian Academy and a host of other highbrow secondary schools in Abuja. Some schools even hosted other teachers for the event and they were really kind and generous. They provided foods and drinks for the teachers that came. They gave us seven rooms where we ran our seminar concurrently at four intervals per day. It was usually a whole day affairs. Many teachers that we could not even reach out to came to be part of the seminar. It was not only impressive outing but also informative and educative. We have attendance of participants and hopefully, it will be a yearly thing. The training is free of charge for Nigerian teachers while UK teachers paid heavily to come here. But the beautiful thing about the programme is that it was a win-win situation for every participant. The UK teachers also left with knowledge which will help them back home.

What is the fate of schools at the grassroots includ-ing the government-owned schools as regard this proj-ect?

One thing I am excited about is that we didn’t limit the project to the high profile private schools. We cut across all categories of schools including teachers from both the state-owned and missionary schools. So far, it was a mixed train-ing. Apart from teaching, teachers from church and state owned schools also looked at the environment of private schools that served as venues, their structures, classroom settings and all that, which they likely to replicate back home. So, participants went home loaded with knowledge that will impact their world back home. For instance, we vis-ited 38 schools in Lagos and one of these schools caters for children with autism. It’s a small private school inside GRA, Ikeja. These children have learning difficulty based on their

health challenges. Our team appreciated the good work being carried out by the own-

er of the school and we looked at the way we could support them. And for me, such support is another strong achievement from the project.

It looks as if the work is enormous for you and your partner, do you then seeing the government key into the project?

With this initiative, we partner with UK Trade and Investment. And from the UK side, we had been hosted twice.One in Abuja by the British High commissioner who endorsed the project and another time in Lagos by the Deputy High Commissioner. Many parents and teachers as well as educators were all present at the reception party. So, we are already on the UK side. We got UK endorsement as well as the involvement of the Nigerian government. Now, we have some things to build on. On numbers of teachers, we trained over 500 teach-ers in Abuja alone. Some of them came from Mina in Niger State, Jos in Plateau State and so on. The outing was quite impressive. Partici-pants came on time and desirous to learn. They believe that quality training would translate to quality service on their students and in turn quality practice for our country.

So, where exactly do you see government supporting your project? I believe the government is already aware of the initiative. And

that they need to allow the teachers to attend seminars and encourage them to participate actively in class. Government should also ensure whatever that teachers leant are implemented, particularly as regard budgeting and policies.

Now, what is your advice to parents? I think ultimately parents equally have many things to gain from

this project. This is because many of them do spend a lot of fortune to send their children abroad to study. Some people do this because their children couldn’t secure admission easily due to space constraints in most of the nation’s universities. Some also do that because of the quality that is questionable. But the good news is that if we can start to work on quality, many parents will have confident in the educa-tional system at home. Although, to study abroad has become a global movement but we want our children to also study in Nigeria. A signifi-cant number of Nigerians including myself and those who had died studied in Nigeria and the results turned out fine. There was a great confident in the system then. So, it is high time we restored that con-fidence in the interest of not only our education sector but economy as a whole

Mrs. Antonia Sawyerr is the managing partner of ALTS Consulting Nigeria. Her company, which provides educational advisory services to students who want to study abroad and in the country, was recently teamed up with a UK-based Mark Tailor Partnership to train some secondary school teachers in Lagos and Abuja with a plan to broaden the scope in the near future. She talks in this interview with TUNBOSUN OGUNDARE on the project which has many UK teachers as resource persons. Excerpts:

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net22 Education Today Thursday, December 10, 2015

L-R: Chief Executive, Business School Netherlands Nigeria, Mr. Lere Baale; Operation’s Manager, Morenike Adeyeye and Business Development Executive, Mr. Olutope Ilesanmi during the school’s media briefing in Lagos, on Monday.

ASUU threatens showdown at MOUA EzEkiEl TiTusBAUCHI

The Academic Staff Union of Uni-versities (ASUU) has accused the Vice-Chancellor of Michael

Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUA) Umudike, Professor Hillary Edogha for flaunting rules, victimising staff and students.

ASUU Zonal coordinator, Prof. Nanmwa Voncir of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi made the allegation while addressing a press conference in Bauchi last week-end, accusing the vice-chancellor of al-legedly flouting laid down rules regard-ing the university system.

The don had called on President Mu-hammadu Buhari to without any fur-ther delay intervene through visitation panel to ascertain the union stance over the matter and avert of possible crisis.

Prof. Voncir explained that the union has always been in the forefront of canvassing for good governance in the country which led to improvement in the development of both the university system and the country.

“It is however very sad to note that the authorities at MOUA Umudike, un-der the leadership of the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hillary Edogha have attempted to rubbish this little gain

made over time,” he stated.Nanmwa also accused the Vice Chan-

cellor for allegedly taken actions that are at variance with the laws of the university system while terrorising the staff and students of the institution.

“Both staff and students are vic-tims of the reckless and mind boggling atrocities of the Vice Chancellor. For ex-ample, first year students of the Univer-sity in 2014/2015 academic session were forced to pay N60, 800 per bed space even though many of them and no refund was made,” ASUU added.

The ASUU boss further noted that staff recruitment and promotion is be-ing carried out arbitrarily by the MOUA Vice Chancellor without recourse to the

laid down rules and guidelines.“The Vice Chancellor appoints and

promotes at will using all manners of primordial sentiments. This has result-ed in the appointment and promotion of unqualified or at best half qualified staff with dare consequences for the country at large, Voncir added

ASUU said its chapter at the MOUA had made concerted efforts to call the Vice Chancellor to order to stop his primitive ways of administration but it was frustrated through various means.

He alleged that the governing coun-cil of the university headed by Prof. Anya Anya of compromise by failing to restrain and check the excesses of the Vice-Chancellor.

BSN Nigeria introduces doctorate studies in Business Admin

Olashore introduces podcast for learning

Tunbosun oguindarE

To further research and knowledge production in the field of business in Nigeria, Business School Netherlands has officially launched a Doctorate

in Business Administration (DBA) programme in its ex-ecutive education offering.

Ten corporate executives drawn from various sectors of the economy are the first enrolees from Nigeria for the Eu-ropean DBA programme.

The CEO of the school in Nigeria, Mr. Lere Baale who disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos said introduc-tion of the programme was one of the platforms through which the institution seeks to wrestle lack of advanced skills to facilitate overall business growth among Nigerian professionals.

“The executive MBA programme is seen as the pinna-cle of all business administration qualifications. It is our mission to offer this doctorate programme to senior pro-fessoinals, chief executive officers, directors and senior managers in order for them to experience professional ad-vancement, develop research skills and a scientific attitude through the encouragement of original research at doctor-ate level while adding new theory and/or findings to the existing body of knowledge in business administration,” he explained.

Baale continued, “BSN Nigeria was founded with the intent to address growing need for 21st Century skills, stem unemployment by increasing employability skills of graduates through executive education, entrepreneurial skills, MBA, DBA as well as improve the skills of frontline managers to accelerate business growth.”

He noted that candidates on the DBA would spend a minimum of four years in the programme divided into four phases stressing that the programme is focused on de-veloping a scientific attitude, rather than merely complet-ing a research project. Application of research methods within a theoretical framework is a skill that will serve you throughout your career.

BSN was founded with the intent to contribute to higher education in management learning and facilitate the de-velopment of managers’ skills, knowledge, research capa-bilities and ability to take action with regards to the prob-lems, prospect and challenges facing their organizations.

BSN’s programmes carry the intrinsic character of the Action Learning Methodology. Through the Action Learn-ing practice, the students apply the essential learning in their various subject areas by researching and developing solutions for their organisations immediately after com-pleting each module.

The Nigerian arm of Business School Netherlands pre-pares students for the MBA and DBA degrees of the Buren, Netherlands-based institution. Enrolment for the MBA has grown in Nigeria past the 1000-students mark. Nigeria graduated 83 students at the recent graduation ceremo-ny at The Hague, with 22 scoring distinctions in various subjects and one overall best (Cum Laude) in the English-speaking world.

abolaji adEbayo

Olashore International School, Osun State has introduced online podcast for students preparing for final year exams in order to help them improve on International subjects in their exams as well as in furthering studies.

This was confirmed by the principal of the school, Mr. Derek Smith, during the Speech and Prize Giving Day celebration, recently held at the school.

According to the principal, “Currently we have lots of projects going on. This year we involved technology by introducing iPads for learning. We have that for the teachers and for students so that by 2016 they will be used to the system of working with the iPads.

“In the senior classes, we already introduced Online Podcast for students offer-ing IGSCE subjects. It will help them to improve on international subjects.

“The Podcast is used in variety of ways. For example, the podcast is online so whether they are in school or at home they can use it. We recommend the teachers to give them the playlist of podcast of various topics in various subjects, so they can read up in advance.”

He explained further that “It is similar to the playlists that all these young people use. It can also be used in form of videos such that the teachers can use them for introduction of a topic in classrooms during lessons. Blending technology with learning is highly effective and will give students from Olashore International School a strong competitive advantage in the new competitive global economy.”

The Guest Speaker at the event, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, while speaking on ‘The Chal-lenges of the Future’, highlighted the importance of superior knowledge and cre-ative thinking in order to excel in the new world order.

“Today’s prize-winners are true representatives of the best that this school stands for: hard-work, commitment to excellence, good manners, industry, integri-ty, self-motivation and a sense of service to others. And for those of you who would not be receiving prizes today, I urge you not to give up. You must look forward to new opportunities and the adventures awaiting all of you”.

The best prize winner in this year’s Prize-Giving Day Miss Mofiyinfoluwa Ok-upe, a 16year old girl in year 12 students and the Media Prefect got awards in 9 sub-jects.

L-R: Managing Director, UBA Foundation, Ms. Ijeoma Aso, GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza and DMD, UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka with the winners of 2015 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition- 1st prize winner, Miss Emediong Uduak Uko of British Nigerian Academy, Abuja (middle); 2nd prize winner, Miss Enonuoya Starish of Lagoon School Lagos (right); and 3rd prize winner, Miss Eze Ugochinyere Golden of Living World Academy Aba, during the prize giving ceremony held at UBA House in Lagos, on Monday.

Sacked lecturers and NUC accreditation imbroglioReports of a mass retrenchment of lecturers in one of

the state universities began to appear in the national dailies on Monday the 23rd of November 2015. The uni-

versity involved was the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu where 153 lecturers were al-legedly relieved of their duties in one-fell-swoop. The official reason for terminating their appointment as contained in a sack letter sighted by reporters, that the university is current-ly not in position to employ the said lecturers seems to suggest that they were never employed by the institution in the first place!

The entire saga seems to be enmeshed in mysteries. Though available information suggests that they were all employed, they were never paid a dime for eight months un-til they were sacked in October 23. Some sources suggest that they were illegally employed by the then outgoing Vice Chan-cellor of the institution just before he left office without ap-propriate budgetary provisions, hence no emoluments were paid. Some even suggested that the bulk of the 153 affected staff were employed from the same part of the state based on tribal sentiments. But the bulk of opinion suggests that the sacked lecturers were hired to enhance the chances of the in-stitution securing accreditation for the various programmes which had been denied accreditation previously.

No matter how and why they were employed, these lectur-ers have rights which must be respected. Unless there are problems of incompetence or insubordination or otherwise, their termination without payment and without notice is an illegality that cannot be condoned. What is becoming obvious is the absolute powers the Vice Chancellors appear to wield in influencing different aspects of the university life including hiring and firing. If an outgoing Vice Chancellor could sin-gle handed employ so many academic staff on behalf of the

university, then the university is obliged to make provision for their remuneration and other entitlements.

The most damaging aspect of the entire saga is the alle-gation that the affected staff were hired by the institution to secure accreditation from the National Universities Commis-sion and thereafter sacked. This is clearly an incontrovertible evidence of the deceit in some of the accreditation exercises carried out by the NUC. While this is obviously glaring in this case, it is not an isolated event.

Many of the programmes given interim or full accredita-tions by NUC may have been given in error. It appears that vir-tually anything, including Laboratories, offices, lecturers and equipment can all be borrowed or rented for the purpose of accreditation. Offices and laboratories are often named and re-named during an accreditation year as the exercise progresses from one department to the other, just to give the impression that the programmes have enough office and laboratory spaces to provide the necessary learning environment.

In many institutions, lecturers are hired only when accredi-tation exercise is imminent. The case of the Enugu State Uni-versity of Science and Technology is different not only in the magnitude of the event but also in the untidy manner in which the school administration attempted to resolve it. In some private universities, the additional lecturers who are usually

engaged on part time basis are paid off as soon as the accredi-tation exercise is over. In other institutions, the admission quota of affected departments may be arbitrarily increased without due consideration to its carrying capacity in order to generate additional revenue to offset the remunerations of the additional staff hired. In one institution, the staff situ-ation had deteriorated to such an appalling level that some postgraduate programmes had to be suspended. There are full-fledged departments running an undergraduate pro-gramme and multiple postgraduate programmes with only seven lecturers allegedly because of paucity of funds.

While accreditation is an affirmation that an institution would produce high quality graduates suitable for employ-ment by the various agencies in Nigeria, the reverse is the case in Nigeria! The quality of graduates in Nigeria has continued to plummet notwithstanding that they are all pro-duced from NUC accredited institutions. The revelation from the ESUT narrative gives us a glimpse into one of the reasons why statements of accreditation by NUC cannot be relied upon. There is need for a change of approach to the process!

Sadly enough, there has been no rebuttal of the story by the institution that stands accused of multiple malpractices bordering on academic fraud and employment racketeering; this may be interpreted as an admission of guilt. The NUC as the chief quality assurance agency, should immediately set up a high powered investigating panel to unravel the truth behind the sack or otherwise of 153 lecturers of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology and impose ap-propriate sanctions on the erring institution. Furthermore, it must also address the present predicament of the unfortu-nate gang of 153 lecturers! The Nigerian academic commu-nity expects appropriate action from NUC if it must begin to rebuild its crumbled image.

NOUN, EWAN partner on education reform

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Education Today 23Thursday, December 10, 2015

L-R: Lecturer and Director of Special Study Centre of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), National Assembly, Abuja, Prof. Joy Eyisi; Registrar, NOUN, Mrs. Josephine Akinyemi; Bursar, Mr. Ernest Odeigah; Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Adm.), Prof. Victor Adedipe and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Vincent Tenebe shortly after Eyisi delivered the 9th inaugural lecture of the university in Lagos, on Tuesday. The theme of the lecture was “Accuracy in the use of English.”

Saidat alauSa

The authorities of National Open University of Nige-ria (NOUN) have resolved

to collaborate with the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN), the body of journalists covering the education sector for various media organisations including print, broadcast and online platforms nationwide to-wards the reclaiming of lost glory in the industry.

The two bodies announced their partnerships when EWAN members paid a courtesy visit to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe, at the institution’s headquarters in La-gos last week. A member of the Governing Council of the uni-versity and former Dean of the University of Ibadan’s Faculty of Arts, Prof. Godwin Sogolo and the Director of the university’s Media and Information Unit, Dr. Ronke Ogunmakin were also in atten-dance.

Tenebe in his address com-mended the association for its foresight and contributions to national growth and development through quality reports, asking members to continue to be objec-tive with their reports.

He noted that the role of media in bringing about the desirous positive change in line with the present administration crusade, especially in education sector can-not be quantified.

While explaining the mandate of NOUN to include opening up of

access to university education to as many qualified Nigerians who could not attend the conventional universities as possible, the vice-chancellor noted that the univer-sity had close to 70 study centres spread across the nation with the aim of covering the entire 774 local government areas in the country within a short time possible.

Tenebe, who disclosed that Open and Distance Learning mode of education as the practice with NOUN remains the only solu-tion to end the nation’s university admission crisis however tasked journalists and EWAN members in particular to adequately en-lighten the public especially on the university’s mode of operations.

“The media need to work close-

ly with NOUN to work together to correct wrong perception of many people about NOUN just be-cause its system of studies is still new. Though not conventional, NOUN is a full-fledged university that is running courses being run by any conventional university anywhere in the world. NOUN is being regulated just like every other university in the country by the National Universities Com-mission, NUC and its certificates are even more respected due to our partnerships with various related global institutions as well as the democratic nature of our operations,” he added.

Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of EWAN, Mr. Tun-bosun Ogundare of National

Lagos LEAMSP inaugurates new excosRobeRt awokuSe

The League of Muslim School Proprietors, LEAMSP, Lagos State chapter has last week in-

augurated its newly elected members of the executive.

The event which was held at the University of Lagos Mosque multi-purpose hall had in attendance many stakeholders in education.

In his acceptance speech at the inauguration ceremony the newly elected chairman of the League Al-haji Raheem Fatai charged the state new executive team and member schools to dedicate themselves to-wards improving the quality of edu-cation in the state and the country at large.

The chairman said the need for all educationists to uphold the ethics of the teaching profession is impera-tive in order to dispense invaluable educational services that would have positive impact on the students, who incidentally are the future leaders.

Fatai noted that the responsibili-ties of building students in the areas of cognitive, psychomotor and affec-tive domain, which according to him would birth national development, rest on the teachers hence the need to maintain diligence and dedication to service.

“We cannot afford to fail; for fail-ure in education connotes failure in other spheres of our existence as a nation.

“We should make every moment better than the one before,” he said.

Mirror, thanked the university for extending its hands of fellowship to the association, promising the commitment of the body to im-proved education coverage towards achieving the required reform in the sector.

He also appealed to the univer-sity management to always con-sider members of the association for scholarship towards enhancing their knowledge and skills, saying such support would greatly help the beneficiaries to report the soci-ety more effectively.

Ogundare also urged the univer-sity to always spread their advert patronage to various medial hous-es and not just few of them, saying such support is what is required to sustain their continued existence.

Sir, do you think various programmes by the students’ union have been able to meet their goals?

We set various agenda for our programmes in which the goals of these programmes were met at a point. Our programmes were objectively targeted towards hu-man capital development vis a vis social and academic programmes. We said during our inauguration that we want to achieve academ-ic excellence through our pro-grammes as a way of developing the students.

We allowed students to explore and maximize all the opportuni-ties available through the pro-grammes and also bring out their latent skills and potentials. We also encouraged academic excel-lence by expanding the intellec-tual capacity of students. One of

Edited by: Saidat [email protected] 08027633686

Law student emerges AAU SUG President

the greatest events we were able to do was the UNILAG Sports Festival. Above all, we were able to bring stu-dents together on a common ground as far as Idi-Araba. I think we can still give glory to God.

Can you highlight some the challenges faced by the union?

The major challenge we had was that of fund, the challenge of people creating problems for the union in terms of when you set out your goals they make it so slow to the extent that if you are not a matured mind you will get derailed from the mo-tive of the programmes. Although some of the problems came from the personnel we worked with and some came from the management. But as God would have it we were able to handle those problems.

What do you intend by a ma-

tured mind?At times, the problem comes in

the way of people inciting you to do some things that obviously they are capable of doing. When you follow their suggestions, it’s the populace that will bear the brunt. By a level of maturity we were able to man-age situations both between the stu-dents and the management without causing any havoc.

We said it in our manifesto that we didn’t want to disrupt the aca-demic calendar however, the right of students must be preserved.

What advice do you have for the incoming executive?

What people say when they are seeking for posts is always different from what they see when they as-sume office. I will only say that they have to consult so wide and do not al-low people that supported or claim to support them at the beginning to drag them into the pit. They should consult and consult very widely and they won’t have problems in terms of funding because they will collect

dues and that will help them get lots of things done in a twinkle of an eye unlike our regime. They should just ensure they consult or they will make a lot of mistakes.

As a students’ union leader, what do you want to be remem-bered for?

I believe being the first SUG president after 10 years of the pro-scription, without funds, with a very short tenure I have been able to impact into so many lives. I could remember when we emerged, thou-sands of students were unable to register, some were unable to pay but with our support and dogged-ness, we were able help students scaled through that. Some students had personal problems with the management, faculties which were able to resolve. And we’ve been able to assist some students in terms of finances. I think these students we impacted in their lives will never forget my administartion. These are things I want to be remembered for.

How to avert mgt/students’ clash —Former student’s leader

EmEka ChukwuEmEka

Provost, Nwafor Orizu College of Ed-ucation, Nsugbe (NOCEN), Anam-bra State, Dr. Cordelia Uzoezie has

stressed the need for more family involve-ment in inculcating values in children, which according to her would help to fill a gap in responding to societal challenges.

Provost makes case for child devt values

Yomi aYElEso300L, BUS ADMIN, AAU, AKINGBA-AKO-KO

A law student, Adegbola Odunyemi have emerged the Students’ Union Presi-

dent, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.

He defeated his closest rival, Ben-jamin Amos with a total of 1,078 against his 1,040 votes and other three candidates.

Other elected executives of the union include, Ayeni Rita(Vice-Pres-ident), Segun

Odunayo(Gen. Sec), Bel-lo Segun(Fin.Sec), Ikuejuro-je Olarewaju(PRO), Oyelade Ola(Welfare Director), Olarewaju Seun(Treasurer), Bamidele Olamide (Sports Director), Anbire Donald (So-cial Director) and Akinola Seun (As-sistant Gen.Sec.).

The election which was done elec-tronically had students turned out en mass to elect their preferred candi-dates.

Announcing the winners, the elec-toral Chairman, Dr. Benson Igboin said the university in a bid to have a 21st Century university and its re-solve to adopt global best practices have made it pertinent for the institu-tion to adopt e-voting system.

He said, “We made students to un-derstand that a 21st century univer-sity is driven by technology, innova-tion and creativity and that e-voting system is part of the 21st century package”

While urging those who lost at the poll to cooperate with the winners, the SUEC chairman charged the win-ners not to renege on their promises. He urge them to pursue their agenda in tandem with the

requirements of 21st Century stu-dent unionism.

Speaking on the newly intro-duced Electronic Voting system, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ig-bekele Ajibefun extolled the pro-cess saying the initiative is inge-nious and great. “It is a rare feat which we are proud of as a uni-versity; it has been our resolve to move away from the analogue to digital in virtually all facets of endeavours, including teaching and learning.

The VC also said AAUA had made another landmark achieve-ment as one of the few institu-tions that has introduced the e-voting system in the country.

“AAUA is a leading university in other major areas, we can also be among the first to introduce e-voting and set the pace for other universities and the nation which are still struggling with the pos-sibility of achieving such a feat.

She said this during the College’s 1st Inau-gural lecture series held at the institution last week.

According to her through education, and a timely contribution to the values dimension of human personal development, children can be train to help sustain the society.

Presenting her paper entitled “Regenera-

tion of Values for the Education of the Child: A Family Involvement Recipe’ Uzoezie noted that value is principle, standard, quality considered worthwhile or desirable for maintaining a set of customary standards.

“We must refocus on family involvement in teaching children that this is the right way and that this is the wrong way. Families must model values for their children because if we can violate values, why can’t they? We also have to clarify our values because the reality is that we live in an era of change and controversy with respect to many kinds of values, including val-ues about family life.”

She said, “If we take important steps and re-generate a sense of values in our children, it is unlikely that they would support or stab their community in the back, destroy families, kid-nap others, engage in exam malpractices, shut down the employment sources of thousands of people in the community through stealing and vandalism, and take jobs that yield blood money.”

In her remarks, the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha commended the College management for organising the inaugural lecture while urging families to pre-pare their children to acquire values, act with character and serve as stewards of their com-munities.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net24 Thursday, December 10, 2015

Chairman, Anti-Drug Misuse and Abuse Program, ADMAP, Isaac Ehimen (middle) with some pharmacy students, University of Benin, during their sensitisation programme on World Aids Day at the institution, recently.

The immediate past President, University of Lagos Students’ Union (ULSU), Abiodun Martins in this interview with MIFTAUDEEN RAJI, (MASS COMM, 200L,) bears his mind on the goals, achievements and challenges recorded by the union under his leadership.

Martins

Babcock University gets new VC, others

Pharmacy students sensitise public on diabetes

FUNAAB researcher records breakthrough

Saidat alauSa

A postgraduate student, who is currently un-dergoing a Doctor-

ate degree in Parasitology at the Federal University of Agricultural, Abeokuta (FU-NAAB), Ogun State, Mr. Ola-banji Surakat, is rising high, courtesy of the Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), based in Se-attle, United States of Amer-ica, for his immense contri-butions to the alleviation of Onchocerciasis, a disease commonly known as River Blindness.

PATH has offered Olabanji an opportunity to work with the team in its Seattle labo-ratory to learn the Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Testing Techniques and compare the Ov16 RDT results against the PATH Ov16 ELISA.

Olabanji, who studied Zool-ogy for his First Degree and has a Master’s Degree in Para-sitology from FUNAAB, had collected skin-snip samples in early 2015 from people in communities and who had been tested for baseline levels of Onchocerciasis about ten

EzEkiEl EfEobhokhan 500L PHARMACY UNIBEN

It is a well-known fact that the epidemic of diabetes and other

non-communicable dis-eases have skyrocketed. During the recent World Diabetic day, about 3 mil-lion Nigerians were said to have been suffering from the disease; and several millions are ig-norance they had it until complications arises.

In a bid to create aware-ness and showed selfless ef-forts in curbing this trends. Pharmacy students who were on houseman ship re-cently organised a one day free medical consultation and counseling service at the popular Ejigbo market, Ejigbo, Lagos

Speaking with the coordi-nator, Emmanuel Egbroko stated that the targets for the programme was from 18 years and above, adding that early detection for any ail-ment provide a better prog-

abdullahi habibu adEizaHND 2, MASS COM.FEDPOLY, BIDA

The Federal University of Tech-nology Minna, Niger State is working towards producing ro-

bots soon. Towards this end, the institu-tion has introduced Mechatronics En-gineering Department with the aim of producing robots and other machines.

The Director of centre for open Dis-tance and e-learning (CODEL), who also is the HOD of the department of Mechatronics Engineering Dr. Abiodun Musa Aibinu revealed this in his office while speaking with Campus News.

According to him, the course was recently added to other engineering courses in the school of engineering and engineering Technology.

The Director also disclosed that, the department has been equipped with lat-est machines and equipments for stu-

tunboSun ogundarE

The proprietors of Bab-cock University Ilisan Remo, Ogun State

have inaugurated a new Pres-ident/Vice-Chancellor for the institution. He is Ademola Stephen Tayo, a Professor of Christian Education and for-

Pharmacy students on houseman ship during their sen-sitisation programme in Lagos, recently.

Edited by: Saidat [email protected] 08027633686

We’ll produce robot soon —FUT MINNA

mer Rector of Adventist Uni-versity, Cosendai, Cameroon, and immediate past Dean, College of Postgraduate Stud-ies, Babcock University.

Prof. Tayo succeeded Prof. James Kayode-Makinde, an outstanding administrator who had served the univer-

sity as a vice-chancellor for a decade.

The new vice-chancellor is pioneer director of aca-demic Planning of Babcock University. He brings fresh perspectives into university administration in tandem with modern demands.

dents’ practicals. “The Federal Govern-ment has provided the facilities we need to carry out practical in the laboratory, some of the machines are: suspension simula-tor, Transmission simulator, Automobile suspension simulator, milling machines, Hydraulics Training System, Computer Numeric Control among others.

“Our patron, His Royal Highness, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has also to a large extent assisted us in vari-ous ways.”

He further explained that apart from making robots there are other things that students studying mechatronics can produce as mechatronics is integration of mechanical engineering, electrical en-gineering and computer telecommunica-tions engineering, stressing that robotics is an option in mechatronics.

In affirmation to that, the HOD ex-plained that they are going to make home automation, whereby people would be

able to communicate with electrical ap-pliances in their homes using local lan-guages.

He added that, they are going to im-prove agriculture by creating different automated farm machines.”

We are going to automate farm ma-chineries, the automated farm machines will work on the farm without anyone operating them.”

Aside that, he also said that they are going to create a mobile phone with a super sim card that will automatically switch its self to any available network to save people the stress of going about with different phones and using differ-ent sim cards.

He also stated that there would be a sensitisation programme February next year at the Etsu Nupe’s palace and also a workshop for people to come and learn during long term holidays will be made available.

In his words “vision without mission is an illu-sory dream, so also mission without vision is nothing less than hallucination or charting a course without a compass.” He noted that his tenure shall be characterized by creativity, innovation, development, invention and entrepreneurship.

Professor Tayo will be assisted by the Senior Vice President (Academic), Professor Iheanyichukwu Okoro, a renowned surgeon;

Senior Vice President (Management Services), Professor Sunday Owolabi, a celebrated professor of Accounting; Vice President (Financial Administration), Mr. Ilesanmi Akande, a re-puted banker;Vice President (Student Development), Dr. Joseph Olanrewaju, an out-standing Christian religion author.

nosis for that condition.“We are trying to

combat the increase and prevalence of diabetes and hypertension through screening; we can detect these diseases early enough and then it would be cheap-er to maintain than when it has not caused many com-plication.”

Addressing participants at the programme, one of the organiser, Andrew Saba said that, the hasty lifestyle in Lagos would make anyone take in junks instead of proper meal and “accumulation of these junks overtime would lead to diabetes.”

He advised them to have brisk walk daily and avoid sedentary life styles. He also called on the men to avoid alcohol intake and quit smoking as these would lead to progression of the illness.

Participants were given free drugs and were also able to check their blood pressure.

years ago. The goal was to evaluate

the impact of 10 years of mass administration of the drug, Ivermectin.

In addition to the skin-snip samples and nodule palpation, Olabanji used the SD BIOLINE Onchocerciasis IgG4 Rapid Test (Ov16RDT) while PATH helped develop the test, which indicates pre-vious exposure to the disease-causing parasite by testing for antibodies to the Ov16 antigen.

The doctorate student said he first learnt of Onchocer-ciasis, one of the neglected tropical diseases that the World Health Organisation (WHO) was targeting to elim-inate under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) initiative, as a youngster. D

Explaining how he devel-oped interest in the study, he said even though he knew of the disease as a kid, the determination to embark on the study grew from his tutor, who eventually became his mentor and supervisor, Prof. Sammy Sam-Wobo.


New President/Vice-Chancellor, Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, Prof. Ademola Tayo(middle) flanked by Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Dr Bassey Udoh (left) and Chancellor\Chairman of Board of Trustees, Dr Elie Weick-Dido during Tayo’s inauguration as a new vice chancellor of the university, recently.

YABATECH emphasises roles of science in achieving SDGs

Ogun harps on modern teaching techniques

Saidat alauSa

The role of science in achieving Sus-tainable Development Goals (SDGs), was the theme of the just concluded

3rd international conference and exhibi-tions of the School of science organised by Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos.

The 2- day event held college auditotium drew attention of academia from different institutions across the country.

In a welcome address delivered by Dean, School of Science, YABATECH, Dr. Afolake Dawodu expressed her gratitude to the rec-tor of the institution, Dr. Margaret Ladipo, for allowing them to have the conference.

She disclosed that the first international conference was held in September 2011, and the second one in June 2013.

She however said that in keeping with his biennial tradition, the school is holding the conference in spite of many mitigating cir-cumstances.

She said that the theme for this year’s con-ference “the role of science in achieving sus-tainable development goals” is very apt and timely as the millennium development goals (MDGs) are being transitioned into sustain-able development goals (SDGs) or global goals which will guide the world’s policy and funding for the next 15 years with a pledge to end poverty, fight inequality and justice, and tackle climate change by the year 2030.

tunboSun ogundare

The Ogun State Govern-ment has charged the ed-ucational institutions in

the state to introduce modern techniques of imparting knowl-edge on their students.

The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Tech-nology, Mrs. Modupe Mujota gave the advice when she vis-ited some schools and Zonal Education Offices in the East Senatorial District of the state, recently.

She said the world had moved from analogue to digital age, hence the need for schools to embrace latest teaching techniques to enable their stu-dents be at par with their coun-terparts in other parts of the world.

Mujota, in a statement signed by the ministry’s Press Officer, Mr. Elijah Udofia said Ogun State like others in the country was experiencing financial con-straints, urging management to impress upon their staffers to be more civil in their request from the government.

26 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, December 10, 2015

‘Assure’ must take an object

L-R: Chairman, Board of Governors, Olashore International School, Prince Abimbola Olashore, Best Awardee, Mofiyinfoluwa Okupe, Guest Speaker, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, the Head Boy, Patrick Unokiwedi, and the Principal Olashore International School, Mr. Derek Smith, during the Speech and prize-Giving Day ceremony, recently.

igbawaSe ukumbaLAFIA

Nasarawa State Univer-sity Alumni Association has concluded arrange-

ment to honour some eminent Nigerians who include Gen Theophillus Danjuma (rtd), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Prof. Adamu Baiki and some organ-isations which include Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TEDFUND and the National Universities Com-mission, NUC.

The Chairman, Media and

Publicity Committee of the asso-ciation, Polycarp Auta, disclosed this at a press conference in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, add-ing that the honouring of those personalities and organizations would come up during the 10th graduate anniversary of the asso-ciation coming up this weekend in Keffi.

Auta said: “The main pur-pose of the event is to reunite the alumni of the university and also use the opportunity to give spe-cial recognition to some eminent

Nigerians who have contrib-uted to the establishment of the university and who are still con-tributing to itssustainability.”

He continued that it was against this backdrop that the association under the steward-ship of its first national execu-tives, being spearheaded by Ay-iwulu Baba Ayiwulu, thought it wise to call its members and the general public to come and celebrate the laudable achieve-ments attended by the univer-sity.

“AS at 2012, the university admission ratio has (had) reflected the federal government’s di-rective of (on) 60:40 ratio in favour of post-

graduate students” “NDIC, Polish bank enters (why?) into partnership” “Minister assures of improved services” Who did the min-

ister assure—the object is very critical to the construction.Please note that ‘in the hot seat’ is British English, while

‘on the hot seat’ is American English.’ Which is your prefer-ence? The former is mine.

Of course, the inside pages, naturally, were also not left out: “The Honourable Minister for (of) Power….” But, Commis-sioner for Power…Niger State Government, take note!

“NDLEA arrests two over (for or in connection with) traf-ficking at Lagos Airport”

“…has given a firm assurance that his government will stop at nothing to (at) reducing the menace to the barest mini-mum in the state.”

“I misled Middle Belt to vote for Jonathan” Politics Today: I misled Middle Belt into voting for Jonathan

“…he has been able to repay back N20 billion.” Delete ‘back’ and move forward!

“ABUAD: It can stand with world class (world-class) univer-sities”

“ABUAD students on life in the campus” Special Report: ABUAD students on life on campus—or, simply, ABUAD stu-dents on campus life, especially for headline purposes

“Buhari has no solution to Nigeria’s crisis” Definitely, Ni-geria has more than one crisis: therefore crises.

“…creative people to interact at (in) the corridors of pow-er”

“One military personnel was also killed in the encounter.” ‘Personnel’ (plural) is a collective noun that cannot be used for just an individual.

“…Amaechi said that his purported suspension was an act of political witch-hunting.” Conscience, Nurtured by Truth: political witch-hunt

“Time for leaders to close rank (ranks)…”“Okorocha seeks on leadership training” Yank off ‘on’!“…the military lobby intensively for deployment into (in)

the zone.” “To bring this to the attention of the decerning (discerning)

investors, the Jigawa State Government is organising the first Economic and Investment Summit.” (Full-page advertorial)

“Courts are not permitted to suo motu raise issues, resolve same (the same) without hearing from parties”

“The good news came few (a few) hours before President Buhari….”

“…after overrunning three terrorists camps (terrorists’ camps) in the riotous….”

“I duff (doff) my hart (hat) for (to) a brother that is more of value than gold.” Preferably, I take off my hat to….

“Your deligence (diligence) in business is wonderful….”“Many residents of the state have agreed to endure in order

to enjoy a safe and secured (secure) tomorrow.”“Some parts of Maiduguri was (were) no go area (no-go

areas) to any sane mind as people are (were) picked up for slaughter. The laws operating in those areas were different from any other parts (part) of the state (or other parts of the state).”

“….the deployment of more troops to (in) states was be-lated.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY of November 15, 2015, dis-played slothfulness and crankiness: “To stem this abuse by some judges, the CJN said that he has (had) directed that be-fore any judge can (could) travel abroad, he or she (sic) must obtain permission from the head judge.” My comment: in-stead of ‘he or she,’ use ‘they’—which is the current form.

“…Wike opened up on the crisis in Rivers State and his grouse with (about) Rotimi Amaechi….”

Nasarawa varsity alumni honour Danjuma, others

“If we have problems, probably there might be one reason or the other (one reason or another) the governor is not hap-py.”

“As two-time Governor of Lagos, you shone like star (a star).”

“To their dubious chicanery, your voice resonate (reso-nates) distinctly….” Also, note that the last word in the extract is otiose!

“THISDAY checks reveal that every termination penalties goes from 500,000 US dollars to 2 million US dollars”. Check the discord as already discussed above.

“Lack of funds cripple waste management activities” An-other error of attraction: Lack of funds cripples.

“Nevertheless, the donor country is also interested in this decision to ensure that the loan is repaid as at when due with its accrued interest.” Without any periscope: the loan is repaid when due (not as at when due which is pleonastic).

“Government should consider the destructive effect that further delay in the sale of rescued banks would mete out on the banking system”. Stock phrase: mete out to (not on) the banking system.

“If the family cannot truely relish at least a decent meat….” Spelling counts: truly.

“A man does not have to be a money bag (sic) before he can dress well and look charming in his own little way.” Brighten up your English usage: A man does not have to be money-bags…. Moneybag is a sac!

“…in addition, (sic) to dispensing drugs for immediate re-lief and giving counsel on the steps necessary to prevent a re-occurrence.” Good grammar: recurrence.

“The arsonists usually escape with their loot as the embat-tled market lays in ashes, leaving many traders terminally ru-ined financially.” There should be no dilemma: ‘lays’ for ‘lies’?

L-R: Mr. Nurh Byarufa, Counselor, Uganda High Commission; Mr. Nelson Ocheger, Ag. High Commissioner, Uganda High Commission in Nigeria; Chief Dr. Mrs. Nike Akande, CON, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mr. Muda Yusuf, Director General of the Chamber during the Envoys’ courtesy visit to the LCCI office in Lagos.

27

Tola akinmuTimi

The World Bank on Tuesday predicted difficult outlook for the Nigerian economy

in the short run following the sustained decline in oil prices at the global market and canvassed some stringent fiscal measures for implementation to mitigate the im-pact of the oil market’s whirlwinds on the nation’s economy.

The Breton Woods institution, in its 3rd edition of its Nigeria Eco-nomic Report, NEP, noted that the 40 per cent decline in oil revenues for the country over the past 18 months had created major chal-lenges for all tiers of government, adding that improving the revenue situation of the country requires adequate focus on the improving the non-oil sector revenues on a sustainable basis, amongst other imperatives.

The report also indicated that there was also a room for greater efficiency in public finance, includ-ing better coordination between the federal and state-level finance for realizing essential services and investments in the country.

This is even as the multilat-eral finance institution noted that while the value of Nigeria’s im-ports had contracted significantly under a weaker naira but not as fast as on exports, it attributed the reasons why the nation’s gross for-eign reserves may have stabilised despite a weaker trade balance to the fact that most of the $35 billion in short-term capital inflows into the country in 2012 and first half of 2013 had already left the country.

This is in addition to its be-lieve that the recently introduced currency controls by the Central Bank of Nigeria may have likely decreased imports further, thus strengthening the trade balance, but also having a negative impact on the GDP growth.

According to the Bank, the growing wedge between the Bu-reaux de Change (BDCs) and interbank rate suggests that the naira is again coming under some pressure.

Expatiating on the country’s outlook, it stated: “The short run outlook remains difficult due to ex-pected low oil prices.

World Bank predicts difficult outlook for Nigerian economy

32

Stakeholders task FG on infrastructurefor mobile economy

BusinessNational Mirror

www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, December 10, 2015

28

“Even if oil prices recover, gov-ernment oil revenues should con-tinue to decline in the medium term relative to the size of the Nigerian economy. Thus fiscal ad-justment will be of critical impor-tance.

“Investors stand willing to bring considerable investment to Nige-ria if they receive credible signals

AIRLINES’ FLIGHTSCHEDULES

Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. Abu-ja-Yola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00. Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50.Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00. Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-La-gos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00

Med-View Airline

Dana AirAbuja-Lagos 9am, 1pm, 5.28pm dailyLagos-Abuja 7am, 11am, 1.23pm,3.30pm daily Lagos-PH: 7.20AM, Ph-Abuja9.54am, Abuja-ph: 3.30pm and Ph-Lagos: 5.28pm dai-ly Lagos-Uyo: 9.20am, Uyo-Abu-ja: 11.07am, Abuja-Uyo 1.05pm, Uyo-Lagos: 3pm dailyWeekendsLagos-Abuja: 7.02am, 9am, 3.30pmAbuja-Lagos: 9am, 2.20pm and 5.28pm Lagos -Phc: 11.07amPhc-Lagos: 1.05pm Phc-Abuja: 12.51pm Abuja-Phc: 10.50am Lagos-Uyo: 9.18am Uyo-LOS -3.03pm Uyo-Abuja: 11.07amAbuja-Uyo: 1.05pm

Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.30 (Sun) 16.45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) Lag-Benin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat)Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) 14.00 (Sun)Lag-Owe: 7.45am, 2pm daily

Aero Contractors

Online journalists, enthusiasts rally against Social Media Bill’s passage

Nigeria, others launch $100bn solar alliance scheme

Apapa gridlock: Senate to resolve N1.5bn truck terminal contract

uDEmE akPan

The Federal Government and other countries have unveiled plans to invest $100

billion in solar power projects and infrastructure that are needed to complement power demands in the various countries by 2030.

The partnership with over 120 countries in the International So-lar Alliance (ISA), including some African and Asian nations, Austra-lia, New Zealand, Brazil, France, China and the United States, is to advance a low-carbon economy powered substantially by clean en-ergy.

The widely anticipated initia-tive was conceived by the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and jointly launched by President François Hollande in the presence

of the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon at the on-going inter-national climate summit in Paris.

Under the initiative, the In-dian government is investing an initial $30million in setting up the alliance’s headquarters in In-dia. The eventual goal is to raise $400million from membership fees, and international agencies. Companies involved in the project include Areva, Engie, Enel, HSBC France and Tata Steel.

In their declaration, the coun-tries stated that in furtherance of the objective to significantly augment solar power generation in our countries, they intended making joint efforts through in-novative policies, projects, pro-grammes, capacity building mea-sures and financial instruments to mobilize more than $100 billion of investments that are needed by

2030 for the massive deployment of affordable solar energy.

The alliance partners stated: “We intend to work together to-wards the development of appro-priate benchmarks, facilitating resource assessments, support-ing research and development and demonstration facilities, with a view to encouraging in-novative and affordable applica-tions of solar technologies.

“We share the collective ambi-tion to undertake innovative and concerted efforts with a view to reducing the cost of finance and cost of technology for immedi-ate deployment of competitive solar generation assets in all our countries and to pave the way for future solar generation, storage and good technologies adapted to our countries’ individual needs”

from the new government of com-mitments to policy directions and regulations consistent with strong private sector growth”, it added.

Taking a holistic appraisal of the cost-benefit analysis of the fuel subsidy regime over the years on the economy, the Bank pointed out that the benefits of the sub-sidy appeared quite limited while the costs are high.

It concluded that for given fixed domestic fuel prices, the burden of the fuel subsidy, that is, “its share of government oil revenues will likely increase over time re-gardless of whether oil prices re-main low or recover”.

In the early part of the NER, the Bank reported the macro-economic overview, noting that sharp declines in oil prices since

31

Adejuwon osunnuyi

Etisalat Nigeria, the leading innovative and customer- centric telecommunication

network in the country, has again reiterated the fact that Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) can help accelerate the growth of the Nigerian economy if greater attention is paid to the sector.

The telco, while reiterating its commitment to the development of Growing Up Businesses (GUBs) in the country, said SMEs are the engine of economic growth in many developed countries.

Regional Manager, Enterprise

Sales, Etisalat Nigeria, Victoria Ibeji, stated this in Abuja at the just concluded Market Access Nigeria, a quarterly business networking and empowerment session for Small and Medium Enterprises, organised by the Enterprise Devel-opment Centre of the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos in partnership with Etisalat Nigeria.

“At Etisalat, we have been con-sistent in implementing solutions that stimulate the growth of SMEs in Nigeria. One of these numerous solutions is this partnership with the Enterprise Development Cen-tre of the Pan-Atlantic University for meeting the global entrepre-neurship need of small and grow-

dAvid Audu

The co-founder and lead co-ordinator of ‘The Future Awards Africa Award’,

Chude Jideonwo, has described the purported growth of the mobile phone market and users in Africa as mere consumption the people are noted and not growth.

Jideonwo, who spoke during the future award held in Lagos recently, said that the 329 million mobile phone users could not be classified growth but rather, mere consumption.

“We should not celebrate 200 million people using phone as market growth and development when there are no roads for the same people to move their goods and services.

He also noted that people should not be carried away with springing up of the luxury motor shops opening in Lagos, saying that “it is not development, rather, it is alternative reality”, he said.

Jideonwu urged Africans and her leaders to stop lowering the bar of development, noting that it is absurd to celebrate “six per cent growth rate over the past 10

TFAA boss picks holes in Nigeria’s teledensity report

years when countries like China have sustained 11 percent growth for most of the last 30 years, pull-ing millions out of poverty in the process’.

He pointed out that the conse-quences of the lowering of stan-dard has been the rising instead in “the number of Africa’s chil-dren out of school, about18 mil-lion as at last count, the number of young people living below two dollars a day, about 72 per cent as at last count, the percent of our GDP that goes only to less than 10 per cent, the number of people who have to hold their hands over their heads to pass into the airport in Kenya, and the sheer number of jobless youth, over 75 million between ages 15 and 24 who have no jobs”.

He said the need to get Africans actively engaged and involved in solving problems has informed The Future Awards Africa’s de-cision to visit 100 cities over the next one year to discover them, mentor them to tell their stories.

“That’s why we are finding young people solving problems across these communities and telling their stories, spreading their action. That’s why we are getting them all the support that they need that we can get. We will train them, we will support them, we will help them scale. That’s why we are launching howcanIge-tinvolved.com”

Etisalat reiterates commitment to SMEs’ growth ing businesses. Also as part of the initiative, we have trained a lot of SME operators from across Nigeria; we have connected them with mentors, and inspired them for great successes through networking opportunities with entrepreneurs of large organisa-tions”, she said.

Speaking on the importance of Market Access Nigeria, the Di-rector, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Peter Bamkole, said the initiative is a platform that brings together Small and Medium Scale Enter-prises (SMEs) and large compa-nies to network, start relation-ships and create opportunities.

AdeolA Tukuru, ABUJ

Small Scale Women Farm-ers Organization in Ni-geria (SWOFON), has ap-

pealed to governments in the country to help small holder farmers get equal opportunity for land ownership to women in the face of current challenges they encounter on acquisition and ownership of land.

The appeal came on the heels of a launch of a programme tagged ‘Referral Pathway on Women’s Rights in Nigeria’ organised by Actionaid Nigeria in collabora-tion with Federacion Internacio-nal De Abogadas (FIDA), SWO-FON and Heinrich Boll Stiftung Nigeria.

The First Vice President, Rural Women Farmers Forum, (RWFF) covering over 14 African coun-tries, Mary Afan, during an inter-active session wuth journalists, lamented that the issue of women owning land particularly in Nige-ria was most challenging.

She explained: “The contro-versial issue of women acquiring land in Nigeria has been one of our major problem, even when we

Small holder women farmers seek improved access to land

FrAnCis eZeM

The Senate, Nigeria’s up-per legislative chamber, has stepped into the

N1.5bn truck terminal, which is expected to clear the port access roads and rid the area of the pe-rennial traffic congestion.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport; Senator Sani Yerima, who spoke in Lagos shortly after the inspection of the Tin Can Island Port truck ter-minal located opposite the port, disclosed that the Senate was con-cerned by increasing reports on the poor state of the port access roads, which has given rise to pe-rennial gridlock in Apapa, thus subjecting Nigerians to untold hardships.

It was gathered that the truck terminal contract awarded to Broni Proni was abandoned over the failure of the Federal Govern-ment to meet it financial obliga-tion to the contractors, which could not continue with the con-tract due to paucity of funds.

The committee chairman, who also disclosed that the contract is more than 95 per cent completed, pledged to ensure that the N1.5bn, which is the outstanding balance of the contract sum was paid to the contractor so that it would move back to site to complete the job.

Apapa gridlock: Senate to resolve N1.5bn truck terminal contractAlso on the inspection visit in

company of the Senate Commit-tee on Marine Transport were vice chairman of the committee, Senator Ighoyota Amori, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, a member of the committee and the chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Sen-ator Kabiru Gaya, among others.

While bemoaning the poor state of the port access roads, Sen-ator Yerima urged the port com-munity and residents of Apapa and environs to see the challenge as a national problem, which would also require a national so-lution.

He expressed worries that the current situation could be a dis-incentive to both local and foreign investors, who might want to do business in the nation’s seaports, a development that makes it expe-dient and urgent for the govern-ment to fix the roads.

“We are going to look at the short term, medium term and at the end of the day, we will be able to come up with permanent solution to this problem. We also learnt that so many other com-mittees have been going around in the past and not much has been achieved but I want to assure you that whatever we resolve today, we hope to take to the Senate”, Yeri-ma also assured.

Meanwhile, chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Gaya, while speaking during the

assessment visit, however dis-closed that his committee would liaise with the Federal Ministry of Works, which awarded the con-tract to ensure that the outstand-ing sums were paid off to facili-tate the completion of the job.

“I wish to confirm to the stake-

holders that I am in touch with the Federal Ministry of Works, which has confirmed that the truck park being constructed as one of the immediate remedies to these prob-lems has reached 95 percent but the contractor was waiting for just N1.5 billion to come back to site”,

.he said.Senator Gaya also said: I will

therefore urge all of us to look at this problems as a national disas-ter and see how we can come about suggestions in terms of the way forward as far as this matter is concerned”.

meet at the regional platform the story of women with regards to ac-cess to land and ownership is the same.”

Afan disclosed that women ac-counted for about 80 per cent of the total foods consumed globally, adding that if only women farm-ers are given equal opportunity to own land like their male counter-part the issue of poverty would have been a thing of the past.

28 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, December 10, 2015Business News

L-R: Head of Service (HOS) of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita; Regional Bank Head, Abuja 1, Fidelity Bank Plc., Hassan Imam and the Bank’s Managing Director, Nnamdi Okonkwo, at the launch of the Book “From Opposition to Governing Party- Nigeria’s APC Story” authored by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu in Abuja on Monday.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 29Thursday, December 10, 2015 Global News

Japan’s economy avoids a technical recession

Diesel farms could this week win contracts worth hun-dreds of millions of pounds

as part of a Government scheme to keep the lights on.

The payments, which will add to our energy bills, are intended to ensure there is enough generating capacity on the power network.

Critics say the capacity market has failed to deliver new gas plants to replace aging coal power stations.

The government says its prior-ity is reliable, affordable energy sup-plies.

The diesel farms are expected to win contracts in a capacity auction that gets underway today.

Overseen by National Grid, the auction is intended to secure 45 giga-watts of power for a period of four years.

Companies with existing power stations and those planning new generating plants will take part. For the first time the auction will also be open to the operators of intercon-nector cables that carry electricity between the UK and the continent.

The auction is designed to deliver the power at the lowest price.

But a new report suggests that instead of ensuring large gas plants are built, the capacity market has in-centivised the growth of diesel gen-eration, which is less clean than gas.

“In the same week that world leaders are in Paris negotiating a

Shares in mining firm An-glo American have fallen by more than 10 per cent

as the company said it would sell huge chunks of its business and shrink its workforce by nearly two-thirds.

The changes will see the work-force drop by 85,000, from 135,000 to 50,000.

The group has been forced to restructure after the collapse of commodity prices slashed profits.

Anglo will also suspend divi-dend payments for a year, and consolidate from six to three busi-nesses.

All the world’s big mining companies have seen profits tum-

climate deal, the UK government is handing out new subsidies to the most polluting form of electricity generation available,” said Jimmy Aldridge of the Institute of Public Policy Research.

“This is allowing sky-high returns for diesel investors, but terrible value for money for consumers” he said.

The think-tank estimates that operators of diesel sites won £109m worth of contracts in last year’s ca-pacity auction.

Based on the companies that have registered interest in this week’s event, it estimates that diesel genera-tion could secure up to £434m more.

Together with other payments, the IPPR estimates that diesel op-erators earn returns of at least 23 per cent on their investments.

It is calling on the Government to prevent diesel generation from tak-ing part in subsequent auctions and for constraints on those who have already secured capacity payments.

The capacity auction is designed to provide an incentive for firms to keep power plants online.

It is also meant to ensure new plants are built as older plants come off the system.

Earlier this month the Energy Secretary Amber Rudd confirmed plans to shut all coal-fired plants by 2025. She said that it was “imperative that we get new gas-fired power sta-tions built” to replace them.

But the first capacity auction, held last year, cleared at a lower price than expected.

ble along with plunging commod-ity prices as demand from China has slowed.

The price of oil is at seven-year lows, as is copper, and on Tuesday the price of iron ore tumbled to a 10-year low of $39.60 a tonne, after reaching a peak near $200 in 2011.

As part of the restructuring, Anglo American’s diamonds business will be run by its De Beers subsidiary, its platinum and base metals operations will come under Industrial Metals, and its Bulk Commodities divi-sion will concentrate on coal and iron ore.

A company spokesperson said the job cuts would be made through asset sales and internal cuts: “Bear in mind that these include assets that we will sell, so the 85,000 jobs don’t [all] disap-pear as many will be employed by new owners of those mines that we sell.”

Anglo will sell its phosphates and niobium businesses during 2016 and plans $3.7bn in cost and productivity improvements by

2017.Chief executive Mark Cutifani

said: “While we have continued to deliver our business restructur-ing and performance objectives across the board, the severity of commodity price deterioration re-quires bolder action.”

Anglo’s share price has fallen by more than two-thirds over the past year.

Shares in other major mining companies also saw sharp falls in trading in London on Tuesday. Glencore was down 9.3 per cent, Rio Tinto fell 6.3 per cent and BHP Billiton was 5.8 per cent lower.

“Anglo American, like all of its counterparties in the mining sec-tor, has found there is no more fat to be cut and, as had been specu-lated for the last week, it had to face the reality that it could no longer pay out the dividend,” said Alastair McCaig, market analyst at IG.

“Where one goes, others will follow and the possibility that BHP Billiton or Rio Tinto might be forced into similar action now looks increasingly likely.”

Diesel farm

Diesel farms in line for power payout

Anglo American to cut workforce by 85,000 in restructuring

Japan’s economy avoided a technical recession in the three months to Septem-

ber, according to revised official numbers released on Tuesday.

Preliminary numbers re-leased last month indicated the economy shrank at an annual pace of 0.8 per cent during the period.

The preliminary figures meant it was Japan’s second consecutive quarterly contrac-tion, which constitutes a techni-cal recession.

UAW launches strike at auto supplier Nexteer’s U.S. operations

However, the new data sug-gests the economy grew at an-nual pace of one per cent.

Japan, which is the world’s third-biggest economy, has been in recession four times since the global financial crisis.

On a quarterly basis, the lat-est economic numbers show gross domestic product (GDP) for the three months to Septem-ber grew 0.3 per cent - instead of initial report which showed a contraction of 0.2 per cent.

Analysts said Tuesday’s numbers were stronger than expected.

“What’s more, GDP only shrank by 0.1 per cent quarter on quarter [in the three months to June] instead of the earlier reported 0.2 per cent,” said economist Marcel Thieliant of Capital Economics.

Mr Thielant said one reason for the revision was stronger business investment, which edged up by 0.6 per cent instead of the preliminary reported 1.3 per cent quarter on quarter fall.Cutifani Japan PM, Shinzo Abe

Fiat

Union workers at Nex-teer Automotive’s complex in Saginaw,

Michigan, walked off the job early Tuesday after rejecting a proposed contract, halting production of steering sys-tems and other components essential to vehicle production by General Motors Co (GM.N) and other automakers.

United Auto Workers union Local 699 announced the strike on its Facebook page shortly after midnight on Tuesday. The action came after work-ers at the Saginaw factory on Sunday voted down a proposed contract by a wide margin. Lo-cal 699 leaders posted a tally sheet of the vote on Facebook.

GM was assessing the poten-tial impact on its operations Tuesday morning, a spokes-man said.

Nexteer, controlled by a unit of Aviation Industry Corp of

China, was formerly part of GM, and remains a major sup-plier of steering systems and related hardware to the De-troit automaker. Nexteer sup-plies steering systems for GM’s profitable large Chevrolet Sil-verado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks.

“We are trying to resolve this as quickly as possible,” Nexteer spokesman Luis Canales said in an interview on Tuesday.

A spokesman for UAW lead-ership in Detroit did not have an immediate comment. Offi-cials at Local 699 could not be reached.

Trade newspaper Automo-tive News reported on Tuesday that Nexteer also supplies parts to Ford (F.N), Fiat Chrysler Au-tomobiles NV (FCHA.MI) and Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T). Canales said he could not com-ment on the customers affected.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netFriday, December 10, 2015 Capital Market30

Stock exchange daily equities summaryDaily Summary as of 09/12/2015Printed 09/12/2015 14:33:01.001

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Page 1 of 12

Daily Summary (Bonds)

No Debt Trading Activity

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

AGRICULTURECrop Production Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. OKOMUOIL 7 29.65 27,555 776,224.35PRESCO PLC PRESCO 11 31.00 56,932 1,790,620.88

Crop Production Totals 18 84,487 2,566,845.23

Livestock/Animal Specialties Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedLIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. LIVESTOCK 7 1.42 331,500 470,780.00

Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals 7 331,500 470,780.00

AGRICULTURE Totals 25 415,987 3,037,625.23

CONGLOMERATESDiversified Industries Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. AGLEVENT 3 0.74 19,751 15,208.27CHELLARAMS PLC. CHELLARAM 1 3.76 1,340 4,797.20JOHN HOLT PLC. JOHNHOLT 2 0.92 930 818.40TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC TRANSCORP 90 1.39 7,952,162 11,214,006.84U A C N PLC. UACN 44 24.20 331,352 8,012,850.39

Diversified Industries Totals 140 8,305,535 19,247,681.10

CONGLOMERATES Totals 140 8,305,535 19,247,681.10

Daily Summary as of 09/12/2015Printed 09/12/2015 14:33:01.001




ICTICT Totals 2 301,000 150,500.00

INDUSTRIAL GOODSBuilding Materials Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

ASHAKA CEM PLC ASHAKACEM 12 23.00 27,190 600,920.88BERGER PAINTS PLC BERGER 4 9.85 27,800 274,677.36CAP PLC CAP 18 37.60 174,306 6,548,013.75CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC CCNN 9 7.40 56,482 397,068.46FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC FIRSTALUM 1 0.50 61 30.50IPWA PLC IPWA 1 0.50 875 437.50PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC PORTPAINT 2 3.95 12,660 47,601.60PREMIER PAINTS PLC. PREMPAINTS 1 10.93 1,500 15,585.00LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. WAPCO 35 90.00 529,524 47,641,925.32

Building Materials Totals 83 830,398 55,526,260.37

Packaging/Containers Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedAVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS AVONCROWN 1 1.52 468 678.60BETA GLASS CO PLC. BETAGLAS 3 50.93 8,200 396,798.00

Packaging/Containers Totals 4 8,668 397,476.60

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals 87 839,066 55,923,736.97

NATURAL RESOURCESChemicals Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

B.O.C. GASES PLC. BOCGAS 1 3.79 5,000 19,800.00Chemicals Totals 1 5,000 19,800.00





NATURAL RESOURCESNATURAL RESOURCES Totals 1 5,000 19,800.00

OIL AND GASEnergy Equipment and Services Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC JAPAULOIL 2 0.50 81,800 40,900.00Energy Equipment and Services Totals 2 81,800 40,900.00

Integrated Oil and Gas Services Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedOANDO PLC OANDO 113 5.69 2,568,123 14,638,205.14

Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals 113 2,568,123 14,638,205.14

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedCONOIL PLC CONOIL 2 26.04 2,000 49,480.00





OIL AND GASPetroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

ETERNA PLC. ETERNA 6 1.59 506,000 804,360.00FORTE OIL PLC. FO 78 235.90 109,023 24,445,174.53MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MOBIL 20 132.41 16,112 2,062,099.23TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL 14 148.01 22,453 3,380,686.89

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals 120 655,588 30,741,800.65

Exploration and Production Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedSEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD SEPLAT 10 217.35 59,573 12,764,491.55

Exploration and Production Totals 10 59,573 12,764,491.55

OIL AND GAS Totals 245 3,365,084 58,185,397.34

SERVICESAutomobile/Auto Part Retailers Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

R T BRISCOE PLC. RTBRISCOE 2 0.50 11,215 5,607.50Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals 2 11,215 5,607.50

Courier/Freight/Delivery Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedRED STAR EXPRESS PLC REDSTAREX 3 4.20 77,500 325,550.00TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. TRANSEXPR 1 1.03 15,000 15,150.00

Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals 4 92,500 340,700.00

Employment Solutions Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedC & I LEASING PLC. CILEASING 1 0.50 18,000 9,000.00

Employment Solutions Totals 1 18,000 9,000.00






ETERNA PLC. ETERNA 6 1.59 506,000 804,360.00FORTE OIL PLC. FO 78 235.90 109,023 24,445,174.53MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MOBIL 20 132.41 16,112 2,062,099.23TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL 14 148.01 22,453 3,380,686.89

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals 120 655,588 30,741,800.65

Exploration and Production Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedSEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD SEPLAT 10 217.35 59,573 12,764,491.55

Exploration and Production Totals 10 59,573 12,764,491.55

OIL AND GAS Totals 245 3,365,084 58,185,397.34

SERVICESAutomobile/Auto Part Retailers Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

R T BRISCOE PLC. RTBRISCOE 2 0.50 11,215 5,607.50Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals 2 11,215 5,607.50

Courier/Freight/Delivery Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedRED STAR EXPRESS PLC REDSTAREX 3 4.20 77,500 325,550.00TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. TRANSEXPR 1 1.03 15,000 15,150.00

Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals 4 92,500 340,700.00

Employment Solutions Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedC & I LEASING PLC. CILEASING 1 0.50 18,000 9,000.00

Employment Solutions Totals 1 18,000 9,000.00





SERVICESHotels/Lodging Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

IKEJA HOTEL PLC IKEJAHOTEL 8 3.14 379,000 1,165,009.04Hotels/Lodging Totals 8 379,000 1,165,009.04

Printing/Publishing Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedACADEMY PRESS PLC. ACADEMY 1 0.57 2,000 1,140.00LEARN AFRICA PLC LEARNAFRCA 6 0.72 210,000 150,155.00

Printing/Publishing Totals 7 212,000 151,295.00

Transport-Related Services Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedAIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC AIRSERVICE 1 1.90 500 990.00NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC NAHCO 23 3.58 295,881 1,062,790.63

Transport-Related Services Totals 24 296,381 1,063,780.63

Support and Logistics Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedCAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC CAVERTON 2 2.47 680 1,679.60

Support and Logistics Totals 2 680 1,679.60

SERVICES Totals 48 1,009,776 2,737,071.77

EQTY Board Totals 2,077 156,273,241 1,423,841,567.36




Activity Summary on Board ASeM


CAPITAL OIL PLC CAPOIL 1 0.50 69,800 34,900.00Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals 1 69,800 34,900.00

OIL AND GAS Totals 1 69,800 34,900.00

ASeM Board Totals 1 69,800 34,900.00Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM

FINANCIAL SERVICESBanking Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC ZENITHBANK 590 14.00 64,312,117 856,044,849.16Banking Totals 590 64,312,117 856,044,849.16

Other Financial Institutions Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedFBN HOLDINGS PLC FBNH 381 4.66 19,899,623 91,782,105.24

Other Financial Institutions Totals 381 19,899,623 91,782,105.24

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals 971 84,211,740 947,826,954.40


DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DANGCEM 12 162.19 240,942 39,078,382.98




Activity Summary on Board ASeM


CAPITAL OIL PLC CAPOIL 1 0.50 69,800 34,900.00Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals 1 69,800 34,900.00

OIL AND GAS Totals 1 69,800 34,900.00

ASeM Board Totals 1 69,800 34,900.00Daily Summary (Equities)



ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC ZENITHBANK 590 14.00 64,312,117 856,044,849.16Banking Totals 590 64,312,117 856,044,849.16

Other Financial Institutions Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedFBN HOLDINGS PLC FBNH 381 4.66 19,899,623 91,782,105.24




DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DANGCEM 12 162.19 240,942 39,078,382.98





INDUSTRIAL GOODSBuilding Materials Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedBuilding Materials Totals 12 240,942 39,078,382.98

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals 12 240,942 39,078,382.98

PREMIUM Board Totals 983 84,452,682 986,905,337.38

Equity Activity Totals 3,061 240,795,723 2,410,781,804.74

Daily Summary (ETP)

Exchange Traded FundName Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedLOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF LOTUSHAL15 1 9.30 10 93.00NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) NEWGOLD 1 2,070.00 50 103,500.00VETIVA BANKING ETF VETBANK 4 2.66 125 334.50VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETGOODS 3 6.83 120 829.30VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF VETGRIF30 2 12.21 110 1,357.10VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF VETINDETF 1 20.44 5 102.20

Exchange Traded Fund Totals 12 420 106,216.10

ETF Board Totals 12 420 106,216.10

ETP Activity Totals 12 420 106,216.10





CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATEBuilding Structure/Completion/Other Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

COSTAIN (W A) PLC. COSTAIN 2 0.50 34,145 17,072.50Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals 2 34,145 17,072.50

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedJULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. JBERGER 6 37.81 8,554 318,937.50

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals 6 8,554 318,937.50

Real Estate Development Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedUACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED UAC-PROP 4 6.03 135,349 815,917.96

Real Estate Development Totals 4 135,349 815,917.96

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedUNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UHOMREIT 1 45.22 60 2,577.60UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST UPDCREIT 1 10.00 40 400.00

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals 2 100 2,977.60

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals 14 178,148 1,154,905.56

CONSUMER GOODSBeverages--Brewers/Distillers Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

CHAMPION BREW. PLC. CHAMPION 3 3.70 12,000 46,560.00GUINNESS NIG PLC GUINNESS 52 123.00 198,190 24,520,758.29INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. INTBREW 17 15.50 755,725 11,646,057.75NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. NB 161 112.01 1,217,438 135,572,946.64

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals 233 2,183,353 171,786,322.68





CONSUMER GOODSBeverages--Non-Alcoholic Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. 7UP 10 181.10 16,955 3,095,782.00Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals 10 16,955 3,095,782.00

Food Products Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedDANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC DANGSUGAR 15 6.06 469,900 2,857,204.00FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. FLOURMILL 61 19.50 414,527 8,091,431.14HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC HONYFLOUR 26 1.60 698,558 1,050,341.12NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC NASCON 35 7.00 603,955 4,228,085.00N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. NNFM 1 8.99 1,597 13,654.35TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC TIGERBRANDS 13 1.15 159,693 167,727.65

Food Products Totals 151 2,348,230 16,408,443.26

Food Products--Diversified Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedCADBURY NIGERIA PLC. CADBURY 9 18.68 111,666 2,098,541.14NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE 39 810.03 164,578 133,312,848.22

Food Products--Diversified Totals 48 276,244 135,411,389.36

Household Durables Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedVITAFOAM NIG PLC. VITAFOAM 16 4.90 306,853 1,389,981.45VONO PRODUCTS PLC. VONO 11 0.72 1,020,000 734,000.00

Household Durables Totals 27 1,326,853 2,123,981.45

Personal/Household Products Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedP Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. PZ 62 26.50 6,920,617 183,606,262.27UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER 34 45.50 296,201 12,804,947.54





CONSUMER GOODSPersonal/Household Products Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedPersonal/Household Products Totals 96 7,216,818 196,411,209.81

CONSUMER GOODS Totals 565 13,368,453 525,237,128.56


ACCESS BANK PLC. ACCESS 88 4.91 26,839,429 129,075,905.09DIAMOND BANK PLC DIAMONDBNK 17 2.30 425,529 974,287.49ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED ETI 84 16.00 4,759,257 74,422,505.37FIDELITY BANK PLC FIDELITYBK 26 1.35 1,469,777 1,985,408.95GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. GUARANTY 233 18.53 18,577,213 344,350,812.33SKYE BANK PLC SKYEBANK 42 1.40 2,985,070 4,179,098.00STERLING BANK PLC. STERLNBANK 4 1.93 2,420 4,454.20UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UBA 171 3.80 35,610,707 133,192,817.17UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UBN 40 5.60 488,932 2,708,245.08UNITY BANK PLC UNITYBNK 12 0.64 534,548 342,417.02






WEMA BANK PLC. WEMABANK 17 0.93 3,227,088 2,887,856.48Banking Totals 734 94,919,970 694,123,807.18

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedAIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO 5 0.91 170,000 155,050.00CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE 4 0.96 120,100 115,527.00GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. GUINEAINS 1 0.50 7,600 3,800.00LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LAWUNION 5 0.64 7,821,186 5,005,559.04AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC MANSARD 4 2.74 30,600 79,866.00MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. MBENEFIT 7 0.50 3,000,000 1,500,000.00N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NEM 8 0.68 1,128,000 762,100.68NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NIGERINS 1 0.50 12,800 6,400.00WAPIC INSURANCE PLC WAPIC 2 0.50 27,667 13,833.50

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals 37 12,317,953 7,642,136.22

Micro-Finance Banks Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedFORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC FORTISMFB 2 5.15 120 618.00NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC NPFMCRFBK 3 1.01 30,500 30,495.00

Micro-Finance Banks Totals 5 30,620 31,113.00

Other Financial Institutions Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedAFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC AFRIPRUD 46 2.22 1,892,324 4,247,729.27CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC CUSTODYINS 4 4.06 206,544 838,575.30FCMB GROUP PLC. FCMB 34 1.76 12,793,707 22,521,884.87ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. ROYALEX 3 0.50 18,237 9,118.50





FINANCIAL SERVICESOther Financial Institutions Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC STANBIC 14 16.07 697,888 11,227,232.86UNITED CAPITAL PLC UCAP 51 1.27 4,847,923 6,185,231.05



HEALTHCAREPharmaceuticals Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

EVANS MEDICAL PLC. EVANSMED 2 0.50 155,040 77,520.00FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC FIDSON 7 2.69 295,315 795,574.03GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. GLAXOSMITH 7 36.00 289,671 10,415,428.05MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. MAYBAKER 4 0.99 10,000 9,870.00PHARMA-DEKO PLC. PHARMDEKO 2 2.25 10,000 22,500.50

Pharmaceuticals Totals 22 760,026 11,320,892.58

HEALTHCARE Totals 22 760,026 11,320,892.58

ICTComputer Based Systems Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value Traded

COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC COURTVILLE 1 0.50 1,000 500.00Computer Based Systems Totals 1 1,000 500.00

Processing Systems Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded Value TradedCHAMS PLC CHAMS 1 0.50 300,000 150,000.00

Processing Systems Totals 1 300,000 150,000.00

1st Tier Securities1st Tier SecuritiesSector Company name No Of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

Equities as at December 9, 2015Sector Company name No Of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded Value of Shares(N)

The Social Media Bill seeking to gag the activities of social media savvy is causing rage and chief executives

officers in the telecommunications indus-try have called for an all industry campaign against the Bill.

Ardent users of the platform, which has become a tool of social critics in Nigeria, as-sumed a freighting dimension when execu-tives of telecoms companies called for an all stakeholders mobilisation against planned entrenchment of the Bill into our law books.

A senator from Kebbi state, Mr. Ibn Na’Allah had presented a Bill, if passed into law, will anyone found guilty of posting abu-sive comment on the social media liable to two years of imprisonment or a fine of N2 million or both.

The bill provides for an option of N4 million for persons convicted of false news-paper, radio and television statements and N2 million for offenders of false phone text messages or messages on Facebook, twitter, Instagram, or WhatsApp.

The Chief Executive Officer, Teledom Groups Limited, an IT solution firm based in Lagos, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem called on ICT industry stakeholders association such ATCON, ALTON, NIG, NCS to rise up in uni-son to challenge the planned bill saying that it is taking the nation back into the military era of dictatorship.

According to him, the Bill is a reflection of Decree 4, which must be vehemently resisted all stakeholders group in the country noting that the explanation that the use of the Bill to regulate the social media is against the will of the masses.

He said that it is duty of all stakeholders rise up and challenge the Bill without the use of violence saying that there are enough civil laws as well as the cybercrime law to regulate the abusive use of the social media.

Ekuwem called for a unique identifica-tion of all devices used to access the internet so as to ascertain whoever is using its device for character assassination on the social me-dia noting that “I sympathise with members of the National Assemble over the issues that they are reacting to but to react by gaging the social media will be an over-reaction.”

He disclosed that the National Assemble must not be allowed to make a law that will regulate the social media stressing that the social media is a tool for national develop-ment and cannot be regulated just like free speech.

Online journalists, enthusiasts rally against Social Media Bill’s passageDespite being a tool of development globally, the ongo-ing plans to legislate on new media practice is creating serious ripples in the Nigerian larger society as social media enthusiasts and chieftains see the move as anti-democratic and a subtle way to gag the media.Isaiah Erhiawarien analysis the controversies spurred by the National Assembly’s move.

I sympathIse wIth members of the NatIoNal assemble over the Issues

that they are reactINg to but to react by gagINg the socIal medIa

wIll be aN over-reactIoN

“What I am telling the members the Na-tional Assemble can take care of their exist-ing laws in the country that can address their concern, and once an individual has been known to engage in the use of abusive words he should be taken to court”, said Ekuwem.

Director of Public Affairs of the Nige-rian Communications Commission, NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo said that it is appropriate for anyone worried about the negative use of the social media to get a copy of the Cyber Crime Law of 2014 noting that it addresses the fears of the National Assemble.

According to him, there is no place in the world where the social media is regulated in the manner that the National Assemble is seeking to achieve stressing that no coun-try regulate the social media, and that where that is done, there is always crisis.

President of the Programos Software Group, Mr. Emmanuel Amos while challeng-ing the Bill on his Facebook page described it as dead on arrival saying that the industry needs strong engagement with the National Assemble on Bill.

Amos said that the Bill is a “Pam Sandal’ laws saying that it does not represent the will of the Bill, which he said that the lawmakers are supposed to protect.

Beyond the agitation of the industry top players, the social media was also washed with rage, which criticised the Bill.

In one of such post on Facebook, Abdul-mujeeb Bayo Adebolajo described the Bill as a re-enactment of the memories of the military regime where decrees were passed to gag the media and derogate from the right to free speech.

According to him, it is clear that the Bu-hari/APC government is laying the legal foundation to stifle the growing criticism and increasing awareness on social media of the gross incompetence being displayed by this government.

He recalled that the social media was a tool that the past administration excelled and used to drive their activity and that ironically it gave the opposition a voice.

For Collins Obi Praise, “the attempt by the senate to legislate on issue that touches on the social media and freedom of expres-sion is strong evidence of the faineance character of these groups of senators. Someone should remind them that they cannot legislate how people spend their free time.”

As for Ola Bakare, the proposed Bill is a strategy by the present government to gag critiques saying, “They want to use style to gag our mouth so that all their shady acts should not be talked about.”

A legal practitioner, Ope Banwo while kicking against the criminalising the thoughts of the people said, it is taking it too far to criminalise what people are saying on the social media.

He described the social media as a mar-ket where everybody go to sell as saying that it would be wrong to send someone to jail because he post information.

Banwo who was speaking on Channels

TV Sunrise Daily program, said that there are existing laws that addresses defamation noting that when it is criminalised it will stop a lot of people from speaking about crucial issues.

He said that there are is no redeeming features in the Bill because there are al-ready checks in the civil law to check that besides the checks that existing in the social media features.

He said that the law does not make sense noting that there are over 5,000 signatory asking for the recall of the Na’Allah by his constituency noting that Facebook has provided a means for posting to be removed when complain.

Concerning countries that like Turkey that has social media, he said that Nigeria cannot be compared to countries with re-pressive laws adding that those who are supporting the Bill are those who have been in public eye.

Despite the stiff opposition by social media enthusiasts there are some who view the Bill as critically essential for the control of what people say on the social media.

A broadcast journalist, Omor Bazuaye said, “Don’t you think there’s a need for some measure of reasonable control. Can people just say what they like without hav-ing their facts in the name of freedom of speech?”

Moji Danisa Dawodu, a blogger on her Facebook wall said that Senator is not mak-ing sense saying that “the Bill against social media lies and lying has to be passed. We need some sanity, I swear.”

And Jeanette T. Lopez said, “I think it is good so as to avoid a lot of speculations, as-sumptions and miss information that leads people to believe otherwise.”

Saraki

31National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Info Tech

StorieS by iSaiah erhiwarien

Stakeholders in telecoms industry have urged gov-ernments to take con-

ceited efforts towards improv-ing infrastructure that will enhance the performance of the nation’s mobile economy.

In paper presentations made at the Nigeria Mobile Economy Summit and Awards in Lagos, speakers said that they attributed the rapid growth of the nation’s economy to the fast pace of the mobile economy.

The mobile is economy is the use of mobile devices such as mo-bile phones and tablets to carryout economic tasks such as mobile money transfer, mobile insurance, mobile agriculture and mobile health.

Country Manager, Google Nige-ria, Mrs. Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, in her presentation said that the mobile internet had the capac-ity to unlock the potentials of the Nigerian economy because of the huge growth in mobile uptake.

According to her, the digital revolution has created a great impact in the Nigerian economy noting that latest trend in Nigeria revealed that over 97 million Nige-rians are online, which represent tremendous growth since 2005.

She disclosed that Nigeria re-mained the largest Twitting na-tion in Africa saying that more

32 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, December 10, 2015

Stakeholders task FG on infrastructurefor mobile economy

Computer Warehouse Group (CWG Plc) has alerted stakeholders in the private

and public sector of the economy of the possibility of the rot Nige-rian Education Research Network (NgREN).

The company called on stake-holders to contribute their quota towards ensuring that the NgREN is not allowed to rot away as a white elephant project.

Chief Executive Officer, CWG, Mr. Austin Okere said at the clos-ing gong ceremony held on the trading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) building in La-gos, noted that the survival of the NgREN has been threatened by the failure of the Nigerian Univer-sities Commission, NUC, to pay for its annual bandwidth fees.

According to Okere, the World Bank and the Federal Government had financed the project and it re-ceived international acclaim at the 2014 World Economic Forum sum-mit in Tianjin, China saying that it should not be allowed to die on the account of such a small need espe-cially when we consider its impact on our educational system and the

CWG raises alarm over impending rot in NgREN

L-R: Account Manager (Print Solutions), HP Corporation, Francis John Angbo; Microsoft Nigeria, Partners Channel Market-ing Manager, Bunmi Bialose; Managing Director, HP Corporation, Ify Afe; Microsoft Nigeria, Consumer Channels Group Director, Mark Ihimoyan and MD/CEO, Crown Crystal Technologies Limited, Adeniyi-Martins Adegbenro at Microsoft/HP’s Celebration of Stars in Lagos.

The cases of cyber security threat may soon begin to dwindle following the intro-

duction of the first synchronised security protection firewall from Sophos, a network and endpoint security solution company.

According to a statement an-nouncing the release of the fire-wall in Lagos, the company stated that using the Sophos Security Heartbeat capability of the Sophos XG series of next-generation fire-walls and UTMs, will mitigate against today’s sophisticated threats.

The company said that the new firewall technology directly links next-generation firewalls and UTMs with next-generation endpoint security to share threat intelligence that enables faster de-tection of threats, automatic isola-tion of infected devices, and more immediate and targeted response and resolution.

Chief Executive Officer of Sophos, Kris Hagerman, noted that with the new technology, organisa-tions of any size can advance their defenses against increasingly coordinated and stealthy attacks and drive a dramatic reduction in the time and resources required to investigate and address security incidents.

He explained that the Security Heartbeat pulses is continuous, offer real-time information about suspicious behaviour or malicious activity between endpoints and the

Sophos releases new solution to fight cyber threats

Nigerians are going online using their mobile phones while a lot are having their first internet experi-ence via the mobile phones.

Ehimuan-Chiazor said that about 65 per cent access the Google Search and Youtube through their mobile phones saying more access to these devices will drive further the growth of the economy, and that as such business must develop along multiple devices in the mar-ket.

She explained that the use of the mobile phone in detecting fake and adulterated medicines, monitoring of election, banking business as well as news on the go signify the importance of driving an economy via mobile.

Managing Director of Jovago Nigeria Limited, Kushal Dutta said that mobile device has changed the landscape of the hospital industry in Nigeria saying that with the mo-bile device it is easy to make a ho-tel reservation from any location across the country.

He said that one of the greatest achievements of his company in the country is offering Nigerians a platform to make hotel reserva-tion for hotels outside the country saying that it is the first African company to partner with Google Hotel Ads.

He said that Jovago provides a vast portfolio of 8,000 hotels in Nigeria and over 200,000 hotels around the world at the best prices

possible urging for government to assist in enhancing telecoms in-frastructure.

Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta earlier in an opening address expressed

government desire to improve on the provision of telecoms infra-structure that are needed for the growth of the mobile economy.

Represented by the Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, the NCC boss assured that govern-

ment will provide the enabling environment for the mobile economy to thrive saying that the Commission is not relenting in the pursuit of achieving the goals of desirable and affordable broad-band growth.

network firewall or UTM noting that by giving these traditionally independent products the ability to directly share intelligence, the Security Heartbeat can instantly trigger a response to stop or help control a malware outbreak or data breach.

He said that the Sophos XG Firewall uses data provided by

Sophos endpoint protection to isolate and restrict access to and from the affected device, and in parallel, the endpoint protection can remediate the attack adding that IT organisations can benefit from advanced threat protection capabilities without requiring ad-ditional agents, layers of complex management tools, logging and analysis tools, or expense.

society at large. Okere noted that CWG has un-

dergone a number of fundamental changes in line with global reali-ties saying, “in line with the new shared economy, CWG Plc is mov-ing from providing IT solutions to the big players in the industry to providing platform services through the cloud to SMEs so as to help them scale their numerous limitations and spur innovation and inclusive growth.”

He added that these include SMERP, a cloud based enterprise resource planning that will allow SMEs keep their records and have access to loans from banks. Anoth-er is Diamond Yello Account, our mobile banking solution that will allow mobile phone users on

Executive Director, Market Op-erations and Technology of the NSE, Mr. Ade Bajomo disclosed that NgREN is a potential catalyst both for the growth of the tertiary education system in Nigeria and the growth of the nation’s econo-my as a whole.

According to him, the project is of peculiar interest to the NSE be-cause it can stimulate tremendous

The number of spams has reached a total of 120, 000 spam and unwanted calls

detected every day across the coun-try.

Search technology company, Truecaller in a recent report said that it is becoming an increasing cause for concern in Nigeria as spammers become more adept at harassing and taking advantage of smartphone users in Nigeria.

According to the Vice Presi-dent of Growth and Partnerships for Truecaller, Husain Misherghi, thousands of smartphone users are the victims of spammers in Ni-geria every day.

“You can protect yourself with Truecaller by reporting spam and unwanted numbers, and blocking them forever. That information is listed in our database and we re-port it to Truecaller’s community of users, providing a safe and se-cure communication experience for all Nigerians with easy, hassle-free calls.”

Nigeria’s spam calls rise to 120,000 dailyThe report said that about four

million Nigerians use Truecaller amongst the global Truecaller com-munity of over 200 million saying that the innovative app enables us-ers to block unwanted and spam calls they have reported to True-caller, or receive assistance from the app’s database where spam num-bers are listed and marked in red.

To further protect smartphone users from spam, Truecaller has taken its cutting-edge technology to the next level with Truemessenger, an SMS replacement app that tells users who sent an SMS even if they are not in your contacts.

Truemessenger does for SMS what Truecaller has done for mo-bile phone calls - identifies incom-ing SMS, filters and blocks spam SMS, to keep our users’ inboxes safe and clean.

Truecaller can be downloaded for free on popular platforms in-cluding Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Tizen and Nokia feature phones.

Info Tech

National president, Nigeria Institution of Estate surveyors and Valuers, Olorogun James Omeru FNIVS, (left) in a warm Handshake with lead consultant and Head of practice Nuel mark Group, Sir Emmanuel Mark FNIVS, at the 10 Anniversary of Nuel Mark Group, in Lagos, recently.

DAVID AUDU

The Public Relations Consultants As-sociation of Nigeria, PRCAN, has been challenged to adopt available

technology in the measurement of impact of PR activities on their clients’ business.

Head, Marketing & Corporate Com-munications at Stanbic IBTC, Mrs. Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, who was the guest speak-er at the 5th edition of the association Monthly Breakfast Meeting held in Lagos recently, dismissed the widely held notion that PR could not be measured and said that there are available technology that can help with measurement.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Public Rela-tions Agency-Client Relationship: A view from both sides’, she noted that, for ex-ample, Word Mapping could be done us-ing Google and other available tools that would determine how many times key messages were mentioned and their

Olumidei-Ojo who started her career on the Agency side of PR practice said, “we deny ourselves more credibility if we do not mark our own work,” adding that PR measurement agencies were springing up now. “It is important that we patronise them. We don’t have to wait for annual brand health checks before we see how well we have fared,” she added.

Speaking on client’s expectations of PR agencies, Olumide-Ojo advised PR consul-tants to be more proactive in attending to clients’ needs. She advised that PR agen-cies must anticipate challenges and offer PR solutions to deal with them.

She admonished: “Clients want their

PR practitioners charged on impact measurement

Thursday, December 10, 2015National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 33

Brands & Marketing

PR agencies to take up the role of a con-sultant. They want an agency that would look at a situation and give professional advice. They feel more comfortable with an agency that is able to do that. It is the easiest way for agencies to earn respect and trust as they would see you as a strong partner rather than a messenger.”

She stressed the need for PR consul-tants to understand the client’s business. According to her, clients get impatient with consultants that find it difficult to understand terminologies of their indus-try. “When clients know that you speak their language, they are more comfort-

able with you,” she said. Olumide-Ojo said that PR in Nigeria

has really grown in the last 15 years. “Prior to the fast-paced growth of the practice post-2000, PR practitioners were perceived largely as glorified pressmen as practice was almost limited to press releases distribution,” which was why veteran journalists drifted seamlessly between PR and media professions.

In her words: “After year 2000, a lot of things happened. PR practice was removed from the appendage of the creative industry. Technology and in-creasing sophistication of practitioners

helped to change perception. Now we have more PR practitioners who un-derstand their clients and are ready to learn.”

PRCAN President, John Ehiguese, in his remarks, admitted the importance of measurement but said clients were not always willing to pay for research. He however encouraged PR agencies to in-vest on research and evaluation in order to reap the full benefits of measurement.

He said the breakfast meeting was in furtherance of the commitment of the Association to boost the capacity of PR consultants in Nigeria so that they could better understand the client’s point of view and thereby manage their expecta-tions better.

Previous editions of the breakfast meeting have featured communication professionals from the private sector. They were: Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc; Emeka Oparah, Director of Corpo-rate Communications and CSR at Air-tel Nigeria; David Okeme, President of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) who is also Brand Building Director at Unilever Plc; and Tony Ojobo Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Com-munications Commission, NCC.

PRCAN is chartered by a Bye Law of the Nigerian Institute of Public Rela-tions (NIPR) to cater to the interests of the consultancy side of PR practice in Nigeria. It currently has a membership of 51 PR consultancy firms providing services across at least 21 PR practice areas.

DAVID AUDU

Public Relations and Marketing Communications agency, Ses-ema PR, hosted media partners

and clients at its first annual open house event in Lagos.

The event was organised to celebrate business relationships and to showcase the company’s refurbished work facil-ity.

It also served as an avenue to cele-brate media personalities for their sup-port while giving a review of Sesema PR’s achievements over the years.

During the event a milestone video which chronicled the highpoints of the agency over the years was played including a glowing tribute to the late founder Alima Atta.

The video explained the sponsor a child CSR project where primary schools students are given education grants worth N150, 000 yearly to sup-port their mental growth and devel-opment. The video also showcased a yearly scholarship program for LASU students featuring free tuition fees, feed-

ing and accommodation for the last two years of tertiary education for two stu-dents.

Speaking at the event, Managing Director Sesema PR, Mrs. Tampiri Irimagha-Akemu said that. “We are always excited to be able to open our doors to our partners that is why this open house event is very important to us as it gives us a platform to be able to bring such valued stakeholders togeth-er to appreciate them.”

The event was also used to introduce the “Emerging Entrepreneurs” project. A project that showcases fast rising entrepreneurs who are pacesetters in their individual industries and spheres of influence. Emerging entrepreneurs aims to promote the entrepreneurs through public relations, networking with other entrepreneurs and strategic business advisory.

The event also was used to unveil the agency’s CSR project called ‘Emerging Entrepreneur’. which is our own way of giving back to the society, by provid-ing a platform for budding innovative entrepreneurs to blossom”. Mrs Ake-mu added.

Other highlights of the event were the displays by Mall for Africa the on-line retail store with access to over 80 global brand stores. Mall for Africa used the event as an opportunity to introduce its end of the year discount program to the media. The event was also spiced up with soulful music and uplifting humorous intermissions by the event compere Tega.

Sesema PR prioritizes its relation-ships and strives to maintain this track record of excellent relationship with the media and clients. This open house is intended to reiterate the high esteem accorded every business partner. Sese-ma PR remains relentless in its pursuit of evolving advancements and growth in the industry with more innovative and effective public relations, market research, IT and digital marketing and event management solutions. Sesema PR boasts of both local and multina-tional clientele with the likes of Visa, Etihad Airways, Vinci Hair Clinic, Phil-ips, FMC technologies, WISCAR and the Ovie Brume Foundation as major clients.

Agency fetes media partners in open house parley

Procter & Gamble, the world’s biggest adver-tiser in terms of spend,

will move the bulk of its me-dia buying and planning in North America to Omnicom, following a competitive pitch.

Omnicom Media Group will handle the media for most of P&G’s products, while Carat, a roster agency, will work on other product categories.

The bulk of P&G’s me-dia planning and buying in North America was handled by Starcom Mediavest Group, the Publicis Groupe network, which has been on the com-pany’s roster for more than 15 years.

Starcom will continue to work on Duracell, cosmetics, fragrances, and some hair products in the US and Can-ada, but these business are due to be sold by P&G. It will continue to handle media for

P&G outside of the US, which makes up about 40 per cent of the global business.

P&G spent about $2.66 billion, £1.77 billion, on mea-sured media in the US last year, according to WPP’s Kan-tar Media.

The review began in May, when P&G said it planned to cull the number of agencies it works with to make savings of up to $500 million. In July the company said that it had cu the number of agencies it work with by 40 per cent glob-ally

The company also changed its chief executive last month, when David Tay-lor replaced AG Lafley, and also sold 43 brands to cosmet-ics giant Coty for $12.5 billion. ZenithOptimedia, another Publicis media network, picked up Coty’s global media business from OMD in June.

P&G moves £1.77bn media account to Omnicom

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net34

DAVID AUDU

Philips has restated its commitment to sustain-able future globally, with

plans to deliver personal, mean-ingful innovation of products to impact on people’s lives.

Chief Executive Officer, Philips Africa, JJ van Dongen, stated this at the opening of the Philips Africa Innovation Experience in Lagos recently. He said, “Our mission is to im-prove the lives of three billion people by 2025. This is a bold and daring vision. But looking at the state of the world, it is a path worth taking’.

The Philips Africa inno-vation experience provided a glimpse into the future of healthcare and lighting as at-tendees were taken on an ex-periential tour through an im-

mersive setting, showcasing how the healthcare industry is slowly becoming more agile, ef-fective and more importantly, within a regional context, and also, more cost-effective, espe-cially, for people on the African continent.

He said, the rapid transfor-mation of the lighting industry and how LEDs are transforming the nature of lighting, how and where, artificial light is used to enhance the human experience, were part of the overall experi-ence.

“Innovation has been and will always be at the heart of Philips and the Africa Innova-tion Experience underlines how we are pushing the boundaries to improve people’s lives with a host of localized solutions and services.

“With a presence in Africa for

over 100 years Philips is com-mitted to providing effective, sustainable and value based solutions to the continent. We hope to inspire our customers and partners and demonstrate the steps we can take together to improve people’s lives across the continent.”

Giving credence to advances in imaging and monitoring technologies, combined with rapid development in digital health data and cloud comput-ing, the CEO explained further that Philips is leading the trans-formation of the healthcare in-dustry and creating highly inte-grated, personalised care with better outcomes at lower costs.

As part of the experiential setting at the event attendees were able to see solutions which are addressing the challenges in Africa.

Philips to impact three billion lives by 2025

Continuing our discussion about apps, let’s look at how we measure the success of apps

from established brands.One thing is for certain—we need

to go beyond the number of down-loads they receive or the type of audi-ence they reach. While these metrics are important, they tell only half the story. The other half, which is abso-lutely critical, is the impact the app has on the brand.

If we think of an app as a piece of creative, we can draw on familiar advertising concepts to frame and understand its brand impact. For ex-ample some of the critical questions Millward Brown asks to measure the effectiveness of the app include:

Is the app engaging? Does it draw users in and provide them with an en-joyable experience?

Does the app leave users with a

compelling impression that is linked to the brand?

Does the app encourage users to continue using the brand or to take some specific action?

With apps, there are also new things to think about:

What is the brand’s role in the app?How does the app perform from a

usability perspective? Is it intuitive? Can consumers find what they’re looking for?

How does the app perform from a technical perspective? Is it reliable? Does it do what users want it to do?

It is with the answers to these ques-tions in mind, together with the num-ber of downloads and audience sta-tistics, that app effectiveness should be measured. Do you agree with us? Let’s know your thoughts @ [email protected] + 234 802 311 7969 / + 234 809 023 554

MCN launches Nigerian Festivals Pop-up Channel on DStv, GOtvDAVID AUDU

In response to satisfying viewers during the holiday season Multi-Choice Africa has launch Nigerian

Festivals pop-up channel on DStv and GOtv platforms.

From the first week of December until Saturday to January 2016, all DStv and GOtv subscribers will be treated to the Nigerian Festivals pop-up channel, a channel dedicated to showcasing four Nigerian music festivals this season.

This will be the second holiday pop-up channel coming on the heels of, Hoolee, a fun children’s holiday chan-nel that went live on 01 December on DStv Premium, Compact Plus and Compact packages.

Subscribers on DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Family and Access bouquets and on GOtv Plus will

DAVID AUDU

Health and Safety profession-als have lauded the manage-ment of Promasidor Nigeria

Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk for providing hygienic and safe working environment for its members of staff.

The experts gave the commen-dation during the 2015 Promasidor Safety Day held at the company’s headquarters in Isolo, Lagos.

Chief Medical Director, St. Ra-phael Hospital Limited, Dr. Omotola Anthony, who spoke on Industrial Accidents, Ill-Health/Occupational

Disease and Prevention; said the safety gadgets installed in strategic locations within the Promasidor premises is an indication that the company holds the issue of sound health in high esteem.

According to him, the Safety Day annually celebrated by the company is another major programme that Promasidor uses to educate its work-force about the need to be safety con-scious in their workplace.

Dr. Anthony said an industrial accident is a sudden and unforeseen event that happens to somebody and resulting in injury to self and possi-bly to co-workers.

Professionals laud Promasidor’s safety measures

get a front row view of Nigeria’s hot-test music festivals from the comfort of their own homes on DStv channel 198 and GOtv Plus channel 29.

The festival extravaganza is ex-pected to kick off with the coverage of The Experience Music and Worship gospel concert from 04 - 05 December. Billed as ‘the most awaited gospel music concert in the whole of Africa’, The tenth edition of The Experience is anticipated to be a grand one with some big name ministers like Sonnie Badu, Don Moen, Sammie Okposo, Micah Stampley, Chioma Jesus, Mid-night Crew and LMGC due to bring their ministries to the crowd. DStv and GOtv subscribers will get an op-portunity to enjoy the gospel music concert alongside the 600 000 worship-pers expected to attend the concert in Lagos, Nigeria.

Thursday, December 10, 2015Brands & Marketing

DAVID AUDU

In recognition of its com-mitment to quiality ser-vice, Africa Prudential

Registrars, APR, has received double award, Best Profit Mar-gin Ratio and Best Corporate Governance at the 20th Pearl Awards Dinner held in Lagos, recently.

In the Market Excellence category, APR Plc won the award for Best Profit Margin Ratio, beating other listed company in Nigeria. In 2014, it led the entire group of listed companies by profit margin with a distance at 54 per cent, the closest rival being 40.7 per cent by Dangote Cement.

APR also won the Best Corporate Governance in the Special Recognition category, making her awards two on the

night. Other nominees in this category are Total Nigeria Plc and Custodian and Allied Plc.

Organisers said the award was established to reward corporate excellence, there-by challenging and spuringr quoted companies to explore innovative and competitive approaches towards achieving outstanding performance and growth.

Managing Director of APR, Peter Ashade, who was on hand with directors and man-agement team of the company to receive the award said, “de-spite the feat recorded by the company on profit margin ra-tio, we will always strive to im-prove our performance year-on-year, particularly when it comes to ability to convert rev-enue into profit.”

Chairman of the company,

Mrs. Eniola Fadayomi, also explained that the Best Corpo-rate Governance Award high-lights that the Board and Man-agement of the company have been working in harmony. She assured stakeholders that the company will continue to pro-tect their interests, while en-suring international best prac-tices in corporate governance.

APR Plc has steadily re-corded a positive return on investment for its numerous local and international inves-tors. In the current financial year, the company has already paid 17 Kobo interim dividend per share to its shareholders. It would be recalled that a thir-ty-five (35) Kobo dividend was paid to shareholders for 2013 and 2014 financial year, respec-tively.

Africa Prudential gets double recognition at Pearls Award

L-r: Vice President, PRCAN, Muyiwa Akintunde, , Head, Marketing &Corporate Communications, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, Guest Speaker, PRCAN President, John Ehiguese, and Member firm of PRCAN and Sponsors of the event, Rosemary Otalor of Caritas Communication at the PRCAN Breakfast Meeting held in Lagos, recently.

Measuring APP effectiveness

Tel: 08023117969/08031100462

with Michael Umogun

BRAND talk

Email: [email protected]

35National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Thursday, December 10, 2015 Young & Next Generation

Glamour as TFAA honours 11 young African achieversLeonard okachie

It was a joyous moment last Sunday, at the prestigious Intercontinental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos, as

the The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) honoured 11 outstanding young achiev-ers for their excellent work across the continent in different fields.

The glamorous event which was the 10th year anniversary edition lived up to its billing as Africa’s biggest youth event.

First held in 2006, the TFAA is a set of prizes given annually to celebrate and accelerate innovation, creativity and enterprise amongst young Afri-cans aged 18 – 31, and has produced over 150 winners and over 1550 nomi-nees.

It is presented in conjunction with The Future Project, which has a man-date to build empowered citizens across Africa, through (inclusive) en-terprise and (active) citizenship.

This year’s awards hosted by multi-talented singer and producer, Dare Art-Alade and South Africa’s leading OAP, Bonang Matheba, recognised Af-rican youths who have distinguished themselves in different areas ranging from science and technology, business, entertainment, politics, to education.

Highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards to deserving winners from all across Africa with Nigeria’s Philip Obaji Jnr. taking home The Future Awards Africa Prize for Young Person of the Year.

Similalrly, Nigerian artiste, Ol-amide ‘Badoo’ Adedeji beat Yemi Alade, Vanessa Mdee, Anne Kansi-ime, and South Africa’s Refiloe Maele

Leonard okachie

Catholic priest, Monsignor Livi-nus Ukah has charged the Young Christian Workers, YCW

to take up the challenges of rebrand-ing the Nigerian youths as well as themselves, to be loyal and law abid-ing citizens.

Monsignor Ukah gave this charge recently at the 7th Annual General Meeting of YCW Lagos Region, which held at St Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, Ikeja Military Cantonment, Lagos.

Ukah, who is the Chaplain of the group, in his address remarked that the youth of the world are in trouble and are seduced by different ideolo-

‘Cassper Nyovest’ Phoolo to clinch The Future Awards Africa Prize in Enter-tainment.

The Chief Executive Officer of Poise’ Graduate Finishing Academy, Ukinebo Dare won the Ford Foundation Prize for Youth Employment category. Dare beat other nominees: Kabiru Seidu-Dankata, Eze Ifedy-Ralph, Olamide Adeleye, Ifeanyi Aniagoh, Olajide Kabir-Tosin and was awarded 5000 as well as media inventory valued at $20,000.

Others winners included : Queen Baboloki (Botswana) - The Future Awards Africa Prize in Advocacy & Activism, Lily Kudzro (Ghana)- The Future Awards Africa Prize in Educa-tion, Olufunbi Falayi (Nigeria) - The Future Awards Africa Prize in Enter-prise Support, Kelvin Mutize (Zimba-bwe) - The Future Awards Africa Prize in Community Action.

Also awarded were Rasheeda Man-deeya Yehuza (Ghana) - The Future Awards Africa Prize in Technology, David Asiamah (Ghana) - The Future Awards Africa Prize in Agriculture, Samuel Malinga (Uganda) - The Tony O. Elumelu Prize in Business, Emman-uel N. B. Flomo (Liberia) - The Future Awards Africa Prize in Public Service.

The event was attended by high-profile personalities including the Kaduna state governor, Nasir el-Rufai, Oby Ezekwesili, Mo Abudu, Tara Fela-Durotoye, and more.

L-R:Waje, Omawumi, Joselyn Dumas at The Future Awards Africa, 2015 in Lagos

Winner of Ford Foundation Prize for Youth Employment, Ukinebo Dare, receiving her award

Monsignor Livinus Ukah with memebers of the YCW, during the 2015 Workers Day celebration in Lagos.

,

Priest charges YCW to rebrand Nigerian youthsgies.

The Chaplain, who was represented at the event by Mr. Gabriel Olajide, stated: “The Young Christian Wokers of Lagos, Nigeria have a great work to do. In most of your Exco meetings, I found out that you have what it takes to face these challenges of rebrand-ing and also rebrand yourselves.”

He commended the group for mak-ing proper use of the year 2015, add-ing “But 2026 is going to be a year of spiritual productivity and a year where all the past plans will be imple-mented to show that we are moving with time.

“I have really noticed a lot of growth, spiritual development and a sense of cooperation in you. Your last May Day was a big splash and intimi-dating. You made a statement to Ni-gerian youth. People are asking ques-tions about YCW. They are beginning to know and that is why your number is increasing.”

However, in his welcome remark, the Regional President, YCW, Lagos, Mr. Andrew Esan Akins thanked God for sparing the lives of all members in the past year, and offering them an-other opportunity to gather again for

the AGM.He noted that this year’s AGM

theme ‘Discerning God’s call to min-istry’ was carefully chosen consider-ing their call as ‘young workers’ in the church.

“How do we carry out this aposto-late in us and within us? Each of us has been called to play a vital role in life of every individual of the body of Christ, the church thereby fulfilling the ministerial mission of evangeliz-ing the world,” Akins said.

Chairman of AGM Committee, Mr. Victor Omola thanked God and his committee members for the success the meeting, even as he stressed that a lot was demanded of them as young Christian workers.

He maintained that the Chaplain’s admonition was timely because the Nigerian youths needed to be guided for a better future, even as he stressed that YCW would not relent in champi-oning such course.

The AGM was added by represen-tatives from various deaneries Lagos Region, including: Apapa, Ikorodu, Maryland, Festac, Ikeja, Agege, Ipaja, Surulere, Yaba, Badagry and Isolo.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net36 Thursday, December 10, 2015Young & Next Generation

FG advocates adoption of IDP children in Borno

Indomie to organise end of year party for children

At 12, I already discovered myself – Singer Awoko

Millenials, biggest spenders at 2015 Black Friday - Kaymu

Saidat alauSa

Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles, has concluded plans for a fun-filled

end of the year party for all Indomie fan club members across six cities in Nige-ria.

The Indomie Fan Club which was launched July in 2005 with the key objec-tive of creating an engaging atmosphere for children between the ages of 5 – 12

Joel aJayi AbujA

Disturbed by the dilemma of thou-sands of children who were home-less, orphans in Bama and some

affected areas in Borno State because of Boko Haram insurgency, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mo-hammed has called on well-meaning Ni-gerian to come to the aid of the children by adopting them for a better Nigeria.

Minister who was visibly depressed by the plight of children in Konduga, Bama other made this call during a tour and as-sessment of havoc wrecked by Boko Ha-ram in Maiduguri.

He called for adequate humanitarian assistance to help alleviate the suffering of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

While addressing the IDPs in Bama and other crisis prone areas, Alh Lai Mo-hammed observed that Bama that used to be a commercial hub is now a shadow of itself.

Almost all the basic infrastructures in the town suffer destruction by the Boko Haram insurgents.

The minister then assured that federal government would not relent in its ef-forts to ensure that the displaced persons are adequately relocated to their homes.

He said: “Most of these children here, I’m made to understand don’t have father and mother anymore, they are just there clapping for nothing, and they don’t even know where they are.

“The level of destruction here strucks me, for many of us who have not been here; I don’t think we got the full impact of the war until we got here.

“The tragedy of the victims, mainly women and children, I hope these will serve as a lesson to all of us not to take for granted the unity of this country and to appreciate that there is no alternative to united Nigeria.

“With this visit there are abject sor-row and poverty in the camp, the IDPs children were clapping without even knowing what was said to them.

“If we indeed love this country and we want our future to be secure, I think these IDPs can be adopted by well-mean-ing Nigerians. These kids basically sleep in open places and don’t even know why they were there.”

On his part, Borno State Governor, Al-haji Kashim Shettima, described the past six years as a very sad moment and path of war for people of Borno which many wouldn’t want their unborn generation to experience.

leonard okachie

Following the success of her first album, upcoming gospel singer/songwriter Grace Komolafe is set

to take the world by storm with her in-spirational gospel songs.

Popularly called Awoko by her fans, Awoko, who is also an actress, launched her first album entitled “Thank You” in June in Lagos, which was produced by

leonard okachie

Online shopping community Kay-mu.com.ng has release some fig-ures, showing that millennials

spent the most during this year’s Black Friday, spending an average of wN10, 600 each.

The data also found that men spent more than women during this shopping event at a ratio of 7:3.

This corroborates PwC’s prediction in their 2015 Holiday Outlook Report stating

years where they can mix, learn and in-teract with one another irrespective of their socio-cultural background, has grown to become the largest children’s fan club in Nigeria.

According to the Head, Public Rela-tions and Events, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, this time, the com-pany will be celebrating the end of 2015 party in a big way with all the fan club members at 17 different venues across six cities, namely Lagos, Ogun, Ibadan,

Akure, Abuja and Benin.Ashiwaju said this was designed to

demonstrate the company’s appreciation of their loyalty and to provide an unfor-gettable experience for them during the forthcoming festive period.

He also explained that the essence of the party is to ensure as many children as possible get to have a memorable cel-ebration, especially pointing at the fact that many parents may not have the time to celebrate with their children.

Awoko Music International. The launch was graced by some per-

sonalities including the Lagos State Chairman, Association of Juju Musi-cian of Nigeria (AJUMN) Ambassador Segun Nabi and National Coordinator, Association of Juju Musician of Nigeria (AJUMN) Champion Kunle Opio.

A native of Lampese in Akoko, Edo Lo-cal Government Area in Edo State, Awo-ko, who grew up in a Christian family, started her musical career at the age of 12 in the church choir ministry. But she never knew it would be her major career in life.

“At the age of twelve, I already discov-

ered myself, I got motivated, which made me stick to what I know best, my parent saw it coming and gave me the total sup-port and freedom, ” said Awoko who has performed at various events such as spe-cial praise programmes, open crusade, musical concerts, wedding ceremonies, house warming and so on.

Speaking on her challenges, she re-vealed that despite all the rough and tough journeys so far, she never gave up because of the passion for music, “al-though some people plotted distractions just to my musical career, but my God remained faithful to me; my zeal and pas-sion for music kept me going.”

that almost 60% of millennials will shop online or in-store around thanksgiving, celebrated a day before Black Friday.

According to Sefik Bagdadioglum, Managing Director of Kaymu, this can be traced to the impact of mobile on online shopping. The company has reported that 70% of its Black Friday sales were com-pleted online.

“The smartphone has become the most powerful shopping tool especially on a critical day like Black Friday which falls on a work day. It allowed customers par-take in the festivities while they were out and about, helping them search products, compare the best deals and shop dis-counts before they went out of stock”, he stated.

Among categories shopped on Black Friday via the Kaymu platform, fashion, electronics, phones and jewelry had the highest selling products.

This year’s Black Friday marked a change in the shopping trend since the concept was introduced in Nigeria two years ago.

It was a battle between online giants for who had the best deals and assortment with first time partakers like Kaymu en-suring their merchants provided substan-tial discounts with the promise of clear-ing out their stock.

Komolafe

Children in Bama IDP camp 2

37MediaThursday, December 10, 2015National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net

Digital switchover: NBC harps on strategic partnership... Nigeria to host Africa on ADGFLeonard okachie

As Nigeria transits from ana-logue to digital broadcasting, the Director General, National

Broadcasting Commission, Mr. Emeka Mba has reiterated the Commission’s need to establish a working relation-ship and cooperation with other regu-latory agencies in Nigeria.

Mba stated this when he and some members of his management team paid a visit to the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promo-tion (NOTAP).

In a statement posted on the NBC’s official website, Mba expressed de-light for the warm reception accorded him and his team, and noted that stra-tegic partnership with relevant agen-cies was key to the success of the digi-tal switchover.

He said, “After a review of all the government agencies and stakeholder groups we see as critical in making sure that we succeed in this digital transition, NOTAP was identified be-cause for digital, which requires tech-nology, and careful planning and exe-cution, NOTAP is strategically placed to offer advice.”

He pointed out that the visit was to afford the two agencies, explore ways of infusing local technological poten-tials into the process and for NOTAP to offer advice when needed. This, he explained, would eliminate areas of conflict.

The Director General noted that the immediate action steps in this regards was inter-agency collaboration on the DSO; setting up of an inter-agency committee to identify areas of collab-oration; and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Mba stressed that these efforts, combined with the deliberate steps taken by the Commission, would see Nigeria lay the foundations to being a world leading digital economy.

He, afterwards, gave a presentation on ‘The Vision of the future of Tele-vision’, and expressed NBC’s vision for Television in Nigeria. The presen-tation showed what the Commission had done; what it was doing at the moment; and what it is primed to do, setting out trends that would shape television.

Ibrahim applauded Mba and com-mended the Commission for the fore-sight to compel companies to manu-facture Set-Top-Boxes locally. This, he noted would create employment and enhance technological transfer.

He outlined the mandates of NO-

L-r: DG, NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba, with Secretary General of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, Mr. Shola Taylor, during the signing agreement on the 11th African Digital Switchover Forum, in Abuja, recently.

TAP and promised that the organiza-tion would do its best to assist the Com-mission in making the DSO project a reality, “Because you are bringing in investment into the country, you are gradually going to transfer technol-ogy into this country.” He assured that the technical staff of NOTAP would do their best to support the Commission in identifying suitable technologies before an agreement was entered into for its acquisition.

“Before you sign any agreement, bring it to NOTAP. For a token fee, the officers would look at it and advise you, accordingly. This will shorten the time to receive certificate of the regis-tration. We would need to inspect the site and be sure that the property ex-ists. We would help monitor to ensure that the terms of the agreement are met before the company goes into op-eration.”

Speaking further, Ibrahim stated that, “Before the factory for the pro-duction of Set-Top-Boxes is set up, the Commission, in conjunction with NOTAP and other relevant agencies, should scout for smart engineers that could understudy the operations of the companies and assimilate the tech-nology.”

He advised that all regulators should come together, to ensure that the country was not surcharged. “It is this that would ensure a good future for our children,” he added.

Meanwhile, The NBC has, on behalf of Nigeria signed an event hosting agreement with the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation – CTO to host the 11th African Digital Switchover Forum scheduled to hold on 11 – 13 May, 2016 in Abuja.

Signing the event hosting agreement in Abuja recently, Mba described the hosting of the event by Nigeria as very significant to the country’s digital swi-tchover project and the development of the broadcast industry; and pledged the Commission’s total commitment to ensuring that Nigeria successfully hosts the Forum and participates fully at the event.

Secretary General of the Common-wealth Telecommunications Organ-isation, Mr. Shola Taylor, who signed on behalf of CTO, noted that Nigeria won the hosting rights amongst other African countries that indicated inter-est because the National Broadcast-ing Commission showed unrivalled interest and commitment to Nigeria’s successful hosting of the event. He as-

sured the Commission of CTO’s full support towards the success of the proposed event.

The global event provides a unique and authoritative annual meeting point for policymakers and regulators to interact with broadcasters, content developers, broadcast network infra-structure providers and operators, equipment manufacturers and opin-ion leaders to discuss challenges, so-lutions and opportunities in the ever competitive and innovative broadcast-ing industry.

The event which has held 10 editions in the past decade has been a major contributor to the global effort to mi-grate analogue broadcasting systems to more spectrum-efficient digital platforms, with discussions focused on challenges faced by Commonwealth countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Since its launch in South Africa in 2005, the event has been hosted pre-dominantly by South Africa and in 2014 by Tanzania. Nigeria will be host-ing it for the first time.

Present to witness the agreement signing were some top management staff of the Commission and other stakeholders.

MediaNational Mirror

www.nationalmirroronline.net38 Thursday, December 10, 2015

PAMED condemns Frivolous Petitions Bill

Buhari restates commitment to free speech

South Africa: New broadcasting bill offensive –Activist

Sun apologises over misleading story

Media Abroad

Leonard okachie

Partnership for Media and De-mocracy in Nigeria (PAMED) has asked the Senate to drop the

Frivolous Petitions (Prohibition, etc.) Bill, 2015 sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, arguing that the bill itself is frivolous and unwarranted.

The PAMED comprising the Institute of Media and Society (IMESO), Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the Interna-tional Press Centre (IPC) concluded that the bill constitutes a threat to democra-cy because it seeks to repress the social media, the conventional media, the civil society and the citizenry as a whole.

The group in a statement signed by the Executive Director, IMESO, Dr. Akin Akingbulu; Executive Director, MRA, Edetaen Ojo and Director, IPC, ‘Lanre Arogundade, wondered why the bill should be sponsored in the light of all the pressing development challenges confronting the country, which should be the priorities of the Senators and all other persons exercising any form of po-litical power or authority.

The statement noted that the bill, through its frivolous content and mali-cious intent, seeks to achieve nothing other than undermining freedom of ex-pression, press freedom, public partici-pation in governance and democracy.

It stated thus : “For example, the bill in section 3 states that: “.....any person who makes any allegation and or pub-lish any statement, petition in any pa-per, radio, or any medium of whatever description, with malicious intent, to discredit or set the published against any person or group of persons, institu-tions of government, he shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction shall be liable to an imprisonment term of two year or a fine of N4,000,000:00”

“The bill also states in section 4 that “Where any person through text mes-

Leonard okachie

Partnership for Media and De-mocracy in Nigeria (PAMED) has asked the Senate to drop the

Frivolous Petitions (Prohibition, etc.) Bill, 2015 sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, arguing that the bill itself is frivolous and unwarranted.

The PAMED comprising the Institute of Media and Society (IMESO), Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the Interna-tional Press Centre (IPC) concluded that the bill constitutes a threat to democra-cy because it seeks to repress the social media, the conventional media, the civil society and the citizenry as a whole.

The group in a statement signed by the Executive Director, IMESO, Dr. Akin Akingbulu; Executive Director, MRA, Edetaen Ojo and Director, IPC, ‘Lanre Arogundade, wondered why the bill should be sponsored in the light of all the pressing development challenges confronting the country, which should be the priorities of the Senators and all other persons exercising any form of po-litical power or authority.

The statement noted that the bill, through its frivolous content and mali-cious intent, seeks to achieve nothing

The Sun has apologised for a story that claimed a reporter had trav-elled from Turkey to France with-

out showing his passport, after admit-ting that the information was untrue.

In a correction on page 2, the newspa-per said it had been “misled” by former marine and freelance journalist Emile Ghessen, who claimed he had managed to evade all security checks during a 2,000-mile journey along a refugee trail from Turkey into western Europe.

But Sun insiders said that, after the Croatian authorities denied the account with scans of his passport to prove it, Ghessen confessed he had flown from Croatia to Paris – using his British pass-port – to deal with a “domestic trauma”, possibly involving his children.

Instead of telling his paymasters the truth about the journey before publica-tion, the Sun said Ghessen simply made up the account of taking “a series of trains up to Paris, dodging the guards on

President Muhammadu Buhari has reit-erated the commitment of his adminis-tration to the protection of free speech

in keeping with democratic tradition.This is contained in a statement issued in

Abuja by Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Spe-cial Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.

Shehu was reacting to the public hostility towards the social media bill now being de-bated by the Senate.

According to him, President Buhari has sworn to defend the constitution of Nigeria and will not lend his hand to anything that is inconsistent with the constitution.

He said: “But he (Buhari) is not averse to lawful regulation, so long as that is done within the ambit of the constitution which he swore to uphold.

“The President said free speech is cen-tral to democratic societies anywhere in the world.

“The President explained that without free speech, elected representatives won’t be able to gauge public feelings and moods about

President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma

The Sun

Buhari

Ojo

sages, tweets, WhatsApp, or through any social media post any abusive statement knowing same to be false with intent to set the public against any person and/ or group of persons, an institution of Government or such other bodies es-tablished by law shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction shall be li-able to an imprisonment for two years or a fine of N2,000,000:00 or both such fine and imprisonment””

The group therefore, affirmed that that the bill violates all the norms of democratic practise, freedom of expres-sion, press freedom, transparency and accountability as well as open gover-nance.

PAMED further stated that the bill completely negates the letters and spirit of important international conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory includ-ing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 19), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 19) and the African Charter on Human Rights (Article 9) all of which affirm the right of citizens to hold opin-ion, freely express themselves and freely disseminate information.

The statement continued: “If the bill becomes Law, it will have the effect of imposing an unwarranted pre-condition

for the exercise of this right, which is now globally recognized as not just a fundamental right in itself but also as an enabler of all other rights, including other civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights.

“PAMED wishes to inform the Sena-tors that by seeking to gag the press through the Frivolous Petitions Bill, they are actually subverting the con-

stitution which they have sworn to up-hold, particularly section 22 of chap-ter II which states unequivocally that: “The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamen-tal objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and ac-countability of the Government to the people.””

governance issues.“As a key component of democratic princi-

ples, the President acknowledged that people in democratic societies are so emotionally at-tached to free speech that they would defend it with all their might.’’

Shehu explained that President Buhari was fully aware of public reservations about the proposed legislation but assured that “there is no cause for alarm because the Senate is a democratic senate.’’

He assured that the President would not as-sent to any legislation that might be inconsis-tent with the constitution of Nigeria.

other than undermining freedom of ex-pression, press freedom, public partici-pation in governance and democracy.

It stated thus : “For example, the bill in section 3 states that: “.....any person who makes any allegation and or pub-lish any statement, petition in any pa-per, radio, or any medium of whatever description, with malicious intent, to discredit or set the published against any person or group of persons, institu-tions of government, he shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction shall be liable to an imprisonment term of two year or a fine of N4,000,000:00”

“The bill also states in section 4 that “Where any person through text mes

the way” and hiding in unlocked toilets.The Sun is understood to be examin-

ing legal action against Ghessen. One executive called it “disgraceful” behav-iour, admitting it was “not a particular-ly glorious episode” for the Sun.

On a Facebook page entitled Emile Ghessen on Islamic State, the author appears to apologise for his “unfounded and misleading” findings. “I apologise to all that were offended and I should have been more transparent with my work,” it read.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 39Thursday, December 10, 2015 News

Mafoluku residents task Ambode on miscreants

Ekiti lawmaker donates N1m to constituents

Community urges Amosun to provide alternate routeOdinaka UrUakpa

Land lords and resi-dents of Yakoyo/Odozi community

in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State have appealed to the state gov-ernment, to provide road users who ply the Alagbo-le-Ojodu Road an alterna-tive route before the road is closed as planned this month for renovations.

Making this appeal on behalf of the association, Professor Olakunle Ma-caulay, President Yakoyo/Odozi Land lords and resi-dents Association revealed that the bridge being con-structed at Alagbole area, to connect Alagbole to Sango Ota has caused a lot of inconveniences to the residents of the place.

According to him “This is the only road connect-ing Lagos state to Ogun State and many people stay in Ogun State, work in Lagos. Since the state government started work here, it has caused a lot of inconvenience to the users of this road.

Macaulay further claimed that though the road is being constructed for the benefit of the com-munity, the government seems insensitive to the plight of the people as they are not informed ahead of activities towards the con-struction of the bridge.

“We know the road is being constructed for the benefit of our community, but the people must know how it affects them so that they can control their movement and at the same time help the government to achieve its goal. Every-thing comes to us and we panic. Every time, we see caterpillar, see engineers, we get panicky because the first time the governor came here, the next day, he ordered for the demolition of so many houses here which brought untold suf-fering to the community.

“We want the govern-ment to tell us exactly what it is doing, so we can work together with the government. We have no problem with the closure, but the government should provide an alternate route when they eventually de-cide to close the road”, he appealed.

Group renovates classroom blocks for slum dwellersFrancis sUberU

Five classroom blocks belonging to the Eagle’s Wing

International School for Orphans and Vulnerable Children at Ilaje in Bariga area of Lagos State have been renovated by a group of Nigerian graduates, operating under the name “36-Gladiator”.

The 36-Gladiators are graduates, trained as the 36th Stream of the Poise Graduate Finishing Acad-emy, a school set up for skill acquisition and en-trepreneurship training for Nigerian graduates.

Speaking while com-missioning the renovat-ed blocks, leader of the group, Mr Prosper Ekina, described the gesture as part of move to build an

egalitarian society and give opportunities to the less privileged.

According to him, the society might not know peace if the children of the poor are not given the opportunity to be educat-ed, saying the group had identified the need for ur-gent intervention in the school.

Commending the group on behalf of the pupils and residents, the school’s head teacher, MrsToyin-Sanni said the communi-ties had no school until 2007 when a Non Govern-mental Organisation, known as Hands at Work established the school for the orphans and vulner-able children.

whose parents lack the wherewithal to enroll their wards.

abiOdUn nejOADO EKITI

A member of Ekiti State House of As-sembly, Sunday

Akinniyi, has reiterated his willingness to always con-tribute to the educational development of younger ones in the ancient Ikere Ekiti community.

Akinniyi, who repre-sents Ikere Ekiti Constitu-ency II, described education as key to self actualisation and growth of any society, saying: “it empowers one to be self-reliant and be able to contribute to societal devel-opment”.

The lawmaker spoke in

Ikere Ekiti at a programme he organised to encourage 20 students resident in the community that he has cho-sen to cater for their educa-tional needs.

Apart from responsibil-ity for their educational needs including payment of their West African Ex-amination Council, WAEC, registration fees, Akinniyi registered the beneficiaries for coaching classes and as well hired private teachers for them to ensure success in their WAEC examina-tion.

He also promised to purchase Joint Admission and Matriculations Board, JAMB, forms for them to pave the way for their ad-

mission to tertiary institu-tions.

According to him, ben-eficiaries of the education assistance programme on which he had committed over one million naira cut across all sections of resi-dents in the two constitu-encies in the town - Ebiras, Igbos, Idoma and Ikere indi-genes.

The beneficiaries are: Akpowu Agbo Joseph, Eje Omodi Dickson,

Akabuke Favour, China-saramoku Ogbo, Florence, Salau-Aina Biliki, Amusa Akeem Peter,

Others who are indi-genes of the Ikere are Akin-niyi Bayode, Aluko Bukola Mayowa, Popoola Ajoke

Bukola, Arije Bukola, Adu Oluwatobi Victoria, Aloba Tosin Muyiwa, Odeyemi Muyiwa, Adejugbe Ikeo-luwa Seyi, Ajiro Temitope, Olorunfemi Kayode, Ajen-iya Oluwatoba, Akinniyi Taiwo Emmanuel, Owoeye Seyi and Alabi Babatunde Matthew.

Akinniyi, who said the choice of the beneficiaries has no political undertone, said “it is not a PDP affair.

“They emerged through a test that showed that they have potentials and need to be encouraged. I believe the best thing is to empower them by way of teaching them how to fish rather than giving them fish,” the lawmaker said.

abOlaji adebayO

Residents and shop owners of Mafoluku area of Lagos state

have called on the state government and the In-spector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, to help them tame the atrocities wrecked on them by some hoodlums in the area as they burnt not less than seven shops over the week-end while threatening to burn some house more.

They complained that they had to appeal to the state government since they have lost confidence in the police within the community especially the Makinde police force.

The hoodlums had on Saturday razed some shops at No 92, Mafoluku Road, Ayo ni bus stop, Mafoluku-Oshodi because one of the shop owners had refused to give them gift upon his return from Libya.

Burnt shops at Mafoluku, Oshodi

According to the shop owner, Mr. Olayinka Showunmi Esho, who was the main target of the miscreants, he was approached in his shop by those guys upon his re-turn journey from Libya on November 17th who de-manded dollars from him.

He said they threatened him for denying posses-sion of any dollar. He later called one of their godfa-ther, Mr. MoshoodFadipe known as Moshu, who cautioned them and apolo-gized on their behalf.

However, he explained that some days later, pre-cisely on Saturday evening last weekend, about seven of the boys suddenly reap-peared around the shop, with petrol and set them ablaze despite the pleas by the shop owners.

About seven shops were burnt leaving the owners in great loss as many of them lost all their proper-ties and earnings to the

fire incident.The miscreants who

were simply identified as Seun, a.k.aDrogba; Sunk-anmi, known as Sunko, RilwanLateef (Lampard) and some others, leaving in an area called Agboole in Mafoluku, have since been at large.

The affected shop own-ers who spoke to Com-munity Mirror said that despite informing as well as giving the names of the culprits to the Makinde police station, no arrest has been made, alleging that the Makinde Police station has not been coop-erating with the residents in arresting those hood-lums within the area.

Also speaking to Com-munity Mirror, the Sec-retary of Ndezura Fam-ily of Mafoluku, who is in charge of the burnt properties said that the resident of Mafoluku were tired of the Makinde Po-lice, alleging that they

have been harbouring the miscreants for no reason.

He declared that despite the presence of the DPO of Makinde Police Station and the Executive Secre-tary of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government at the scene of the fire incident on Sat-urday, nothing has been done by the police to bring the culprits to book.

He said such has been the attitude of the sta-tion for a long period of time reiterating that the attitude has continued en-couraging the hoodlums in the area.

Meanwhile, when con-tacted with the DPO, Mr. Funso Gabriel, he told CommunityMirror that the police have been work-ing effortlessly to make arrest of those suspect. He said one of the gang lead-ers simply identified as Muyiwa, a.k.aAbinja, was arrested on Tuesday and that police is still working to get others arrested.

•Amosun

Capital Market National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.netThursday, December 10, 201540

European shares bounced back up yesterday from a

sharp sell-off in the previ-ous session, helped by a stabilisation in commod-ity stocks as energy and metals prices recovered.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index, which had fallen 1.8 per cent to its lowest closing level since late October on Tuesday, rose 0.3 per-cent while the euro zone’s blue-chip Euro STOXX 50 index advanced 0.4 per cent.

Oil prices climbed back up on Wednesday as US crude inventories dipped, while Japan posted rising machinery orders, and this helped shares in oil firms such as Total and BP to rise.

“The general reaction to the move back up in the

previous auctions.The result of the auc-

tion showed that the bank sold N57.85 billion worth of three-month paper at 5.61 per cent, up from 5.34 per cent at the November 18 auction.

It also sold N18 billion naira worth of six-month debt at seven per cent against 7.2 per cent previ-ously, and N53.32 billion of one-year paper sold at eight per cent compared

Johnson okanlawon

Irish Minister for Ag-riculture, Food and Marine, Mr. Simon

Coveney, has commended Guinness Nigeria’s com-mitment to high quality standards, which distin-guishes the Guinness Stout 256 years after it was first brewed at St. Jame’s Gate in Dublin, Ireland, by Arthur Guin-ness.

The company, which announced its financial results for the first quar-ter ended September 30, 2015, with a three per cent increase in revenue year on year, reported N22 billion net sales for the quarter.

Coveney, who disclosed this during a tour of the Ogba Brewery of Guin-ness Nigeria, located in

Ikeja, Lagos, said the brewery tour by Ireland’s most influential minister is significant because it indicates support and firm belief in the Nige-rian business by senior leaders of the company’s country of origin.

He also formally un-veiled Guinness Africa Special, a variant of Guinness stout with nat-ural herbs, spices and ginger grown in Africa, and with a packaging that proudly projects Af-rican roots and creative spirit.

While unveiling the new brand, he stated that he is most proud of Guin-ness Nigeria because of its reputation for high quality standards, best-in-class processes, and innovation. Guinness Ni-geria is a Nigerian com-pany doing its Irish heri-

Minister lauds Guinness standards

European shares rebound on commodity stocks recovery

Central Bank of Ni-geria, CBN, yester-day said it planned

to raise N155.39 billion in Treasury Bills next Wednesday with maturities of three months to one year.

The bank said it will is-sue N20 billion worth of three-month paper, N25 bil-lion of six-month paper and N110.39 billion in one-year bills, using the Dutch Auc-tion System.

Traders said the debt is

FG to raise N155bn in T-bills

Stock Updates

GAINERSCOMPANY OPENING CLOSING CHANGE % CHANGE

SEPLAT 207.00 217.35 10.35 5.00

LAWUNION 0.61 0.64 0.03 4.92

IKEJAHOTEL 3.00 3.14 0.14 4.67

ETERNA 1.52 1.59 0.07 4.61

LEARNAFRCA 0.69 0.72 0.03 4.35

VONO 0.69 0.72 0.03 4.35

NEM 0.66 0.68 0.02 3.03

INTBREW 15.11 15.50 0.39 2.58

HONYFLOUR 1.56 1.60 0.04 2.56

REDSTAREX 4.10 4.20 0.10 2.44

LOSERSCOMPANY OPENING CLOSING CHANGE % CHANGE

UNITYBNK 0.70 0.64 -0.06 -8.57

TRANSCORP 1.52 1.39 -0.13 -8.55

DANGCEM 170.72 162.19 -8.53 -5.00

CADBURY 19.66 18.68 -0.98 -4.98

FIDSON 2.83 2.69 -0.14 -4.95

SKYEBANK 1.47 1.40 -0.07 -4.76

AFRIPRUD 2.32 2.22 -0.10 -4.31

CONTINSURE 1.00 0.96 -0.04 -4.00

UCAP 1.32 1.27 -0.05 -3.79

ZENITHBANK 14.35 14.00 -0.35 -2.44

Market indicatorsAll-Share Index 27,004.50 points

Market capitalisation 9.28trn

Source: NSE

oil price is helping to sta-bilise the stock markets,” said

Hantec Markets analyst Richard Perry.

Copper prices also held their ground which in turn gave a lift to mining stocks which on Tuesday had dropped to their low-est level since March 2009.

Ashtead was the best-performing stock on the European STOXX 600 in-dex, climbing 7.2 per cent after the industrial equip-ment hire group raised its profit expectations.

US stocks looked set to snap a two-day losing streak as crude oil prices clawed back some losses and reported merger talks between Dow Chemical and DuPont helped prop up shares of raw materi-als companies.

Crude oil prices stead-

ied after a brutal five-day selloff, but many inves-tors expect oil to fall be-low 2008 lows due to a global supply glut. Cop-per prices also held their ground.

Dow Chemical was up 11.2 per cent at $56.59 while DuPont jumped 12.5 per cent to $74.94, after re-ports that the companies are in talks to merge.

DuPont was the biggest boost to the Dow Jones Industrial average and the second biggest boost on the S&P 500. The stock added 58 points to Dow’s 188-point rise.

“I think at present eq-uities are largely events driven, last week’s per-formance was driven by employment, this week it is oil, next week it is the Fed,” said Terry Sandven, chief equity strategist at

Description Price Yield Price Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017 1.38 110.19 7.21 111.19 6.49

16.00 29-JUN-2019 3.55 117.82 9.92 118.82 9.62

15.54 13-FEB-2020 4.18 115.56 10.80 116.56 10.53

16.39 27-JAN-2022 6.14 122.99 11.11 123.99 10.91

14.20 14-MAR-2024 8.26 117.12 10.99 118.12 10.82

10.00 23-JUL-2030 14.62 92.10 11.10 93.10 10.95

Tenor Rate (%)

O/N 0.8750

1M 9.9124

3M 11.3830

6M 12.7760

Maturity Date Bid Offer

03-Mar-16 2.18 2.20

02-Jun-16 5.39 5.54

01-Dec-16 6.42 6.85

Treasury Bills

NIBOR

FGN BondsBid Offer

Closing Market Prices of December 9, 2015

CBN Clearing Rates of December 9, 2015

expected to be oversub-scribed with yields likely to drop further from the last auction of short-dat-ed paper at the auction next week, in tandem with the prevailing trend in the secondary market.

The CBN raised N129.17 billion in Trea-sury bills with maturi-ties from three months to a year at an auction last month, with mixed yields compared to returns at

with 8.5 per cent.Total demand for the pa-

per rose to N407.53 billion compared with N301.04 billion demanded by inves-tors at the last auction.

Trader said the drop in yields was a reflection of trends in the second-ary market, where yields have fallen to 1.94 per cent, 6.16 percent and 6.93 per cent for three-month, six-month and one-year debt each. Inter-Bank Rate

Naira US DollarN196.98 $1

Exchange Rates (N)

WAUA 270

USD 196.98

EURO 214

CFA 0.32

YEN 1.64

SWISS FRANC

202

POUNDS STERLING

293

SDR 273

Rate (%)

Inflation 8.2

MPR 13

Crude oil price $58.96

tage proud.“What makes this even

more special for me per-sonally is the rich heri-tage that the Guinness brand has in Ireland dat-ing back to the 1700s and how much Nigeria has made this iconic brand their own national beer over many years. So much that I hear Nigerians will tell you as many stories about the perfect pint as an Irish man will.

“The launch of new Guinness Africa Special just over 50 years since the brewery was built here in Lagos marks a pivotal next chapter in the develop-ment of Guinness in Nige-ria,” Coveney enthused.

In his welcome remark, Chairman of Guinness Ni-geria Plc, Mr. Babatunde Savage, said Guinness Ni-geria is home of the first Guinness brewery outside

of Ireland and Great Britain.

“After the historic brewing of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout in Nigeria on the 30th of November 1962, oppor-tunities opened up for the brewing of Guin-ness Foreign Extra Stout in other parts of the world and today, the brand sells over 10 mil-lion glasses daily.

“We are proud to be one of the biggest mar-ket for Guinness stout, and a major part of the inspiring 256-year histo-ry of the brand. Worthy of note is the positive mention Nigeria gets anytime the exciting story of how a unique Irish stout became the best-loved stout brand and the most recognisa-ble beer in the world is told,” he said.

US Bank Wealth Manage-ment in Minneapolis.

“Uncertainties are relatively higher at the moment and accordingly prices will trend sideways into the year-end.”

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 41Thursday, December 10, 2015 North

...PENCOM to begin micro pensions

Corruption: Shake-up in Adamawa SUBEB

INEC presents certifi cate of return to Bello

IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura

yesterday said arrange-ments have been com-pleted by his administra-tion to release about 78 inmates serving various jail terms in the state to-morrow.

The governor disclosed this during the swearing-in of 15 special advisers and three permanent sec-retaries at Government House, Lafia, adding that payment of fines by the affected inmates to gov-ernment authorities has been completed.

He said the gesture was in line with the All Pro-gressives Congress, APC’s philosophy of inclusive government whereby

L-R: Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai; a Partner in Retirement Benefit Advisory Service, Prof. Sheikh Abdul-lah and Chairman, Premium Pension, Alhaji Aliyu Dikko, at the National Pension Commission’s North West Stake-holders Conference on Pension Reform Act 2014 in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

We inherited N14bn gratuity, pension arrears –El-Rufai

Christmas: FRSC to deploy 36,000 personnel

AZA MSUE KADUNA

Kaduna State Gover-nor Nasir el-Rufai yesterday revealed

that his administration inherited arrears of N14 billion gratuities and pen-sions, adding that Nigeria needs a 20-year plan to offset pension liabilities incurred from moribund national institutions.

El-Rufai, who spoke at a stakeholders’ sensitisa-tion conference for the North-West zone on Pen-sion Reform Act 2014, or-

ganised by the National Pension Commission, PENCOM, said he had since confirmed 2,484 ghost pensioners and de-leted their names from the pension payroll in his state.

El-Rufai, who was di-rector-general, Bureau for Public Enterprises, BPE, said ghost pensioners were impossible under a fully contributory pension scheme.

He explained that Ka-duna State approved a new pension bill based on the contributory model,

Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, says it would deploy

36,000 personnel to high-ways across the country to ensure safety during the yuletide.

Corps Marshal of the commission, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, made this known on Wednesday during a fa-miliarisation visit to the FRSC command in Minna, Niger State.

Oyeyemi said 21,000 reg-ular marshals and 15,000 special marshals would be deployed during the period.

He said the measure was to ensure that road ac-cidents are reduced to the barest minimum during the period.

The corps marshal also said there would be 200 mobile courts at strategic points on the highways to try traffic offenders during the period.

adding that when passed by the House of Assembly, it would ensure that future retirees from the public service never suffered the pains of unpaid pensions.

On her part, Director-General, National Pen-sion Commission, Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, said the commission was work-ing to provide incentives with requisite flexibility in terms of access to encour-age the informal sector to embrace micro pensions for future economic secu-rity.

She noted that effective and sustainable pension system remains a chal-lenge in the country as

well as in most African countries.

Anohu-Amazu, howev-er, appealed to states and council areas to imple-ment the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, to avoid huge future pension liabilities.

She said: “However, the Federal Government of Nigeria took a remarkable step in changing the pen-sion landscape through the enactment of the Pen-sion Reform Act, PRA, in 2014.

“The Act provided novel solutions to what appeared then as intrac-table challenges of the old defined benefit scheme.”

“We are going to deploy 21,000 personnel and 15,000 special marshals for the yuletide period to ensure safety on our roads.

“Any traffic offence will be met with maximum pun-ishment; you can be con-victed and sent to prison or fined, depending on your case,” he said.

“We have concluded ar-rangements and ready to carry out the task but ex-pecting additional logistics promised by President Mu-hammadu Buhari to en-able us surpass last year’s record.

“We did well last year; so, our aim this year is to sur-pass it,’’ he added.

While advising motorists to plan their journeys to reduce accidents, Oyeyemi urged them to maintain and ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy before em-barking on any trip.

WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

Independent Nation-al Electoral Com-mission, INEC, has

presented a certificate of return to Kogi State Governor-elect, Alhaji Ya-haya Bello, of the All Pro-gressives Congress, APC.

Chairman of INEC, Prof. Yakubu Mahmud, presented the certificate to Bello at exactly 4pm at the commission’s head-quarters in Lokoja.

Making the presenta-tion yesterday, the chair-man, who was repre-sented by Prof. Anthonia Okoosi-Simbine, INEC national commissioner, said the exercise was in conclusion of the entire process of the governor-ship election, explaining

Al-Makura to release 78 inmates in Nasarawavulnerable persons in the society are considered as part of beneficiaries as, according to him, “indi-gent persons living in the state would be considered in the 2016 budget propos-al of the state.”

He said women and children are the centre-piece of his administra-tion, hence his readiness to pay more attention to displaced persons in the state by renovating and rehabilitating facilities of displaced persons as their cause would be fea-tured prominently in next year’s budget.

The governor remind-ed the appointees of the economic downturn fac-ing the country due to dwindling oil prices in the international market, which Nigeria so much rely on for revenue ac-

cruals; which situation he said was a clarion call for proactive action in di-versification of revenue sources to finance devel-opment projects.

“I urge you to im-bibe the philosophy of ‘change’ that is the cardi-

nal principle of the APC administration. By so do-ing, you are to key into the principles of accountabil-ity, financial discipline, transparency and due process in carrying out government business,” Al-Makura stated.

LIVINUS MENEDI YOLA

Governor Muham-madu Umaru Ji-brilla of Adamawa

State has suspended Di-rector of Finance in the State Universal Basic Edu-cation Board, SUBEB, and all 21 local government ed-ucation secretaries over corruption charges.

Also affected in the shake-up meant to bring sanity into the administra-

that it was in accordance with section 75(2) of the Electoral Act (as amend-ed).

He stated that the sec-tion prescribed the issu-ance of a certificate of return to the winning can-didate of a political party in a governorship election within seven days of the conclusion of the election.

Meanwhile, deputy governor-elect, Abiodun Faleke, was conspicu-ously absent and not rep-resented to receive his certificate of return when it was his turn to receive his.

Responding, Bello ac-knowledged the role and contribution of everyone, particularly the late party leader, Prince Abubakar Audu, whose death led to his emergence as a re-placement.

The governor-elect eu-logised Audu, stressing that his shoes were “too big for me to step into.” He thereafter called for a one-minute silence in memory of the departed leader.

Bello, however, ap-pealed for calm and un-derstanding, saying he was not unaware of the acrimony thrown up by his emergence, and prom-ised to work tirelessly to unite all factions that have arisen in the unfold-ing crisis.

tion of primary education following allegations of corrupt practices and em-ployment racket, all heads of finance in the 21 local education authorities and all internal auditors in the councils have been tempo-rarily suspended.

In a press release signed by Adamawa State Com-missioner for Information, Comrade Ahmed Sajoh, the government said the action followed some disturbing revelations in the manner

payment of teachers sala-ries have been handled.

The statement noted that “the director of fi-nance at SUBEB has been suspended.

“All educational secretar-ies in the 21 local govern-ment areas; all heads of finance in the 21 local educa-tion authorities and all in-ternal auditors in the 21 lo-cal governments areas have been suspended. All suspen-sions are with immediate effect,” the statement noted.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 42Thursday, December 10, 2015 North

Police set up welfare fund for retirees

Unemployment: Stakeholders want GIS sustained

New Special Advisers and Permanent Secretaries taking oath of office before Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State in Lafia, yesterday.

Kwara Assembly summons Power Distribution Company

Masari wants more policemen in Katsina

WOLE ADEDEJI, ILORIN

Following persistent blackout affect-ing two business

districts of Ibadan Elec-tricity Distribution Com-pany, IEDC, Kwara State, particularly in Ilorin, the House of Assembly has summoned management of the company for ques-tioning.

The IEDC is to appear before the House Com-mittee on Energy, Works and Transport to explain the blackouts crippling the state’s economy and tell what measures it is putting in place to arrest claims of sharp practic-es.

The House, while debat-ing a motion on arbitrary billing system and sharp

practices by IEDC raised by a member representing Owode/Onire Constituen-cy, AbdulRasheed Abdul-lahi, resolved that the electricity firm be invited to explain itself.

The parliament re-solved that the appear-ance of tmanagement of the company became im-perative for a fair hearing, before the House takes definite position on the al-legations.

The house resolution was based on complaints by members of the pub-lic that IEDC engages in overbilling consumers, delays in providing pre-paid metres to consumers, procuring prepaid meters out of the country when it was being produced local-ly, its inability to provide transformers to consum-

ers and slow response to complaints by energy con-sumers in the state.

Abdullahi, while mov-ing the motion, said he was concerned that the company had refused to distribute prepaid metres even when consumers had paid for it. He stressed that the distribution com-pany had for long through this practice been exploit-ing consumers through crazy electricity bills and non-provision of trans-formers nor refund those that procured it, as well as unjustly inflicting black-outs on the citizens.

Other members, who contributed in the debate observed, among other things, poor power supply, slow response to consum-ers’ complaints and called on the House to wade into

WILLIAMS ATTAH GOMBE

Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) of the Federal Government

has been described as one of its successful programmes aimed at reducing spiral-ling unemployment in the country.

According to the Project Director of GIS, which is be-ing coordinated by the Fed-eral Ministry of Finance’s Peter Papka, many Nigeri-ans are already clamouring for the sustenance of the scheme beyond 2015 by de-

veloping a national policy to guide its implementation.

Papka, who spoke through Mrs. Monisola Lawal during the ongoing Career Development and Entrepreneurship Skills Training for 94 interns in Gombe State, said the train-ing was meant to prepare the interns for the task ahead as some of them may be retained by their organ-isations. It is also hoped that some of them could also be-come employers of labour.

She assured that based on their training and expe-rience gathered from the

JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

Nigeria Police have been called upon to deploy more of-

ficers and men to help in the fight against rustling and related crimes in Kat-sina State.

Governor Aminu Ma-sari made the call yes-terday when he received the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, in his office.

Masari said police in the state were over-stretched and that mod-ern equipment should be provided for addi-tional hands coming to the state for effective combat of rustling and related crimes.

He lamented that the state, like others in the North-West, was facing

problem of cattle rus-tling, which had led to loss of animals and in some cases human lives and property.

He also said the state was grappling with challenges posed by miscreants popularly known as Kauraye, and that with additional policemen, the issue would be adequately dealt with.

Earlier, IGP Arase called on the state gov-ernment to provide lands for the construc-tion of additional hous-es for police officers in the state.

Arase said the po-lice had entered into agreement with a com-pany based in Kenya for housing project in selected states of the federation.

various organisations they worked for as interns for the past 12 months, they were better equipped to work anywhere and even employ others.

Lawal said the training centered on evaluating job market and understanding the process of recruitment, tips for preparing and up-loading curriculum vitae, CV, on a CV portal, inter-views, salary negotiations and employment offers, se-lecting career, building and monitoring career growth and methods for effective entrepreneurship develop-

the problems so as to res-cue people of the state from undue exploitation by the Ibadan company.

The IEDC’s services of late has become worri-some, as it employs imagi-nary billings for those with old meters without necessarily reading and dropping such reading for consumers to see in the event of complaints.

Also, the company’s services had become worse in the last two months in many places in Ilorin, the state capi-tal, which are thrown into blackouts for weeks, and are given the same bills of previous months for ser-vices not rendered.

Consumers also com-plained of bad transform-ers IEDC refused to re-place.

JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

Nigeria Police say it had set up welfare fund

for retired policemen and children of of-ficers who lost their lives while in active service.

Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, who stated this yesterday in Katsina State, said the wel-fare fund was in form of a trusteeship pro-gramme.

Arase said meagre retirement benefits, among other issues, led to setting up the trusteeship, and that adequate funding would be put into the programme for its sus-tenance.

He said about 300 children of officers who died during ser-vice had been selected and would be provided with scholarship from the fund beginning next year.

The IG disclosed this during a one-day offi-cial visit and interac-tive session held with policemen and other security stakeholders in the state.

He assured that the police was working to ensure better welfare

ment. Some of the interns, who

spoke with our correspon-dent, commended the pro-gramme for affording them the opportunity to put their skills into practice, especial-ly for offering them a source of livelihood through get-ting stipends.

Some of the married in-terns said it really helped in supporting their families, and as such would want the scheme to be sustained to ca-ter for the growing number of graduates tertiary insti-tutions are yearly churning out across the country.

package for its officers and men, with a call for improved coopera-tion with traditional institutions to ensure proper community po-licing.

He said about 37,000 police officers who re-cently sat for promo-tional examinations would be upgraded to different ranks by Jan-uary 2016.

On plan to recruit 10,000 people into the police, he said the process was still in place, though some issues needed to be handled before the recruitment was car-ried out.

He said the issues of salaries, training, uniforms, among oth-er things, for the new personnel was being considered, and such would be captured in the 2016 budget.

Earlier, Police Com-missioner Usman Abdullahi lamented the low turnout of of-ficers and men in the state, with a call for de-ployment of additional 2,645 police officers to the state.

Abdullahi said the state police command had succeeded in mini-mising cattle rustling and crime rate in the state.

This is to inform the general public that my correct names are Ismail Muazu not as was wrongly used in some documents as Mamza Samaila Danyarima. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEFormerly known and addressed as Abiodun Adebola, now wish to be known and addressed as Adeosun Williams Ibukun. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEEZEMEE: I, formerly known and addressed as LAZARUS OKOLI SATANA, now wish to be known and addressed as LAZARUS OKORIE EZEMEE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, MRS. OLUFUNKE OLATUNDE OLUJEMISIN and MRS. OLUFUNKE FAITHFUL FAJEMISIN, refer to one and the same person. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Bakare kehinde Adijat, now wish to be known and addressed as Odewale kehinde Adijat.All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly Miss Ogbemudia Irene now which to be known and called as Mrs Iyamu Irene. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OZOKWEL, UGOCHUKWU BLESSING, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CHUKWUEMEKA, UGOCHUKWU BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. General public take

Formerly known and addressed as Paul Kebir Joel Andrew Daniel now wish to be known and addressed as Paul Kebir Johnson. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MODINAT:I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS KAREEM BOSE MODINAT, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLANREWAJU MODINAT ABOSEDE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as MURITALA ADEBAYO , now wish to be known and addressed as AKINWUNMI OLUMIDE ATANDA. while my correct date of birth is July 7th 1978. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as HOUVESSOU MOSES, now wish to be known and addressed as KUDO MOSES. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ENIMOWO ABIOLA NOW KNOWN AS OLOWODASA ABIOLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to correct the error on my name that my right and correct name is Are Oluwasesan and not Oluwasesan Sesan as erroneously written on my BVN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Victoria Abisola Sogaolu, now wish to be known and addressed as Victoria Abisola George. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

FORMERLY MR OMOJOLA AYODEJI JOY NOW MR OMOJOLA AYOMI BOSUN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. FIRST BANK PLC AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ngozi Okedi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Virginia Candidus Onah. All former documents remain valid General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Akodu Shakiru Babatunde now wish to be known and addressed as Akodu Oriyomi Rasheed. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS ADEYEMI OLUWASEYI TEMIDAYO NOW WISH TO BE CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS ADEJUWON OLUWASEYI TEMIDAYO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

This is to confirm that I, RUTH EGBUNU AKPAN and QUEEN OCHIGBO, represent the same person as it is written in my GTBank and Sterling Bank documents. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEFormerly known and addressed as ONWUBIKO CHUKWUEBUKA, now wish to be known and addressed as ANAYO ABUKA CONFIDENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

This is to certify that SAHEED WAHAB AROLE is the same one person as SAHEED WAHAB ADEWALE, henceforth wish to be addressed as SAHEED WAHAB ADEWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Mr Joseph Akwaji Ewhenji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. JOSEPH Shalom John’sson. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ELIJAH SIMILOLUWA MARTINS now wish to be known and addressed as ELIJAH SIMILOLUWA NOAH. All documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I FORMERLY MISS MUSA MEDINAT SADE NOW MRS LATEEF MEDINAT SADE . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to confirm that I, SOLOMON MODINAT MORENIKE is one and the same person as SOLOMON MUTIAT IYABO. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note

I FORMERLY KNOWN AS BASHIRU HASSAN KOLAWOLE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS BASHIRU ABASS KOLAWOLE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GTB AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ETUKUMOH: I, formerly known and addressed as ENOH ANDREW ETUKUMOH, now wish to be known, called and addressed as INIH UKPE MAXWELL. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

FORMERLY LAWAL UMAR FARUK NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MUHAMMED UMAR FARUK. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

AKIN: I, formerly known and addressed as AKIN SMITH SEUN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AGIM OLUCHI NNANDI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS ADAOBI MMADUAKOR NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS NWOFIA AMARACHI V. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ECHEFU: I, formerly known and addressed as ECHEFU CHINYERE CONCILIA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as CHINYERE CONCILIA ANYIAM . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly Miss Iyanda Mary Shade Now Mrs Tolulope-Ajewole Mary Shade Former Documents Remain Valid And General Public Should Take Note

CHANGE OF NAMEl formerly known as Nzerem Chidubem Anthony now wish to be known and referred to as Vitus Vicanics, all docnments bearing these names to remain valid, general public take note

I FORMERLY MISS MUSA MEDINAT SADE NOW MRS LATEEF MEDINAT SADE . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Mercy Agnes Along Ojua, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mercy Shalom John’sson. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that Onwuasoanya Obinna .H and onwuasoanya Henry Obinna belong to one and the same person.all documents bearing these names to remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Ogbemudia

Irene now which to be known

and called as Mrs Iyamu Irene.

All former documents remain

valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEALI: I, formerly known and addressed as ALI KURA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ALI GAMBO. All documents bearing my former name remains mine and valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEOGBENNA: I, formerly known and addressed as OGBENNA DANIEL UCHE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as DANIEL UCHE DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEISIAKA: I, formerly known and addressed as ISIAKA KADIJA OLUWATOBI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as NURUDEEN KHADIJAT OLUWATOBI. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

IYOHA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IYOHA PATIENCE FELICIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. JIMOH RALIAT PATIENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to confirm that I, ODEKU OLAJUMOKE OMOLOLA and GARBADEEN OLAJUMOKE OMOLOLA, are referred to as one person. now wish to be known and addressed as GARBADEEN-ODEKU OLAJUMOKE OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Ameh Micoremus Nnamdi Kenneth Ejiofor Idoko Sunday, now wish to be known and addressed as IDOKO SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AKINWANDE SOLOMON ODUNAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as AKINWANDE TOSIN ODUNAYO . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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This is to certify that ADOGA KERU DANIEL is the same one person as KERU OZIREN DANIEL henceforth wish to be addressed as ADOGA KERU DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OZOKWEL CHUKWUDI CHUDI, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUEMEKA CHUKWUDI CHUDI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Nwankwo Franklin Chinedu, now wish to be known and addressed as Emelife Franklin Chinedu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

This is to notify the general public that my correct name is EYONG ONEN BUTUM and not EYONG BUTUM EYONG. Also, that my correct date of birth is 16th November, 1982 and not 18th November, 1982 as wrongly written in my bank documents.

CHANGE OF NAMEI formerly known as EKWEBELEM AKUDO, EKWEBELEM PEACE NKEIRU and UGORJI PEACE NKEIRU now wish to be known and addressed as UGORJI NKEIRUKA PEACE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEI formerly known as IBRAHIMU OMOSALEWA now wish to be known and addressed as OKENIYI FASILAT AJIKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEAMINU: I, formerly known and addressed as MRS. OYEYINKA ABIODUN AMINU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MISS OYEYINKA ABIODUN ADETONA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEBENSON: I, formerly known and addressed as BENSON FIDELIS OSAMUDIAMEN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as IMHENRION FIDELIS OSAMUDIAMEN. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMENOMEH: I, formerly known and addressed as NOMEH IFENYINWA PATIENCE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as IFI IFENYINWA PATIENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS AKANDE VICTORIA FOLASADE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS OLAREWAJU VICTORIA FOLASADE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. FIRST BANK, STERLING BANK, ZENITH BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAMEAKPAN: I, formerly known and addressed as FRIDAY SAMSON AKPAN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ENO OBONG SAMPSON AKPAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I FORMERLY MISS MUSTAPHA SAKIRAT LABAKE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS MRS SHITTU SAKIRAT AJOKE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. FIRST BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAMECHANGE OF NAMEMUSTAPHA: I, formerly known and addressed as MUSTAPHA IBRAHIM, now wish to be known, called and addressed as RASAKI ALABI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as EVELYN IGOHO, now wish to be known and addressed as TYOWUA SEWUESE. My name was mistakenly written as TOYWUA instead of TYOWUA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMESCHANGE OF NAMESAKANDE: I, formerly known and addressed as AKANDE SUNDAY ADEYEMI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as EMMANUEL SUNNY AKINYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Veronica Sunday Okon, now wish known and addressed as MRS. Veronica Okon Okoroboh . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEWUSU: I, formerly known and addressed as WUSU MORENIKE MODINAT, now wish to be known, called and addressed as SOLOMON MODINAT MORENIKE MUTIAT IYABO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEEMMANUEL: I, formerly known and addressed as EMMANUEL KELECHUKWU DENKYI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as UGHO EMMANUEL KELECHUKWU DENKYI . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

BALOGUN: I, formerly known and addressed as BALOGUN TAOPHICK, now wish to be known, called and addressed as BULIAMINU TAOFEEK AYINDE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Veronica Sunday Okon, now wish known and addressed as MRS. Veronica Okon Okoroboh . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMECHANGE OF NAMEOLAYIWOLA: I, formerly known and addressed as OLAYIWOLA BUKOLA TOPE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MUSTAPHA ADIJAT ARINPE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly Miss Atoyebi Oluwakemi Toyin Now Mrs Ajadi Oluwakemi Toyin Lautech Teaching of Hospital Obomoso Former Documents Remain Valid And General Public Should Take Note

AJIBADE: I, formerly known and addressed as DUPE GLORIA AJIBADE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. MOJISOLA MARY AGBOOLA-AGORO. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I formerly known as OLALERE KASUMU now wish to be known and addressed as ADEDIRAN KAZEEM. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMECHANGE OF NAMEFormerly Mr Owolabi Kenny Aderemi Now Mr Owolabi Kehinde Aderemi Former Documents Remain Valid And General Public Should Take Note

Formerly Miss Odewusi Mariam Funke Now Miss Razaq Mariam Oluwafunke Former Documents Remain Valid And General Public Should Take Note

Formerly Mr Abdulhamid Olawale Taofeek Now Mr Lamidi Olawuyi Taofeek Former Documents Remain Valid And General Public Should Take Note,

Formerly Miss Faleye Abisola Oluwaseyi Now Mrs Emmanuel-Rabiu Abisola Oluwaseyi Former Documents Remain Valid And General Public Should Take Note

PUBLIC NOTICEFAITH AND PRAYER EVANGELICAL INTERNATIONAL

ASSEMBLY The general public is hereby notified that the above name Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C.), Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Company and Allied Matter Act 1 of 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) Prophet Olusoji Samson. A. 2) Mrs Olusoji Susan. A. 3) Evangelist Okpala Edwin 4) Mrs Tijani Lydia 5) Mr David Ogundele

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1) To Preach the goodnews of Jesus Christ 2)To embark on life Transforming Programs 3)To plant and establish church where necessary 4)To carry the gospel to the whole world especially the unreached regions people

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded totheRegistrarGeneral,CorporateAffairsCommission,Plot 420 TigrisCrescent, OffAguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: Prophet Olusoji. S. A

08038181984

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME CORRECTION OF NAME & DATE OF BIRTH:

CORRECTION OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

43Wednesday, November 11, 2015

GARBA: Formerly known and addressed as MURTALA ALHAJI GARBA, now wish to be known and addressed as MUHAMMAD NURA SHEHU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to confirm that BABAFEMI BUSAYO is the same and one person as OJO MARIA BUSAYO. Now wish to be known and addressed as OJO MARIA BUSAYO. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc. and ACCESS Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEI,FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS.GRACE IFEYINWA ANYA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS.GRACE IFEOMA ONYENWENA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. PLEASE, GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

BULAMA: Formerly known and addressed as YAKUBU BULAMA, now wish to be known and addressed as YAKUBU WADIDA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Blessing Isaiah now wish to be known and addressed as Blessing Chinwen Ukpai all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

I formerly know and addressed as BAKARE ALABA OLADUNNI,now wish to be know and addressed as BAKARE OLAWUMI,all former document remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

EZE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS EZE FRANCES UCHE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS LUKE JANE-FRANCES UCHE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

SATI: formerly known and addressed as SATI KATO EGOH now wish to be known and addressed as SIMON EGOH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I Formerly Known and addressed as Miss Afolayan Adeola Adenike now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olorunfemi Adeola Adenike.All former documements remain valid,federal University Oye Ekiti,first Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Olukemi Adeparusi Ajiboye, now wish to be known and addressed as Adeparusi Olukemi Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHRIS: formerly known and addressed as CHRIS UCHECHUKWU PRINCE AGU now wish to be known and addressed as AGU UCHECHUKWU PRINCE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that Ogunnusi Oluwaseun and Owolabi Oluwaseun Gloria is one and the same person,now wish to be addressed as Ogunnusi Oluwaseun,former document remain valid,Eco Bank plc,First Bank plc and the general public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as YISA HABEEB HAMMED, now wish to be known and addressed as ISA SHEHU HAMMOD. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

SHA’IRI: formerly known and addressed as BASHIR ABUBAKAR SHA’IRI now wish to be known and addressed as BASHIR ABUBAKAR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I Fajuyi Abike Tolani am the same person as Jimoh Abike Tolani and Ganiyu Sadiat.Henceforth i want to be called and addressed as Mrs Fajuyi Abike Tolani.All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

GIBSON: formerly known and addressed as IBRAHIM GIBSON ANAJA now wish to be known and addressed as IBRAHIM ANAJA. All former documents remain valid. ECO BANK and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that my correct name is ADEJOH MATTHEW and not as it was wrongly documented as ADEJOH DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. AUTHORITIES concerned and general public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as miss Veronica Itohia Azeke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Veronica .I. Olawole all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMESHEDRACK: Formerly known and addressed as AFAKERETA SHEDRACK ENAREBE now wish to be known and addressed as AFEKERETA PAUL ENAREBE. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEFormerly known and addressed as MISS. FAMILUSI SEUN FUNMILOLA. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AJAYI FUNMILOLA OLUWATAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEFormerly known and addressed as Tajudeen Adebayo Oluwatosin now wish to be known and addressed as Adebayo Oluwatosin Timothy. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

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ROSELINE: formerly known and addressed as ROSELINE AHIWE now wish to be known and addressed as ROSE AHIWE. All former documents remain valid. UNIONO BANK and the general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as miss Alli Risikat Oriyomi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Owoyalumo Risikat Oriyomi all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

I formerly know and addressed as MISS ADESINA KOFOWOROLA NANNA-AWAWU,now wish to be know and addressed as MRS IYANDA KOFOWOROLA NANNAA,all former document remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

EZEMEE: I, formerly known and addressed as LAZARUS OKOLI SATANA, now wish to be known and addressed as LAZARUS OKORIE EZEMEE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Kalu James Peter now wish to be known and addressed as Okorie James Peter all former documents remain valid and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to certify that SAHEED WAHAB AROLE is the same one person as SAHEED WAHAB ADEWALE, henceforth wish to be addressed as SAHEED WAHAB ADEWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as miss Adeniyi Mariam Olubukola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sidi-mahamud Mariam Olubukola all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to certify that ADOGA KERU DANIEL is the same one person as KERU OZIREN DANIEL henceforth wish to be addressed as ADOGA KERU DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Adeosun Taofeeq Oyeniyi now wish to be known and addressed as Adeosun Taofeeq Adeniyi all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Yunusa Alfa Kabiru, now wish to be known and addressed as Kabir Yunus. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Onyema Thomas now wish to be known and addressed as Taye Onyema Augustine all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEFormerly known and addressed as Olusegun Akinlarin Oyedele now wish to be known and addressed as Odufote Segun Oyedele all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Olamilusi Oluwadamilola Olabiyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Olamilusi Oluwadamilola Abraham Olabiyi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

ADESHINA: formerly known and addressed as ADESHINA TOLUWALOPE JAMIU now wish to be known and addressed as JAMIU LATEEF ADEKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Sakirat Olamide Olanipekun now wish to be known and addressed as Sakirat Olamide Fawole all former documents remain valid Tescom and general public take note.

I formerly know and addressed as MISS AYANNIYI REBECCA ODUNOLA, now wish to be know and addressed as MRS OLATOYAN REBECCA ODUNOLA, all former document remain valid. FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEFormerly known and addressed as Abeng Abri Enang, now wish to be known and addressed as Joseph Abri Enang. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEFormerly known and addressed as Oluchi Linda Esonwunne, now wish to be known and addressed as Nwachinemere Oluchi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEFormerly known and addressed as Saheed Sanmori, now wish to be known and addressed as Babatunde Ajayi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Chukwu Igwe Ifeyinwa Jane, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okobodo Ifeyinwa Jane. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMESAMAILA: Formerly known and addressed as SAMAILA ATIKU, now wish to be known and addressed as ISMAILA ATIKU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed

as AKIN Obidare but now wish

to be known as AKINWANDE

Obidare. General public please

take note.

SAMAIL: formerly known and addressed as SAMAIL LAWAL now wish to be known and addressed as SAMAILA LAWAL RILWAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME

I,FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MR.SYDNEY ENWENACHIOZO ANYA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MR.SYDNEY DIMGBA ONYENWENA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. PLEASE, GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.


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EWUZIE: Formerly known and addressed as CHINENYE EUNICE EWUZIE now wish to be known and addressed as CHINENYE EUNICE IGBOKWE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as DANIEL Okafor Tochukwu but now wish to be known as Emmanuel Adololom. General public please take note.

Formerly addressed and known as Miss Onitini Ololade Funmilayo now wish to be known and called as Mrs Olaoluwa Ololade Funmilayo. All former documents remain valid, Banks and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMESULE: l formerly known and addressed as MISS SULE ABIMBOLA ADEBOWALE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGUNBODEDE ABIMBOLAADEBOWALE.All former documents remain valid.The general public should please take note

CHANGE OF NAMEI MUOGOR JOHN WISHES TO BE ADDRESS AS OKONKWO JOHN CHIBUIKE, THAT MY BIRTH DATE IS 8TH JANUARY NOT 12TH, every other documents bearing the above name remains valid. General public to note.

CHANGE OF NAMEFormerly known as Okon Sunday Pius now to be known and address as Uche Essien Mbang . Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEI FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS RITA IFEOMA ONWUASOR NOW MRS RITA IFEOMA ONYENKWO.ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

CHANGE OF NAMEI, Formerly known and addressed as MUINAT BABALOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MUINAT ADENIKE TIJANI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Sakibu Mutiat now wish to be known and addressed as Sakiru Mutiat Omowunmi all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEI, Formerly known and addressed as OTENE JOHN ONUH, now wish to be known and addressed as OBAJE JOHN ONUH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as miss Awoyemi Temitope Olaoluwa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Jesukoya Temitope Olaoluwa. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEFormerly known and addressed as Mrs Tawakalitu Abolanle Lawal, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss ABOLANLE TAWAKALITU ADEYEMO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAMEFormerly known and addressed as Miss Kabirah Ayoola Ganiu Oyedokun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kabirah Ayoola Adeoye. All former documents remain valid. Acces bank, GTB bank, Ecobank and general public take note.

This is to Confirm that i am one and same person bearing Yusuf Dauda falomo and Yusuf Dauda Olaniyi. All former documents bearing the above names remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Omotayo Christiana Ibitoye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Omotayo Christiana Inobeme. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE

ARTLEON EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATIONThe general public is hereby notified that the above named organisation has applied for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Trustees are:

1 Arthur Peter Chukwuma 2. Chijioke Leone Chukwuma3. Paul Ifunanya Chukwuma 4. Chukwuemeka Collins Ekeh5. Obinna Chiduzien Ekeh 6. Sharon Onyinyechi Chukwuma

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:(a) To empower women and young persons especially females with valuable skills, trainings and enlightenment;(b) To enlighten people through television and radio programs that will educate, empower and liberate them from poverty backwardness and ignorance. (c) o award scholarships to deserving indigent students;(d) To enhance individual growth, development, economic empowerment and survival strategies that are environmental friendly;(e) To carry out charitable projects such as health and medical care, educational advancement and learning, philanthropic missions, water projects etc, in various communities within Nigeria;(f) To relieve persons, who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress as a result of local, national or international disaster or by reason of their social and economic circumstances;(g) To engage in community and social development programmes and scholarship schemes, establish operate maintain and manage convalescence homes, and mission- aids centres for the furtherance of these objectives

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja not later than 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

E - LEARNING BOOK CLUB INTERNATIONAL The general public is hereby notified that the above name Club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C.), Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Company and Allied Matter Act 1 of 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1 Arc. Akinlabi Oluyomi2 Mr Olayinka Olugbenga Ibidunni3 Mrs Risikat Titilayo Akiyode 4 Miss Tolulope Oluyomi 5 Mr Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN) 6 Mrs Yemi Olanrewaju 7 Prof Emmanuel Oladipo Otolorin 8 Sculptor Okay Ikenegbu 9 Justice Gabsiu Ademola Bakre AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:1To Organise and establish a community - based Book-reading Club that will be accessible to people of all races and ages in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria 2 To Organise activities that will promote values of sound education and befitting legacy amongst Nigeria 3 To gainfully intiate the masses of Nigerian Youth into the culture of reading for leisure and intellectual pursuits for the overall betterment of the Nigerian society using computer and the Internet as platform and its website.


SIGNED:

Adedamola. S. Ademola. Esq 103,Ibadan Road, Asero, Abeokuta

08037141746.

PROPHETIC CHURCH OF GOD & POWER INTERNATIONAL

The general public is hereby notified that the above name Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C.), Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Company and Allied Matter Act 1 of 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) prophetess Adeoye Funmilola Wunmi 2) Elder Idogun Henry Zaccheus 3) Pastor Adeoye Michael 4) Brother Tunde - Taiwo Olutoyin 5) Mr Adebayo Zaccheus

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1) To Raise a congregations of people who will readily experience and rely on the power of God 2)To make service to God the center of worshipping 3)To inspire God’s Power - Oriented Christians.


SIGNED: Adegbenro. R. Ogunbade

Solicitor

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CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

44 Wednesday, Deecember 9, 2015


CHANGE OF NAME

LASU VC: Joint senate, governing council c’ttee pick 3 candidates

Aregbesola

Osun targets agric, solid mineral devt to boost IGR

professors were from LASU, while the other three were from outside the institution.

The shortlisted professors are Prof. Abolade Adeniji, Dean, Faculty of Arts; Prof. Senna Bakre, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academ-ics); Prof. Olatunji Bello of LASUCOM.

Others are Prof. Nuru-deen Olasupo of the Depart-ment of Microbiology; Prof. Hamidu Sanni of the Islam-ic Studies Department, and Prof. Babajide Elemo of the Science Faculty.

Those from outside LASU are Prof. S.A. Tella from Ola-bisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, and Prof. Lanre Fagbohun, a former LASU staff (now at the University of Lagos), and a professor from Texas, U.S., simply identified as Prof. Oki.

One of the five candidates not shortlisted was the im-mediate past vice-chancellor

of LASU, Prof. John Obafun-wa, whose tenure ended on October 31.

NAN reports that the post of the vice-chancellor of LASU became vacant on Oc-tober 31 following the expi-ration of the tenure of Prof. Obafunwa.

Lagos State govern-ment had on November 7 appointed Prof. Fidelis Njokanma, (DVC, Admin-istration) as acting vice-chancellor of the institu-tion as recommended by the university’s govern-ing council, led by its chairman, Prof. Adebayo Ninalowo.

Ambode had on Novem-ber 17 sent the LASU 2015 Amendment Bill to the House of Assembly for ratification.

The governor had pro-posed in the bill a single-term of five years for the institution’s vice-chancellor.

Boladale BamigBolaOSOGBO

Osun State Gover-nor Rauf Aregbe-sola has disclosed

that his administration would henceforth focus on agriculture, solid min-eral development and in-dustrialisation.

He stated this at the commissioning of the new effluent treatment plant and expansion proj-ect of the International Breweries Plc, Ilesa.

Aregbesola noted that given the falling price of oil and diminishing reve-nue from the oil sector, the state was already looking beyond oil for revenue, sustenance and fulfilling his electoral promises.

He commended the company for its vision and the forthrightness of its founder, the late Dr. Lawrence Omole, and managers of the company for complying with inter-national best practices and the aptness of the commissioning of efflu-ent treatment plant co-inciding with the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, France.

Aregbesola said: “Our new focus is agriculture, solid mineral develop-ment and industrialisa-tion. This, indeed, should be the focus of the wise, who is thinking beyond the financial catastrophe that befell this nation since 2013 on account of falling revenue from the Federation Account.”

Aregbesola also laud-ed the company for in-creasing its presence and acceptability, which has translated into an increase in the market

Court to rule on forgery case against ex-CAC secretary

share of the brewery.He added: “I commend

you. But you must do more, not just to domi-nate your immediate en-vironment but to spread to other regions as well and ultimately make your brands international by venturing outside the country. On our part, we will continue to support you and help to realise your vision to expand.”

Earlier in his remark, Chairman, board of di-rectors of the company, Otunba Michael Dar-amola, commended the state government for its unflinching support to-wards the growth and development of the com-pany.

He extolled Governor Aregbesola for keeping to the promises he made in 2013, saying the memo-randum of understand-ing signed between the company and the state government has yielded positive results and tre-mendous impact on the lives of citizens of the state.

Enumerating some of the organisation’s achievements, Otunba Daramola said the com-pany has been a job pro-vider and development partner to the state.

ratify the result at its next sitting and present the se-lected names to visitor to the university, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

“The remaining process will be done by chairman of the governing council, who will forward the three short-listed candidates’ names to the visitor for approval.

“The final approval and who emerges as vice-chan-cellor rests with the visitor,” the source told NAN.

Prof. Fagbohun is an indi-gene of Awori, Lagos State; Prof. Sanni is from Oyo State, while Prof. Bello hails from Ondo State.

Fourteen professors ap-plied for the post within six weeks of its advertisement.

Nine of them were short-listed after several consid-erations of their qualifica-tions and pre-requisites for absorption.

Six of the shortlisted

court, counsel to the two ac-cused, Mr. Michael Lana, said the first application filed on November 16, 2015, was seeking an order striking out the new charge against his clients, while the appli-cation filed on November 24, 2015, was an appeal before the appellate court, chal-lenging the re-arraignment of the two accused persons based on the Constitution.

According to him, the two accused persons could not be re-arraigned under the new charge because there is still

an appeal pending before the Court of Appeal based on the old charge that involved his clients and the former president of a CAC’s Gen-eral Executive Council fac-tion, Pastor Honward Elijah Olusheye.

But counsel to the pros-ecution, Mr. Kareem Sala-wu, while objecting to the applications, said section 395(2) of the Constitution forbids the court from al-lowing the accused person, whose plea has not been taken, to be heard or enjoy

any benefit before it. He stated that the new Ad-ministration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), section 396, insists that before an accused person could raise any objection or argue an application, he must have submitted himself to the jurisdiction of the court through taking his plea, which is not so in this case.

Salawu urged the court to dismiss the two applica-tions and rule that the two accessed persons take their plea.

Lagos State University, LASU, Joint Commit-tee of the Senate and

Governing Council has se-lected three of the nine pro-fessors initially shortlisted to contest the post of vice-chancellor.

A reliable source within the university disclosed this to the News Agency of Nige-ria, NAN, yesterday, in Lagos on condition of anonymity.

According to the source, Prof. Lanre Fagbohun of the University of Lagos came first, Prof. Hamidu Sanni of the Department of Islamic Studies, LASU, came second; while Prof. Olatunji Bello of the Lagos State University’s College of Medicine, LASU-COM, Ikeja, emerged third.

The source said the inter-view for the candidates was held on December 7 in the of-fice of the vice-chancellor in LASUCOM, adding that the senate and council would

Kemi olaitanIBADAN

A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan and presided over

by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel, yesterday fixed February 23 next year, to deliver ruling on the two ap-plications argued by counsel to the two accused persons allegedly involved in the forgery of certificate of in-corporation of the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC.

The two accused persons

in the 24-year-old crisis of the CAC are immediate past general secretary of the church, Pastor Gideon Okegwemeh, and a former staff of the Corporate Af-fairs Commission, CAC, Mr. Abdul-Hakeem Mohammed.

In a new seven-count charge numbered FHC/IB/992011, filed against the two, they were accused of conspiring to fraudulently procure a certificate of reg-istration of the Christ Ap-ostolic Church, Nigeria, No. 147 of 1995 from the CAC,

Abuja, when they knew that the original and valid certifi-cate of registration bearing the same No. 147 of 1985 of the same Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria, was in pos-session of the late Pastor N.E. Udofia.

The charge stated that they committed an offence contrary to section 518(7) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap 77, Laws of the Federation of 2004 and punishable un-der the same section of the Act.

While addressing the

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (6th right); Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Amb. Hakeem Sulaiman (6th left), and Ogun State team at the ongoing UN Climate Change COP 21 in Paris, France.

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net 45Thursday, December 10, 2015 South West

Thursday September 4, 201446 National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, December 10, 2015

47 – Brazil Coach, Carlos Dunga

There is still enough room in my team for Thiago Silva to return. But he will have to justify his inclusion and

he knows it

5,000 athletes for NPUGA competition

Sport

Nigeria Football Support-ers Club has debunked reports in some social

media network that its mem-bers have been banned from the on-going CAF U-23 Nations Cup in Senegal particularly ahead of yesterday’s semi-final match against host country, Senegal.

Some social medial network on Monday published a report that the Supporters Club has been banned from the champi-onship following the display of Biafra flag by the members.

According to a statement by the club signed by its Presi-dent General , Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, none of its registered members has been in Senegal not to talk

of displaying the defunct Biafra flag during the last group match against Algeria .

“We have not been banned and we cannot be banned as been speculated because we have not even traveled to Sen-egal. I enjoin Nigerians to ig-nore the report as it is not only wicked but aimed at tarnishing the good image of the club”.

He noted that all his mem-bers are good ambassadors of the country as against the un-patriotic fans/spectators who were only seen clapping hands without the usual drumming, blowing of trumpets as well as singing inspirational songs that are the trade mark of the club.

National Teams’ sponsor, Globacom, has com-mended the U-23 team

for recording an all-important semi-final victory against host Senegal in the ongoing 2015 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations match played in Dakar.

In a press statement released in Lagos immediately after the match yesterday, Globacom gave kudos to the Dream Team IV for winning the match and qualify-ing for the football event of 2016

Olympics in Rio, Brazil. “We Congratulate the U-23

team for qualifying for the Olym-pics and urge them to remain focused on the task ahead. We be-lieve that victory is achievable in Rio and we stand by you as ever, believing fervently that you will do Nigeria proud at the Olym-pics,” the statement concluded.

Globacom is the major part-ner of the Nigeria Football Fed-eration and official sponsor of the Nigerian national teams.

Supporters club denies U-23 ban

Glo hails Dream Team Siasia boys qualify for Rio OlympicsMidfielder Etebo Ogh-

enekaro ensured Ni-geria became the first

team to qualify for the 2016 Olym-pic Games in Rio de Janeiro with the winner against host Senegal in the AFCON U-23 semi-final clash yesterday in Dakar.

The Warri Wolves midfielder converted a penalty midway into the second half to secure vic-tory for the Nigeria U-23 team against a determined Senegal side, cheered on by an expectant home crowd.

‘Les Lionceaux’ will have them-selves to blame for failing to con-vert the numerous chances that came their way in addition to missing a penalty just before half time with Ibrahima Keita shooting in the waiting hands of Nigerian goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel.

The victory of the Nigerians cannot be complete without men-tion of the heroic saves from Daniel, who was the busier of the two shot stoppers and his team’s best player on the pitch.

Both teams got off to a blis-tering start but it was Senegal

who dominated possession firing from every angle in search of the opener.

And their consistent raids upfront yielded some decent chances but Nigeria goalie, Dan-iel, stood between them and the opener.

Nigeria tried to contain the host with occasional moves up-front and had their best chance on 42 minutes from a well-re-hearsed three-man move. Mid-fielder Oghenekaro’s delicate chip found Junior Ajayi, who slid past Senegal goalie Pape Ndi-aye only for Adama Mbengue to weather the storm with a timely clearance.

On the stroke of half time, the host had the perfect opportunity to go up with a penalty after Dan-iel fouled Cheikou Dieng in the vital area. However, Daniel stood firm with an easy save from Kei-ta’s feeble shot from the shot dis-tance to end the first half barren.

Daniel was on hand yet again to deny the host the opener on 58 minutes saving with his foot from a Ismaila Sarr goal bound

shot on a one-on-one situation. The turning point of the game

came after the hour mark when Nigeria coach, Samson Siasia, introduced FIFA U-17 World Cup top scorer, Victor Osimhen, for God’s Power Tower which paid off minutes later.

The Nigerians pressed for the opener and on 71 minutes forced a blunder from the Senegalese backline and hard-pressed de-fender Ousseynou Thioune delib-erately tried to stop the ball from entering the post. Thioune was sent off and Oghenekaro convert-ed for the penalty for the opener to silence the home crowd.

Victory means Nigeria, 1996 champions and 2008 runners up but missing from the last Olym-pics in London, will be one of Africa’s three flag-bearers at the tournament in Rio de Janeiro next year.

In Saturday’s final, the Nige-ria U-23 will take on the winner of the second semi final between Algeria and South Africa, at the same Stade Leopold Sedar Seng-hor in Dakar.

Nigerian players carrying Coach Samson Siasia shoulder high after their victory over Senegal

National Mirrorwww.nationalmirroronline.net Sports 47Thursday, December 10, 2015

5,000 athletes for NPUGA competitionIfeanyI eduzor

President of Nigeria Pri-vate University Games (NPUGA), Akintunde

Akinola, says that arrange-ments have been concluded for the accommodation of over 5,000 athletes and officials that will storm the Afe Babalola Univer-sity, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State today and tomorrow for the beginning of the 6th edition of NPUGA slated for December 10-20 2015.

Akinola told National Mir-ror that the bi-annual games which will be officially declared open on Saturday at the Sports

Complex of the University will feature such games as; football, basketball, athletics, volleyball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, badminton, chess and scrabble amongst others which will be held at both the University’s sports complex and the Kayode Oluyemi Stadium, Ado Ekiti re-spectively.

Akinola who also doubles as Director of Sports, Achievers University, Owo while expressing confidence that the games will be hitch-free considering modalities put in place by the body and the host University, noted that with the level of awareness created by his administration since assump-tion of office, they are expecting

almost all the private universi-ties in the country to be part of the games.

“The last Games we held in 2013 at the Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji- Arakeji, Osun State attracted many institutions and we hope that with the level of awareness about the games since the last edition, more private universities will be part of this year’s edition,” he noted.

He expressed confidence that the host university will be bank-ing on the success recorded in its first attempt in the games in the last edition, where it placed sec-ond behind Benson Idahosa Uni-versity, Benin City to challenge for honours in this year’s edition.

aza MsueKADUNA

The Forestry Research In-stitute of Nigeria (FRIN) Ibadan, has emerged

champion of the 15th Research Institutes Games (RIGAN) with 45 medals at the end of the week-long competition.

The 2015 RIGAN games which ended in Zaria, Kaduna State with 19 research institutes in attendance, was hosted by the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria with over 262 trophies were won by the participants.

According to the medals table released by the RIGAN National Secretary, Dr. O. Owolade, the FRIN led the medals table with 45 medals which include 16 gold, 16 silver and 13 bronze medals followed by the Institute for Ag-ricultural Research and Train-ing (IAR&T) also from Ibadan, winning 13 gold, 15 silver and seven bronze medals.

The National Root Crops Re-search Institute (NRCRI) Umu-dike clinched the third position with 12 gold, one silver and six bronze.

Nigerian Building Roads Research Institute (NBRRI), Abuja and Lake Chad Research Institute of Nigeria (LCRI), Mai-duguri were the last with just a bronze each.

In the final football match, the National Agricultural Ex-tension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria defeated the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) also of ABU, Zaria by six goals to five to clinch the coveted trophy.

The match was decided through penalty after the two teams played a one – one draw.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, who was rep-resented by Alhaji Usman Mahmud Hasssan, Commission-er of Works and Transport, pre-sented trophy to the team leader

of FRIN, Ibadan. The governor who declared

the fiesta closed renewed Kadu-na State Government’s commit-ment towards supporting sports at all levels.

“I wish to reiterate the com-mitment of Kaduna State to-wards promoting sports at all levels. We are also willing to as-sist all sports men and women to develop their talents.” he said.

Earlier in his closing re-marks, Director General and Chief Executive of the NITT, who was also the Chairman Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr. Aminu Musa Yusuf, said, “RIGAN fraternity has indeed lived up to its core ob-jectives of fostering friendship through sports.

“I have noticed with appre-ciation that RIGAN has continu-ally used sports activities such as the one we just had as a plat-form for promoting peace and unity in Nigeria.”

Dein wows NFF congressmen as leadership summit ends

RIGAN 2015: FRIN emerges winner in Zaria

Key members of the Nige-ria Football Federation (NFF) Congress were

enraptured on Monday as a former Chairman of The Foot-ball Association and a former Chairman of English Premier-ship top club, Arsenal FC, Mr. David Dein, delivered a paper on ‘Building a Brand.’

The respected football admin-istrator made the presentation as part of the conclusion of a four-day leadership summit for Chairmen of Football Associa-tions of States in Nigeria, pack-aged by the NFF in conjunc-tion with New African Soccer, and sponsored by Zenith Bank, FROT Group and Arik Air.

The delivery at the Hilton Watford, London lasted only an hour, but some of the congress-men reacted thus after the pre-sentation:

Chidi Okenwa (Chairman, Enugu State FA): “This has been a gospel. You know, Christians go to Jerusalem and Moslems go to Saudi Arabia on pilgrimage. We have come for our own pil-grimage in the cradle of football and have been so blessed. It has been quite an exciting experi-ence, listening to Messrs Dyke and Dein, and the others. We have broadened our knowledge of pre and post-match organisa-tion, execution and de-commis-sioning, as well as revenue gen-eration and the principles you cannot compromise if you must succeed as a football adminis-trator. This is wonderful.”

Frank Ilaboya (Chairman, Edo State FA): “The papers have been profound, touching on the whole gamut of football admin-istration. Delivery was excel-lent and the message illuminat-ing. I tell you, this is one of the best things to have happened to Chairmen of State FAs. I give kudos to the NFF leadership. If we continue this way, develop-ment of football in our country would be fast –tracked.”

Track and field athletes

Pinnick

NFF congressmen listening to David Dein in London

Porbeni Ogun (Chairman, Bayelsa State FA): “The pro-gramme has been highly inter-esting. We have learnt so much in the area of close relationship between the National Associa-tion and the regional bodies. The NFF and the State FAs must work more closely together, and if we can do this, other coun-tries will be coming to Nigeria to learn very soon. I am im-pressed with the direction the present NFF is leading Nigeria football.”

Sunday Longbap (Chair-man, Plateau State FA): “This programme is a great learning curve. We used to think that everything should come from the centre; now, we know there are several ways that ourselves can generate funds. Proper ac-countability and prudence are key factors to generating mon-ey through the community. We have certainly broadened our knowledge of administration at this summit.”

Oswald Atuake (Chairman, Cross River State FA): “Messrs Dyke and Dein truly impressed us. We have come across new ideas on football administration and grassroots development. We have to go back to Nigeria and apply all we have learnt so that we can power the development of our football from the grass-roots.”

Vol. 05 No. 1261 Thursday, December 10, 2015 N150

WORLD RECORD

The fastest hat-trick of tries scored from the start of a match is 6 min 54 sec by Chris Thorman (UK) playing the semi-final of the Buddies National League Cup

at Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK on 19 May 2002.

Fastest rugby league hat-trick

SolaOjewusi

S lGuest Columnist

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My friends all, I never met Honourable Tajudeen Oba-sa, member representing

Ojo, Lagos at the Federal House of Representatives until that Saturday. The venue of meeting? On the air! He was a guest on the popular Saturday programme, IRE NI TIWA anchored by the Yoruba OAP on Bond FM, Tun-ji Olalekan. Obasa spoke with such flair, sincerity and efficiency about his vision for Lagos, what he had already done for Lagosians, the bill he was sponsoring etc. Such was the fluidity, apparent genuineness and eloquence of his explanation and re-sponses that I could not but wonder if such politicians still existed.

But something that really got the journalist in me cracking was his statement that unlike most politi-cians, he picked all calls! “Impossi-

ble!” I scoffed in the loneliness of my bedroom. Not in this Nigeria, where politicians suddenly shape-shift into tin-gods as soon as they got elected, becoming as inaccessible as the sun. If this guy had spoken many truths to-day, this was one ‘lie’ I was not ready to stomach. I decided to take him up on this, mischievously smiling that this one politician must be taught a lesson.

I did not call as soon as the pro-gramme ended, believing that he would still be playing to the gallery and want to prove his point. I called the line he announced on air more than twenty-four hours later and, sin-cerely, I got one of the pleasant shocks of my writer’s life. The line rang once and presto, it was instantly answered.

I still didn’t want to believe it was he. I expected the receiver to be ei-ther his PA or another aide. But, lo and behold, it was Honourable Obasa himself. I did not initially introduce myself as a journalist, thinking he might want to impress me. I told him I was a Lagosian, who wanted to take him up on his stewardship. Calmly, humbly, he expressed his readiness to listen to me. I pinched myself. Was I dreaming?

It was not long ago I met one of the Lagos senators on one of the cor-ridors of the National Assembly in Abuja and the bitter memory of his snobbish disposition still lingers. That day I was on an entirely dif-ferent mission at NASS, but the cu-

riosity of meeting a Distinguished Senator from my state of residence and the chance to chat up a sena-tor whose humility I had heard a lot about pushed me to approach him. May be he thought I was one of the hangers on, or whatever. His response was like, “Sorry, I don’t talk to people on corridors!” and he walked off so snobbishly, without another word. I was scandalized! I began to wonder: So to who would this politician, this supposed peo-ple’s representative talk on corri-dors? Angels or demons?

So Hon Obasa came to me as a refreshing stand alone that day. He not only copiously articulated his dreams for Lagos, humbly asking to call me back so as not to burn my credit, he further asked me to feel free to call and criticize him anytime he, according to him, does not live up to expectation. I was really struck by his simple, down-to-earth dispo-sition! I later introduced myself as a journalist and he actually took it with a pinch of salt. What came across that day was that this was one unique politician.

Sport Extra

World heavyweight cham-pion, Tyson Fury, has been stripped of his In-

ternational Boxing Federation (IBF) title less than two weeks af-ter winning it.

The Briton, 27, had to agree to fight the IBF’s mandatory challenger, Vyacheslav Glazkov, but will instead

face Wladimir Klitschko in a re-match. The 31-year-old Glazkov, also a Ukrainian, has won 21 of his 22 pro-fessional fights.

Fury beat Ukrainian Klitschko on points on November 28 to claim three versions of the heavyweight crown.

BBC Sport quoted Lindsey Tuck-er, championships chairman at the IBF, as saying, “It’s true he’s been stripped of his IBF belt.”

Fury, who is unbeaten in 25 profes-sional contests, retains the WBA and WBO versions of the heavyweight title, while the WBC belt is held by

Boxing:Boxing: Tyson Fury stripped of world title Tyson Fury stripped of world title

Tyson Fury

Tajudeen Obasa and demystifi cation of power

OBASA HAS BROUGHT AN ADMIRABLE FLAIR TO THE

SERIOUS BUSINESS OF POLITICS…

American, Deontay Wilder. The contract for last month’s

title fight in Dusseldorf included a clause for a rematch, for which the date and the venue have to be decided, and Klitschko - who had been world champion for 11 years - announced last week he would take up the option.

However, I still wanted to doubt him despite this, thinking he was like that because he was still new in Abuja and yet uncorrupted by the demon that eats up the soul of otherwise good people as soon as they taste power. But Hon Obasa has continued to beat the odds. I even asked colleagues to call him incognito in Abuja and the story remains the same. Sincerely, I think this man saw and still sees his pres-ence in Abuja as a service and would bend over backwards to satisfy the people who sent him there. He is sim-ply incurably an adherent of the man-tra of servant leadership and jour-nalists who were at the Rennaisance Hotel Ikeja last Sunday, where he was given an award would corroborate this. He was simply humble to a fault. People snuggled up to him easily and he would greet all comers with unaf-fected camaraderie.

One other thing that would delight a journalist about Honourable Obasa is his readiness to battle the anti-social media bill being midwifed by some senators against popular will. He did not mince words about his opposition to any legislation that is anti-people. He was so refreshingly different that one journalist was forced to ask: “Is this man from Mars? And is he truly a PDP politician?”

There is really so much our contem-porary politicians must learn from the Obasa example. Politics should be about service. The tendency of most politicians to disregard and disrespect constituents after they have gotten the vote is another Nigerian phenomenon worthy of the garbage bin. Rather than flamboyance and personal ag-grandizement, Obasa has brought an admirable flair to the serious business of politics and has proved that after all is said and done, ultimate power rests with the electorate.

Ojewusi wrote via [email protected]